UPDATE/CORRECTION: In our original review, we wrongly concluded that Xhifi’s Xducer speaker system used a DSP to shape its sound output. That is not the case, and we’ve updated our review to reflect that fact. We regret the error.
There are times when a product comes along that raises the bar for the entire category. But, this isn’t one of them. Nope, what we have here is a lopsided battle between an $800 newcomer to the PC speaker market and a $110 set of speakers from an industry veteran. In one corner, Xhifi has rolled out its Xducer 2.1 speaker system, with its cutting-edge look and audiophile fit and finish. In the opposing corner, we have Logitech’s Z2200, a 2.1 version of the company’s venerable Z-680 5.1 speaker set that brings the more familiar trappings of PC speakers but lacks Xhifi’s dashing good looks.
With speakers, it’s all about how they sound — and we fully expected the Xhifi offering to outperform the Logitech. But what we actually heard really surprised us and may surprise you as well. Let’s see how they stack up.