Logitech Z5500's. Really worth it?

Cuiiey · Dec 11, 2009

Sup guys

Was thinking of getting these. just wondering if they are worth the amount they are getting priced at right now. Anyone else got some good ideas for some good bang for your buck speakers. I'd rather high quality sound rather than just loud noise

Cheers people

onefstsnake · Dec 12, 2009

I have the Z5500's and I really like them.
How much are you finding them for?

I mostly use them for gaming and music. Now my Kenwood 5.1 Dolby Digital does sound noticably better but its digital, and the Z5500's are analog.

For the size of the Z5500 speakers they are pretty good, but if you can find a good quality home theater style sound system for around the same price I would probably go that route.

Now my mobo does have optical out for audio, so this might not work for your setup. Really depends what your going to be using the computer for.

EDIT: Newegg has the Z5500's for $350, so id say try for a home theater setup. Should be some decent Xmas sales coming up. You should have no problem finding a good 5.1 reciever/speaker combo for around $350

Cuiiey · Dec 12, 2009

Cause im based in Australia. I can find them for around 400ish. I probably would only use them for gaming, music and the occasional movie on my computer. Just wanted to know some nice digital speakers. Or should i get G35 headphones instead?

Don't think i would be able to buy a home stereo system or connect it to my computer. Cause I already have one with my plasma, so not really much point buying another one.

Sir Barton · Dec 12, 2009

onefstsnake said:
I mostly use them for gaming and music. Now my Kenwood 5.1 Dolby Digital does sound noticably better but its digital, and the Z5500's are analog.

All sound is analog. Your Kenwood is just better at converting a digital signal to analog than your sound card is

. To the OP, youll find much better value in a 2.0/2.1 bookshelf/amp combo than computer speakers. Ive been through plenty of audio gear over the years, and started with computer speakers. The rule of thumb in audio, 2 good speakers sound better than multiple mediocre ones.

Conumdrum · Dec 12, 2009

I have the Z5500's. Got them for $250 US when on sale about 1.5 years ago. For a PC they are perfect. I use optical out (digital) on my mobo. So I get digital 5.1 to the Z5500's. Plenty loud, solid bass. Games that use 5.1 really make a diff having the two rear speakers and the center one.

$400 AU? Not sure how that works out. I'll say they are a very nice PC sound system. Hard to do better for the money. They are rated very well in reviews for PC speaker setups.

>HyperlogiK< · Dec 12, 2009

Sir Barton said:
All sound is analog. Your Kenwood is just better at converting a digital signal to analog than your sound card is . To the OP, youll find much better value in a 2.0/2.1 bookshelf/amp combo than computer speakers. Ive been through plenty of audio gear over the years, and started with computer speakers. The rule of thumb in audio, 2 good speakers sound better than multiple mediocre ones.

Probably not, DACs like the EMU10K/EMU20K on the X-Fi wipe the floor with a lot of the stuff in Hi-Fi gear, from what I understand it's power fluctuations, cheap components in output stage and bad circuit design that hurt them.

Z5500s absolutely and definitively kick *** as gaming and movie speakers, but they aren't brilliant for music. The bass kicks pretty strong but it tends to dominate a bit and it isn't very well defined, that doesn't matter one bit if you are playing Battlefield or watching Casino Royale [maybe even listening to Electro] but they aren't up to much if you want to put on some Dylan or anything very melodic.

Sir Barton · Dec 12, 2009

>HyperlogiK< said:
Probably not, DACs like the EMU10K/EMU20K on the X-Fi wipe the floor with a lot of the stuff in Hi-Fi gear, from what I understand it's power fluctuations, cheap components in output stage and bad circuit design that hurt them.

Z5500s absolutely and definitively kick *** as gaming and movie speakers, but they aren't brilliant for music. The bass kicks pretty strong but it tends to dominate a bit and it isn't very well defined, that doesn't matter one bit if you are playing Battlefield or watching Casino Royale [maybe even listening to Electro] but they aren't up to much if you want to put on some Dylan or anything very melodic.

The EMU10K/EMU20K arent DACs, theyre DSPs

. Ive owned an X-Fi Xtreme Music...theres nothing HiFi about it. The DAC on it is decent, but a computer sound card compares in no way, shape, or form to real hifi. An X-Fi in comparison to a budget USB DAC sounds like AM radio. When you run a digital connection out of a soundcard, youre effectively bypassing the DAC built on the card, since the receiver is converting to analog. For the price of a set of Logitech Z5500s, the money is much better spent on a higher quality 2 channel setup. Even a pair of powered monitors like Audio Engine 5s would be great.

