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If you’ve ever used your smartphone’s built-in speakers for listening to music, or relied on your tablet’s speakers for watching your favorite show on Netflix, you already know what we’re about to tell you: The speakers built into mobile devices sound terrible. There are a couple of reasons for this. One is a matter of space (or lack of it); much like today’s flat-panel televisions, there’s simply no room for decent speakers and amplification in these ultra-slim devices. Of course, the situation also presents an opportunity for an add-on sale – say, a $200 pair of headphones – which is a real boon to retailers.

But for those interested in sharing the sound with others, a Bluetooth speaker is the better accessory. There’s no shortage of battery-powered Bluetooth speakers around – just check out our roundup of some recent entries – but there does seem to be a significantly shorter supply of clever devices like the Definitive Technology Sound Cylinder.

The Sound Cylinder offers a clever solution for laptop and tablet users who don’t want to deal with the hassle of external loudspeakers requiring a wired connection. Like the recently reviewed Carbon Audio Zooka, the Sound Cylinder can function as a stand for tablets or clip on to the lid of laptops to provide sound that is meant to be significantly better than any on-board speakers. We loved the Zooka’s design, but felt it could have offered slightly better audio quality – an improvement we think folks would be willing to pay more for. Given Def Tech’s reputation for high-quality sound, we had high hopes its $200 cylinder would deliver just that. Let’s find out.

Out of the Box

Whoever developed the Sound Cylinder’s packaging deserves a raise this year. In a market flooded with boring cardboard boxes, Definitive Technology decided to deliver its latest device in a package that could just as easily house a nice bottle of scotch. Yes, the Sound Cylinder is packaged like a bottle of 25 year-old Glendronach.

The first thing that stands out about the Sound Cylinder is just how sleek-looking and compact it is. If not for the rubber clamp, one would swear Definitive Technology had stolen a baton constructed from aluminum/magnesium from the Games of London and stuck some speakers inside. If you are thinking of taking the Sound Cylinder with you on a business trip, you’ll appreciate that it is only 0.75 lbs and a diminutive 7.48 x 1.88 x 1.88 (WxDxH – in inches). When you extend the kickstand, the depth increases to 3-inches.

Even though the Sound Cylinder is light, that doesn’t mean it isn’t well constructed. Because Definitive Technology markets the product as a portable loudspeaker, we took that as an invitation to schlep it around for a week and see how it held up buried inside a laptop bag. We will discuss that later on, but rest assured, this thing is one solid piece of engineering.

Another standout feature that makes the Sound Cylinder unique is its magnesium covered clamp; which is designed for laptop screens and 7-inch or 10-inch tablets. The design allows you to watch your tablet in either landscape or portrait orientation making it particularly useful for watching movies on vacation.

Definitive includes an USB ac adapter, USB micro cable, stereo mini to stereo mini cable, and microfiber carry bag inside the cylinder packaging. No scotch.

Features

The Sound Cylinder is powered by an 8-watt Class D amplifier which drives all three channels inside the enclosure. Don’t let the low power rating fool you – this little speaker can play extremely loud.

On the processing end, Definitive has used an Analog Devices ADAU 1701 DSP module with integrated DAC, which performs the signal conversion and application of what Definitive calls their “Active Surround Array technology”. The device processes SBC and AAC codecs when it receives a signal via Bluetooth.

The driver configuration includes two forward-facing, 1.3-inch composite full-range drivers and one 1.7-inch side-firing woofer. The 2.1 configuration’s quoted frequency response is 60Hz – 20kHz and Definitive Technology claims that it is capable of output levels measuring 85dB @ 1 meter. Already the Sound Cylinder promises better sound than the Zooka thanks to forward-firing speakers.

On one end of the Sound Cylinder, you’ll find the power button and volume controls. The other end is home to a perforated aluminum grill which protects the 1.7-inch side-firing woofer.

The backside of the Sound Cylinder provides a number of connection options. The Lithium-Ion battery-powered loudspeaker connects to its wall adapter via a micro USB cable, and you can also connect a device such as a tablet, smartphone, or even turntable (seriously) via a stereo 3.5 mm input jack with the supplied cable.

The Sound Cylinder is designed to sit upright while holding your tablet thanks to its fold-out kickstand which we found provides a firm support base. Slide your tablet into the clamp, open the kickstand, place it on a solid flat surface, and you’re ready to watch movies or surf the web.

The Sound Cylinder connects via Bluetooth and has a range of around 33 feet (10 meter), though we experienced some drop-out when we moved in between floors in our home.

The Sound Cylinder’s battery took more than two hours to achieve a full charge. Definitive Technology claims that you should be able to get a solid 8 hours per charge, though we know from experience that play time will depend on volume levels.

 This speaker is designed to work with iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows-based devices – anything that can connect via Bluetooth should work just fine. The only issue we found is that iOS devices need the latest OS update to connect.

Setup

Out of the box, the Sound Cylinder has a minimal charge, so we left it plugged in for two hours while we did some errands. Pairing the loudspeaker with a Samsung Series 7 laptop was relatively easy; it took about twenty seconds for the device to show up and connect.

Setting the ideal volume level will depend on the user but we found that leaving the Sound Cylinder’s volume one click below the maximum and adjusting with the laptop’s own volume slider achieved the best sonic results.

While the integrated kickstand works really well at providing a solid base, the angle does aim the speaker’s drivers a tad low, depending on the height of your surface. You’ll need to experiment with placement if you plan on watching in bed with the Sound Cylinder in your lap. We found that placing the speaker on a laptop desk while watching in bed tilted the loudspeaker enough to direct the sound higher, which improved the balance and sense of space.

When using a tablet, the clamp provides a secure grip and never interfered with the screen on either a Google Nexus 7 or Apple iPad 2.

Placing the Sound Cylinder on our laptop created two minor issues: the weight of the loudspeaker put some stress on the screen, and the rubber did cover a tiny portion of the screen. At no time did the clamp interfere with the laptop’s camera, we only tested the speaker with one laptop, so results may vary from one computer to another.

Performance

Since Sound Cylinder is marketed as a portable loudspeaker system, we took it on the road to see how it would deal with a little abuse. The speaker’s robust construction was a smart engineering choice on Definitive’s end because we think everyone’s going to want to take this everywhere. Yes, it really is that good.

Vocals were clean and transparent. We threw a mix of Adele, Nick Cave, Richard Thompson, and Sam Cooke at the Sound Cylinder and it adeptly reproduced each artist’s voice, preserving the inner detail and micro-dynamics of each track.

We’ve always found Definitive Technology speakers to be rather crisp sounding; somewhat forward leaning with a cooler tonal balance, but also amazingly good at reproducing detail and space. The Sound Cylinder clearly comes from the same family. To get such a level of transparency from such a small transducer is a huge step-up for products in this category, but what impressed us the most was the slightly warmer tonal balance that made long listening sessions a real pleasure.

