Logitech 5300 vs 5500, hmm

[13rian]

I'm not really sure the difference other than 5300 is a whole lot cheaper, but it's wiring is user unfriendly. Do the 5500 have pluggable connectors for extension? I thought I read in another topic that the person was going to take a photo of it all, but I haven't seen it yet. And how long are the wires of the supposed "back" speakers for each?

Feel free to post your own questions about them, but try not introducing other brands unless respectfully relevant. Thanks!

 

[Mem]

5300 is anologue only,the z5500 speakers which are the top of the range model,comes down to if you want the extra power, sound quality & Dolby digital,DTS etc....


Z5300 review.

Z5500 review.

 

[joecool]

neither. i hemmed and hawed between the logitech z5500's and the klipsch pmu 5.1's and finally went with klipsch. i love 'em. the quality of the sound is phenominal. get the best and go klipsch.

fyi, search in at for 5500 and you find a long thread comparing the two. it's what finally convinced me to go with the klipsch.

 

[masshass81]

Yeah nearly all of the people who said to get the klipsch over the z-5500 had never even heard them. They were basing their opinions off of the z-680.. Furthermore, reviews I have read about the z-5500 were previous Klipsch owners and they said the new Logitech z-5500 are better. BTW, I'm not trying to start a brand war here, both systems are great..

I have heard both and the Klipsch Ultras are a TINY bit better with music. In movies, the z-5500 sound AMAZING. It will come down to features and price. For me, I have an old SB Live! 5.1 sound card so I don't have good DACs or DTS and Pro Logic decoders.

So I chose the z-5500 since I also found a good deal on them.. Even with my dated sound card these speakers sound very clear and on par with the Klipsch set. Also, the ability to have 3 devices connected to the spearkers and to easily swtitch between them via the control pod was a big plus. You can hook up your DVD player, PS2, and XBox to these at the same time it is hooked up to your computer without the need of a receiver.

IMO, get the Z-5500 if you have the cash.. The z-5300 sound horrible compared to the z-5500. I have listened to the z-5300 at four different stores and to me, the highs are weak and saturated by the bass. The z-5500 are crisp, clear, digital audio is incredible in DVDs, and the bass hits very clean - no muddiness or boominess! Wireless remote is also a nice plus! :thumbsup:

 

[Cawchy87]

I have z640s and love them. I don't think you can go wrong either way

 

[13rian]

Keep it coming!

The 5500 review did answer how long the wiring for the back speakers were (even though I know extensions were already a choice). It's mainly what the length of the 5300's are for me. The 5500 sound scary:evil: . I agree, I'd probably be using only 25% of the power like the reviewer from the link mentioned.

I mean, my situation is that I live in a relatively quiet area and the last people living there were evicted due to excessive noise (but this is due to the parties, as it was a frat ). I'm mainly looking for clarity and the ability for smooth, quiet bass (my situation). So it seems that the 5300 are more viable, unless they have skimpy backspeaker wiring. Then I'd definitely get 5500 because I know the speaker system will last me for years (incl. after graduating college {currently attending college}) with more versatility in terms of settings/options (rather than weight).


BTW, I own $250 headphones (Sennheiser HD-600), so I think I would be able to notice somewhat subtle weaknesses.

 

[masshass81]

Cable length for the rear speakers on the Z-5300 is 14-feet Link .. 3rd paragraph near the end.

I think you are able to extend the RCA cables, but I dont know if doing so will degrade sound quality. You need to ask yourself: "Do I want JUST computer speakers?", or "I want computer speakers that can double as a HTS, connects to my DVD/CD player/PS2/XBox/iPod, and is able to decode Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS 96/24, and Dolby ProLogic II without the need of an A/V receiver?" Of course all the features come at double the price of the Z-5300.. [cue Jeopardy music]

A few more reviews for the Z-5500

LA Audiofile

Tech Zone

Tom's Hardware

EDIT: Or get the Z-680 and have a happy medium

 

[13rian]

Ya, maybe I should have made the word versatility in bold instead since that is the overall question really. Sound quality in comparison seems like secondary. I'm about to take a look at the reviews, but I know they rock. There was another thread on wire gauges, I think. Is that much of an issue for quality?