Logitech Z-560s to Logitech Z-5500

Citadel535

Senior member
Jan 16, 2001
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I currently have the Logitech 4.1 Z-560 speaker system and I am extremely happy with it. I am using it with the analog stereo outs. I wonder if I purchase the Z-5500 if it will sound better. I have a Soundblaster XtremeMusic thingie sound card. Would it be a big difference? My other option is simply investing in a 5.1 speaker system by Samsung (home theather system for my pc/tv).
 

SniperDaws

Senior member
Aug 14, 2007
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The Z-5500 are on another level to your currnet speakers, the Z-5500 will blow you away simple as that, read up on them they are in a diffrent league to thr 4.1s you currently have.
 

alcoholbob

Diamond Member
May 24, 2005
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I have the 680s, the difference between 560/680 is marginal, the Z-5500 is really just a "v2" of the 680. If "blow away"--a little more sub power, sure, but everything thing else is more or less the same.
 

skulkingghost

Golden Member
Jan 4, 2006
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You will notice a big difference. I had the z-640's and upgraded to the z-5500's and am in LOVE with them.
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
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Originally posted by: skulkingghost
You will notice a big difference. I had the z-640's and upgraded to the z-5500's and am in LOVE with them.

I think you need to look up some model numbers.
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
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Originally posted by: skulkingghost
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: skulkingghost
You will notice a big difference. I had the z-640's and upgraded to the z-5500's and am in LOVE with them.

I think you need to look up some model numbers.

I dont think so....
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech...d-System/dp/B00006HYPD

How does that apply to this question?

He want to upgrade from what used to be Logitech's flagship set to their current flagship set.

You're saying he'll notice a big difference comparing Logitech's low end 5.1 set to their flagship set.
 

SniperDaws

Senior member
Aug 14, 2007
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Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: skulkingghost
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: skulkingghost
You will notice a big difference. I had the z-640's and upgraded to the z-5500's and am in LOVE with them.

I think you need to look up some model numbers.

I dont think so....
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech...d-System/dp/B00006HYPD

How does that apply to this question?

He want to upgrade from what used to be Logitech's flagship set to their current flagship set.

You're saying he'll notice a big difference comparing Logitech's low end 5.1 set to their flagship set.

Logitechs 560's were never there flagship speakers and are only 4.1 speakers.
logitechs (TYPO) 680 speakers were the flagship 5.1 speakers then came along the Z-5500 speakers and stole the crown.

so ill say again upgrading from logitechs OLD 560 4.1 speakers to the z-5500 5.1 speakers will blow you away simple.


and considering YOyoYOhowsDAjello you're the "soundman" you should get your facts straight before turning snotty ok mate.
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
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Originally posted by: SniperDaws
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: skulkingghost
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: skulkingghost
You will notice a big difference. I had the z-640's and upgraded to the z-5500's and am in LOVE with them.

I think you need to look up some model numbers.

I dont think so....
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech...d-System/dp/B00006HYPD

How does that apply to this question?

He want to upgrade from what used to be Logitech's flagship set to their current flagship set.

You're saying he'll notice a big difference comparing Logitech's low end 5.1 set to their flagship set.

Logitechs 560's were never there flagship speakers and are only 4.1 speakers.
logitechs 580 speakers were the flagship 5.1 speakers then came along the Z-5500 speakers and stole the crown.

so ill say again upgrading from logitechs OLD 560 4.1 speakers to the z-5500 5.1 speakers will blow you away simple.


and considering YOyoYOhowsDAjello you're the "soundman" you should get your facts straight before turning snotty ok mate.

z-560s were the flagship before Logitech had a 5.1 flagship.

z-680s replaced the z-560s adding digital inputs along with a center channel.

