Logitech Wireless USB Speaker Z515

I recently received the Logitech Z515 Wireless Speaker. The main specifications are:

• Two 2 inch speakers spaced about 4 inches apart.
• 122 Hz to 20k Hz frequency response
• 50 foot range wireless signal
• 2.4 GHz broadcast frequency
• 6 foot power supply cable
• Works with USB port
• Works on A2DP Bluetooth devices
• Works with Windows or Mac
• Has 2 year limited warranty
• Comes with travel case
• Has auxiliary port for any 1/8 stereo jack equipment
• Rechargeable battery charge lasts 10 hours
• Comes with power adapter for use or recharging
• Suggested retail price around $100
• Black case
• Works with Linux Mint version 9

 

I found that the unit was “plug and play” on Windows XP and Windows Vista. I got it to play on this OS on two netbook computers and one desktop. On the Vista computer it switched over the audio from the original setting to the USB wireless signal USB stick that sends a signal to the unit. It did reset the video that I was watching to the beginning. The instructions say that you should have all the audio programs you are using off before plugging it in. I did find that when I pulled the unit out that the sound reverted back to the original speaker settings, however the Youtube video I was watching remained mute until I exited the browser and re-entered.

I found that I could not get the Logitech speakers and my regular computer speakers to play simultaneously. I checked through my advanced settings and played around with all the settings I could find, but either one would play or the other, but not both at the same time. I was hoping for a kind of surround sound effect, but did not achieve it. In switching back and forth, I did lose my volume control icon from my lower right hand corner. I had to go to <control panel>, <sounds and audio devices>, and click before it came back (after rebooting).

I also tested the speakers on a Crunch Bang Linux OS and found it did not work. I have found, much as I like Crunch Bang, that it has a little trouble mounting hardware compared to other Linux OS. It either mounts automatically or not at all. There are no panels to manually install or set hardware that does not mount automatically, unless it registers in the audio mixer (which it did not). It seems that many who like Crunch Bang Linux are very skillful with the Terminal program which is command line driven and can sometimes make the adjustments necessary through this route. This usually entrails finding software code online. This is beyond my skill at present and I cannot confirm that this can be done with the speakers.

I did find, however, find that Linux Mint version 9 recognized the Logitech Speakers. I still had to go into the hardware manager and select it manually over the default internal speaker and also had to select the speakers as my output choice. Once this was done, it played very well. Neither Windows nor Linux required any drivers to be loaded. Since Linux Mint version 9 has Ubuntu 10.04 and Debian behind it, I suspect that these speakers could be made to work with Ubuntu or Debian, but I am not sure. My guess is that it should work about the same for Ubuntu 10.04 and would probably require one or two manual settings in the sound controller. I suspect that Debian would also need some manual adjusting as well, but am unfamiliar with how this operating system fully works.

The speakers recharged very fast. I wanted to know whether it could play by power coming straight from the adapter and tried to use it even before it fully charged up. It passed this test and therefore can be played directly from the adapter. I did not test the batteries to see if they could go the entire 10 hours, but played them for a long time and did not find any “battery fatigue”. The sound sustained its volume and quality very well.

The wireless signal was very computer like and did not have the “signal drift” of some of the remote audio speakers that work on the 900 MHz band (these need to be often adjusted through a manual dial). I could move the Logitech speakers around the house and not experience any crackling. It kept putting out good quality sound. I was able to soak in a nice hot bath listening to music without messing with any chords.

The power handling is a little weak, but I did not expect otherwise from its size. The speakers are 2 inches in diameter and sound very good, but they are not aluminum or titanium (which power handle better than paper/plastic cones of the same size). When pushed to full volume, the sound of the bass disturbs the speakers (do not do this for too long) and when a singer goes high volume some soft crackling is heard. Most speakers are optimal when the volume is in the middle of the dial or its range. This is no exception. If you are expecting a speaker system that can belt out sound, this is not the one for you. Within their range, the sound is very good and carries a lot of detail. They have a decent volume to fill a small dorm room or to function as high quality computer speakers.

The design is elegant and intelligent. It has a soft and tight compartment that holds the USB wireless stick very well. It is right in the speaker in a small compartment under the pop out stand. This is very good, because if these two things, the transmitter and receiver, are not kept together they tend to lose each other. The softer plastic grips the USBstick very snuggly and I am confident it will not fall out. The speakers have a fold out stand that lets it rest on a flat surface in a very stable position. It has an on and off button separate from the volume controls which means it remembers your volume setting, unlike a volume dial that has to move back and forth from zero. The three buttons work well (volume up, volume down, and on/off).

There is an auxiliary jack for a 1/8th inch stereo plug, so you can play your iPod or mp3 player with it. I have not yet tested this function, but hope to soon and I will update this review when I do. I have also not tested their blue tooth capability, but have indicated that the manufacturer says that it can. I suspect it will be at least as good as the USB wireless stick signal.

There are two LEDs on the front. One tells you when the unit is on (green) and also when the battery is low (turns yellow). The other indicates that it has hooked into the wireless signal. Both turn off when the power button is turned off.

The bag has two compartments so it can carry both the power adapter and the speakers (with the USB stick inside the speakers). I would have preferred that the bag be padded for just a little extra protection, but the speakers are very sturdy and the padding is not strictly needed.

All in all, I really like these speakers. Within their power handling range they are far better than the usual notebook computer speakers and can be positioned anywhere. They seem to have great battery life and seem to recharge very quickly. They double as speakers for mp3s that handle a 1/8 stereo plug. They are very portable with no detectable signal issues. There are only two improvements that I would like for this unit: One is that it would have been a bit nicer to use titanium impregnated foam speakers and two is that it would be nice if it could somehow morph into a surround sound effect by supporting another computer speaker set plugged into the stereo output jack. I do not think the surround sound is realistic, though, without a special driver or special software. The titanium impregnated foam would make it sound better without sacrificing its size, but would probably drain the battery quicker and increase the cost of the unit. (I can still simulate the surround sound by using my two netbooks at the same time driving different speakers and manually synchronizing them to the same playlist. I also might be able to simulate a surround effect by having one USB wireless stick signal to two Logitech Z515s.)

As stated before, I am committed to testing products on Linux OS (mainly on Crunch Bang and Linux Mint) and reporting which ones work and do not work. I would like the Amazon review system to be an indirect data base so that Linux users can know which products are Linux friendly. I am happy to add these USB speakers to the list of “Linux Mint compatibles” (and probably therefore Ubuntu and Debian). The Linux Mint version 9 OS was successfully tested on a Dell i5 laptop.

See larger image Logitech Wireless USB Speaker Z515 (Personal Computers) List Price: $99.99 USD New From: $69.99 In Stock Used from: $62.99 In Stock