Logitech Z-10 Speaker System

Logitech Z-10 Speaker System

Published August 25, 2008 at 01:16:06 PM, by Blair Mathis

Overview

It's pretty obvious that unless you are used to a 1940's phonograph - your laptop speakers could use an overhaul. Now, some systems come with internal subwoofers that drive lower frequencies than most stock speakers - but they are no match for a decent set of external speakers when it comes to audio quality. Logitech is known for making some of the best multimedia audio components for PC systems, be it laptop or desktop. Their Z line of audio products range in power from 80 watts up to thunderous THX certified 505 watt systems. Logitech recently announced the newest members to the family - the Z-10 speaker system. Coupled with a touch sensitive LCD management console, USB and Line-In connectivity, and 30 watts per channel split between two 3' woofers and 1' tweeter setup - it's stuck right in between the budget conscious and the high end of the spectrum. What's really left to be determined is the audio quality - which is the main purpose behind speakers (in my opinion). Personally - if they aren't much to look at but sound amazing, that's your price paid back in full. If they are stylish as well, that's a bonus. And make no bones about it, Logitech made the cases on the Z-10 speaker system stylish. Sporting no knobs, buttons, or sliders - it's completely controlled digitally either by the touch sensitive 'areas' on the right channel or via commands sent to it through the USB connectivity. They gleam as soon as you unpack them from their carefully crafted box - and come with a lint free cleaning cloth that helps them stay this way.

The Z-10s have no buttons to speak of - everything is controlled on the speaker much like a touch screen on a PDA device. All audio adjustments (bass/treble/volume) are controlled via a menu system within the speakers or through your computer's volume control. Basically, the Z-10 speakers hold the pre-amp output and equalizer to power each speaker. Pretty impressive, considering that these also have the ability to control digital music programs with the onboard control setup. Play, pause, next/previous, mute and powerbut how do these sound? Let's first discuss the stats on paper.

Technical Specifications

• Total FTC power: 30 watts RMS
• Bi-amp design:
  Woofers, left/right: 14.8 watts RMS x 2 (into 4 ohms, @ 500 Hz, @ 10% THD)
  Tweeters, left/right: 1.2 watts RMS x 2 (into 16 ohms, @ 4 kHz, @ 10% THD)
• Total peak power: 60 watts (30 watts per channel)
• Speaker dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 9.7 x 4.5 x 4.7

You'll notice that these weren't meant to compete with any other sort of speaker line that puts out 80rms wattage or more for volume. These are rated as a 30 watt max load per channel, summing up to a 60watt max load - nowhere near the ear shattering Z-5500's max load of 500 watts of power. So if you're looking for pure unadulterated power - you wouldn't need to look further than the specs to rule these speakers out. But let's not count them out for moderate listening, which is what these speakers are tailored for. Moving along

What is interesting to note is the tweeters noted response range - 4khz. That's 4,000hz or 8 times the high output range of the woofers. Not too badbut I've seen better - perhaps when we fire things up it will balance out.

So let's break open the box and see what lies inside.

Design

Portability

Now here's something strange you don't see us at the Laptop Logic labs testing - these babies are pretty massive! This ported speaker system weighs in at a hefty 13 pounds and nearing nearly 10' high, the cabinet that holds these speakers are monuments in height, but not too bad in depth. Unlike most 2.0 speaker systems that look like miniature versions of the Z-10's - these have mass. They demand attention with their piano gloss front faces, and sleek silver rimmed grills. I have to say I was impressed. They definitely look stellarand they are DEFINITELY not going with me on any sort of trip like aforementioned mobile 2.0 systems. These are meant to assume the throne on your permanent workstation / desk. And it's comforting to know they have this mass, because one great secret behind audio technology is resonanceand these look like they might sum up some mighty spectrums. I'm excited!

Closer inspection into the box reveals a CD, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo cable, cleaning cloth, and quick start guide. Looking down at the CD in my hand, I asked myself the obvious question - since when do speakers require a driver CD? The Z-10 speakers have an interactive LCD display that shows Date/Time, Track info, CPU/RAM performance monitor, countdown timer and POP3 mail server monitor - but these ONLY WORK if you connect the Z-10 speakers to your computer via the supplied USB cable and then install the drivers and setup the LCD management software. We'll get into that a little later

External

Looking at these speakers one by one in my hands, I'm not disappointed. Simple connection setup with either Line-in, or mini-USB connectivity to one speakerbut drat. The other speaker is HARDWIRED into the other. If you are/were planning on spacing these speakers out more than the cord connecting these two - good luck. You'll end up being frustrated by it's limited length, and although suited for most users, I was a little disappointed that this cord wasn't able to be either separated or extended without severely modifying (splicing more cable in) the stock setup. But as noted before, more than likely 99% of users will be completely satisfied by the distance you can achieve from the setup Logitech supplied you with. I'm not talking about the distance from your computer; I'm talking the distance from the left channel speaker to the right channel speaker - which measures an approximate 5 feet.

Each speaker has a component setup containing a 1' tweeter and a 3' woofer. As mentioned earlier, each cabinet is ported on the rear to allow the woofers to perform while minimizing rattle and throwing the pressure out. Higher end speakers contain these novelties, so it's good to know that there still might be promise yet for the sound coming out. Who am I kidding, I'm expecting it now!

The right channel contains the main LCD control setup. As noted below, the LCD panel has 3 rows, each containing separate hotspots for the 'touch sensitive' screen. What's interesting to note is that this surface isn't even touch sensitive. It's not like your pressing a button on the Z-10 speaker system - you don't really have to. I'm guessing due to the electrical signals and static that builds up between your body (naturally) and the sensors within the Z-10's, you can magically hover your finger about

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Technical Specifications

No specifications are available.