Logitech Z-5500 Digital

[fstime]

Originally posted by: CreativeTom

Originally posted by: BouZouki

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX

Originally posted by: CZroe
Promedias do not have surround-sound decoders, DO they? Of course, you could always connect them to a home-theater surround sound receiver but the only way to get encoded surround-sound from your games is SoundStom on the old nForce and nForce2 boards with the MCP-T. The Logitech Z-680s, Z-5500s and Creative Gigaworks are so horribly underutilized without SoundStorm. All you can do is output pre-encoded DD or DTS from DVD movies/rips! Over digital, all games will be STEREO ONLY. Bah!

Z5500 has a digital decoder included doesn't it? It says it has DD DTS support. Should be able to decode them

I have the Audigy 2. Should support DTS as well I think

Yes. That's what makes them superior to the Promedias but really any set of speakers can be connected to a superior home theater surround sound receiver ("digital decoder"). If you buy the Z-5500s for a home theater PC, you'd probably want a home theater receiver. I know I do! My Logitect Z-680 "receiver" looks very out of place with all the other home theater electronics but I'm too cheap to buy a real stand-alone receiver. BTW, some games output analog Dolby Pro Logic like Need For Speed 3 (Old, I know). Those would be in surround sound over digital without SoundStorm, but Pro Logic is not true multi-point surround sound.

Supirior?

HAH, have fun enjoying no tweeters and boomy bass.

Nice spelling...and I have listened to both the z-5500 and the Klipsch and let me tell you I have heard them both with many types of media and many diferent setups. I actually owned a pair of Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.1's and I don't really like them, they aren't bad, but they also are not as good as the z-5500's. I guess we can agree to disagree on this, but I must inform you that I have been an audiophile since I have had the money to actually afford decent equipment, probably about 4 years...I am only 28.

Wow,

you sure are and audiophile,

comparing the Promedia 2.1 to the z-5500s?

Sure. :disgust:

As for being an audiophile, I currently own Klipsc RF-7s, RC-7s, and a KW-12.

Btw, thanks for pointing out my typo :disgust:

 

[MobiusPizza]

I see. The Klipsch speaker doesn't have DTS decoding all that.
But the problem of games mentioned earlier would arise if using Audigy to decode?
How do you know the Z-5500 is crap at decoding though?

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
I see. The Klipsch speaker doesn't have DTS decoding all that.
But the problem of games mentioned earlier would arise if using Audigy to decode?
How do you know the Z-5500 is crap at decoding though?

Do you honestly think that on-board decoder is good?

The speakers coast what? $280?

If Klipsch put a decoder in their system, it would put the speakers price WAY to high, at least a decent decoder.

I dont think many would pay 450-500 for the speakers.

Like I said, Klipsch only cares about the sound.

And yes, The Revo 7.1 and Audigy 2 ZS can decode fine.

 

[MobiusPizza]

lol you guys chill
Creative Tom you havn't used the 5.1 setup
Neither has Bouzouki used an Z-5500 before?

So you guys have nothing to argue with each other

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
lol you guys chill
Creative Tom you havn't used the 5.1 setup
Neither has Bouzouki used an Z-5500 before?

So you guys have nothing to argue with each other

My friend down the street has the Z-680s.

If you dont think the Z-5500s arnt the 680s with a makeover then you must be blind.

They even used the same Sub enclosure with a 10'' sub.

That cant be too good either way...............

 

[MobiusPizza]

Sorry I havn't researched to Z-680
They do look similar.
Since 680 is not on the official site; I don't know the difference between 680 and 5500

and you sure you was using a non-biased viewpoint when you test the speaker at your friend's house and his soundcard taken into account and all that? Because if I own something great, I'd unconsiously look down on stuff others own :/

 

[yacoub]

Just signing in to say I support the Logitech Z-5500. I have their precursor - the Z-680s and they are excellent. Nothing like one set of 5.1 speakers with Dolby Digital and DTS decoders and THX cert that can handle your PC and XBox at the same time (since it has not only RCA inputs but also digital coax and digital optical ins. Also headphone output and microphone inputs on control unit. Totally awesome.

