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Logitech Z-680 5.1 500W Speaker System
Taking a Closer Look
Subwoofer The subwoofer included in this system is truly a monster. It is an 8" ported sub, which may not seem big for a home theater system, but the Z-680s are marketed as an all-in-one computer/game/home theater sound system, and regardless, this baby still kicks some serious butt. With its power output rated at 188W, this sub means serious business. On the front you can see the driver through the stylish grill, and in the top right corner you will see Logitech's logo and the THX certified logo. You'll see these two logos on every speaker in the set plus the control center. On the left you will see the sub's port. On the back of the sub is where you will find the amp and massive heatsinks on each side of it to help cool it down when you've got the volume cranked. Of course, the back is where you will find all the standard wire terminals, the control center plug as well as the power cord and power switch.       I wanted to show off the insides of the sub, but unfortunately it's completely sealed. You can pull the amp off the back by unscrewing the heatsinks from the back of the sub, but it won't do you much good. There are only a couple of small holes to let wires go from the amp to the inside of the wooden box. Satellites Each of the four satellites are identical and each output 62 watts. Like the sub, the satellites are ported to maximize volume. The port on the satellites is located above the driver. The satellites also have removable cloth grills that not only look great, but protect the drivers. You can remove the grill on each of the satellites if you like how they look better without them. Located on the back of each satellite you will find the wire terminals as well as the mounting area for the stands.       Center Unlike each of the satellites 62 watts, the center channel outputs 69 watts. The center speaker appears to have 2 ports, one on each side of the driver, but don't be fooled, they aren't really ports. These 'ports' are capped off at the ends instead of leading to the hollow inside of the speaker. I was curious why Logitech would do this, so I got in touch with one of their media contacts, and he confirmed that the ports were just there for looks and that they have no impact on the sound the center speaker produces. This makes me question the advantage (if any) on porting the other satellites. On the backside of the center speaker is where you will find the standard wire terminals as well as the stand mount towards the bottom. The stand can be mounted two ways to angle the center speaker up or down depending on where you have it located in your setup.       Digital SoundTouch Control Center The Z-680 control center is a hot topic for many because it is so large. Many people feel that it is unnecessarily large, but I don't personally have any problems with it. However, this is because I have more than adequate desk space, if I had a smaller desk I might not like it so much. Then again, if you are cramped for desk space, there are systems with smaller speakers which may suit you better. On the front of the control center you will see the LCD display (with blue backlighting), several buttons (mute, input, effect, settings, level), the IR sensor for the remote, adjustable knob, headphone and auxiliary jacks, the power button, and a small status LED next to it. The status LED is red when the system is powered but OFF, and turns blue when the system is turned ON. When you use the remote, the blue status LED will confirm each button press with a blink.       Going back to the backlit LCD display, I'd like to note that it can be hard to read if you are not at the right angle. Looking straight on at the LCD display, it looks great, but if you are trying to read it at an upward or downward angle you probably won't be able to read it. In fact, from an upward angle, the whole LCD display appears black, and from a downward angle it just looks totally blue. It would have been nice if Logitech would have used a different type of display that would be easy to read from any angle. On the back of the control center you will find a little ventilation for the inner components, and more importantly, you will find all of your audio connections including digital (coax, optical), and 6 channel direct (front, rear, center/sub). There is also a plug trailing from the control center, you plug this into the back of the sub. Towards the bottom of the control center's rear, you will again find a stand mount. As I mentioned earlier you can use either direct, optical, or coax input. While using direct input there are several effects you can use: 6 Ch Direct, Stereo, Stereo x 2, Dolby ProLogic 2 Music, and Dolby ProLogic 2 Movie. Here's a breakdown of exactly what each of these effects actually does:
Wireless Remote I really love that Logitech included a wireless remote with the Z-680s! It's not a crappy remote either! the buttons aren't too 'pushy' or 'clicky' like I often see on included remotes. I also like how they dedicated buttons for controlling the sub, center, and surround. On the control center, you have to click level first, and then adjust each setting separately; it's nice to be able to adjust these levels at the touch of a button. The remote requires two AAA batteries, which are included with the system.   
Page 1: Introduction & What's in the Box?
