Logitech Pure-Fi Elite

Manufacturer: Logitech Inc. Part number: 980-000127

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$89.99 - $150.46 at 9 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
4.0 stars Excellent
Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: The Logitech Pure-Fi Elite stands above the iPod speaker competition with a can't-miss combination of excellent design, great sound, and a low price.

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CNET editors' review

Logitech Pure-Fi Elite

price range: $89.99 - $150.46

Reviewed by: David Carnoy
Edited by: John P. Falcone
Reviewed on: 11/05/2007
Released on: 10/01/2007

The good: Sleekly designed iPod speaker system with AM/FM radio; line audio input; composite and S-Video output for displaying photos and videos from compatible iPods; digital clock; excellent LCD display; sounds good, with decent bass and clarity for a speaker system this compact; low price.

The bad: No alarm to go with the clock; S-Video slot is recessed, making it difficult to plug in some S-Video cables; video output doesn't work with sixth-generation video iPods.

The bottom line: The Logitech Pure-Fi Elite stands above the iPod speaker competition with a can't-miss combination of excellent design, great sound, and a low price.

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When we reviewed the Logitech AudioStation speaker system for the iPod last year, we were generally impressed with both its design and performance, so we gave it high marks. Flash-forward to 2007, and Logitech has dumped the AudioStation name in lieu of its new Pure-Fi designation. But while the name may have changed, the Pure-Fi Elite looks a lot like its predecessor--and sounds a lot like it, too. Logitech has made some improvements to the system's design and tweaked its sonics, making a good product even better. But it didn't correct a couple of small but annoying issues. That said, it's a lot easier to forgive the faults of the Pure-Fi Elite: its $180 list price is almost half that of the AudioStation's original asking price.

The Pure-Fi Elite is an all-black affair that caters to owners of like-colored iPods, but white and other rainbow-hued iPods don't clash too badly with the system; they'll just stand out against the black background rather than meld into it. Color preferences aside, this is one of the sleekest iPod speaker systems we've tested. We like its clean lines and minimalist--but not too minimalist--design, which includes easy-to-read LCD-screen backlit control buttons located just below the display. One of the changes Logitech made was to those buttons--in the AudioStation they were touch sensitive, in this model they're standard, pressure-sensitive buttons. (Many users complained that the touch-sensitive buttons didn't work as advertised.) As for dimensions, the 8-pound system measures 16 inches wide (at the front), 7.25 inches high, and 4.25 inches deep, which makes it shelf-friendly.

In its promotional materials, Logitech makes a point to show the system with its speaker grilles off, exposing the speakers' 1-inch dome tweeters and 4-inch "long-throw" woofers. It's hard to say whether going with or without the grilles looks better, but the fact that you can remove them if you want is a nice plus--and they're now made of metal rather than cloth.

We also like that Logitech chose to go with a larger remote than the credit card-size remotes that ship with competing models such as the Bose SoundDock. Logitech has redesigned the remote for the Pure-Fi and we found the new remote, which has raised, rubberized buttons designed to be easier to use, though it's not intuitive how to get to the bass and treble controls. Overall, the remote's look, feel, and responsiveness are improved. We complained that skipping tracks forward and back on the iPod with the AudioStation's clicker sometimes required a certain degree of finesse. But this one didn't have that problem. You still can't navigate your iPod's menu system from the remote, but that's the case with all but the highest-end systems.

In our review of the AudioStation, we noted that the S-Video port on the back of the unit was recessed, which made it difficult to plug in many S-Video cables to watch iPod video and photo slide shows on your TV. That small design gaffe hasn't been corrected in this model. We were easily able to connect a standard composite cable (you know, the yellow video cable), but S-Video offers better quality, so you may have to shave down the plug on an S-Video cable to make it fit the connection. It's important to note that while the Pure-Fi Elite's video output works fine with older video iPods, it isn't compatible with the latest generation of video-enabled iPods, including the iPod Touch, the Classic, the new Nano, and the iPhone. We should also point out that the included power adapter is pretty bulky. We suspect this has something to do with having to power an 80-watt system (that's the number listed in the specs anyway), but just be aware that it isn't all that easy to hide. (If you're looking for something that's more portable, check out the Pure-Fi Anywhere instead.)

