Sound Blaster Audigy 2zs setup with Logitech Z5500

[jskf01]

Originally posted by: Mike89
To hook up the Z-5500 to the Audigy 2 for digital you need a "mono" adapter that is a 1/8" male on one end and a female RCA on the other. Then just plug it into the Audigy 2 SPDIF jack and plug a 75 ohm coax cable (with male RCA jacks on both ends) to that adapter and the other end into the Z-5500 control panel.

You can get both the adapter and coax cable at Radio Shack. That's where I got mine. I first made the mistake of getting a "stereo" adapter and it does not work (no sound). After reading a forum and seeing my mistake, I went back and got the "mono" adapter.

Now I have both analog and digital and freely switch back and forth between them (through the Z-5500 control panel) depending on what I want.

A few more things.

As mentioned already, make sure the Audigy 2 is set to "spdif bypass" to disable the Audigy 2's decoder.

Hook up the Audigy 2's three analog outputs to the Z-5500 control panel also (to be able to switch between analog and digital anytime you want).

Do not check the "digital only" box in the Audigy 2 control panel (if you do you will only be able to have digital and not analog).

To have Digital from DVD's, you also have to disable the decoder on the DVD software (I use Cyberlink and have the spdif checked in the speaker settings which disables all the settings below that, which the Z-5500 will then control).

Be sure to have that digital wire connected inside the computer from the DVD player to the Audigy 2 (or you won't have digital. The analog wire is not needed because the analog signal goes though the PCI bus on Windows XP).

Use analog for all games because EAX does not work through the digital connection.

BTW, don't worry about the speaker test on the Audigy 2 control panel. It does not work correctly for the digital connection. It will only sound through the 2 front speakers. Dunno why but that's just the way it is. The Digital plays correctly through the 5.1 speakers when the source is 5.1 digital.

Do not have the CMSS checked in the Audigy 2 control panel. Let the Z-5500 control panel do all that.

That's it.

I scrambled through all this myself when I got the Z-5500's. All I can say is I'm happy as a clam now and slightly deaf!

I have all the options I could possibly want. Playing a stereo source I can have stereo (both fronts), stereo x 2 (all four speakers) and then have a nice option of Dolby Pro Logic (simulated 5.1 sound from a stereo source or even a mono source). True 5.1 sound from a DVD movie or DVD audio is only available from a digital source so to get that benefit you have to have the digital connection (Dolby Digital or DTS Digital). 5.1 sound through analog is available from games. If the game has 5.1 sound, set the Z-5500 control panel to "Direct 6Ch Direct" and you will have it (like Farcry for example being in that ship and hearing all the creaks and pops coming from all around you is incredible). If the game does not have 5.1 sound, this setting will only produce sound through the front 2 speakers. If this is the case, you still have the stereo x 2 (4 speakers) and the Dolby Pro Logic (simulated 5.1) options.

I can't imagine anything sounding any better than this. This PC system sounds better than my home entertainment center, it's that good.

WOW thanks alot for ur info.i currently have the 5500s and using the soundstorm thru optical cable.i do get digital sound but the vol and intensity is really low compared to ma z680/audigy1DE combo.ma bass is like nonexistent and i had to pump it up to halfway before i could get any good bass which i think is crazy!so im thinking of getting the audigy2 now since ma audigy1 is burnt.anyone who experienced the crappy sound with sstorm pls let me know cos i hav been hearing that sstorm is really good but its weird cos the sound is so low when i use it.As for ur audigy2 and stuff....when u say audigy 2 did u mean all versions of audigy 2 regardless?or are u specific to a particular model?Thanks alot....I just hope that its not ma speakers that are not working properly..oh yeah i hav a coax cable with adapter too so i hav bothPlease advise and give ur insight thanks

 

[Wild1]

Originally posted by: Mike89

Be sure to have that digital wire connected inside the computer from the DVD player to the Audigy 2 (or you won't have digital. The analog wire is not needed because the analog signal goes though the PCI bus on Windows XP).

