Logitech Speaker System Z906 First Look

We understand that everyone need speakers. Even those on a budget or with very small (i.e. dorm) rooms. Space is at the kind of premium usually reserved for areas like Los Angeles or New York. Basically there is none. You'll either have to build up or not at all. The only alternative is getting rid of something and we're pretty sure your roommate doesn't want to live in a cardboard box in front of the Walmart just so you can have a full sized subwoofer.

Unfortunately, the audience for such products tend to be impressed by two things - big buzzwords and little prices. This pretty much guarantees that we are going to be annoyed by the marketing. Not that it is the manufacturer's fault. If buyers of cars are more interested in the number of cup holders than the actual performance or gas mileage or safety, we can hardly blame them from sticking 32 holders in a subcompact. One of the buzzwords that tends to draw attention is watts. The more the better. In the case of the Logitech Speaker System Z906, the first thing we saw on the website was, "Lots of watts."

Groan.

But it is Logitech and we've mostly been impressed with their products so we decided to put that aside. The Logitech Speaker System Z906 consists of five satellite speakers and a single, sidefiring, ported bass module... er... subwoofer. While they claim 500 watts of power, they mean 165 for the sub and 67 each for the satellites. But even converting it to the individual speakers is meaningless because...

Okay, we've got to get back on track here. The satellites sport a pair of spring-type binding post suitable for bare wire and a threaded insert for wall mounting. They also have a single driver with what looks to be an phase plug. Specifications on the Logitech Speaker System Z906 is sketchy with the size, type, and performance of the drivers completely missing. They do claim that if you like "house-shaking bass, the ported, side-firing subwoofer delivers 165 watts of pure, distortion-free bass." Notice they didn't claim house-shaking, just distortion-free.

Anyhow, the real claim to fame of the Logitech Speaker System Z906 is the detached control unit. This gives you access to a receiver-like control point for connection You can connect up to six audio devices simultaneously. It has an easy-to-read display and easy-to-stack design along with a wireless remote (a fact they pointed out lest you think it was wired a la 1980). All of the sources are routed through the control hub down to the subwoofer and from there out to the speakers. This is typical of computer speaker setups. 

We haven't seen the back of the control unit, but according to Logitech you have a number of connection options. There are two digital optical inputs and one digital coaxial input. There is a six-channel direct input which we believe is on the back of the subwoofer. Analogue inputs consist of a single set of RCA jacks and a 3.5mm input.

Our complaints aside, the fact is that you're looking at a 5.1 system for under $400 (a penny under but still under). While you can hardly expect "house-shaking" bass, what you can expect is a decent listening experience in a very inexpensive package. We like the idea of the control unit as it gives the Logitech Speaker System Z906 much wider appeal. This isn't simply a computer speaker system. You could use this in a kid's room for a cheap surround setup for the set-top box and DVD player with tons of inputs to spare. Add to that the DTS and Dolby on board decoding, and you're looking at a cheap receiver thrown in for free. If we were still in college, we'd be saving up our lunch money for this one.

Conclusion

Is the Logitech Speaker System Z906 for everyone? Of course not. But if you are on a serious budget and are looking for a $400 5.1 system with a basic receiver, we're betting you could do a lot worse. The speakers are all wall mountable, the "sub" promises 165 watts of "pure" bass, and the remote is wireless. With up to six inputs on the control unit/receiver, you'll be hard pressed to use them all. We wish we had more information on the frequency response and drivers (not to mention construction) but, honestly, it doesn't matter. It has 500 watts. And that's, like, 70 cents a watt. You can't beat that right?

For more information, please visit www.logitech.com.

Edit - Price correction from $349.99 to $399.99. Conclusions remain the same.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.