Z-680 or Z-5500?

[Vallybally]

Hi all, I'm no audio expert or anything but I'm in the market for a powerful audio set up for computer and home theatre/projector system.

Can someone tell me if the new flagship 5500 is worth the extra $100? In other words, is the sound quality and strength noticeable to the average listener? Can someone list for us side-by-side the highlights or more importantly differences in features between the two?

 

[bigj3347]

If i'm not mistaken, the 5500's have a 10 inch driver in the sub compared to the 8 inch one in the 680s. I have the Z-680s and I absolutely love them. Maximum PC did have a review on teh 5500's and gave the 5500s a perfect ten and a kick ass award. I don't think you could go wrong with either one. If you gotta have the latest and greatest. .then go with 5500's if you wanna save $$ and still get a great set of speakers. .get the 680s

 

[Hanzou]

One of the things you may consider is that the 5500's are hardwired, meaning you cannot use different wire to connect the speakers. The 680's though use speaker wire so you can go to the store and buy higher grade wire, and the length that you want. Both of those systems should work great, just thought I would let you know about teh wire situation.

 

[Vallybally]

Hanzou, so you are saying that you can cut/splice the 680s and make it 30 feet long if need be? But not with the 5500s?

How long is the wires for the back satellites on the 5500s?

 

[zodder]

You can actually use regular speaker cable with the 680s. Just like you would wire a home stereo. The 5500s don't have external connectors. The wire feeds into the speaker housing.

The rear length is 25 feet.

 

[sswingle]

Yes, but the 5500's don't wire directly to the sub, so you can extend it that direction. It uses standard RCA from what I can tell on the picture.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

have the 680's and think they are great. you don't need more bass than they have unless you are a bass freak, so i doubt the 10 inch sub makes it any better