Rationale
As it has with every other aspect of the PC hardware market, the games industry has driven sales and innovation in the audio peripheral category quite steadily over these last few years. With games making the jump from static image text adventures to multimedia cinematic experiences the need to deliver an equally impressive audio experience is paramount. With recent games titles supporting full 5.1 surround systems, the advent of late model gaming consoles and the proliferation of DVD drives in today’s systems, manufacturers have rushed to meet the market demands and we now have a bevy of competitive 5.1 systems available in all price ranges.
I have managed to get my hands on the Logitech X-530 5.1 surround sound system. Here in Australia they retail for around AUS$125, A$80 or 52 GBP, and I am about to take the system for a spin. Before I do, I'd like to give you a little background on Logitech itself
Logitech
Logitech, who until only a few years ago, was typically seen as the keyboard and mouse manufacturer. As a peripheral manufacturer they’ve always carried a solid reputation by delivering excellent products for the price point. I can’t recall a time I haven’t used a Logitech peripheral of some sort; and at the moment I'm currently using their multimedia keyboard and the MX-900 wireless mouse. Both of which have performed faultlessly!!!
It was quite a surprise however when Logitech entered the PC speaker market a few years ago, and even more surprising when they started earning ‘Kick Ass’ awards from the likes of Maximum PC and knocking veterans like Klipsch and Altec-Lansing “out of the box” with their Z-680 (5.1) and Z-560(4.1) series. Right...let's get down to business
Technical Specifications
* Total peak power: 140 watts
* Total RMS power: 70 watts RMS
* Satellites: 45 watts RMS (2 x 7.4 watts front, 15.5 watts center, 2 x 7.4 watts rear)
* Subwoofer: 25 watts RMS
* Frequency response: 40Hz - 20kHz
* Drivers:
- Satellites: (2) 2" drivers per satellite
- Subwoofer: 5.25" ported driver
* Speaker dimensions (H x W x D):
- Satellites: 8" x 2.5" x 3"
- Subwoofer: 9" x 6" x 9.25"
* Signal-to-noise ratio: >96dB
System Compatibility
* PC/Mac
* CD
* MP3
* DVD*
* PlayStation®*
* Xbox®*
*Requires game console adapter.
Package Contents
* Speakers:
- 5 satellites
- 1 subwoofer
* Color-coded audio cables
* 2-year limited warranty
* User manual
How the Equipment was rated
Before starting the actual review on the Logitech X-530, I decided upon what were important factors in helping me decide to purchase gear. I came up with 4 areas where I think its important for equipment to rate fairly high and these then became the benchmarks for my review. The areas I considered essential were:
1. Build quality;
2. Value for money;
3. Functionality, and
4. :anisx: factor.
Each of these areas were given a marking scale of 10, the marks were tallied and the end result given as a percentage. We here at SysXtreme forums pride ourselves on using nothing but top quality gear, and so have come up with a scale of :anisx: yness for our members. Any gear coming through the review section shall be given the following awards:
*90% and upwards- :anisx: Top Performer*70-89%- :anisx: Recommended *Any gear that has serious bang for the buck value- :anisx: Bargain buy
Now on with the review...
First Impressions
The first thing I noticed when checking my parcel was the robust packaging of the X-530. As with any audio gear in my experience, the last thing you want is for it to be moving around in transit, the amount of polystyrene packing material ensured that movement of any kind would not occur. All the package contents were sealed in plastic packaging, right from the supplied audio cables and warranty booklet, through to the individual speakers themselves.
The system consists of 5 wall mountable dual cone speakers manufactured using Logitech’s new FDD2 (frequency directed dual driver– please see diagram below) system which “eliminates the uneven sound response found in conventional driver designs” according to the documentation. One of the five is designed horizontally for placement as your center channel (usually used for dialogue) with 5.1 compatible audio sources. Finally we have the ported sub-woofer which has been designed to provide real-time dynamic bass equalisation which helps to cut down on distortion as volume levels fluctuate from audio source to audio source.
