[Review] Logitech z-5500

[MikeCoz]

i'm ordering a new system today or tomorrow.  i just may get these.  thanks for the review i've been reading up trying to see what i wanted in an audio system.

mwave lists their price at $262

link

newegg lists at $269

link

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before you buy check out amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-...R&s=electronics

List Price: $399.99

Price: $269.99 & This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. See details

You Save: $130.00 (33%)

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours from Amazon.com

nice setup pOKa

[xxkrnxstylezxx]

is there a way to see if the speakers are the new version from just looking at the box?

[G0rd0n]

Amazon gave the the ones with RCA wires. =(

[BBB Purger]

Yep

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just how were you able to mount the spearkers on the wall?

I own Z-560s and i had no problems at all when it came to mounting (the base just come right off and you just screw the speaker to the base)

however, my Z-5500 are sitting in the box cuz im so ****ed that i cant mount them on the wall! "rotating base for easy installation" - MY A$$! I couldnt use the drill to screw the base and when i took the speaker apart, the silicone inside hold the RCA wire so i cant even move the wire (i was going to slide the "housing" and just put it back when it done).

Furthermore, even if i do take the base off and screw it on the wall, i can tighten the black screw that hold the base and the housing (hex nut inside).

Can some that actually was able to mount the speakers on the wall WITHOUT DAMAGING the speaker itsell PLEASE tell me how they did it??

PS

overall it was a good idea w/ rotating base, but very poorly realized (it only rotates to the one side)

[..Vector..]

I just drilled a couple of holes in the walll, twisted the base around, and just pu some screws in...was pretty easy i though :/

[mrogers]

just how were you able to mount the spearkers on the wall?

I own Z-560s and i had no problems at all when it came to mounting (the base just come right off and you just screw the speaker to the base)

however, my Z-5500 are sitting in the box cuz im so ****ed that i cant mount them on the wall!  "rotating base for easy installation" - MY A$$!  I couldnt use the drill to screw the base and when i took the speaker apart, the silicone inside hold the RCA wire so i cant even move the wire (i was going to slide the "housing" and just put it back when it done).

Furthermore, even if i do take the base off and screw it on the wall, i can tighten the black screw that hold the base and the housing (hex nut inside).

Can some that actually was able to mount the speakers on the wall WITHOUT DAMAGING the speaker itsell PLEASE tell me how they did it??

PS

overall it was a good idea w/ rotating base, but very poorly realized (it only rotates to the one side)

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It's really not that hard. I held the speaker up on the wall (using a laser level so it would be straight), used a pencil to mark through the base where the holes should go, drilled the holes, and then screwed them in. It was incredibly easy. Yes, you have to rotate the speakers to do it, but not outside of their range. Just so you know, if you DO force the base to rotate so much that it comes off, you can reportedly never get it back on without damaging the speaker.

[MikeCoz]

Amazon gave the the ones with RCA wires. =(

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recently? because someone commented this:

AWESOME, February 26, 2005

Reviewer: tickyour (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

These speakers are unreal, I got blown away by the quality and loudness of them. Paired up with an Audigy 2 ZS they produce superb sounds and bass. They are also feature the new, revised, speaker wiring.

And how about the price here at Amazon? You just can't beat it. Plus free shipping... they arrived in 2 days!

Highly recommended.

I can't wait to get mine! It's taking so long though because I sent them a money order and they haven't processed it from a week ago.

[plaskos]

I can't wait to get mine! It's taking so long though because I sent them a money order and they haven't processed it from a week ago.

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I'm still waiting for Logitech.com to get them in stock! I placed my order 3 weeks ago and they're still backordered :(

I'm only putting up with waiting this long because I only paid $265 cdn for them :)

[pacifica]

i just ordered mine! can't wait. it should be here tomorrow. my new puter will be here next tuesday so the logitech will sit mocking me until then!

[G0rd0n]

I've read the posts but I'm still kinda confused. :blush: Can someone tell me how I can get digital output with an Audigy LS? Do I just need a splitter? If so, can you link me to it? Thanks.

