Setu Garg's Homepage

I purchased the Logitech Pure-Fi Express today and checked them out. Here is my review of the speaker system.

Features:

• 2.5" Max-X™ high-excursion drivers
• AC (100V to 240V) or battery powered
• Sockets for aux input (3.5 mm), Video out & DC in at the back
• Battery life: up to 10 hours using 6 AA batteries. No batteries supplied
• 10 plastic dock adapters supplied for all kind of iPods

Performance (Sound Quality):

I tested the speakers by playing various songs encoded at 320 kbps. Sound is nice and crisp. The system produces balanced sound which is neither too heavy nor too soft. This is really a plug n play system. The sound is pre-adjusted for the best output setting.

The sound output is best when this system is kept in a corner. The air channels produce good bass in a corner. The bass might not be at its best outdoors. The system is loud enough though. I noticed that this model produces substantially loud sound compared to its competitors and siblings . Despite being loud it does not give up at high volumes. It maintains good bass and treble at high volumes.

Another noticeable thing is that the sound is best when you are at the same or at a higher height than the speakers. Hence, it is advisable not to keep the speakers at a higher level than your ears.

Rating: 4/5

Remote:

I believe that the remote should be able to provide all the functions of the click wheel sans the scroll. The remote which comes with Pure-Fi express fails in this regard. Sadly, the remote has only 6 buttons for power on/off, play/pause, forward, rewind and volume up & down.

Pardon me for the laziness but how the F am I supposed to browse the music on my 80 gig iPod without a menu button ? Seriously, getting up and reaching out to the speaker system every time I intend to listed to another album is not something I appreciate. I understand that playlists is a workaround. But hey, that is clumsy.

The sibling’s and competitor’s remotes provide these options. Why the F didn’t they give that remote with this?

Apart from the basic flaw above, the remote has a decent range and operates without any hassle. Who cares? There is nothing much you can do with it anyways :(.

Rating: 2.5/5

Looks:

This is one area in which this speaker system stands above the rest in its class. This system looks trendy as well as elegant. The volume knob surrounded by the amber light makes it look fancy.

This thing looks sexy with a black iPod. The actual product looks much better and more shiny than the product images above. Logitech should seriously consider hiring a new photographer.

Rating: 4.5/5

Conclusion:

If you can live with a basic remote, at a price tag of 80$ plus taxes, this is the best speaker system for iPod (and other MP3 players) in sub 100$ range.

However, if you are looking for a more functional remote and slightly better sound quality, and ready to spend 70$ more, go for JBL On stage 200ID *. Another alternative at a premium of 50$ is Logitech Pure-FI Anywhere . However, I will not expect considerable difference in sound quality from these.

Pros:

• Very good indoor sound
• Best sound output in its class
• Killer looks
• International AC adapter (100 – 240V)

Cons:

• Remote suck. Doesn’t provide all the functions of the click wheel
• Bass not noticeable outdoors
• No aux cable (3.5 mm male to male), video cable supplied

Overall Rating: 3.6/5

*UPDATE:

The JBL Onstage 200ID does not run on batteries. I will consider that a major downer for a portable speaker system and certainly would have expected this feature at that price.