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UPDATE: Logitech has informed us that they provided us with incorrect pricing information for this story: The Z906 will sell for $399, not $349.99 as Logitech originally stated. This is probably just a sloppy mistake--the bill of materials for a 5.1-channel system must be high, even for the quantities that Logitech buys--but cynics will suspect that the manufacturer saw the public's largely positive response and decided to rake in a few more bucks. For the record, we think Logitech just screwed up.
We’ve waited so long for Logitech to replace its 5.1-channel Z-5500 speaker system that we finally quit asking the company about it. The Z-5500 ruled our best-of-the-best list from 2004 to 2005 before M-Audio’s Studiophile LX4 knocked it off its perch. We put it back when M-Audio discontinued the LX4 several years later, and it’s been there ever since.
Logitech typically briefs us in advance about major new products, but we didn’t hear anything about the all-new Z906 until an email arrived yesterday; Logitech tells us we should be getting a review unit soon. We're definitely looking forward to it.
How do you spell "awkward?" Logitech's original fact sheet incorrectly claimed the Z906 would sell for $349.99. The actual price is $399.
In the meantime, here’s what we know about the system:
As with the Z-5500, the Z906 will be THX-certified and outfitted with an onboard surround-sound DAC capable of decoding Dolby Digital and DTS-encoded soundtracks transported over digital optical or coaxial cables (the system will also have stereo RCA and stereo 3.5-inch inputs). Although Logitech mentions a Blu-ray player as a possible source (the system has six inputs), the Z906 is not outfitted with HDMI pass-through and apparently cannot decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio bit streams. The system is well equipped, however, for gaming consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
The amp will deliver a total of 500 watts RMS (67 watts to each satellite and 165 watts to the ported, side-firing sub). As did the Z-5500, the Z906 will have a central control console and an infrared remote control. The Z906 will sell for $349.99 $399.99 when it ships later this month.
Comments are closed on this article
savian
May 29, 2011 at 12:45pm
Here you can read a full review in English about the Z906. There are also pictures of the system.
http://soundnews.ro/2011/05/29/logitech-z906-review-english-version/
fonsii
May 05, 2011 at 9:57pm
WHAT? US$399?? might as well ship it from the states to Australia because they're charging Aussies AU$599 (US$640) over here!
Dynotaku
March 27, 2011 at 3:46pm
Come on, where's that review? <bounce bounce>
The one thing that makes me hesitate about these is under the "Best of the Best" article with the Logitech Z-5500's is the line that says "audiophiles may look down their nose at these"... so, what speakers would audiophiles attach to their computers? Or does that line just mean "audiophiles would look down their nose at any set up that costs less than $1,800?"
hogkill
March 09, 2011 at 4:16pm
For a moment there I was worried. I haven't used my z-5500s in nearly two years since my old 5.1 computer crashed and I was looking forward to using them in a new HTPC I plan to build this summer. Looks like this new version isn't any better.
The only thing I didn't like about them is there's no switch to turn off the console's LEDs.
flo21
March 09, 2011 at 3:58pm
great now if only someone other than Creative made 7.1 pc speakers I'd be golden, I still have the same T7700 released like 10 years ago, and their GigaWorks S750 has also been around nearly as long.
kevaskous
March 09, 2011 at 1:51pm
Yeah i'm not digging these as much as the Z5500...however 906 seems like a replacement to the OLD 680's? In which case they are that (I know this isn't right but that -is- how it looks)
Silent_Raider
March 09, 2011 at 1:37pm
I have the Z5300e's as well. I wish they came with regular speaker wire so I could extend their range. Other than that they have been rocking since 2005 so I can't complain.
garysunique
March 09, 2011 at 12:26pm
No HDMI 1.4 portfor blu-ray players and 3DTV users. Shame really because the Z550 that I have would have been replaced by this Z906 if it had those features. I suppose you can still use the kit as a pass through for HD audio but Why does it not have this input? The new control pod seems to be low profile, but has it lost it's LCD display to be replaced by flashy LEDS? And finally, wheres the extra two middle speakers for 7.1 surround? That would have sealed the deal. So unless your forth comming review sheds more light on this, I think logitech have just really re-worked the same unit?
Bottom line though, if they are as good as their replacements then they will still be great!!
Neufeldt2002
March 09, 2011 at 10:47am
I have had the Z5300 speakers since before the Z5500 came out. I have to honestly say they still work flawlessly. Best investment I have ever made. I am looking forward to the full review of these speakers.
yardGNOME
March 09, 2011 at 10:41am
I have the Z5300e's, the damn thing nearly blew my bedroom windows out. One true con is the satellites are wired. So, I will wait and see until the reviews are out on this model before buying.
GMoney86
March 09, 2011 at 9:40am
Hmm, no subject line in the comment post? Anyway, what's up with the "central control console?"
The Z-5500 definitely wins in this category. I see no reason for the new system to not use the LCD like the Z-5500 did. Also, it is not as compact as the control console of the Z-5500. The only thing bad about it with the Z-5500 is the lack of multiple optical inputs. Other than that, I really enjoy the Z-5500 and I am skeptical of these new speakers being any better.
TechLarry
March 09, 2011 at 9:32am
From what I see I'm not impressed. Looks like a step backwards.
Not to mention I have the 5500's and I HATE them. Their decision to lock the Subwoofer crossover at a fixed 125hz makes the 5500 totally useless for music listening. Gaming is fine, but you don't spend $300 on a set of speakers and expect them to suck for music.
Klipsh should have never exited the PC Speaker market :( I dearlly miss my old ProMedia Ultra 5.1's, but after many years of service they finally gave up the ghost after the dog chewed up the subwoofer.
michaelh
March 09, 2011 at 9:22am
No HDMI is a deal-breaker for me. The only things I don't like about my Z5500's are the limited inputs (somewhat corrected with the 906's) and lack of HDMI and subsequent lack of HD audio support. The addition of another optical in is great, but if my 5500's fail I think I'll be looking at a standard surround setup rather than another limited one.
dracx619
March 09, 2011 at 9:00am
this will be a wonderful addition to my htpc when i move into my new condo. currently im using a traditional 5.1 setup with no fancy inputs. i have my speakers connected to my card as normal and for my 360, im running it via hdmi into tv and then rca back into the soundcard. my question for you guys is : once i get these speakers, whats the best way to hook it up given my somewhat simple set up?
should i do htpc->optical 1/xbox->tv->optical 2
or
htpc->standard speaker inputs/xbox->htpc->optical 1
or some other combination?
*edit* should probably mention that im NOT getting 5.1 from my surround speakers through rca or optical at the moment despit correct settings on 360, tv, and htpc. i would love to game with true 5.1 instead of that pseudo 5.1 mode these old logitech speakers have
the_river
March 09, 2011 at 8:29am
I had a problem where the subwoofer was blowing out the fuse everytime I turned it on in my current 5.1 Z-5500. Basically, they sent me a whole new kit, and I now have a bunch of spare speakers!
I love my Z-5500. Use it for my PC. Use it for my PS3 via Optical...they just can't be beat for the performance you get out of them.
szore
March 09, 2011 at 7:43am
I have the Z5500's, I paid $289 delivered 2 years ago and I love them!
