There is something that is important to consider whenever you buy a new piece of hardware or a funky gadget; always be aware of what it actually is. That might sound like a silly statement, but it’s not uncommon for people to spend a lot of hard earned cash on something that isn’t exactly what they want, thanks to misleading statements made by salespeople, spurious claims made on product packaging, or simply a plain misunderstanding of what the product is designed for.

The Logitech Z323 Speaker System is a product that could lead to that kind of situation, but not because of false representation. Rather, the function of this portable speaker set might be misunderstood. See the Z323 is designed to deliver 360 degree sound. But that’s not surround sound, so keep that in mind. With the wealth of headsets and other systems claiming surround sound capabilities, it’s easy to get confused. Rather, what this speaker system offers is ‘smooth sound’. And it does so very well, through carefully considered speaker placement.

The system is comprised of two stereo speakers, as well as a relatively small, yet powerful subwoofer. The subwoofer has a host of connectors built into the back, as well as a bass level control. The speaker itself is mounted in the base of the unit, and fires downward. That may seem a bit strange, but the result is smooth, deep bass.

Miss and highs are taken care of by the two stereo speakers. Each of these features an additional, rear firing speaker, to help create that even distribution of sound waves that helps make this such a fantastic speaker set. And we shouldn’t be surprised by the audio quality; Logitech are no slouches when it comes to delivering top-notch sound, after all. It is very seldom that the performance from one of their speaker systems is not good.

But there are a few other issues with the Z323 that may put some people off. First off, while the speakers aren’t massive, they certainly aren’t the most easily portable. This is largely because of the nest of wires needed to run them. Sure, you can carry them around, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to want to. Realistically, there are more portable solutions… these are best in a permanent desktop setup.

Another something that some many not like is the finish. The satellite speakers have a bright plastic covering which shows up fingers marks quicker than you can say ‘stereo’. With the main power and volume control being mounted into the front of one of them, avoiding touching that glossy finish is difficult. Not the end of the world, but people have not bought products for lesser reasons than that.

When all is said and done, though, the Z323 system delivers exactly what it should; great stereo sound. At 30 watts RSM it isn’t the most powerful speaker system around, but that should be more than enough for most users. Good quality, solid construction and great performance are things that Logitech deliver very often, and the Z323 speaker system is no different.

Verdict:

A great sound option, but not extremely portable.

PROS:

• Good sound
• Versatile

CONS:

• Not very portable

TECH SPECS:

• Stereo speaker system
• 30 Watts RMS
• Multiple connection options
• Integrated headphone jack
• Multiple system Compatibility

Manufacturer: Logitech
Distributor: Logitech
Online: www.logitech.com