[MikeCoz]

I've read the posts but I'm still kinda confused.  :blush: Can someone tell me how I can get digital output with an Audigy LS? Do I just need a splitter? If so, can you link me to it? Thanks.

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yea kind of adding to g0rd0n's post...

can someone in big bold print (lol) once and for all explain exactly what someone needs for true surrond sound with these speakers. like a cable from radioshack? also i heard you have to change some settings please tell all you can :blush: :p

[plaskos]

yea kind of adding to g0rd0n's post...

can someone in big bold print (lol) once and for all explain exactly what someone needs for true surrond sound with these speakers. like a cable from radioshack? also i heard you have to change some settings please tell all you can  :blush:  :p

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Well you have to start off by identifying all the ports on your soundcard, it will be something like,

Green - Front channel

Orange - Subwoofer/Centre

Black - Rear channel

Blue - Line In

Pink - Microphone

(not sure about the colour) - digital out

all you gotta do is connect the digital out port to the sound touch control centre using a male to male rca cable, I recommend a Monster Digital Coaxial Cable available at Best buy or future shop for 30 bucks canadian. now the problem is your sound card only outputs in the 3mm (1/8 inch) form, not the RCA coax form, so you need an adaptor that has one side Female RCA (your monster cable plugs into this end) and the other end a 3mm mono male plug (to go in your sound card).

now just enable Digital Out only in your sound card software in windows, and set the sound touch control centre to Coax.

hope that helps

btw i dont have these speakers yet so forgive any mistakes :unsure:

[MikeCoz]

thanks plaskos!

this is exactly what i wanted and i'm sure a few other people.

heres an excerpt from a review on amazon for audigy 2 zs owners...

I own an Audigy 2 ZS (has Dolby Digital 5.1/EX and DTS/DTS-ES/96-24 already) and in order to get the full surround sound working (via DVD or game) you need to disable the decoder in the sound card. This is very pesky! You need to get yourself a 3.5mm mono to female RCA adapted (3.99 at Radio Shack). Then use an RCA cable to hook up the speakers (controls are on back of control unit) to get the surround sound. Then, you need to adjust a few settings, one of them being "use digital output only" and set the control panel to stereo speakers (otherwise only center is being outputted through speakers and not surround sound). You can also use the 6 channel direct hookup and get great sound, but I don't believe it's the exact same as 5.1 or DTS. If you want your nice control module to display DOLBY DIGITAL or DTS logos, you need to use the hookup with that special adapter / RCA cable.

i also am getting an audigy 2 zs with my speakers, i noticed he doesn't mention anything about a monster cable. is he right or wrong? i'd rather spend $3.99 on a cable rather then $40 :unsure: :D

[Synomenon]

I just got mine from Logitech. They exchanged my defective Z680's with the Z-5500's and to my surprise, I got the Z-5500's that use standard speaker cables:

[G0rd0n]

Here they are:

Sound Blaster? Audigy? LS On-Board Connectors

* Analog / Digital Out (Analog Center & Subwoofer / 5-channel SPDIF Output)

* Line in

* Microphone in

* Line level out (Rear)

* Line level out (Front) / Headphone out

* Telephone Answering Device in

Here's a closeup pic: http://www.realitynet.pl/articles/32/a1/4.jpg

[pacifica]

W00T!!!

it has arrived!!!

Date/Time Status Location Comments

Mar 2, 2005 12:24 pm Delivered HOUSTON TX Delivered to address other than recipient

12:24 pm Delivery attempt HOUSTON TX Customer not available or Business closed

[plaskos]

heres an excerpt from a review on amazon for audigy 2 zs owners...

i also am getting an audigy 2 zs with my speakers, i noticed he doesn't mention anything about a monster cable. is he right or wrong? i'd rather spend $3.99 on a cable rather then $40  :unsure:  :D

