I went out today and got myself a Logitech Z103. Well actually I was going out to get an X540 but was told either that the model is not launched in India (right!!@#$) or that it is a discontinued model. I tend to believe the latter explanation. I was just not satisfied with the Z506, which is supposedly the replacement of the X540. Why, for instance, is the 506 bereft of the handy wired remote that is there on the X540? Why can't the listener switch to "matrix" mode when listening to music, which option was present on the X540?? Why in hell did the company discontinue a model that was so good in all respects, only to replace it by a newer model that lacks some features of the old model???
So anyway I went and got myself this entry level Z103. They replace an old iBall 2.1 speakers which were starting to crackle every time I touched the volume knob. I also had the option of choosing the Z313 which is a few hundred rupees more expensive BUT.... the unit does not have a knob to control the bass, which is why I dropped the idea.
The Z103 has a wired remote which allows you to control the volume, and most importantly for me, allows you to switch the speakers off by the press of a button. This is akin to the mute button and is more handy than you would think. The wired remote also has an input for headphone-in. Every time you plug in a headphone, the speakers are muted. The headphone functionality works even when the speakers are switched off.
So as you don't get any wrong ideas, the speakers are not great on the performance front and are not going to rattle any window panes. But they are great for normal listening. The sub woofer unit is quite small and can be lifted with one hand. The satellites look kind of futuristic but they are light and they have this plastic-y feel. A lot different from the iBalls which had that solid wooden feel to them. But now I do have the option of using them instead of the original sats (but that is for another day's DIY project). I came across some review which suggested that the bass on this unit is intermittent at higher volumes, but that has not been my experience so far.... I'd say the bass is as good as the iBall it replaces, which is to say that it is at par with the 2.1 Intexes, Zebronics, etc and I daresay even the lower end creative 2.1. That particular review had also suggested that the sub woofer "weighs approximately half as much as a volley ball". All I can say is that the reviewer must be used to playing volleyball with a medicine ball. I know the sub is small and relatively light, but c'mon.... it ain't that diminutive.
Like I said, its not going to win any awards on the performance front, but at the price point (around 1.2K) it's a very good option. It's even cheaper than some of the 2.1 Intexes, Zebronics, iBalls, Congos and other no-name Chinese speakers. Considering that it has the Logitech logo sitting on it (and Logitech ASS is very good from what I am given to hear), you should look no further if you want a basic entry level 2.1 speaker.
So anyway I went and got myself this entry level Z103. They replace an old iBall 2.1 speakers which were starting to crackle every time I touched the volume knob. I also had the option of choosing the Z313 which is a few hundred rupees more expensive BUT.... the unit does not have a knob to control the bass, which is why I dropped the idea.
The Z103 has a wired remote which allows you to control the volume, and most importantly for me, allows you to switch the speakers off by the press of a button. This is akin to the mute button and is more handy than you would think. The wired remote also has an input for headphone-in. Every time you plug in a headphone, the speakers are muted. The headphone functionality works even when the speakers are switched off.
So as you don't get any wrong ideas, the speakers are not great on the performance front and are not going to rattle any window panes. But they are great for normal listening. The sub woofer unit is quite small and can be lifted with one hand. The satellites look kind of futuristic but they are light and they have this plastic-y feel. A lot different from the iBalls which had that solid wooden feel to them. But now I do have the option of using them instead of the original sats (but that is for another day's DIY project). I came across some review which suggested that the bass on this unit is intermittent at higher volumes, but that has not been my experience so far.... I'd say the bass is as good as the iBall it replaces, which is to say that it is at par with the 2.1 Intexes, Zebronics, etc and I daresay even the lower end creative 2.1. That particular review had also suggested that the sub woofer "weighs approximately half as much as a volley ball". All I can say is that the reviewer must be used to playing volleyball with a medicine ball. I know the sub is small and relatively light, but c'mon.... it ain't that diminutive.
Like I said, its not going to win any awards on the performance front, but at the price point (around 1.2K) it's a very good option. It's even cheaper than some of the 2.1 Intexes, Zebronics, iBalls, Congos and other no-name Chinese speakers. Considering that it has the Logitech logo sitting on it (and Logitech ASS is very good from what I am given to hear), you should look no further if you want a basic entry level 2.1 speaker.
I'll try the petrol solution and see if it works!
- are you sure? The tiniest spark and POOF!!
