Logitech X-540

We have been doing a couple of hard disk based media station reviews, thus we realized all this PC multimedia needed a nice outlet for sound; and who better than the friendly Logitech guys to ask for some product for review. Logitech have sent us a 5.1 speaker system for desktop PCs, called the Logitech X-540. It's a couple o' models below their top notch Z-5500 surround sound system, so let's check this one out.

Design and Features
Logitech does a lot of work on designs. Each of their products look different and distinct. This model, the X-540 looks like a typical PC speaker, and would be out of place anywhere else. It has no real design enhancing attributes, just basic black bodies for the sub and satellite speakers. The sub is medium, tending towards small, in size. The back of has eight ports for the speakers and inputs from the sound card. It has a simple black lusterless coat over MDF. It’s perfectly cuboid, with fine edges and corners, no curves anywhere. The front has the reflex port, covered in a glossy exterior which takes an oval shape in front view with the Logitech logo neatly printed on it.

The satellites are fixed to a thin, but firm base plinth, which holds the speakers upright, with a slight upward tilt. They can also be rotated anticlockwise, on the base's joint, so the base becomes vertical and can be fixed onto a wall, which is pretty neat. The speaker cabinets are similar in color with matte finish, and a permanently attached grille on the front panel.

There are 2 drivers on each satellite, equally spaced on top of each other behind the grille. They are 2-inches in diameter, each. The single driver on the sub is downward firing, and sized ar 5.25-inches. The wires are fixed on to the speakers and sub, including power cord. A control pod is also attached, which is a neat little flat surface with couple of knobs and buttons. There is a fat and big knob for overall volume, with a smaller counterpart that only controls bass volume. The buttons are for power, and 'matrix mode' which is Logitech’s proprietary DSP application that can convert stereo signals to surround sound. The control pod also has an output for headphones, on its side panel.

One thing needs to be clarified here — there is no digital audio in the form of coaxial or optical, and no decoding happens inside.  I guess this was done to keep the costs low. Thus, to listen to surround sound, like AC3 files etc, you will need a 5.1 sound output from your mother board or soundcard — I mean separate  wires for front, rear, centre/sub. This should not be problem as recent motherboard models usually have these outs.