Just got the Logitech z5500.. what output cables to use?

[darkenedaura]

Hi all,

I just got the awesome Logitech z-5500 5.1 speaker system and have it all set up to go with my new rig (using an Audigy 2 ZS for the sound card). I'm a bit of an audio-newbie, and I know that the system doesn't come with coaxial or optical cables... which leads me to the question of what I should buy? I know I definitley want the digital sound (that's what people were sayin on the newegg reviews), but I don't know which to get (or if I should get both?!?!). I mainly play games on my rig (WoW/BF2) but I also listen to my music constantly, and will definitely be watching DVDs as well...

Does anyone know what I should get? And should I be using different effects for different purposes (gaming/dvds/music), because the controller allows swapping of effects/inputs. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Also for the cables, all I know is that monster cable is supposed to be the bomb.. money isn't really an issue here (unless it's ridiculous for monster cable); are there other alternatives? Or is monster cable the best I can get?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[daftpunkit]

I have the speakers too but I am also an audio newb in terms. I have the Audigy 2 ZS also, but I have it work like: SPDIF from the control center to the PC, and from the control center to the DVD player I have some Monster Optical Cables, which works fine for me since I just change the input device over when I want to play a movie or play on the computer. As far as I know, the Audigy 2ZS doesn't have a digital coaxial or optical, I cannot check, I am not near my rig, that is back at school.

 

[JonMooring]

Optical cables tend to produce better sound regardless of the cable brand, with coaxial you have to buy a quality cable like Monster and pay the extra buck to get great quality sound. Depends on what you're willing to spend! Optical is better for the money, Coaxial can be better if you go for the high quality cables, like Monster, which will run you a pretty penny.

 

[darkenedaura]

Ohhh What does SPDIF stand for? And will I just have to settle for direct soudn then? Does the ZS have any digital sound options?

 

[Accord99]

The analog connections offers the most functionality, you need it for DVD-Audio and surround sound in games, and should also offer the best quality given that the A2 ZS has a very capable DAC. The ZS doesn't have an optical output but it's digital output is compatible with the digital coaxial input on the speaker, all you need is 1/8" mini-jack to RCA cable. You can play 2 channel stereo audio and pre-encoded multi-channel audio from DD/DTS over the digital connection.

 

[JonMooring]

If you got the control panel with it But that's pricey! Kinda like a Monster cable...

 

[daftpunkit]

Monster cable is all hype, I have them and a simple 4ft connection costed me upwards of like $40 from bestbuy. Actually I think it was approx $40 for 4ft cables of Monster Standard® THX-Certified S-Video and Monster Standard® THX-Certified Fiber Optic Digital Interconnect Cable. Expensive for 2 4ft cables....

 

[daftpunkit]

Originally posted by: darkenedaura
Ohhh What does SPDIF stand for? And will I just have to settle for direct soudn then? Does the ZS have any digital sound options?

Sony/Philips Digital Interface

 

[daftpunkit]

can you do a test with your 5500s when you get a chance Darken. Play so loud techno, just cause of its heavy bass and repetition, tell me if your sub makes any slight rattling noise. Many Klipsch, Altec Lansing, etc etc fanboys, at the launch, when I first got them, criticized Logitech's Z5500 saying they have poor subwoofers and the rattling is from poor manufacturing, but I think UPS damaged them. They were standing vertical when I went to my door, when the box clearly has a "Fragile, this side up" marking on the box

I swear the ups guy chucked my box (although it weighs like 60lbs!) around during shipment, and its been a little less than a year but that still bugs me. I don't want to have to ship them cause they are under warranty but its 60lbs and that'll cost like, a lot! I am not familiar with audio so I haven't touched the sub cause I don't want to void the warranty.

 

[darkenedaura]

Originally posted by: Accord99
The analog connections offers the most functionality, you need it for DVD-Audio and surround sound in games, and should also offer the best quality given that the A2 ZS has a very capable DAC. The ZS doesn't have an optical output but it's digital output is compatible with the digital coaxial input on the speaker, all you need is 1/8" mini-jack to RCA cable. You can play 2 channel stereo audio and pre-encoded multi-channel audio from DD/DTS over the digital connection.

