Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System Review

The Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System is a THX, Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Certified sound system boasting 1000 Watts peak/500 Watts RMS of power.

Whether you're using a computer, television, smartphone, tablet, audio player or gaming console. The Z906 surround sound speaker system is capable of simultaneously connecting up to six devices compatible with a headphone jack (3.5 mm), RCA, six-channel direct, digital coaxial input or optical inputs.

In our particular case, this review was done using digital optical from a Ubuntu Linux Desktop computer.

Online pricing is currently at $252. Retail packaging contains four satellite speakers, one center channel speaker, subwoofer, a six-channel direct cable, control console, five assorted lengths of 18-gague speaker wire, wireless remote, three Duracell AAA batteries and user documentation guides.

Each speaker is coloured flat black, the design is uniform with a broad front and slanted back. Sizing for the satellite speakers measures 6.5"H x 3.9"W x 3.6"D, while the center channel is 3.9"H x 6.5"W x 3.6"D. All weigh approximately 1.9 pounds and feature integrated hardware for wall mounts (brackets not included), also rubber padding on the base bottom for stationary placement on flat surfaces.

The 165-watt long-throw subwoofer delivers deep distortion-free bass. Overall it is rather large in size measuring 11.5"H x 11"W x 12.5"D with a hefty weight 19.8 pounds. Continuing with the colour scheme the entire unit is black with glossy plastic accents around the sub speaker and side port.

On the back panel you'll find inputs for six-channel direct (PC sound cards), RCA Stereo, two digital optical, one digital coaxial, a DB-15 pin connector for Control Console, five spring clip terminals for speakers and power cable.

Control Console is compact in size measuring 11.5"H x 11"W x 3"D. Operation is intuitive and provides a good visual indication of your current listening experience with orange LED lighting. From Console you may independently adjust the volume levels for each satellite speaker as well as the subwoofer, cycle though 2.1, 4.1 or 3D surround sound settings, change input device, access power and mute all audio.

Volume control is the typical rotary style knob, but also features slight haptic feedback and LED volume level indication to aid operation in the dark. Toward the right side of the Control Console you will find headphone jack (3.5 mm) and AUX input.

From an installation perspective, once you finalize your speaker placement and run your wires, simply connect the Control Console's DB-15 cable back to the subwoofer along with the individual speakers. Everything ties together nicely on the backside of the subwoofer, where an attached AC power cord provides power to the system.

Included is a generous amount of standard 18AWG speaker wire. Two 7.6-meter (25 foot) lengths for rear satellite speakers, three 4.6-meter (13 foot) lengths for front and center satellite speakers. A red band on the positive wire makes for easy identification and the tips are tinned with solider to hold the stranded wires together, this makes it easy to connect them to the terminals connectors.

The fact that the Logitech Z906 uses standard wire with spring clip terminals to connect speakers is great if you ever wanted to extend the placement of your speakers.

A palm-sized wireless remote control is included and provides similar functions as the Control Console.

The Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System offers 1000 Watts peak/500 Watts RMS of power, but what does this mean?

RMS (root mean square) rating refers to how much continuous power the speaker can handle. The peak power handling value refers to the maximum power level that the speaker is capable of utilizing in short bursts. In the case of the Z906 a 500W RMS rating with a peak rating of 1000W means that speaker can comfortably run with 500 Watts of continuous power, with occasional bursts of up to 1000W.

Set volume level is indicated by an LED light. There are 11 LEDs in total, however, when adjusting volume the control is incremental with four illumination stages per LED. This works out to be a volume range of 0 to 44. My evaluation was performed in a rather large room with twenty-five foot ceilings. Maybe I'm getting old and crotchety, but realistically, surpassing the half-way point for volume control was too excessive for my enjoyment. For lack of better words the Z906 is LOUD, you don't need to be an audio aficionado to realize the exhilarating sound quality.