Logitech Z313 Review – 2.1 PC Speakers On A Budget
I get that there are PC users who have made peace with the underwhelming performance of their no-name $15 speakers.
As lousy as it may be, any speaker is still better than no speaker, right?
Well, at the risk of sounding like a total stuck-up audiophile, you're wrong. Think about the games that you're playing, the movies you're watching, the YouTube videos, and your favorite music playlist. All these things demand to be heard loud and clear – and with a little bass, too.
And as much as you'd hate to admit it, your little $15 speakers aren't cut out for the job.
It's time to start looking into pocket-friendly speaker system alternatives – and what better place to start than my Logitech Z313 review?
86/100
our score
Last Updated: October 2023
Logitech Z313 Speaker System At A Glance: Specs & Features
Logitech Z313 Review
The thing is, not everyone needs – or can afford – to spend thousands of dollars on audio equipment. And if all you want is a quick and easy way to boost your sound quality a little, the Logitech Z313 could be it.
Like I said earlier, we're here to take a much closer look at a 2.1 speaker system that's not only ridiculously cheap but insanely popular, too. And more importantly, we're here to help you figure out whether it's the right alternative to the $15 no-name speakers that you're currently using.
I mean, sure, considering the price tag, it's pretty evident that there are going to be certain flaws to this system's performance. You get what you pay for, as they say.
What I want to see, though, is how big of a difference this little system can make in terms of audio quality.
Logitech Z313: Design & Construction
I don't know if it's the fact that I've tested so many models throughout the years or what, but it was shockingly easy for me to identify the signature Logitech vibe. Even if they didn't have the logo on the front panel, I'm confident that I would still be able to look at them, and say:
Yup, these were designed by Logitech.
And that's a good thing. The speakers Logitech designs have a recognizable "flavor" to them. The blocky subwoofer looks a bit outdated, while the satellites strive to achieve a futuristic vibe – albeit only semi-successfully – with their gentle curves and exposed drivers.
There's nothing overly flashy or innovative about them, but that's what allows them to blend in with any PC setup and peripherals you may already have.
As for the build quality, it's, well, okay. The speakers are made of plastic, matte black for the most part – with a touch of glossy, especially on the subwoofer – and that's pretty much it.
Surprisingly enough, they don't feel as "plasticky" as they look.
The satellites measure 5.75 x 3.5 x 3.2 inches each and weigh a pound total thanks to the lightweight plastic construction. I like the slight tilt of the front panel and, while I'm at it, the whole black and silver color scheme that's going on there.
Each of the satellites features one two-inch full-range, seemingly aluminum driver, along with a pretty hefty rubber surround. Bonus points for making the drivers as small as possible; Logitech knew what it was doing here.
While it seems counter-intuitive, with full-range drivers – and without dedicated tweeters – the small driver size is an advantage. That way, the cone breakup usually occurs higher in the frequency range, where human hearing isn't as sensitive.
Also, I didn't expect that I'd like the grilles so much. The mesh-like material hits the perfect balance between protecting the driver and retaining an open design that doesn't cause any disturbances.
As for the generic-looking black cube that is the Logitech Z313's subwoofer, you'll notice that it doesn't follow the same design language as the satellites. Still, as geometrical-looking, as it is, it fits in rather nicely.
The composite board cabinet measures 9 x 6 x 8.66 inches, and while the 5-pound weight doesn't seem like much, it does make it five times heavier than the two small satellites combined. Overall, it's small enough to fit into tight spaces – and you know that a compact design is always a plus in my book.
The down-firing design of this subwoofer means that the four-inch woofer driver sits on the bottom of the cabinet. The only thing that you'll find on the front panel is the oh-so-tiny port; my guess is that it measures around an inch or so.
All the wiring – and none of the controls – leads to the subwoofer's back panel, including the power cord, the speaker output port for the satellites, and the control pod cable.
I like that Logitech opted for a standardized speaker plug here – as opposed to something proprietary – and that all the wires are long enough for most desk setups and applications.
Last but not least, the control pod deserves mention, too – and you can see, right off the bat, that this is the cheapest-feeling component of the Logitech Z313.
That's a real shame considering how crucial it is for the rest of the system, especially since there are no controls on the subwoofer's back panel or the satellites – and Bluetooth connectivity isn't an option, either.
Anyway, this little control pod is in charge of turning the subwoofer on and controlling the volume, and you also plug in your headphones into it.
I would've preferred a "control center" that feels a little more solid – but oh well, it is what it is. Having a control pod means that you don’t have to reach for the speakers for every minor sound adjustment, though, and that’s always a plus.
Logitech Z313: Performance & Sound Quality
One thing before we talk about the actual sound – and especially bass – delivery:
This speaker system is ridiculously easy to set up. Logitech deserves some serious bonus points for making this system as user friendly as possible.
