[Review] Logitech z-5500

[j0sh]

2.- This is also very annoying (can give you chills if you are listening classical music) but I can live with it till I get a better setup... I mean... house  :p

Everytime someone turns on something with a power consumption of 100W or higher I hear a clear "tap" coming from one or more than one of the speakers/sub... the tap is most times slight, but sometimes is a little loud...

This gets even better when I have the same problem if my neighbours turn on the light in their homes.... or in the hall ... weird  :huh:

586322675[/snapback]

I have the same problem. Not sure what's causing it. I have a pretty good surge protector as well. Hopefully somebody who had this problem found out what caused it.

[ROM3000]

Well I was going to suggest a surge protector, but it seams like J0sh is having the same problem even with one. Sorry, but I don't really know.

[CipherFlaw]

Well they came in today, with a nice big gash in the box (went through 3 layers of boxes, thanks DHL!) But its all good since no visable damage was on the set it self. This is based on the 6 chan direct cables that came with it:

pro

-Nice upgrade from my Klipsch Pro Media GMX A-2.1

-Much more immersive experiance (it's 5.1!)

-got a niffy little remote

con

-not as clear/sharp sounding as the Klipsch IMO

-heats up my room, had to take off my shirt it was that hot.

Im still trying to figure out how to get optimal bass out of it. Becuase right now, I can get more bass from the Klipsch than these! But after I figure that out, i'm golden.

[Dennis]

I recently bought an Acoustic Research 12' digital coax cable and that small RCA to mono adapter to plug into the digital out of the Audigy 2 ZS. Why do I not get stereo coming out using the new coax cable for applications like Windows Media Player or iTunes? I only get Dolby Digital or DTS when playing a DVD in something like PowerDVD.

AR coax cable that I bought from BestBuy: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=...d=0&dcaid=15890

RCA to Mono Adapter: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cata...ct%5Fid=274-897

Edited August 6, 2005 by Dennis

[Daza]

Why do I not get stereo coming out using the new coax cable for applications like Windows Media Player or iTunes? I only get Dolby Digital or DTS when playing a DVD in something like PowerDVD.

AR coax cable that I bought from BestBuy: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=...d=0&dcaid=15890

RCA to Mono Adapter: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cata...ct%5Fid=274-897

586335343[/snapback]

Probably because PowerDVD has the correct settings to pass the stream directly to your amp without any additional processing. Where as with WMP your sound card doesn't have to correct capabilities to do this so it plays the DVD in stereo. Give AC3Filter ago.

[Dennis]

I figured it out. I had to change the Digital Out Sampling Frequency iin the THX Setup Console app to 48 kHz from 96kHZ for stereo sources like music. 96 kHz only works for Dolby Digital or DTS sources it seems.

[Chanser]

Um anyone know what to do with extra snipped speakers and subwoofer?

[5Horizons]

pro

-Nice upgrade from my Klipsch Pro Media GMX A-2.1

-Much more immersive experiance (it's 5.1!)

-got a niffy little remote

con

-not as clear/sharp sounding as the Klipsch IMO

-heats up my room, had to take off my shirt it was that hot.

Im still trying to figure out how to get optimal bass out of it.  Becuase right now, I can get more bass from the Klipsch than these!  But after I figure that out, i'm golden.

586334615[/snapback]

I agree with you 100%. The Klipsch speakers seemed clearer and their much smaller sub seemed to produce the same amount if not more bass. Both subs are at the point where you can't go much further without overpowering the rest of the sound, though.

(Y) These are some great speakers, though I think there are a lot of exaggerated reviews of them. Good buy, too, because you can pick these up relatively cheap.

[CipherFlaw]

^I take back what I said about the bass, after much configurations with different bass controls on my computer, I get some serious boom! It's not even a digital signal. I guess initially w/o making any changes, you can get more bass from the Klipsch.

As a side side note the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro is on sale now for $124.99. I plan on getting these.

[oojaxxoo]

i just ordered these from dell for $208 + a printer...can't wait till they come in. i was wondering though...do the satellites have holes for wall mounting? or do i have to buy seperate speaker mounts? does anyone have any pics of these mounted?