The Sound Cylinder is likely to be bombarded with a diet of MP3s, and while we think people need to give high resolution audio tracks a real chance, the loudspeaker elevates the lossy formats to a higher plane. You will hear detail, spatial cues, and texture that just don’t come through when listening to the internal loudspeakers on mobile devices. For those times when headphones won’t do the trick, a speaker like this is just what you need.

When watching movies on your mobile device or laptop, the Sound Cylinder creates a near-field listening experience that will utterly transform how you watch streaming video content. The bass driver can get a tad wooly if you play the volume too loud, but the improvement in dynamics gives films real presence and an expanded soundstage that will improve the sense of immersion.

Musically speaking, the Sound Cylinder doesn’t really favor one genre of music over the other, but it certainly has the chops to handle heavy metal or symphonic works. One evening while listening to Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain, we closed our eyes and marveled at the depth of the sound, the airiness of the treble and how well the loudspeaker preserved the bite of horns without making us want to reach for the volume slider. Impressive, to say the least.

Conclusion

Between its innovative design, solid engineering, and first-class sound quality, it’s hard not to like the Definitive Technology Sound Cylinder. Not only does it work as advertised by turning any laptop or tablet into a portable 2.1 home theater, it has few issues that would preclude anything but our strongest recommendation.

We’d like to see the clamp put a little less stress on laptop screens, but this minor issue could be a design compromise intended to accomodate varying tablet thicknesses. Besides, such a small thing can’t alter the fact that the speaker offers a lot for only $200.

Highs:

• Excellent value
• Solid build, innovative design
• Crisp, transparent sound, even at high volume
• 10+ hours battery life per charge
• Rugged and portable

Lows:

• Bass gets a tad wooly at high volumes
• High clamping force may put undue pressure on laptop screens
• Clamp may cover a small portion of laptop screens

Perhaps you know Westinghouse best as a maker of home appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and microwaves. Or, if you’ve been keeping tabs on the TV section at your local big-box store, you know Westinghouse now also makes TVs. Take a quick tour around the company’s website and you’ll find a decent array of LED models available, distributed at retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Target. However, like a puzzle straight out of Sesame Street, if you look a bit closer at the site’s product page, you’ll also find something that doesn’t belong: a single, entry level Bluetooth speaker.

Dubbed the Unplug, and available at $100, the speaker is yet another miniature sound box to add to the burgeoning landscape of Bluetooth devices that seem to multiply like a virus. And while the offering of such a product from an appliance-maker might seem strange to some, in this brave new Bluetooth reality, we really aren’t surprised at all — mostly just curious.

What kind of sound would a device with such parentage present? How would the Unplug compare to similar offerings from companies whose primary focus is audio? And just why is there a rather large section cut out of the top of the speaker? The answer to these questions, and more, are revealed below.

Out of the box

Pulling the Unplug from its small cardboard package, we got our first glimpse of the little grey speaker with its soft plastic casing and distinct slot cut through the top – vaguely reminiscent of a CD input. After the slot, the next thing we noticed about the Unplug is its fairly hefty weight, which is often a telltale sign of some decent electronic guts.

Inside the package we found the usual suspects of accessories including a USB to mini-USB charging cable, a DC adapter, a 3.5mm input cable, and a black neoprene carry bag. Switching the unit on, we were pleased to find the Unplug arrived already charged – it’s the little things, folks.

Features and design

Even for a Bluetooth speaker, the Unplug has a pretty succinct design. Three buttons adorn the top of the grey box, including two volume keys and a play/pause/phone button. Also on top is a pinpoint microphone port for the device’s speakerphone functions. While we always appreciate the speakerphone option, like many entry level portables, we would ultimately find the Unplug’s call quality to be pretty mediocre for parties on both ends of the line.

On the glossy back of the unit is a mini-USB charging port and 3.5mm input, as well as a power switch. A small rubber pad on the bottom helps keep the speaker securely in place on slick surfaces.

The distinctive slot we mentioned earlier is not a purely aesthetic addition. It’s used as a kind of sound reflector for the Unplug’s passive radiator “subwoofer” that rests at the base of the slot. Accompanying the passive sub are two 40mm drivers which handle the upper midrange and treble.

The Unplug offers an estimated 10 hours of battery life. Unlike many of its peers, there is no USB slot for charging a smartphone, nor an FM radio, or any other frills. Though the features are a bit light, we held out hope that Westinghouse put the money it saved toward sound quality.

Setup

Bluetooth pairing for the Unplug is activated by holding down the play/pause button until the LED circling the Westinghouse logo on the front blinks red and blue like the light bar on a police car, at which point “Unplug 100” will appear in your device’s Bluetooth settings. Not unexpectedly, the Unplug uses the older Bluetooth version 2.1 profile. This extremely old version of Bluetooth has a tendency to create poor signal quality in many devices, though we’ve found varied results on that front.

Audio performance

Admittedly, considering the Unplug’s parentage, miniscule size, and older Bluetooth protocol, we didn’t have high expectations for its sound quality. However, though the speaker isn’t without some issues, we were pleasantly surprised to find a powerful low end and midrange matched by a clear upper register that combined for a fairly well rounded, full sound signature.

The thick low end also adds some much-appreciated depth to the upper portion of the Unplug’s midrange. Vocals were rendered with clarity and presence and had some nice body rounding out the sonic picture. We were also treated to some fat, gritty color in the electric guitar tone on Led Zeppelin’s “Rover” and a ruddy warmth in the acoustic guitar on Ray LaMontagne’s “Rock n Roll and Radio.”

The Unplug’s treble range was a bit hit or miss. We enjoyed clear-sounding harmonica, alto sax, and even some well rendered crash cymbal hits on many productions. However, the treble could quickly turn brittle, especially in hi-hats and tambourines. We found lighter acoustic guitar recordings to be a bit flimsy and tinny at times, and there were instances of other instruments that seemed to cross the line from brilliant to sizzly, causing a bit of ear fatigue.

Though the Unplug has a powerful max volume for its size, we definitely revealed its limits. While auditioning Muse’s “Madness”, we were a bit disappointed with the anemic treatment of the low synth patch on the tune, and when we cranked the unit to full blast on our iPhone 5, we heard an odd high click that let us know the passive radiator was distorting badly. Still, for most of our listening, the medium volume range was more than ample, and that was our singular experience with distortion.

Conclusion

While we managed to dig up a few complaints about its sound and at times wished for a better feature set, we walked away fairly impressed by Westinghouse’s Unplug 100. The Unplug offers some of the deepest low end we’ve heard in an entry level portable, combined with a clean upper register that makes for some enjoyable listening. If you don’t mind giving up frills like phone charging for the sake of beefier sound from an ultra-tiny speaker, the Unplug might just be your bag.

To be sure, we think the $100 Unplug matches up pretty well to its competitors, and is worth checking out. Westinghouse might not have a legacy of audio products for you go off of, but we’re here to tell you it did its brand justice with this little speaker. To get more insight and comparisons in the ever expanding Bluetooth speaker market, check out our recent Bluetooth roundup.

Highs

• Full, broad low end
• Clean upper register
• Well rounded sound signature
• Affordable

Lows

• Unit can distort at full volume
• Inconsistencies in the treble
• Poor speakerphone function

They say style is cyclical. It wasn’t too long ago that everyone counted the 80’s out forever. But here we sit watching jean jackets and Risky Business Ray-Bans reach the height of hipster fashion while freaking New Kids on the Block is going on tour! Even they didn’t see that one coming. So it’s not surprising that the ever expanding Bluetooth speaker market would also take up the call, reviving an old 80’s favorite, the Boombox.

Look around, and you’ll see the Boombox is making a comeback — this time with a wireless twist. One such example of the neo-vogue device is G-Project’s G-BOOM. The tough, all-black speaker box is made by some of the same folks that designed the Sound Platform 2, and promises big sound in a portable package for only $100. With attractive 21st century additions like Bluetooth connection, rechargeable batteries, and DSP sound, maybe this is the time for a Boombox revival.

We recently sat down with the G-BOOM to see what kind of sound you can get from a $100 Bluetooth Boombox – and maybe play some “Rappers Delight” at shoulder level. Here’s what happened.

Out of the box

Pulling the G-BOOM from its bright yellow box revealed a fairly hefty trapezoid of rough-and-tumble speaker, its black exterior layered in corrugated plastic and thick rubber. Looking more like an oversized lunch pail than a Boombox, the G-BOOM is solidly constructed and built for travel, with rubberized control keys, and heavy metal rods supporting the handle and side ports. Inside the package we found a DC power adaptor and a 3.5mm aux cable.

Features and design

The G-BOOM cuts a fairly formidable presence, evoking an aesthetic somewhere between a Batman weapon and a robotic briefcase. The speaker is a bit rough to the touch, covered in sharp angles of heavy plastic and metal. The rugged handle arches above a top panel of soft rubber – a welcome addition, as the hand tends to rub against the underside during transport. Set into the panel is a row of rubberized keys which control power, Bluetooth pairing, EQ, volume, song search, and play.

Set across the front face of the device is a large metal speaker screen with wobbly ripples carved into it, as if perpetually blasted by physics-bending sound. Beneath the screen sit the G-BOOM’s dual speaker sets, including a pair of 1-inch tweets set above a pair of 3-inch midrange drivers. On the reverse side are two sound ports which help to reinforce bass. Beneath the ports is a rubber flap which protects the DC power input, a USB port for charging devices, and a 3.5mm line input.

At the base of the front speaker screen is a trapezoid-shaped display window housing 3 LEDs which illuminate white, blue, and red, for power, pairing, and charging respectively. With two rather chintzy clicks of the control keys we had the speaker fired up and pairing, almost instantly appearing in our device settings as “G-BOOM”.

The G-BOOM offers a decent feature set for an entry level speaker, including the aforementioned ability to charge mobile devices, a lithium ion battery with an approximated 6 hour run time, and an EQ with three stock presets including flat, rock, and pop. For most of our listening, we used the rock setting which seemed to have a fuller, more bass-oriented sound.

At the bottom-rung price of $100, we weren’t surprised to find the G-BOOM uses the older Bluetooth version 2.1. While we’ve heard some pretty awful signal transference from the aged version, we’ve also heard speakers utilize 2.1 with fairly pleasing results (including the Sound Platform 2) so we hoped the G-BOOM could continue that trend.

Audio performance

The G-BOOM’s Boombox-themed exterior seems to carry over into its sound signature as well, showing an affinity for loud, rocking tracks. Auditioning a wide variety of genres from our iPhone 5 via Bluetooth, we experienced a clear and balanced overall tone, heavily centered on the midrange.

One of our favorite test albums was Brothers, by the Black Keys. The crushed snares, fuzz bass, and smoky vocals of the record’s retro blues production were rendered with a brazen force that caught us a bit off guard for such a small speaker. And while the G-BOOM was somewhat less adept at rendering our lighter acoustic favorites with the subtlety and brilliance of more expensive portables, it still did a pretty decent job with them, bringing a pleasant balance and clarity to the instrumentation.

Though the G-Boom’s bass response won’t be turning heads, we discovered ample bedrock of power in the deep grooves of our favorite hip-hop tracks, especially for 3-inch drivers. The G-BOOM’s sound ports helped facilitate some heavy vibrations in the very low end, with the sound bottoming out somewhere between the respectable range of around 100-60Hz. We did notice some distortion in the lower midrange when presented with heavier instrumentation like close mic’d acoustic guitar, but it was fairly infrequent.

Conclusion

It’s hard to find much fault with the G-Boom. As far as portable Bluetooth speakers go, $100 usually gets you a little metallic cube or rectangle, capable of very little bass and rarely resilient enough to be thrown down on a sandy beach or gravelly driveway. Not only can the G-Boom stand up to rough conditions, it puts out more power, clarity, and vibrancy than a speaker in its price range has a right to.

For those on the hunt for a portable boom box that can hang at a construction site, inside a fishing boat or on a picnic table by the lake, the G-Boom is the speaker to take; just don’t expect a full day’s worth of playtime out of the built-in battery.

Highs

• Clear, full midrange
• Smooth upper register
• High max volume
• Affordable portability

Lows

• Limited battery life
• Occasional low end distortion

A new blow has been struck in one of the most competitive markets in the tech industry. We’re not talking about smartphones, electric cars, or even designer headphones. Actually, it’s the portable Bluetooth speaker market that seems to have anyone and everyone (even TV manufacturers) looking for a piece of the action. And Braven audio, one our favorite purveyors of these portable sound machines, has laid down the latest gauntlet in the war for Bluetooth feature supremacy: armor.

With its new creation, the BRV-1, Braven has encased all the spoils of its feature packed Braven 600 in a water-resistant plastic shell. At a slightly elevated price of $180, the thick-skinned speaker looks game to stand up to a rainstorm or two, as well as some serious rough-and-tumble treatment.

We recently sat down with the little unit to see if the BRV-1 was as resilient as claimed and to find out how much, if any, sound quality was sacrificed for the sake of weatherproofing. Here’s what we found out.

Out of the box

We half expected the BRV-1 to float out of its package and land on our desk. The speaker looks like a cross between some sort of droid probe, and those electronic binoculars from The Empire Strikes Back. Inside the package we also found a mini-USB to USB cable, a 3.5mm aux input cable, and a carrying strap.

Features and design

The BRV-1 feels sturdy and, to use a cliché buzzword, rugged. Carved out of the exterior casing’s rubberized casing are two sets of buttons, including volume control keys on the left (which also shuffle songs back and forth when held), and a power/pairing button on the right.

On the back of the device rests a canteen-like cap, which covers all of the BRV-1’s ports, as well as a 5-point LED array which lights at the touch of a button to show battery life. Included connections are a USB input, a mini-USB charging port, and a 3.5mm aux input.

The speaker includes virtually the same electronic innards as the Braven 600 – why mess with a good thing? Beneath the metallic front screen are two 40mm drivers which handle the midrange and upper register and a small LED that flashes white while the unit is connected. The passive radiator “subwoofer” sits on the bottom of the unit, aiding in low-end response.

Like the 600, the BRV-1 is well-loaded with features including a 12-15 hour battery run-time, smartphone charging, and a speakerphone mic. New features include a convenient battery icon that appears on your paired device’s main screen and, of course, water resistance.

Holding down the power button on the speaker sends forth a low hum, at which point pairing is easily accomplished by (oddly enough) holding down the pairing button. A sonar pulse lets you know the unit is searching to connect, and “BRV-1” will soon show up on your device.

We have to give props to Braven for its utilization of Bluetooth version 3.0, which allows for superior signal speeds, as well as low-power transference for optimal battery life.

Performance

Audio

Sonically speaking, the BRV-1 performed as expected. What we loved about the Braven 600 is almost identically executed by the BRV-1 – the little speaker just works. We weren’t worried about the quality of the Bluetooth transfer or fretting about sound quality; the BRV-1 simply let us just listen to tunes in a smooth, convenient fashion.

Reproducing hip hop is clearly not going to be the BRV-1’s forte, nor that of any entry level portable, for that matter. Still, the BRV-1’s passive sub renders bass with a decent amount of depth, adding some welcome body to the low midrange.

Like the Braven 600, we felt the BRV-1’s speakerphone performance was less than stellar. Though it works, you have to be fairly close to the device, or endure frustration on both ends of the call.

Field testing

Force to complain about the BRV-1’s audio, we might wish a bit more loudness out of the speaker. Though the sound is ample for indoor listening, the great outdoors has a way of swallowing up the sound. A little more headroom would go a long way with us.

As for durability, we have to say we were a bit anxious about testing the BRV-1’s water resistance. With eyes half closed, we poured a full glass of water over the top of the speaker. We were at first impressed to see the beads sliding off, and then horrified to watch them slip maliciously inside the speaker screen and onto the drivers.

Rescuing the unit from the sink, we pressed play on our iPhone 5 and heard a muffled rendition of “Rocket Man” as the water droplets pulsed on the speaker screen in time with the music. Magically, a quick wipe from a rag restored everything back to normal, no harm done. Since the speaker is on loan, that was as far as we went with the water test. But suffice it to say, a quick accident from a glass of water, or even a drop off the counter won’t be much of a concern with the well armored BRV-1.

Conclusion

Though we enjoyed just about everything Braven’s rough-and-tumble BRV-1 does, $180 for an entry-level portable seems a bit steep and likely to give some consumers pause. If you aren’t planning on, say, playing touch football in the rain to a soundtrack, there are more affordable options (including the Braven 600) that will fill your needs. Still, it’s important to consider other benefits of the speaker’s protection, like bathrooms and children – or the two combined. When it comes down to it, even though it’s pricey, we dig the BRV-1’s great sound and tough design and can’t help but to throw it a recommendation.

Highs

• Clear midrange and treble
• Full low end
• Good balance
• Water resistant/feature packed

Lows

• Expensive for an entry level portable
• Mediocre speaker phone

Yamaha, purveyor of everything from motorcycles to grand pianos, has always had a firm footing in the audio industry. That’s why it was no surprise to us to find a Bluetooth speaker among the latest additions to its mammoth product line.

Dubbed the PDX-B11 (available at $150), the speaker strikes an original aesthetic with its tapered, octagonal design and rugged construction. However, it joins an aggressively expanding list of devices competing for your Bluetooth dollars. By the time you’re finished reading this, three Bluetooth speaker startups will have been created — OK, maybe we’re exaggerating, but not by much.

All of that competition means that even heavyweight conglomerates like Yamaha have to create serious value in order to make an impact in the wireless speaker arena. Since the PDX-B11 is one of the first Bluetooth speakers we’ve seen from Yamaha, we wondered if the device would have what it takes. After putting the speaker through its paces, here’s what we found.

Out of the box

The PDX-B11 reminds us of the sort of marine search light you’d expect to see the Gorton’s fisherman toting around. With its gleaming front screen and chrome wire handle, the speaker invoked visions of stormy tides and yellow raincoats. Inside the box we found only a small DC power cable, and some instructional material.

Features and design

This B11 is a fairly lightweight speaker for its size, shrouded by a thick shell of rugged plastic. Though Yamaha’s website only offers the speaker in black and grey, it is also available in green, white, and dark blue at Amazon.

The PDX-B11’s wired handle arches above a small control panel which houses a selection of rubberized buttons for volume, power and Bluetooth pairing. At the front is a pair of LEDs that indicate power and Bluetooth connection, colored green and blue respectively.

The metal speaker screen adorning the front face is relatively thick and riveted to the frame at each of the housing’s 8 points. Under the screen sit the B11’s two drivers, consisting of a 4-inch “woofer”, and a 1 3/8-inch tweeter.

Perhaps most troubling, though, was our discovery that the B11 doesn’t include a rechargeable battery. In the uber-competitive Bluetooth speaker market, a Lithium-Ion battery is standard fare, so finding slots for a 6-pack of AA batteries had us shaking our head. Maybe we’ve been a bit spoiled, but requiring disposable batteries (or expensive rechargeables) seems like a straight-up 20th century move.

Bluetooth

Pairing the speaker was easily accomplished by pressing the pair button, and locating the device on our smartphone. In fact, the PDX-B11 ‘s Bluetooth connection was almost insidiously clingy. Even with the speaker turned off, we found our phone constantly connecting to it, as if communicating from beyond the grave. Like many wireless speakers, we also noticed a penchant for signal dropout once in a while. It wasn’t a frequent occurrence, but the connection was far from solid.

Audio performance

To evaluate the PDX-B11, we served up music using our iPhone 5.

We were generally satisfied with this speaker’s midrange response, anchored by the device’s capable 4 inch driver. The center and lower mids were pretty powerful on most of our test tracks, reproducing an impressive amount of sound. We found vocals to be notably clear and present in almost every genre. Snare and toms were often light, but were generally clean, revealing some nice stick work on rim shots. We also enjoyed electronic piano and synth patches, which had a crystalline clarity that was only slightly fragile.

Bass was rolled off pretty heavily at about 100 Hz — higher than some devices we’ve tested, but not out of the ordinary for smaller speakers. We heard a nice pulse in the lower mids on many tracks, but the low end was finicky. Once the speaker hit a certain line in the frequency spectrum, kick drums and bass lines could quickly go from thick hits to a boxy pop.

It was when music taxed the upper treble region that the PDX-B11 revealed its weakest attribute. Crash cymbals and tambourine were extremely sizzly on many songs. Treble was so hot and brittle, that we got tired of listening to the speaker in short order. Bright-sounding albums like Van Halen’s 1984 and lighter electric and acoustic guitar tracks often came through thin and tinny, as if they were being squished to fit through a tiny pinhole.

Conclusion

Some listeners may find the PDX-B11’s “clean and light” top end to their liking, but this speaker just isn’t our cup of tea, and not just because of its spitty treble. We’re still scratching our heads over the lack of a built-in rechargeable battery at this price point.

