Logitech Z Cinema USB SRS Speakers Review

Everyone knows that nothing can beat the quality of sound that you get from a 5.1 surround system. Unfortunately with the aural bliss comes the headache of cable clutter and space constraints when trying to find a place to put those rear speakers. While the cable clutter is something that everyone can and usually does live with, the lack of space for rear speakers isn't. Featuring SRS TruSurround HD, the Logitech Z Cinema offers surround sound in a 2.1 speaker configuration. Full review below.

While the Z Cinema is a 2.1 speakers system, it's the Advanced Surround Sound that makes it so special. Utilizing SRS TruSurround HD, the Z Cinema allows for virtualization up to 6.1 channels which eliminates the need for a center or rear surround speakers. The processing techniques of SRS TruSurround creates phantom speakers that trick you into thinking that sound is coming from a certain direction when it is actually coming from the front. SRS is a proven technology that has been around for a while and it does work.

This is basically everything sans the cables.

The satellites themselves put out 35W RMS, and feature Logitech's piano black and silver finish. Because of the display on the right speaker, both speakers appear to be abnormally tall for the desktop at approximately 10 inches. Each satellite features a one inch tweeter and three inch ventilated midwoofer. On the right speaker there is a display that shows level for bass, treble, center channel, surround, and volume as well as the input source, power, and headphone optimization. The orange on black look of the display is quite pleasing and blends in well with the design of the speakers. On the right hand side of the right satellite there are two 3.5 mm jacks: one for an auxiliary input and one for headphones.

Unlike the Logitech Z10, there's no touch-sensitive buttons on the right speaker,
but there's still a LCD display.

SRS TruSurround HD audio emulation.

The subwoofer features Logitech's eight inch long-throw sub in a bass-reflex enclosure. The sub is capable of throwing out 110W RMS with frequencies down to 35 HZ to give you that deep bass for the earthshaking explosions. The front of the subwoofer has the same piano black finish with silver trim and the enclosure itself is painted black to match. On the back are the outputs for the satellites as well as USB to connect it to your PC.

Back of the Logitech Z Cinema subwoofer.

The Z Cinema also comes with a Media Center remote control that is equipped with a 1st gen. iPod-style spin wheel, the same of which you'll find on the Wireless Music DJ System. Not only does it have all of the necessary functions to control Windows Media Center, but it also allows you to control all of the functions of the speakers themselves so you don't have to get up and adjust settings in the middle of a movie. Unfortunately the remote isn't backlit in any way and since it has the same piano black finish as the rest of the unit, it is very difficult to find the button you are searching for until you memorize where everything is at.

Installation and Setup
The installation of the Logitech Z Cinema speakers was one of the smoothest speaker installations that I have had in a while. There are no color coded wires, and each wire going to the satellites connects in only one way ensuring that you simply can't mess it up. I did notice that the cables were a little shorter than I would have liked to have. Maybe this is because I was trying to utilize them with my HTPC and 57" DLP TV because it didn't bother me at all when I installed them on my desktop. Once I installed the drivers, I found that everything was already set correctly, and I didn't have to tell Windows that I had 5.1 surround speakers installed. I did notice that while I was installing the drivers, there is no SRS TruSurround HD support for Mac or Linux. And to gain full functionality (particularly the remote), you even need Windows XP Media Center Edition or better (which means Vista Home Premium & Vista Ultimate).

Ready to rock. Samsung 245BW 24" LCD in the middle.

As the speaker system primarily interfaces with USB, it bypasses your original sound card, and the USB connection ensures your audio stays in digital form the entire way before reaching the 24-bit digital signal processor (DSP). You'll also find a line-in jack on the right speaker to hook up your iPod or other auxiliary sources.