[Randolph]

hey whats the cheapest these can be found at? even though i just bought the X-530's, i want these! :)

[Dennis]

hey whats the cheapest these can be found at? even though i just bought the X-530's, i want these! :)

586376830[/snapback]

The cheapest right now can be found here:

http://www.slickdeals.net/#p6379

It's a great deal going on.

[Randolph]

The cheapest right now can be found here:

http://www.slickdeals.net/#p6379

It's a great deal going on.

586377785[/snapback]

oh yay thanks! :)

[The Plague]

I just bought these.

$224 from Dell. :D

[5.0 | Jay]

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/8508/7700enlargeback0wm.jpg

Hi everyone..... I recieved this wonderful computer ^^^ Area 51m 7700 and I have one small problem.... everywhere I go to... No one knows how to get the 5.1 surround sound to work, yeh I plugged it in right I think but my audio drivers doesn't even list 5.1 it lists: 2.1 4.1 6.1 7.1 < now wtf is this crap..... Its realtech audio drivers....

If anyone of you has this computer, please tell me how to hook up the 5.1 and what drivers to get, your help will be much appreciated... heres my speakers...

Logitech x-530.... Im currently running on 2.1.... and ever since I have had these speakers i have never got 5.1 out of them.. on my desktop I installed a 24 bit sound card and the sound card didn't detect so... I would surley like to get these ******s working... since I spent 75 dollars on them to be 5.1!!

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4738/x5300zg.jpg

[TheTerminator]

I recently bought an Acoustic Research 12' digital coax cable and that small RCA to mono adapter to plug into the digital out of the Audigy 2 ZS. Why do I not get stereo coming out using the new coax cable for applications like Windows Media Player or iTunes? I only get Dolby Digital or DTS when playing a DVD in something like PowerDVD.

AR coax cable that I bought from BestBuy: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=...d=0&dcaid=15890

RCA to Mono Adapter: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cata...ct%5Fid=274-897

586335343[/snapback]

Why???

Using that mono adapter effectivly elminates all your channels! Pretty much negating using the digital I/O in the first place.

What you need to get/I want to get for my Z-5500s/Audigy 2 ZS is a RCA to 4 pole Mini adapter. This keeps your chanels intact, and gives you thatt digital quality.

Only I dont know where to find them.:cry: If anyone can, let us know here!

Edited August 17, 2005 by TheTerminator

[The Plague]

I just recieved mine today. :D

I hooked them up, no problems so far.

Everything sounds great. I'm still playing with all the settings though.

These ARE the best Speakers around, if you have the money..get them. :)

Edit: From Dell, and they are indeed the Speaker Wire varient.

Edited August 18, 2005 by wickerdude

[PaulCabby]

Urgh, i should have gotten these instead of hastily getting my cheapy Insipre T5900 :(

[jagwire]

I just bought a brand new m-audio rev 7.1, I was curious how these speakers worth with my sound card as i'm about to buy them. My onboard realtek ac97 on my dfi lan party ut nf4 ultra also has coaxial in and out, but I didn't like the sound of the onboard so I bought this card. How do you guys think this will work via coaxial / analogue on this card, my card has All 7.1 3.5 mm jacks, and digital coaxial out of course..

I was also curious, does the z-5500 set come with an optical cable like I saw in one review?

Also, the console adapter, does it just take all 3 3.5mm analogue jacks and convert them into a red/white rca port that you connect your red/white rca cables into (television or gamecube?)

If so, I'de like to do something like : Coaxial --> PC, Optical --> Xbox advanced hd pack, Analogue --> 5.1 converter --> Gamecube plugs. Then my 2005fpw has s-video to xbox, composite to gamecube and dvi to my pc of course :). Any comments on how this would work, also, what features do I lose using coaxial over analogue, I know coaxial enables decoding from the decoder, but what else does it feature?

