i would go for z-4, owned 1 before. good clarity, good bass response. i would go for z-4 anytime than altec or edifier

perhaps, bring your mp3 player along and audition the 2 set of speakers (or any other brand, models, etc) yourself and judge them yourself? whichever better to your ears, and within your budget, ---->go for it

go for audition, and bring your $$$ like it then buy lo, dont like both of them, then take some more time and save some extra money.