MBP + Z-5500's = awesome.

[secretanchitman]

the awesome widget delivery status has just informed me that my z-5500 speakers have arrived at home! and oh yes, i have a mini-optical to optical cable for passthrough, so this should sound amazing. hopefully perian's multi-channel output works as advertised...

edit: my mini review!

everything works as expected! both vlc and dolby digital work nicely, including 96-24 support through the audio midi setup.app. im guessing logitech updated the subwoofer from rca to complete speaker-wire now, because on my friends z-5500's, they have rca's on the sub. osx already detects that you're using digital out, so it automatically blocks your keyboard from controlling the volume (it knows there is an external volume).

besides that, everything sounds AMAZING. this really could pass for home theater quality speakers, its just that good. the z-5500s are probably the best set of computer speakers you can get for $300, possibly even $500 or less.

i tried a few movies playing through vlc, front row, itunes, and quicktime. im happy to report that dolby digital and dts both work on vlc, but only 2.1 came out of itunes and quicktime, although they were set on multi-channel output through perian. but, HD trailers from apple do have 5.1 encoded in them (at least the ones i have), so im pretty sure its up to the file if it supports DD/DTS or not.

i already performed 2 "hacks" to the control pod. one of them gives me additional info after selecting a source (bitrate, format, etc), and the other changes the standby led from red to purple, and also makes the volume display in a stepping up format.

definitely the best computer speakers i have ever owned. a must buy for anyone looking for one of the best 5.1 computer speakers.

anything else you guys would like me to do/test on them?

 

[LtPage1]

I'm also curious about perian's multi-channel output.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

the z-5500 are NOT the best 5.1 speakers. logitech makes mice and webcams. let the SPEAKER companies make the speakers my M-Audio LX4's with 5 satellites will destroy the logitech's in sound quality.

 

[TheStu]

How much were the M-Audios? Secretanchitman specified best in the $300 price range, I agree that you can expect to find better from someone other than Logitech, but at what price?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: TheStu
How much were the M-Audios? Secretanchitman specified best in the $300 price range, I agree that you can expect to find better from someone other than Logitech, but at what price?

got my set for about $300 also from sam ash last year or so.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: TheStu
How much were the M-Audios? Secretanchitman specified best in the $300 price range, I agree that you can expect to find better from someone other than Logitech, but at what price?

got my set for about $300 also from sam ash last year or so.

Well, didn't that just shut me up then?

 

[secretanchitman]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: TheStu
How much were the M-Audios? Secretanchitman specified best in the $300 price range, I agree that you can expect to find better from someone other than Logitech, but at what price?

got my set for about $300 also from sam ash last year or so.

Well, didn't that just shut me up then?

haha, well i got mine for under $100...

 

[Excelsior]

Wait until you experience real speakers...

 

[QueBert]

M-Audios are great but unless whatever you're doing (listening to music, gaming) has top notch audio, it won't sound wonderful. With great media those speakers are rocking. But when you have a lower quality MP3 it will barely be listenable. Studio Monitors are great for music if you have a high quality source. I had bought some non 5.1 M-Audios, I loved them but I have a lot of bootleg concert type music in my collection, and they brought out every flaw in the songs. I bought some $250 Logitechs and while not as clear and much softer sounding overall. My crappy music doesn't sound as bad.

And for gaming I'd say the Logitechs win hand down because they have exaggerated extra boomy bass, which is better in games for explosions and such.

 

[secretanchitman]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Wait until you experience real speakers...

actually, i have! in my parents house, they have a real home theater with 7.1 snell speakers, 2 subs, the works. that is seriously music to my ears. but for under $100 for me, i think this is the best deal i could have gotten for 5.1 speakers, especially one that outputs dts/dolby digital.

edit: damn spelling

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: TheStu
How much were the M-Audios? Secretanchitman specified best in the $300 price range, I agree that you can expect to find better from someone other than Logitech, but at what price?

got my set for about $300 also from sam ash last year or so.

Well, didn't that just shut me up then?

Nah, visit The Garage sometime. Louis has a bit of bias towards the products he already owns.

I won't call him a troll like others there have, but objectivity is not always his strong suit. I wouldn't necessarily concede the merit of a product based on his opinion alone.

I've used neither. I have the Klipsch iFi. A 2.1 system w/ iPod dock. Zero basis for comparison, but I do like the sound quality.

EDIT: Also, the LX4 look to be a 2.1 system, not a 5.1 like the Z's.

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-...d-System/dp/B0000VBUP8

 

[EricMartello]

I'm somewhat of an electronics snob when it comes to A/V stuff...and the Z5500 is not what I'd consider quality at all. It is certainly convenient, but I think a lot of people who buy these are not comparing them to truly high quality speaker systems.

