Logitech’s new Z600 Bluetooth Speakers are proof the company can not only put out excellent sounding speakers but they can put out excellent sounding speakers that look great AND come in at a surprisingly reasonable price. The speakers, which are available for preorder, have an MSRP of $149.99 and have impressed me more than I expected they would. Let’s take a look at them on video and then dig a little more deeply into some of the specifics.
It should be clear from the video that I am really impressed with the speakers. And when I take into consideration the fact that they are under $150 I’m pretty much blown away. Logitech describes the speakers as
A work of art: With gentle curves, a fabric finish and contemporary colors, the Z600 perfectly complements the good looks of your Mac or alterable. On or off the outing graceful note to any space.
That sounds like a lot of PR nonsense but I actually think the speakers look phenomenal and I am using them in a new office setup at home. I had a choice of a number of different speakers from which to choose when setting up the space and these were the ones I opted to use. That’s for a few reasons. First off I do like the way they look- they stand out without trying too hard. In addition, they happen to sound terrific. Each speaker has three different drivers and the system is engineered to offer good acoustics in pretty much any space. Despite the speakers having a relatively small footprint they fill a small to medium-sized room with ease. Then there is the fact that these speakers have multiple-personalities. More on that in a moment.
The company makes a big deal out of the lay flat cables that are attached to each speaker. And while this might seem like a ridiculous thing about which to boast, the flat cables actually help keep my desk feeling nice and clean. It’s small touches like that can make a big difference. Add in the fact that the cables don’t tangle and it’s actually worthy of mention in the PR literature.
The controls on the Z600 speakers are simple yet functional. Tucked away along the back of one of the speakers is the power button, the Bluetooth pairing button and a 3.5 mm auxiliary input. These keep the controls accessible but hidden from view. That’s important when one considers the fact the Logitech was shooting for a clean aesthetic.
There is also a button for pairing the speakers. A quick press and the speakers go into pairing mode. More importantly, these speakers have multiple-personalities and can be actively paired with three different devices at the same time. In order to switch from one device to the other you simply pause the audio from one source and hit play on the other. That means people like me who use a laptop, tablet and smartphone can switch between all three of them by simply touching each device.
The volume control is at the top of one of the speakers. It doesn’t look like there is a volume control but it’s there waiting for you to place your finger and rotate. Going in one direction increases the volume while, obviously, going in the other direction decreases the volume. I find it interesting that Logitech used touch sensitive controls here but not elsewhere on the speakers. It was a good call since the touch is gray for volume but a physical power button is easier to use.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Logitech included a Bluetooth USB dongle with the Z600 speakers. This is obviously important for anyone whose laptop or desktop doesn’t have Bluetooth and is the kind of added accessory that brings additional value to a product like this.
In all, I like the looks of the speakers but I’m more impressed by the sound they put out. Combine that with the price of under $150 and I think these are going to be quite popular with students headed to college. They certainly are terrific for someone like me but in a small dorm room these would be all the audio system you need and then some. You can learn more and preorder/order the Logitech Z600 Bluetooth Speakers.
MSRP: $149.99
What I Like: Look cool; Sound excellent, especially for the price; Touch-controlled volume but a physical power button; Flat cables; Ability to have three actively paired devices
What Needs Improvement: Only available in one color
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample