Customer Reviews

Logitech Wireless Music System for PC

5 star:		(84)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

This cool little gadget does what it claims and does it very well. It's very small and unobtrusive and the sound quality is very good. No hiss, noise, or other artifacts that I could detect. Sounds as good as a CD to me.

You can just plug it in and go (without the software) and it will work. But if you want to really control your setup, then you'll have to load the software. I would have given it 5 stars, but the software is a bit buggy. I got it to work but it took some playing around. On my PC the logitech took over as the default audio device. I went into the SoundMAX Control panel and set everything back to my PC's internal sound. Then I used the Logitech software to setup MusicMatch output to go to this device. After twiddling a bit and rebooting my PC, everything finally settled down and now it works like a champ. WinAmp, Windows Media Player, and the many other audio programs I have now output through my PC speakers (before they all went to the Logitech device) and now only Music Match outputs to the Logotech device which is what I wanted.

The remote is cheap and uses he plastic "bubble" keys, so you can get multiple key presses sometimes, but once I got used to it, it worked fine. But I programmed my main "learning remote" and now use that all the time, reserving the small remote Logitech remote as a backup. You have mute, play, pause, stop, previous track and next track commands available. Note there is no power off. There is no power off switch on either device (receiver or transmitter). Not a problem on the transmitter as it draws power from the USB port and so will be off when your PC is off (and vice versa). The receiver stays on all the time. I doubt that it uses very much current, but I still would have preferred an on/off switch. How much could it cost? Anyway, no switch seems to be the (stupid) trend these days.

Note also that there is no track display on the receiver - not a big deal IMHO, but if you want that look elsewhere. Note also that the receiver for this device will work with anything that has audio in (analog)- a stereo receiver, a TV w/audio inputs, a boom box, whatever! That's nice, so if you have power out on your deck, take your boom box and the recevier out there with you and you're in business! The receiver is small and there's no power "brick" just an oddly shaped plug (with the transformer in it, I assume)so it's very portable. You can buy extra receivers and the Logitech software will let you select (on your PC) which one is active. It did not appear to allow multiple receviers active, but I only have one so I can't be sure about that. Since it is a 2 way channel (remember you are controlling the Player on your PC via the remote), I guess only one 'pair' can work at a time. Still, nice that you have the option to route the output to different rooms or locations (via multiple receivers). The transmitter could easily be moved from one PC to another (or to a laptop, etc.) as well. Very versatile!

All in all, a great product for the price and I am very happy with it. I set 'shuffle' on MusicMatch and it's like having my own satellite radio station. ;)

This product works great--unless you have any of the following:
Cordless phone (2.4 ghz)
any other blue tooth devices
wireless internet
microwave oven

If any of these are in use, the logitech system is rendered useless--at any distance.
If however--you turn these all off--and make sure nobody calls--it works great.

I did my research and found too many "issues" with the other products meant to connect to a receiver through my wireless network (no DRM support, WEP/WPA security issues, price, flaky connectivity). I decided to try this Bluetooth device as it circumvents these issues and professed a longer range. I had a difficult time finding a unit in a retail store, and when I did find it in CompUSA, they had them displayed with the iPods instead of with the other digital music/networking equipment. I bet they'd sell more of these if they were in the proper aisle! Anyway, once I got it home the install took 2 minutes (no joke!) Plug in the flashdrive-sized transmitter to a USB port on the PC, plug in the receiver to the provided A/C adaptor and your stereo's aux or phono jacks with provided RCA cables, and voila! They found each other and lived happlily ever after. I opened up Windows Media Player and was listening to my 1000+ MP3 and WMA songs in no time. The caveat here is that you may have to play with the volume levels between your PC, the reciever, and your stereo to avoid distortion. I also found using the equalizer in WMP helped refine the sound - the low frequency output is a little heavy and tends to make mud. I listened to it a while and decided to install the optional software so I could separate the PC sounds from the music being beamed to my stereo.

My only complaint is that there is no digital connection. For the price ($149) it should really have a digital option.

Bottom Line: Great device for turning your PC's audio library and your stereo into a whole-house music system. Glad I took a chance on this one!

When I first started using this, I was very satisfied. The sound quality is great, there is no static or signal loss, and the range is more than adequate. The ability to skip tracks forward and backward is convenient, and I do not have a problem with the transmitter temporarily disabling the computer speakers. Not to mention no DRM issues.

Then I noticed that occasionally I would get skips and signal interruptions that would get progressively worse, until the audio becomes unlistenable. After this happened repeatedly, I notice a pattern- this seemed to happen after about 10-20 minutes into listening. I looked online and found a few others complaining about the same problem, and suggested that this may be due to the overheating of the transmitter. So next time the signal degradation occured, I touched the transmitter, and it was indeed hot. I then attached the transmitter extender, and this improved the situation, since the trasmitter was not getting as hot, but the problem remains. I am now convinced that this is due to overheating, since the problem worsens with hot weather, and when the trasmitter is plugged directly (and therefore gets hotter from my laptop).

I do not know how widespread this problem is, but for me this is a dealbreaker. I am stuck with this thing now, but my use of it is limited. The product is great otherwise, but this signal degradation makes this useless for more than 20 minutes at a time, especially when the temperature in my house is on the warm side.

