LOGITECH Z-5500 5.1 DIGITAL 500WATT RMS SPEAKER SYSTEM

wolverine61 · TweakNOOB Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 34

So if I have a corrosion problem with the cables of z5500, then it means I'll be able to use the other cables of creative..
thanks.

nickrout · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 8

I just took delivery of a set of z-5500's yesterday. Awesome!

One interesting thing: they came with bare cable ends and spring loaded connectors on the back of the sub and the satellites. That means I can use the speaker wire already built into my house for the rear speakers, yahoo!

Most reviewers agree that the fixed wiring and rca plug attaxhment is one of the least desirable changes when comparing the z-5500's to the earlier z-680's.

Have Logitech bowed to pressure here, or is the New Zealand model somehow different?

Ham_fisT · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 3:53 pm Post subject:

Yeah, you're gonna love those things....untill you get evicted for noise violations

all Z-5500's now ship with spring connectors, and separate speaker wire. it seems Logitech did indeed bow to the masses.
_________________
Yeah....... ok

richzx11 · TweakNOOB Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 2

Trying to decide which speaker system to buy. Games, DVD then music is the priority importance of listening.

Looking for comments/feedback.

TIA

nickrout · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 8

I now have my z-5500 set up. I have the DVD player going to the optical digital input and my media pc (mini-itx) going to the coax digital input.

Everything from the DVD player is fine. However the media pc does not always work properly.

I am playing a recorded tv program presently. The sound is not getting to the speakers properly. It is not a dts or dolby digital soundtrack but a stereo soundtrack. As I understand it the sound card should be sending thru the two stereo channels digitally to the z-5500 which should play it in stereo (or expand it to 6 channels via dolby PLII). However no sound happens. The z-5500 screen is showing "Dolby PLII Movie". But, and here is the really odd bit, if I hit the "Settings" button or the "Level" button the sound comes through, and stays on until the screen goes back to showing it s default thing (Input Coax, Effect PL II Movie)

It doesn't change if I change "Effect" to any of the other settings. I have turned the whole thing on and off again (after a good wait), rebooted the PC, checked the sound card settings on the PC (which I hadn't changed anyway, but ya gotta check!)

Any suggestions? I am sure it was working properly yesterday.

Nick, puzzled in NZ.

Ham_fisT · Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 9:25 am Post subject:

Have you tried a Dolby Digital disc in the pc?, or tried the TV content through the 6 channel Analog connection?

Make sure that any software decoders are turned OFF when you use the digital connections.
_________________
Yeah....... ok

nickrout · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 8

Ham_fisT · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 8:52 am Post subject:

I would contact logitech, just to be on the safe side.
_________________
Yeah....... ok

Aresius · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

Hello all. Great forum, really.

I've just got this question, maybe it has been answered 599 times before but I didn't want to read through 12 pages.. ^^

Anyways, I've going to buy this Logitech Z-5500, and I've got a normal (maybe bad) soundcard, Realtek AC'97 Audio.
Will this soundcard work fine with this set?

Thank you very much and keep writing great reviews, Nate!

-Aresius

wolverine61 · TweakNOOB Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 34

How can we prevent this "pop" noise when a light source is turned on or off at home?? It drives me crazy especially while doing something busy and suddenly that noise comes out!!!

Silicon Skum · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 7:12 pm Post subject:

wolverine61 · TweakNOOB Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 34

Silicon Skum · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:09 pm Post subject:

depending on what country your in, it might be easier to order from on online electronics site. These often go by the terms "ferrites" "ferrite cores" or under the heading "emi suppression".

There are two types of cores available for this purpose, ring type which you wind the cable through a few times, and a "snap on" type which is a longer tube that is split in two halfs and clips over the straight cable. pics and info here:

http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/other/other_components_ferrite_cores.htm

I've used this company for parts, they will ship overseas:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?MenuNo=380&MenuName=Ferrites&FromMenu=y&doy=4m7

There are many other supliers, do a google search for online stores / supliers or companies / shops in your country, most electronic parts supliers will stock these, and they are very cheap. some HIFI audio places stock them too, it's quite common to use these in audio stuff.

You may already have one which you could use to "try before you buy", they are often attached to computer peripherals, or any sensitive electronic device, also check the signal cable on your monitor, there may be a small plastic box that is cliped over the cable, if it feels heavy and can be moved along the cable, then it's probably a ferrite core EMI suppressor which you can just unclip (there may already be one or two built INTO the signal cable, these are a round lump at either end, these cannot be removed).

You will only need ONE per cable, and place them as close to the amp connections as possible. Or you could just add them to the longest cables or even JUST one on the mains power cable, the power cable of the amp being the most important to use the suppresion on, as it is the most likley to be picking up the electrical noise from the switches in your house.

Good luck

_________________
my sig disappeared from the image host (?)
But at least I have a Josh Award!

wolverine61 · TweakNOOB Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 34

@Silicon Skum, great thanks again. You've given valuable information and this is the knowledge they call..

I hope to give an end to this nuisance thanks to your assist.. If I succeed, then I'll inform in here...

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Aresius · TweakNOOB Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

Hmmm ok.. Everyone that Ihave asked told me I would only have sound through 2 speakers, since I can just plug in the system in that green output back there on the computer.. To get the surround sound I need another output, they say.

But I dont know.. :)

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

LordPaludis · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 22

ac'97 can be up to 5.1, just check the plugs on your motherboard, if theres 3 audio outputs (obviously excluding the microphone) then it's 5.1. Never the less I would buy a new soundcard for better performance. I got myself an Audigy 2 Value. Perfect card with these speakers because the logitech decoder handles everything the card can't do like DTS, but it can do everything the decoder can't, like EAX 4.0 for games (and it's dirt cheap).

LordPaludis · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 22

oh you only have a green one... well in that case your only option is to buy a new soundcard.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Sito · TweakNOOB Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 7

Ham_fisT · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:26 pm Post subject:

Welcopme to Tweaknews

there really isn't all that much difference in SOUND QUALITY, between analog and digital, but a lot depends on your computer's soundcard, (or onboard sound), for instance, the Audigy soundcards require a cable with a MONO 1/8" plug on one end, and an RCA connector on the other, it should be available at any stereo/home entertainment type store.

Some soundcards, or motherboards have either optical, or coaxial outputs, and can connect straight to the Z-5500's with a simple optical or coaxial cable.

If you could tell us a little more about your computer, or whatever you plan to hook these speakers up to, we can help you figure out what you may need.

oh yeah....your english is great

_________________
Yeah....... ok

Sito · TweakNOOB Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 7

i was planning to buy a new soundcard at the same time, an audidgy 2 zs

not much more to tell about my pc i think...

Sito · TweakNOOB Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 7

can u send me any internet links for those 2 thingys so i can see what it is?. that would be very nice off u...