What is DAC? Sorry I'm pretty new to all this stuff. For the 1/8" mini jack RCA cable.. do I get that from Radioshack? Is there a good online vendor where I can get both digital coaxial and a 1/8" thing? Sorry if you guys have to hold my hand through this, I just don't want to buy the wrong things

 

[darkenedaura]

Originally posted by: daftpunkit
can you do a test with your 5500s when you get a chance Darken. Play so loud techno, just cause of its heavy bass and repetition, tell me if your sub makes any slight rattling noise. Many Klipsch, Altec Lansing, etc etc fanboys, at the launch, when I first got them, criticized Logitech's Z5500 saying they have poor subwoofers and the rattling is from poor manufacturing, but I think UPS damaged them. They were standing vertical when I went to my door, when the box clearly has a "Fragile, this side up" marking on the box

I swear the ups guy chucked my box (although it weighs like 60lbs!) around during shipment, and its been a little less than a year but that still bugs me. I don't want to have to ship them cause they are under warranty but its 60lbs and that'll cost like, a lot! I am not familiar with audio so I haven't touched the sub cause I don't want to void the warranty.

And yes I will give it a test once I get everything all set up

 

[daftpunkit]

Hah, warning in advance, at like 75% (about 15 bars) the neighbors complain.

 

[darkenedaura]

Lol that reminds me of a review I read where someone pissed off his deaf neighbor with his system. She couldn't hear it... but it shook all the pictures off of her wall ROFL XD

Also anyone have ideas on where I should be getting my cables?

 

[SonicIce]

it stands for Sony/Philips Digital Interface if u were wondering
edit: oops someone beat me

 

[darkenedaura]

Can anyone tell me what DAC stands for? And where I might be getting these parts (and how much I should be paying :x)?

 

[Accord99]

Originally posted by: darkenedaura
Can anyone tell me what DAC stands for? And where I might be getting these parts (and how much I should be paying :x)?

DACs are used to convert digital audio into analog form that can play over the speakers. You don't have to buy them, they're already included in soundcards and speaker systems that support digital audio. They're a reasonably important component for audio quality, but the A2 ZS has very good DACs, most likely better than the Z550 so the ability to use "digital audio" isn't all that important.

 

[darkenedaura]

Originally posted by: Accord99

Originally posted by: darkenedaura
Can anyone tell me what DAC stands for? And where I might be getting these parts (and how much I should be paying :x)?

DACs are used to convert digital audio into analog form that can play over the speakers. You don't have to buy them, they're already included in soundcards and speaker systems that support digital audio. They're a reasonably important component for audio quality, but the A2 ZS has very good DACs, most likely better than the Z550 so the ability to use "digital audio" isn't all that important.

Ohhhh I see I see. So I still need to get the Digital Coaxial cable and RCA 1/8" jack though right? (and if so where do I get these!)

 

[Accord99]

Originally posted by: darkenedaura

Ohhhh I see I see. So I still need to get the Digital Coaxial cable and RCA 1/8" jack though right? (and if so where do I get these!)

You only need one cable, the 1/8" minijack to RCA cable can be used to get digital audio from the A2 to the Z5500. The 1/8" minijack goes into A2's digital output port, the RCA connector goes into the speaker's digital coaxial input. You can get them at Radioshack for ~$5, you might even have one or two lying around already.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you're doing gaming, the digital output on your A2 is a bad idea. You'll only get stereo out of it.

You should definately hook up three analog cables to your speakers from the soundcard.

If you want digital too (even though your A2 can do everything your z-5500 control pod can do), then get a mono 1/8" to RCA adapter and run a 75ohm RCA cable to your speakers.

There's a big thread over in peripherals about connecting the z-5500 speakers if you want to check it out.

Don't get monstercable.

 

[darkenedaura]

Hmm sorry if I'm beating the dead horse here... is this waht I need:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de...782367?v=glance&s=electronics&n=541966

Then just get the red and white cables?

 

[darkenedaura]

Ohhh okay thanks yoyo! So then what I have is fine then? What about for DVD's will the analog still be optimal? *goes to read in periphreals*

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=30&threadid=1478323&enterthread=y

You need something like this cable

Or you can get an adapter that does the same thing as that cable except female on the RCA end instead of male and then use an RCA cable of the length you need.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: darkenedaura
Ohhh okay thanks yoyo! So then what I have is fine then? What about for DVD's will the analog still be optimal? *goes to read in periphreals*

DVDs will work fine in analog mode.

I don't have an A2 of z-5500 so I haven't heard which conneciton sounds better for movies.

 

[darkenedaura]

So basically I would use analog (use the direct sound) for my games, then use the cable that you have up there for my digital for DVDs?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: darkenedaura
So basically I would use analog (use the direct sound) for my games, then use the cable that you have up there for my digital for DVDs?

Yes... or use analog for everything.