pieroxy

pieroxy

Enthusiast
Hi everyone,

I am in need of a new 5.1 system for my living room. I was lately reading a review of the computer 5.1 speakerset Logitech Z-5500... All reviews I could find keep on saying that the sound quality is awsome and the power output is beyond reasonable, with no distorsion whatsoever.

Not being a die hard audiophile, I said to myself: Why not? If this thing is powerful enough and have a more than decent sound quality, why not? At MSRP $300, it is a more than decent economy.

What do you guys think? Can a PC speakerset with a DD/DTS decoder even be compared to a full fledged 5.1 audio setup (AV Amp + 5 spkrs + sub)? Would that stand the comparison to an entry-level system? What functionnality will I be missing?

To make it short: What's the catch?

Here are a few reviews, including the one at audioholics:
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/LogitechZ-5500Speakers01.php
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1753499,00.asp
http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/20041130/
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041202.gtlogi5500dec2/BNStory/TechReviews/
http://www.laaudiofile.com/z5500.html
 
pieroxy

pieroxy

Enthusiast
I was also reading in the audioholics review that the logitech is a "<b>THX certified near-field loudspeaker system</b>". What does that mean? What will be the effect if/when placed in a non-"near field" setup?
 
Beegowl

Beegowl

Junior Audioholic
Because we're adaptable creatures, even bad sound will sound fine when you get used to it. If you've been listening to DVD sound through your TV speakers, this system will be a huge improvement. That doesn't mean that it's a good deal. Computer speakers are designed for listening with the listener in front of a keyboard looking at a screen and the speakers close in. Near-field refers to the positioning of the speakers and listener, usually an equilateral triangle. The sound arrives at the listener's ears before it's reflected off any surfaces, thus near-field. I assume THX certified for near-field positioning means that the positioning is such that the near-field requirements are met. If the sound is reflected, then it wouldn't be THX certified.

I'm no expert, but in my opinion, you'd be much better off finding a home theater in a box system from a reputable manufacturer and purchasing that for your living room, than you would be purchasing a sound system designed for computers. The other option is to purchase inexpensive components, AV receiver, sub and speakers, and replace them piecemeal as you adapt to better sound with experience.
 
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