Thanks for the post Mike89. Might try your setup. One clarification on the digital audio, the cable is not a requirement. See Do I need a CD audio cable to listen to music CDs?:

 

[killerhertz]

I have the same setup: Creative Audigy 2 ZS Plat Pro w/ Logitech z5500. I've had it setup like this for few weeks but...

Is anyone connecting a mic into the Line In 1 / Mic In port on the external I/o box? I'm getting tons of distortion on my PC mic. It's very echoey and not clear at all. Im using a Labtec PC mic with mini-jack connected to the port with the larger plug adapter.

I use the mic for Ventrillo for online gaming, and I've found that with push-to-talk and headphones on, the game sound actually manages to spill over onto the mic input? When I talk, people get feedback from me, as if I had speakers on and was not wearing headphones. Any ideas? This microphone works perfectly fine w/ my onboard sound and on my laptop, direct connecting to the line-in mini-jack.

Thanks.

 

[gshock888]

um wtf i just burn out a second control unit

its stuck on "detecting signal"

WTF??? should i go play the lotto or something? this time it was on standby the whole time and i wasnt even using computer. all of a sudden i smell burnt rubber or cables, and found out my second unit is now gone. its only hooked to my analog and coax sources. WTF!!!

 

[Mysticales]

Hey 1st off NICE guide and reading stuff here... Im waiting for UPS to unload my z-5500 off her truck now. ^_^

I have also installed the Audigy 2 ZS as well.. looking at Digital vs Analog.

Couple confused questions...

1: If you need analog for games etc.... why even bother with digital? I mean dont you get TRUE 5.1 in DVDs etc if you JUST use the analog hookups? I Mean aside from some possable distortion and so.. is there really a MAJOR need to hook up digital for 5.1 if it works in analog? Am I missing something?

2: If you DO get the Drive.. using Optical cable output to hook into the z-5500.. do you get 5.1 for DVDs, Games, Music? Or would you STILL need analog for games? (Which case wouldnt optical be pointless?)

3: How many of you just use analog and are fully happy? Just checking.. cause as I said.. long as 5.1 FULLY worked 100% for movies, dvds, games etc.. Im happy....

Also as for your burning out the cables.. im wondering if your system is causing it to fry.. voltage issues.. or if your power at home is faulty.. I mean could be a number of things.. but 2 times burnout isnt normal... and you SHOULD look into that. Also make sure the system has enough to vent with.. not that its cramped and hot where its hooked up at.


(Also minor complaints to forums.. why do I have to manually copy the link location to reply??? Seems NOTHING is working on these forums.. used 2 diff browsers.. click reply, nada, try to change my profile and icon.. nada.. wont let me change PW either.. odd)

Anyways, good thread thus far.. just confused if I REALLY need digital output or not for the 5.1 or if analog is just as good and much easier to use for EVERYTHING.

(My xbox is itching for its optical connection though hehehehe)
Thanks. =)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Welcome to AT.

If you spend that much on a soundcard to get the good quality DACs it has, just stick to analog connecitons and bypass the DACs in the logitech speaker module.

You can leave the optical free to hook up your x-box then.

 

[Mysticales]

Ok so no REAL problem using analog vs digital? I mean Ill still get 5.1 for DVDs and so with good quality?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Mysticales
Ok so no REAL problem using analog vs digital? I mean Ill still get 5.1 for DVDs and so with good quality?

I haven't tried it personally, but I think DVDs should play back fine in analog mode.

You can always just try it and see how it works

 

[Mysticales]

Ok so DTS and all that 5.1 tech stuff should work fully in analog mode then technically? Also do the speakers itself tell you on the control panel if the 5.1 is working correctly? Like for xbox, and dvds etc?

Im looking at that post that talks about that guy using BOTH digital and analog modes.. might try to buy those parts too, Sounds good idea. Maybe.

Unless someone says that its REALLY not needed.

