[Review] Logitech z-5500

[hobblyhoy]

I bought these speakers awhile ago based on this review but I've been somewhat disapointed. They simply dont get that load and they've only been a minor improvment from my z-640's. I have it connected as direct input and I've noticed some of you go through the optical and coaxical connection. Which is better? I have a audigy 2 zs platinum pro.

[Klownicle]

Just ordered from newegg, 268$ thats almost 160$ - the retail bestbuy or circuity value of 399$.

Overnight baby! 50$ which is little less then half tax, so I end up paying 100$ still less then retail value(+tax). Will let you know tommarrow if I get speaker wire connections.

[Gotchaforce]

Just ordered from newegg, 268$ thats almost 160$ - the retail bestbuy or circuity value of 399$.

Overnight baby! 50$ which is little less then half tax, so I end up paying 100$ still less then retail value(+tax).  Will let you know tommarrow if I get speaker wire connections.

586196522[/snapback]

A little while ago Dell had them for $215 and free shipping (dell shipping gets them to you in about 2-3 days)

[CoolerUK]

What is the 96-24 thing in the right hand corner on the control pod ? I duuno what its there for :(

[lsquare]

Can someone here answer my question? What is the advantage to the "speaker-wire" edition?

[hobblyhoy]

What is the 96-24 thing in the right hand corner on the control pod ? I duuno what its there for :(

586197155[/snapback]

notice its also next to the DTS symbol below the the power button?

its basicly saying it can decode "96KHz 24-Bit DTS Audio Streams"

[Klownicle]

Speaker wire would be better then a single cheap rca cable, but I would't recommend using the wire that they provide its almost as thin as paper. I got mine setup. Got games going to the 6-channel direct and movies using a digital out on my augidy 2 zs soo much power. Can definality tell the difference between the z-5300. Theres no channel bleeding and its crystal clear.

[acvien]

Hi guys, I am new to Neowin.net. I just purchased the logitech z 5500 and the soundblaster 2zs audigy and i am having problem with configurating it. I have followed the necessary steps from the logitech website and updated all the drivers and applications available from creative lab website. I also disabled the decorder from the soundcard by checking "SPDIF Passthrough (dolby digital/DTS out)" at the devide control. Under the Surroundsound mixer, i selected 5.1 speakers, "synchronize with control panel", and "digital output only". restarted computer and I still cant hear the center, rear left/right and sub. The only speakers i can hear are the front left and right. I tried using the optical and coax using the 1/8 jack, still the same problem. I called creative and they said that's normal, so i tried with powerDVD and play a movie, the sounds came out to be very soft, even at higher volume. Can anyone tell me what else i can do or what did i do wrong? thanks.

[Gotchaforce]

Hi guys, I am new to Neowin.net. I just purchased the logitech z 5500 and the soundblaster 2zs audigy and i am having problem with configurating it. I have followed the necessary steps from the logitech website and updated all the drivers and applications available from creative lab website. I also disabled the decorder from the soundcard by checking "SPDIF Passthrough (dolby digital/DTS out)" at the devide control. Under the Surroundsound mixer, i selected 5.1 speakers,  "synchronize with control panel", and "digital output only". restarted computer and I still cant hear the center, rear left/right and sub. The only speakers i can hear are the front left and right. I tried using the optical and coax using the 1/8 jack, still the same problem.  I called creative and they said that's normal, so i tried with powerDVD and play a movie, the sounds came out to be very soft, even at higher volume.  Can anyone tell me what else i can do or what did i do wrong? thanks.

586208377[/snapback]

optical on audigy cards is crapola, cant do DTS. Anything that wasnt encoded in dolby digital in the first place is going to be stereo (mp3s, games, basically 99% of sounds coming out of your PC). However, your dvds should be playing in full 5.1 (considering theyre encoded in dolby digital), you sure your dvd software isnt just on low volume or anything?

