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May 27 2005
Logitech PlayGear Amp Review
PSP Hardware Review | Audio
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| Summary: Essential
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If you've heard of Logitech's insanely popular PlayGear Pocket Case, the best rated PSP case, then you're familiar with the high quality products that Logitech makes. The PlayGear Amp, a portable and powerful mini speaker system, stays true to Logitech's high quality standards and sets the bar high for competing manufacturers.
The Amp comes packaged inside a sturdy carry case along with a small AC adaptor to power the speakers, two Line-In cables of varying lengths to connect your PSP audio, a detachable cradle to hold the Amp setup and the PlayGear Amp itself.
Setup is simple, after taking everything out of the carry case, you rotate the speakers, put the Amp into the cradle and then connect the AC Adaptor and Line-In cable. Finally, you insert the PSP into the open end of the cradle and turn the Amp on. Optionally, you can run the Amp by using four AAA batteries if you want to watch movies on the grass or annoy your neighbours on the plane. Packing everything away is simple as well, and the well made carry-case makes it easy to transport or store the unit away when not in use.
All of the parts and build are very high quality. The speakers and unit body match the colour and styling of the PSP.
We weren't quite ready for the high quality sound that came out of these speakers. Metal Gear Acid has a lush soundtrack which we found to be particularly well suited for testing audio quality and range. We were pleased to hear the entire dynamic range was present. There was thumping bass, rumbling bass, mid-range strings and clanks and high-range percussion. Even at high volume levels that were far too loud to enjoy comfortably there was no crackling or distortion.
Watching movies was equally as pleasant. Minute audio details come out surprisingly well. Not only for movies, but these speakers work great for listening to music also. Also, with the second Line-In cable which is a few feet longer, the PSP quite intuitively becomes a media center remote. Using this setup, you could even play games with the extended cable, no longer tethered to the tinny tweeters that are the PSP's built in "speakers".
Our only gripe was minor and had to do with the cable situation that results when the PSP is cradled. There is a plug for the Amp AC Adaptor, PSP AC Adaptor and Amp Line-In going to the PSP. It can take a minute to sort out the cables so that everything is situated properly. The only other issue you may be concerned about is the price. At $60 USD, the PlayGear Amp isn't cheap. Quite frankly, given the high quality design, audio range and portability, we find the price to be just about right.
If you've been using cheap headphones or no headphones at all, then the Logitech PlayGear Amp is like a new pair of ears. Prepare to hear the audio optimally as it was produced to be heard. Get ready to hear things in your games or movies you might not have heard before. The entry fee to hear all this great audio is high and you could always get a cheap pair of headphones. However, with cheaper gear comes lower quality, and if you use headphones then you can't share the experience with others.
Millions upon millions of dollars are being spent to give you rich and engrossing audio in all your PSP games, UMD movies and music. The PlayGear Amp completes your PSP media center by allowing you to hear all of this great audio as it was meant to be heard. If you're in need of portable and powerful mini-speakers for your PSP then look no further.
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Comments
Could you please post a few pics of what this thing looks like folded up? Just curious. ;-)
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Hmmm... I'm sure the sound is great, but to me, the whole idea behind this product doesn't seem to practical. I mean, when exactly would you use these? As you said, on a plane would be off limits. If I'm at home, I can just use headphones for games, and if I wanna watch a DVD with other people at home, I can use my regular DVD player! I suppose it would work in the car, but you can esily hook up a PSP to your car stereo with a tape adapter. I suppose if you took your PSP camping or somewhere else outdoors that would be ok... as long as no one is camping next to you!
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Well, I've been enjoying them on my desk. It's nice to have a mini media center setup for my PSP. An example -- halfway through playing Metal Gear Acid without headphones, I discovered one day when I had a listen more closely with a proper set of headphones, that the audio was very full and engrossing. I could just wear the headphones all the time, but they're annoying and quite frankly get a little warm / hurt my ears. With the extended cable that comes with the Amp, I can simply be plugged in with the speakers on and gaming away. It's great! Not for everyone, but if you're looking for a nice pair of speakers to share movies with your friends, then these are great.
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Hehe I guess I shouldn't be commenting. I am an aspiring audio engineer (ok not really, but I know a lot), so I already have my PSP wired to my PC's Dolby surround speakers.  All I need is a stand for the console. That set-up sure looks cool though.
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Next from Logitech, the PSP Coffee Table - your PSP has never looked so good as it does when cradled in fifty pounds of living room furniture.
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I'm going to the Beach in July and this is perfect for the Hotel !
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lol that sucks you have to plan for the beach...I'm in Florida and live 10 minutes from the beach...haven't been there in years though
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I travel a lot for work, which is how I justify the PSP purchase. Right now I currently use the IM2s in hotel rooms and at work (convention centers, hotel meeting rooms, etc.). The IM2's aren't bad, but they can get distorted at higher levels. I bought mine for $50, so that isn't too far off of what these cost. I'm thinking a trade in might be in the future. Has anyone been able to A/B test these against the IM2's?
Link
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willikers said: "Next from Logitech, the PSP Coffee Table - your PSP has never looked so good as it does when cradled in fifty pounds of living room furniture."
lol
i like the look logitech has been puting some good stuff out for the psp!
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If you play your PSP on your desktop only, then all you need to do instead is connect a cable from the Headphone Out to your PC's headphone jack (or sound card's Line In). Much better sound that way, if you have a decent set of PC speakers.
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pspdan said: "If you play your PSP on your desktop only, then all you need to do instead is connect a cable from the Headphone Out to your PC's headphone jack (or sound card's Line In). Much better sound that way, if you have a decent set of PC speakers."
Actually, a headphone jack is made for sound OUTPUT. If you want to hear sound from your PSP through your PC speakers, you need an input of some sort. For mine, I have a stereo RCA input right on my soundcard (the red and white plugs). I bought a 1/8" to dual RCA adapter and I used an existing 1/8" cord to hook it up to the PSP's headphone jack. Works great!
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Doh! Sorry, I meant Line In, NOT Line Out (or Headphones). You can use the RCA inputs on your soundcard, but the majority of them just have the Line In (same one I use for my guitar effects processor). Some car decks have this as well; JVC decks refer to this as the MP3 Input. I found the sound on my PC (from the PSP) to be kind of dull though. I think I will need to jack the volume on the PSP all the way up to get proper clarity.
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I don't play my PSP at home much, or watch it, or listen to music...so there's no point. If you really want something like this link your PSP to your stereo (if you can..hehe.) for god's sake!
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PSP World has more information on battery life and other details in their review.
link
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