 

[PurdueRy]

I use both. I Like analog better with ANALOG sources and digital better with digital sources. MP3's I play via analog and games(obviously) movies, when I watch them on my computer are played via digital

 

[Mysticales]

Well still doesnt tell me if 5.1 is different on analog or digital.. I mean do I lose anything really or will I still get true 5.1 no matter what mode I use?

Also I went to radio shack.. we both were confused as what that item the guy was talking about to hooking up coax.

Can someone please use radioshack web link stores to point out what is needed in that guys post in order to hook digital output into the coax?

Just link to all the items needed.. if anyone please can? Thanks. =)

And man that woofer is huge.. not sure how this will work in my small room >.< too big for my area.. sigh.. ill find out SOMETHING!

 

[PurdueRy]

a. It doesn't matter if you use analog or digital, your surround will be just as good either way.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?c...002%5F003%5F007&product%5Fid=42%2D2387

3 of those will do analog

then just get an optical cable

 

[Mysticales]

When you say "3 of those" You mean buy 3 of the male/male stereo cables? Where would I plug those into??Not sure if thats what Id need...

I mean was looking at how to utilize the COAX input of the speakers using the "Digital out" from the audigy 2 zs. That guide thats posted here wasnt 100% clear on the exact parts used for that setup. Why i asked for web links.

Ok well my system is installed, currently running in analog mode, xbox is optical.. and man Fatal frame II is FUN now lol.. heard her in back speakings screaming "Wait!" lol.

Granted I dont have the best of positions and wish there was a way to drag the speaker icons to say where I have them to balance and calibrate.. Not sure how to calibrate using the way I have them setup in my room.

Another thing, using analog I do hear that "hum" sound on the sub woofer in this mode, Xbox optical didnt have the hum. Anyone know how to get rid of that in analog mode?

Also couple dumb ones now.. since I am using analog mode. I want to know, do I need to use the passthrough option still? I mean do I need to let the speakers still handle the decode or do I let the audigy 2 do it? Which setups in windows would you be using for the BEST results. I want it to work 100% for EAX games, Then DVDs, etc. I dont wanna mess with something if it would affect the other? Too noob atm to know what can and cant be done.

Anyways sorry for all the questions.. but once I know whats up.. I can offer insight etc.. kinda have that habit on these types of projects, or if you ever were at howardforums.com youd know what i mean. =)

 

[beatle]

Stick with analog. It's the ONLY way to get everything: DD, DTS, EAX, and DVD-A. You're not losing quality compared to a digital output, especially with the Audigy 2's superior DACs. The 1/8" -> 1/8" cables will go from your soundcard to your speakers.

Passthrough means the AC3 or DTS signal gets passed through your soundcard and gets spit out the digital output of your card to be decoded by an external source. Leave passthrough off since you'll be hooking everything up with analog connections and having your card do the work.

 

[staniks]

I have this cable to connect my Audigy 2 zs digital out to my JVC surround sound receiver coax input

http://www.radioshack.com/searchsku.asp?find=42-2444

I don't get any sound at all and I have pass through selected.

Is this the wrong cable?

Which cable do I need?

 

[Mysticales]

Originally posted by: beatle
Stick with analog. It's the ONLY way to get everything: DD, DTS, EAX, and DVD-A. You're not losing quality compared to a digital output, especially with the Audigy 2's superior DACs. The 1/8" -> 1/8" cables will go from your soundcard to your speakers.

Passthrough means the AC3 or DTS signal gets passed through your soundcard and gets spit out the digital output of your card to be decoded by an external source. Leave passthrough off since you'll be hooking everything up with analog connections and having your card do the work.

Ok when you do that 1/8 to 1/8 cable.. where are you hooking that up? The Aux inputs? Does that actually know its a digital signal? Whats the difference between using this cable vs the coax? Also when people say Coax, are they talking like things like your TV cable using a adapter at the ends to make it fit into the unit?

Ok least I know now that I can use windows and the soundcard settings to setup the 5.1, Whats the BEST settings everyone is using for everything?
I mean on my Control Pad I left it as 6 ch direct, right? Then on the PC, should I adjust anything?

