[Review] Logitech z-5500

[punani]

how do you put them on boost mode ?

_______________________________________________________________________

Keep turning your volume control knob clockwise (do this without anything playing on the speakers cause it can get extremely loud), until "boost" shows on your control pod.

[chronicsoulja]

thx for the info m8 what would be the point of boost mode though wouldnt they just distort like mad and maybe blow the sub ?

[..Vector..]

I can't see how you would need the speakers in boost mode though :/

Maybe in a big hall or something but at home..hehe

[samriley]

only time you should need boost is if the recording has VERY VERY quiet sound, using it on normal recorded volume level can cause damage to the speakers. as the the hiss, i get a very quiet hiss for all speakers even at low volume but thats only audioable from about 2 feet, its also only on te analog connection (not the sound card or cable as even with it unplugged i get the hiss)

[yanman]

I have a slight, if not, a big problem :laugh: At the moment we're building a new house, I told the electrician to hook up 4 speaker cables around my bedroom so when I install Z-5500s, the cables will be hidden. Problem is, I didn't read this thread earlier and realised that the Z-5500s does not accept normal speaker cables such as this that was installed in my room:

Now the plaster is already up so I'm asking (being an audio noob) is there a solution to my problem? For example are there any adapters or anything that I can connect the standard speaker cable to? I really want these speakers.

[Dejon]

Just a quick question.

Will a optical to digital out cable be right to get the digital sound going.?  (Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS)

I do have one of those optical cables that came with the apple monster cables box,

( Mini optical digital to digital Toslink Monster cable )

That I bought for my Airport Express. I tried hooking it up. (Optical to Digital Out on SB card) But when I went to input on the control base for the speakers it said no digital data. Here is a screen shot of the cable for reference.

585249558[/snapback]

Anybody know.?

[knowleqe]

only time you should need boost is if the recording has VERY VERY quiet sound, using it on normal recorded volume level can cause damage to the speakers. as the the hiss, i get a very quiet hiss for all speakers even at low volume but thats only audioable from about 2 feet, its also only on te analog connection (not the sound card or cable as even with it unplugged i get the hiss)

585254869[/snapback]

will it damage the speakers if they are on boost for a minimal amount, lets say <30 seconds?

[xxkrnxstylezxx]

i've had the Z-5500 for about 2 weeks, but I wasn't really satisfied with it. So I got the Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1, and I've got to say, i'm impressed with the klipsch. I'm not saying the Z-5500 is bad, but I personally think the Klipsch has better quality. The highs sound so much cleaner now. I'm just saying this so some people that can return/exchange or haven't bought it yet can look into it. I liked the Z-5500, but I love the Klipsch. Yes, it doesn't have the remote, or the cool looking control pod, but I decided quality is more important that appearance.

[Frank]

I have a slight, if not, a big problem :laugh: At the moment we're building a new house, I told the electrician to hook up 4 speaker cables around my bedroom so when I install Z-5500s, the cables will be hidden. Problem is, I didn't read this thread earlier and realised that the Z-5500s does not accept normal speaker cables such as this that was installed in my room:

http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCa...78/278-2751.jpg

Now the plaster is already up so I'm asking (being an audio noob) is there a solution to my problem? For example are there any adapters or anything that I can connect the standard speaker cable to? I really want these speakers.

585276938[/snapback]

You could always trade me your 5500's for my 680's. :D

[DMWhiteDragon]

i've had the Z-5500 for about 2 weeks, but I wasn't really satisfied with it. So I got the Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1, and I've got to say, i'm impressed with the klipsch. I'm not saying the Z-5500 is bad, but I personally think the Klipsch has better quality. The highs sound so much cleaner now. I'm just saying this so some people that can return/exchange or haven't bought it yet can look into it. I liked the Z-5500, but I love the Klipsch. Yes, it doesn't have the remote, or the cool looking control pod, but I decided quality is more important that appearance.

