Logitech Z-5500 background hiss

[TC91]

When i put my ear right up to each of the satellite speakers, i hear a consistent hissing sound (no music playing), which is not affected by adjusting volume (in windows or on the control pod). Not fully sure, but I dont remember the hiss when i first got the system (~2 weeks ago). I tried a different sound source but the hissing is still there, as well as had the speakers connected to nothing but there is still the consistent background hiss. Is this background hiss supposed to be normal? or do i have a defective unit? I'd hate to rma it if it was defective; having a bad run of luck with electronic stuff recently. thanks in advance.

 

[PurdueRy]

Entirely normal. That's the combined noise floor of your sound card and amplifier circuitry.

 

[Operandi]

Logitech has some pretty noisy amps in their speakers. Not hard to believe considering the power and price level.

 

[montypythizzle]

I think someone was talking about the dial being an issue or something, like the plastic wasn't all the way flat and the button would rub against it and create noise in the pot it's self due to poor connection. IDK, maybe I am just talking out of my ass, but I heard something similar.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
I think someone was talking about the dial being an issue or something, like the plastic wasn't all the way flat and the button would rub against it and create noise in the pot it's self due to poor connection. IDK, maybe I am just talking out of my ass, but I heard something similar.

I know there was an issue when dust would get in the volume dial on some sets, but that was only an issue when actually turning the dial vs. background hiss from the amp afaik.

 

[TC91]

thanks for the replies. the thing with my z-5500's is that i dont particularly remember the hissing when i first got them, and they are targeted at the higher end pc audio market imo, so im surprised at the background hissing being noticeable when my ears are ~20cm (~8inches) away or closer. I hope the amp is not already degrading (that much), the speakers are just over 2 weeks old.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: TC91
thanks for the replies. the thing with my z-5500's is that i dont particularly remember the hissing when i first got them, and they are targeted at the higher end pc audio market imo, so im surprised at the background hissing being noticeable when my ears are ~20cm (~8inches) away or closer. I hope the amp is not already degrading (that much), the speakers are just over 2 weeks old.

I had to spend several hundred dollars on an amp before I didn't get hiss from distances like that. I still get a little hiss when my computer is selected as a source though that can be heard at an 8" distance.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: TC91
thanks for the replies. the thing with my z-5500's is that i dont particularly remember the hissing when i first got them, and they are targeted at the higher end pc audio market imo, so im surprised at the background hissing being noticeable when my ears are ~20cm (~8inches) away or closer. I hope the amp is not already degrading (that much), the speakers are just over 2 weeks old.

Its not really a matter of degradation so much as it is design. Like YOyo mentioned if you want a powerful and clean sounding amp its going to cost. That doesn't inherently mean the Logitechs are bad or unreliable but choices had to be made to get them at the price point they are.

I'm not sure about the 5500s but my Z-560s have always had a bit of hiss maybe your just now noticing it?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: TC91
thanks for the replies. the thing with my z-5500's is that i dont particularly remember the hissing when i first got them, and they are targeted at the higher end pc audio market imo, so im surprised at the background hissing being noticeable when my ears are ~20cm (~8inches) away or closer. I hope the amp is not already degrading (that much), the speakers are just over 2 weeks old.

Its not really a matter of degradation so much as it is design. Like YOyo mentioned if you want a powerful and clean sounding amp its going to cost. That doesn't inherently mean the Logitechs are bad or unreliable but choices had to be made to get them at the price point they are.

I'm not sure about the 5500s but my Z-560s have always had a bit of hiss maybe your just now noticing it?

My z-560s had a fairly significant hiss as well.

Keep an eye / ear on it to make sure it doesn't get worse though.

 

[TC91]

alright thanks again for the replies guys, i ll keep an eye / ear on it just in case it gets any worse. just curious, but if i were to get a nice amp, how would that work since the z-5500's already have an amp in them? also wondering if the amp is in the sub, or if each of the satellites have a built in amp?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: TC91
alright thanks again for the replies guys, i ll keep an eye / ear on it just in case it gets any worse. just curious, but if i were to get a nice amp, how would that work since the z-5500's already have an amp in them? also wondering if the amp is in the sub, or if each of the satellites have a built in amp?

Amp is in the sub.

A nice amp is for when you move away from the Logitechs
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...om/Log%20vs%20Rock.JPG

I was just using that as an example that you have to pay a lot to get good clean power. I've had several receivers that cost several hundreds of dollars that had significant hiss as well. It went away with a $750 amp I got on clearance, so just using that as an example of not to be concerned about it since it's a common issue until you spend a lot of money.

You could hook up the logitech speakers to a dedicated amp or nice receiver, but it would then be a very imbalanced system due to the quality of the logitech speakers.

 

[TC91]

thanks for the reply YOyo, you have been extremely helpful, greatly appreciate it. wow that is a lot to spend on a nice amp (and on clearance too!!) i ll definitely check out getting a full blown sound system in the future after im done school and post secondary and everything.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: TC91
thanks for the reply YOyo, you have been extremely helpful, greatly appreciate it. wow that is a lot to spend on a nice amp (and on clearance too!!) i ll definitely check out getting a full blown sound system in the future after im done school and post secondary and everything.

That's actually really cheap for a 7 channel amp which is kind of sad. Getting on this path can be really dangerous for your wallet, so enjoy your z-5500s while you can. I was really happy with my z-560s for about 3 years before I moved up.

 

[JC86]

This was a much bigger problem with the Z-680s, the 5500's previous iteration. I've had both and have noticed it nearly as much on the 5500s. Still, for the price of the set compared to the really expensive stuff, its a small payoff.