Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Channel Speakers - Page 2

Froberg · 07-19-2011, 02:52 PM

I've been looking around myself, and I've decided that there's nothing out there I'd truly want.

Sorround systems for gaming-systems usually fall short no-matter what you do, I tend to enjoy stereo mode more.

So, as soon as my Tube Amp is repaired I'm setting it up with my B&W speakers and using that.

If only it had optical input..

AgrAde · 08-25-2011, 10:35 PM

In comparison to the Klipschs any logitech computer speaker is honky, brash and lacking finesse. You can't trust wattage ratings either, they don't mean a thing. The amp in the logis is pretty bad.

If you're wanting to go onwards and upwards from you promedias, you'd be looking at a decent pair of bookshelf speakers and an amp.

deucejmp · 08-26-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgrAde

In comparison to the Klipschs any logitech computer speaker is honky, brash and lacking finesse. You can't trust wattage ratings either, they don't mean a thing. The amp in the logis is pretty bad.

If you're wanting to go onwards and upwards from you promedias, you'd be looking at a decent pair of bookshelf speakers and an amp.

So I've been thinking about getting the Z906 and replacing the sats with a Klipsch Quintet set. As far as computer speakers go, I don't want to have to setup a full size amp in my office with the foot print that goes with it. Plus, if I'm going to buy a new receiver, I'd end up spending more than I want.

When you say the logitec amp is pretty bad--are you referring to the Z-5500 or the Z906? From my research, it seems people are pretty happy with the Z906 sub (fewer opinions on the amp), and I like the slim control panel and integrated amp.

So the question is; can I improve on my ProMedia setup by using the sub/amp from the Z906 and replacing the sats with a Quintet set? Or at this point, is there really no point unless I'm going to get a real amp and sub and forget about using anything from the Z906?

dallas2727 · 08-26-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgrAde

In comparison to the Klipschs any logitech computer speaker is honky, brash and lacking finesse. You can't trust wattage ratings either, they don't mean a thing. The amp in the logis is pretty bad.

If you're wanting to go onwards and upwards from you promedias, you'd be looking at a decent pair of bookshelf speakers and an amp.

1st, welcome to 2005.

2nd - Klipsch? ha. Tinny, overpriced, ruins the decor of most rooms. Hey, but they cost alot so you feel cooler.

3rd- I have 7.1 Home theater setup running me about 7 grand for the audio portion. I also have the logitech Z-5300 for 6 years now that ran me 70 bucks. Both are amazing for the money paid compared to what else is out there.

Flunk · 08-26-2011, 04:16 PM

I actually have the Logitech Z-5300e's and they're fantastic for gaming, quite dynamic. Their overall music/video/movie performance is pretty good too. I readily admit that I'm not picky (well, not that picky...). I paid about $80 for them, you can get a similar deal on some of their newer sets now.

In theory you shouldn't use unshielded speakers with a computer because of the magnetic distortions. It's not as important as it used to be if you don't have a CRT or hard drive.

AgrAde · 08-30-2011, 04:34 AM

The main problem with the 906/5300/5500 etc is the frequency response.

The subs cover a strange band of bass/midbass and trade accuracy for a loud single-frequency boom. The subs are required to go higher than they should, making the low mid extremely muddy. I find vocal tracks in movies to be the worst, any deep male voice sounds hilarious. Despite the subs being crossed over so high, there's a big gap between where the subs stop and the sats start, and you're pretty much just completely missing a whole bunch of frequencies. When you get high enough for the sats to start making noise, you realise that the speaker and enclosure is not designed for accurate audio reproduction. It colours the sound and makes the mids honky, brash and hard to listen to. Very Fatiguing. Then there's nothing doing the high end because they didn't include a tweeter, so that's just missing too. Every time I listen to speakers like these I feel a little deaf, as though I have clogged ears or something.

In addition to the lumpy frequency response, I find the amplifiers in these speaker sets quite nasty. They seem to be able to push a fair amount of power to the subwoofer (though that could be the boomy box design playing tricks) but they seem to forget that the sats need some love too. They all seem to have a high level of distortion once you push the volume past halfway that makes the cheap sats sound even worse.

So no I wouldn't recommend pairing the z906 sub with klipsch sats. Considering you don't have the space for an amp, I'd stick with what you've got unless you want to:

-Downgrade sound quality, lose even more sat/sub cohesion but gain massive boomy-ass bass. Then get the logis.

-Spend more and put in some time/research and either buy a class-t amplifier (very small) and some bookshelf speakers, or buy monitor-style speakers with the amp built in à la Audioengine A5. They'll provide acceptable bass but if you want the room to rattle then you'd need to buy a sub too. You'd shit all over any "computer speakers". Any. You'd be going second hand for the speakers and sub, but it's probably pretty easy to do everything for a couple hundred if you're in the USA, gear over there is cheap as chips.

