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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Attractive and decent-sounding speakers, but not much volume, December 29, 2003
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.
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