I bought this to circumvent the limitations of iTunes -- which won't stream purchased music to my Roku Soundbridge -- and of the Soundbridge itself, which cannot decode absolutely all internet radio formats (but the situation is always improving).

However, and as others have recently commented without downgrading their ratings, the logitech device disrupts my home WiFi network. Furthermore the software will not install under Vista.

Basically this device is obsolete. Buy with caution because it has a very large range and could just as easily wreak havoc with a neighboring network.

First off, let me say that my computer is a sentient, diabolical, vindictive intelligence bent on thwarting me at every turn while forcing me to shovel ever-increasing amounts of hard-earned cash down its voracious maw.
That said, the Logitech Music system was just about the most flawless installation I've ever had. The above mentioned computer initially refused to play the music even though I'd followed the exact instructions while installing the USB connections. However, after I installed the software on the CD and went through the setup procedure it's performing perfectly, transmitting my MP3 files to my new Bose Wave system downstairs. Even my XM online plays smoothly and static free! The only small negative is the need to close Media Player or XM online when switching from the PC speakers to the Logitech but that's a minor inconvenience. I almost spent a lot more money for the LinkSys Music Bridge and I'm glad I went with the Logitech as I can stay offline to keep out the hackers while enjoying my music elsewhere. I plan to get another receiver so I can enjoy my tunes in the workshop. Great product, Logitech!

This rocks! We got it hooked up last night and have not had any problems as of yet. Our computer is upstairs and home stereo is down stairs. The sound quality is great. There doesn't seem to be any interference with our digital phones or the wireless keyboard and headphones I use.
I don't have anything bad to say about this product at all. In fact, I think I'll purchase a few extra receivers to go in other places around the house.
Note: If you are blind and using the Jaws program to access the screen text, you'll need some sighted assistance installing this device as it redirects the audio from the sound card. I was very concerned about a compatibility issue with the wireless music system and Jaws but we figured out how to make the speech from Jaws come out of the PC speakers and the music from the wireless system. Woohoo!
Oh yeah, you can't beat the price either. Great buy and definitely one of my favorite Christmas presents!

My computer has decent speakers so it's fine for listening in my office. The rest of the house is a different matter. I need to get and control Music in other rooms as well.

So I bought the Logitech Wireless Music System and it works.
First off, there is no wireless interference from it (that's always been an issue in the past). Second, it does what it says it will do (no disappointment).

There is a wireless transceiver (2"x3") that connects to your stereo and a tiny remote control. A transmitter that looks like a USB memory key plugs into the USB port. That's it. Anytime you plug the transmitter into the port (I use the front one), pc sound is redirected to the transmitter. I think it circumvents the sound card altogether. I didn't touch any of the audio controls or wires from the pc and I did not install any software.

I can control the MusicMatch play list (it works with other media players too) from the transceiver or the remote. And when I unplug the USB transmitter, it's like it was never there.

So, bottom line:
Sounds good
No interference
Additional receivers available
It really works! (That's the unexpected part)

I bought this system about a year ago and was initially disappointed with it because system sounds (program feedback) were sent to my stereo along with the music. I wanted to be able to work on the computer-which was located in a different room-and hear the system sounds while my family was listening to music in another room. Once I performed the steps (listed below) it moved up to a five-star device on my list. The following setup lets me operate the computer in one room while music is playing in another. The system sounds are directed to your computer speakers and music that is played through Windows Media Player is directed to your stereo system. Music played through other programs, like iTunes or WinAmp, is directed to the computer speakers. To me this is the best of both worlds.


You can direct music to the Logitech Wireless Sound system while sending system sounds to your computer speaker if you follow the directions listed in the following two paragraphs.

After you insert the Logitech USB transmitter in your computer, the default USB drivers will set themselves up automatically. DO NOT install the Logitech software. Instead go to the Windows control panel, choose "Sound and Audio Devices" and the "Audio" tab. Set your "Sound Playback Default Device" to your computer's sound card, and NOT the Logitech Music Anywhere USB transmitter. With this setting, Windows will direct all default sound output (Windows sound effects, error dings, etc) to your computer's speakers, which is exactly where you want it.

Now shut down the control panel and start up Windows Media Player. Find the "More Options..." menu item and the "Devices" tab, and select "Speakers / Properties". Under "Audio Device to Use" select the "Logitech Music Anywhere USB transmitter". This will send all your music to the Logitech system. In Windows XP Pro go to Tools-Options-Devices then click on Speakers and then the Properties button. When the Speaker Properties box opens click on the down arrow below the "Audio device to use:" box and select "DirectSound Logitech Music Anywhere USB Transmitter". Click on "apply" and then "OK" and you're done.

You can also create a play list from your music files and add that playlist to your startup folder. That way when when you start the computer the music starts automatically. Again, system sounds-even other music programs like iTunes-are directed to your computer speakers but the music played through Windows Media Player is sent to your stereo.

I bought this product for one purpose: to be able to remote control my Windows Media Player. It can't. Here is Logitech's support response:

"I have tested the device and it appears that the device is not fully supported in Windows Media Player 11."

AND

"I regret to inform you that since this device is an end of life product we do not have any updates for this device."

Why do they not continue to support products that are still being sold as NEW???
This was a support email dated 4-7-2007.
This item is now reduced to merely an audio streaming devise with no controls. Now it goes in the trash. Waste of my money.
If you buy, do it with caution.