Logitech Z-5500 volume

[Steam]

Hi all,

I heard a humongous amount of praise for the Logitech-Z5500 D and so I got one for myself. According to some users, it shakes the wall and windows at half the volume. Well, in my case that is not happening. I have connected the speakers to the PC using the analog cable that came with the PC. My soundcard is the Audigy2 ZS Platinum PRO and I have checked the speaker settings. However, it is only after I turn up the volume to about 3/4th of the total bars shown on the control hub does the volume actually sound higher. But sorry, no shaking walls or windows. The Master volume and the Wave volume of the sound card is set to 70% while the volume controls in Winamp and WMP 10 are maxed out. The same amount of volume on my previous Altec Lansing 641's would make me reach for ear plugs. EAX and Equalizers on the sound card is turned off and so is CMSS.
Another thing that I noticed while calibrating the the speakers using the Creative Speaker calibrating software was that the satellites were getting properly calibrated but when it came to sub, there was a strange repeated "bing,bing" sound that emanated from all the satellites and the sub. So I just by passed the test and went ahead. Do any of u think there is something fishy and I got a lemon from Logitech??

Steam.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Volume levels are kind of arbitrary on computer speakers sets...

If you turn them up all the way along with wave and master, do they get as loud or louder than your old Altecs?

(Not that this would be good for your hearing or anything)

 

[Steam]

Hi,

If I turn up the wave and master volume on the card to max, then it goes louder than the Altec Lansing's. However, one point to note here was that when I was using the Altec lansing, I had a Soundstorm for my sound card. Since then, the whole setup has changed and I got a new set of speakers and a sound card and stuff. Is there any reference test which will let me know if the speakers are right. Also, do u know of any speaker calibrating software other than the Creative one? Also, I ran the "test" that is present on the Logitech remote and I can't find that "bing, bing" sound that I get when using the Creative software. So, I am not pretty sure what is happening here.....

Steam.

 

[goobernoodles]

Strange... I'd double check all of the analog connections, make sure they are in the right plugs, then call logitech. I have the speakers, and they are capable of waking the dead, or at least killing your eardrums.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: Steam
Hi,

If I turn up the wave and master volume on the card to max, then it goes louder than the Altec Lansing's. However, one point to note here was that when I was using the Altec lansing, I had a Soundstorm for my sound card. Since then, the whole setup has changed and I got a new set of speakers and a sound card and stuff. Is there any reference test which will let me know if the speakers are right. Also, do u know of any speaker calibrating software other than the Creative one? Also, I ran the "test" that is present on the Logitech remote and I can't find that "bing, bing" sound that I get when using the Creative software. So, I am not pretty sure what is happening here.....

Steam.

Make sure your speakers are hooked into the correct spots, i know it sounds silly but seriously i reversed my satellite and sub connections and i was wondering for the longest time why my sub didnt THUMP, then i checked the cords and realized my mistake...Are you using a Creative Audigy 2 ZS?? or what are you using? The subwoofer test should be a nice low rumbling sound, if everything checks out give Logitech a call, they have in my experience very good customer support. Just a word of warning if you do get everything working then careful on running things on a super high volume for too long(i'm speaking about volume controlled from the master volume on the Logitech control center) because if you dont have decent ventiliation that sub will heat up really really really REALLY hot and then well...I just remember a huge popping noise and then my subwoofer caught fire :Q Which is why I can say with experience Logitech has good customer support

 

[Steam]

Hi,

Yes, I have a Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum Pro. DeathBUA, can you tell me your sound card settings and speaker settings, such as the master and wave vol for your sound card and the master, sub, center and suround vol level on the control pod. Also, do you have CMSS, EAX and Eq enabled for your Creative Sound card?

Steam.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: Steam
Hi,

Yes, I have a Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum Pro. DeathBUA, can you tell me your sound card settings and speaker settings, such as the master and wave vol for your sound card and the master, sub, center and suround vol level on the control pod. Also, do you have CMSS, EAX and Eq enabled for your Creative Sound card?

Steam.

Alright my good man here is some info for you,

Here are my audio setting as seen in the creative control panels, I only have CMSS on, i keep the others OFF as they seen to cause audio issues in games

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/DeathBUA/audio.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/DeathBUA/audio2.JPG

Those are my settings, they will probably work for you, make sure all cables are connected correctly too, as far as my Logitech control pod, I have it on
Input: Direct
Effect:6 Channel

I have my master subwoofer volume down a little bit, my surround and center channels boosted slightly. Master volume is down at the moment cuz I'm doing homework and not gaming Although writing you this message doesnt count as homework. Hope this helps

 

[Steam]

Hi,

Done...... DeathBUA, changed settings to same as yours..... my neighbor almost called 911, but thought better of it and shoved his shotgun in my face. Had to turn down the volume. Me happy or wot!!!!!!!

Thanks a lot.

Steam. :beer: :thumbsup:

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Steam
Hi,

Done...... DeathBUA, changed settings to same as yours..... my neighbor almost called 911, but thought better of it and shoved his shotgun in my face. Had to turn down the volume. Me happy or wot!!!!!!!