To the OP: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12298

Audio Engine 5s fall right within your budget, and theyll give nearly any speaker its size a run for its money, and then some. Go read the reviews on them, they really are a remarkable speaker. They put out tons of bass, and for nearfield listening, theyre perfect. Theyre powered speakers and contain their own amp. Just hook up a pair of RCAs and youre good

.

Neuromancer · Dec 12, 2009

Sir Barton said:
All sound is analog. Your Kenwood is just better at converting a digital signal to analog than your sound card is . To the OP, youll find much better value in a 2.0/2.1 bookshelf/amp combo than computer speakers. Ive been through plenty of audio gear over the years, and started with computer speakers. The rule of thumb in audio, 2 good speakers sound better than multiple mediocre ones.

I agree and disagree.

My 2 good speakers are GREAT for music. But cant beat that surround sound for gaming (JMHO). (and I guess movies to a certain extent although sometimes its damn annoying.)

Conumdrum · Dec 13, 2009

>HyperlogiK< said:
Probably not, DACs like the EMU10K/EMU20K on the X-Fi wipe the floor with a lot of the stuff in Hi-Fi gear, from what I understand it's power fluctuations, cheap components in output stage and bad circuit design that hurt them.

Z5500s absolutely and definitively kick *** as gaming and movie speakers, but they aren't brilliant for music. The bass kicks pretty strong but it tends to dominate a bit and it isn't very well defined, that doesn't matter one bit if you are playing Battlefield or watching Casino Royale [maybe even listening to Electro] but they aren't up to much if you want to put on some Dylan or anything very melodic.

Agreed. They are for PC use, small room movies and occasional music. The Z5500 rocks for it's nitch.

They are not for serious music listeners. Music is recorded in stereo anyway, not 5.1.

shard · Dec 13, 2009

I have had my set of them for 3.5 years, and I still use them. Really good design, and their ability for decoding DDL, DTS, and other such formats make them really handy for games and movies. But as said, for music there are better options for the best sound, but other then that, they are a really good deal for what they are.

Cuiiey · Dec 13, 2009

hm... i think i might bet the Z5500's

Do any of you know if the Z5400's are any good? They are hard to find but cheaper here.

ArchEnemy · Dec 13, 2009

I thought that the z5400 were only sold in Europe.

Concerning the 5.1 vs 2.0 debate. I really think that for gaming immersion the 5.1 would be a beter choice.

Cuiiey · Dec 13, 2009

look like in Australia now too haha. My friend has them, he might have gotten from ebay though, not sure. but if i remember correctly, he says he bought them here

I wonder, would the G35 or Megalodon be better instead of speakers?

Burdman27911 · Dec 13, 2009

I feel the need to throw in my 2 cents as well.

I recently moved my old home theater receiver into my "office" for music/gaming. Now I do have two fairly large (2x6.5" each) speakers for mains with two surrounds and sub...so my system may be different than your's would be, but it is truly enjoyable to have this system for gaming. I couldn't imagine going to any sort of "computer speaker" setup, no matter how many times they use the word "Gaming" or "l33t" or whatever (in fact, that usually means they cost more than they are really worth).

So my 2c is to get a real surround system for that price instead. You can even find refurbished receivers for cheap and buy some decent quality speakers.

s.t.a.t.i.c · Dec 14, 2009

Cuiiey said:
look like in Australia now too haha. My friend has them, he might have gotten from ebay though, not sure. but if i remember correctly, he says he bought them here

I wonder, would the G35 or Megalodon be better instead of speakers?

Where in Australia do you live?

PM me.

edit: sorry mod/admin

MadMan007 · Dec 14, 2009

No selling outside of classifieds please s.t.a.t.i.c per forum rules.

Cyrix_2k · Dec 14, 2009

My personal opinion is that you'd be better off buying a cheap home theater in a box or a used home theater off of craigslist.

>HyperlogiK< · Dec 14, 2009

@Sir Barton - my bad

mattgmann · Dec 14, 2009

Skip the z5500s. They are WAY overpriced. If you're after decent sound, you'll be much happier in buying a cheap ht reciever, a set of bookshelf speakers and a sub. For $400 you should be able to put together a 2.1 that's far superior to that logitech crap. Even a cheap $50 pair of bookshelf speakers will sound better than the logitechs.

Another option that will save some cash is to get a class D amp, and use it to build your own 2.1, or 5.1. Personally, I think 5.1 is lost on a desktop setup, and you're better with a 2.1 if you listen to music, or 3.1 if you really watch a lot of tv or movies on your desktop.

I used an old onkyo 5.1 receiver, some energy C-200s, and a sub I built myself, and spent roughly $500. You could do something similar with less expensive speakers, and still be WAY happier than with the logitech junk.

adriana · Dec 14, 2009

are the klipsch promedia 2.1 still around? i have them for years and they are awesome! sub 200 speakers.

Logitech Z5500's. Really worth it?

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