Posts Tagged pure-fi
Review: Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere portable speaker system for iPod
Posted by admin in Apple, First Look, Reviews, Tech on May 27, 2008
Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere is the official successor of the largest selling iPod speakers, Logitech mm50. And this system truly deserve to be the rightful successor. Read on for more details.
Features:
- 2-inch Max-X active, high-excursion drivers & 3-inch pressure drivers
- StereoXL Technology
- 10-hour rechargeable battery
- Travel Case
- AC (100V to 240V) or battery powered
- Sockets for aux input (3.5 mm) & DC in at the back
- 10 plastic dock adapters supplied for all kind of iPods
- Fully functional wireless remote to control the iPod menu
Performance (Sound Quality):
The system was tested using a set of songs encoded at 320 kbps. The sound quality is pretty good considering the size of speakers. The max volume is slightly lower than pure-FI express . However, the sound quality is definitely better in terms of bass and treble responses. This is another plug n play system. The sound is pre-adjusted for the best output setting.
This is a 4 channel speaker system. The highs and lows are perfectly divided between the two drivers. The 3” pressure drives reproduce low frequency (above 40 Hz only) pretty well even at high volumes. The 2” ones handle the middle and the highs in the right balance. The system seems to look light but has an excellent build and some weight to keep it from vibrating and cause distortion. The legs do a good job at keeping the system steady.
If you want to experience the power of this system, hold it in your hands and then play the music. You will feel the vibrations.
Turn on the StereoXL and the sound fills the entire room. It is equivalent to the SRS WOW effect found in some high end speaker systems.
Rating: 4.5/5
Remote:
The remote provides access to all the ipod’s click wheel functions. However, you will have to come pretty close to the system to see whats happening in the iPod. So close that you will rather do it on the iPod. But this isn’t the remote’s flaw in any way.
The remote works pretty well from as far as 20 feet. It also has buttons for StereoXL on/off and iPod’s shuffle and repeat functions. The remote looks trendy with the silver round buttons.
Rating: 5/5
Looks:
This is one area in which this speaker system lacks a bit. Despite the shiny material used for the body, somehow, this system does not apeal to
the eye. This is probably due to the silver circles distinguishing the 4 speakers. Had there been a single grill, it would have spruced up this section a lot.
The system has a nice back 😉 and looks classy sideways. The green light on the buttons faces up and does not bug you at night.
Rating: 3/5
Portability:
The speakers are built for people on move. They are the perfect companion for those hotel stays during business conferences or family trips. The supplied bag stores the speaker system, remote and the AC adapter. You can also slip in an iPod nano. The legs rotate 90 degrees to hide beneath the system.
The built in rechargeable battery lasts for as long as 10 hrs which is enough for long outings in the woods or a beach day. The system charges your iPod only when its connected to AC power. So remember to charge your iPod if you are planning to take this to a picnic. There is a battery indicator to indicate the remaining juice in the battery to avoid any surprises.
Rating: 5/5
Conclusion:
The price tag of this system was recently reduced to 99.99$ plus taxes. This makes it the best iPod speaker system in the sub 100$ range. Overall a very nice package and a worthy successor to the top selling mm50.
Pros:
- Best sound output in its class
- Full functional remote
- International AC adapter (100 – 240V)
- 10 hours rechargeable battery
- Extremely portable
Cons:
- Average looks
- No aux cable (3.5 mm male to male) supplied
- No video out port
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Review: Logitech Pure-Fi Express iPod speaker system
Posted by admin in Apple, First Look, Reviews, Tech on May 25, 2008
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.