Thanks a lot.

Steam. :beer: :thumbsup:

Did you figure out if it was one setting in particular that was doing it for you?

 

[Steam]

I generally keep the both the max and the wave vol of the sound cards down to 70% each with no EAX, CMSS or Eq on. The master vol on Winamp and WMP is more often maxed out but I generally prefer to keep my WMP master vol at around 59. Trubass and SRS are off and eq is set to Rock. With these settings, I had to turn on the vol of the Z-5500 up to around 60-70% of the total volume available. With all volumes maxed out, I am finding it hard to go beyond 60% on the control hub of the Z-5500's which I think is acceptable. Also the room acoustics should be another factor which I am not countng here.
On my older Altec 641's, the sound card used was Soundstorm the vol control of which was generally at 70% of the total volume. However, I always has the Rock eq in the SS control panel on, plus Trubass and SRS in WMP was also on. Other settings remained the same. The Sub and Treble volume on the control pod of the 641 was set to 60% each of the total vol available, while surround was 100% and the master volume hovered somewhere around 50-60%.
There is a strange thing that I have noticed though. The volume on the Logitech Z-5500 does go high but it does not shake my window panes which was always the case when I used to play music on my Altecs. (Try Sarah Mclachlan's Hold On-Remix and the first boom on the start is what I am referring to). However, there is a distinctive difference in the sound. While the Z-5500's sound more rounded with clearer acoustics and vocals, the Altec 641's had more "punch" to the bass, if u know what I mean. However, the acoustics and vocals were not so clear as evident on the Z-5500's. Could this be because the Altec's dual 6" long throw sub-woofers while the Altec uses only one 10" driver?
So I guess, that the "waking up the dead" and "ear-splittingly painful" volumes can only be achieved on the Z-5500's when every vol control (software and hardware) is turned up to the max, right?

Steam.:music:

 

[caz67]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: Steam
Hi,

Yes, I have a Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum Pro. DeathBUA, can you tell me your sound card settings and speaker settings, such as the master and wave vol for your sound card and the master, sub, center and suround vol level on the control pod. Also, do you have CMSS, EAX and Eq enabled for your Creative Sound card?

Steam.

Alright my good man here is some info for you,

Here are my audio setting as seen in the creative control panels, I only have CMSS on, i keep the others OFF as they seen to cause audio issues in games

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/DeathBUA/audio.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/DeathBUA/audio2.JPG

Those are my settings, they will probably work for you, make sure all cables are connected correctly too, as far as my Logitech control pod, I have it on
Input: Direct
Effect:6 Channel

I have my master subwoofer volume down a little bit, my surround and center channels boosted slightly. Master volume is down at the moment cuz I'm doing homework and not gaming Although writing you this message doesnt count as homework. Hope this helps

I use the exact settings for everything and gaming etc. I then switch to Digital for DVDs.

 

[alcoholbob]

I wouldn't worry about volume levels, as long as it gets loud enough for your tastes.

Also, room size and furniture can severely reduce speaker volume.

I had the Logitechs Z-680s in my parent's living room before (ceiling is like 30 feet) and it was totally bearable, volume wise, even maxed out...the distortion wasn't.

 

[Steam]

Hmmm...

I have a few more tests to run on the speakers. Here are some more questions:

1. Can I attach both the analog and optical cables to the sound card and the speaker controller hub at the same time and switch from analog to digital when necessary?
2. I have seen screenshots all over the web where the controller shows DTS 96-24 and the Dolby Digital DD symbol? When do you see this, since I haven't seen it on my controller hub over the analog connection? Does this only happen when you are on an optical connection?
3. Is there a real advantage in sound quality from analog over digital?
4. I did try attaching the optical cable to the controller hub and tried playing some video (Lionel Richie- The Collection DVDwhich is encoded in DD 5.1 ) using PowerDVD, but I couldn't come across the DD symbol on controller hub? However the video and sound were alright....., methinks I need to do this again to check properly...
5. This probably maybe a dumb question, but AFAIK attaching an optical cable would mean that the output on the speaker should be 6 channel, right? So how come I get sound from only two front speakers using the Creative Speaker calibrator software and not all the speakers?
6. Talking about the Speaker Calibrator, I still get the repeated "bing,bing" sound that comes out from all the satellites and the sub, when the software tests the sub during all the calibration steps. But if I try running the same test on THX control panel, clicking on noise provides a deep, smooth rumbling sound from the sub. I just don't get it! Is the software at fault here? I downloaded and tried to run the webupdate for the sound card from the Creative website and it failed with an error saying ""Setup could not find installed components"! Has anyone ever got an error like this??. Something's not right.....

