Logitech Z 5500

[yaryar]

What does everyone think bout the Logitech Z-5500 system?

I'm not too familiar with speaker details....but how does a system like the Z 5500 compare with a "home theatre" set for the same price?

 

[Sheep]

All the logitech THX certified speaker systems have the same general sound. I have heard the Z680's, Z5300's, Z2200's(own), Z2300's, and some of their cheaper speaker systems. There isn't too much of a difference in these speaker systems. I found the 5300's to have louder bass then the others (bandpass box vs. bass reflex). They all go very loud, but are designed for near-feild listening. I have used my 2200's outside in my back yard for party's and I can say they will fill the whole yard with bass, mid and treble. They actually went pretty loud too. The only problem is they have a faituiging(typo?) sound. If you read the review on this site of the Z5500's the graphs show where there is a peak in the 2-5 khz area. I can see using this as a HTIB buster system, but if you can afford to get a ture HT, go for that.


Hope this helps,
The Sheep

 

[Sheep]

no reply? ...

 

[jaxvon]

I think you had it covered pretty well there, eh?

 

[Sheep]

I think you had it covered pretty well there, eh?

yeah, I guess so...... its settled, im the logitech expert.

Sheep

 

[yaryar]

lol....no reply cause your answer was too comprehensive!! No....your input was excellent.

Because I do not have much detailed knowledge on audio equipment, your information was great for me.

I'm basically lookin to hook the Z 5500 up to my DVD player and PS2 and perhaps hook the PC up to it to now and then. My price range is around the price of the 5500 system's mark so I thought I'd see what people think about it. Reviews haven't said too much negatives about the system. For the same price (or thereabouts), I can also get a cheap HTIB, but I don't think the quality would match that of the z5500. So i see it as good value for money.

 

[Audioholics]

Remember that the 5500 is NOT a home theater system. It is designed to be used as a PC audio system in a very near-field configuration. To try and make these speakers behave as a home theater system would be to miss their intended use and strengths. If, on the other hand, you only have $200 for a 5.1 system and digital receiver - then they will likely outperform anything else in their class.

 

[Sheep]

They will outperform any sub 500 dollar HTIB. My z2200's did alright for a 2.1 music system. I set it up just for fun, but they did well. Positioning the speakers was the only hard part.

I'm sure these speakers will do the job for you.

Sheep

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Clint and Sheep are right. This is a PC setup, not a home theater. It's great b/c there's no receiver/amp necessary. It's all built into the sub.

This is as good as you're going to get for the money, plus you can use your pc to act as your receiver instead of a surround sound unit. Perfect for an office, bedroom, or dorm.

 

[Sheep]

Remember that the 5500 is NOT a home theater system. It is designed to be used as a PC audio system in a very near-field configuration. To try and make these speakers behave as a home theater system would be to miss their intended use and strengths. If, on the other hand, you only have $200 for a 5.1 system and digital receiver - then they will likely outperform anything else in their class.

Now that I think about it, the logitech system is the same as all HTIB's, sats and a sub. But the logitech sats and sub out perform many HTIB's.....so why is it ONLY nearfield.. Just because theres no reciever doesn't mean it can't do a HT. Obviously a wooden Loudspeaker system would be better, but all HTIB's are really the same thing. These things can really project sound, I used them out side for a party, and the results were insane for a 2.1 setup (Z2200's).

your thoughts?

Sheepstar

 

[tungstenmw]

I have this system hooked up to my computer right now. (got a sweet deal from Slick Deals a few months ago) It sounds great hooked up to my PC. I have also hooked up my Playstation 2 to it and that sounds good as well. The bass is a little bit boomy (that could be due to where i have my sub placed), but maybe it will sound different in a home theater setup. The power from the satellites might not be big enough to accomodate a large room, but if this is your first surround system you'll be impressed just by switching to a discrete 5.1 system over the 2.0 you currently have. $200 for 5 satellites, a subwoofer, dig optical, dig coaxial inputs, and a processor that decodes Dolby Pro Logic II, DolbyDigital, and dts. For the price you can't do any better.