Don't get some Creative crap instead, and I wouldn't bother with Klipsch either. I bought their system before I went with the Z-680s and it suffered from the all-too-common dead amp issue. That was such a pain in the ass, especially since I ordered them online and had to RMA them. I said forget that and went to CompUSA and paid retail for the Z-680s the next day and haven't looked back since. Best $400 I've spent on PC-related hardware. The Klipsch were also made out of cheap, crappy particle board that wasn't even finished and edged nicely. Bah.

By the way, anyone who tries to say the Z-5500s or Z-680s aren't good based on lesser Logitech speaker sets is someone worth ignoring. The lower-end Logitech speaker systems are indeed junk. I'd ONLY recommend the Z-680s/Z-5500s because they are actually well made and sound great.

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: BouZouki

Originally posted by: CreativeTom

Originally posted by: BouZouki

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX

Originally posted by: CZroe
Promedias do not have surround-sound decoders, DO they? Of course, you could always connect them to a home-theater surround sound receiver but the only way to get encoded surround-sound from your games is SoundStom on the old nForce and nForce2 boards with the MCP-T. The Logitech Z-680s, Z-5500s and Creative Gigaworks are so horribly underutilized without SoundStorm. All you can do is output pre-encoded DD or DTS from DVD movies/rips! Over digital, all games will be STEREO ONLY. Bah!

Z5500 has a digital decoder included doesn't it? It says it has DD DTS support. Should be able to decode them

I have the Audigy 2. Should support DTS as well I think

Yes. That's what makes them superior to the Promedias but really any set of speakers can be connected to a superior home theater surround sound receiver ("digital decoder"). If you buy the Z-5500s for a home theater PC, you'd probably want a home theater receiver. I know I do! My Logitect Z-680 "receiver" looks very out of place with all the other home theater electronics but I'm too cheap to buy a real stand-alone receiver. BTW, some games output analog Dolby Pro Logic like Need For Speed 3 (Old, I know). Those would be in surround sound over digital without SoundStorm, but Pro Logic is not true multi-point surround sound.

Supirior?

HAH, have fun enjoying no tweeters and boomy bass.

Nice spelling...and I have listened to both the z-5500 and the Klipsch and let me tell you I have heard them both with many types of media and many diferent setups. I actually owned a pair of Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.1's and I don't really like them, they aren't bad, but they also are not as good as the z-5500's. I guess we can agree to disagree on this, but I must inform you that I have been an audiophile since I have had the money to actually afford decent equipment, probably about 4 years...I am only 28.

Wow,

you sure are and audiophile,

comparing the Promedia 2.1 to the z-5500s?

Sure. :disgust:

As for being an audiophile, I currently own Klipsc RF-7s, RC-7s, and a KW-12.

Btw, thanks for pointing out my typo :disgust:

Dude it doesn't take an audiophile to know that they are obviously not comparible to each other, my point was that I have owned klipsch before, and they were not that wonderful. I think you need to realize that we agree to disagree dude we can go on forever about this, but I think most people would agree that for the money there is nothing that can compare to the z-5500.

 

[MobiusPizza]

Thanks guys. I dunno. I've heard good reviews from the Z-5500. that's all I know. And they're affordable.
So shouldn't be unhappy if I get one of those.
Even if Klipsch is better I wouldn't cry if I get Z-5500

It's more affordable to me since I don't have to get a decoder or anything.

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
Thanks guys. I dunno. I've heard good reviews from the Z-5500. that's all I know. And they're affordable.
So shouldn't be unhappy if I get one of those.
Even if Klipsch is better I wouldn't cry if I get Z-5500

It's more affordable to me since I don't have to get a decoder or anything.

