Logitech Z-5500 $200 Shipped AR [Archive]

View Full Version : Logitech Z-5500 $200 Shipped AR

Hazaro

02-07-08, 09:38 PM

$170 AR rebate deal is back at ClubIT, but shipping is ~$30 so it comes to a total of $200 after rebates.

http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA5147062&cmp=AFC-CJ_CBIT&cmp=AFC-CJ_CBIT

$40 Logitech Rebate (http://www.clubit.com/rebates/CA5147062.021208.pdf)

$20 ClubIT Rebate (http://www.clubit.com/rebates/CA5147062.021208C.pdf)

g0dM@n

02-07-08, 11:28 PM

HELLUVA DEAL!!! This system POUNDS

imposter

02-07-08, 11:32 PM

hmm now my bro thinks he can annoy me with loud music. i guess he is wrong when i buy this and point everything to his room. =) thanks hell of a deAL!

g0dM@n

02-07-08, 11:49 PM

hmm now my bro thinks he can annoy me with loud music. i guess he is wrong when i buy this and point everything to his room. =) thanks hell of a deAL!

HAHA. I love it.

Just some advice to those that are willing to spend a few extra bucks for a quality upgrade @ my FAVORITE website, monoprice.com:
16AWG 100ft Copper Speaker Wire for $13.37 + shipping (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023903&p_id=2793&seq=1&format=2)
18AWG 100ft Copper Speaker Wire for $7.20 + shipping (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023904&p_id=2795&seq=1&format=2)

Trust me... their stuff is good. Don't make me repeat it!! I used 16AWG for the rear speakers, and 18AWG for the front and center speaker. The longer the distance, the more resistance... which is why I used the thicker gauge on the rear speakers.

I'd recommend 16awg or even 14awg if you want, but it gets to be pricey when you go thicker than 16awg and may not be worth it for some ppl.

SteveLord

02-08-08, 12:43 AM

Logitech's legendary speakers here folks....

Shiggity

02-08-08, 12:49 AM

Yojo

02-08-08, 02:26 AM

I got these for $219.92 shipped about 6 months ago.
These are REALLY NICE speakers. But nice is a relative word, let me be more definitive -
The five satelite speakers all come with cables that I think go as far as 12' from the woofer.
The woofer REALLY thumps. You can keep your room mates up sleeping across the house with the doors closed.
The speakers take coaxial cable, optical cable, and your typical normal audio inputs and has a built in switch to toggle between them all. It has a remote that comes with it.
Currently, I use the speakers for PS3 audio out via the optical cable, 1 computer, and sometimes either another computer or my PS2.

This is definitely something you should jump on if you're in the market for PC speakers.

Slayer2003

02-08-08, 08:31 AM

That shipping seems like alot to me, but still a great price.

....it's at least a 50 pound box. Yeh, it's gonna cost a bit to ship.

Awesome speakers, love em :D

iii9ix3

02-08-08, 09:20 AM

id be all over this if i didnt buy the z5300's for ~$70 shipped AR a few months ago. DD decoding is definitely a plus, but i wish they'd add multiple optical inputs, coax is so old school...

wa77ss

02-08-08, 09:39 AM

Nice deal here for pretty much the best all in one computer audio setup you can get.

If you want sound thats any better, your gonna have to throw down money for a high end receiver, bookshelves, and a sub. This is a solid system for sure.

g0dM@n

02-08-08, 11:10 AM

id be all over this if i didnt buy the z5300's for ~$70 shipped AR a few months ago. DD decoding is definitely a plus, but i wish they'd add multiple optical inputs, coax is so old school...

I bought this here:
DIGITAL OPTICAL TOSLINK SPLITTER ADAPTER @ Monoprice for $5.95 + ship (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042301&p_id=966&seq=1&format=2)

I then bought some of their short optical cables, which are typically only $2-3 apiece. Their premium ones are $4-6, which I've also bought. To be honest, the quality cables haven't shown any improvement for my needs as the normal ones are VERY NICE!!

