On the quest for better sound

When I got my current set of 2.1 speakers I was pretty skint so picked up a random set, some G-Star SS-2180s, from Maplin. If I were to review these speakers, I would have to be harsh. A smudgy, distorted bass, no mid-range and treble to rival any pair of 99p headphones. Noticing that my JVC earphones sound better was the final nail in the coffin of these speakers.

So I went on the hunt for something to replace them. Living, as I do, in a tiny little studio flat (read: bedsit), I didn't think I really needed anything too amazing. A second consideration was that my primary source of music is my iPod Classic, which is stereo only, so I didn't think it really important to look into 5.1 surround systems.

Bearing the iPod in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to get one of the many iPod docks that are so popular these days. I had a look around and was quite disappointed in what I found. They are massively more expensive than ordinary speaker sets, the primary function being iPod control more than sound quality.

However, I happened upon the Logic3 i-Station Studio at HMV. It was a snip at a mere £49.99, half the RRP for this unit. Sounded like an ideal solution. A small speaker solution that could charge my iPod and be remotely controlled for little more than an ordinary set of 2.1 speakers.

Unfortunately, HMV have long since sold out of these devices. Everywhere else is selling them for £80 or more, so the shine of the price was taken off. Reviews didn't sound too promising either, most of them avoiding the subject of sound quality altogether and focussing on the remote control and iPod dock features. Couple with the fact that there are no satellites, I wasn't filled with confidence and so I decided to look elsewhere.

Next port of call were stalwarts of the PC speaker market, Logitech. They do a wide range of speakers to suit every pocket, so seemed like a good target. After browsing their wares for a while, I happened upon the new X-240 speakers. The X range are highly regarded, from what I've read, and these ones include an MP3 player dock that, they claim, allows you to charge and sync your iPod or Zune while you play music.

Unfortunately, these claims all turned out to be marketing hype. Reading reviews and looking deeper, I discovered that the MP3 dock does not, in fact, include any sync or charging facilities. Rather, it has a little hole under the device so you can plug in your existing charger or sync cable. To play music, you still have to plug a 3.5mm stereo jack into the earphone socket. Not nearly so cool. Add to that the reviews, which hilight the complete lack of mid-range, and I wondered if getting these speakers would just be replacing my current ones like for like, with the addition of a little shelf.

At this point I figured that I really should be looking a bit more up-market. Staying with the Logitech theme, and on 23inertia's recommendation, I switched over to looking at the X-540. No pretence of iPod dock here. No focus on extras to detract from the lousy sound.

The X-540s are a relatively recent addition to the range, replacing the X-530s. They are basically the same speakers with the addition of a little electronic gizmo that sits in the front. The main thing that appeals is the new "matrix mode", which will magically convert a stereo input to fill the 5.1 surround output. Even the little clip on the central speaker so you can attach it to your TFT monitor or telly makes it fit nicely in my flat.

So a set of Logitech X-540s are on their way to me even as I type this post. I will set them all up and post a follow-up when I figure out if this was a good decision, or a mild disappointment. Based purely on the reviews, I'm pretty convinced that they will be brilliant, and I can't see how they can possibly be worse than what I already have.