Also... since I have my Xbox hooked up via Optical cable.. was wondering.. DVDs.. will it be better to play the DVDs using the Xbox or will the analog from PC still be better? Just wondering. (I have a 9600XT AiW so a TV card with Svideo is built in, so using my monitor to play xbox)

Just wondering which I should use to play DVDs on.. if Xbox would be better since its optical, or if the PC will still out perform the Xbox on DVDs as far as sound goes.

But yea, just looking to see what windows settings everyone is using, or if you have multiple profiles for games and dvds, or just 1. Just want this to be the best and its all new to me.. trying to figure more and more out and know everything.. then its easier to reply back with whats up.

(Also Memo, anyone who uses Norton Firewall.. these forums will be crippled.. had to turn it off to change my profile, make replies etc.. odd.. dont like it though)

As for the last question about that cable, I think maybe you did buy the wrong cable. Dont think you can use that kind and hook it to the coax slot. Not sure but thats what I am gathering..

Just wish someone knew how to get rid of this "hum" from analog mode that the woofer gives me atm.

 

[PurdueRy]

You really need to go to www.creative.com and read through there FAQ section. You have so many questions that can be answered very quickly there.

 

[Mysticales]

Ill read up on it now, see what I find, however that still wont be perfect since we here have the z-5500. Kinda hard for them to say the best setup I think.

Also still doesnt answer if it will be better to use my Xbox for DVD (Optical) or my PC in Analog mode.

 

[dalopey]

My question may or may not go here, but some of the people seem to be in the "know"

I want to connect the FIREWIRE out from the Audigy, and INTO the Firewire on my receiver (which I want to purchase - Elite 56TXi)

First of all - will I be able to do that?

2nd: how do I tell the Audigy to do that?

3rd: this is how I want the DVD-AUDIO to go to the receiver, instead of via ANALOG.


From what I've read so far, ANALOG is better than DIGITAL, and I concur. No one has said anything about the firewire, mostly because it's pretty new...

Thoughts? Anyone?

OH - my first post to ANANDTECH! Great Forum for everything!

-dennis

 

[PurdueRy]

Analog is better than digital FOR COMPUTERS. They are equal otherwise. Not sure about that method you want to do there, technically its possible. But I believe some receivers have trouble with DVD-audio over firewire. I would stick with the analog outs to the 5.1/6.1/7.1 ins on your receiver for DVD-audio, more expensive, yes. But guaranteed to work

 

[Mysticales]

Yea but still doesnt answer if xbox using optical is better for 5.1 usage or if a pc using analog is better for dvd playback? =/

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Mysticales
Yea but still doesnt answer if xbox using optical is better for 5.1 usage or if a pc using analog is better for dvd playback? =/

for that I would recommend the XBOX if you are hooking up to a receiver. I believe DTS is sometimes digital only or something like that. But otherwise I bet you won't notice a difference between the two

 

[Mysticales]

Not sure.. but yea the xbox is hooked direct to the z5500 via optical, on the pc... not sure how I can tell if its outputting in 5.1 or if its just stereo on all speakers...
Wish I knew how to be 100% certain that my PC is doing 5.1 on dvds and games.

Also any way to get rid of the hum on analog?

 

[Mysticales]

Ok found out whats causing the hum... its NOT the cables from the PC or into the control box, took those out, seems when the z5500 is on 6 ch direct mode.. it has the hum.. when I change it to anything else, its gone. So its not the hookup to the audio card.. just something with the speakers itself when on that mode... anyone been able to correct that?

 

[beatle]

No idea about the speakers' hum. Could be bad cables, bad speakers (most likely) or even a bad soundcard (most unlikely).

You're not going to be able to tell a difference between analog and digital for DVDs. Just use whichever player is more convenient.

DTS can be played back over analog or digital. You won't get DVD-Audio from any digital cable, including firewire.

I leave most of my settings on the soundcard at default. Enable bass redirection and turn the crossover point all the way up. You can use Creative's utility to set up your speakers properly.