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well the $3.99 item he's refering to is the tiny adaptor that goes from 3mm (1/8inch) to female RCA, its not really a cable, just a small adaptor. After you get that adaptor you now need a 3ft long cable to go from that adaptor to the sound touch control centre. as for that cable it can be any rca cable thats male to male, just dont pay less than 5 dollars for that cable and it will be fine.

on a side note, logitech.com has them in stock as of last night :D Mine should ship soon, I still can't believe I only paid $325 CDN for these after taxes and shipping :)

[G0rd0n]

So you connect your front and right speaker cablees that came with the speakers to the splitter? and then get another rca cable that goes from the other end of the splitter to the SPIDF port of the soundcard? Can you link me to a reasonable cheap and good RCA cable on radioshack.com?

[DigitalN.]

ok, cause I am a lazy mofo, is it possible to hook it up to my SPDIF ports on my Shuttle rather than using my normal ports?

[plaskos]

So you connect your front and right speaker cablees that came with the speakers to the splitter? and then get another rca cable that goes from the other end of the splitter to the SPIDF port of the soundcard? Can you link me to a reasonable cheap and good RCA cable on radioshack.com?

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I think you got the wrong idea..

If you want to do digital out from your Audigy LS you only need ONE wire going from your Digital Out port which is orange on your sound card, it's on the far end of your sound card. Now that orange digital out port is only 3.5 mm big, which is not the standard RCA connection your speakers take. So you need a cheap 4 dollar adaptor to go from 3.5mm (1/8inch) to female RCA.

something like this

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetai...349&newdeptid=2

after that you need to hook it up to the sound touch control centre using something like this

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetai...348&newdeptid=2

thats as far as the installation goes, the rest is settings through windows and such

but one step at a time /phew

[MobiusTech]

1) I have bought the new revised Logitech Z-5500 Speakers that come with the new speaker wire.

2) I have a Alienware Area-51m Laptop that comes with an onboard Audio: 5.1 channel out (SPDIF) / Line Out that uses C-Media 3D Audio Configuration Software.

Will my soundcard take full advantage of my Logitech Z-5500 and it's 5.1 Sound capability with THX, Dolby Digital Pro Logic II and DTS Digital Surround Sound? Or do I need a new PCMCIA/USB Sound Card? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! :)

[Daza]

Will my soundcard take full advantage of my Logitech Z-5500 and it's 5.1 Sound capability with THX, Dolby Digital Pro Logic II and DTS Digital Surround Sound? Or do I need a new PCMCIA/USB Sound Card? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! :)

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Certainly, you just have to buy a coxial audio cable and connect to the laptops SPDIF out and then to coaxial input located on the logitech pod. You'll then need to configure the onboard soundcard to use SPDIF. Lastly, make sure you choose SPDIF (audio options) in powerdvd or whatever DVD software player you use.

[MobiusTech]

Certainly, you just have to buy a coxial audio cable and connect to the laptops SPDIF out and then to coaxial input located on the logitech pod. You'll then need to configure the onboard soundcard to use SPDIF. Lastly, make sure you choose SPDIF (audio options) in powerdvd or whatever DVD software player you use.

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Hmm, I just searched google and I don't know which one to buy. Are the ends the same on both of the ends? Thanks again man! :)

Are you sure this is going to fit in my laptop though?

[MobiusTech]

Also, I just talked to my friend and he said I can use for the best quality a fiber optic SPDIF cable with a special adapter at the end so it can fit into my laptop through its SPDIF. Is this true?

[MobiusTech]

HERE

Will this work with my laptop and speaker combination?

Some audio systems supporting digital optical output use the Mini-Toslink instead of the larger Toslink cable. This port uses light instead of electricity to transmit the digital audio signal.

Most of the Alienware mobile systems support both digital coaxial and digital optical S/PDIF in the same jack. However, the Mini-Toslink may mechanically fit on any 1/8 inch stereo jack, but it will not work.

The S/PDIF optical audio signal on a Mini-Toslink cable is compatible with that of a Toslink. You can use adapters or even a Mini-Toslink to Toslink cable.

EDIT: Is this it?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...e&s=electronics