Logitech Unveils Interactive Speakers

If you thought desktop computer speakers just let you hear things, think again: now they have confusing buttons and displays too!

Peripheral and accessory maker Logitech has asked itself one of the primarily existential questions of our technological age—What’s the difference between a set of speakers and a stereo?—pondered carefully, mulled its options, consulted sages, and then stepped forth boldly into the muddy philosophical waters with its answer: the new, sublimely-apellated Logitech Z-10 Interactive 2.0 Speaker System.

Gone are the days when users plugged speakers into their computer systems and heard things. Now, users can see things! And touch things! The new Z-10 speakers feature built-in touch-sensitive controls which enable users to control their music without having to fuss with software applications and juggle around with on-screen menus and controls: users can adjust volume, bass, treble, skip forward and back between tracks, pause, and toggle between four Internet radio presets or playlists. And, what’s more, an integrated backlighted display can show track information from applications like iTunes, MusicMatch, WinAmp, and Windows Media Player, as well as serve as a clock, display sound volume, and show other system information from a user’s PC.

“Until now, PC speakers have simply delivered sound,” said Jef Holove, Logitech’s VP of audio product marketing. “The Z-10 speakers aim to incite more of the senses—sight, touch and sound—with their media display, touch-sensitive controls and premium audio. And beyond that, these speakers are simply stunning, adding a level of design sophistication to their breakthrough digital music capabilities.”

(What, no music visualizers for the built-in display?)

The Z-10s feature one-inch tweeters and 3-inch drivers for delivering reaosnably full near-field audio quality, and a built-in bi-amp system with crossover deals with push the low frequencies to the drivers and the high end to the tweeters for clearer sound reproduction.

The Z-10s hook up to the PC with a single USB cable, and sport both a headphone jack and an auxiliary audio input for hooking up a portable audio player or other device.

The Logitech Z-10 Interactive 2.0 Speaker System required Windows XP, and will be available in September in the U.S. and Europe, with a suggested U.S. price of $149.99.