[acvien]

optical on audigy cards is crapola, cant do DTS. Anything that wasnt encoded in dolby digital in the first place is going to be stereo (mp3s, games, basically 99% of sounds coming out of your PC). However, your dvds should be playing in full 5.1 (considering theyre encoded in dolby digital), you sure your dvd software isnt just on low volume or anything?

586210106[/snapback]

Well, i am using PowerDVD5. At the configuration of the PowerDVD, i set the audio to use Use SPDIF and i am not getting signal from the pod. So, i switched back to 2 speakers, i am able to hear the sound, but it's very soft, not loud at all. Moreover, i am getting lots of destortion from the speakers. They are giving this hiisssssssssss noice, kinda annoying. Anyone has anyidea what i did wrong? i went to creative lab and tested with several drivers already and it still giving me the same result. And i also have to crank up the volume to get the manageable sound to hear. This is very unsuall for a end high speakers like this. One more thing, during the movie playing, i switched from analogue to coax, the sound between the two are the same. I also went to AudioHQ and clicked the decoder options to Use Installed Decoder and switching back to SPDIF Passthrough, the sounds are also the same. I cant get the driver to work right.

Edited July 14, 2005 by acvien

[jagwire]

I might pick up one of these to match my 2005fpw, I am curious whats the best to hook em up to my onboard sound (dfi lan party ut nf4 - D.) I don't want to buy a new soundcard and might get the creative x-fi a while after it comes out when the price drops if I don't get it when it's released, not too sure though.

Whats the differenec in sound depending on the way you hook it up? What about just regular hook-up?

I'll need your help later setting em up in my room, I got a 4.1 jbl speaker system now and 4 speakers on my dsek moving around in all sorts of directions, it's really terrible but I dunno, lol.

[Mike Mayer]

I just ordered a set of these from Dell for $214

Order detail - order placed 2005-07-19 05:49:29

Z-5500 Digital Speaker System Qty: 1

Unit Price: $299.00

Dell Home Customers: Save 20% off Desktop and Notebook Accessories!

Expires on 2005-08-01 04:59:59 - $59.80

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS

Get free ground (3-5 day) shipping on peripheral items over $49!

Expires on 2005-07-21 10:59:59 - $45.00

Dell Home Customers: Save $25 off orders over $150!

Expires on 2005-08-01 04:59:59 - $25.00

.

Sub-Total $214.20

Shipping Discount -$45.00

Shipping and Handling $0.00

Tax $16.60

Total $230.80

Stupid TAX! hehe

I'm going to be happy with 'em? Annnnd I should get the speaker wire ones right?!?! :)

[DigitalN.]

I just ordered a set of these from Dell for $214

Stupid TAX! hehe

I'm going to be happy with 'em? Annnnd I should get the speaker wire ones right?!?! :)

586239034[/snapback]

well it isn't as bad as the 14 sometimes 15% tax up in the rest of Canada

yay for Alberta :happy:

but yes, you should

[CipherFlaw]

I have a special account with Dell and can get it for $199, and get this...no tax :D

[Billthy]

well cipher what are you waiting for? GET THEM

[sejmon]

please help

what mean this settings:

-panorama

-dimension

-center width

-surround delay

-night mode

thanks

ps.soory for bad english(from slowenien)

[google123]

I have just read throug roughly 80% of the posts for this topic. Its time for my 2 cents. I bought the Z-680's last year at circuit city. I have been very happy with them since. Currently, I am running a Coax cable from my Asus mobo the control pod and an rca cable that I use to connect my portable cd player from time to time. Like I said I am very satisfied with this kickass speaker system except for 1 minor thing. The control pods metal stand has an akward angle that makes the display very difficult to read. no biggie though as I will be bending the stand to make the control pod more upright. also these speakers look sweet with my newly arrived Dell 2405FPW. maybe i will get some pics up soon...................as soon as i get my hands on a camara!