I have my HD-DVD player and my Xbox 360 hooked up with optical cables to this adapter and then into the Z-5500 control pod.

Basically, you can do this AS LONG AS BOTH devices don't output the optical signal at the same time. There's no reason to have the other device on while one is running, so this works like a champ in my configuration. :)

I then have my computer hooked up to it via coaxial with my X-Fi front panel, and my TV hooked up into the side audio input. The 5.1 analog is still free... not using that for my PC b/c my 5.1 headphones use my analog output on my X-Fi in the rear of the card.

iii9ix3

02-08-08, 11:15 AM

I bought this here:
DIGITAL OPTICAL TOSLINK SPLITTER ADAPTER @ Monoprice for $5.95 + ship (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042301&p_id=966&seq=1&format=2)

I then bought some of their short optical cables, which are typically only $2-3 apiece. Their premium ones are $4-6, which I've also bought. To be honest, the quality cables haven't shown any improvement for my needs as the normal ones are VERY NICE!!

I have my HD-DVD player and my Xbox 360 hooked up with optical cables to this adapter and then into the Z-5500 control pod.

Basically, you can do this AS LONG AS BOTH devices don't output the optical signal at the same time. There's no reason to have the other device on while one is running, so this works like a champ in my configuration. :)

I then have my computer hooked up to it via coaxial with my X-Fi front panel, and my TV hooked up into the side audio input. The 5.1 analog is still free... not using that for my PC b/c my 5.1 headphones use my analog output on my X-Fi in the rear of the card.

good point... now stop tempting me. its bad enough that today is payday...

g0dM@n

02-08-08, 11:37 AM

good point... now stop tempting me. its bad enough that today is payday...

you won't regret the purchase!!! :)

if you buy anything from monoprice, since you're already paying for shipping just get the 100ft speaker cables i linked from above. :)

iii9ix3

02-08-08, 12:29 PM

i already have 5300's that i just got. how much of an improvement are these (disregarding DD/DTS decoding capabilities, i have options to bring it to my 5300's)? I will be using them as primary speakers for my PC, as well as a 32" LCD TV (with xbox360/Wii) in a dorm room/small apartment setting.

g0dM@n

02-08-08, 12:59 PM

satandole666

02-08-08, 01:27 PM

g0dM@n

02-08-08, 01:32 PM

For anyone not convinced by Godman already I'll toss my two cents in.

I've had a set of these since soon after they were released. I paid more like $350 shipped for them. Not only do they still work perfect today after nearly daily use of all kinds, but I have beat them up in the past few years. Plenty of times I have had the volume 100% maxed out (I like loud music) for an hour or so at a time. Just make sure not to touch to fins on the back of the sub!

haha... i've had mine for i'd say approx. 2 yrs. i haven't had it overheat yet to this day. i used to own the Z-680s (i think thats what they were) like 5-6 yrs ago when they were the sh*t, but those would overheat and weren't clear like the Z-5500s. i think the 5500 is an AWESOME system FWIW.

don't blow your ears, though!! you'll regret it 40 yrs from now.

satandole666

02-08-08, 03:43 PM

haha... i've had mine for i'd say approx. 2 yrs. i haven't had it overheat yet to this day. i used to own the Z-680s (i think thats what they were) like 5-6 yrs ago when they were the sh*t, but those would overheat and weren't clear like the Z-5500s. i think the 5500 is an AWESOME system FWIW.

don't blow your ears, though!! you'll regret it 40 yrs from now.

I wouldn't say that they overheat. They are just really uncomfortable (read: HOT) to touch after a long stint of having the sub at 30% (those of you who own them know what I mean) with music playing at 80% or higher volume.

As far as my ears, military tested perfectly 5 years ago and I haven't lost anything to this day. I live in apartment know so I can't crank them, but that might also be the reason why I still have some hearing left.

g0dM@n

02-08-08, 04:50 PM

I wouldn't say that they overheat. They are just really uncomfortable (read: HOT) to touch after a long stint of having the sub at 30% (those of you who own them know what I mean) with music playing at 80% or higher volume.

