Logitech G51 Gaming Surround Speakers

[Rob Williams]

More than just a design refresh of the X-540 system, the G51 gaming speaker system delivers plenty of substance and several features that are intended to appeal to the specific tastes of gamers. We've got a set, and we're putting it to the test.

You can read Rory's full review here and discuss it here.

[NicePants42]

Very nice review, Rory. I always learn something new when you take apart a speaker and describe its features. More so now since I saw an episode of 'How it's Made' detailing a speaker assembly.

I'm really liking the control hub on that set - I have an older set of Z's similar to the Z-5500's, and that old control pod is easy to tip over or slide around unless you bolt it to your desk.

It looks like most of Logitech's control pods use the same Serial-port style connector cable - any idea if the G51 control pod will function with Z-series speakers? I might shoot Logitech an email about getting a 'replacement'...

[moon111]

I am left curious how the removable plastic shell for the satellite speakers works.

I've pondered if I should buy a 5.1 set or not. Use mostly headphones. Is it worth it over a 2.1 set?

[MakubeX]

They look niiice. Not all that powerful though, which makes me wonder why are they more expensive than the Z-5300e? I guess it's because all the flashiness.

[Rory Buszka]

Originally Posted by moon111

I am left curious how the removable plastic shell for the satellite speakers works.

I've pondered if I should buy a 5.1 set or not. Use mostly headphones. Is it worth it over a 2.1 set?

Simply remove the screws in the beige/silver trim pieces on the sides of each satellite, and the clear plastic shell can then be removed. I had another photo of removing the side pieces, and I was debating whether to use it instead, but I've been trying to fight 'bloat' in my reviews.

[NicePants42]

Originally Posted by Taterworks

I've been trying to fight 'bloat' in my reviews.

Man, just show the speakers with a pic of Jessica Alba underneath the plastic shell piece. People would immediately understand what the shell is for, and I don't think anyone would complain about 'bloat'.

Hi
I have Logitech g51 speakers and i am not happy with it. I have tested it many times in different sources but sound decibel is poor. Usually I listen songs at 70% level of volume, non of my neighbors knocks my door...
I have tested it with my pc connected creative sound blaster 24bit 5.1
also tested with my mp3 player, sound level is so low.
All the settings and drivers are ok...
Dont know why ?

[Rory Buszka]

Hi online1,

First of all, consider every component in the signal chain, both real and virtual. Make sure the volume is turned up on your source component, whether it be your PC or your mp3 player. Check your Windows Volume Control (Start>Accessories>Entertainment>Volume Control), and make sure that your master volume is turned up, but also check the 'Wave' and 'CD Player' volume levels. Then, once you've checked every possible volume control on the source component, look at the G51 speakers. Of course, be sure they're powered on, but then turn up the volume control. Also, check the 'Mute' button on the control pod. If the small amber LED beside the Mute button is illuminated, press the button until the LED turns off.

Remember, these are PC speakers, meant to produce listening levels up to 85 dB or so at a distance of 1 meter from your PC workstation. They shouldn't be capable of setting objects in motion throughout your house. Finally, if none of my suggestions set you straight, try returning the G51s and exchanging them for another set. I know that my own set of G51s (which I still use and enjoy) are capable of going quite loud, though if you happen to have very severe hearing damage (to the point where you cannot hear people speaking beside you), you may not be able to get significant enough levels from the G51 system to produce the same experience you may have, say, from standing in front of a full stack of concert bass bins.

Hey Rory,

Coupla things. First, the street price of the speakers is sitting right around $170 (Canadian) so they're a great deal right now. Also, what did you mean with the "double-mute"? You mentioned it on the last page but never actually said what it was for/what it did. And lastly, a three-part question: how long are the cables to the satellites, are they hard-wired and are they wall-mountable?

Double mute allows the speakers and mic-input to be muted seperately.

Satellite cables are 15ft (was mentioned briefly in the review), and yes, they are wall-mountable. I've been looking for mid-priced PC-speakers which are for quite a while, and according to Logitech's website, they are. The stand they're on rotates around.

got these for my girlfriend for christmas but in her setup she needs another 10' or so of wire for the rear speakers! since they are hardwired I can't use the speaker cable that I also bought. can an 'extension' be bought?

thanks!
sammi

Originally Posted by HaZaRd

Hey Rory,

Coupla things. First, the street price of the speakers is sitting right around $170 (Canadian) so they're a great deal right now. Also, what did you mean with the "double-mute"? You mentioned it on the last page but never actually said what it was for/what it did. And lastly, a three-part question: how long are the cables to the satellites, are they hard-wired and are they wall-mountable?

I too was curious if they were hard wired. I'd like to mount the speakers on the wall 12-15 feet behind me which means running a cable up the wall and around the side wall by the ceiling. I'd like to just plug in an extension cable with RCA jacks.

Hey guys... I just bought a G51 for about 120$ and I'm pretty pleased with the sound clarity and power.
There's one issue I don't understand, yet.
The Matrix button. If it's off, I can hear the sound perfectly on all 5 satellites and play with the volume of each satellite from my sound card software. (I have an Audigy 2 ZS.) Music sounds great!

In games, with the Matrix button off, I can hear things happening behind me or on the sides, and locate everything according to sound. I repeat, the Matrix is OFF!

But if I turn it on, I can't modify the volume of each satellite independently from the sound card settings. This means that if I turn off the Front Left and Front Right channels, the Center and Rear ones will be silent too.
Added to that, there are certain songs in which the sound that i hear via the rear satellites is a very scrambled version of the front sound. Random basses, low vocals, a very bad version of the sound from the Front speakers.

Matrix ON, in Games, for example in Fallout 3, if the source of the noise is behind me... I can't hear nothing. Very bugged. There are 2 people talking next to me and if I face them I can hear them perfectly, but if I turn my back to them, it's like I'm deaf. What the... ?

It's like they really screwed everything with the Matrix button. Any opinions? Am I doing something wrong?

[Rob Williams]

I wish I knew more on the topic, but it sounds like the Matrix button is nothing more than a huge waste of time. You get a far better experience with it off than on... I can't see that as being what they were going for. Did you download the latest software for it on Logitech's site, rather than install what was in the package? It could be that a driver update fixes the problem. The issue you describe doesn't sound reasonable for expected performance, but I don't think you could be doing anything wrong. These speakers are also sold to completely novice computer users, so I don't think Logitech would make things too difficult.

Originally Posted by Rob Williams

These speakers are also sold to completely novice computer users, so I don't think Logitech would make things too difficult.

Very true. In fact, they made things so simple that the package has no drivers to install. The Audigy sound card does

So far, the Matrix button proved to be a waste of time. Considering that while I'm at my desk I'm closer to the front speakers and further away from the rear ones, it's natural that I hear the front ones much louder. So if I set the front ones to 75%-80% volume and the rear ones to 100% (from my sound card software) .... that's the home made Matrix button.

+ I noticed that if the Matrix is off, the speakers sound much louder.

Other than that, the sound is cristal clear, deep bass, good job, Logitech!