Logitech X-140 2.0 Speakers
by Logitech
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech X-140 2.0 Speakers
Customer 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.
Customer Review: Good design, poor implementation
Summary: 2 Stars
I've had these Logitech speakers for about 4 months now. I originally purchased them to have something to plug my iPod Shuffle into while in the dining room. I now use them with my computer, primarily for listening to talk mp3 podcasts and music CDs while I'm typing (especially the Bach Edition that I purchased on Amazon).
First for the good: these have a decent design with a very sturdy construction and a pretty good aesthetic look. They have two ports--one is an "out" for a headphone jack and the other a music "in" for hooking up male cables. Besides the music-in port, the speakers have an attached male cable that be hooked up to the audio out on a computer, mp3 player, etc. Finally, as other reviewers have pointed out, the electric cable is a good ol' fashioned plug without an AC adapter, which I find to be a really nice feature. It seems like almost all electronics now come with AC adapters, and I find them to be a real pain.
As for the bad: while the design allows multiple ways to hook up your audio source to the speakers, the attached male cable did not work well in my mp3 player. It plugs into my computer soundly, but in the iPod the cable had to be adjusted until it would pick up the sound properly, then it would cut out unless the player was put down on the table in just the right position. (I haven't had trouble with other cables and headphones being hooked up to the iPod, so I think it is the Logitech plug and not the iPod port.) Also, while the volume knob works quite well and there is a good range of volume, the tone knob is very stiff, and there is virtually no change in sound from the speakers whether the tone knob is all the way left or right. Finally, the sound quality on these speakers is very poor--flat and hissy--and I had no success changing the volumes or settings on the input devices I tried (like my computer).
In the end, I found a use for these speakers hooked up to my laptop. The sound quality is poor enough that they do a barely adequate job of playing talk mp3 podcasts. For music, they are really inadequate, although since I use them to listen only to background music while I'm typing, it doesn't matter that much. For the price, I'm not too upset that I bought these, but I would never buy them again, and I would never spend an afternoon seriously listening to any music over them.
Customer Review: Seem built to last, just wish their sound quality made me want them to last
Summary: 2 Stars
On the positive side, these speakers are heavy and feel well constructed. They don't have a separate power brick (the power transformer seems to be located in the speaker without the volume controls). They have quality, flexible cords between the two speakers, though they can't be disconnected from each other. No brittle, cheap, plastic-y wiring seen on many inexpensive electronics. The cords seem to be 5 to 6 feet, plenty long for typical desktop computer uses.
For as much as they weigh, their brand name, and their size (they are much larger on your desk than they look to be in the pictures), they sound terrible. I understand that a fairly large, separate sub-woofer is required to get good full range sound, but I have listened to $20 and $10 speakers that sound better than these.
The "tone" control basically increases the volume of a lower-mid frequency range as you turn it clockwise. Whether listening to music or voice, it sounds terrible to my ears anywhere past the half-way point. Mid and lower-midrange sounds get way over-emphasized and make the audio sound muddy. I have not found a point that produces warm, easy-to-listen-to music to my ears.
Also, the high and upper-mid frequency is tinny and harsh. I have not listened to anything, even quality MP3 and DVD soundtracks, that sound good through these speakers. Don't be fooled into thinking that these have two actual speakers in each unit. The lower woofer is just a passive radiator that does not actually seem to produce any sound. These don't have much of a low-frequency extension, so I really don't think that the passive radiator serves a purpose.
Finally, the left and right speaker don't sound the same. I'm talking about more drastic a difference than stereo effects in the music I am listening to. One speaker has far more bass than the other, possibly because of the amount of space the power transformer is taking up inside the left speaker, or maybe just bad circuitry.
This has been my last time buying any sort of speaker without first listening to it in-person.
Customer Review: Good Value for Money
Summary: 5 Stars
I must agree with some of the reviews in that this is an exceptional product for the price. This is a bold statement coming from a consumer who had to exchange this product twice for a buzzing sound on the left speaker.
At first, I thought these speakers where nothing but a pile of junk with a good appearance. Soon after I hooked them up I was having issues with the left speaker, going on and off. I ran back to the store to exchange them. However, the second time around the lady at the store decided to try these speakers out right then and there, only to find out they where perfectly fine. The problem resided in the included sound card on the motherboard. After buying a new sound card, the speakers came alive with crisp beautiful sound I couldn't have imagined.
So as a learning experience, probably valid for some users who have had issues with their speakers, the sound will only be as good as the sound card installed in your computer. Most all-inclusive (sound and video included) motherboard manufacturers like PC-Chips, ASRock and Biostar will usually pack a rudimentary sound chip in the board, which is likely to burn out in a few months leading the user to believe it was the speakers.
If you're looking for exceptional sound, make sure you check the quality of your sound card first before drawing any conclusions about the speakers. In the worst case scenario, include a sound card in your new speaker configuration budget. Otherwise, whats the use of buying an expensive new pair of speakers limited to the sound chip in your motherboard?
These speakers fit the bill for quality in several ways:
1. Tough rugged construction.
2. Hard plastic and metal grill in front.
3. The wire connecting the second speaker is at least 10 gauge.
4. Clear, crisp sound with noticeable bass.
You can connect an external device on the front input, right next the audio out. Again, these are an upgrade for me from the usual ten dollar speakers, and I think it was money well spent.
Customer Review: Great for the money! Needs more inputs.
Summary: 5 Stars
So I've been using these for about an hour or so, and I believe the X-140 the best audio product I've ever purchased for under $50!
I bought these to replace my 8 year old Gateway USB-Powered Speakers, now I can't believe it took me so long to get rid of that OEM Junk.
I'm using them as my primary audio with my PC and Xbox 360. I swap the main green audio plug (along with a RCA to Headphone adapter) to the Xbox when I want to use it, that way the Speaker's front AUX Port is always kept open for easy access to my Android phone. I would have liked to see 3 inputs instead of 2, but I'm used to the switching plugs thing from my old speakers, so no biggie.
First, they are quite big and heavy, but are reasonably sized for even my cramped desk. But, if you're looking for a set to travel with, these are not for you.
The units are made of plastic with a nice black metal mesh covering the silver/gray drivers. I prefer the metal mesh to fabric since it's more durable, doesn't get dirty easy, and for its appearance. The satellites are actually thinner than I thought they would be. The right speaker has the control panel, two knobs, one for volume and one for tone, and the convenient Headphone plug and MP3/AUX in port. They look kind of retro with the visible drivers and metal mesh.
I did notice that the knobs seem to increase in resistance as you turn them, so as you make it louder, the knob gets firmer, useful for when you not looking, or in the dark.
As I said before, they sound great for 2 speakers. Now I'm sure a 2.1, 4.1 etc., system would sound even better, but for me they serve the purpose. They are easy to set up, and the power plug is NOT a brick, so it only takes one space on a power strip!
Sound is great; clear, powerful and loud with little distortion. Bass is great for not using a Sub-woofer.
Great Buy, Recommended for those looking for a little bit more than the basic at a reasonable price.