Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System
by Logitech
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Our Price: $962.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $260.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System
Customer Review: A wonderful system, best in my experience.
Summary: 5 Stars
Not too, too, lengthy here. But folks, please be advised that this awesome system is/was designed for use with a computer versus as a home theater system with a TV, etc. Even so, it functions wonderfully as a general home theater system in my experience. I've owned half a dozen HTX's and haven't been nuts about any of them and all of them had bugs or flaws, true story, except this one. Simply said, IMO, it just the best made and best on the market. Yeah, you'll get reviewers who say that the mid-range, the balance, the this and that, etc........are not as good as this system or that syatem........but I don't know what University they got their engineering degrees from and what they are using for ears.......because IMV, they are looking for something fully 99% of the people can't hear anyway.
Now for the con - but it's really not a con, per se. You see, like most other people I am using the system as a home theater set-up with my Plasma TV system, etc. I had a couple of issues sorting out the wiring but got it done without much trouble soon enough and, more specifically, I have wanted the control module to be much closer to me........like on end table or coffee table in front of me when I'm watching a movie or a video, but the cord to the control module is only about six feet long (attaches the control module to the rear of the sub) and it won't reach that far. I tried to use VGA cables and even tried to have a cable made to splice in, noting that to do so, that is, use such a modification voids the warranty and may cause damage to the innerds of the sub so they say, but I couldn't get it done - I couldn't find an extension cable. I even called Logitech and spoke to their CSR's who told me not to modify it that it wasn't designed to be modified....... In any case I am using the remote control for all the functions I need from across the room and, frankly speaking, just let me conclude by saying that if someone , anyone really, IMV, is not satisfied with this incredible system (build, fit, finish, features, performance and price) I haven't a clue as to what they would be looking for because this system, I firmly believe second to none. I'm a Logitech fan and have been for a long time and I never been stung by any of their products, but just the same, this system is a winner.
Customer Review: Try it, you'll like it
Summary: 5 Stars
I wanted a system to play music on so after much searching I came across this system. It garnered plenty of good reviews so I picked it up at CompUSA for $399, with the intent of listening to it to see what I thought, and if I didn't like it I could return it to them within 21 days for a full refund. It wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be, everyone reviewing it says it's massive but the box is easily manageable.
Setup
So I followed the setup instructions on the large poster included and the actual manual and installation was a breeze, maybe 10 minutes max. I don't have a digital out on my soundcard because I only have plain old Audigy not Audigy 2 card so I connected it using the 3 color coded 1/8" connectors. For those wanting digital sound from their computer without an optical connection make sure it actually has a digital out connection so you can plug in an adapter to that slot with the capability of running a coax wire from the adapter to the main control center.
Listening
I searched for a random rap song (for bass) on my computer and played it and I was blown away. The sound was amazing, the highs were all there, not much midrange due to the size of the speaker drivers but who cares because that's all taken care of when that sub kicks in. I am definitely impressed with the performance of the sub. It is tight and punchy, not boomy at all with a lot of other subs especially ht packaged subs and some other one's that I've auditioned. When you turn up the volume to about half way it gets loud. There is no distortion at all and the sub is just begging to be heard. I have only listened to music and I am thoroughly impressed, and there are even different listening modes to choose from but some can only be accessed if you have a digital connection. I can't wait to connect an optical/coax cable to listen in digital.
Conclusion
This is an incredible system for an incredible price. (...) The sound is incredible, it gets loud with no distortion and the bass from the sub is ridiculous. You can control the volume of the sub, center speaker, and surround speakers individually. The multiple connections make this extremely versatile and I hope to soon connect my PS2 (optical), TV (coax), and computer at the same time.
Customer Review: Utterly Exceptional - Home Theater Wonder
Summary: 5 Stars
1) Exceptional sound
2) Unbelievable price
3) Extremely flexible for digital and analog inputs
4) No amp or receiver needed
5) Use a DVD player, iPod, or computer as the AV source (digital source is best!)
I cannot praise this system enough as a home theater system. Sound is supurb. Better than my JVC AV receiver, JBL bookshelf speakers and Infinity subwoofer home theater setup, at a much lower cost. Better than my HK AVR95 high current receiver with Carver tower speakers and dual subwoofer system in the basement rec room, at 1/3 the cost (inc. the notebook with the z-5500). You don't need an amp or receiver with the Z-5500. 500+ watts RMS amplification is more than ample.
