Logitech Z623

Bottom Line

When it comes to gaming and watching movies, the THX-certified Logitech Z623 speaker system performs admirably, though critics don't quite agree on its prowess at handling high-fidelity music. While the Z623's 200 watts of power (total) and thunderous bass can be cranked to room-shaking volumes, some critics are less than enthusiastic about the sound quality of music in the midrange. Others give it high marks across the board.

Breaking It Down

Performance

Shake the roof off. Most won't feel the need to dial the Logitech Z623 up to room-shaking volumes, but it's good to know that this 2.1 speaker system packs the extra punch when needed. Reviewers agree that this system is great for gaming and film watching, and they appreciate its overall power. The Z623 is a THX Certified Multimedia computer speaker system, meaning it is designed to deliver accurate audio when playing computer games or enjoying multimedia. PCMag.com's Tim Gideon says the Z623 "sounds awesome" and awards these speakers the Best of the Year Award for 2010.

Opinions vary, however, about music. MaximumPC's Michael Brown says the Logitech Z623's speakers "barely pass muster." His complaints focus on the midrange for music listening. "The satellites overdrive mid-range frequencies, rendering broad swaths of both vocals and instruments unpleasantly harsh at higher volumes," he says. Owner reviews at Amazon.com are generally favorable, citing great sound for the price from these speakers.

Design

Accessible connections pair and a sturdy build. Connecting a wide range of devices to the Z623 isn't a problem, thanks to RCA and 1/8-inch stereo inputs on the subwoofer cabinet as well as a second stereo 1/8-inch input jack on the right-hand speaker. Volume, bass and power knobs are also located on the right speaker, alongside a headphone jack.

Critics give these speakers a thumbs-up for their solid build, but they note that the bulky subwoofer takes up a lot of room. "The subwoofer is kind of a beast: 12" wide, 11" tall, and 9" deep doesn't sound so big -- until you try putting it under your desk," says TechCrunch.com editor Devin Coldewey. Additionally, he reports crackling sounds when adjusting the volume and connection issues with the headphone port.

Value

Power without the wow factor. The Logitech Z623 excels at providing extra volume when the occasion calls for it, and it's a good pick for gaming and movie watching. That said, it doesn't deliver as clearly for listening to music, and it's not as widely praised as the similarly priced and far more unusual-looking Harman Kardon SoundSticks III (Est. $150) . Otherwise, it gets the job done and outperforms many cheaper computer speakers at a still reasonable price.