If Dallas is comfy enough to whip out his e-peen then then I'll use mine to make a very similar point. I've got about $14k of gear doing 2ch duties in the lounge. Even used to that, does my old $150 setup in the garage still put a smile on my face? Hell yeah! I can listen and love it. What about my logis? packed in a box, in the roof. Even in the garage they made me cringe.

bass_machine · 10-22-2011, 04:40 PM

Old thread, never ending topic though! Personally, I still think Logitech owns this market.

I am running the z-5300... have been for years now since my z-560's crapped out (sound control f'd up) and honestly, I miss the 560... much stronger bass and larger speakers all around. Night and day difference. Klipsch, as said above... are severely overpriced. With that said, i'd love to hear the new z906's!

07-19-2011, 02:52 PM	#11
Froberg softcore Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 17	Re: Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Channel Speakers I've been looking around myself, and I've decided that there's nothing out there I'd truly want. Sorround systems for gaming-systems usually fall short no-matter what you do, I tend to enjoy stereo mode more. So, as soon as my Tube Amp is repaired I'm setting it up with my B&W speakers and using that. If only it had optical input..

08-25-2011, 10:35 PM	#12
AgrAde Truly HARDCORE Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,279	Re: Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Channel Speakers In comparison to the Klipschs any logitech computer speaker is honky, brash and lacking finesse. You can't trust wattage ratings either, they don't mean a thing. The amp in the logis is pretty bad. If you're wanting to go onwards and upwards from you promedias, you'd be looking at a decent pair of bookshelf speakers and an amp.

08-26-2011, 04:16 PM	#15
Flunk Henshin a go go baby! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 4,791	Re: Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Channel Speakers I actually have the Logitech Z-5300e's and they're fantastic for gaming, quite dynamic. Their overall music/video/movie performance is pretty good too. I readily admit that I'm not picky (well, not that picky...). I paid about $80 for them, you can get a similar deal on some of their newer sets now. In theory you shouldn't use unshielded speakers with a computer because of the magnetic distortions. It's not as important as it used to be if you don't have a CRT or hard drive. __________________ Fatal error: Uncaught exception 'Exception' with message 'Value must be 1 or below' in \www\hardcoreware.net\forum\index.php:623 Stack trace: #0 \www\hardcoreware.net\forum\index.php(12): checkNum(28) #1 {main} thrown in \www\hardcoreware.net\forum\index.php on line 623

08-30-2011, 04:34 AM	#16
AgrAde Truly HARDCORE Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,279	Re: Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Channel Speakers The main problem with the 906/5300/5500 etc is the frequency response. The subs cover a strange band of bass/midbass and trade accuracy for a loud single-frequency boom. The subs are required to go higher than they should, making the low mid extremely muddy. I find vocal tracks in movies to be the worst, any deep male voice sounds hilarious. Despite the subs being crossed over so high, there's a big gap between where the subs stop and the sats start, and you're pretty much just completely missing a whole bunch of frequencies. When you get high enough for the sats to start making noise, you realise that the speaker and enclosure is not designed for accurate audio reproduction. It colours the sound and makes the mids honky, brash and hard to listen to. Very Fatiguing. Then there's nothing doing the high end because they didn't include a tweeter, so that's just missing too. Every time I listen to speakers like these I feel a little deaf, as though I have clogged ears or something. In addition to the lumpy frequency response, I find the amplifiers in these speaker sets quite nasty. They seem to be able to push a fair amount of power to the subwoofer (though that could be the boomy box design playing tricks) but they seem to forget that the sats need some love too. They all seem to have a high level of distortion once you push the volume past halfway that makes the cheap sats sound even worse. So no I wouldn't recommend pairing the z906 sub with klipsch sats. Considering you don't have the space for an amp, I'd stick with what you've got unless you want to: -Downgrade sound quality, lose even more sat/sub cohesion but gain massive boomy-ass bass. Then get the logis. -Spend more and put in some time/research and either buy a class-t amplifier (very small) and some bookshelf speakers, or buy monitor-style speakers with the amp built in à la Audioengine A5. They'll provide acceptable bass but if you want the room to rattle then you'd need to buy a sub too. You'd shit all over any "computer speakers". Any. You'd be going second hand for the speakers and sub, but it's probably pretty easy to do everything for a couple hundred if you're in the USA, gear over there is cheap as chips. If Dallas is comfy enough to whip out his e-peen then then I'll use mine to make a very similar point. I've got about $14k of gear doing 2ch duties in the lounge. Even used to that, does my old $150 setup in the garage still put a smile on my face? Hell yeah! I can listen and love it. What about my logis? packed in a box, in the roof. Even in the garage they made me cringe.