I wanted a nice sound system for my 4-seasons room - one that rocks without dominating the space. Used mostly for music, but occasional video use. Here's my setup. The Z-5500 is wall-mounted throughout the room. An HP DV2500 series laptop feeds audio to the Z-5500. Windows Media Player is a great front end, and I also use VLC Player. I have my mp3 files on the laptop and on a portable hard drive. I can also watch DVDs on a 22" Samsung LCD monitor mounted to the wall via a Peerless articulating wall mount with a 15" reach and tilt capabilities. I change the monitor position to where I am sitting, and tuck it flat against the wall when not in use. (May upgrade to a 24" or 28" monitor) The notebook has a DVD-RW drive, so a separate DVD player is unneccesary. Since the speakers are powered, a separate amp/receiver is also unneccesary.
Easily fills my 18x16 4-seasons room (and cathedral ceiling) with glorious sound. This system is great for large rooms and small.
I use a TOSLINK optical cable from the laptop to the Z-5500 for outstanding digital sound. Cables are under $10. Do not use an analog stereo output to the Z-5500 or you will be missing out on the best quality sound. Many notebooks and desktops do not have an SPDIF output, so a TOSLINK cable may not be available to you. Digital coax would be equal quality.
The kids can plug in their mp3 players into the Z-5500 as well.
The remote is easy to use, very convenient, and intuitive. AA batteries included!
Customer Review: Not a 1 star product
Summary: 1 Stars
Writing this review for all of the peeps the only look at 1 star reviews to get "honest" opinions. I've had them for 2+ years, never needed to deal with costumer service. Sounds is really quite good for computer speakers, the satellites perform as satellites do with crisp high end response, a little bit tiny sounding, lacking mid range sound. It's a little difficult to find a balance that tricks your ears into hearing a flat mid-range, but that's what you're buying. I've been using them lately with blu-ray digital on a PS3, work great. The setup is easy (e.g. plug it in). I didn't notice a lick of difference with MP3's playing optical or with the the 3 1/8th inch connectors (forget what they're called, maybe just stereo, or 5.1). However, digital with the blu-ray or a 96kHz hi-fi or HD music file is terrific. The surround sound is good and there's a lot of flexibility with how you setup the sound in accordance with your tastes. You can also use the THX tool that comes with the system to further tweak, I found the tool a bit cumbersome but you can tweak individual speaker volumes which is nice.
Lastly, as for it's durability, again, had it over 2 years, it has a bug where the power doesn't work, remedied by unplugging the sub and plugging it back in - happens about 3 times a year. This little bug is probably due to the fact that my house flooded 4 inches of water and soaked the woofer and the power strip on the ground. Dried it out for 2 days, still works with this little bug. The guy who blew his woofer twice is seriously pushing the limits of the device. A likely scenario is that it overheated since these kinds of subs get stuck in the corner somewhere without ventilation and it can draw some heavy power for a computer device, thereby generating a lot of heat.
Overall, it's not a bad product, I'm about to buy a set for a birthday gift. I like good sound, without breaking the bank. This is a nice in between. Want better? It'll cost you. The only con I would say is lacking warmth in the midrange which the sub doesn't quite mask and the satellites can't quite acquire. Pros: it's real surround, 5.1 dolby, dts, thx, the works, and for the price tag, it's great.
Customer Review: Just recieved and Lovin It
Summary: 5 Stars
The first thing my dad said when he saw the box was "Logitech, well then they must be nice speakers". I've been wanting new speakers for awhile and my JBL creatures with little over 70 watts of power werent doing it for me. A guy that lives above me has these speakers and when he plays his rap songs as loud as he can stand it, the bass rattles my room through a cement ceiling. Needless to say there is quite enough power to satisfy most bass enthusiasts and these babies will get LOUD. I enjoy the feeling you get when you turn the speakers up past halfway, yet if you went any higher pictures might fall off the wall and these things can still get louder. Carrying these down the stairs to my room was definately a chore, they weigh a ton! Like 60lbs. I believe.
I've read about a few, and I note a few, people have complained about the speakers just stop working after a little while. I've only had them for two days so we'll see how that goes and plus they still need to break in.
I wouldn't recommend turning these up past halfway for about the first few weeks of owning them just to let the cones break in and not take the risk of a blown woofer or speaker. I don't really see the need of the boost feature, because im sure at that volume you might as well set up a whole stage set if you want it that loud, plus im sure anything above boost 4 (it goes to 10) will damage the system. But features are a selling point. The sub is huge with magnets to match, so watch the distance from computers, tv's and such. The digital encoding outranks whatever other systems at this price have to offer, such as the klipsch pro5.1 and buying a larger gauge wire is recommended for better quality although it doesnt have to be fancy monster cable or anything.
The bottom line here is that these things are hard to dissapoint. Prices are constantly fluctuating due to the popularity and buying seasons so keep and eye out. I watched these go from $250 during fall 06 and rise to about the retail during the christmas season. The prices have changed alot since then too and eventually they will get down to about $260-250 if you watch, plus sometimes free shipping at amazon!