Customer Reviews

Logitech Z-3 Wood Grained 2.1 Speakers

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Logitech's Z-3 speakers are a quality set of basic stereo-plus-subwoofer speakers for use with a computer, game unit, or small near-field (close-up) audio setup. They are quite pretty, with faux-wood cabinets and brushed metal accents, and despite their small size are quite heavy. While the set is not exceptionally loud for its rated power, the subwoofer provides substantial bass (perhaps too much at higher settings), and the stereo mid- and high-range satellite speakers offer smooth sound, an attractive and functional design, and solid metal bases for stability. The wired remote, with its simple power button, large analog volume knob, and funky blue LED power light, is an especially nice design.

I purchased the Z-3 speakers for use with a digital stage piano in our living room. Logitech includes a wired-in male mini-stereo plug (the kind that connects to a computer, portable CD player, or other mini-headphone jack), as well as an adapter that converts the mini plug to two female RCA jacks, which plug into standard left and right RCA cables used by stereo systems. I needed additional adapters (which I had, fortunately) to convert those RCA connectors to 1/4" mono phono plugs on the musical keyboard, but that was to be expected, since the Z-3s aren't aimed at musicians anyway.

Wiring up the system was straightforward: the power plug is part of the subwoofer, so you don't have to worry about multiple power cables snaking around-which also means there's no way to run the satellite speakers alone, without the subwoofer. Oddly, you must separate the main cables (which connect the subwoofer to the satellites and remote in a bundle) by peeling the wires away from each other, like licorice strips, to get them to the length you need, which is something the otherwise-good (and very short) manual fails to mention. As shipped, the free cables are too short to reach either side of a computer monitor, never mind a piano. Some might be wary of doing any wire-separating without anything in writing to make clear that it's safe (which it is, since you're just peeling off some rubber). The satellites are very nicely designed, with two stable cast-metal feet and removable soft speaker grilles that protect from poking fingers but don't seem to colour the sound significantly.

The volume remote is worth a mention on its own. Some PC speakers provide all sorts of doodads on the remote (or just put the controls on one of the speakers), and they often use little clicky buttons to control the volume. The Z-3 gives you just the basics, and is better for it. There is a power switch (which doubles as mute-just turn the power off!) and a very large, smooth-feeling old-style volume knob. There is a standard mini-headphone jack, slightly recessed, which could be awkward if your phones have a bulky plug, but none of mine do. The LED power button is a trendy blue, and perhaps a tad bright if you use it in a dark room. The remote itself is plastic, but feels solid and well built, like the rest of the set.

Although the Z-3s are rated at 40 watts total power (17 for the two satellites, 23 for the subwoofer), they don't seem to have much more overall real-world volume than my old Yamaha YST-M7 computer speakers, which lack a subwoofer and are only supposed to put out 10 watts total. That shows how meaningless wattage ratings really are for these kinds of speakers. But it's good for me, since my young daughters tend to turn everything to 10 if given a chance, and when 10 isn't that loud, it can be a relief. If you crank up the Z-3 subwoofer (it has a separate bass knob on the back), you can get room-shaking bass, of course, but at the expense of being able to hear much high-end articulation from the satellites. Apparently, if you have a hotter source signal than the piano I used, turning the Z-3s up yields too much high end in the sound, but I didn't find that in our setup.

With the stage piano, I found a subwoofer setting just a few notches above minimum to work best. The high keys give a realistic tinkle, while the lowest ones vibrate the keyboard authentically, and the midrange is rich and lush. Overall, the Z-3s beat my old Yamahas for overall richness and evenness of sound. Audiophiles might disagree, but they'd be spending hundreds or thousands of dollars for speakers, while the Z-3s barely break three figures in Canadian dollars. It would be nice to have some equalization control for the midrange and high end, but few computer speaker systems offer that, and it's always possible to add an external EQ unit between the sound source and the speakers if you insist.

There are less expensive "2.1" PC speaker systems, as well as more powerful and better-sounding ones, but if you want a set of speakers that look good in addition to sounding just fine for most near-field, low-volume applications, the Logitech Z-3 might be your ticket. For my application, they're great.

I got these about half a year ago to replace an old caimbridge soundworks 5.1 system which would have taken up too much space in my new dorm room. The speakers weren't of the same quality, but I also ended up paying about 1/5th the price.

Nevertheless, the two sattelite speakers are decent. However the subwoofer was really bass-y and boomy, and was simply overpowering for the system. The bass would also go through walls even on the some pretty quiet overall volume settings (even though there's a sub volume control, at the lowest setting the subwoofer is still way too strong). I ended up having to go into my SBLive settings and turning the bass almost all the way off.

The system is fine now, and works great!

For those that love bass, this is probably the system for you. Although if you are in a dorm room or in an apartment complex, I'd be wary of angry neighbors....

I'm delighted to have these excellent speakers. They perform superbly, with crystal clarity all the way up to the maximum volume I can sustain in my thin-walled apartment. Although I'm going to bring up two negative issues, don't get the idea that I'm not super-happy with this purchase.

Other reviewers have mentioned a weak midrange. I experienced it as an overly strong high end. As I edged up the volume, I found myself feeling limited by the highs getting almost painful. My music software's equalizer wasn't able to tune out the problem. What I'm about to say may offend some, but what I did was to partially cover the tweeter output with black electrical tape. It didn't kill the high end, and I still hear great crispness -- but now I can crank it up and feel a uniform fullness and power.

There is only one connector, the one that plugs into the back of the subwoofer. All other connections are hardwired. I had no problem stripping the separate wires in the harness apart, but even so, in my setup, this translated to a restriction on the arrangement of the components. I found an arrangement that works, but it wasn't my first choice. I would have appreciated a way to insert a Monster Cable extension cord.

