Logitech AudioHub Notebook Speakers

by Logitech

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 18.6 x 5.2 x 5.9 inches ; 5.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000UY1MB2
• Item model number: 980-000101
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (153 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 11, 2007

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer

Premium audio in a compact, one-piece speaker system.

Enjoy rich, premium sound on your notebook with 2.1 speaker system in a compact one-piece form factor, that also organizes your personal devices.

Features

		Performance Premium 2.1 audio: Experience pure USB digital sound with a custom-tuned three-chamber design and integrated subwoofer.
		Convenience Powered, integrated USB hub: Connect your speakers and other devices to your notebook with a single cable. Space-saving design: One-piece design elegantly combines a premium speaker system, USB hub, and cable control. Adjustable body: Adapts to your workspace. Telescoping speakers accommodate setup of most notebooks with screens 17" or less and LCD monitors. Webcam stand: Removable stand keeps your webcam at the optimal height.

Elevate the Power of Windows Vista™

System Requirements

PC

• Windows® 98 SE, Windows® ME, Windows® 2000, Windows® XP, Windows Vista™
• USB port

Mac

• Mac OS® X or higher
• USB port

Technical Specifications

• Performance: Total RMS power: 15 watts RMS
• Drivers:
  Tweeters: Two 2-inch drivers
  Woofer: One 3-inch driver
• Connections: Powered, three-port USB 2.0 hub

Package Contents

• Logitech® AudioHub with integrated subwoofer, two satellite speakers, and USB hub
• AC power cable (6-foot)
• USB cables (2-foot affixed and 4-foot extension cable)
• Webcam stand
• Quick-start guide
• 2-year limited hardware warranty

Product Description

Enjoy rich, premium sound on your notebook with a one-piece speaker system that also organizes your personal devices. 1. -- Premium 2.1 audio: Experience pure USB digital sound with a custom-tuned three-chamber design and integrated subwoofer. 2. -- Powered, integrated USB hub: Connect your speakers and other devices to your notebook with a single cable. 3. -- Space-saving design: One-piece design elegantly combines a premium speaker system, USB hub, and cable control. 4. -- Adjustable body: Adapts to your workspace. Telescoping speakers accommodate setup of most notebooks and LCD monitors. 5. -- Webcam stand: Removable stand keeps your webcam at the optimal height.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

122 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best for those who use their notebook as a primary machine, January 20, 2008

By 

Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logitech AudioHub Notebook Speakers (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

These "notebook" speakers are designed for those who use their laptops in the same place, day after day. They weigh almost as much as my MacBook and, because they come in a long, solid piece, are more awkward to carry. If you are looking for portable speakers to take with you on vacation or on business trips, skip this product. If you're looking for rich audio at home or at school, read on.

This unit is truly plug-and-play, with no installation disks and a minimal manual. Simply plug the power cord into an outlet (these speakers cannot run on battery power) and plug the USB cable into your computer. The end speakers can slide about two inches wider on both sides to keep various size screens from blocking the sound. The speaker unit comes with a USB cable, a USB cable extender (especially important if your USB slots are on the left side of your notebook), a bracket for holding a webcam above the laptop screen, and a 100-240 V power adaptor. Three USB ports are located behind the right speaker, although the topmost slot is too tight for fatter devices/plugs. These ports are essential since the speakers themselves take a USB slot on your notebook, and you probably have a mouse attached to another.

The sound is rich and without annoying hum at both the loudest and softest volumes. While many portable speaker units sound tinny when the volume is cranked up, the Logitech AudioHub sounds surprisingly steady. Yeah, you're not getting the highest end audio here, but you'll definitely get quality sound for the money. The volume knob on the side glows orange, making it easy to locate even at night.

The AudioHub is perfect for college students who don't have the space for larger speakers but who don't want to sacrifice sound quality as well as for people who use their notebooks in the same place every day. Although the speakers would work fine with a desktop computer, their single-unit construction makes them less than ideal. The only real advantage of this unit over similar sounding speakers is the ability to unplug it and move everything to the side with one action.

55 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Logitech Audiohub - Great sound, great design, well worth a look!, January 22, 2008

By 

Mark "Technology, Music and Movies" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)   

This review is from: Logitech AudioHub Notebook Speakers (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

With their AudioHub Notebook Speakers, Logitech has produced a wonderful product that will fill a key need in the marketplace. The one-piece design is certainly more sleek and streamlined than competing traditional 2-piece bookshelf speakers. The unit is still not as "portable" as some mobile computer users might demand, and may be better suited for the growing number of those using their notebooks as "desktop replacements." For those seeking above average sound in a sleek package, this unit definitely fits the bill.