The satellite speaker casings are made of plastic, but Logitech’s speakers defy the law that cheap must therefore equal bad quality and horrid design. Logitech’s X-530 system is done in a matte black finish with some pieces polished for accent. The speaker cones themselves are covered in a thin cloth mesh which offers full view of the cones gray and silver colour scheme.
Installation
The installation was a breeze, and I had the system up and running within twenty (20) minutes, just allowing me time to write this review. This ease of installation was made possible by the colour coding of all the speaker connections to match the corresponding RCA jacks on the sub-woofers housing. All connections are made at the sub-woofer which cuts down on the crisscrossing cable syndrome of some older systems. The wiring provided for the satellite speakers is more than ample, the cables included with the system are extra long allowing for a long run to the bookshelf behind your desk or easy extension as they utilise standard RCA jacks.
The only complaint I had here was that the lead provided, to run from the master speaker to the subwoofer was quite short. This could cause difficulties for those with modular 'L' shaped desks or just a large desk...period, as it restricts the placement of the subwoofer.
A suggestion to logitech for further improvement on an already great product, would be to allow for those who don't have a dedicated sound card. Running the X-530 system in 5.1 (or any other 5.1 sound system other than those using the digital out) meant that some people may lose microphone capability, as the same jack becomes the center channel output when 5.1 is selected in the control panel. This would be a real bummer for online gamers who typically use the headset microphones for games that support team chat in multiplayer modes. Again, this isn't a design fault, and most motherboards with onboard sound are coming equipped with 6.1 or 7.1 anyway, but it's something worth noting for future reference.
Does it do the Job?
Yes Sir, it surely does!!! If you're looking for some serious 'boom' from your system then this probably isn't for you. I would suggest investing in the Logitech X-680 perhaps. Also there is the lack of a tonal control knob on this systems master unit, which to be quite honest I haven't missed. The subwoofer performs very well and I haven't had a hint of woofer distortion at all, although the subwoofer was a little more 'boomy' than some Altec Lansing systems I have heard. The satellite speakers also delivered on their promise of an even audio reproduction, without the crackup or tinnyness that you might expect at this price.
I have tested these speakers with a variety of MP3's and ACC files, and found there to be no audible problems. I have also used them on Doom 3 and CS:S, and I was a little disappointed that the rear speakers could not be adjusted for volume. They were a little too quiet for my liking, as I like to be immersed both visually and audibly when gaming. The final test I conducted on the X-530 was to obviously watch a movie, and the movie of choice was 'Minority Report' on Windows Media Player 10. The X-530 handled the DVD well, and as a result I ended up watching 3/4's of the movie. Now lets see how the Logitech X-530 shapes up in our :anisx: test.
Build Quality
As I have said previously, the speakers were sturdily constructed from plastic, the only area for concern I could see was the base of each of the satellites. The base may be an area of concern as far as longevity goes, but for the price...hey!!! The subwoofer design which is constructed of ply or fibre-board with plastic accents, has the cone sitting on the side as opposed to the bottom of the unit and Logitech saw fit to place a silver kick-proof grill on the front of the unit. Which, I might add looks very sweet. 8/10
Value for money
The 'bang for the buck' value of the Logitech X-530 is extremely high, it does what it's designed to do very well, with the exception of the non-adjustable rear speaker volume. Sure you could purchase a better system, but you would also pay the premium associated with it 8.5/10
Functionality
All things considered the X-530 performed very well and was extremely functional, apart from the restrictions imposed on woofer placement by a short lead. The X-530 would do very well in a bedroom or small home-office theatre environment. 9/10
:anisx: factor
There’s absolutely no excuse to suffer through poor audio performance out of the box when for an additional AUS$125 you can toss some X-530’s into the mix…literally. A must buy for all entry-level PC owners or enthusiasts on a budget. With its amazing price-point, stylish looks, solid manufacturing and excellent audio delivery I have no qualms about giving the Logitech X-530 the thumbs up. Well done Logitech, on balancing price and performance so well 8.5/10
85 %
:anisx: Recommended
Discuss this review here
As it has with every other aspect of the PC hardware market, the games industry has driven sales and innovation in the audio peripheral category quite steadily over these last few years. With games making the jump from static image text adventures to multimedia cinematic experiences the need to deliver an equally impressive audio experience is paramount. With recent games titles supporting full 5.1 surround systems, the advent of late model gaming consoles and the proliferation of DVD drives in today’s systems, manufacturers have rushed to meet the market demands and we now have a bevy of competitive 5.1 systems available in all price ranges.
