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Refurbished Logitech Z5500's

S

SlowSpyder

Lifer
I am looking to get a nice-ish set of 5.1 speakers for my computer. I think I'm mostly decided on the Logitech Z5500's. Despite the fact that the satilites are not 2 way speakers the reviews seem to be very positive over all. To save a bit of money I see that refurbished systems often come up on Ebay, does anyone have any experience with the refurbished systems? It looks like they sell for anywhere between $50-$100 cheaper then new systems. I'm looking for a good quality speaker, but I'm by no means an audiophile. I also like a lot of bass when I'm listening to movies, music, or playing a game.

That seems to be what the Z5500 system is, outstanding bass and good enough mids/highs. Any other systems I should consider? I looked into the Klipsch (sp?) system that competes with the z5500, it appears that it is generally considered a little better sounding, but it looks like the quality isn't as good (seen more then a few failed system complaints around the web).

Thanks!
 
Klipsch speakers don't particularly distinguish themselves from the 5500s. They're modestly priced multimedia speakers, and like the 5500s they perform as such. Neither seem to have reliability problems the last I've heard, both are a fine choice with their own flaws and benefits that are subjective in nature.
 
The reliabilty problems I've read about with the Klipsch were a from few posts on this site and some of the Newegg reviews. I'm not looking for ultra-high end stuff, I think the price point of the Z5500's is right where I want to be. Plenty of clean power for my computer space and good enough sounding.
 
WOOO! Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 all the way!

lol. The Z-5500 is a fine product, by the sounds of it, some of the newegg "reviewers" prectically have an orgasm listening to this system, so I'm sure you'll love it also. Although the ProMedia is better in virtually every way, you get what you pay for.

As far as buying refurbished, I'm not sure about that. I guess it would be ok.

I believe most of the failures people report of the ProMedia is due to improper placement of the subwoofer, you put it too close to a wall and your just asking for it overheat.

And as always, most people feel inclined to share a negative experience with a product than a positive one.
 
If you are going used/refurb on ebay, you could put together two sets of iFis for a 4.1 with 2 subs...that would be a real orgasm for like $250.
 
Refurbs should be ok, but as far as I know, they have no waranty (1-3 years) with Logitech. The store where my refurbed 2300s are from actually took the time to cross-out the warranty page in the manual with a marker.
 
I like my Z-5500's!

I am really picky about my sound and these are really nice... esp for movies or gaming.

To whoever implys that these are not "high-end" please show me something "higher end." It seems like 505Watts is plenty for PC speakers.
 
Originally posted by: acole1
I like my Z-5500's!

I am really picky about my sound and these are really nice... esp for movies or gaming.

To whoever implys that these are not "high-end" please show me something "higher end." It seems like 505Watts is plenty for PC speakers.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you're getting at, but there are more 'higher end' speakers than I could name. You may be picky but obviously not too picky.
 
Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Originally posted by: acole1
I like my Z-5500's!

I am really picky about my sound and these are really nice... esp for movies or gaming.

To whoever implys that these are not "high-end" please show me something "higher end." It seems like 505Watts is plenty for PC speakers.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you're getting at, but there are more 'higher end' speakers than I could name. You may be picky but obviously not too picky.
Click to expand...


I know there are nicer ones for HT purposes, but Z-5500's are not exactly mid-range speakers when considering them for PC use.
 
The power doesn't really matter, both sets (Promedia and Z5500) have enough to be uncomfortably loud, but who is going to do that in a computer room? The Klipsch has superior midrange frequency response because it has a mid driver, the Logtiech doesn't.

I was recently deceeding between the Z-2300 and Promedia 2.1. Ended up buying the Promedia 2.1 refurb'd on eBay for $50US + $35 shipping (to Canada).

Just received the speakers yesterday only to find out the DIN cable the connect the satellite to the sub is broken. Emailed the seller and he refunded me the amount of money it will cost to replace that part, of which I just ordered a new one from Klipsch ($30CDN part).

So if you are buying refurb see if the seller has any negative feedback about DOA items and if they are willing to help you if something goes wrong, as mine luckily did.
 
Originally posted by: acole1
Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Originally posted by: acole1
I like my Z-5500's!

I am really picky about my sound and these are really nice... esp for movies or gaming.

To whoever implys that these are not "high-end" please show me something "higher end." It seems like 505Watts is plenty for PC speakers.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you're getting at, but there are more 'higher end' speakers than I could name. You may be picky but obviously not too picky.
Click to expand...