585277683[/snapback]

Klipsch do make very nice sets, and they have been in the speaker game alot longer too... the Promedia Ultra 5.1 also has tweaters and a seperate 3" midrange instead of a dual driver 3"

they have a few small downsides however... nothing drastic or even in some cases anything you would notice:

http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=712&s=specs

Maximum Burst Power*: 500 watts @ ≤

the max burst power for the logitech is 1,000 watts

however, they state a THD for <1% for the sats and <3% for the woofer... the Z-680's were <10% and i can't find anything on the Z-5500

the less the better and 1% and 3% are certainly not bad :)

(THD = Total Harmonic Distortion)

the crossover on the logitechs is 120hz and the kilpsch is 100hz... so that is a matter of choice i guess, but Dolby Digital sound and DTS is preffered at 120hz... but other applications are preffered at lower crossovers... (most expensive sets have a changeable crossover for these reasons)

and of course the kilpsch doesn't have hardware decoders for DD and DTS

in the end... for me at least :)

if you want that little bit of extra sound quality, go the kilpsch, if you need the decoders, or a little bit of extra power for a big room or anything (which i do) then go the logitechs

they seem to be a hard set to get here in aus aswell, which is also another pain :/

[yanman]

You could always trade me your 5500's for my 680's.  :D

585279540[/snapback]

ROFL I'm actually thinking of resorting to Z-680s, but I really would prefer Z-5500s. So I suppose there's nothing I can do about the wiring problem right? :(

[coolkoombaya]

I have a slight, if not, a big problem :laugh: At the moment we're building a new house, I told the electrician to hook up 4 speaker cables around my bedroom so when I install Z-5500s, the cables will be hidden. Problem is, I didn't read this thread earlier and realised that the Z-5500s does not accept normal speaker cables such as this that was installed in my room:

Now the plaster is already up so I'm asking (being an audio noob) is there a solution to my problem? For example are there any adapters or anything that I can connect the standard speaker cable to? I really want these speakers.

585276938[/snapback]

couldn't u just use the current speaker wires on the z5500, and add RCA terminals on the other speaker wire. There u connect the z5500 wire to the normal speaker wire and conenct that to the subwoofer, and yeah, its pretty much connected, but beats the point of having the speaker wire there in the first place.

Or u can just rip apart the speaker and replace the wiring, but of course that voids the warranty. If u do, also add sum speaker insulation thingy, makes it sound better.

[Dejon]

I just wanted to know if these are the right cables to get the digital sound going.

Also I have Audigy 2ZS sound card, I would like to know where exactly do I plug them in.?

Thanks.

Edited January 19, 2005 by oddity

[Liquid]

I just wanted to know if these are the right cables to get the digital sound going.

Also I have Audigy 2ZS sound card, I would like to know where exactly do I plug them in.?

Thanks.

585317458[/snapback]

White one goes to the coax in on the back of the control pod. Mini jack goes into the Digital Out on your soundcard.

Edited January 24, 2005 by Liquid

[j0sh]

White one goes to the coax in on the back of the control pod.  Mini jack goes into the Digital Out on your speakers.

585346932[/snapback]

You mean Digital Out of the sound card?

[Liquid]

You mean Digital Out of the sound card?

585346964[/snapback]

I made no mistake :whistle: :shifty:

[j0sh]

I made no mistake  :whistle: :shifty:

585346966[/snapback]

Just want to make sure so I don't have to come after you :shifty: when I get these speakers and try to set them up.

[..Vector..]

I just wanted to know if these are the right cables to get the digital sound going.

Also I have Audigy 2ZS sound card, I would like to know where exactly do I plug them in.?

Thanks.

585317458[/snapback]

So if i bought one of those, i could have digital sound, right?

[..Vector..]

Ok, i've got one of those cables, selected use external decoder, selected 5.1 and use digital output only, but only the two front speakers work :(

[Hypoxiaicon]

^ MP3 are only 2 channel

You have to choose Stereo x2 for 2 front 2 rear.

Or, Use Dolby, but it sounds crap splitting 2 channel

If you play a DVD with 5.1 sound over Digital it will sound right.

Otherwise, Use Anolgue for 2 channel.

[..Vector..]

even in the creative drivers, when i test the speakers and the lady goes "front left" etc., i only hear the front left and front right :/

[Dejon]

Thanks Liquid.

[elliotgb]

luckily I have a big room so I can put it elsewhere hehe

585237496[/snapback]

What are you using to play the DVD with?

I am using Dell's Media Center and that has a volume control associated with it that I have maxed out.

Are the sliders on your volume control maxed to 100%?

[knowleqe]

even in the creative drivers, when i test the speakers and the lady goes "front left" etc., i only hear the front left and front righ:/:/

585349550[/snapback]

creative drivers are wack, put the speakers in 6 channel direct mode and you will make her say every channel.

[sarilian]

This is my 1st post on this forum, so Hi All ;)

Does anybody know how to open the satelity speakers? Do they have some hidden screws or the snap-in enclosure?

I just unscrewed the stand for the speaker, but the screw fall inside the speaker and rattles now inside there.....