Altec 641 vs Logitech Z560

Ohm · 18th May 2003, 12:07 AM

Hello

I'm about to purchase one of these speaker sets, but I'm stuck between the two. From user experience, which speakers would you recommend?

splinter · 18th May 2003, 1:00 AM

Altecs hands down.

its more expensive anyway!

jarnex · 18th May 2003, 6:52 PM

AL641 - same satellites as the 621 but has 2 drivers in the sub. Is pretty neutral for a PC speaker set and doesn't tend to favour either highs or lows as much as the Logitech. Has seperate tweeters on each of the satellites.

Z560 - Loud, boomy, typical Logitech. Not to my taste but would suit someone who likes their games (it's a better gaming set) and bass.

I own the 621's so you can deduce what I would recommend

badsac · 19th May 2003, 12:58 AM

Well if you pop over to Dansdata he talks about the two in his review of the 641's. He basically comes to the conclusion that (working from memory here) the Logitechs have better satellites and the 641's have a better woofer. He seems to think that they were both fairly close in the end and that price should be the deciding factor. If that's the case, the Logitechs are much better value. But with some issues of build quality the 641's might claw some back. I was personally interested in the 641's because they looked better and initially there didn't seem to be much in price between the two. But with the Logitechs coming down in price and the 641's staying the same, I thought stuffit and will probably go for the Z680's instead.

beamster · 23rd May 2003, 8:19 PM

Also have the Altec 641 and would have to agree with Altecs Motto " More Raw Power"

CAMS · 4th June 2003, 3:39 PM

Hi

I had two sets of 641 die on me at 6 months each (unlucky?), with very easy use. Now using Z560.

The CK · 4th June 2003, 5:28 PM

i have the z560's and i wish i had gotten the altecs --- i find the sub on my logi boomy and dosent kinda match the speakers and blend in with the speakers if you know what i mean. i havent heard the altecs but they are supposed have a slightly tighter sub.

Cypher · 4th June 2003, 8:57 PM

I've got the 641's here, very nice speakers. I've had them up to about half way and it was unbareable for me. I have them up quite loud quite often, still running strong.

Slugoid · 7th June 2003, 1:40 PM

Since there's so many Logitech vs. Altec Lansing thread, I might as well continue with this one

I had a listen to the almighty Z680 yesterday I was was very impressed with their DTS and Dolby encoding. However, what was lacking was music playback. I had a listen to a mp3 in 192kbps format I didn't quite like it. Kinda too drowned out by bass and not really defined.

Anyway, the question is, how will the Altec Lansing 641 (or even 621) compare to Logitech when it comes to music only?? I don't watch movies much on comp (I have a HT system) and I only play games once in a while.

Edit: Where can I test them in SE Melbourne??

splinter · 7th June 2003, 1:58 PM

I havent heard altecs, but I have heard logitech 680 at Dicksmith, music wise 680 shouldnt surpass 641. 680 is too ordinary in that regard (reference.. Klispch 4.1). for boomy applications like movies then it should perform ok for the price.

crazy f00l · 7th June 2003, 2:31 PM

I have Z560s here: basically for music, go the 641's. Logitech's sub is far too boomy, and midlevel bass is often quite muddy/undefined. Also, trebles are very harsh: extremely annoying with music as it sounds like everyone has a lisp

. Personally though, i use Beyerdynamics DT531 headphones for music and the Z560s for gaming and movies, where the sheer power of them makes in atmosphere what is lacking in quality.

In other words, you're the one who has to make a judgement on what your main uses will be and buy accordingly. Also, its probably a pretty good idea to try and listen to them both if you can get find them : with audio, what is bliss to one person is sheer crap to another.
Good luck

GTR27 · 7th June 2003, 2:56 PM

I have Z560's and one thing i recommend to all owners or prospective owners - go to a hifi shop and buy proper speaker cables the thickest / best stuff u can buy. It sorts out the imbalance between the sub and satellites.