There is no z-580 model.
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
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Logitech's high end surround set went

z-560 (4.1) --> z-680 (5.1) --> z-5500 (5.1)

their midrange went

z-5300 (5.1) --> z-5450 (5.1) (yes, I'm putting the z-5450 in the midrange section despite having some "features") --> g-51

their low end went

z-540 (4.1) --> z-640 (5.1) --> x-530 (5.1) --> x-540 (5.1)


Especially in the midrange tier, the models changed significantly, but there's been something between the low end and flagship sets since the z-5300.

The quality of the components in the z-560 to z-680 to z-5500 sets have been fairly consistent with some improvements in areas and some weaknesses as things have changed (in the thread I linked to, there is some more detail on this).

The z-640s were always low end. Going from Logitech's lowest 5.1 set to their newest 5.1 set is not going to be an indication in the difference you'd get going from their old flagship model (z-560) to their new flagship model (z-5500).
The z-680 was essentially just a 5.1 version of the z-560 components along with digital inputs. The z-5500 was a redesign but apparently the satellites are not as good but the subwoofer may or may not have been an improvement depending on who you ask.
Going from z-640 to any of the flagship models would of course be a night and day difference.

The z-560 to z-5500 move would make sense if
1. There's a definite need for digital inputs
2. There's a need for a center channel rather than placing the 4.1 set up well and getting a "phantom center" effect from the 4.1 set

If the reason is sound quality, then z-560 to z-5500 would probably be a lateral move rather than the "big difference" going from the low end z-640 to z-5500 experience described above.

To make it worth the effort to upgrade from the z-560s sound quality, I would recommend looking beyond computer speakers to get away from some of the problems common to all computer satellite speaker systems.

UPDATE:
So SniperDaws, your response after reading my comments is to change 580 to 680? That's it?
 

MyLeftNut

Senior member
Jul 22, 2007
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The z5500's aren't very good sounding speakers. I have my set here only because it was cheap during a sale and I needed something cheap with 5.1. Other than that, I think it's not worth going from z-560s to z-5500s just for that extra channel unless you get the z5500's really cheap like $150 or less on a big sale.
 

alcoholbob

Diamond Member
May 24, 2005
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Originally posted by: SniperDaws
Logitechs 560's were never there flagship speakers and are only 4.1 speakers.
logitechs (TYPO) 680 speakers were the flagship 5.1 speakers then came along the Z-5500 speakers and stole the crown.

so ill say again upgrading from logitechs OLD 560 4.1 speakers to the z-5500 5.1 speakers will blow you away simple.


and considering YOyoYOhowsDAjello you're the "soundman" you should get your facts straight before turning snotty ok mate.


Eh, lol so aggresive.

The Z-560 was indeed the flagship, it was released back when the Promedia v.200 had just been upgraded to the Promedia 4.1. But street price was half that of the PM 4.1 (~$!40 vs $280) so that's when Logitech started to grip market share, since there were so many positive reviews back then for price/performance.

The Z-560 was the flagship for a year before the Z-680 was released to compete with the Promedia 5.1, which was shortly replaced by the Promedia 5.1 Ultra to compete with the bigger sub on the Z-680.

Z-5500 from what I can tell is largely a cosmetic refresh of the Z-680 with a larger subwoofer.

Logitech subs are somewhat boomy due to the 150hz crossover, that's why some people prefer the bass on the Klipsch Promedias.
 

MTDEW

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
4,284
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91
Well i was lucky enough to have BOTH the 560's and the 5500's hooked to two pc's at the same time in the same room for almost two years. (my personal home computer room)

And i can tell you some of the info above is correct.

ONLY do it if you feel the addition of a center channel is worth it.

The 560's are still GREAT pc speakers and NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT the 5500's will NOT blow away your 560's.

The 5500's look coooler with the nicer control pod and center channel, but they dont sound any better than what you have now.



 

evident

Lifer
Apr 5, 2005
12,092
705
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logitechs are good for pc speakers, which is not saying much. if 5.1 isn't a big feature for you, i'd consider getting a 2.1 bookshelf speaker setup and get a nice receiver- that would be the best bang for your buck