Questions for the Logitech Z-5500 SPEAKERS

[SpAcE CoW]

I'm not too sure if its a problem or not but here it is. I am using these for my Playstation2 with an optical connection. All the reviews I read about these speakers tell me that I will never use all the power this system has, but yesterday when watching xXx (DVD) I had to set my volume to 75-80% to get a somewhat loud sound. Is this normal? All speakers are proprely connected and the pod detected the digital source. I was afraid to damage the speakers at this volume because everyone says its suppose to be so loud. Is it the PS2 that has a low volume output or am I doing something wrong? My room is 11x18. The other question I have is, what soundcard should I get for these? I want to have a 5.1 card that has great quality but is cheap as well... I was thinking maybe the SB Live 24-bit, does it have any limitations compared to the Audigy 2Zs that everybody seems to love?

later all,

 

[Qwest]

have you tried hookin em up to your pc or just plain ol tv? i'm not too familiar with the ps2.

welcome to AT by the way.

edit: you're right, you shouldnt have to turn em up that loud.

 

[SpAcE CoW]

no, but I'm getting a soundcard tonight. I'll try it tonight.

thanks, it looks like a great community here

 

[So]

Hate to tell you off in your first post, but I figure I can warn ya before Nik drops a steamer on this thread, this probably should have been posted in General Hardware. That Said, Welcome to AT!


Oh, and my old z560's are too loud at 50%, so you may have an issue with the speakers, the output level of the DVD player, or it might be a huge room...

 

[aplefka]

I dunno, speakers are pretty close to OT.

Anyway, PS2 does output sound rather poorly. I'd wait to pass judgement until you got a chance to test it out on a computer.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: SpAcE CoW
I'm not too sure if its a problem or not but here it is. I am using these for my Playstation2 with an optical connection. All the reviews I read about these speakers tell me that I will never use all the power this system has, but yesterday when watching xXx (DVD) I had to set my volume to 75-80% to get a somewhat loud sound. Is this normal? All speakers are proprely connected and the pod detected the digital source. I was afraid to damage the speakers at this volume because everyone says its suppose to be so loud. Is it the PS2 that has a low volume output or am I doing something wrong? My room is 11x18. The other question I have is, what soundcard should I get for these? I want to have a 5.1 card that has great quality but is cheap as well... I was thinking maybe the SB Live 24-bit, does it have any limitations compared to the Audigy 2Zs that everybody seems to love?

later all,

Mine are VERY loud when hooked to my Xbox using a digital Coax connection.
have also run them into my PC using my A2 ZS and they litterally shake the windows in my room..
very loud very clean sound..

same with JVC DVD using Optical line..
very nice speakers..
make sure you bring up the settings for the PS2 and make sure its not set to mono sound.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: aplefka
I dunno, speakers are pretty close to OT.

Anyway, PS2 does output sound rather poorly. I'd wait to pass judgement until you got a chance to test it out on a computer.

Well they actually fit under Peripherals..but I don't give a sh!t.

I know who you need...Jello!

 

[Excelsior]

Oh..and for soundcard, I recommend this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829127001

 

[So]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: aplefka
I dunno, speakers are pretty close to OT.

Anyway, PS2 does output sound rather poorly. I'd wait to pass judgement until you got a chance to test it out on a computer.

Well they actually fit under Peripherals..but I don't give a sh!t.

I know who you need...Jello!

Jello isn't here ATM

 

[Xyclone]

I have a set of Z-640's, 80% would rattle windows. Probably the PS2's fault, try them with your PC abd report back.

 

[SpAcE CoW]

hmmmm.... Jello.

 

[SpAcE CoW]

ok, I'll do that.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: SpAcE CoW
hmmmm.... Jello.

YOyoYOhowsDAjello, to be specifiv.

 

[SpAcE CoW]

So you guys think it's the Playstation2's fault? Can I damage my speakers cranking them up like that?

 

[SpAcE CoW]

I see a volume in my PS2 menu that says dvd playback volume but if I use optical it is greyed out (can't modify it).

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
I have a set of Z-640's, 80% would rattle windows. Probably the PS2's fault, try them with your PC abd report back.

I have the z-680s, which are basically more beefed 640s. I have to keep my bass on around 10%, otherwise everything shakes in the room. The sound volume never goes above 50% either, more would be unbearable...so yes, I'd say it's the ps2's fault.

 

[SpAcE CoW]

what do you use them with?

 

[SpAcE CoW]

Just bought a Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit. I set the volume in Windows to 80% and on the pod it needs about 4 full bars to have decent sound (not too loud but ok)... Is this the "normal" volume for these speakers? The Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit is an incredible buy for the money by the way . I'm impressed...

 

[mrSHEiK124]

You know, with my Z-5500's, its DEAFENING when hooked up to my XBOX at about 40%, I think the PS2 just might have crappy output, make sure its outputting in 5.1 and not Stereo, cause if it is then you can use Stereox2 (Clone) or ProLogic to make the rear (and center for ProLogic) speakers work.

 

[SpAcE CoW]

thanks sheik,

no, it is in DD5.1, it says so on the POD. It's really weird...

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: SpAcE CoW
thanks sheik,

no, it is in DD5.1, it says so on the POD. It's really weird...

Hmmm, well, I wouldn't have exactly chosen a Sound-Blaster 24bit for Z-5500's, maybe a cheap 25 dollar EnvyHT based card if you wanted something cheap, its either that or a ZS in my eyes, oh yeah, long live SoundStorm!

 

[SpAcE CoW]

I only use my sound card for games and dvds, PowerDVD will do the decoding... So far, this card is awesome. I doubt that there is a noticable sound quality between the ZS and this card.

 

[Mani]

The PS2's optical out may have an attenuated output. I use Videologic 5.1s and have a similar problem. All other sources are fine however.

 

[SpAcE CoW]

I *think* my Sound Blaster is "normal"... I hope its not my speakers . Right now I'm using stereox2.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: aplefka
I dunno, speakers are pretty close to OT.

Anyway, PS2 does output sound rather poorly. I'd wait to pass judgement until you got a chance to test it out on a computer.

Well they actually fit under Peripherals..but I don't give a sh!t.

I know who you need...Jello!

Actually I don't....

I don't own either product and have not messed around with either.

To check if it's the speakers, I'd try hooking them up to something else to make sure they're ok (like a portable cd player or a computer or something).
You could also get an adapter to see if the analog output produces a better result for you. (Although it will only be stereo so you'd have to run prologicII or something)

I know DVD movie output is a lot quieter most of the time than your standard music source because you want a much larger dynamic range for volumes (whispers vs nuclear explosion) while music is generally almost the same volume level.

Even if that applies to PS2 games, I still don't think you'd need to turn them up past 50% to get decent volume out of them.

hmmm.... looks like you hooked up to your computer already. I don't really know what "4 full bars" means...