Still, the PDX-B11’s rugged design and punchy sound earns our respect as a potential portable for those who just need a speaker that can hang in rough environments and crank out some tunes. As such, we’re not going to lambaste this speaker and stick it with the worst Bluetooth speaker rating ever, but we certainly can’t recommend it.

For more options, check out our Bluetooth Speaker Round-up – or just look out your window. Bluetooth speakers are EVERYWHERE.

Highs

• Clean, powerful midrange
• Ample max volume
• Rugged construction

Lows

• Sharp, brittle upper register
• Poor feature set
• Occasional Bluetooth issues

Let’s face it: We may be holding our breath forever waiting for the solar car. But at least one company isn’t sitting on its hands any longer when it comes to solar tech. Etón audio has designed a clever line of solar-powered Bluetooth speakers that are just begging to be taken off the grid. The latest iteration is the baby brother of the company’s popular Rukus, dubbed the Rugged Rukus ($100). The speaker is small, durable, and packs a decent little feature set. But we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t find out if the thing sounds any good. With that in mind, we took the Rugged Rukus into the wild for some in-depth testing. Read on to see what we discovered.

Out of the box

Opening the package revealed two pieces of environmentally friendly packing foam surrounding a neon-green and black wedge that looked something like a cross between Wall-E’s head and Geordi’s visor from Star Trek TNG. A USB charging cable and a small packet of instructions were the only other occupants of the box.

Features and design

The Rugged’s sharp, face-forward design seems to push the speakers right at you. Two little 1-inch pair of drivers sit behind a circular black screen of solid metal at the front. On the top panel above the drivers is a line of four LED’s that serve as battery indicators, glowing green in succession as the device receives a charge. When Bluetooth is on, the far right light glows blue, and when the battery is low or the device is receiving a solar charge, the opposing light glows red.

Behind the row of lights is a bank of control keys including buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, battery inquiry, and volume. The rest of the top panel is consumed by a rectangular plane of solar cells. Living in the iPad age, we had to stop ourselves from trying to work the cells with our fingers like a touch screen. And we admit, when we first powered the Rugged on, we looked directly at the cells, as if awaiting a startup screen.

Following the neon sidelines to the back panel (it also comes in all black), revealed two rubberized covers labeled Aux and AC/USB OUT, which protect the speaker’s small selection of ports. Beneath the Aux cover we found a 3.5mm input and a button which, when pressed, fires an eye-searing green LED to indicate the Aux source is active (seriously, this thing was way too bright). Under the second cover was a mini-USB port for charging the Rugged as well as a USB output for charging your smartphone or other small device. A dedicated button commands the speaker to charge your device, with another associated uber-bright LED.

Other features include the speaker’s hard-shell plastic exterior which is “splashproof,” allowing it to get marginally wet without incident. Also, small loops at the back allow the speaker to be clipped on to a pack so you can rock out your Little Wayne playlist all the way up the mountain without all those pesky ambient forest noises getting in the way.

The Rugged’s battery runtime is approximately 8 hours, and the speaker takes about 5 hours of direct sunlight for a solar charge. To wall charge, expect to wait about 2.5 hours.

Performance

Bluetooth

The Rugged is slightly handicapped from the start with a noisy Bluetooth connection while the speaker is at rest. However, since we really only heard the hum when we were inches from the speaker with sound paused, it’s not likely to bother anyone. On the other hand, the Rukus’ Bluetooth connection was rock solid, never dropping out on us as we streamed music.

Audio

One thing we’ve learned in our short(ish) time on this planet is that expectations have a serious effect on the satisfaction level we receive from any number of situations. We mention this because the Rugged’s miniscule speakers are not equipped to deliver a full range musical experience, leaving a lot of lower midrange and bass simply absent. With that said, the Rugged Ruckus squeezes impressive levels of brilliance, clarity, and power from its tiny conveyors of sound.

The Rugged was surprisingly accurate in the upper register, and vividly clear on a lot of the tracks we threw at it. R.E.M.’s eponymous album was a prime example, rendered with bright acoustic guitar, shimmering splashes of cymbals and high percussion, and present vocals. Those three sections seemed to be the speaker’s strong points, as it maintained a strong command of the 1-4 Khz frequency range, as well as performing solidly in the upper regions. We had similar experiences with everything from Band of Horses to Peter Tosh, including an impressive rendition of “Down Pressor Man”. The speaker surprised us, bringing a lucid touch to the wild high synths at the intro, and handling the massive production admirably.

We were also a bit taken aback with the Rugged’s resolution of “Hot For Teacher,” by Van Halen. Though the motorcycle-toms at the entrance sounded a bit like the air bubble pops from packing material, the speakers brought a burning force to the electric guitar, screaming out the solo with some real bravado. Cymbals and snare had a smooth touch, and vocals were dead ahead, striking a nice balance. The Rugged’s small directional drivers also presented a decent amount of stereo separation on many tracks, especially considering how close they’re seated in the chassis.

The speaker had a bit of trouble on a few of our test tracks. Cymbals occasionally got too hot, and overly thick productions with mounds of effects like Radiohead’s “Airbag” got a bit muddled in the thick mix of instruments, bordering on distortion. Conversely, poorer produced tracks from indie rock bands often had poor balance, with only guitar and vocals being displayed with much clarity. Still, barring a few such exceptions, we enjoyed a surprisingly smooth listening experience for the majority of our testing.

Conclusion

Etón’s Rugged Ruckus is a clever little wedge of solar-powered sound, packing cool future tech into a sharp, hearty design. A slightly noisy Bluetooth connection keeps us from putting the speaker at the very top of our list, and those who desire a bigger sound from their sun speaker may want to check out the original Ruckus. But if you want to conveniently take your music into the wild, you’ll be hard pressed to find another $100 speaker that does what the Rugged ruckus can.

Highs

• Lucid treble and upper midrange
• Dependable wireless connection
• Charges itself and devices via solar or AC power
• Affordable

Lows

• Limited sound stage
• Some Bluetooth signal noise at rest

“Yes, it’s waterproof.” These are the first words that catch your attention on gracedigital’s new Ecoxgear Ecoxbt Bluetooth speaker packaging (available at $102). The matter-of-fact reassurance is underscored by a picture of a kayaker braving crystalline white water rapids. With that as our introduction, we have to admit we were excited to let the Ecoxbt loose. The dual-handled device is well-armored, sink-proof, and even has a speakerphone feature – perfect for all those floating pool chats you’ve been dreaming of. But before you pick up that Internet machine and order this summer’s unsinkable sound solution, you’ll want to know if can deliver on its promise. We graciously volunteered to take the speaker seaside, pushing it to the limit so you don’t have to. Here’s what happened.

Out of the box

The Ecoxbt is a hefty little unit, with rubberized handles that are easy to grip, tempting you to snatch up the speaker and go. The shape and bright orange coloring of our review unit were vaguely reminiscent of the life-saving flotation devices that got so much action in everyone’s favorite beach-bound train-wreck drama, Baywatch. Other occupants of the box included a small carabineer, a USB to mini-USB charging cable, and a DC adapter.

