2.1 Hi-Fi Audio Bigs Up

Logitech X-230: Technology And Design

The X-230 model from the new Logitech range is very different from their earlier products, and the manufacturer calls attention to the use of a new technology called Frequency Directed Dual Drivers. The claim is that it eliminates lobes of interference between transducers while providing a larger membrane surface for reproduction of the midrange frequencies, which are the weak suit of many speakers that put design uppermost. In other words, Logitech is going after manufacturers who use micro-drives, which were very much in vogue in last year's products.

On the theoretical level, the somewhat pompous name is nothing more than the application of some technical principles that are really nothing new. Some home speaker systems have been using them for decades. The idea is to filter the two vertically-arranged loudspeakers differently in order to limit interference between transducers. This is obviously a good thing and we can only congratulate makers of PC speakers for getting serious about the acoustic design of their products. However, the simplicity of the filter used here - a simple condenser in parallel on one of the loudspeakers - surely reduces the effectiveness of the application of a sound principle. A problem that's difficult to avoid in this category of product...

In practice, the 230's satellites are small columns equipped with two 5-cm loudspeakers with a metallic-coated membrane with center bullet and nice-looking half-roll surround. Our only criticism is that while the stands can be used to wall-mount the satellites (by turning them), they won't allow the angle to be adjusted.

The subwoofer enclosure, fairly small in volume, is of the bass reflex type with a 13-cm speaker, with the reflex port opening on the left side. On the right side are the connector for the satellites (multi-pin lockable DB9 type), which is good, and the subwoofer level adjustment, which is not so good. You have to duck down to the subwoofer to adjust the bass level. All connections are made via the right satellite: the connection to the other satellite, but also the input via a cable ending in a 3.5 mm jack (a cinch adapter is supplied for use with consoles). The controls are limited to a power switch and a volume potentiometer. There is also a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Manufacturer's specifications:

• Subwoofer power output: 20 W
• Satellite power output: 2 X 6 W
• Frequency response: 40 Hz - 20 kHz
• Inputs: 1 line
• Headphone jack: on right satellite
• Satellites: 2 full-range with center bullet
• Subwoofer: 13-cm (5.25") woofer
• Satellite dimensions: 63 mm X 203 mm X 76 mm (2.5" x 8" x 3")
• Subwoofer dimensions: 152 mm X 228 mm X 235 mm (6" x 9" x 9.25")