Page 2: Taking a Closer Look Page 3: Setup Page 4: Testing Page 5: Conclusion 
Add Comment
39 User Comments 1 - Posted by
Guest
on March 20, 2004 - 9:35 am I know I wont :P
2 - Posted by
Kurtis
on March 20, 2004 - 6:14 pm "These speakers definitely look to pack a punch. In addition to THX certification, it has an integrated Dolby ProLogic II decoder, several inputs for most audio applications, a control center, wireless remote, & a price that will knock your socks off... " http://www.thetechlounge.com/review.php?directory=... 3 - Posted by
Guest
on March 22, 2004 - 12:50 pm I just ordered from Newegg, $279.00 with free shipping! can't wait till they arrive... 4 - Posted by
Guest
on March 23, 2004 - 12:46 pm I've been wanting these for along time, and after reading this review, I ordered them, so yea... I guess U made me a beleiver! Thanks... I'm upgrading from Creative Inspire 6600. 5 - Posted by
Guest
on March 23, 2004 - 4:45 pm I think I'm also going to buy them! I also checked reviews about the creative DDTS-100 decoder in combi with 5.1/6.1/7.1 speaker sets but those are more expensive and I don't see an advantage for me in it. Creative's DDTS-100 is a bit more advanced with three optical inputs + three stereo analog inputs extra. Unfortunately the set is not so cheap in the Netherlands, about 377 EUR... Tnx for your nice review, it made my choice a lot easier! 6 - Posted by
Guest
on March 23, 2004 - 6:37 pm I've had mine for about 5 months now, they are definitely the best. A caveat - if you happen to have the speaker noise problem, you probably have a bad set. Logitech revised the controller at some point during production, and now there's no noise. I've read posts on other reviews where this was brought up and Logitech apparently will replace the offending part if you have a bad one. Luckly, I had a good set from the get-go.
7 - Posted by
Guest
on March 24, 2004 - 9:09 pm I just ordered these speakers ive heard so many good things about them i just cant wait to play bf 1942
8 - Posted by
BigPappaW
on April 6, 2004 - 2:24 pm These are great speakers. I had them for about a year and had no problems. Then some bad stuff happened. First the front speaker stopped giving me sound no matter what i tried. The the two front speakers stopped giving sound. I called logitech and was about to replace them when i dropped something in the bass port on the side of the subwoofer. It sucks. There is no way to open the box so i am stuck shacking the thing untill i get lucky and it falls out.
9 - Posted by
catalyst
on May 2, 2004 - 11:51 pm I have been using the Z-680 with my DVD player for over a year (I paid AU$700.00) and I couldn't be happier, after a year I still rave to my friends about how good they are and some of my friends have even sold their old hifi shop systems and replaced them with the Z-680 at a fraction of the cost. Logitech are on a definate winner with these. P.S. I dont get any of the noise problems. 10 - Posted by
LRBaLLa00
on May 10, 2004 - 3:31 pm I just ordered these today (after this review and others). I just want to know how much does it weigh boxed up. I have to ship these from home (Arkansas) to my APO address here in Germany, and I want to get an estimate on how much it'll be. Thanks
11 - Posted by
LRBaLLa00
on May 11, 2004 - 6:01 pm whoa, thanks.... 50lbs is gonna be expensive....
12 - Posted by
Guest
on May 13, 2004 - 3:51 am yaahoo, Im getting these tomorrow :)
13 - Posted by
Guest
on May 18, 2004 - 11:00 am Holy Shit !! It Rox !!!!!!!
14 - Posted by
Guest
on May 27, 2004 - 3:03 am I bought the Altec Lansing ADA-890 4.1 system back in June 2002 for around AU$500, the warranty was only 12 months and now, after 24 months of usage, the sub-woofer has started cutting in and out (something to do with a relay and DC leaking into the circuit apparently). Anyway, they have been discontinued so parts aren't available and Altec Lansing won't supply circuit diagrams so it looks like I'm up for a whole new set... $500 well spent, NOT! So guess what speakers I'm going to go for this time!!! I have one question about the Logitech Z680 though: With my Altec Lansing ADA-890, I had the stereo analogue hooked up from my Sony DVD/VCR combo to hear videos & TV, and I had the coaxial digital hooked up for Dolby Digital 5.1, but every time I wanted to watch a DVD, I had to unhook the analogue because otherwise the digital and analogue would mix in the speakers creating a weird phasing sound. Unfortunately the analogue output can't be switched off from the DVD/VCR unit, so I was wondering if I am going to have the same problem with the Z680s, or do these speakers allow you to select between dig/analogue inputs. Can you help me? 15 - Posted by
Guest
on May 28, 2004 - 2:24 am Great!!! What a relief :) Thanks for your help... time to place an order I think :D Can't get any until June 11 at the earliest... apparently Australia has completely sold out and awaiting the next shipment!