There are no proprietary cables, no complicated wiring in the back, none of that confusing stuff. Plus, they're compatible with major operating systems, like Windows and Mac. I'm not even mad that they can't connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; that's how much I appreciate the easy setup.
You can have them playing your favorite music in a matter of seconds – straight out of the box!
The entire system is rated at 25 watts RMS, split up among the three units; the subwoofer alone gets 15 watts of power, while the satellites get 5 watts each.
I know that it doesn't sound like a lot at first glance. But how much power do you genuinely need from a set of computer speakers, realistically speaking?
Anyhow, I put this Logitech speaker to the test with different music genres, and, well, with all three speaker units working in unison, it sounds pretty good across the range, bass and all.
It sounds much better than I would expect for the money is what I'm saying.
For starters, the audio delivery of the satellites is spot-on. Seriously, it’s mind-blowing how good they sound, especially with their wattage and size in mind:
The separation and clarity are excellent throughout the range – which, by the way, goes from 48 Hz to 20 kHz – and so is the surrounding sound effect.
Even more so, the subwoofer's low-end reproduction is surprisingly refreshing. There's nothing overly "modulated" about it, and it pushes out bright, clean-sounding bass, even if you mostly listen to bass-heavy music.
And yes, they can reach room-filling volume levels. Still, I wouldn't recommend pushing them over the 70-percent mark – not unless you're ready to deal with distortions.
At "normal" volumes, though, the sound is crystal clear.
One complaint here is that, other than the volume dial on the control pod, you have no way to modify the bass. For example, the default settings are suitable for music, but watching a movie is a whole different story:
As small as it is, the subwoofer can overpower the sound system in action-packed movie scenes.
I tried to address this by turning the volume down, but it only rendered the dialogue almost inaudible.
Also, I would suggest that you keep the subwoofer close – but with the port facing away – and as far from walls as possible. It tends to produce a "booming" effect – and not in a good way – and the little port is known to rattle from time to time.
Smart placement can take care of this to a degree, though.
Logitech Z313 Review: Weighing The Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Logitech Z313 Speaker System – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Logitech Z313 work with TV?
A: I have good news for you – yes, you can hook up the Logitech Z313 with your TV for a much-needed boost in sound quality and bass.
If your TV comes with a headphone jack – check both the front and back panels of your TV for the included audio inputs – the process of connecting your Logitech Z313 speakers will be super simple. And by simple, I mean:
Plug the 3.5-mm pin into the TV's headphone jack, and you're good to go.
If it doesn't have one – and features red and white audio out ports, instead – you'll have to get an RCA-to-3.5mm-female adapter cable, and hook up the RCA end to the matching red and white audio-outs on the TV, first.
Q: How do I set up my Z313?
A: Like I already mentioned, this is pretty much a plug-and-play system, which makes the setup surprisingly straightforward. Not only does it already come with color-coded audio cables but features a 3.5-mm pin, too, which makes the Logitech Z313 compatible with any device that has a headphone jack for audio input.
As far as setup goes, all there is to do is connect the two satellite speakers to the port located on the back of the subwoofer, plug in the 3.5-mm pin into the desired device – be it your desktop PC, laptop, or TV – and plug it into a power outlet.
All that's left now is to hit that power button on the included control pod – you'll see an LED light come on when you do – and that's it. Your speakers are ready to play some music.
Conclusion
86/100
our score
It was a bit hard for me to go all critical and nit-picky in this Logitech Z313 review. Don't get me wrong; this speaker system's far from perfect, and I did my best to point out the potential downsides.
But to tell you the truth, considering the price point that we're talking about here, the Z313 packs quite a punch. Most other sound systems in this price range would show signs of budget cuts in either their construction or their performance – but not these small Logitech speakers.
Even more so, I believe that you'd be hard-pressed to find a better pocket-friendly deal when it comes to PC speakers.
If you'd like to know what else is out there, though, you should try your luck with the best computer speakers under $50.
About the author:
Barry Allen
I grew up to be a self-proclaimed stuck-up audiophile, and I – partially – blame Pinnacle Speakers for it.
The whole point of me starting this website was to keep the tradition going. Although the means have changed, the mission remains the same: Bringing „sterling sound“ as they once put it into home theaters and sound systems worldwide!
An articulate, objective and professional review. I have a Z313 system and am very pleased with it. I have a large collection of albums, from Religious, Symphonies, to Film Scores, Musicals, Jazz & pop vocals, all stored in the I Tunes library of my old Mac Book. The Z313 a fine system for all of them, I could afford a more expensive system, but as someone else wrote, “why bother?” Thank you.
Regards,
Barney Schley