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| | Manufacturer: Logitech | | Min OS X: Any Version  Requires: Minijack Audio Port |
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Logitech, prolific designers of many Macintosh-compatible peripherals, has been slowly growing its arsenal of sound systems, adding a variety of new 2.1 and 5.1 offerings to its lineup. Among these new entries into the computer audio world is the Z-2200, a powerful 2.1 system that claims window rattling, but not ear jarring, sound.If you were to ask a Logitech rep why you would want the Z-2200, likely the first words out of his mouth would be “THX certified.” Indeed, the fact that these speakers bear a THX certification is a fact heavily advertised by Logitech: The box, the website, even the speakers themselves are smattered with the THX logo. Of course, no certification is a substitute for actually plugging in and listening to the system, which I was quite eager to do. A Professional Demeanor The Z-2200 consists of two satellites, a hefty subwoofer, and a wired remote. The satellites are a dull gray, vaguely futuristic, but lacking the metallic luster of the G5 or PowerBook. The face — nay, the entire body of the satellite — is skewed backwards, as if warped by some nearby black hole. The effect is certainly noticeable, giving the satellites a bit of character. The speaker cone is shrouded by a removable fabric grille, a feature shared by other Logitech speakers.Removing the grille reveals a 3-inch phase plug driver and a vent to bring air into the device. Absent from the face is a tweeter; both medium- and high-frequency tones are handled by the single driver. The grille is uninterrupted save for a single emblem bearing the Logitech and THX logos. The subwoofer is entirely another beast, a bulky cube 15 inches across its longest dimension, with a weight exceeding most computers. (Its weight, however, does not exceed that of the monstrous G5, if you were wondering.) On its front is a long-throw ported driver no less than eight full inches in diameter. On the left side is an air vent of equal grandeur, which looks quite capable of sucking in air (or even small objects). Logitech’s manual recommends at least 6 inches of spacing around the subwoofer to allow for adequate ventilation. Behind the subwoofer are plugs for connecting both speakers and the remote, and a power cable, and a heat sink. Yes — this subwoofer has a large heat sink firmly bolted to its rear. The wired remote, in a gray matching both speaker and sub, sports a large volume knob, a bass volume knob, a power button, and a headphone jack.
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