Yeah if you don't want to deal with getting a decoder I would for sure go with the z-5500's. The z-680's are very much like the z-5500's with a smaller sub, and not as nice of a decoder, if you can find the z-680's for that much cheaper then the z-5500's go for it, but I don't think that that you can get them for much less then like $40 cheaper so that's not really worth it. The Klipsch are nice don't get me wrong, but they are not as nice as the Logitech's. I have listened to the Klipsch 5.1's many times, I have a friend that has them, I don't think they sound great. There are plenty of forums debating the Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultra's and the Logitech z-5500.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You guys don't need soundstorm to get surround sound with digital.

The HDA X-Mystique supports real time DD encoding for surround sound in games through digital coaxial or digital optical.

I have it hooked up to my Harman Kardon AVR-325 and it works.

Also while we're on the subject of high quality speakers, I'm excited about my front runner right now for my new speaker system, so I'll post a link again
Linky

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
You guys don't need soundstorm to get surround sound with digital.

The HDA X-Mystique supports real time DD encoding for surround sound in games through digital coaxial or digital optical.

I have it hooked up to my Harman Kardon AVR-325 and it works.

Also while we're on the subject of high quality speakers, I'm excited about my front runner right now for my new speaker system, so I'll post a link again
Linky

Well like I said the Logitech's are nice for the amount of money, those speakers are a bit out of my price range for computer a computer speaker application. I would consider those for home theater use.

 

[MobiusPizza]

I can't say I am an audiophile.
I think high end computer speakers might serve my need as home theatre system as well

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: CreativeTom

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
You guys don't need soundstorm to get surround sound with digital.

The HDA X-Mystique supports real time DD encoding for surround sound in games through digital coaxial or digital optical.

I have it hooked up to my Harman Kardon AVR-325 and it works.

Also while we're on the subject of high quality speakers, I'm excited about my front runner right now for my new speaker system, so I'll post a link again
Linky

Well like I said the Logitech's are nice for the amount of money, those speakers are a bit out of my price range for computer a computer speaker application. I would consider those for home theater use.

Well, they're going to do everything for me (computer, tv, DVD, radio, etc.)

They're a little out of my pricerange too, but I'm not letting that stop me .

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: yacoub
Just signing in to say I support the Logitech Z-5500. I have their precursor - the Z-680s and they are excellent. Nothing like one set of 5.1 speakers with Dolby Digital and DTS decoders and THX cert that can handle your PC and XBox at the same time (since it has not only RCA inputs but also digital coax and digital optical ins. Also headphone output and microphone inputs on control unit. Totally awesome.

Don't get some Creative crap instead, and I wouldn't bother with Klipsch either. I bought their system before I went with the Z-680s and it suffered from the all-too-common dead amp issue. That was such a pain in the ass, especially since I ordered them online and had to RMA them. I said forget that and went to CompUSA and paid retail for the Z-680s the next day and haven't looked back since. Best $400 I've spent on PC-related hardware. The Klipsch were also made out of cheap, crappy particle board that wasn't even finished and edged nicely. Bah.

By the way, anyone who tries to say the Z-5500s or Z-680s aren't good based on lesser Logitech speaker sets is someone worth ignoring. The lower-end Logitech speaker systems are indeed junk. I'd ONLY recommend the Z-680s/Z-5500s because they are actually well made and sound great.

Creative junk?

Creative has better sats then both Logitech and Klipsch (A little better than Klipsh, a whole lot better than tweeter-less logitech sats)

The only negitive thing about the gigaworks is the sub isnt that great and wont go as deep as the klipsch sub. At least it wont be as boomy as the Logitech.

Another thing, Klipsch could of had them THX certified but it would of OBVIOUSLY raised the price on the already expensive speakers.

The Previous non-ultras were certified.

Logitch has THX, Decoders, Remotes, etc, what do the actual speakers coast by them selveS? $100, sure sounds like it since you can get them for $280.

Like I said before, with Klipsch you pay for good sounding speakers and thats all.

