When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite - Winston Churchill
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Logitech launches Z623 speakers
PURVEYOR OF AUDIO HARDWARE Logitech has unveiled its THX certified Z623 speakers.
With the Z263 model the speaker and part-time gaming peripheral manufacturer has added another set of 2.1 channel speakers to its portfolio. It's also boasting that they come with the THX stamp of approval from Mr George Lucas himself, guaranteeing audio quality.
These speakers come with 200RMS Watts of power so they should have a fair bit of authority, and Logitech has bundled all the inputs and cables to support three audio devices. The Z623's come with a RCA and 3.5mm input and a headphone jack. Aside from that Logitech has added some controls on the right speakers so you can alter volume and frequency response settings.
"Whether you're listening to rock music, watching a Steven Spielberg flick, or playing your favourite video game, the experience is always richer when you get engrossed in the audio," said Mark Schneider, VP and general manager of Logitech's audio business unit.
"That's why we built the Logitech Speaker System Z623 - so you can lose yourself in whatever you're into. For DVD aficionados, music enthusiasts and hardcore gamers, the Z623 system delivers powerful audio for your room. And with THX certification, you know you're getting the best."
We can't decide if THX certification is marketing flim-flammery or a genuine stamp of quality. Every time we've attended press events and asked what audio tests were involved in the "strict performance standards" to meet THX certification we've been met with blank faces. µ
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You have got to love how the haters have nothing better to say even after getting a mature thorough answer from someone at THX. What this demonstrates is that too many people have a pack mentality and are easily conditioned to hate anything that comes from George Lucas. How sad... As you can see THX is a genuine standard.
Thanks Graham for the post.
I was really surprised to see the THX brand still involves any testing after hearing absolute garbage computer speaker products with the THX logo on them back in the 2000's.
My advice would be to drop THX certification from I/S down, as cheap electronics makers could probably "THX Desktop" certify a dead squirrel.
THX certification for all audio products is based on playback environment and room size. The very foundation of THX audio testing and certification is Reference Level performance, which means THX Certified speakers or AVRs must be capable of playing loud and clear at peak Reference Level (85dB SPL) for the specific listening environment. This Reference Level mirrors the exact sound pressure used by sound mixers in the studio when mixing movies. When played back in the home, you should experience this same level of quality and fidelity, without distortion.
We have several room size certification categories for speakers and AVRs, including THX Ultra2, Select2, I/S Plus and Desktop Multimedia. Each category of product is recommended for use in specific room sizes/listening distances. For instance, THX Ultra2 Certified multichannel AVRs must have the power to play loud and clear at Reference Level in 3,000 cubic foot rooms w/12 foot viewing distances from the TV or projection screen. For desktop systems, such as the Logitech Z623, we want them to demonstrate this same level of performance at the desktop listening position, which is equivalent to 2-3 feet from the desktop display.
In terms of THX testing for desktop speakers, we evaluate noise, crosstalk, frequency response, hum, amplitude variation, maximum output, distortion, crossover frequency and much more. There are about 400 bench tests total for this category. We are happy to discuss in-depth.
I hope this helps clarify.
Graham McKenna
THX Ltd.
I still have my Z4 speakers that work great, still have a nice sound for gaming and music, IMHO look better than the new ones and after like 3 years I'm not thinking of buying anything ;)
I'ev had a set of Z560's 4.1 (Non THX, ha ha) for about 8 years now. They still sound awesome. I've gone through several sets of Altec Lansings for my other machines, and none of them had the durability or sound quality of my Logitechs.
THX certification doesn't mean anything anymore, in my opinion.
I think that in the past it did mean to represent some audio quality standard, which was supposed to be even beyond Hi-Fi quality, but since I've seen THX stickers on computer speaker of very questionable sound, and still own two sets which don't deserve to be called 'speakers' let alone THX-certified ones, THX to me is just marketing garbage at present time.
Maybe somebody can call Lucas Arts lab and ask them what quality assurance tests are done for THX certification of computer speakers, and how it differs from regular home theatre audio equipment.