Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers

Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers

Published August 25, 2008 at 01:15:54 PM, by Dave Bethune

When you're in the market to purchase a laptop, one of the aspects that are quickly glossed over is the quality and design of the internal speakers. In most instances, laptop speakers are just the icing on the cake when prospecting the latest and greatest hardware out on the market. In some cases, manufactures will team with recognized name brand audio developers such as Harmon Kardon, Altec Lansing or Bose to supply their audio hardware. Unfortunately, almost all cases, internal laptop speakers sound flat and lack in a high degree of audio fidelity. This has raised the necessity for an aftermarket speaker solution. An audio setup that is not confined to the hardware dimensions of a laptop, but is still small enough to be portable and can withstand the abuse of travel.

Enter the Logitech V20 USB powered external speaker solution. The Logitech V20 utilizes a stereo configuration that takes advantage of a simplistic and proven design of audio and power routing through a single cable, which makes the V20 a powerful, portable, and very good sounding solution.

Design
Logitech knew what they we doing when they designed the V20 speakers. This pair of speakers is small and lightweight, weighing only 2 pounds when packed in its carrying case. Logitech includes a handy protective carrying case to house the speakers when they are not bumping your latest Kelly Clarkson CD - adding to its portability . Both speakers fit nice and snug inside this hard shelled case, protecting from the normal wear & tear that comes from constantly throwing in and out of backpacks & bags.

Each V20 speaker houses a 2" high excursion dynamic driver and a 3" passive radiator driver. Both are encased in grey ABS hard plastic with a stylish brushed aluminum grill. One speaker houses the USB cable that supplies the speakers with power and signal, and a second cable that interconnects both speakers.

The USB cable could be a bit longer if the setup is used on something other then a Laptop, as the speakers would be placed farther apart and it might be necessary to have an extension cable. The rear of the speakers features a kickstand that allows for the speakers to stand up optimally and folds up when not in use.

Features
Control Buttons
Housed on top of the main speaker are a host of audio control buttons. Play, pause, stop, next, previous, mute, and volume up & down are all functions that are accessible, but the buttons are extremely stiff and somewhat difficult to push. The buttons worked with well with Microsoft Media Player, but we had some difficulty when utilizing the button feature with iTunes; the functions were only available when iTunes was the top running application. A blue LED is also bunched together with the control buttons that switches to red when the audio is muted.

USB Powered
The Logitech V20 speakers carry the audio signal and power through a single USB cable, which makes them easy to install and use. The advantage of having one cable to provide audio and power is that their will be no fumbling around with a multitude of wires that need to be plugged in everywhere. Simple design, easy to use. Furthermore, the sound is essentially digital since its passing through USB.

Speaker Setup
Initial setup is very simple; any technology novice could handle it with ease. Simply plug the USB cable into any available USB port and you're good to go. With Macs, you have to go to the audio selection screen and choose the Logitech V20 speakers as your main audio output device. Once everything is setup, you are ready to rock out on your V20's.

Performance
The advantage of the Logitech V20 speakers over most conventional laptop internal speakers is apparent once you listen to the rich and fullness of sounds that emulate from the 2-inch and 3-inch drivers. Because the speakers are getting some extra juice via the 5v connection from the USB port, they can pump out audio at a relatively high volume. That may sound like a good thing, but there were some rare instances where the audio was a bit too high and a bit of distortion resulted.

Another negative experience we had is that the speakers themselves had a bit too much bass when listening to tracks or movies that had strong low audio frequencies, especially at high volumes. The speakers would literally jump around the desk because of their kick and the little blue LED would start to flicker because the V20 speakers were straining for juice. As a result, slight distortion was noticeable, but a decrease in volume proved to be the remedy. A slight hiss could be heard at zero volume, but it is barely noticeable.

The high frequency tones were crisp and clear in all instances. The high action sequences of The Matrix sounded great as well as non-stop action in F.E.A.R. The 2-inch drivers definitely do their job on the Logitech V20's. The mid-range frequencies were a bit drowned out from the overpowering bass and highs. This was not too noticeable when watching movies or playing games, but when it came to certain music, the lack of mid-rage was noticeable. Some audio tweaking could be preformed within the preferred media program, but that negates some degree of the purpose of buying an external speakers system.

Pros:

• Easy to Setup
• Great Highs and Lows
• Lightweight and Well Built
• High Volume
• Great Value for the Money

Cons:

• Needs a bit of Midrange Tweaking
• Bass is too strong at timesa

Recommendation
Overall, the Logitech V20 speakers are an excellent addition to any laptop. They are portable, durable, and have great audio reproduction. Their ease of installation and use make them versatile enough so most any user and take advantage of their features. The high volume capability and clarity can turn any college dorm into a house party in no time and will give an extra something to that portable home theater on the road. With a street price around $50 to $60, these are a great buy for the cost and are well worth the investment if you need to further enhance your audio experience while on the go or at the desk. You will not be disappointed in the Logitech V20 USB speaker system but sounding is believing.

Availability/Warranty
The Logitech V20 USB speakers have a suggested retail of $79.99 but can be found for $60 street. The V20 speakers carry a 2-year limited warranty.

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Technical Specifications

No specifications are available.