Features and design

For its size, the Ecoxbt feels heavy, though it barely tips the scale at 1.5 lbs. As mentioned, our unit came in Baywatch-orange, but the speaker is also available in red with grey accents, or all black. Rubberized handles and a “loop” design make the speaker particularly portable, and its entire frame is layered in an ample sheath of hard plastic and rubber, allowing for a reasonably safe drop distance for the more clumsy among us. Put another way: The Ecoxbt could be used as a weapon in a pinch and never miss a beat.

Beneath the heavy metal screen at the speaker’s front rests a pair of waterproof 2-inch drivers. Above the drivers at the top left is a small control panel sunken into the plastic which includes a power button, a Bluetooth pairing button and a display screen with green and blue LEDs to indicate power and Bluetooth connection status respectively, along with a small battery icon. At the speaker’s right are volume controls and a phone button for fielding calls while away from your handheld device. As for the effective little microphone at the bottom left panel: We’ve used the term pinpoint to describe such openings in the past, but with the Ecoxbt we use the term literally. Designed to keep the unit watertight, the miniscule opening is easy to miss.

A gasketed cover on the back side protects the unit’s small input selection, which includes jacks for charging and a 3.5mm input cable. Also on the back is a small fabric loop to secure the speaker to its carabineer for hands-free portability. The Ecoxbt’s lithium-ion battery is estimated to run for about 10 hours at medium volume, and it takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge.

Performance

Field test

Our first job was to make sure gracedigital’s vehement waterproof claim was accurate. Though we were pretty sure the company would be steeped in customer outrage by now if it wasn’t true, we had to go hands-on for ourselves. Our highly unceremonious method involved filling up a bathtub, pairing our iPhone 5 to the speaker, and chucking the Ecoxbt into the deep end, tunes blazing.

The speaker dropped a few inches into the water, popped back up, and spat forth a gargling version of Cat Stephens’ “Oh Very Young.” As we looked on patiently, the water was eventually expelled from the two speakers, and there before us sat an autonomous watercraft of sound. Aside from our bath time listening session, we also took a few occasions to drop the speaker on our linoleum floor with no harm done.

Audio

As for the speaker’s sound, it clings tightly to the midrange, kicking out 1-4 kHz tones of guitar, vocals, and upper percussion with clarity and pep. At full volume, the twin drivers pump out enough sound to entertain a small crowd, serving up guests at our BBQ with more than enough rock ‘n roll ambience for the crowd.

We enjoyed the Ecoxbt most with straightforward rock and pop tunes. Vocals were clean and full, guitar was gritty when it needed to be, and piano was clear and bright. The speaker had a definite tendency to get a bit chintzy in the upper treble, adding too much cellophane-sizzle to cymbals at times. We also heard a constant edge to the upper midrange that we wished could be tamed to sound warmer. Depending on the source material, the speaker worked its way from clear and smooth, to overly harsh and bright. Still, for the most part we think it won the fight, performing admirably for a speaker without a passive radiator to balance out the midrange with a little more bass.

Bluetooth

Unfortunately, the Ecoxbt’s wireless connection to our iPhone 5 was tenuous at best. We witnessed several incidents which seemed to indicate the connection relied on line-of-sight, with one particularly obvious moment in which a friend playing horseshoes caused the sound to drop out every time he leaned forward for his shot. We also experienced signal dropout when we tried to put the phone in our pocket a few times. The way we see it, if you have to hold your phone next to a wireless speaker for consistent performance, it kind of blows the convenience factor.

Conclusion

Much to our disappointment, gracedigital’s Ecoxbt got close, but gets no waterproof cigar. We cut the device some slack for sharp treble because of its awesome durability and the wow factor that comes with a speaker that can actually swim. But we have to draw the line somewhere, and a poor wireless connection killed our buzz. Gracedigital is on the right track – some sort of an external antenna and passive radiator might be all it takes to make this speaker the best in its class. If the company decides to tweak the speaker a bit, we’ll be ready and waiting to check it out; but as it stands, we have to reluctantly pass.

Instead, we recommend looking at the water resistant Braven BR-1. Though it’s not fully waterproof, it’s a durable speaker with excellent sonic and wireless performance. For more suggestions, check out our Bluetooth round-up.

Highs

• Clear midrange
• Impressive full volume for its size
• Durable and convenient design
• Waterproof

Lows

• Unreliable wireless connection
• Treble gets a bit sharp at times
• Lacks body in lower midrange

Summary

A lot of notebook users are lacking two things: extra USB ports, and some decent speakers to attach to their notebook. Logitech has come up with an all-in-one solution with the Audiohub, which combines a USB hub with some fairly decent speakers. The company threw in a few additional features too, such as a cable management system, extension stalk for a webcam and telescoping satellites to fit an array of LCD sizes, all of which make the Audiohub a well-thought out, useful device for notebook users.

Features and Design

Priced at around $99 USD, the Audiohub is a three-piece speaker system, meaning it has two satellites and a subwoofer. The subwoofer features a 3-inch driver and a wispy 9 watt RMS output. The satellites, which flank the sub on both sides, sport 2-inch drivers and a 3 watt RMS rating. These are not speakers that will make you worry about upsetting off your neighbors, but to be fair, they are very small and not meant to shake your fillings loose.

The Audihub connects to one of your laptop’s USB ports, and is powered by an AC Adapter. Once connected, it can also power three additional USB Devices, which could come in very handy for owners of older laptops that don’t have many USB ports. The USB hub is also useful since the device itself blocks access to the rear of your notebook, effectively cutting off access to any USB ports back there.

The rear of the unit features a cable management tray, so you can tightly wrap any cables for devices you are attaching to the hub, which is a great design feature. You could then theoretically detach all connected devices by simply disconnecting the Audihub’s USB port. This is how Logitech designed it to operate, and it it works well in our opinion.

The rear of the Audiohub features a loom for routing cables of attached devices.

One interesting feature is both satellites move back and forth a few inches and forth along a horizontal axis, so when you’re not using it or transporting it you can push the satellites in to make the unit more compact. When you do want to use it, you just pull the satellites out so that they peek out from behind your notebook’s LCD.

The satellites move along a horizontal axis to accommodate a range of LCD sizes.

The right-side satellite features an illuminated volume knob that glows a soft orange. You just spin it around to change the volume. There’s also a large plastic web cam mount that you stick into a hole in the subwoofer. It rises up above the top of your LCD and holds a webcam, which is cool if you’re into that sort of thing.

The volume knob is orange, and you spin it back and forth to adjust volume.

Use and Testing

We unpacked the Audiohub and read the Quick Start guide to get it set up. It basically goes like this: Set it on a table, plug in AC power, plug in USB cable, and pull satellites out to desired length. That’s it, and we were up and thumping in five minutes.

It should be noted that we didn’t need to install any drivers, which is always appreciated. After we connected the AC power cable, and plugged the USB cable into our notebook, the orange volume knob turned on and the speakers just worked, taking over duties from the onboard speakers without us having to change anything, which is great.

Our first impression was that the speakers are actually not too shabby. Sure, the subwoofer doesn’t deliver more than a hint of bass that you can feel, but the satellites do a decent enough job with mids and highs. And it goes without saying they are worlds better than the onboard speakers in most laptops.

What is most appreciated is they actually get loud, but not loud enough to be a bother. But much louder than your onboard speakers, and loud enough that you would not want to crank them at full volume.

Since the Audiohub included an AC adapter, it’s a full blown powered USB hub, so power-hungry devices such as external hard drives will work just fine with it. We plugged in an 80GB USB drive, which usually requires two USB cables to operate, and it functioned just fine using one of the Audiohub’s three USB ports.

Conclusion

The Audiohub won’t blow you away with home theater-like sound or earth-shaking bass, but it offers surprisingly good audio given its diminutive size. The USB hub is a welcome addition too, and we also like the effortless installation and controls. We’ve come to expect as much from Logitech, and the Audiohub does not disappoint. It’s a bit expensive when compared to standard 2.1 speaker systems like the Klipsch GMX A-2.1 which costs just $30 USD more and features thundering bass and crystal-clear highs, but it’s an apples to oranges comparison. The Audiohub succeeds in delivering great sound in a portable, feature-rich package that notebook users will totally dig.

Pros:

• Decent sound quality
• Doubles as a USB hub
• Easy setup

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not exceedingly powerful

Summary

Logitech’s Z-5500 5.1 speakers, one of our all-time favorite picks, suffer from a serious flaw: They’re just too darn good. Though a couple lower-powered 5.1 options have made their way to the shelves since their introduction a couple years ago, the Z-5500s stubbornly refuse to budge from the top of the pile. Amazingly, considering these suckers are readily available and have been for some time now, we still can’t find a better option for discerning audiophiles. Continue reading to hear the highs, lows (and, of course, mids) of these sweet-sounding gems.

Features and Design

You may be asking yourself, “Why are we seeing a review of a two year-old product on the always hip, always up-to-date Digital Trends?” The answer is simple: They still can’t be beat when it comes to overall quality. And frankly, the longstanding crème de la crème of Logitech’s speaker line deserves a little attention for smacking down the competition for so long.

As of publication, Logitech has three 5.1 speaker options available: The budget-priced X-540, the gamer-targeted G51, and the home theater enthusiast-ready Z-5500. Just looking at the power rating is enough to give the reader an idea of where each lies in terms of the performance (and price) spectrum. The X-540 tops out at 70 watts, the G51 sports 155 watts, and the Z-5500 coyly flaunts its 505 watts or raw power. Of course, it’s worth mentioning that the low-end X-540 is the result of several revisions since the Z-5500 was introduced, and that the G51 is the latest addition to the family. This makes us suspicious that a refresh to the Z-5500 is in the works (though no details on rumored replacements have yet surfaced on our radar).

Anyways, the Z-5500 comes packed with four 62 watt satellite speakers, a 69 watt center channel unit and a 188 watt subwoofer. Each satellite driver measures 3”, with the subwoofer fitted with a 10” high-excursion ported driver. The THD is a disappointing-on-paper 10% which, although most home theater enthusiasts would scoff at that number and only consider <5% an acceptable range, in practice we found sound accuracy to be surprisingly excellent. All speakers run to the powered subwoofer, which is controlled by the wired remote.

The wired remote itself is where all the action occurs. There are ports for up to 6 input devices and a headphone out port, which disables the speakers when in use. Mind you, we’re torn over whether we actually like the inputs running to the control pod, as it adds some wire clutter to the desktop. Other options place inputs on the subwoofer, which might be more ideal from a neat-freak’s perspective. But truthfully, we liked the accessibility of having all the inputs within arm’s reach. All cords can be bound to the remote’s wire though, ultimately making this a non-issue. Options include 6-channel direct input via three stereo mini-plugs, optical, digital coax and stereo microphone.

Image Courtesy of Logitech

Curiously, however, the main control pod/remote is a desktop fixture as much as a useful control panel. And while the unit’s size is somewhat annoying on cluttered workspaces, it does offer quick access to a number of handy functions. The blue backlit LCD is easily readable and displays the current input settings. Nearly every aspect of the sound can further be configured using a button and the volume knob. Subwoofer power, surround channel volume (fade), surround delay, center channel volume and several other options are also available in different processing modes. You can additionally elect to pass the signal straight through from an external decoder, such as your PC card, or decode from the digital inputs. The microphone/auxiliary input also supports stereo. For analog audio sources, Dolby ProLogic II Music and Movie settings are available, as are stereo and dual stereo (mirrored audio on the rear channels).

We should point out, however, that the wireless remote feels cheap and is mostly pointless for desktop use. The only case where it might be useful is when using the Z-5500 instead of a proper home theater receiver. Otherwise, it will be cast into the basket of useless accessories. To be blunt, including it was a nice thought, but either make the remote match the quality of the rest of the system or leave it out entirely.

To make a long story short, we’ve used the Logitech Z-5500s on a daily basis for over a year, and had zero operating, setup and configuration problems. They’ve fueled parties, late-night work sessions and served as sound source for many a DVD. In that time, we’ve played nearly every genre of music on the planet – even a shameful Kenny G track or two (hey, we had a “worst music ever”-themed get-together!) – and the Z-5500s have powered their way through it all. From thumping techno to soft vocal and jazz tunes, we were always pleased with the results. The sound signature is accurate, clear, crisp and expansive.

We did have to tune down the bass a little, and boost power to the four surround satellites in order to get a nice, even sound field. Still, this took a very small amount of fiddling, and with all of it done with the control pod rather than PC software, we quickly hit a configuration that has remained untouched for nearly our entire ownership period. Having auditioned a little over a dozen 5.1 PC setups, we can safely say these are the best-sounding computer speakers we have heard. They even beat out the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1s that failed twice within a year and which served as our previous home setup. (Though on the sound quality front the battle was close…)

As a quick note, most audiophiles will suggest that buying a low-end receiver and several bookshelf speakers will provide better sound than any available PC-ready speaker set. For the most part, this is true, but requires matching speakers, pricing multiple components, turning on separate power sources and powering all that on the same circuit as the rest of your office equipment. We would caution that in a world where a 1500 watt PC power supply has just been announced, you may be tripping surge protectors every time you try to use your printer or document shredder as well. Also, a single solution offers a single point of contact for any problems, and our past experience with Logitech’s hardware has been exemplary. The Z-5500s compare favorably to the sound you’ll get from a dedicated setup, and add a level of ease and simplicity that is undeniable.

So, with such a rocking system, where is there room for improvement? Our list is predictably short, and nit-picky, though we expect to see some of these upgrades in whatever replaces the Z-5500. First, we’d recommend updating the decoders to offer Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital II and DTS-HD to keep up with the these heady days of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players (and, perhaps, HDMI passthrough). The speaker wire also needs upgrading to something thicker than a human hair. Stands should be designed so that they can be aimed at a downward angle when sitting on a bookshelf too. (As is now, the speakers angle upwards when sitting on a flat surface and down when switched into a wall-mounted configuration, and associated stands cannot be easily removed or inverted.) Finally, a smaller, but equally powerful subwoofer would prove a nice addition as well. (Some companies such as Yamaha have been able to release some nice subs with smaller footprints, which can prove a premium when looking at PC speaker setups.)