 

[Sheep]

I have this system hooked up to my computer right now. (got a sweet deal from Slick Deals a few months ago) It sounds great hooked up to my PC. I have also hooked up my Playstation 2 to it and that sounds good as well. The bass is a little bit boomy (that could be due to where i have my sub placed), but maybe it will sound different in a home theater setup. The power from the satellites might not be big enough to accomodate a large room, but if this is your first surround system you'll be impressed just by switching to a discrete 5.1 system over the 2.0 you currently have. $200 for 5 satellites, a subwoofer, dig optical, dig coaxial inputs, and a processor that decodes Dolby Pro Logic II, DolbyDigital, and dts. For the price you can't do any better.

Thats just it though, the sats have enough power to fill a large room. They filled up my back yard! So why is it that they are for nearfiled only? They're no different then a HTIB, but those go in rooms.


SheepStar

 

[tungstenmw]

Thats just it though, the sats have enough power to fill a large room. They filled up my back yard! So why is it that they are for nearfiled only? They're no different then a HTIB, but those go in rooms.


SheepStar

I wouldn't recommend buying a home theater in a box becasue you limit your options. Usually those systems aren't as powerful and don't sound as good. Separate components allow for more variety and choices. But if you don't have the money to spend on separate components then HTIB is the way to go. It does a fine job just not as good of a job as separates. If you're someone who can't discern the difference between a HTIB setup and separates then by all means buy the HTIB and use it in a large room. You'll save money.

Yes, I would say that the Z-5500 speakers are just like a HTIB and I would also say that most HTIB have trouble filling a large room with quality sound. Unless of course it's a HTIB that costs $5000 and is made by someone like infinity. The Z-5500 will sound BETTER in a small room than in one of a large. Furthermore, a more powerful separates system will fill up a large room and sound better.

 

[Sheep]

I wouldn't recommend buying a home theater in a box becasue you limit your options. Usually those systems aren't as powerful and don't sound as good. Separate components allow for more variety and choices. But if you don't have the money to spend on separate components then HTIB is the way to go. It does a fine job just not as good of a job as separates. If you're someone who can't discern the difference between a HTIB setup and separates then by all means buy the HTIB and use it in a large room. You'll save money.

Yes, I would say that the Z-5500 speakers are just like a HTIB and I would also say that most HTIB have trouble filling a large room with quality sound. Unless of course it's a HTIB that costs $5000 and is made by someone like infinity. The Z-5500 will sound BETTER in a small room than in one of a large. Furthermore, a more powerful separates system will fill up a large room and sound better.

Yes I know, I have a component system. I'm just saying that I would rather recommend the Z5500's to a person rather then a crappy HTIB, as these wil stomp any HTIB performance wise.

SheepStar

 

[yogojojo]

New user about to install his Z-5500 system, HELP!

Hello folks,

Shortly after purchasing the Logitech Z-5500 system I moved to a new apartment in NYC. I am now ready to install the system in my apartment, but I cannot find any documentation from Logitech that states the optimal locations for speaker placement! D'oh!

I would like to install the system in my living room and use it as a surround system for the DVD player, PS2, and iPod, and also use it to game with on my computer laptop (using Creative Audigy 2ZS card) on occasion, but I'm nervous that I may mount the speakers improperly and abuse the system. I currently have the speakers temporarily standing in the following positions:

Room dimensions approx 12'x12'
TV against North wall, offset 2' Left of centerline, due to geometry of room.

Distance from speakers to listener (at the south side of room):
Front Left,Right: ~10 feet & ~10.5 feet, respectively
Front Center: ~9.5 feet
Rear Left, Right: ~5.5 feet each
Subwoofer is next to Entertainment center, on floor, near wall. The floor is tile...don't ask why. I have no clue.

