Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System
by Logitech
Our Price: $962.00
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: LogitechFormat: CD
Platform: Windows
Model: 970115-0403
Product features:
- THX-certified 5.1 speakers with 505 Watts of power
- 10-inch subwoofer
- Audio inputs for up to six devices
- Includes wireless remote control with batteries
- 2 year limited warranty
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 Feet/1.0 Meter)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- Sennheiser PC 150 Binaural Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone and PC/Laptop connectors
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System
Customer Review: For the money, the Z-5500 exceeds expecations in every respect - Also Helpful HINTS!
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start by saying that this is my third speaker system that I have owned for my Gateway PC.
I started out using the speakers that came with the computer system itself which is actually a speaker bar that mounts under my 24" monitor. Those speakers are OK for basic use, but being the electronics geek that I am and appreciate great sounding music and movies, I quickly realized that 6 watt speakers mounted to a speaker bar was not going to cut it. The good thing about this speaker bar is that it does have simulated 3D sound which does sound kinda cool when watching movies.
OK, so it was time to upgrade and decided that I wanted to get a great sounding system with lots of bass and clean sound. I also decided that surround sound was not very important (at the time) and settled on the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 set up. I figured that when watching movies, since the set up had so mch power, It would be good enough for me. Purchased them, had them for a few months and let me tell you, LOVED these speakers.... for music! When I listened to music, it sounded almost flawless. Great pounding bass, mid and highs were clear for a PC set up at the price I paid. Was very happy with them until I started to watch movies... As far as the front of the soundstage and lows, the Z-2300 got the job done, however I really did have buyer's remorse only due to the fact that the spacial surround effects of the soundstage was missing. Could not totally enjoy watching movies so I then decided, I was going to make one last leap and purchase a REALLY GOOD 5.1 set up.
At this point, since space is an issue with my home, I decided to step up to a 2.1 set up with simulated surround, again from Logitech and decided on the Z-Cinema set up. Long story very short, I HATED them... they looked nice, had a nice remote but the sound quality was mediocre and the bass was almost non-existent, especially when watching movies. I literally had them hooked up all of about an hour; disconnected them, boxed everything up and back to Amazon they went... very disappointed.
This is where the Z-5500's come into play. Now, just like a consumer should, I did some research on the best set up to buy... I for one was looking for build quality, power ratings, and of-course, best bang for my hard earned buck! I decided that I was going to stick with Logitech and get a TRUE 5.1 set up. Altough space is an issue, I decided what they heck and made the purchase.
I received the box and without delay, I started to unpack everything. I have read reviews that Logitech does not do a good job of packing the system but let me tell you, I disagree as I thought that everything was well laid out, wrapped, strapped, and tight. They even label instructions to keep the Sub away from your electronics and even thought of wrapping plastic straps around the sub so you can easily lift it out of the box.. that was a nice touch... nice job Logitech!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS--
Satellite speakers are of very nice build quality. They are heavy, and the drivers are constructed of quality materials
The Subwoofer is big, but not too big that you cannot fit it in an average size room with furniture. If I can fit it in my small place, then most people should not have an issue with space. Again, build quality/fit and finish is exceptional for the price you pay. The heat sink takes up about 3/4 of the rear of the sub abd should keep it cool. Connections are well laid out.
The Control Pod is A LOT bigger than I expected. This was the biggest surprise when I was unpacking the box. Looks really nice on my desk, great build quality, and did I mention the thing is BIG!! It is about 4" wide, 8" tall, and 2" deep.. Nicely laid out overall.
It does come with a remote that is nothing special, just a simple remote to operate all functions that you would use the control pod for. All black and fits nicely into your hand.
Comes with speaker wire and cables needed to hook everything up
HOOK UP--
As stated, I purchased my Z-5500 set up for my desktop PC. It is a Media Center Entertainment PC with a High Def sound card. So, I needed to hook them up to this PC.
I started with connecting the control Pod to the sub, then the 6 channel direct wires that come with the set up (your basic green, orange, and black analog wires) that connect to the back of your control pod to your PC's sound card. Then, the speaker wires were next... I started with the front left, right, then center.. you will know which speaker wires connect to the front since one of the bags in the box will have three shorter bundles of speaker wire (front left, center, and right) and a separate bag with two longer bundles for the rears. The only issue that I had with the installation process is that the rear speaker wires were not long enough. I rectified this problem by cutting and modifying the fronts since I had too much cable for the fronts. I cut off the excess from the fronts and spliced them into the rears and wahlah, problem solved.