The Z5500 has decent bass - I'll give it that - but the satellite speakers are lackluster across the board. If you are just looking to enable 5.1 and get some decent bass, yea, Z5500s might do it for you...but if you really want the best quality possible and you're budget is around $500, you would do much better getting a quality 2.1 setup.

I myself built my own 2.1 speaker system using high-end components and a custom amplifier. I'd say my system rang in around $300. I have an 8" sealed sub with 2-way 5.25" speakers, 15W RMS to speakers and 50W RMS to sub. Before you say "But the Z5500 has a billion watts blah blah" check the THD figure. THD is "total harmonic distortion" and basically what that means is that the louder you play, the crappier it gets. Quality amps have THD values below 1%. Mine is rated around 0.5%...not sure what the Z5500 is rated at, but it is certainly more than 1%.

 

[sjwaste]

Eric, can you post specs if you have them handy? I've done plenty of car builds, but zero HT. Would love to know what you used for drivers and amp(s) as well as the specs for the boxes.

I've often thought of just getting some Vifa drivers, a couple of cheaper amps, and some MDF to see what I could end up with. I've had good results in the car, and that's a pretty harsh acoustic chamber there.

 

[EricMartello]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
Eric, can you post specs if you have them handy? I've done plenty of car builds, but zero HT. Would love to know what you used for drivers and amp(s) as well as the specs for the boxes.

I've often thought of just getting some Vifa drivers, a couple of cheaper amps, and some MDF to see what I could end up with. I've had good results in the car, and that's a pretty harsh acoustic chamber there.

I used 1/2" MDF for the subwoofer box; it's about 1.0 CU FT. I don't remember the exact mechanical specs for the drivers I used, but the ones in the speakers are made by selenium. Silk dome tweeters and hybrid cloth/paper woofers. The sensitivity on all drivers is around 93 dB so the volume levels are decent with the lower power amplifier I made for it. Sounds great with music and games. I've always thought it's better to have a quality 2.1 system on a computer than it is to mess around with faux 5.1 "speaker systems" which was largely intended for movies.

I actually made this system because I wanted to sell it, but after I made it I quickly realized that there is no way I could make them such high quality and sell them at a competitive price to make a profit. Oh well.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: TheStu
How much were the M-Audios? Secretanchitman specified best in the $300 price range, I agree that you can expect to find better from someone other than Logitech, but at what price?

got my set for about $300 also from sam ash last year or so.

Well, didn't that just shut me up then?

Nah, visit The Garage sometime. Louis has a bit of bias towards the products he already owns.

I won't call him a troll like others there have, but objectivity is not always his strong suit. I wouldn't necessarily concede the merit of a product based on his opinion alone.

I've used neither. I have the Klipsch iFi. A 2.1 system w/ iPod dock. Zero basis for comparison, but I do like the sound quality.

EDIT: Also, the LX4 look to be a 2.1 system, not a 5.1 like the Z's.

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-...d-System/dp/B0000VBUP8

the sub on the LX4 has the ability to add 3 more satellites which make it a 5.1 system. M-Audio sells this expansion kit. Ask around, whos the real audio company M-Audio or Logitech. then ask who makes mice and webcams.

the klipsch system will also dominate the Z-5500. much better quality sound.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: EricMartello

Originally posted by: sjwaste
Eric, can you post specs if you have them handy? I've done plenty of car builds, but zero HT. Would love to know what you used for drivers and amp(s) as well as the specs for the boxes.

I've often thought of just getting some Vifa drivers, a couple of cheaper amps, and some MDF to see what I could end up with. I've had good results in the car, and that's a pretty harsh acoustic chamber there.

I used 1/2" MDF for the subwoofer box; it's about 1.0 CU FT. I don't remember the exact mechanical specs for the drivers I used, but the ones in the speakers are made by selenium. Silk dome tweeters and hybrid cloth/paper woofers. The sensitivity on all drivers is around 93 dB so the volume levels are decent with the lower power amplifier I made for it. Sounds great with music and games. I've always thought it's better to have a quality 2.1 system on a computer than it is to mess around with faux 5.1 "speaker systems" which was largely intended for movies.

I actually made this system because I wanted to sell it, but after I made it I quickly realized that there is no way I could make them such high quality and sell them at a competitive price to make a profit. Oh well.

You ended up building the amp? Nice job. I don't know that I could pull that off.

Is there anything reasonably priced for this application? I'd like to experiment w/ building a system, but I know I can't put together an amp and not have it be awful.

 

[speg]

I've been enjoying my Z-5500's for 4 years now. You have many years to look forward to :thumbsup: