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Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/05/22/review_logitech_z_cinema/

Logitech Z Cinéma advanced surround sound system

By Lewis Caliburn
Published Thursday 22nd May 2008 12:03 GMT

Review Is Logitech’s answer to the demands of a media-centric PC world the next logical step in home entertainment - or just more boxes to knock over or spill stuff on while working at the computer?

The basic premise is simple. We are all storing and viewing loads more stuff on the PC: music, film, TV and, of course, games. The problem is, many people are listening to the playback on speakers that wouldn't be out of place in a child’s walkie-talkie.

Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System

Logitech's Z Cinéma: laser tuned drivers

Logitech hopes to come to the rescue with a really meaty sound package that not only delivers great sound, but interfaces directly with the PC’s operating system rather than its analog audio ports. And to a large extent the manufacturer has succeeded.

Set up is very simple: plug the sub-woofer into the power, the speakers into the sub-woofer and then the computer to the sub-woofer with the supplied USB cable and you are almost ready. A quick spin of the software disc later and we were ready to rock within about five minutes.

The first thing to note here is the quality look and feel of the speakers. The Z Cinéma system combines a brushed aluminium bezel, high-gloss black thermoplastic faceplate and perforated aluminium speaker grilles.

But the system has got guts as well as looks. It boasts a total output of 180W (RMS) and is powered by a three-amplifier design with a digital crossover equalizer.

The system has on-board hybrid Class D and Class AB amplifiers, and Logitech reckons the Z Cinéma set is particularly good at reproducing sound whether it be in the high, mid or low frequencies. Each amplifier pushes out an independent, digitally equalized signal that is designed to minimise distortion and create a broad sound-field, the better to cater not only for the user sitting right in front of the screen but for folk sitting a way away from it too.

Logitech also used laser tuning in an attempt to make a set of drivers - 2.5cm textile dome tweeters, 7.5cm ventilated mid-woofers and a 20cm long-throw subwoofer - that generate less distortion than those produced using only acoustic measurements. What's more, because the unit is connected to the PC with a USB cable, it can take a 24-bit digital audio signal, bypassing the PC’s soundcard and digital-to-analog convertors.

This means the system can assist most PCs regardless of their own sound capabilities. The system has also been bred to carry SRS' TruSurround HD technology to generate a surround experience for games and film. SRS TruSurround HD also aims to add definition to high frequencies and adjust the mix of centre information, particularly useful when the dialogue on a movie is a little muddy.

Logitech Z Cinéma advanced surround sound system

There's no way to plug in anything more substantial, like a DVD player

Now any good speaker designer will always warn against over-engineering a speaker. It can lead to a confused and ultimately unsatisfying audio experience. These puppies have so much technology loaded into them we were a little apprehensive that this might be the case here. Happily, our fears turned out to be unfounded. These things really do deliver a big, punchy, but detailed sound, which means you really can forget you are listening to music from a computer.

There's good news for movie fans too. Surround Sound is very difficult to achieve from a 2.1-speaker set up. Without five speakers - unless you're talking about the Yamaha type of soundbar, which bounces sound off the walls - ‘physco-acoustic’ techniques mean you are always just fooling the brain into ‘thinking’ the sound is coming from the side or the rear, and it's never quite as good as the real thing. The Z Cinéma does a good enough job, with an acceptable level of surround effect for a 2.1 system.

The main quibble here is that although the sound is great, you're still probably watching the movie on a computer monitor. So unless you've splashed out on a really flashy display, the picture quality sometimes falls behind the fidelity of the sound. Although you can plug an MP3 player into the system, there's no way to plug in anything more substantial, like a quality DVD player.

Yes, we know the Z Cinéma is aimed firmly as PC users, but it wouldn't have hurt to give the option of home-cinema usage. The sound is good enough. Incidentally, the MP3 jack goes into one of the speakers and not the main system, and playback suffers as a result.

However, to be fair, sound is only half of what the system is about. The unit is designed to work with the PC control system to allow the speakers to become part of the actual set-up and control interface of your PC. A nice little GUI pops up on the computer screen whenever you want to adjust something basic like volume, but the unit has a well laid out remote that allows direct control of all of the media stored on the PC.

Logitech Z Cinéma advanced surround sound system

The remote is a complete control centre for Windows Media Center

The remote is a complete control centre for Windows Media Center and Windows Vista. Users can access media controls, application shortcuts, internet radio and playlist presets all direct from the remote. The black Level button hops through each of the basics like volume, bass, treble, balance and surround levels, which is then adjusted with the large silver dial.

Extra options include shuffle and repeat modes (where supported) and there are four preset buttons that can store a playlist or favourite internet radio station. Just like a radio, the preset button stores the information when it's held pressed for a moment or two. We found this all worked pretty well, with the nice chunky size of the remote and logical layout making control and access easy right from the off, with not much bedding-in time before you really get the hang of it.

Verdict

For a person who is sure they are going to be using a PC as their main entertainment hub, then Logitech's Z Cinéma is a sensible investment. It's not cheap, which counts against it a little. However, the system does have a genuine audio pedigree and you can hear where the money went.

Logitech Z Cinéma advanced surround sound system
SummaryCost counts against this system, but what you do get for your money is pretty awesome
Rating80%
Price£250 / $300 / €300
More infoThe Z Cinéma sound system on Logitech's website (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/3712&cl=gb,en?WT.ac=mb|4148||hp)