At $400 USD a shot, Logitech had best be sure to keep the Z-5500, or its replacement, up-to-date or run the risk of facing stiffer competition from weaker systems with the latest whiz-bang technology. Inside tip, however – don’t worry about actually paying the full MSRP, as the Z-5500 can be found at several outlets in the $250 USD range.

Conclusion

The Logitech Z-5500 is the best all-around PC speaker system we have used to date. The sound quality is first-rate, the system looks stylish and the added features/decoders are merely frosting on the cake. Though the system is now slightly dated, the Z-5500 is that rare breed of gadget that, even when an update does come down the pipeline, we would not have any regrets having purchased. As far as PC speaker setups go, you can’t do much better in terms of overall performance and feature set – go get you some.

Pros:

• Excellent sound
• Plenty of power
• THX certified
• Several processing modes

Cons:
• Lacks TrueHD and HDMI passthrough
• Minor design foibles

Summary

Logitech has designed the Z-Cinema to be like “The Dude’s” (The Big Lebowski) rug – it’ll tie your whole entertainment system together. It’s a speaker system that functions via remote control that integrates with Windows Media Center and other popular programs to give you total control over all your media, including music, photos videos and movies. Though it works rather well, the UI has a few issues and the price tag is quite steep for a 2.1 speaker system.

Features and Design

The Z Cinema is a 2.1 speaker system, meaning it has two satellites and a subwoofer (the .1). The system connects to your PC via a USB cable for 100 percent digital sound that bypasses your soundcard. It includes a full-sized remote control that controls the speakers (there are no controls on the speakers themselves) and the included Z Cinema software.

The Speakers

The satellites are quite tall and have a glossy piano finish. Each satellite sports both a midrange speaker and a tweeter, which together output a total of 70w RMS (35w per satellite). The satellites include six-foot cables and connect to the eight-inch, long throw subwoofer, which pumps out 110w.

Image Courtesy of Logitech

The Remote

A full-sized remote control is included and it controls all the functions of the Z Cinema system. It uses two AA batteries (included) and includes several different sections that control different functions such as input, media controls volume and TV functions. Windows Media Center (built-in to Vista Home Premium and Ultimate Editions) is required to get full functionality from the remote, and the system in general.

Image Courtesy of Logitech

The Software

The Z Cinema software is required to be installed and running in order to let you interact properly with the speakers. Once installed an icon sits in the system tray and can be called up on screen by clicks or by the remote. The application lets you control volume levels and program associations as well as a number of other settings.

Logitech Z Cinema Software

Use and Testing

We plugged the Z Cinema into our test system and had to fiddle with it for awhile and even reboot to get it to work, which is how it’s supposed to work according to the installation manual. Regardless, we eventually got it working and started our tests with some music.

First we fired up some music, and were reasonably impressed with the overall fidelity and balance between the satellites and subwoofer. We played everything from acoustic tracks to hip hop and thought it sounded decent, but never amazing. The speakers sound decent, but neither their overall volume nor audio fidelity blew us away. We would say on a three-tier scale of poor, decent and awesome they rank as “decent.” They certainly get loud enough for a mid-to-large size room and at max volume they are loud without any distortion at all, which is good. The subwoofer delivers the kind of power you’d except from a unit of its size. The bass sounds great too, and is very well-balanced with the output from the satellites. Next we decided to try out a movie with the SRS Surround Sound enabled, to see if the Z Cinema really could producer believable surround sound. We fired up Roy Orbison’s Black and White Night which is notable for its surround sound since you can hear the backup singers behind you on a proper 5.1 setup. We noticed some definite ambient “surround” sound when SRS was enabled, but it wasn’t nearly as good as having actual rear channel speakers. The two satellites did a good job of opening up the soundstage a bit from simple stereo but it was not as convincing as we hoped it would be.

The Z Cinema software ties it all together, and is comprised of two elements; a system tray icon that you can click on with your mouse to change settings, and on-screen displays that appear when you make changes to volume, sound levels, etc. For example, when you select a song its title appears at the top of the screen, the volume level appears in the lower left and the SRS Surround setting appears on the lower-right. After a few seconds it all fades away so as to not block your view of the screen.

Z Cinema Software

The Z Cinema software has its pluses and minuses. When you click the icon in the system tray a small control center opens on screen that lets you tweak various settings such as volume levels and what program opens when you click a button on the remote. There are three tabs for music, photo and video, and each tab lists supported programs. Surprisingly, the software supports a wide array of programs and all of the most popular ones, including iTunes, Winamp and Rhapsody for audio, as an example. Even better, if the program you use isn’t listed, you can select “other” and use any program you want.

So for example, if you set Winamp as your program of choice for music, pressing the “music” button on the remote opens Winamp. An “iPod” style spin wheel adjusts volume, and you can pause, skip, stop and fast-forward tracks. It’s easy to use and the remote works very well with the software, but we did have a few issues.

Control Issues

The biggest problem we had was with the four “presets” buttons, which are supposed to let you easily create one-touch launch buttons for your favorite music, videos, etc. In reality, they were difficult to configure, and equally difficult to use. Holding down a preset button did nothing, but releasing it would some times trigger a certain song across all four preset buttons. We couldn’t find any way to change the presets, nor could we successfully add new presets beyond one that we added initially. The overall setup process for these presets is flawed, and it would be great if we could manually change them in the Z Cinema software.

It also annoyed us that we could open programs with the remote, but could not close them. A simple “close application” button would be appreciated. We also experienced numerous little irks that detracted from the overall experience, like when you press the Shuffle button the word “shuffle” appears on screen, but if you press it again to turn off shuffle it still says “shuffle” on screen. We also had issues adjusting bass and treble volume, as it would instead change the overall volume. Finally, every time you make a change to anything, the Cinema software pops up on screen, which is annoying.

We do like the soft orange backlighting on the speakers though, and thinks it’s both classy and effective. It’s too bad there’s no backlighting on the remote since it would make it easier to use in low light.

We also have to mention the SRS Surround sound, which gives you pseudo surround sound from just two speakers. It works okay in the sense that it certainly broadens the soundstage a bit and adds more ambience to the sound but you will not be fooled into thinking you have a phantom rear channel of speakers.

Conclusion

The Z Cinema is an interesting approach to integrating a home theater PC remote with a set of better-than-average speakers. Overall the package accomplishes most of the goals it set out to achieve, making it somewhat easy to control a wide range of media from the comfort of your couch. Of course, we did have a few difficulties, and must also point out that you must have Vista Home Premium or Ultimate, or XP Media Center Edition to fully utilize the software. And then there’s the price: $300 USD is a lot to pay for a 2.1 speaker system, even after taking into the additional cost of the remote control into consideration.

Pros:

• Decent sound quality
• Remote works very well
• Easy installation

Cons:

• Expensive
• A few interface issues
• “Surround” sound is so-so