[mathesar]

I have just read throug roughly 80% of the posts for this topic.  Its time for my 2 cents.  I bought the Z-680's last year at circuit city.  I have been very happy with them since.  Currently, I am running a Coax cable from my Asus mobo the control pod and an rca cable that I use to connect my portable cd player from time to time.  Like I said I am very satisfied with this kickass speaker system except for 1 minor thing.  The control pods metal stand has an akward angle that makes the display very difficult to read.  no biggie though as I will be bending the stand to make the control pod more upright. also these speakers look sweet with my newly arrived Dell 2405FPW.  maybe i will get some pics up soon...................as soon as i get my hands on a camara!

586268883[/snapback]

I upgraded from Z680's to Z5500's and can tell you the viewing angel is much better on the Z5500 pod and doesnt have that annoying bright blue display , also the z5500's volume knob responds instantly when turning it even if you turn it really fast up or down , response time was a bit lagged on Z680's , but other than this the only real differance is the improved bass response on the z5500's 10" Sub,however the sub is still a bit muddy/sloppy sounding compared to a decent home theater setup but for the price i cant really complain. :D

[Gotchaforce]

I upgraded from Z680's to Z5500's and can tell you the viewing angel is much better on the Z5500 pod and doesnt have that annoying bright blue display , also the z5500's volume knob responds instantly when turning it even if you turn it really fast up or down , response time was a bit lagged on Z680's , but other than this the only real differance is the improved bass response on the z5500's 10" Sub,however the sub is still a bit muddy/sloppy sounding compared to a decent home theater setup but for the price i cant really complain.  :D

586271425[/snapback]

hit the nail on the head

the volume knob obliterates the piece of garbage on the z680s, and the LEDs on the control unit doesnt blind you if you arent looking at it from the exact coordinates.

[danxiaogui86]

may i know what the different between the new wires everyone is talking about and the old one??? i dun get it... :( and how do i know if i get the old or new 1?

[lanvo]

GO ME! Enjoy!

Logitech Z-5500 Review

Review Homepage: DAn's Webpage

Introduction:

Ever want speakers that can pound and supply quality sound that won?t break your bank?? I think you may have found them.? I like to call these speakers the Klipsch Killer.

Price: $390 CAD

Inside the Box:

4 x Satellite Speakers

Center Channel

Subwoofer

Digital Control Center

Wireless Remote and Batteries

6-Channel Direct Cables

Instruction Booklet

Set Up Guide

About the Speakers:

- 5.1 Surround Sound

- Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoder

- Dolby Pro-Logic II

- DTS 96/24 ? This means it can decode 96KHz 24-Bit DTS Audio Streams.

- THX Certified ? This is not a decoder if you may have thought it was.? THX certification means it meets THX sound standards. (Basically this means these things can pound)

- Aluminium 3? Drivers

- 10? 188w Subwoofer

- 505w RMS

- 1010w Peak

Set-Up

Setting the speakers up was a breeze.? Just put them where they are labelled on the back of the speaker and plug the cable into the correct coloured spot.

Configuring wasn?t the easiest part of these speakers, that?s for sure.? People new to audio may have some trouble configuring these speakers.? To set these up to my SB Audigy 2 Platinum I had to first plug a RCA ? Mini Jack Y splitter into the Digital Out and plug the White RCA cable into the Coax In on the Digital Control Center.? I now had to select digital out in speaker settings and 5.1 Configuration.? That?s not all, I now had to go into the Creative AudioHQ and select external decoder.? Now when a digital source comes up, the decoder will detect it and start playing that sweet sweet digital sound.

The Tests:

For the following tests I used the following PC

Intel Pentium 4 2.40B GHz

512MB DDR RAM

SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Platinum

ATI Radeon 9800 Pro

36.7GB Raptor 10K RPM SATA

80GB Maxtor HDD

Pioneer DVR-108

8x Lite-On DVD-ROM

Logitech z-5500 Speakers (Duh!)

The first test, a movie!

