Mixing the Altec Lansing MX5021 and Logitech Z-5500

[razor]

Ive had the MX5021 for a few years now, but now I want to upgrade my 2.1 system to a 5.1. This is where the z5500 comes in.

I noticed that the Z5500 has no dedicated tweeters, and that it lacks at high frequencies, where as the mx 5021 is lacks at low frequerncies.

I was wonder if it would be possable to take the sats of the mx5021 and use them to replace the front sats on the z5500.

I know that this is physically possable, however the crossover (from bass to sat) frequency on the Z5500 is different to the MX5021. (I think the Z5500 is higher that the MX5021). But will it cause a dead zone between the two frequencies, or damage the sats or amp???

Thanks

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Interesting question. Do you already have both systems, or still contemplating the Z-5500?

In the spec sheets, the MX5021 satellites are listed as 6 ohm, whereas the Z-5500 satellites are listed at 8 ohm. If the amp in the Z-5500 system isn't designed to handle the lower impedance of the MX5021 speakers, then you could run into issues. Personally, though, I doubt that you'd damage the amp in the Z-5500.

Something else that you could do is hook up both systems, unless you're running a digital connection. If you are using the 5.1 analog connections from a computer, then you could feed the front speaker signals to the MX5021 and run the center, rears, and sub signals to the Z-5500. Set up the bass management on your computer, and that might work out really well.

 

[razor]

Thanks for the quick reply, and thanks for the welcome.

I dont currently have the Z-5500, i still contemplating it as a move to 5.1 is not desperate.

I am worried that if I where to do what you suggest then I would end up if uneven volume distrubution. However I did not think of it, and it would be an injious solutions (if a bit bulky). Also I relise that the bass in both that amps might interfere with each other.

Would simply just putting a 2 ohm resistor inline with the MX5021 sat solve this problem???

P.S. Im not running a digital connection as my laptop does not support it, only an analog connection.

 

[Adam]

I really don't think that you'd need to add any resistors, and I don't know what effect they would have. I'll defer that to the more knowledgeable electrical folks around these parts.

Have you heard that Z-5500 system and found it lacking in the highs, or are you just assuming that it will be? I think that system has been real popular, so it might perform better than you expect - unless you've heard it and already know that you want something better up front.

 

[razor]

I already know that it will be, I have spent alot of time looking at different systems and reviews before I decided on the Z5500.

I know for a fact that the MX5021 sats perform better than the Z5500 at cost of size, and as I have the MX5021 I dont see why and cant just combine them and have the best of both worlds, unless there is a risk of damage of course.