Steam

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

1. yes
2. digital optical or digital coax connection
3. depends on your soundcard and your source material
4. if your DVD program has an option to pass a digital stream (along with your soundcard), pick that (AC3 passthrough)
5. digital only gets you stereo unless you have a DD or DTS encoded source
6. i have no idea

 

[Steam]

Hi,

I carried out the tests and used optical to get the digital output. I changed the setting in PowerDVD to SPDIF passthrough in the sound configuration options and the played a DVD. The DD symbol made its appearance on the control pod, finally! Also checked some DTS 96/24 discs and those play fine too. But if try playing some Xvid files encoded in AC3 5.1, all i get to hear is garbage in PowerDVD and the player crashes. Is there any software player that will let me play Xvid files in 5.1? Also, how do I play DTS audio CD's in my comp? Winamp can't play it, nor can Creative MediaSource. In WMP, I get to hear pink noise, but nothing else.

Steam

 

[bigpow]

Something's fishy..
I have a different setup (SBLive + Z560) and with volume set to half on both windows & speaker, it's already too loud.
I couldn't even imagine 3/4 setting with Z5500, I think you should see a doctor

 

[alcoholbob]

Originally posted by: Steam
The same amount of volume on my previous Altec Lansing 641's would make me reach for ear plugs.
Steam.

With better speakers, there is less distortion. Distortion is what makes you want to turn it down. If you ever go into the HT scene with some nice bookshelves or floorstanders, you'll be able to turn it up 10 times louder than the Logitechs without getting an ear-splitting headache. The louder it gets, the better it sounds.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Steam
Hi,

I carried out the tests and used optical to get the digital output. I changed the setting in PowerDVD to SPDIF passthrough in the sound configuration options and the played a DVD. The DD symbol made its appearance on the control pod, finally! Also checked some DTS 96/24 discs and those play fine too. But if try playing some Xvid files encoded in AC3 5.1, all i get to hear is garbage in PowerDVD and the player crashes. Is there any software player that will let me play Xvid files in 5.1? Also, how do I play DTS audio CD's in my comp? Winamp can't play it, nor can Creative MediaSource. In WMP, I get to hear pink noise, but nothing else.

Steam

Do you have AC3 filter? It might be something in there.

 

[The J]

Try turning off CMSS. That tends to make the speakers sound wierd. Mute the Line-In also if you don't use it.

Also, don't worry about the odd sounds you get during the Speaker Calibrator program while it's playing the sub (the high-pitched noise). That seems to be a problem with the program and is not the speakers. Mine, as well as those of others I know who have the Audigy 2 ZS, does the same thing. I've seen numerous questions about it on the Creative forums as well. In short, there's no problem with your speakers there, the program is just stupid.

 

[Steam]

Hi,

Yeah, the sound calibrator program sucks! But I wonder how the THX proggie works, isn't that the part of the same Creative bloatware? Anyways, PowerDVD is no help and I ain't got WinDVD so can't try on that... I tried VLC media player though, but the sound is in stereo. I have AC3 filter installed, but there so much to config and I don't want to mess my system. Is there a particular config that I gotta use? I have already set the speakers to 5.1 channel in AC3 filter...

Steam

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Set speakers to SPDIF in AC3 filter and see if that helps. EDIT: I forgot you weren't connected digitally. I haven't tried this with VLC, so I'm not sure what setting it best.

Did you select the different tracks in VLC media player (usually there are several for a movie and the default is often stereo)

 

[Steam]

Hey, I figured out how to playback AC3 in VLC player and MPlayer2. I get the DD symbol on the control pod when playing back AC3 in WMP 10 too, however the center channel goes blank when playing the file. However, it plays back perfectly in VLC and Mplayer2. Anyways, me happy as long as I get 5.1 on VLC, its one of the best players ever known to mankind...... and the best thing of allis that its absolutely free!!!!!!

Steam :sun:

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Steam
Hey, I figured out how to playback AC3 in VLC player and MPlayer2. I get the DD symbol on the control pod when playing back AC3 in WMP 10 too, however the center channel goes blank when playing the file. However, it plays back perfectly in VLC and Mplayer2. Anyways, me happy as long as I get 5.1 on VLC, its one of the best players ever known to mankind...... and the best thing of allis that its absolutely free!!!!!!

Steam :sun:

What did you need to do?

(for future reference)

 

[Steam]

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply, was away from home for some time. Okie, here's wot I did.

1. Start the AC3 file using VLC Media player. Since, I am using optical and I am not letting the sound card decode it but the speakers the first thing that I saw was stereo on the Logitech console. So in VLC media player, click on the Audio tab on the menu bar and there click on Audio Device. For me, I clicked on the option A/52 over SPDIF. This works for optical. There is an option for 5.1 and this works for analog.
2. When I first set this, the sound started playing through all the channels but it was stuttering. So, I googled a bit and came up with this solution from the VLC forums. I hope I'm not doing anything illegal by posting that information here. Here's the URL

http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?t=13083&highlight=stuttering

This what was recommended to be done.

1. Go into preferences under settings.
2. Choose Audio and make sure the advanced options is checked.
3. Switch the Audio output module to "Win32 waveOut extension output".

After I did this, the stuttering was gone and I had absolutely no problem playing the AC3 file in VLC player.

Thx,
Steam

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Thanks for the info.