16 - Posted by
Guest
on June 2, 2004 - 12:05 am I run two Z680 setups: at home and at work. At home, I just wanted some decent speakers to play iTunes and CDs on my desktop Mac. The Z680 sounded at least as good as the equivalent Klipsch I originally went shopping for, and looked a heck of a lot better in my eye for more grownup decor. So that's the (yes, heavy) box that ended up in the back of my truck that day. After a year, the honeymoon is definitely still on. And in fact, for the crew here, my desk and G5 have pretty much replaced the much more comfortable livingroom and my heretofore prized big-Sony HiFi setup, for all but occasional FM radio. They bring their CDs to play on my Mac --and crank up the Z680. Lately we've even been dragging guests back here if there's anything to be listened to. I was so pleased with --and addicted to-- what I was hearing at home, I eventually bought another set for the conference/assembly room attached to my office at work. There I have it spread out across a 40x60 ceiling... and does it ROCK! That's through a standard G4-PowerBook, which, incidentally, is most often running visuals through a projector to a big screen at the end of the room: I've simply added dynamite audio, and the effect is stunning. The first morning after I had the speakers hung, I showed the first plate of a new project's elevation accompanied by the fiord-shaking tympani roll at the beginning of the Grieg Piano Concerto --with the Z680 cranked up full tilt. It definitely got everyone's attention. And after everyone else has gone home, I stay late to play everything from JSBach to DwightYoakim to IrmaThomas. Cranked-up all the way --on BARBECUE for Irma-- and on steroids via the iTunes equalizer, there's still no distorion. And in that big room, it's pretty amazing. Here's ONE TIP I think useful: For the those long runs under the ceiling tiles I went wholehog and invested in MONSTER CABLE. Then likewise retrofitted the home system, and it, too, sounds even more "present" than it already did. Those little throat growls that Merle Haggard does: It sounds as though you're right up on stage with him, like before they go through the mike. Amazing. If you want an awesome sound setup, and your marriage is solid enough to handle it, get this one.
17 - Posted by
Guest
on June 24, 2004 - 1:14 pm I'm the guy from about 4 posts ago that used to have the ADA-890s. Just received my Logitech Z-680s today (a couple weeks late but hey, at least they came!). I just had to post back on here to let everyone who reads this know just how unbelievable they are! I set them up, put a CD in, switched into Dolby Pro Logic II Music mode, and cranked the volume to 100%. I was in total awe and it honestly brought tears to my eyes to the point where I was almost crying... That is just how good they are! :) 18 - Posted by
Guest
on June 24, 2004 - 1:15 pm Tears of pure joy btw - just in case there was any confusion!!!
19 - Posted by
Guest
on July 12, 2004 - 3:38 pm just want to tell you: there's a much better soundsystem for your pc: teufel concept e magnum. i heard the difference, teufel's speakers seem to have less power but they outranged the z-680 in power and in sound. they also crushed down the klipsch pm 5.1 (the sub goes down to 15 Hz, imagine that....). the only problem you'll have with that system: you should live in europe to afford the shipping costs 20 - Posted by
jfkhan
on July 20, 2004 - 8:04 pm Hi, I am thinking of buying these and have read all your reviews. I have juts one question?? Can I hook these up and use them as home theater system in my basement..I mean I wann be sure that they can give me the output that I need. I plan to hook it up with a projector and all...so wa kind of woundering if I can use these instead of buying the more expensive Bose or some thing else???? Please if you could give me some feedback I would apprecaite it. has any one tried juts hooking them in your living room or some other small to medium room and felt the performance. Thankx JFK 21 - Posted by
jfkhan
on July 25, 2004 - 11:39 am Hi Kurtis, Thankx for the input, I will buy them definately.... have to search the wbeto a the best possible deal. Thankx for the feedback. Thannk You Javed Khan 22 - Posted by
Guest
on August 1, 2004 - 5:42 pm I just want to say that I have had mine in almost a year, and is still amazed over how much sound they can produce. And the price on it is the same although its almost a year ago I last checked.... By the way, I live in Norway.
23 - Posted by
Guest
on August 15, 2004 - 3:26 pm a word of caution for the music purists: the bass is artificial and overpowering - fine for games and home theater, but not good for acoustic music. this speakers have a built-in full-time loudness control which have a permanent boost to mid-low and high frequencies therefore you won't get anything near an accurate reproduction unless you equalize the speakers. 24 - Posted by
Kerplunk
on September 2, 2004 - 1:48 am Thx for the review. i'll buy a 5.1 speaker system, but im not sure what to buy, edifier s5.1 or logitech z-680... what do you recommend me to buy? Thanks a lot. 25 - Posted by
Guest
on September 11, 2004 - 8:26 pm have any of you guys found 3 or 4 foot stands for the rear speakers? cause i don't want to drill holes in the wall.
