Logitech Z5500 Speakers

R

RelievedSimplet

Enthusiast
Hello,
I currently own a set of Z5500's which I use for my computer and Xbox 360. For awhile now I've been wanting to get everything hooked up into one audio system now which just isn't possible with the limited inputs of the Z5500's. What I'm wondering is if it is possible to hook these speakers up to an AV Receiver. I don't know much about speakers but it seems to me that since these speakers use the same type of wiring that my fathers' receiver uses that it should work fine. I understand that because of the design of the speakers I'll have to get both a receiver and a subwoofer which is within budget. I understand that the speakers are made for a smaller room, but since I don't plan on moving them from where they are now and they sound great now I don't see why it'd be a problem. Now, the main thing I was wondering is if I got a receiver such as a Pioneer VSX-816-K would the speakers and receiver work together without any additional components needed besides a new subwoofer or is it just not possible? I understand this won't be an ideal setup but my plan is to be able to get a receiver/subwoofer for Christmas, getting the front speakers for my birthday in a few months then the surrounds/center within a couple months. Also, are there any recommendations for a sub that might match these speakers (not overpower them) in about the $150 range?
Edit: If it makes any difference, the room dimensions are 133"x160"x92" which currently places the fronts and center along one of the 133" walls and the surrounds about 3/5 of the way back from that wall on the 160" walls.

Speaker Specs according to Logitech's site:
Total FTC power: 505 watts RMS

* Sub-woofer: 188 watts RMS (into 8 ohms, @ 100Hz, @ 10% THD)
* Satellites:
o Left/Right: 62 watts RMS x 2 (into 8 ohms, @ 1khz, @ 10% THD)
o Center: 69 watts RMS (into 8 ohms, @ 1kHz, @ 10% THD)
o Rear Left & Right: 62 watts RMS x 2 (into 8 ohms, @ 1kHz, @ 10% THD)

# Total Peak power: 1010 watts
# Maximum SPL: >115 dB
# Frequency response: 33 Hz — 20 kHz
# Amplifier: Ultra-linear, high-capacity analog
# Signal to noise ratio: >93.5 dB, typical 100
# Input impedance: 8,000 ohms
 
Last edited:
Buckeyefan 1

Buckeyefan 1

Audioholic Ninja
Your system is meant for a pc. Don't go cutting wires to hook it up to a surround type receiver. It's geared and engineered to work with low level output, compressed audio. It does an outstanding job at that, but it's not meant to handle the type of current a Pioneer AVR will deliver.

If you are serious about investing in a true home theater system, I would put your system on ebay, or list it here. Then I would start out like you planned on with your sub and receiver, then speakers.

HSU makes an outstanding Ventriloquist setup, and knocks off $100 if you purchase a sub from them (they make the best low to mid end subs money can buy). Check out the STF series subs, as they are going for a song and a dance right now.
 
R

RelievedSimplet

Enthusiast
Thank you for the reply. I'll just have to do some research sooner than expected on speakers.
 
H

HTHOLIC

Audioholic
Power ratings may be misleading, and other comments

Although the Z-5500 boasts 500 watts of power, I doubt it ever gets that high , in fact I seriously doubt its claim of 1000 watts peak power. The fuse is 3 amps , 120 volts as reported by users, so the maximum power it could EVER obtain no matter how good the amp is comes to 360 watts 3x120

The FTC rating only applies to 2 channels in stereo , so yes perhaps the z-5500 can do 62 watts times 62, but only about 300 watts maximum, they are simply multiplying the watts.

However, it does get very loud and for small spaces you need not worry about power.

Another thing is the 3.5 driver which may not play down to 100hz or so and the lack of a seperate woofer/tweeter, note that the logitech manual states that DO NOT HOOK THIS UP TO YOUR HOME AMPLIFIER. Some people complain of lack of mid-range other people love a "balanced sound"- however, it is lacking as well as klipsch's and creative's pc speaker sets

However, you could hook up most 8 ohm speakers TO the z-5500, such as axiom, svs, onix, rbh sound, etc

I am not completely sure on this one, but with a class D amp supporting 8 ohms, it should work, I believe people have done it if you check forums, just wire the positive and negative correctly.

In fact you can buy 14-16 gauge wire from monoprice.com which is quality-wise and replace the speaker wire that comes with the logitech- the ones with metal-gray endings.
 
Sheep

Sheep

Audioholic Warlord
The Logitech sets are not class D. Look at the heatsinks.

SheepStar
 
robot

robot

Junior Audioholic
HTHOLIC said:
Although the Z-5500 boasts 500 watts of power, I doubt it ever gets that high , in fact I seriously doubt its claim of 1000 watts peak power. The fuse is 3 amps , 120 volts as reported by users, so the maximum power it could EVER obtain no matter how good the amp is comes to 360 watts 3x120
An amplifier's peak power doesn't depend solely on its maximum safe continuous power usage. Capacitors ;)

Buckeyefan, I'm pretty sure he is indicating that the speakers use regular speaker wire that goes into spring clips, so he won't have to cut anything.

Why don't you try hooking them up to your dad's reciever to see how they sound?

If I were you I would spend the money on a decent set of bookshelves instead of 5 smaller speakers and a sub. But I only listen to music and watch movies so there.
 
R

RelievedSimplet

Enthusiast
Thank you everyone for the replies. I actually just got back from the mall with my dad and got a Pioneer VSX-816-K. On Christmas day I'm going to be getting around $200 and am also planning on selling off my Z-5500 set as well once they get shipped here. I am hoping that with that money I will be able to afford 2 nice bookshelf speakers for now. An added bonus of buying the receiver was that it came with 2 free Pioneer bookshelf speakers (S-HF21-LR). I know they're probably not the best but since I can only afford two bookshelf speakers I plan to use these as well for a 4.0 setup for now. Once again thanks for all the responses, it's appreciated.
-RS
 
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