As far as my ears, military tested perfectly 5 years ago and I haven't lost anything to this day. I live in apartment know so I can't crank them, but that might also be the reason why I still have some hearing left.

The Z-5500 system, and the Denon HTIB I bought for my gf's co-op are reasons I wanna buy a house, lol... but... no way I can afford that just yet.

blackjackel

02-17-08, 03:12 AM

Just recommended my brother to get these...

First off, to whoever talked about the shipping being much, the subwoofer alone is a foot and a quarter by a foot by a foot.... and weighs a good 20 pounds... this is JUST the subwoofer. The shipping seemed extremely reasonable when I laid my eyes on the box and how heavy it was... I wasn't expecting something quite so big!

The only complains I have are:

- The cables are CRAP CRAP CRAP... I didn't know they even made non coppor speaker wire anymore... and they're so thin you could mistake them for headphone wire easily.... wtf?

- The subwoofer dosen't "Pound" like others said it would, even after the setting is turned to the highest on the logitech controller and the subwoofer is given +10 db (max) on the sound control panel.

- Probably related to the cables, the back speakers sound like crap... probably cause of the 25 foot non copper flimsy wire that it came with, going to swap the wiring and see if it fixes this.

g0dM@n

02-17-08, 03:39 AM

my friend heard my z-5500s for the 1st time last night and he was AMAZED at how it was such a great system for the price it's worth. when i got my system, they were $300+

blackjackel

02-17-08, 03:55 AM

my friend heard my z-5500s for the 1st time last night and he was AMAZED at how it was such a great system for the price it's worth. when i got my system, they were $300+

Is there any way to make it so that you feel the woofers in your lungs even with the volume on low? Like really really boost the woofer?

blackjackel

02-17-08, 03:56 AM

Also, I currently have it plugged in via the 3 regular audio jacks (headphone jacks as I call em), would it improve audio quality if I were to use an optical cable?

g0dM@n

02-17-08, 04:01 AM

Is there any way to make it so that you feel the woofers in your lungs even with the volume on low? Like really really boost the woofer?
Ya, hit the LEVEL button and raise the subwoofer. :)
Also, I currently have it plugged in via the 3 regular audio jacks (headphone jacks as I call em), would it improve audio quality if I were to use an optical cable?

I don't believe it'll really IMPROVE... it's a matter of personal preference. Sometimes you won't even notice the difference. The key difference is not the whole analog vs digital signal... it's more the fact that with the analog 3 inputs it's decoded before the audio gets to the Z-5500s... with the optical you can use the Z-5500 to decode if you want... I don't know too much about it, but I believe that's how it works.

blackjackel

02-17-08, 04:06 AM

Ya, hit the LEVEL button and raise the subwoofer. :)

I don't believe it'll really IMPROVE... it's a matter of personal preference. Sometimes you won't even notice the difference. The key difference is not the whole analog vs digital signal... it's more the fact that with the analog 3 inputs it's decoded before the audio gets to the Z-5500s... with the optical you can use the Z-5500 to decode if you want... I don't know too much about it, but I believe that's how it works.

I already hit the level and have it on highest, I also gave it +10 db to the subwoofer through my realtek HD audo control panel, I still wanna juice it up even more!

Ok, yeah so I kind of get what your talking about with the decoding... I wonder what would be a better decoder, this 680i EVGA mobo with Realtek HD audio or the Z-5500s... I also found that theres a coaxial input so thats another thing to consider...

I'm going to have to do a search on the audio forums and make a post if I don't find anything....

Which way do you have it on your setup?

g0dM@n

02-17-08, 04:09 AM

I already hit the level and have it on highest, I also gave it +10 db to the subwoofer through my realtek HD audo control panel, I still wanna juice it up even more!