26 - Posted by
Guest
on September 16, 2004 - 11:13 pm Ive read just about every review on the net for these, and this one has just pushed me to the top. Im buying these saturday (I get paid then) and i cannot wait! I will let you all know how it goes. I just gotta convince my mom to order them now...he he (Im 16)
27 - Posted by
Guest
on October 5, 2004 - 7:36 am Kurtis I have been in awe since Oct. 2002 when I first bought the Z-560,then 4.1 thx.So when my sub just stopped working a month ago I fell into depression!I rang my retailer were I purchased them and they said there is only 12mths warranty (that made me feel ill)but that I should ring there tech dept.I was on the phone in a flash to Logitech when the guy told me that they come with 2 years warranty I started jumping up and down like a little kid.I think that you dont mention that in your review of the Z-680 and its a really good "pro" for the speakers.I am now a proud owner of the Z-680 with one Q for you:I have a Hercules-Muse 5.1 sound card that doesnt have an optical output,somebody told me that there is a huge difference in sound quality with the Z-680 if you use optical cable.Have you tested the different configurations offered with the Z-680 and which one would be the best? P.S could you recommend some sound cards.By the way great review.Loz.
28 - Posted by
lindy71
on October 11, 2004 - 9:18 pm Kurtis, Have you heard of any problems with the Z-680's and the Audigy 2 ZS sound card? 29 - Posted by
lindy71
on October 12, 2004 - 6:32 am I have the Audigy and have just purchased the Logitech's (awaiting their arrival). 30 - Posted by
Guest
on October 18, 2004 - 4:00 pm would the z-680s be too much for a college dorm room? i love their sound and want to buy them...but i dont want to go deaf either!
31 - Posted by
Guest
on October 19, 2004 - 7:09 pm thanks, i think i will buy them! :)
32 - Posted by
Guest
on October 20, 2004 - 9:18 am which system would be better, the z680's or the z5500?
33 - Posted by
Guest
on October 20, 2004 - 9:30 am Hey is there any difference between the 560 and 680? the 560 is ALOT cheaper and only has 1 less speaker than the 680.
34 - Posted by
Guest
on October 27, 2004 - 10:24 pm I plan to get the Z-680 to use for my mini compo but it only have the earphone jack & speaker wire connection, any suggestion how I'm going to connect it?? Thanks!
35 - Posted by
Guest
on November 21, 2004 - 12:58 pm I just replaced my Bose surround sound with the Logitech Z680's at a price just a little over $200. The Bose's at $1400 4 years ago was the biggest shaft i have ever taken, the power of the 680's, delicate response and a bass so Pure you can hear the Viola strings viberate. Bose and Klipsch had better do more than have convincing advertising, Logitech is going to kick some serious bunz!
36 - Posted by
Guest
on December 15, 2004 - 11:51 am I was in the store with money in hand to buy these and my dad put his hand on my shoulder and said..stop I have some money lets go get you are real speaker set..thankfully I did, I am only on 2 speakers at the moment, but they are both rated at 150w, and the sound is absoloutly amazing, I am running them through a Pioneer VSX-D712 and am planning to add more speakers come christmas. I have never gotten close to full volume due to its sheer power. I understand I am posting this in the wrong section, but I urge those with a bit of cash not to buy the z-680's not that they arent a good speaker (THEY ARE AWESOME) its just that getting a real speaker package, although more costly it will pay off in the long run. Although depending on how cheap you can get the z-680's they would be a great starter to see if you really like Surround sound, and amazing bass. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that they were AU$700 and for $100 more that my Father was easily able to supply I was able to get a fantastic speaker deal. Ultimatly only get the z-680's if they are at the right price, and US$199 is that right price you have all been waiting for. 37 - Posted by
valv
on December 25, 2004 - 4:56 pm Hello: Conviced by your comments, I am ready to buy a Z-680 system. However,I have an easy question. Can I use this system with the output from a laptop? thank you! val 38 - Posted by
Guest
on August 27, 2005 - 4:49 am I have won a set of Z-5500 speakers and want to use them with my dvd/vcr player. Could anyone please tell me exactly what to do so that it is set up for dvd, vcr and tv. I am a bit of a knob when it comes to all this. Or at least head me in the right direction. Thanks. TP 39 - Posted by
Guest
on September 17, 2005 - 7:22 am Can Anyone Tell Me Where I Can Get A Control Unit For One Of These Z-680.....thank`s ...purpleozzy A.k.a.john
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