Logitech X-140 2.0 Speakers by Logitech
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Digital camera reviews of Logitech X-140 2.0 Speakers
Digital camera Review: Best for the money
Summary: 5 Stars
I expected a prodeuct that would deliver some sound but not anything exceptional. After all, my investment was a modest one and it was intended for a desktop PC. I was wrong! These speakers are fantastic, and I can control the tone too. They're not a so-so product. I found that they are top notch in their class.
Digital camera Review: Better Than Most - Especially For The Price
Summary: 4 Stars
For the price: These are tough, sturdy attractive looking speakers. In fact, better than most. The treble is excellent and the mid-range is near perfect. The bass is a high-bass, so don't expect your desk to rumble, but the overall quality of sound is very good. There is distortion after a ¾ turn of the dial. The orange "on" light is a bit bright (I'd prefer blue or green, but that is a minor concern). The volume control does make a pronounced difference in loudness, but the tone control varies only in the absence of bass. It is easy to set up and there is a convenient headphone jack and a single male plug for external music sources (not great for iPod users - you'll still need to use your computer's USB port).
Digital camera Review: Better than expected
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been looking for a new set of external speakers for my laptop, and these Logitech speakers were much better than what I expected. Previously, I was using unpowered speakers, which are OK for quiet background music. But even with the laptop volume on max, unpowered speakers are too soft for some webcasts and videos, forcing me to use headphones. Over the years, I've also used various powered speakers in the $10-$15 price range, and they've generally been "OK". But those models generally lack frequency response, especially bass response with the volume somewhat low. So, I decided to go up a notch and get these Logitech speakers, which are still very reasonably priced. Wow, what an improvement! They sound great, with crisp highs and clear, warm bass, even at low volumes. I'm currently using them at home, but I'm so delighted, I think I'm going to get a second pair for the office.
The only two things I can think of to be aware of if you're considering these speakers:
1) Size: They are a bit larger than typical PC speakers. Check the dimensions to make sure they'll fit comfortably in your space. They are definitely too big to fit under a monitor, for example, but they would be fine sitting on either side of a monitor. And, you don't want them behind anything since they sound best with a direct path to your ears.
2) Tone control: I'm not a fan of "tone" controls, which the Logitech speakers have, mainly because they don't work well in fine-tuning frequency response. I'd rather see a volume control only and equalize the sound via software controls. But the tone control is there, and setting it to the middle position doesn't seem to muck with the sound in a negative way.
Assuming the size of these speakers are OK for your situation, I'm sure you'll be happy with the sound. These are by far the best external PC speakers I've ever used.
Digital camera Review: Better than expected when compared to Bose
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought these speakers to compare against a pair of Bose Companion 2 (Series I) speakers that I was unsure about their sound. I really wanted to like the Bose - and for the most part I did when listening to a pair in a local Sams Club. But in the end, the X-140s won out for me. Here's why:
What I liked about the Bose: I was very impressed with both the amount of Bass produced, and the clarity of the sound coming from the Companion 2 speakers. Individual instruments were clear and crisp, and not distorted or muffled. And there was plenty of bass for most casual music listening - probably the best I've heard from a 2.0 system.
What I didn't like about the Bose: Unfortunately, from a sound quality perspective, there was a dramatic channel separation between left and right that never let a vocal track converge in the center of the listening stage. In other words, a main vocal track that normally (in my other higher end 2.1 systems) appears to come from directly front and center in the audio stage was instead very evident coming from both right and left speakers. It gave an odd surround sound feel that didn't seem natural to me. Also, the main speaker (with the volume control) apparently had less than adequate shielding as it was picking up a static/crackling when placed in close proximity to our Mac Mini that it was connected to. Move it further away and it was okay, move it closer and it started to crackle.
I have several other Logitech speakers (Z3 and X230) that I'm very happy with - I like the sound that Logitech's produce, so I tried a set of the X-140's with this same Mac Mini setup as I used the Bose Companion 2 on.
What I liked about the Logitech X-140: While I believe the sound was a bit more crisp in the Bose (and the Bass was more full), the voice is much better placed in the X-140s, and the Bass is probably the next best in a 2.0 system I've heard next to the Bose. The X-140s also have very clear sound - and, unlike the Bose, there is no static or crackling from the X-140 even when placed directly on top of the Mac Mini. So chalk that up to proper shielding.
What I don't like about the X-140: Basically... nothing. Sure, I'd like a little more bass, a little more clarity on the high end, but... what can I expect at this price point. The sound is fairly amazing for $27 speakers. One thing that I actually don't like is that the 'Tone" knob is backwards from what you would normally expect. generally clockwise gives more Treble and CCW gives more Bass. Just the opposite here. OK, that's really pushing for something to find fault with.
All in all, while the Bose Companion 2 speakers have some very strong features, in the end I was overall disappointed and I'm keeping the X-140s as a very capable 2.0 setup - and for less than 1/2 the price of the Bose, they are a great deal.
Digital camera Review: Big Sound Small Price
Summary: 5 Stars
After a few weeks of jiggling wires I decided to replace my desktop speakers.
Researching desktop speakers turned out to be simple. Many experts consider the Logitech X-140 to be the best product under $100.
I have had the speakers for two months, and have been very happy with both the sound and the size.
They are excellent speakers at a bargain price.