Other features of the Pure-Fi Elite include iPod charging while it's docked and an auxiliary input for connecting other audio devices. Aside from the aforementioned ability to display videos and images stored on your iPod, you also get a built-in AM/FM radio and a clock with a sleep timer, though again Logitech has failed to include an alarm. Yes, the company's step-up model, the $250 Pure-Fi Dream, does offer alarm functionality. But the fact is that when you see a clock on a system, you expect there to be an alarm as well. (How much could that cost to add, anyway?)

On a more positive note, you can store as many as 8 preset stations for AM and 16 for FM--8 for FM1 and 8 for FM2. Logitech now includes numbered buttons on the remote, which makes it easy to toggle between presets (no such buttons existed on the previous remote). We also appreciated that the Pure-Fi Elite has fully adjustable bass and treble levels, and they're easy to tweak with a couple of button presses on the remote (once you figure out which buttons to push).

As for sound quality, like its predecessor, the Pure-Fi Elite quickly established itself as one of top performers in the iPod speaker category. To be clear, if you were to compare the Pure-Fi Elite with a decent $300 home-theater-in-a-box system (or even to certain $200 HTIBs), which usually has a separate subwoofer, the Logitech would probably come out the loser. But compared with other compact iPod audio systems, this little guy can belt out tunes with a decent amount of gusto and clarity. And while it doesn't possess the kind of tight, thumping bass that a good subwoofer delivers, the low end holds together well enough at higher volumes.

Like a lot of speaker systems of this type, the Pure-Fi Elite has very little in the way of stereo separation since the speakers are essentially next to each other. But Logitech has equipped the unit with a 3D stereo feature to help widen the sound field. To call the effect "dramatic," as Logitech does, is a slight exaggeration, but we definitely heard a difference for the better.

Because these types of tabletop/shelf systems' strong suits are generally in the midrange and treble, we didn't expect the Pure-Fi Elite to have a problem with acoustic albums like the Pretenders' Isle of View. The bigger test came when we fired up Prince's 3121 album, which has a number of bass-heavy tracks. For good measure, we then threw in Snoop Dogg's Drop It Like It's Hot and gradually increased the volume. The bass might not have been quite as pronounced on the Pure-Fi Elite as the AudioStation, but the difference in the two units' sonics are subtle at best. In the end, we weren't blown away by what we heard, but we came away feeling that most buyers' expectations would be satisfied, as long as those expectations weren't too high to begin with.

The lower price on the Pure-Fi Elite versus that of the AudioStation certainly helps temper our criticisms as well. Widely available for as little as $150, we expect the Logitech Pure-Fi Elite to challenge some of Altec Lansing's more popular InMotion models as the high-value alternative for those who just can't bring themselves to pay upwards of $350 for the likes of the Bose SoundDock. It's too bad Logitech didn't throw in an alarm, but if that isn't a deal-breaker for you, we have no problem recommending the Pure-Fi Elite. It's an impressive little system.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 6 out of 6

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9 stars

nice stereo at a good price

by javier4228 on January 10, 2008

Pros: great sound, sleek design, easy to use

Cons: big ac adapter, this thing is huge

Summary: I just got this stereo for my ipod this week. So far, I am very pleased with the sound. The bass is surprisingly strong and the audio stays pretty crips ...

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Summary: I just got this stereo for my ipod this week. So far, I am very pleased with the sound. The bass is surprisingly strong and the audio stays pretty crips at high volume. I am happy.

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

Logitech is a sure buy

by rbarruec on December 20, 2007

Pros: Design, features, interface, remote, fantastic sound quality.

Cons: The power supply is large, but at least they didn't include it inside the unit. I would have like it to be a bit louder.

Summary: I have, over the years, become a Logitech fanatic. Not that I did it on purpose, but everything I buy from them is perfect.

The reviews above say it all.

...

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Summary: I have, over the years, become a Logitech fanatic. Not that I did it on purpose, but everything I buy from them is perfect.

The reviews above say it all. This thing is beautiful, functional, and sounds fantastic.

The only draw back is that I would have liked for it to be louder. Yet, Im sort of deaf, so dont take my word for it.