Remember that the 5500 is NOT a home theater system. It is designed to be used as a PC audio system in a very near-field configuration. To try and make these speakers behave as a home theater system would be to miss their intended use and strengths. If, on the other hand, you only have $200 for a 5.1 system and digital receiver - then they will likely outperform anything else in their class.

I've noticed that experts like the gentleman above state that the z-5500 is built as a near-field system... exactly how close must the speakers be to the listener to be considered as a near-field system?

Am I attempting the impossible with this configuration for these speakers?

What am I missing out on by not putting these speakers on my desk in a tight, near-field configuration?

Now, I would very much like to be able to fully appreciate the potential of these speakers, but I unfortunately am totally clueless in the world of audio.

Any suggestions?

 

[Sheep]

Hello folks,

Shortly after purchasing the Logitech Z-5500 system I moved to a new apartment in NYC. I am now ready to install the system in my apartment, but I cannot find any documentation from Logitech that states the optimal locations for speaker placement! D'oh!

I would like to install the system in my living room and use it as a surround system for the DVD player, PS2, and iPod, and also use it to game with on my computer laptop (using Creative Audigy 2ZS card) on occasion, but I'm nervous that I may mount the speakers improperly and abuse the system. I currently have the speakers temporarily standing in the following positions:

Room dimensions approx 12'x12'
TV against North wall, offset 2' Left of centerline, due to geometry of room.

Distance from speakers to listener (at the south side of room):
Front Left,Right: ~10 feet & ~10.5 feet, respectively
Front Center: ~9.5 feet
Rear Left, Right: ~5.5 feet each
Subwoofer is next to Entertainment center, on floor, near wall. The floor is tile...don't ask why. I have no clue.



I've noticed that experts like the gentleman above state that the z-5500 is built as a near-field system... exactly how close must the speakers be to the listener to be considered as a near-field system?

Am I attempting the impossible with this configuration for these speakers?

What am I missing out on by not putting these speakers on my desk in a tight, near-field configuration?

Now, I would very much like to be able to fully appreciate the potential of these speakers, but I unfortunately am totally clueless in the world of audio.

Any suggestions?

As long as the speakers are centered in the room (from eachother and walls) and the subwoofer is on the ground (not in a cabinet) you should have NO problems.

I highly doubt you will break these speakers. I played a 10hz sine wave on mine at 75% volume and they still crank up today. Personally, these will beat ANY HTIB on the market. Better construction, High SPL's, better subwoofer, better sats, the list is endless. I don't know exactly where Clint is going with his statement, as ALL HTIB's are better suited for nearfield placement. These are leaps and bounds better, so I don't know how they can't be used in a small room.

Does your system use speaker wire, or the RCA wire? If its speaker wirem I would upgrade the wire to some 16 or 14ga for the longer runs.

Other then that, you should be fine.

BTW, Its nice to see you searched for an existing thread. You get a chicklet for that!

Any other questions, PM me, as I have set these speakers up a billion times.

SheepStar

 

[GarrettMaster1]

I found a rather attractive deal on the z5500's older model (the z-680) and instantly fell in love personally. I made the switch to the z5500 series for another room. I found while putting the device on dolby mode, the system sounded fantastic. What I enjoyed was the versatility between inputs. The "receiver" to this unit accepts coax, fiber, 5.1 computer input, and mp3 inputs. It even has a IR remote for volumes/settings. Boomy bass yes, but satelite wise--when playing mp3 songs higher than 128kb/s on higher gauge speaker wire--you can really notice what makes them great.

 

[yogojojo]

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for responding so quickly and alleviating my fears. I look forward to mounting up these speakers and running the wires asap!

JJ

 

[Sheep]

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for responding so quickly and alleviating my fears. I look forward to mounting up these speakers and running the wires asap!

JJ

Post Pics!

SheepStar

 

[yogojojo]

Pics to come...

No problem... it's the least I could do for you folks who've given me the input I needed to install the speakers... Pics should be up by the end of the week.