The movie I chose was 2 Fast 2 Furious. The Player I used was PowerDVD 5

Immediately the speakers detected a digital source and the encoder started playing the digital 5.1 track.?? That sound was crisp, sharp and sounded amazing.? The car engines sounded realistic and the bass was perfect. No gross uneven rumble.? Just clean clear thunderous bass.

Test 2:? Unreal Tournament 2004

I failed to get the Dolby Digital to encode through the Digital Control Center but this may be a user error.? I switched from Coax to Direct input and my Audigy 2 did the Dolby encoding.? It sounded like I was in a real gun fun.? Great sound and great graphics can rally make it feel like your in the game.? I played for 30 min and was very pumped after this.? I have never felt this kind of excitement from a game before.? It was just so much more fun.

Test 3: Call of Duty

24-Bit never sounded so sweet.? The bullets hurling by you makes you feel as if you were in World War 2.? Maybe I should show my grandpa this?? Maybe not, it may scare him or make him tell me and old war story.? Anyways back to the speakers.? The bullets whirling past you and the explosions going off sending the sub to pound.? These speakers really rock.

Test 4: Music

The Logitech z-680s were not very good for music and whether the owners will agree or not is up to them but it?s the truth.? These speakers completely change that.? Music sounds great!? The satellites can really make music sound amazing.

Test 5: DJ Mikes Bass Test

This was a very interesting experience for me.? My entire CD collection fell to the ground; my trophies fell of the shelf the Control Center tried to run away.? Basically the sub pounds away so hard that you cant talk anymore.? This is not yucky bass either.? It?s strong but clean bass.? Something you get from Klipsch only louder and stronger.? These reach really low frequencies.

Conclusion:

Klipsch, you have just been pwn3d.? These speakers provide very clear sound combined with strong bass.? It?s hard to beat that.

These Speakers rightful get 10/10

Kick Ass Product Logitech, keep up the great work!

584723843[/snapback]

this is a big quote i know, sorry about that but you know what, your review looks great and everything, nice layout, nice pricing info but one thing is the pictures, everything looks nice in their except that your CRT MONI:DR doesn't match with this speaker setup!!! :D lol... I meant nothing bad, just trying to entertain here :-)

[CipherFlaw]

well cipher what are you waiting for? GET THEM

586251234[/snapback]

Well, I just ordered them today. Should get them next week.

[Chanser]

Managed to get an RMA, Logitech wanted all the snipped off RCA speaker plugs and the remote control. How odd. :o

I think I'll wait till they send me the new set of speakers and then send the RMA.

[DNKROZ]

Hi, there.

I've just registered cause I've found this GREAT forum searching for some answers for my Z5500 using google.

I've seen reading these pages that other members have the same problem that I have, my hope is that someone with this set of speakers could do some tests just to make sure I've to RMA the product. I've contacted Logitech support and they have not been much of a help...

I have two main problems:

1.- And most annoying is the low tone frecuency that I hear every time the control pod is ON. It doesn't matter if the volume is set low or high or the input I use... the tone is constant, slight and put me on my nerves. I can hear it perfectly in movie scenes with complete silence, even at 2 meters from the subwoofer!!... :pinch:

This problem doesn?t happen with the satellites, they stay in complete silence, and (this is just for curiosity) doesn't happen when the headphones are attached to the headphone adapter.

My setup is 60 cm min far away from other electronic or magnetic device.

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 :pp

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::

I thought a set like these speakers should come with some sort of protection against this "electrical anomalies" (they are THX certified :cry:: )

So... this far, thanks for reading this whole crap (and thanks for doing it because english is not my mother tongue and I'll make huge mistakes).

If someone could do some tests and tell me if they can hear the hiss from the subwoofer (is more a low tone than a hiss, something like a... fan :wacko:: ) and if he can turn on the lights without the taps... I need more backup with this problem, I'll be eternaly grateful.

Thanks in advance, and congratulations for this great forum and this GREAT review (made me bought the speaker set :yes:: )

See ya

[Mike Mayer]

I got 'em and I love 'em.

Best computer speakers I know of.