Angled: in this orientation, the Logitech X300 is angled upwards at 30-degrees and the speakers also fire at an angle sideways for slightly better stereo separation
Every so often, a Bluetooth speaker ends up on my desk for review. They come in all shapes and sizes — from models that look like Caterpillar boots to ones that come with flashing multi-coloured lights.
The Logitech X300 is unlike any of these and that’s not to say it’s ugly or plain. In fact, I quite like the angular design and rubberised finish even though it is lacking in bling-bling and unusual features.
However, where it does stand out is in the audio department, but I’m getting ahead of myself here.
Little blue
The review unit I got has a turquoise colour which is nice, but it also comes in brown and black which look even better.
The speaker can be positioned either on its side or stood up like a drink can, and in both orientations it stands quite firmly.
On the Logitech website, the company states that the speaker is intentionally designed to angle upwards at 30° so that sound is optimally directed towards you.
The controls are clustered along one side of the speaker — here you will find the volume buttons, Bluetooth multifunction button and microphone port.
The power switch, however, is cleverly hidden at the back of the X300.
Right below the power button is the LED indicator that glows a steady blue when the device is on, or blinks when you are in pairing mode.
When the battery is low, the LED will glow orange — as it’s facing backwards when you’re using it, you’ll probably miss the low-power warning until it’s too late.
The final two ports on the X300 are the microUSB port and 3.5mm stereo input port. The speaker is charged via microUSB while the 3.5mm stereo port is for non-Bluetooth audio device that you want to use with the speaker.
My one area of concern is that rubberised finishes like the one used on this speaker tend to degrade and get sticky over time. I have an older Logitech speaker with a similar finish which has become quite tacky to the touch.
However, this isn’t something that will happen very soon so only time will tell if this will be a problem in our hot and humid Malaysian weather.
Loud and clear
Where the X300 really shines is in sound quality — I have to say that this is one of the better Bluetooth speakers I’ve tested, especially considering the size.
Not only is the bass and mid-range pretty good, the speaker is also capable of blasting at high volume levels without the audio breaking up.
I have been critical of a lot of Bluetooth speakers before because they tend to emphasise bass over clarity, and thankfully the X300 is one of the few that seems to have hit a good balance — vocals and treble are crisp and clear while the bass is still punchy.
The X300 also works well when used as a speakerphone, as the microphone captures my voice clearly enough that it sounds good on the other end of the call as well.
Unfortunately, while you can answer and hang up calls by pressing the Bluetooth button, it does not support Siri on iOS, which is a bit of a bummer.
In use, I got very close to the claimed five-hour battery life at normal volumes, which is certainly decent although it’s not the longest-lasting Bluetooth speaker I’ve tried.
Overall, I was quite impressed with the audio quality of this speaker, especially as it’s relatively small in size.
End note
Considering that the X300 has a recommended retail price of RM259, I have to admit that the sound quality is pretty good for the price.
In fact, after testing the X300, I am actually tempted to get one for myself even though I already have several Bluetooth speakers peppered around the house.
With its well-rounded sound and cheap price, this speaker definitely gets my recommendation — the only caveat here is that sound quality is subjective and while I really liked the X300, you may find it wanting, so I encourage consumers to try it out before buying.
Pros: Good sound quality; nice design.
Cons: Battery life could be better; rubberised finish could degrade over time; no option for launching Siri on the speaker.
| X300 (Logitech) Bluetooth speaker Ports: 3.5mm stereo input Other features: Speakerphone Dimensions: 151.7 x 69 x 71mm Weight: 335g Website: www.logitech.com Price: RM259 Rating: ????? Review unit courtesy of Logitech Malaysia, 1-800-88-0719 |
