Logitech z5500 as v.budget HT

[androo87]

Great site - I've found some great info here.

Situation now - I'm setting up a sub-£200 (~$400) home theater sound system for a friend after old tv speakers breaking.

After looking at a few options I'm thinking the Logitech Z-5500's http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/z5500/index8.php

I know these are intended for near-field surround, but it is for a small room. From what I gather, these seem to be the best setup for under $600 in any case.

Other posts on here seem encouraging - http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14711&highlight=5500

I was going to post there, but i want to ask something slightly different.

A few questions about this -

- The TV has multiple SCART inputs where satellite, dvd and PS2 are connected. There is a seperate L+R phono audio output from the TV. I was planning putting a cable from this into a 3.5mm stereo jack converter (I already have the adapter) and plugging that into the input of the z5500's in stereo input mode.

Would this work at all? Or do I need a PC in the middle?

Would I get 5.1 Dolby Digital/DTS sound? (I'm gathering the z5500's integrated hardware decoder does the job there?)

Would sound be noticably different if I find a dvd player with a digital coax audio out?

Many thanks for any help, and I apologise already for newbie mistakes!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Welcome to the forum. The Logitech Z speakers sound best when run through a pc. A guy called "Sheep" here has the speakers, and says an eq is necessary through windows or winamp to get the speakers to shine (get rid of the muddy bass and adjust the mids/highs). If you run all your media through your pc, it's a very good value. Otherwise, I'd recommend going the receiver/dvd/bookshelf route. Keep in mind, if you use a pc as your switching device, your sound card must be 5.1 DD/DTS capable.

You will not get 5.1 audio from a tv L/R. You need to go right from the source (dvd/digital cable box with a 5.1 or better signal) to the input decoder device. Coax, HDMI or optical is the only way you'll get true 5.1 DD/DTS surround sound.

 

[androo87]

Thanks. There is a small form factor media PC with an Audigy 2 ZS used as a PVR that will be there most of the time.

Now thinking plug that into the z5500 via optical S/PDIF and watch freeview DVB TV, DVD and downloaded stuff thru the PC in properly calibrated true 5.1 and have the old satallite box and PS2 as stereo inputs that can be selected when needed.

Does that sound like it would work? Would the satallite stereo signal be upscaled to (albeit poor) 5.1? There definatly is background sound coming out of rear speakers at the moment with the scart connection.

thanks

 

[WorldLeader]

I have the Logitech z5500s and they have lots of different options for inputs. I don't use them with a PC, I just have different sources (DVD player, Xbox, TV) plugged into the "control center" thing.

I really like the system, I got mine for $210 shipped from Buy.com and I can tell you that it is an A+ for the money.

The bass is also very big, I keep the sub hidden because of my smaller room.

If you can't fit all you connections into it, you will be out of luck.

HTH

WorldLeader

 

[kaabob]

I have the Logitech z5500s and they have lots of different options for inputs. I don't use them with a PC, I just have different sources (DVD player, Xbox, TV) plugged into the "control center" thing.

I really like the system, I got mine for $210 shipped from Buy.com and I can tell you that it is an A+ for the money.

The bass is also very big, I keep the sub hidden because of my smaller room.

If you can't fit all you connections into it, you will be out of luck.

HTH

WorldLeader

How big is your room you are hooking this x5500 to? I have a 16'x12'x30' room, but plan to use only 16x12x20 of it for HT, and getting a set of z5500's sounds good for hooking up to a computer I'm going to be using.