Ok, yeah so I kind of get what your talking about with the decoding... I wonder what would be a better decoder, this 680i EVGA mobo with Realtek HD audio or the Z-5500s... I also found that theres a coaxial input so thats another thing to consider...

I'm going to have to do a search on the audio forums and make a post if I don't find anything....

Which way do you have it on your setup?

I'm using the coaxial... the reason I can't use the analog (which I wanted to) is b/c my 5.1 surround headphones use the 3x analog 5.1 outputs on the back of my X-Fi sound card. So... my only choice for my speakers is the optical or digital on the X-Fi front panel and since my optical is already used by my HD-DVD player I chose the coaxial.

Coaxial and Optical will give you pretty much the same exact quality. Don't worry about the differences... it's pretty much just a different way of transferring the signal.

What I'd do if I was you is hook up both digital and analog and switch between them... see which you think is better (I'm curious, so let us know!). Try it for music, games, videos, and compare them for all with your own ears... that's usually the best bet.

blackjackel

02-17-08, 04:36 AM

I'm using the coaxial... the reason I can't use the analog (which I wanted to) is b/c my 5.1 surround headphones use the 3x analog 5.1 outputs on the back of my X-Fi sound card. So... my only choice for my speakers is the optical or digital on the X-Fi front panel and since my optical is already used by my HD-DVD player I chose the coaxial.

Coaxial and Optical will give you pretty much the same exact quality. Don't worry about the differences... it's pretty much just a different way of transferring the signal.

What I'd do if I was you is hook up both digital and analog and switch between them... see which you think is better (I'm curious, so let us know!). Try it for music, games, videos, and compare them for all with your own ears... that's usually the best bet.

I MIGHT do that, no promises... I don't have either cable and I don't know they would cost... plus it would come down to cable quality too right?

For example, the speaker wire was so incredibly crappy that the analog wire that it came with to plug into the computer is probably quite crappy too right? Wouldn't an upgrade of even the standard analog wire improve the overall sound?

Also, what kind of headphones do you have? I have the zalman 5.0s (not really 5.1 no base dedicated speaker), and to be honest they are not GREAT at 3d, I mostly can't tell the difference even if I pay attention but I do feel that my unconcious mind picks up on the subtle sound differences and I'm able to benifit from them that way.

By the way, I know of a way you can use the analog to run your system:

http://www.musicmasterworks.com/Avia5p1headphones.html

You can get these avia 5.1 headphones, I had a pair, the sound quality is awesome but the build quality is utter crap, you might have to open them up and squirt some more glue around the speakers cause they will come off and break if you so much as drop them once or twice. Sound is SUPERB! especially the woofers! I would buy them again if I didnt get these 5.1s already! Be sure to open them up and spread glue all over the individual speakers cause they will fall out and break on you (thats why I don't have my old ones anymore)

They come with a box that has 1 5.1 surround input and 2 5.1 surround outputs, so you can have your headphones in one and plug the other analog into these logitech Z's

at only 30 bucks or so, they are WELL worth it.

did i mention glue em?

lol

Edit: can you recommend a place to buy some cheap optical and coaxial sound wire? Maybe the same plae you recommended for the speaker wire (which I ordered a pair of from that place, thx)

g0dM@n

02-17-08, 04:57 AM

I have the Razer Baracudas... http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=38

There's no pass-through, unfortunately. :(

Nathan0490

02-17-08, 05:05 AM

gman, I just ordered the 16AWG Wire and toslink splitter you recommended. $27 shipped Priority.

g0dM@n

02-17-08, 05:16 AM

gman, I just ordered the 16AWG Wire and toslink splitter you recommended. $27 shipped Priority.

haha... the good stuff! :)

that splitter works for me as long as you have one device on at a time, which makes perfect sense.

Nathan0490

02-17-08, 02:14 PM

haha... the good stuff! :)

that splitter works for me as long as you have one device on at a time, which makes perfect sense.

Yeah its my PS3(aka blu-ray player lol) and 360 :)