At this point, plug the sub in, switch the sub on, along with the control pad and you are in business!!
LISTENING--
One word... WOW!! Even compared to the Z-2300 set up that I had, the Z-5500 are so much better in every sense.. Music sounds crystal clear... turn the volume up and you do not lose any of the sound fidelity at all. At higher levels, this set up actually sounds better and let me tell you, I have not heard a system that carries sound quite like this one. Today I was playing music and had to go outside, up the driveway and to the street to meet up with my son as the bus was dropping him off. I only had it turned up between ¼ and half way and could hear it outside. I can also hear the music throughout the house with no problem.
You will not be disappointed... for the money, I think that this set up exceeds expectations at this price range. Especially considering you can hook up several pieces of equipment at the same time, has 6 channel analog, digital fiber optical and digital coax connection for even higher quality audio. Not to mention that it has Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital and is THX certified. The best part about it is if you connect a digital cable to this set up, it will automatically switch to DIGITAL when the system detects media that was originally recorded in Digital (DTS etc)
This is the first system that I have owned where BOTH music AND movies sound perfect, with plenty of power to accurately and precisely recreate a soundstage that will leave you speechless! Plenty of bass, mids and highs sound incredible... the effects when watching movies is theater like... I actually find myself looking behind me at times during surround effects... I can go on and on about this system...
TIPS!--
1. If you are planning on buying this system and will be connecting it to something that has a fiber optic connection, PURCHASE A FIBER OPTIC CABLE! Let me tell you, it DOES make a world of difference compared to the analog cables. I listened to the set up with the analog cables the first day, then the second day I went out and purchased a FO cable and made a huge difference.. it's like the system "woke up".. satellites sound much better, cleaner, more depth... it is worth the extra money, believe me.
2. If you are going to buy the FO cable, MAKE SURE that you remove the plastic ends from each end of the cable... they will look like ends that belong there but they are not... they are just plastic ends used for shipping and to protect the ends from dirt and debris. You will just need to pull them straight off.
3. One more thing about connecting a fiber optic cable - it is not as easy as connecting the cable from the control pod to your PC, you will also need to change the default setting for your sound device or else you will not hear anything when you set the Z-5500 to the "Digital" setting. For VISTA, usually, you can go to the control panel, click on "Hardware and Sounds", then "sounds". This will bring up the window for your sound card settings. Be sure that you click on "Digital Output Device (S/PDIF)" and press the "Set Default" button as this will change your default to digital setting and will run the audio signal through your FO cable instead of the Analog cables.
4. This is a great investment for this 5.1 set up, but it is what it is, a surround sound set up. If you will be connecting this set up to your PC, you will get your monies worth and really appreciate the product if you have a High Def sound card. Look behind your PC tower and look for the audio ports.. this is your sound card and if it is 5.1, will have several ports with different colors. Typically, a good sound card will have a green, orange, back, and blue ports... also, if you see a square(ish) port that is lit up in red, that is an optical port which means that you are set up with a good quality 5.1 high def sound card and can take advantage of all of the z-500 features.
5. If you have a large room and you will be running length of speaker wire longer than 25' (and let me say that you will use that up in no time), you may want to go out and purchase better quality speaker wire (maybe 14 gauge) and get yourself about 100' of it to make sure you have enough. I myself will be doing that soon; I do think it's worth the investment.
6. When connecting the satellites, be sure to place them where they will rest before you run the speaker wire, this gives you an idea of what the set up will look like and a perspective on how you will run the wire.
7. If you can, place the sub near the corner of your room to maximize bass response, keep it about 2 feet away from electronics (is NOT magnetically shielded), especially your TV and DO NOT place the sub right against the wall... the sub will need to breathe as air passes through the heat sinks, front driver, and side bass port. They need to be away from a wall in order the avoid damage or potentially shorten the life of the sub.
That's it really... I really do recommend this product for anyone that enjoys music and movies. You cannot go wrong at this price range... Logitech has done a great job with this system..
More Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System reviews:
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Description of Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System
Logitech has taken the award-winning Logitech Z-680 speaker system and made it even better. By improving everything from the subwoofer to the satellites and adding new innovations like real-time digital sound equalization. The result is the Logitech Z-5500 Digital, a THX-certified, 500-watt 5.1 surround sound speaker system that offers everything you could possibly want and some things you didnt even know you needed. And once you plug in your PC, DVD or music player, or video game console, youll never want to listen to anything else.Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
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