Logitech Z-10 Interactive Speakers for Mac Users

The upshot is that Mac users get partial interactivity, and Windows users who have iTunes, Windows Media Player, Musicmatch Jukebox, Winamp, or RealPlayer loaded, can enjoy full interactivity. Since I do my audio work on a Mac, I thought I'd share the setup I've been using with the Z-10s.

After setting up the speakers, connecting them to a power outlet, and plugging in the included USB cord, power up the Z-10s by pressing in the lower left corner of the speaker that has the backlit display. The display will light up and the speakers are ready for action. There are three rows of buttons. The bottom row containing mute, level, volume decrease, and volume increase will work once your Mac is configured. The middle row that controls music playback and top row for Internet radio do not work on the Mac.

First open System Preferences, then click on Sound. Click on the Output tab and choose "Z-10 USB Speaker." This tells your Mac to use the Logitechs for sound output. I would also check the box, "Show volume in menu bar."

Now click on the Sound Effects tab and uncheck the box that reads, "Play feedback when volume is changed." This gets rid of the annoying sound effect that plays when you increase or decrease the volume, which is very disruptive when listening to music. Close the Sound preference pane, and you're ready to go.

It's time to enjoy music! Fire up iTunes (or your music player of choice) start listening to the full-bodied sound emitting for the Z-10s. I recommend that you set the volume within iTunes at about 80 percent. Then use the system volume to fine tune your audio. The volume buttons on the Z-10s control the system volume, not the application controls. So, for example, if you adjust the system volume using Mac's menu control, you will see the changes reflected on the display of the Z-10s too.

If you hit the Level control on the Z-10s multiple times, it will cycle through bass, treble, and volume adjustments. Use the two buttons to its right to increase or decrease bass and treble, although I didn't notice much of a difference while testing. The mute button also works on the Z-10s. But alas, Mac users won't see the song information in the top part of the display.

As for the sound itself, the 30 watts powering the 1-inch dome tweeters and 3-inch high-excursion woofers is very good for tabletop computer speakers. I listened to all types of music and a couple movies on DVD, and was quite pleased with the sound.

Of course the Z-10s don't deliver the same full-bodied experience as the Z-3000s, even though the cost the same price. But they are more compact, and even for Mac users, the basic backlit display controls are a nice touch.

If you decide you don't want to bypass your computer's soundcard and are willing to give up display controls, you can use the stereo minijack instead of the USB cord to connect to your computer or MP3 player. Now the sound is shaped by the player and not as much by the Z-10s' internal digital/analog converters. If you have a current Mac, you may want to listen using both connections (USB or minijack) to determine which one sounds best.

Either way, you have a very stylish addition to your computer table that provides excellent output for music, gaming, and movies. The Logitech Z-10s would make a nice high-ticket holiday gift for that special audio fan on either platform, but Windows users clearly get more goodies on this deal.