A good speaker system is a core part of your setup. It doesn’t matter if you only need to listen to music to keep you going while at work or need the low sounds of your video game to be well-amplified for an immersive gaming experience; you need a quality speaker. A major issue many people face is sifting through the array of quality speaker options available. This article helps you with the tricky task of comparing speakers by putting two of the most popular budget-level speakers side by side. By the time you finish this review, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the pros and cons of the Edifier C2XD and the Logitech Z623.
Edifier C2XD at a glance
The Edifier C2XD is a 2.1 speaker that features Edifier’s signature distortion control technology. You’ll likely fall in love with the speaker’s sleek design at first sight. Edifier describes the speaker as the ideal speaker for music enthusiasts and dedicated gamers alike.
Logitech Z623 at a glance
The Logitech Z623 is another 2.1 speaker that delivers big bass with 200 watts of RMS enough to fill up big rooms for an elevated sonic experience with games, movies, and music.
In-depth analysis
The brief introduction of the two speakers is not enough to understand the differences between the two. In the sections that follow, we take an in-depth look into different aspects of the two speakers to see how they compare.
Appearance and design
Many prospective buyers would have concluded that the Edifier C2XD will include three units typical of 2.1speaker setups – two units of speakers and a subwoofer. However, the Edifier C2XD includes four units. It includes the usual two units of speakers and a subwoofer topped with an independent amplifier unit. The separate amplifier allows users to optimally place the speakers and has an LCD display unit and a control knob. On the other hand, the Logitech Z623 comes with the usual three units of two satellite speakers and a subwoofer. One of the two speakers has control buttons, while the other retains a plain front.
A similar feature you’ll find on the subwoofers of the two speaker units is that they have rubber paddings at the base to enhance their grip on any surface. Another advantage of rubber padding is that it protects fragile surfaces. The Edifier C2XD and Logitech Z623 subwoofers are magnetically shielded, meaning you have no problem placing magnetic items like external hard drives close to the unit. The stand-alone amplifier unit that makes optimal speaker placement possible gives the Edifier C2XD the win in this round.
Dimensions
The C2XD’s speakers are slightly bigger than the Z623’s speakers; they measure 130mm x 90mm x 180mm. The C2XD’s independent amplifier measures 250mm x 78mm x 255mm, while the subwoofer measures 288mm x 232mm x 242mm. The Logitech Z623’s satellite speakers measure 117mm x 196mm x 126mm, while the subwoofer measures 305mm x 284mm x 266mm. The dimensions show that the C2XD’s subwoofer is smaller than the Z623’s. The Z623’s bigger size could be an issue for those looking for a minimalistic subwoofer. Overall, the Logitech Z623 speaker wins this category because of the unit’s relatively smaller satellite speakers.
Input and control
The first thing to note about the two speakers is the location of their input ports. While the input ports of the Logitech Z623 are found behind the subwoofer, the Edifier C2XD’s input ports are located on the stand-alone amplifier. Depending on your setup, the location could be an advantage or a disadvantage.
The Logitech Z623 has two 3.5mm jacks and RCA inputs for connecting a wide variety of devices, including gaming consoles, televisions and smartphones. The Edifier C2XD, on the other hand, has an auxiliary input option, RCA inputs, as well as optical input, which all combine to allow you to connect with multiple devices.
The C2XD has a master volume dial on the amplifier that allows users to adjust the volume as needed. Conversely, the right satellite speakers on the Logitech Z623 has control buttons for adjusting the volume and the bass. The Edifier C2XD comes with an infrared remote control for adjusting volume, bass, and treble. Users can also use the remote control for input selection and other adjustments. The Logitech Z623 does not include remote control, meaning that you have to be within touching distance of the right satellite speaker to make any adjustment. Therefore, Edifier C2XD wins this round because of the optical input method available and the remote control that comes with it.
Performance
After discussing various aspects of the two speakers, the single most important thing is how these features combine to produce the kind of sound you desire. We discuss the performance of the two speakers under some specific indices like frequency range and total RMS as well as other innovative features that affect performance.
A speaker’s RMS is a measure of how much power the speaker can continuously handle. The keyword here is “continuous,” which differentiates RMS from peak wattage. The Logitech Z623 has a total RMS of 200 watts, with the subwoofer accounting for 130 watts of this figure and each satellite speaker accounting for 35 watts each. The Edifier C2XD’s RMS pales in comparison. It has a total RMS of 53 watts. The subwoofer has an RMS of only 35 watts, with each speaker capable of 9 watts of RMS each. Essentially, this means the Z623’s satellite speakers have a greater RMS than the C2XD’s subwoofer.
Furthermore, the Edifier C2XD has a frequency range of 55 Hz – 18kHz, while the Logitech Z623 has a frequency range of 35 Hz – 20 kHz. The Logitech Z623’s ability to reach deeper lows and higher highs than the Edifier C2XD means Logitech wins this mini-round.
Another high point of the Logitech Z623 is that it is THX-certified, meaning that the speaker follows strict guidelines for ultra-high-quality digital playback. In simpler terms, it means you are guaranteed to get superb sound quality when watching movies. The sound quality is further elevated if the video game you’re playing or the DVD you’re watching is also THX-certified.
So far, the performance analysis has tilted heavily in favor of the Logitech Z623 speaker. It does not necessarily mean the Edifier C2XD is nothing to write home about. It features Edifier’s signature distortion control technology. The technology uses microprocessors to monitor the total harmonic distortion in real-time by comparing the output signal to the input signal and automatically adjusting the amplifier gain. This feature eliminates distortion that occurs when the amplifier gets overdriven due to input signals that are too strong. The result is a distortion-free sonic output and a long-lasting speaker unit.
Although the distortion control technology helps the Edifier C2XD speaker deliver a smoother listening experience, the speaker is unable to match the Logitech Z623 speaker’s overall superior performance. Therefore, Logitech Z623 wins this round.
The Verdict
After comparing the two speakers side-by-side under various parameters, it is safe to say that if it comes down to choosing one of the Edifier C2XD and the Logitech Z623, the latter is the best choice. The Logitech Z623 speaker system offers superior value for money spent. It has enough power and versatility to do just about anything. It produces crisp and clear sounds with a detailed midrange and ground thumping bass.
Compared to the C2XD speaker, the Logitech speaker has an excellent sound output that gives a cinema-like movie experience. Its THX certification means you can go no wrong when watching movies with the speaker. The Z623 speaker’s power rating (peak and RMS) also places it above the competitor. While the Z623 has an RMS rating of 200 watts, Edifier’s C2XD speaker has an RMS rating slightly greater than a quarter of the Z623’s.
The verdict takes nothing away from the excellent qualities of the C2XD. In fact, the two speakers are well-made and offer a lot of amazing features. The Edifier C2XD has proprietary technology that eliminates distortion at loud volume levels and includes an external amplifier that aids speaker placement. It can also be controlled remotely – a quality missing in the Logitech Z623.
Now that you’ve done your homework by reading this comparative review, you can enter the market with utmost confidence that you won’t have any form of buyer’s remorse after choosing any of the two speakers because you know what you’ll be getting with each.
