3DsoundSurge Reviews: Logitech Z560 - Page 1 of 9


	Mark Muschett puts Logitech's Z-560 to the test

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Logitech Z-560 Detailed Review

Published: March 13, 2002 - Mark Muschett
Last Updated: March 13, 2002

Reviewer PC:

Mark
- Windows XP, ME and 98
- PIII 733
- 256MB PC100 ram
- ATI Radeon All in Wonder 8500
- For sound card testing I used the Audigy, and Analog Devices SoundMax SPX. All my testing was done in on an Intel 815 motherboard (D815EPEA2)

Specs available on the Product overview page

A shorter less detailed review is also available

Introduction

When it comes to audio Logitech has been a company that people seemed to associate with low cost entry level when thinking of speakers. This is an image that over the past year or so they have been working very hard to shed. Based on the systems I am familiar with their initial break through into the minds of more performance oriented users came with the February 2001 introduction of the Xtrusio DSR-100, a 4.1 system that received many positive reviews, including one from us. Around the same time that the Xtrusio DSR-100 was announced Logitech also announced the acquisition of Labtec, another speaker manufacturer with an even more entrenched reputation for value rather than performance oriented systems. Some might have expected more of the same market focus but the DSR-100 performance and the fact that Logitech had gained the resources and expertise of Labtec boded well for the future.

In September of 2001 Logitech let the "future" out of the bag by introducing their new line of Z-Series speakers. This speaker family, which includes the Z-560, Z-540 and Z-340, combines what Logitech calls "spectacular performance with patented Logitech technology, to offer an attractive line of high-end audio products". In this review we are going to take a look at the flagship product of the series, the THX® (multimedia speaker) certified Z-560, a 4.1 system that according to specifications delivers a true 400 watts RMS of power at an amazingly low suggested list price of $200! While we tested a pre-production unit the retail product is now shipping and we have a summary of what improvements have been made to the final product at the end of this review. We had not planned to do the final review using the pre-production unit but unfortunately due to high demand Logitech’s marketing department was unable to provide us with a final unit in a manner that would allow for a final review quickly enough.

So on to detailed overview