I know there are nicer ones for HT purposes, but Z-5500's are not exactly mid-range speakers when considering them for PC use.
Click to expand...
Well, using 'HT' speakers on the PC would be considerably more high-end than using multimedia speakers, so it's only fair that in comparison the Z-5500s be considered mid-range. Although experienced HT users would rather consider them low-end on the grand scale.
 
Definitely get the Klipsch's. I've got the z5500 set, and wish I got the K's. The z5500 is ok, but the more I listen to it, the more I realize its not a good system. Why you ask? The sub tries too hard. I've said this before and I'm going to say it again, but 187 watts just isn't enough for a 10" woofer. As a result, the bass sounds VERY muddy and distorted for just about anything. Explosions sound wonderful...but not much else does. I really noticed it the other day when I was watching a the last 2 eps of 24 (HD). The sub kicks in at 300hz....as a result, people's voices get sub-woofed, as does some of the music. It sounds very distorted and ugly and muddy. I highly recommend you forgo what the other users are telling you (namely to get the z5500's) and to get the K's. They use two 8" drivers as opposed to one underpowered 10" woofer. The bass sounds much cleaner and much better. On top of that, the satellites don't have enough kick--they make a "bop" sound when there's a drum, not anywhere near a "thump" that they should produce.

Granted you can get the z5500's, and you'll love them for a while as I did, but after some time, you'll realize (especially now that I've told you, sorry lol) that the K's would have been a better buy.

Best of luck to your decision and I hope you're happy with whichever you choose. Be sure to tell us which you picked!
 
Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Definitely get the Klipsch's. I've got the z5500 set, and wish I got the K's. The z5500 is ok, but the more I listen to it, the more I realize its not a good system. Why you ask? The sub tries too hard. I've said this before and I'm going to say it again, but 187 watts just isn't enough for a 10" woofer. As a result, the bass sounds VERY muddy and distorted for just about anything. Explosions sound wonderful...but not much else does. I really noticed it the other day when I was watching a the last 2 eps of 24 (HD). The sub kicks in at 300hz....as a result, people's voices get sub-woofed, as does some of the music. It sounds very distorted and ugly and muddy. I highly recommend you forgo what the other users are telling you (namely to get the z5500's) and to get the K's. They use two 8" drivers as opposed to one underpowered 10" woofer. The bass sounds much cleaner and much better. On top of that, the satellites don't have enough kick--they make a "bop" sound when there's a drum, not anywhere near a "thump" that they should produce.

Granted you can get the z5500's, and you'll love them for a while as I did, but after some time, you'll realize (especially now that I've told you, sorry lol) that the K's would have been a better buy.

Best of luck to your decision and I hope you're happy with whichever you choose. Be sure to tell us which you picked!
Click to expand...

The subwoofer playing voices is a symptom of a bad crossover. Chances are its a first order or so crossover built in at 120 Hz and not changeable. Therefore frequencies higher than 120 hz will still be played in the sub for quite a ways.
 
The problem is that I cannot hear either system locally around here. Best Buy and Circuit City both carry the Z-5300's, and a mid range Klipsch system (I didn't see what model, but it was priced at $199.99, same range as the 5300). I listened to both and thought both did sound pretty good, with an ever so slight edge to the Klipsch system. But it sounded like one of the satilites in the 5300 system was blown, it made a very fuzzy sound. I listened to a nice Logitech 2.1 system, it was rated at 200 watts and had an 8" sub, I thought it sounded the best of all the systems as far as clarity went.

Like I mentioined, I'm by no means an audiophile, my home theater system is a Panasonic bookshelf 5.1 system with a KLH 100watt 8" sub... hardly high end stuff. I'm looking for bass and bang for the buck. My main concern is refurbed speakers. I have a refurbed digital cameral and a refurbed MP3 player and have had no issues with either, but was curious if anyone has ever bought a refurbed z-5500 system. I think the z5500 is still my first choice, but before I spend $200+ and am underwhelmed I think I'm going to try and find someplace where I can hear the systems.
 
If you're paranoid, then don't get refurb.

I got a refurb'd z5300 set off ebay for about $65. Cosmetically like new, work fine, i'm happy. It's not like speakers & amps are particularly prone to failure so i'll live without a warranty.
 
Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Definitely get the Klipsch's. I've got the z5500 set, and wish I got the K's. The z5500 is ok, but the more I listen to it, the more I realize its not a good system. Why you ask? The sub tries too hard. I've said this before and I'm going to say it again, but 187 watts just isn't enough for a 10" woofer. As a result, the bass sounds VERY muddy and distorted for just about anything. Explosions sound wonderful...but not much else does. I really noticed it the other day when I was watching a the last 2 eps of 24 (HD). The sub kicks in at 300hz....as a result, people's voices get sub-woofed, as does some of the music. It sounds very distorted and ugly and muddy. I highly recommend you forgo what the other users are telling you (namely to get the z5500's) and to get the K's. They use two 8" drivers as opposed to one underpowered 10" woofer. The bass sounds much cleaner and much better. On top of that, the satellites don't have enough kick--they make a "bop" sound when there's a drum, not anywhere near a "thump" that they should produce.

Granted you can get the z5500's, and you'll love them for a while as I did, but after some time, you'll realize (especially now that I've told you, sorry lol) that the K's would have been a better buy.

Best of luck to your decision and I hope you're happy with whichever you choose. Be sure to tell us which you picked!
Click to expand...

Werd.

 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Definitely get the Klipsch's. I've got the z5500 set, and wish I got the K's. The z5500 is ok, but the more I listen to it, the more I realize its not a good system. Why you ask? The sub tries too hard. I've said this before and I'm going to say it again, but 187 watts just isn't enough for a 10" woofer. As a result, the bass sounds VERY muddy and distorted for just about anything. Explosions sound wonderful...but not much else does. I really noticed it the other day when I was watching a the last 2 eps of 24 (HD). The sub kicks in at 300hz....as a result, people's voices get sub-woofed, as does some of the music. It sounds very distorted and ugly and muddy. I highly recommend you forgo what the other users are telling you (namely to get the z5500's) and to get the K's. They use two 8" drivers as opposed to one underpowered 10" woofer. The bass sounds much cleaner and much better. On top of that, the satellites don't have enough kick--they make a "bop" sound when there's a drum, not anywhere near a "thump" that they should produce.

Granted you can get the z5500's, and you'll love them for a while as I did, but after some time, you'll realize (especially now that I've told you, sorry lol) that the K's would have been a better buy.

Best of luck to your decision and I hope you're happy with whichever you choose. Be sure to tell us which you picked!
Click to expand...

The subwoofer playing voices is a symptom of a bad crossover. Chances are its a first order or so crossover built in at 120 Hz and not changeable. Therefore frequencies higher than 120 hz will still be played in the sub for quite a ways.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Only the crossover is at 150hz. WAY too high.
 
If the Z-5500 doesn't have a midrange driver, what does it have? It looks like a woofer with a tweeter in the middle of it...

I'm a newb at this stuff.
 
I was looking around Ebay and found this article:

Logitech Z-5500 vs. Klipsch

I do think I am going to go with the Logitechs. They seem to be what I am looking for, good enough sound quality and good reliability. I'll let everyone know what I think of them when I do get them.

Thanks again for all of the replies.
 
Originally posted by: SlowSpyder
I was looking around Ebay and found this article:

Logitech Z-5500 vs. Klipsch

I do think I am going to go with the Logitechs. They seem to be what I am looking for, good enough sound quality and good reliability. I'll let everyone know what I think of them when I do get them.

Thanks again for all of the replies.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I wonder if Klipsch is lying about the amp failure in their units, they say it's not common, but newegg reviewers and the people at Klipsch forums tell a different story. How many reviews at newegg bitch about amp/system failure for the Z-5500...probably next to none.
 
Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf
If the Z-5500 doesn't have a midrange driver, what does it have? It looks like a woofer with a tweeter in the middle of it...

I'm a newb at this stuff.
Click to expand...

It has a midrange driver and no tweeter. Its one 3" speaker I believe with a phase plug. Thats what you are seeing in the middle.
 
Another stupid-ass comment on newegg for the Klipsch ProMedia ultra 5.1.

1/5 Eggs
One more thing...

Comments: Newegg did a wonderful job making sure my return shipment was handled in a timely manner, with a speedy turnaround.... I've got no complaints whatsoever in that area. Newegg, as always, rocks.

He makes another review w/ 1 of 5 eggs thus reducing the overall score and his comment wasn't even about the product.

Who are these people, and why haven't they been shot yet?
 
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