People were trying to fix "too much bass problem" with "position of the speakers" or it isolation with the towels....
I had exactly same situation... I was going crazy...finally after useless maneuvers I decided to upgrade my sound processing hardware ...I bought the Sound Blaster Live 24 bit sound card (before I had SoundMax onboard)
Now there is no more BASS PROBLEM & I am able to low bass level all the way down...sound is awesome
Plus a lot of useful software
Also I did not like the wooden panels of the satellite speakers.
I "painted" them with duct tape. Now it is silver set ;)
[...]

I used to have the Logitech Z-640 5.1 speakers, but I only used the two front satellites and the sub so I began looking for a 2.1 system. When I first got the Z-640 I thought WOW these are awesome because I had just upgraded from the cheap speakers that came with my computer, and when I got these I again thought WOW. These were a nice upgrade over the Z-640. The sound is clearer, the bass is a little louder, and the satellites are twice as loud. By no means can you compare these to a $100 set of Logitechs like the Z-2200, I had a Z-2200 and those blow these out of the water with extremely nice, hard hitting bass, the clearest sound from computer speakers I've ever heard, and the loudest computer speakers I've ever heard, but these hold their own and for their price they cannot be beat.

PROS:
- Remote control is nice and easy to use
- Clear, concise sound
- Decently loud
- Good looks
- Awesome price

CONS:
- No bass control except on the back of the sub
- Bass could be a little louder

These speakers are classy looking, high quality and excellent sounding. I read many reviews before purchasing them, nearly all good, and I agree - they are fine speakers. The bass is solid and tight and the midrange and treble are open and clear. They are easy to install. The desktop volume control is smooth as silk and makes it convenient to adjust the volume. It also provides a headphone jack. They are truly a bargain at their current price, and an excellent match for a notebook or a desktop computer. Love 'em!

I don't want to come off as someone who knows everything. Having said that, if I know anything it's sound quality. I have been trying different 2.1 systems for my home pc. I gave Creative Labs (I-Trigue) line a shot. They were good but not what I was looking for. I listen almost exclusively to heavy metal/hard rock. Not the simple metal but the very technical metal where sound really matters. The Creative Labs set did not give me good highs on Bruce Dickinison's (Iron Maiden) voice. Also the bass was lacking. Then I decided to put down some extra cash for the JBL Creature. Biggest mistake of my life, well my first marriage but that is not the subject. The Creature did not even compare to the Creative Labs. I was very disappointed because I have JBL home speakers that are incredible but they are Pro series and costed around $500 for two. Then I tried Altec Lansing, good, very good but they costed almost $100. I was ready to give up and just buy a small cheap set. My girlfriend seen these Logitech and noticed them because the wood grain matches our computer desk, yeah I know, women, ha. I explained to her that sound had nothing to do with matching. She kept on until I bought this set. I wasn't expecting anything great. I popped in Black Sabbath's song, "Iron Man" remastered version and uh-oh, really good deep bass. So I put in Iron Maiden's song, "Run to the Hills". Oh the highs were crisp. The bass was more what I would call, "warm" feeling. It was perfect. I love this set now. It doesn't have the audophilic attention that I have in my car or living room (All Infinity speakers in each)but it still does an incredible job for $50. If you think the others that cost more will give you better quality, go ahead and try them but be sure to buy them somewhere with a return policy. I went as high as $180 for a 2.1 but it didn't even do what this $50 set does. Take my word on it. These are great.

I was really excited to replace my Harman Kardon sub/sats that came with the Dell.... the truth is the HK's were actually really pretty darn good. But I thought I'd make the leap to something better. The Z3's came, I unpacked them, and hooked them up. The first thing you notice is that the satellites are very heavy.... ah, a good sign....??? I placed the satellites on the desk and the subwoofer on the floor under my desk. Fired up the system. Ugh. Terrible. Granted, the subwoofer has an independent volume control, but no matter where you set that, the separation from sub to sats is horrible. The sats are too treble'y, the sub is too boomy (in a bad resonant way) and so all you hear is screachy treble and this really weird crappy boomy sound from under the desk. Keep reading, it gets better... I wasn't willing to throw in the towel, so I went to Home Depot, bought some wood, and built a box, 14" high, 10" square all sides. I filled the box with sand to kill the resonance, and put the sub on the box. Now the sub sits on this box under my desk, with the sats sitting on the desk right over it.
Simply bringing that sub up to nearly the same level as the sats made a HUGE difference; I mean the critical difference. I'm sure that sitting what is basically a low-quality sub on 40 lbs of sand has helped it 1000% as well. It has made the sub very clean with none of that goofy resonant boominess left. So for the $60 + $25 other materials, I have a speaker system that was everything I hoped for!

these speakers are perfect for a computer or tv in a dorm room...not too expensive, definitely loud enough, and clear as day sound.

These speakers are designed to sit on a desktop, but they can do much more than that.

These speakers aren't going going to wake up your landlord, but for the money are an excellent investment. I plugged them into my tv (a ten year old unit, but still), and was amazed at all the sound I had been missing. rumbling machinery, footsteps, even background music that my tv speakers just weren't delivering. Hooked into my laptop, they have replaced my old stereo. The only real drawback is the due to their size, you have to be sitting between the tweeters to get proper midrange. If they're playing on one side of the room and you are off to the side, you get plenty of bass and treble, but the body of the music is just not getting to the rest of the room. Also, the faux-oak contact paper casing doesn't really work for me.

Overall I am very satisfied with this purchase. The speakers showed up in about four days (sooner than my wife's books, ordered a day earlier!). I paid $45, less a $15 rebate direct from Logitech. I hate rebates, but that's how the world works nowadays. The rebate came in quickly, in a few weeks.