I have managed to get my hands on the Logitech X-530 5.1 surround sound system. Here in Australia they retail for around AUS$125, A$80 or 52 GBP, and I am about to take the system for a spin. Before I do, I'd like to give you a little background on Logitech itself
Logitech
Logitech, who until only a few years ago, was typically seen as the keyboard and mouse manufacturer. As a peripheral manufacturer they’ve always carried a solid reputation by delivering excellent products for the price point. I can’t recall a time I haven’t used a Logitech peripheral of some sort; and at the moment I'm currently using their multimedia keyboard and the MX-900 wireless mouse. Both of which have performed faultlessly!!!
It was quite a surprise however when Logitech entered the PC speaker market a few years ago, and even more surprising when they started earning ‘Kick Ass’ awards from the likes of Maximum PC and knocking veterans like Klipsch and Altec-Lansing “out of the box” with their Z-680 (5.1) and Z-560(4.1) series. Right...let's get down to business
Technical Specifications
* Total peak power: 140 watts
* Total RMS power: 70 watts RMS
* Satellites: 45 watts RMS (2 x 7.4 watts front, 15.5 watts center, 2 x 7.4 watts rear)
* Subwoofer: 25 watts RMS
* Frequency response: 40Hz - 20kHz
* Drivers:
- Satellites: (2) 2" drivers per satellite
- Subwoofer: 5.25" ported driver
* Speaker dimensions (H x W x D):
- Satellites: 8" x 2.5" x 3"
- Subwoofer: 9" x 6" x 9.25"
* Signal-to-noise ratio: >96dB
System Compatibility
* PC/Mac
* CD
* MP3
* DVD*
* PlayStation®*
* Xbox®*
*Requires game console adapter.
Package Contents
* Speakers:
- 5 satellites
- 1 subwoofer
* Color-coded audio cables
* 2-year limited warranty
* User manual
How the Equipment was rated
Before starting the actual review on the Logitech X-530, I decided upon what were important factors in helping me decide to purchase gear. I came up with 4 areas where I think its important for equipment to rate fairly high and these then became the benchmarks for my review. The areas I considered essential were:
1. Build quality;
2. Value for money;
3. Functionality, and
4. :anisx: factor.
Each of these areas were given a marking scale of 10, the marks were tallied and the end result given as a percentage. We here at SysXtreme forums pride ourselves on using nothing but top quality gear, and so have come up with a scale of :anisx: yness for our members. Any gear coming through the review section shall be given the following awards:
*90% and upwards- :anisx: Top Performer*70-89%- :anisx: Recommended *Any gear that has serious bang for the buck value- :anisx: Bargain buy
Now on with the review...
First Impressions
The first thing I noticed when checking my parcel was the robust packaging of the X-530. As with any audio gear in my experience, the last thing you want is for it to be moving around in transit, the amount of polystyrene packing material ensured that movement of any kind would not occur. All the package contents were sealed in plastic packaging, right from the supplied audio cables and warranty booklet, through to the individual speakers themselves.
The system consists of 5 wall mountable dual cone speakers manufactured using Logitech’s new FDD2 (frequency directed dual driver– please see diagram below) system which “eliminates the uneven sound response found in conventional driver designs” according to the documentation. One of the five is designed horizontally for placement as your center channel (usually used for dialogue) with 5.1 compatible audio sources. Finally we have the ported sub-woofer which has been designed to provide real-time dynamic bass equalisation which helps to cut down on distortion as volume levels fluctuate from audio source to audio source.
