Logitech Z-5 review

Does there have to be a sub in substantial sound?

Logitech Z-5
Granted, they won't rock the house, but they're sufficient for desktop usage nonetheless

TechRadar Verdict

If you've not got the space for a subwoofer, the Z-5 presents a highly passable alternative

Pros

  • +

    Lightweight

  • +

    Stylish

  • +

    No power brick

Cons

  • -

    Flimsy bass

  • -

    Awkward acoustics

  • -

    Limited remote control

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

The Logitech Z-5's unique selling point is its omni-directional cabinet design, the idea being that if you sit the speakers on a table in the centre of a room, the same sound can be enjoyed from any point on their circumference.

Audio emitted backwards will also reflect off walls to create a more room-filling sound.

While we're certainly willing to entertain this notion, the cynical physicist in us worries that placement too near a wall may increase the chance of phase cancellation playing havoc with the stereo image. That said, in tests we struggled to hear anything other than what we'd expect from standard stereo speakers.

Distorted sound

Sound quality isn't superb – the flabby, hollow bass won't give any subwoofer a run for its money, and things start to fall apart at higher volumes, with distortion and clipping appearing – harsh, digital noise, not the warm analogue kind.

That said, it's more than we might have expected from such lightweight stereo speakers; you're paying for a delicate compromise of power, portability and audio performance here.

An iPhone-esque remote control is included, though as omni-directional as the speakers themselves may be, it only functions reliably when aimed straight-on.

Limited power

One of the main lures of the Z-5 is its ease of USB power; unlike the speakers' big brother, the Z-10, no mains power is required.

This does limit their performance somewhat; at only 2 watts it's likely that all but the most intimate of parties will remain un-rocked. Sit them beside your MacBook, however, and you'll rarely need to turn the volume past half way.

While music fidelity is hit and miss, movies are more forgiving – a situation that's acceptable at this price.

TOPICS
Latest in Mics & Speakers
Logitech Z407 and Creative Pebble Plus desktop speakers against a TechRadar background
Logitech Z407 vs Creative Pebble Plus: Neither of these budget speakers sound cheap, but which go best with your setup?
Image of SteelSeries Alias image
Amazon’s Black Friday sale is officially here, and the SteelSeries Alias USB microphone’s price and feature set have me tempted to make a move for it
JBL 104-BT speakers on either side of a gaming laptop
JBL 104-BT Compact Desktop Reference Monitors review: great, but not for their intended purpose
The DJI Mics in their case
DJI Mic 2 leaks suggest incoming wireless microphone could be a big upgrade
Sennheiser Profile on a desk
Sennheiser Profile review: impressive audio quality from an impressive audio company
Computer speakers on a desk with laptop computer and monitor
4 ways to improve music quality from your computer speakers
Latest in Reviews
Bambu Lab H2D Vs X1C
I've been reviewing the hotly anticipated Bambu Lab H2D for a month, and it's the most versatile machine I've ever used
Full view of the Cherry KW 7100 Mini BT
I tested the Cherry KW 7100 Mini BT - see what I thought of this travel keyboard
Logitech Rally Bar Huddle main image
I tested the Logitech Rally Bar Huddle - see what I thought of this smart all-in-one conferencing solution
A screenshot from The First Berserker: Khazan
I got absolutely destroyed by The First Berserker: Khazan’s bosses for hours on end and loved every second of it
The player holding a Shard Card in Fragpunk.
Competitive shooter Fragpunk wowed me with its game-changing Shard Cards, but I can't stand the aggressive monetization
Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
I wouldn't take the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank on extreme adventures, but it's great for my basic traveling needs