I changed the cables on my satellites and now i find the sound is very powerfull and quite balanced. This is another advantage i believe the logitechs have i dont think the altechs have - the ability to change the speaker cables.

listen to both i think you will agree the z560's are better.

zaq · 7th June 2003, 3:06 PM

i've found that removing the speaker grills on the z560 improves the quality of high freq sounds by quite a bit!

such crappy grills... anyway, the speakers look better without them

[]WILDFIRE[] · 7th June 2003, 3:21 PM

You MUST listen to them your self and make your own mind up.On paper the 641's have less watts to play with but from what i have heard there is no real difference in output except ___ 641's have a much tighter sound.

Z560 = huge, boomy,bright,muddy rattle ya light fittings sound which some prefer

641 = solid ,crisp,huge,loud sound that is balanced and powerful

I have had my 641's since they came out and have given them a workout since getting them.
My friend has had a set of z560's for about 8 months and is on his second set.(the sub ate its self )

Both sound good just depends on your listening preferences

Ohm · 7th June 2003, 6:25 PM

Thanks for the help guys, looks like I'll be getting the 641s.

18th May 2003, 12:07 AM	#1
Ohm Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Brisbane Posts: 790	Altec 641 vs Logitech Z560 Hello I'm about to purchase one of these speaker sets, but I'm stuck between the two. From user experience, which speakers would you recommend?

18th May 2003, 1:00 AM	#2
splinter Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Western Melb Posts: 485	Altecs hands down. its more expensive anyway! __________________ - Dell 19" Wide LCD - Shuttle SB61G2V3 Last edited by splinter; 18th May 2003 at 8:24 PM.

18th May 2003, 6:52 PM	#3
jarnex Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,934	AL641 - same satellites as the 621 but has 2 drivers in the sub. Is pretty neutral for a PC speaker set and doesn't tend to favour either highs or lows as much as the Logitech. Has seperate tweeters on each of the satellites. Z560 - Loud, boomy, typical Logitech. Not to my taste but would suit someone who likes their games (it's a better gaming set) and bass. I own the 621's so you can deduce what I would recommend __________________ "All-wheel-drives and front-wheel drives are pretty spectacular and they’re going to continue to get better... You guys are obsessed with rear-wheel-drive." "... Masterpieces in automotive history are created by passion. As the industry has evolved, human passion has been replaced by standardised procedures, committee meetings, accounting figures and market surveys."

19th May 2003, 12:58 AM	#4
badsac Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bathurst Posts: 8,725	Well if you pop over to Dansdata he talks about the two in his review of the 641's. He basically comes to the conclusion that (working from memory here) the Logitechs have better satellites and the 641's have a better woofer. He seems to think that they were both fairly close in the end and that price should be the deciding factor. If that's the case, the Logitechs are much better value. But with some issues of build quality the 641's might claw some back. I was personally interested in the 641's because they looked better and initially there didn't seem to be much in price between the two. But with the Logitechs coming down in price and the 641's staying the same, I thought stuffit and will probably go for the Z680's instead. __________________ Dont deny the things you really want otherwise it'll be the only thing on your mind. Make sure it hurts tho. - No Exit Sony Vaio Club Member #22

4th June 2003, 3:39 PM	#6
CAMS Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Perth Thornlie Posts: 1,314	Hi I had two sets of 641 die on me at 6 months each (unlucky?), with very easy use. Now using Z560. Last edited by CAMS; 4th June 2003 at 5:35 PM.

23rd May 2003, 8:19 PM	#5
beamster Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: perth Posts: 109	Also have the Altec 641 and would have to agree with Altecs Motto " More Raw Power"

4th June 2003, 5:28 PM	#7
The CK Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Adelaide Posts: 723	i have the z560's and i wish i had gotten the altecs --- i find the sub on my logi boomy and dosent kinda match the speakers and blend in with the speakers if you know what i mean. i havent heard the altecs but they are supposed have a slightly tighter sub. __________________ Snufkin on Alessandro Headphones: "They just have an energy to them that makes you want to tap your feet, air guitar and rock out with your cock out."

4th June 2003, 8:57 PM	#8
Cypher Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: North of Brisbane Posts: 1,812	I've got the 641's here, very nice speakers. I've had them up to about half way and it was unbareable for me. I have them up quite loud quite often, still running strong. __________________ You are not your system stats.