Of course if you have an Audigy 2 ZS or Revo which you should ,(coupling these speakers with some POS soundcard wouldnt be a smart move) the sound card will decode all the goodies.

BTW, when you listened to them, did he bother to turn on Stereo surrond, dont tell me he used that POS CMSS, it makes speakers sound terrible.

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: CreativeTom

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
Thanks guys. I dunno. I've heard good reviews from the Z-5500. that's all I know. And they're affordable.
So shouldn't be unhappy if I get one of those.
Even if Klipsch is better I wouldn't cry if I get Z-5500

It's more affordable to me since I don't have to get a decoder or anything.

Yeah if you don't want to deal with getting a decoder I would for sure go with the z-5500's. The z-680's are very much like the z-5500's with a smaller sub, and not as nice of a decoder, if you can find the z-680's for that much cheaper then the z-5500's go for it, but I don't think that that you can get them for much less then like $40 cheaper so that's not really worth it. The Klipsch are nice don't get me wrong, but they are not as nice as the Logitech's. I have listened to the Klipsch 5.1's many times, I have a friend that has them, I don't think they sound great. There are plenty of forums debating the Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultra's and the Logitech z-5500.

Okay, i'll compare an ATI x850XT to a Nvidia 6600, dont get me wrong, the 6600 is OKAY but the x850xt is awsome.

I have listened to my RF-7s and Logitec 5500's, dont get me wrong, the 5500s are okay but the RF-7s are awsome!

Logitech doesnt even have a community like klipsch.

Go visit their forums and you will find all the info you need on speakers.

Either way, Klipsch makes high end speakers for home theatres, etc,

Logitech make mice and keyboards.

Let me tell you somthing, incase you didnt know, the Z-680s are simply a z-560 set with an added center speaker and THX plus a few other features.

THe Z-5500 is just a z-680 with a 10'' sub in the same old 8'' enclosure with crome.

Tisk tisk.

 

[fstime]

Exact works from a guy over at an audiophile forum.

Out of time at the moment,and some would not be too happy about my conclusion.While many likes these speakers and a good few reviewers from known PC mags.I would NEVER select them over the 5.1Ultra or GigaWorks because of bass coloration and lack of refinement from the sats.Plus the center channel is too noisy(fixed now?).

The Klipsch ProMedia 5.1Ultra is the best choice,if you value sound quality over flash and sound coloration.

Another thing to add to all the audiophiles out there.

With the klipsch system, you can upgrade the sats to RSX-4's or RSX-5's which will crush any PC speaker since they are desisnged to home theatres.

There is also a RCX-3 (center)

They're still sats, instead they have a bigger driver and horn.

EDIT: Pics,

http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/view....D=21&search=1&searchstring=&sessionID={FC2A0C4C-B4AD-4E3C-AC3C-D3D8575A4DE9}

Those are the 4's, the 5's are 1.25'' bigger. They are the best sats imo period, especially for the money, its not bose crap.

 

[MobiusPizza]

BouZouki:
How does the Creative Cambridge Soundworks Gigaworks S750 compare?

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
BouZouki:
How does the Creative Cambridge Soundworks Gigaworks S750 compare?

Their sats are better than both Klipsch and Logitech, the sub doesnt go as deep as the Klipsch sub.

I would take the Klipsch sub over the Gigaworks sats since there is a bigger difference.

The Creative would probably distort easier.

On the other hand, the Klipsch sub has never distorted on me, not even with those heavy bass rap songs.

 

[MobiusPizza]

hm can't seem to find Klipsch Promedias in UK...

 

[fstime]

Sorry to say, they dont make a 230V version....

 

[MobiusPizza]

lol so they care only about sound but nothing else
I get it now XD

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: BouZouki
Creative

Personal opinion:
After they completely ruined the PC sound card market with sub-standard parts and bloated software, no one in their right mind supports Creative by buying ANYTHING they make.
Thus, for me it doesn't matter what sort of speakers they make, they aren't even in consideration for purchase.