[The Plague]

I just bought a brand new m-audio rev 7.1, I was curious how these speakers worth with my sound card as i'm about to buy them. My onboard realtek ac97 on my dfi lan party ut nf4 ultra also has coaxial in and out, but I didn't like the sound of the onboard so I bought this card. How do you guys think this will work via coaxial / analogue on this card, my card has  All 7.1 3.5 mm jacks, and digital coaxial out of course..

I was also curious, does the z-5500 set come with an optical cable like I saw in one review?

Also, the console adapter, does it just take all 3 3.5mm analogue jacks and convert them into a red/white rca port that you connect your red/white rca cables into (television or gamecube?)

If so, I'de like to do something like : Coaxial --> PC, Optical --> Xbox advanced hd pack, Analogue --> 5.1 converter --> Gamecube plugs. Then my 2005fpw has s-video to xbox, composite to gamecube and dvi to my pc of course :). Any comments on how this would work, also, what features do I lose using coaxial over analogue, I know coaxial enables decoding from the decoder, but what else does it feature?

586405429[/snapback]

No, the Z-5500's do not come with an optical cable.

[jskf01]

hi I have just repurchased my 5500s cos the last time i had it the bass and sound levels were so low they were like 4 times less than the 680s that i used to own...However now i am again encountering the same problem i cant believe it!!!!Im using the nforce2 MCP-T soundstorm soundacrd(by Realtek) inbuilt on my mboard which is supposed to be really compatible with these speakers.I even purchased an optical cable to get digital sound.However the sound still remains the same(it detects all the inputs and effects though but the sound and bass especially is veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy low!!!!!).I plugged in the direct channel and switched inputs...same result.Im starting to wonder if these speakers are supposed to sound this way but i Really doubt it.So i tried it on my friend'a laptop and the sound was the same:(((((( Im really worried and I really feel like just sending it back and trading it in for the 680s again:((but before i do that i wanna ask if anyone out here can help me.i havent posted here in like a year so i dont have time to read all the posts so if someone could help me that would be great. my driver version is 4.57...if anyone is using this setup pls lemme know....I hope someone out here can help thanks alot!!!:)

[jskf01]

helllo?? anyone out there can help?

[Gotchaforce]

hi I have just repurchased my 5500s cos the last time i had it the bass and sound levels were so low they were like 4 times less than the 680s that i used to own...However now i am again encountering the same problem i cant believe it!!!!Im using the nforce2 MCP-T soundstorm soundacrd(by Realtek) inbuilt on my mboard which is supposed to be really compatible with these speakers.I even purchased an optical cable to get digital sound.However the sound still remains the same(it detects all the inputs and effects though but the sound and bass especially is veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy low!!!!!).I plugged in the direct channel and switched inputs...same result.Im starting to wonder if these speakers are supposed to sound this way but i Really doubt it.So i tried it on my friend'a laptop and the sound was the same:(((((( Im really worried and I really feel like just sending it back and trading it in for the 680s again:((but before i do that i wanna ask if anyone out here can help me.i havent posted here in like a year so i dont have time to read all the posts so if someone could help me that would be great. my driver version is 4.57...if anyone is using this setup pls lemme know....I hope someone out here can help thanks alot!!!:)

586405848[/snapback]

umm you dont have soundstorm onboard sound if its made by REALTEK

the soundstorm was made by nvidia and only nvidia, it should be nvidia soundstorm

[jskf01]

umm you dont have soundstorm onboard sound if its made by REALTEK

the soundstorm was made by nvidia and only nvidia, it should be nvidia soundstorm

586409257[/snapback]

yes it is nvidia....the codec manufacturer is realtek sorry....heres the pic of my nvmixer...i dont know what else to do sigh:(((( pls help anyone...i have tried pressing al the buttons n stuff but there nothing else left for me to configure....i used optical cable and direct channel its the same no diffrence...i can play all movies with dts and dolby etc but all at very very low sound levels especially on the bass...does anyone who has owned the 680s and switched to the 5500 like i did pls lemme know ur opinions:)

Edited August 21, 2005 by jskf01

[nomis_nehc]

edited, seems like i made a mistake.