Logitech Z-640 6 Speaker Surround Sound System Review

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(More customer reviews)After using my previous Logitech 2.1 (satellite + sub) speakers for several years (and loving them!) I decided that for the price, these 640s would be worth the "risk" to gain 5.1 sound.
As usual, Logitech did a first class job on packaging the speakers. Everything arrived in great condition all protected in plastic bags to avoid any cosmetic flaws. Unpacking and set-up of the speakers was very easy -- all of the plug/cables are clearly marked and the cables are of reasonable length (important for the rear channels).
The performance of the speakers is good, especially considering the price range. They are a bit light on the midrange but for most computer applications (ie. games!) this is not an issue. The subwoofer is incredible -- I have to keep the sub set to minimum (there is a knob on the sub itself) since I live in a townhome with shared walls. I just popped a Techmaster P.E.B. audio CD in (a CD that is VERY heavy on the bass - commonly used in car audio competitions) and the sub does a wonderful job of reproducing the extremely low frequencies.
The high-range is good, as one would expect from satellites of this size.
All of the controls are positioned on the center channel speaker and include a Volume, Power, Fader, Center, and Matrix (for if you don't have a 5.1 soundcard) knob/button. The satellites stand on nice matte aluminum stands. The sub is probably around 10 inches cubed, with the speaker exposed on one side (behind a grille) and all of the connections on the opposite side. Cosmetically, these are nice speakers.
So, for the price, I cannot complain. Compared to my previous set of Logitech speakers (Soundman Extreme) and other speakers I have listened to, my only complaint is the midrange reproduction. Other than that, if you are a gamer or a basshead, these speakers will please you.
Mike

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Get the most from your computer games and DVD movies with Logitech's Z-640 surround-sound speaker system. The system's four satellites (left/right, front/surround) and center-channel speaker fill your room with sound, while the 25-watt powered subwoofer rounds out the bottom end to a deep 35 Hz, a good octave below the range of most bookshelf speakers, delivering floor-shaking bass from your music or a DVD's low-frequency-effects channel, the ".1" in a Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1-channel presentation.
Inputs include a stereo analog (left/right) RCA pair and multi-channel analog inputs for decoded surround sound from any four- or six-channel sound card (or audio/video surround receiver).
The satellites are powered by 7.3 watts each, and the center channel, which handles up to 70 percent of most surround mixes, gets 16.3 watts. Logitech's innovative, dual-chamber subwoofer delivers twice the bass energy of similarly sized subwoofers, and the company's use of an internal power supply obviates the bulky wall adapters found on many surround systems.
All speakers are video shielded to allow distortion-free placement on or around your monitor, and the satellite speakers--imbued with easy-position rotating pedastals--may be mounted on stands, your desktop, or the wall. The system is covered by a two-year warranty. A handy supplied adapter ensures instant connectivity with gaming consoles.
What's in the Box Four satellite speakers, one center-channel speaker, one subwoofer, requisite speaker cabling, one adapter cable for hookup with video-game consoles, and a user's manual.

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Audiovox D1708 7-Inch Portable DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this when my "Durabrand" dual-screen DVD player died after only 8 or 10 uses in the car. I was very impressed with the screen when I compared it head to head with the Panasonic (and the Panasonic was more than double the $$) and the screen was worlds better than the Durabrand. The screen has great resolution (not top of the line, but nearly so, and probably better than all others for the same price). Even more important for a portable, it has excellent field of view; you can see it clearly almost completely to either side or the top (much better than my laptop computer). The brightness control gives crisp screen colors and the contrast is nice. The volume is high enough to hear over road noise or across the room. I copy my movies onto DVD+ and DVD- discs so the kids don't ruin the DVDs, and the player plays them just fine (unlike the Durabrand). It has logically placed, crisp control buttons and the remote works well.
I use it in the car for the kids so it has taken some abuse and keeps on ticking without a hitch. It has rounded corners and a solid feel, though not too heavy (unlike that piece of junk Durabrand). The battery is rather big; I haven't tested it to see how many total hours it will run on one charge, though it seems to do well. The battery is flat and fastens on underneath the player and gives it stability if you use it. The only thing I don't like about the battery arrangement is that you can't charge the battery and use the player at the same time (the DVD player is cut out if you plug the power into the battery charge spot). There are DVD out and AV in connections. It works well with one as a slave viewer if you have two and both kids want to watch the same movie with their own screen. The carry case is nice, and you can actually fit the player and the accessories back into it (again, unlike the Durabrand). I have had no problems with it producing noise like some have reported here.
I thought it was a good value at what Amazon sells it for, which is what I paid for my first one, so I went out to buy a second one and it was a steal because it was on sale for even less. The second one works as well as the first, and at that price, it's almost a throw-away item. If it conks out after 6 months, I've got my money's worth.
Addendum: A day after I wrote this review, one of my DVD players had a problem. In the middle of the movie, the screen turned to black and white, and I can't get it back to color. I didn't get my 6 months out of it, so don't consider it as much of a value as originally thought. I would reduce the number of rating stars if I could.
Addendum 2: I wish I would have written this review just a few days later. Since I added the last addendum a day ago, the other DVD player has developed a problem. All the buttons quit working. Luckily the remote still works. Unfortunately we are on a trip right now or they would both be taken right back to the store.
Sidenote: Why is it that so many DVD players, all brands, brake so soon? It's an epidemic! Must be because so many are made in China. We should all stop buying anything made in China!

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Take a mini home entertainment center with you wherever you go with the Audiovox D1708 portable DVD player. The D1708 features a 7-inch TFT active matrix widescreen display with aspect ratio control so you can choose 16:9 for widescreen movies, standard 4:3, or a switchable option. It plays back DVD, CD, and MP3-formatted discs for a variety of options. DVD features include multiple angles, multilingual subtitles, parental controls, and slow motion.
The D1708 comes with built-in stereo speakers with simulated surround sound, and also features two headphone jacks so two people can watch movies in privacy. It also features a digital output so you can connect to a home theater system and enjoy Dolby Digital and DTS audio when you're at home. The included rechargeable NiMH battery has up to three hours battery life so you can watch even the longest movies and not worry about losing power.
What's in the Box Portable DVD player, rechargeable NiMH battery, remote control, warranty information, and user's manual.

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