In-depth review
Logitech Z623 Review (2026)
In-depth review of the Logitech Z623: THX-certified 2.1 sound, a powerful subwoofer, and whether it still leads for films and games.
Logitech Z623
The long-serving 2.1 workhorse: THX-certified sound, a hefty subwoofer, and controls exactly where your hand expects them.
Our verdict
The Z623 remains the default 2.1 desk system, because it gets the fundamentals right and has done so for years: THX tuning that keeps films balanced, a subwoofer with genuine weight, and controls placed where they are actually used. It is wired only and its styling will not win design awards, but for film and game sound at a desk, nothing else here offers this much impact for this little fuss.
What we like
- THX certification means the system is tuned to a recognised standard rather than boosted for showroom effect, so films sound balanced at both low and high volume.
- The subwoofer gives action scenes and game soundtracks a weight that no compact 2.0 pair can reproduce, while the satellites stay clear on dialogue.
- Volume, bass, and power sit on the right satellite, with a headphone jack beside them, so late-night listening needs no reach behind the desk.
What to watch out for
- Wired inputs only, so a phone connects by cable, and there is no Bluetooth for quick wireless listening.
- The subwoofer is large and heavy for a small room, and it needs floor space that a compact desk setup may not have.
- The styling is functional rather than handsome, and the satellites look like computer speakers rather than furniture.
Who it is for
Film and game lovers who want room-filling sound and deep bass from a desk system without buying separates.
THX tuning, in practice
THX certification is easy to dismiss as a badge, but on the Z623 it describes something audible: a system tuned to stay balanced rather than to impress in a short demo. Dialogue stays clear when effects get loud, bass stays controlled rather than boomy, and the system sounds composed at high volume where lesser 2.1 systems distort. That balance is why the Z623 has survived so long while flashier rivals have come and gone.
The subwoofer question
The subwoofer is the point of this system and also its main demand: it is large, heavy, and needs floor space. In return it gives action scenes and game soundtracks a physical weight that no 2.0 pair here can match, and its level is adjustable from the satellite, so bass can be tamed for late-night use. Buyers without floor space should not force it; the Logitech Z407 offers a smaller subwoofer, and the Edifier bookshelf pairs skip one entirely.
How it stacks up
Against the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, the Z623 wins on bass depth and power, while the Klipsch wins on dialogue detail and control-pod convenience. Against the Logitech Z407, the Z623 wins on impact and volume, while the Z407 wins on Bluetooth, wireless control, and compactness. Against the Edifier R1700BT, the Z623 wins on film impact, while the Edifier wins on musical refinement and living-room looks.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise the deep and punchy bass that gives films and games a cinema-like weight
- Owners praise the clear dialogue that stays intelligible even during loud action scenes
- Owners praise the satellite volume and bass controls that are easy to reach mid-film
Common complaints
- Owners complain that the subwoofer is bulky and hard to place in a small room
- Owners complain about the lack of Bluetooth for quick wireless listening from a phone
- Owners complain that the plain black styling looks functional rather than attractive on a tidy desk
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Configuration
- 2.1 system with separate subwoofer
- Power
- 200W RMS, 400W peak
- Certification
- THX certified
- Inputs
- 3.5mm and RCA, up to three sources
- Controls
- Volume, bass, and power on the right satellite, plus headphone output
Also consider
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
The horn-loaded classic: lively, detailed satellites and a subwoofer that has outlasted generations of rivals.
- Configuration: 2.1 system with separate subwoofer
- Certification: THX certified
Logitech Z407
The modern 2.1 system: Bluetooth, a down-firing subwoofer, and a wireless dial that works from across the room.
- Configuration: 2.1 system with down-firing subwoofer
- Power: 80W peak, 40W RMS
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Can the Z623 connect to a television?
Yes, through its RCA or 3.5mm inputs, as long as the television has a matching audio output. It has no optical input, so televisions with only an optical output need a converter, and there is no HDMI connection.
Is the Z623 too loud for a small room?
No, because volume and bass are adjustable from the satellite, so the system plays quietly as well as loudly. Its size, not its volume, is the small-room problem: the subwoofer still needs floor space even when played softly.
Does the Z623 work with a laptop?
Yes, through a 3.5mm connection to the laptop headphone output. It has no USB audio input, so laptop sound travels over analogue, which is fine for most laptops and most listening.