Changing the front speakers on my Logitech Z5500's

[SlowSpyder]

I have a Logitech Z5500 system, I love this system. The sat. speakers are a single 3" driver. While they do sound very good, they are just a single driver so I can't help but think that they would sound even better with a good quality 2 or 3 way bookshelf speaker. I skimmed through the manual, I didn't see any mention of the impedance of the speakers anywhere. Assuming that they are standard 8ohm speakers, do you think there would be any issue if I swapped them out for a different speaker? I can't imagine their would be, but seeing as this is an all-in-one system with all the speakers made for the amp, I wasn't sure if that would be a good idea or even would work. Any ideas? Thanks! Oh, and incase anyone needed this info for my question, the amp is rated at 61 watts RMS per fronts and rears, 69watts RMS for the center, and 187 watts RMS for the sub... this should be enough power to drive a modest bookshelf type of speaker I'd think.

 

[PurdueRy]

If I had them laying around I would measure them for you but I don't. Note that it will also depend on the sensitivity. Larger speakers are GENERALLY less sensitive to input voltage and therefore take more voltage to reach the same volume. This could put additional stress on the amp.

Note also that the amp in that system is rated at 10% THD which is a complete butchery. Power rated at a more typical .1% or so is probably half of that.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Yea, I noticed that... but, even though they are inflating the numbers by doing that, I don't think there is anyone who has a set of Z5500's that will complain that they are under powered.

 

[Oyeve]

Technical Specifications
Total FTC power: 505 watts RMS
Sub-woofer: 188 watts RMS (into 8 ohms, @ 100Hz, @ 10% THD)
Satellites:
Left/Right: 62 watts RMS x 2 (into 8 ohms, @ 1khz, @ 10% THD)
Center: 69 watts RMS (into 8 ohms, @ 1kHz, @ 10% THD)
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
Compatibility:
PC/Mac
CD
MP3
DVD
PlayStation®
Xbox®

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder
Yea, I noticed that... but, even though they are inflating the numbers by doing that, I don't think there is anyone who has a set of Z5500's that will complain that they are under powered.

Actually, I would say they are underpowered or have very crappy drivers. When I was in college my buddy accross the hall had one. He would turn it up really loud and I would have to message him letting him know it sounded like his system was about to give out. So much distortion especially from the sub.

But, you're right, for a starter system its decent....just limited.

I would go ahead and try to replace the speakers. Worst case scenario you can always buy a receiver.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I ran the very similar z-560 set with regular 8ohm bookshelf speakers without issue.

You're not going to get the full benefit of better bass response from better speakers due to the fixed crossover point on the z-5500s, but it should work just fine from my experience.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
If I had them laying around I would measure them for you but I don't. Note that it will also depend on the sensitivity. Larger speakers are GENERALLY less sensitive to input voltage and therefore take more voltage to reach the same volume. This could put additional stress on the amp.

Note also that the amp in that system is rated at 10% THD which is a complete butchery. Power rated at a more typical .1% or so is probably half of that.

Depends on the speakers. I took the guts from a Creative Labs Inspire set and ran the front outs to a pair of Peavey SP6 and the sub wires (removed from the tiny driver in the box) to a pair of Yorkville LS1208's (18 folded horn) in parallel. That system got deafening loud (the SP6 is 102dB 1W and LS1208 105dB 1W!) but had no dynamic range as it could only belt out perhaps 10W before running out of steam. But with compressed pop type music it would run you out of the house without distorting too bad. Even hip hop bass at 45Hz was surprisingly tight. A watt goes a long way if you have efficiency. Of course that efficiency strapped to several kW (speaker ratings) is bliss.