Another thing, Klipsch could of had them THX certified but it would of OBVIOUSLY raised the price on the already expensive speakers.

That's the biggest joke ever. I guess I'll go claim the Z-680s/Z-5500s could have been UberLeetSomethingElse certified but uh it would have OBVIOUSLY raised the price so that's why they aren't. More likely they aren't because they aren't spec'd to make the certification.

The 6600 to X850XT comparison is again a load of crap, because there is nowhere near that much difference in quality amongst the three (Creative, Klipsch, Logitech). They're all budget 5.1 systems created primarily for the PC. The Logitechs have nicer build quality and design, and are certified and have hardware decoders. They also have all the right digital inputs for gaming on the PC and consoles of choice. They're also quite cheap these days ($280 compared to $400-450 original price). Bang-for-buck they can't be beaten. That answers the thread poster's curiosity.

If I were going out to buy speakers now, I wouldn't get any of these - I'd get something more like YOyoYOhowsDAjello posted a link to, because I'd care about sound clarity and quality over cost. When you're in the market for the best bang-for-the-buck PC 5.1/7.1 system though, there's little valid argument against Z-680/Z-5500.

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: BouZouki

Originally posted by: CreativeTom

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
Thanks guys. I dunno. I've heard good reviews from the Z-5500. that's all I know. And they're affordable.
So shouldn't be unhappy if I get one of those.
Even if Klipsch is better I wouldn't cry if I get Z-5500

It's more affordable to me since I don't have to get a decoder or anything.

Yeah if you don't want to deal with getting a decoder I would for sure go with the z-5500's. The z-680's are very much like the z-5500's with a smaller sub, and not as nice of a decoder, if you can find the z-680's for that much cheaper then the z-5500's go for it, but I don't think that that you can get them for much less then like $40 cheaper so that's not really worth it. The Klipsch are nice don't get me wrong, but they are not as nice as the Logitech's. I have listened to the Klipsch 5.1's many times, I have a friend that has them, I don't think they sound great. There are plenty of forums debating the Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultra's and the Logitech z-5500.

Okay, i'll compare an ATI x850XT to a Nvidia 6600, dont get me wrong, the 6600 is OKAY but the x850xt is awsome.

I have listened to my RF-7s and Logitec 5500's, dont get me wrong, the 5500s are okay but the RF-7s are awsome!

Logitech doesnt even have a community like klipsch.

Go visit their forums and you will find all the info you need on speakers.

Either way, Klipsch makes high end speakers for home theatres, etc,

Logitech make mice and keyboards.

Let me tell you somthing, incase you didnt know, the Z-680s are simply a z-560 set with an added center speaker and THX plus a few other features.

THe Z-5500 is just a z-680 with a 10'' sub in the same old 8'' enclosure with crome.

Tisk tisk.

For real dude, I already said we will have to agree to disagree, but I guess you can't get that through your feeble mind. I see the quote and all the other nonsense below about how you found this quote from a true audiophile, or whatever, I can go out and search on the Promedia's 5.1's vs. the z-5500's and find two quotes about how the z-5500's are superior in every aspect including sound qaulity. Most forums I found go back and forth about which is better, but in all honesty it seems that more people prefer the sound of the z-5500.

 

[MobiusPizza]

Actually there's a Klipsc VS Logitech thread here in anandtech. Found that not long ago.
But nevermind. A person who has owned a Z5500 first hand enjoys it VERY much
And a person who has owned a Klipsc first enjoys it VERY much as well

So I don't think I'd regret choosing which over which, doesn't matter I think. I ain't an audiophile.

To me, feature-wise Logitech wins, as well as a more stylish look which fits my new PC
Gigaworks S750 I was considering but that fact that no digital input I don't like. The speakers require an industry level soundcard like Creative EMU to make absolutely perfect reproduction; that's out of my hand.

Klipsc I was a bit interested until I hit a brick wall that it's not available in UK.

So I guess I'd have Z-5500