The satellite speaker casings are made of plastic, but Logitech’s speakers defy the law that cheap must therefore equal bad quality and horrid design. Logitech’s X-530 system is done in a matte black finish with some pieces polished for accent. The speaker cones themselves are covered in a thin cloth mesh which offers full view of the cones gray and silver colour scheme.
Installation
The installation was a breeze, and I had the system up and running within twenty (20) minutes, just allowing me time to write this review. This ease of installation was made possible by the colour coding of all the speaker connections to match the corresponding RCA jacks on the sub-woofers housing. All connections are made at the sub-woofer which cuts down on the crisscrossing cable syndrome of some older systems. The wiring provided for the satellite speakers is more than ample, the cables included with the system are extra long allowing for a long run to the bookshelf behind your desk or easy extension as they utilise standard RCA jacks.
The only complaint I had here was that the lead provided, to run from the master speaker to the subwoofer was quite short. This could cause difficulties for those with modular 'L' shaped desks or just a large desk...period, as it restricts the placement of the subwoofer.
A suggestion to logitech for further improvement on an already great product, would be to allow for those who don't have a dedicated sound card. Running the X-530 system in 5.1 (or any other 5.1 sound system other than those using the digital out) meant that some people may lose microphone capability, as the same jack becomes the center channel output when 5.1 is selected in the control panel. This would be a real bummer for online gamers who typically use the headset microphones for games that support team chat in multiplayer modes. Again, this isn't a design fault, and most motherboards with onboard sound are coming equipped with 6.1 or 7.1 anyway, but it's something worth noting for future reference.
Does it do the Job?
Yes Sir, it surely does!!! If you're looking for some serious 'boom' from your system then this probably isn't for you. I would suggest investing in the Logitech X-680 perhaps. Also there is the lack of a tonal control knob on this systems master unit, which to be quite honest I haven't missed. The subwoofer performs very well and I haven't had a hint of woofer distortion at all, although the subwoofer was a little more 'boomy' than some Altec Lansing systems I have heard. The satellite speakers also delivered on their promise of an even audio reproduction, without the crackup or tinnyness that you might expect at this price.
I have tested these speakers with a variety of MP3's and ACC files, and found there to be no audible problems. I have also used them on Doom 3 and CS:S, and I was a little disappointed that the rear speakers could not be adjusted for volume. They were a little too quiet for my liking, as I like to be immersed both visually and audibly when gaming. The final test I conducted on the X-530 was to obviously watch a movie, and the movie of choice was 'Minority Report' on Windows Media Player 10. The X-530 handled the DVD well, and as a result I ended up watching 3/4's of the movie. Now lets see how the Logitech X-530 shapes up in our :anisx: test.
Build Quality
As I have said previously, the speakers were sturdily constructed from plastic, the only area for concern I could see was the base of each of the satellites. The base may be an area of concern as far as longevity goes, but for the price...hey!!! The subwoofer design which is constructed of ply or fibre-board with plastic accents, has the cone sitting on the side as opposed to the bottom of the unit and Logitech saw fit to place a silver kick-proof grill on the front of the unit. Which, I might add looks very sweet. 8/10
Value for money
The 'bang for the buck' value of the Logitech X-530 is extremely high, it does what it's designed to do very well, with the exception of the non-adjustable rear speaker volume. Sure you could purchase a better system, but you would also pay the premium associated with it 8.5/10
Functionality
All things considered the X-530 performed very well and was extremely functional, apart from the restrictions imposed on woofer placement by a short lead. The X-530 would do very well in a bedroom or small home-office theatre environment. 9/10
:anisx: factor
There’s absolutely no excuse to suffer through poor audio performance out of the box when for an additional AUS$125 you can toss some X-530’s into the mix…literally. A must buy for all entry-level PC owners or enthusiasts on a budget. With its amazing price-point, stylish looks, solid manufacturing and excellent audio delivery I have no qualms about giving the Logitech X-530 the thumbs up. Well done Logitech, on balancing price and performance so well 8.5/10
85 %
:anisx: Recommended
Discuss this review here