Pros
+ Nice performing speakers with a respectable 15 watts of RMS power
+ The beautiful slim black body is both attractive and functional
+ Two 2-inch tweeters and one 3-inch sub-woofer deliver surprisingly crisp 2.1 sound
+ Nifty connecting tower to hold your legacy webcam
+ A nice three-port USB 2.0 hub outbalance the one port used by the system
+ Adjustable speaker width allows you to set this behind any sized laptop
+ Nice back-lit power / volume control
+ 6-foot AC power cable has a medium sized plug instead of the power bricks common with 2.1 speaker systems
+ 2-foot USB cable and 4-foot extension cable provide nice connection options
+ Cable management area in the back keeps your work area neat
+ Simple instructions and plug and play performance for most users
+ 2-year limited hardware warranty

Cons
- No included pouch or carrying case to help transport the unit
- long body and wide base are larger than expected and won't fit into smaller back-packs
- mesh speaker covers are thin and may be prone to tearing
- no traditional input / output connectors for legacy devices

Your average laptop computer has an on-board sound card and low performance speakers. Even newer laptops sporting "name brand" integrated speakers by Altec Lansing and Harmon Kardon usually deliver less power than you would expect from those names.

The AudioHub's USB connection provides a digital music stream instead of the two-channel analog sound you're used to from your headphone jack speakers. The well tuned sound has a nice steady range with decent low, mid-range and high range sounds.

Even though it is marketed for notebooks, it can certainly be used on any computer, including a desktop. The USB connection allows for easy swapping between computers. The sliding speakers move just enough to accommodate the largest laptops.

For the price, Logitech gives the competition a run for their money. The sound is in the class of high-end bookshelf sets like the Creative T20s Creative GigaWorks T20 2.0 Speakersor the Klipsh Promedias Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 PC Speaker System- Black. The unit sports a nicer range than the Altec Lansing Soundbar, as well as a much cooler design Altec Lansing Soundbar Speakers for LCD Pc.

The power adapter has your standard voltages and comes with a "fat head" design instead of the larger one or two part power bricks so many people hate. The USB hub adds 3 ports to offset the one taken away, which is a great feature. Note that there is very little clearance where the ports are. The button on the right side controls power and volume and has a soft glow that may be too bright for some bedrooms.

Installation is a snap on Mac OS X, Windows Vista or XP. The included manual is a quick start guide.

The minor knocks against this unit are the lack of a travel case or legacy ports. Without an included case, keeping all these parts together for mobile computing is very messy. Not to mention, the soft speaker mess doesn't look like it will hold up to being thrown in a bag with your other gear. It would have been nice to have some legacy ports to connect a few devices to, but they opted for streamlined design instead.

Overall, this is a great set. Give the AudioHub a try and see for yourself. Enjoy!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the Orange Button ..., February 3, 2008

By 

Steffan Piper (Palm Desert, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Logitech AudioHub Notebook Speakers (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

Being the owner of several different types of speakers for laptops and iPod's. Thus far, this unit, as a stand alone is my favorite, and for these reasons:

1) The Orange Button on the side. It gives you a clear indication as to whether the sound is on or not, so no unnecessary blasting your face off and wondering where the volume is at when the music kicks in.

2) The sleek design is cool enough to warrant the device to be used as a stand alone unit on my kitchen counter. It doesn't stand out or need a foolish amount of wires to plug it in to the computer and the wall, unlike my JBL speaker set which can double as a clothesline or belay lines up Everest.

3) The incremental volume control is sensitive enough so that you can actually fade the music out if need be instead of hearing a drop off when you're trying to listen to something incredibly quiet. Like in the middle of the night, for instance, when everyone else is asleep and you want to hear Marvin Gaye or something. No problem.

4) No installation of anything at all. Wow! Amazing concept. I'm tired of installing drivers and unnecessary software for the most simplest devices these days. I plugged it in via USB and viola ... done. Didn't even require a manual.

5) The sound that the little unit feeds throughout the room is quite impressive and when strategically placed could probably replace a larger system for casual listening.

6) Wide enough to do what it says it can, judging from the picture on the box. I have a 17" screen and it does fit nicely behind it and the speakers slide out 2 inches on each side if necessary if you need to adjust it.

7) I didn't need the extra attachment that came with the unit as I have no intent on ever using a web cam.

8) Also, I'm not going to use it as pictured, and I don't think placing the unit behind my screen, giving me stereo sound, was necessary - as the unit a few feet away provided more sound than anyone could ask for from such a small unit.

9) This unit is good for a consumer level usage, students, casual internet surfers and folks wanting to listen to music from their laptop without an obtrusive set-up.

10) The unit also provides three extra (powered) USB ports which do come in handy.

11) I'm using this speaker system in conjunction with my Dell Inspiron 1721 Laptop with a 17" screen.

Very cool unit indeed.