My parents had purchased a Bose SoundDock at Best Buy for $435. I asked them to return it. I paid $133 + shipping online.

I've heard the Bose. It sounds great, but the Pure-FI looks cooler, sounds as good, if not better, has a graphical EQ, and is 1/3 the cost!

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 stars

Great ipod speakers

by BestUserName on November 16, 2007

Pros: Big sound and great look

Cons: not quite as good as Sonic Impact ipod speakers

Summary: bring your ipod to a store and try out a bunch of different speakers dont just pick one because it looks cool

Summary: bring your ipod to a store and try out a bunch of different speakers dont just pick one because it looks cool

1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
4 stars

Unimpressed despite the hype.

by splatzzz on February 11, 2008

Pros: Includes FM/AM

Cons: Subpar sound quality

Summary: Made purchase based on excellent reviews, added FM/AM functionality, and just liking Logitech peripherals in general. Now that I have it, I find it fairly lackluster. I am unimpressed. ...

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Summary: Made purchase based on excellent reviews, added FM/AM functionality, and just liking Logitech peripherals in general. Now that I have it, I find it fairly lackluster. I am unimpressed. Although I enjoy the spectrum of music, I cannot consider myself a picky audiophile. That being said, I am still disappointed with the sound quality. Thick sound with little detail. The only adjustments are bass and treble, neither of which made any improvement. I've had to rely on the iPod EQ settings, and still that didn't help much. Have since moved the unit to the bathroom. I've had better luck with a wired hook-up of the iPod to a Bose Waveradio. Although it doesn't have the convenience factor, the sound is much better. Overall, this thing is barely good enough to keep, and too much trouble to ship it back. Try it before you buy it.

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1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

Very, Very Happy with this Purchase!!!

by jvkallianis on December 28, 2007

Pros: Sounds Great and Very Easy to Use

Cons: I didn't buy it before we had a Christmas Party

Summary: I bought this for my wife for Christmas. It sounds really great and it's very easy to set up and use. It's great to have the ability to ...

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Summary: I bought this for my wife for Christmas. It sounds really great and it's very easy to set up and use. It's great to have the ability to do playlists etc. for a party.

I would recommend it highly.

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9 stars

Spectaular! Compact and one of the best sound systems ever used...to date.

by tharinds on June 20, 2008

Pros: Great sound, sleek design, easy to use

Cons: No Alarm to go with the clock..

Summary: It will be perfect, if it comes with an alarm to go with the clock.

Summary: It will be perfect, if it comes with an alarm to go with the clock.

0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

Showing opinion 1 to 6 out of 6

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Logitech Inc.
Part number: 980-000127
Description: The Logitech Pure-Fi Elite speaker system for iPod is a full-function stereo that fills any room in your home with high-performance audio from an iPod. The system also includes an integrated digital AM/FM radio tuner. With two-way satellites, 1-inch dome tweeters and 4-inch high-power, long-throw woofers, the Logitech Pure-Fi speakers offer incredible detail, clarity and bass.

General
Product Type Speaker system with digital player dock
Width 16 in
Depth 4.3 in
Height 7.2 in
Weight 7.9 lbs
Product type Speakers
Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight Details / 8.0 lbs
Speaker System
System Components 2 x speakers
Speaker Type Active
Max (RMS) Output Power (Total) 80 Watt
Response Bandwidth 36 - 23000 Hz
Output Level (SPL) 110 dB
Sensitivity 110 dB
Audio Amplifier Integrated
Speaker system crossover channel qty 2-way
Connectivity Technology Wired
Built-in Devices AM/FM radio, Alarm
Controls Treble, Bass, Power on/off
Additional Features Built-in LCD display
Speaker System Details
Speakers Included 2 x Satellite speaker - 2-way
Driver Details 2 x 4 in Woofer, 2 x 1 in Tweeter

Connections
Connector Type 1 x Audio line-out ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ), 1 x Composite video output, 1 x S-Video output
Miscellaneous
MP3 Player Compatibility IPod mini, IPod nano (aluminum) (2G), IPod nano, IPod with video (5G), IPod photo, IPod (4G), IPod with color display
Included Accessories IPod adapter kit
Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 2 years warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 2 years

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Logitech Pure-Fi Elite

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