A step up from the little Logitech Z320 is the Z520 – also a 2.0 set, with the same overall aesthetics. Let’s hope it can do better than the Z320’s mediocre results.

UFO looks, but with a grille

As we said in the introduction, the Z520 uses the new Logitech visual design in general, but with one significant difference – the grilles cover not only the speakers, but the entire front of the speaker enclosure. The front has a piano-black lacquer look and the shine is visible through the grille. It’s a fairly unusual effect that not everyone will appreciate.

In the connectivity department, the Z520 is a little better equipped than the Z320 since there’s an auxiliary input in addition to the headphone jack. The main audio cable is still soldered on, however, and there’s no digital input.

There’s no hardware equalization either.

Still no real omnidirectional sound

Since the concept is the same as for the Z32*/Z52* series, it was no surprise to find a tweeter set into the rear shell, directly behind the front one. The construction is a little different – the Z520 has a woofer added and the bass-reflex port has disappeared.

The sound is better than the Z320’s – or not as bad, depending on your point of view. There’s a clear improvement in the midrange, and the highs are smoother. There’s still not a lot of bass, but it would be hard to do better with such small speakers.

One impressive point is the preciseness of the soundstage: What’s in the center is very much in the center, and sounds that are clearly positioned to the sides seem to be spread very far apart – too far, even. With this type of speaker, this doesn’t make for a very good listening experience, especially since the listening area is minimal – move away from the axis between the two speakers and you can’t hear the highs.

As if that disappointment weren’t enough, there’s another: The famous omnidirectional sound Logitech’s press copy makes such a big thing of is nowhere to be found, since the rear speakers put out very little sound. But in any event, if your computer is on a desk that’s backed up to a wall (the standard arrangement in an apartment), the rearward diffusion won’t be of much use to you.

This is our second test of a product in the new Z32*/Z52* line and the second (relative) disappointment. Despite their daring/innovative/surprising (cross out where not applicable) looks and very nice finish, these speakers just don’t inspire enthusiasm and don’t deliver quality sound. Knowing Logitech’s ability to come up with excellent-sounding products in a range of areas (SqueezeBox, Z-5500, Z-Cinema), we can’t help feeling they’ve dropped the ball here.