17. Videologic ZXR-500

Videologic is a maker from whom we've come to expect top-range and highly efficient systems like the Sirocco Crossfire or Digitheatre DTS. The ZXR-500 is more modest and comes into the $100 scale along with the Logitech Z-450 and Creative Labs FPS 1600. The ZXR-500 has four speakers and a center channel of 8 RMS watts apiece and a subwoofer of 25 watts. So total power is 65 watts, which is not at all bad. The bandwidth claimed is 20 Hz to 20 kHz, corresponding more to what is actually supported by the amplifier than by the speakers, for which Videologic gives no special figures. Our tests showed an effective threshold of around 50 Hz. For a system at this price, the ZXR-500 is not bad-looking, with the speakers mounted on tripods and a "Bose-like" subwoofer. The plastic looks a bit tacky but the speakers are actually very heavy. This is due to the Microlab drivers, which have hefty shields. All the connections are at the back of the subwoofer. There are three RCA analog inputs for 5.1 sound, but no digital input. The controls on the front are quite unusual, with four dials for center sound, low frequencies, and front and rear speakers, but not for overall volume. So if you want to turn up the volume on all the speakers, you have to do it by hand with the four dials or else via the sound card in Windows.

ZXR-500 sound is not as good as we are used to from Videologic. High frequencies are fairly true and clear up to mid volume, but they saturate soon beyond that. Mediums are not bad, so that is a point in favor of the system. The subwoofer is not especially efficient and is more like the FPS 1600, with a bit more power. Low frequencies are not very deep or percussive compared to the Logitech Z-540. But sound position and stereo image are very well rendered. In the game tests, the ZXR-500 gives good results in 4.1. For DVD, the sound is not unpleasant, but it loses power and saturates at high volume. So those used to the qualities of the Sirocco Crossfire should forget them and just remember the price of the ZXR-500. For a bit more than $100 you still get a respectable 5.1 system. Gamers will prefer the Logitech Z-540, which has stronger sound and is a bit cheaper.