7th June 2003, 1:40 PM	#9
Slugoid Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hong Kong SAR Posts: 3,077	Since there's so many Logitech vs. Altec Lansing thread, I might as well continue with this one I had a listen to the almighty Z680 yesterday I was was very impressed with their DTS and Dolby encoding. However, what was lacking was music playback. I had a listen to a mp3 in 192kbps format I didn't quite like it. Kinda too drowned out by bass and not really defined. Anyway, the question is, how will the Altec Lansing 641 (or even 621) compare to Logitech when it comes to music only?? I don't watch movies much on comp (I have a HT system) and I only play games once in a while. Edit: Where can I test them in SE Melbourne?? __________________ Successful trades: viper287 For sale: None Folding@Home 12000 Club\|Folding@Home 70000 Points Milestone Last edited by Slugoid; 7th June 2003 at 1:43 PM.

7th June 2003, 1:58 PM	#10
splinter Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Western Melb Posts: 485	I havent heard altecs, but I have heard logitech 680 at Dicksmith, music wise 680 shouldnt surpass 641. 680 is too ordinary in that regard (reference.. Klispch 4.1). for boomy applications like movies then it should perform ok for the price. __________________ - Dell 19" Wide LCD - Shuttle SB61G2V3 Last edited by splinter; 7th June 2003 at 1:59 PM.

7th June 2003, 2:31 PM	#11
crazy f00l Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 8	I have Z560s here: basically for music, go the 641's. Logitech's sub is far too boomy, and midlevel bass is often quite muddy/undefined. Also, trebles are very harsh: extremely annoying with music as it sounds like everyone has a lisp . Personally though, i use Beyerdynamics DT531 headphones for music and the Z560s for gaming and movies, where the sheer power of them makes in atmosphere what is lacking in quality. In other words, you're the one who has to make a judgement on what your main uses will be and buy accordingly. Also, its probably a pretty good idea to try and listen to them both if you can get find them : with audio, what is bliss to one person is sheer crap to another. Good luck __________________ \|AMDAthlonXP 1800+\| 512DDR 2100\|\|MSI K7T266 Pro2\| Leadtek GF3Ti200\| \|'Cuda IV 40gig \|Pioneer 16xDVDROM\| Liteon 40x12x48\|\|Intel Management Pro 10/100+ NIC\| \|Audigy DE\| Logitech Z560s\| Beyerdynamics DT531\|

7th June 2003, 2:56 PM	#12
GTR27 Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Darra (Brisbane) Posts: 3,139	I have Z560's and one thing i recommend to all owners or prospective owners - go to a hifi shop and buy proper speaker cables the thickest / best stuff u can buy. It sorts out the imbalance between the sub and satellites. I changed the cables on my satellites and now i find the sound is very powerfull and quite balanced. This is another advantage i believe the logitechs have i dont think the altechs have - the ability to change the speaker cables. listen to both i think you will agree the z560's are better. __________________ "Your Neutralness, it's a beige alert!" "If i don't survive, tell my wife hello"

7th June 2003, 3:06 PM	#13
zaq Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 34	i've found that removing the speaker grills on the z560 improves the quality of high freq sounds by quite a bit! such crappy grills... anyway, the speakers look better without them

7th June 2003, 3:21 PM	#14
[]WILDFIRE[] Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: QLD Posts: 133	You MUST listen to them your self and make your own mind up.On paper the 641's have less watts to play with but from what i have heard there is no real difference in output except ___ 641's have a much tighter sound. Z560 = huge, boomy,bright,muddy rattle ya light fittings sound which some prefer 641 = solid ,crisp,huge,loud sound that is balanced and powerful I have had my 641's since they came out and have given them a workout since getting them. My friend has had a set of z560's for about 8 months and is on his second set.(the sub ate its self ) Both sound good just depends on your listening preferences __________________ Light travels faster then sound, that's why people seem bright until you hear them

7th June 2003, 6:25 PM	#15
Ohm Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Brisbane Posts: 790	Thanks for the help guys, looks like I'll be getting the 641s.