Full Review

10 March 2008 - The SoundStation3 speakers from Logic3, as the name suggests, are designed to partner the PS3. The gloss black and chrome look of the next-gen console is replicated in these speakers, making them an ideal companion especially if you choose to have your console standing vertically, in which case they all look very nice indeed.

The speakers deliver 20 watts RMS from six Wave9 neodymium 32mm units and two Hi-X 100mm subwoofers. When you compare this to, say, your normal TV, it is the subwoofers that really make the difference here, oh and probably an extra 10 watts. The sound quality is good and works at antisocial volumes making gaming really immersive.

That’s all well and good, but what are the other considerations? Connections. The unit only has a single 3.5mm input. That’s right, so you can only have one thing plugged in – if you want to connect your MP3 player, it’s scrabble round the back time. When connecting to the PS3, it makes use of the Multi AV Out, but then using an adaptor with an RCA connection, that you then pinch the audio from, push through another cable and into the 3.5mm input. So it is a bit messy.

Switching the PS3 to split the audio from the visuals you get a sinking feeling as you navigate away from HDMI, past digital optical, to the Multi AV Out. However, in the box you do get the 3.5mm cable for connection to other devices.

Control of the SoundStation3 comes in the form of a remote control, which is very basic – standby, reset, volume, treble and bass. The front of the left speaker sports a power button and a switch to change between movie, game and music. This switch is perhaps worthless given the option of treble and bass adjustment on the remote.

The power button is backlit with the ubiquitous dazzling blue light, lacking the subtlety of the PS3 design it apes.

VERDICT
So where do these speakers really fit in? They don’t replace a home cinema setup, but they are better than a standard TV. In reality, the SoundStation3 will probably be most at home in a bedroom where the PS3 acts as a media centre, playing movies, music and gaming. The music option is worthy of note, because once you are playing a CD and the PS3 has retrieved the info from the Internet to display on-screen, it’s a great party setup.

At £69.99, this is cheaper and simpler than a home cinema system, delivers good sound with a reassuring boost to the bass. However, when paired with a larger TV with quality speakers, it really is only the bass that you are paying for, and for us, that isn’t quite enough.