Logitech Z-5500 Digital Soundroom

[gopala33]

ok u check sound card link http://asia.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=205&product=14189&listby=
so can detect 6ch direct z-5500 ??? is sound card good ?
i tested other computer sound card creative sound blaster 5.1 live oem pc card very old but no software so driver only i connect 3 cables z-5500 i set effect 6ch direct i play song mp3 i see center no sound maybe sound card can't detect 5.1

[Mussels]

MP3 files are only two channel. they will never give you a center channel without using the dolby upmixing features of the speakers.

If you want 5.1 audio, you need 5.1 files to start with like a DVD movie.

[gopala33]

MP3 files are only two channel. they will never give you a center channel without using the dolby upmixing features of the speakers.

If you want 5.1 audio, you need 5.1 files to start with like a DVD movie.

ohh mp3 file i set effect 6ch direch so 2x fornt 2x rear right no center sound so how about subwoofer ? wil subwoofer bass and louder ???? right

[twicksisted]

ohh mp3 file i set effect 6ch direch so 2x fornt 2x rear right no center sound so how about subwoofer ? wil subwoofer bass and louder ???? right

I dont think youre quite getting it....
An MP3 is a stereo source.... you have 5.1 surround speakers.... playing 6channel direct will only give you stereo L/R.... its not going to play out all 5.1 speakers unless you "upmix" it to dolby digital or use some of the other built in effects on the unit.

[Mussels]

as twicksisted said you're missing the point.

MP3's are STEREO. that means TWO, as in two channels. thats front left and front right.
If you want MORE channels you need to use the dolby music mode, or 'stereo x2' (which gives no center)

[Mussels]

as twicksisted said you're missing the point.

MP3's are STEREO. that means TWO, as in two channels. thats front left and front right.
If you want MORE channels you need to use the dolby music mode, or 'stereo x2' (which gives no center)

[TheGuruStud]

Any decent audio card software will also upmix it rather well, so it's not a big deal.
Music mode works pretty good on the speakers, but X2 is crap. The satellites sound good, but the bass is incredibly lackluster.

[gopala33]

ohh mp3 stero two channels only so how about subwoofer ?
subwoofer wil bass and louder right right

[Darren]

gopala33, you need to read up on alot of stuff before you invest in any more equipment.

ohh mp3 stero two channels only so how about subwoofer ?
subwoofer wil bass and louder right right

MP3's are usually always 2 channels i.e. Stereo left/right channels. The subwoofer is mixed afterwards automatically by the soundcard when it devides the low frequency response to the sub and the high frequencies to the satellites.


I have Logitech Z-5500 so i need good sound card i use music songs listering i want loud and bass good and Decode Dolby Digital DTS and movie so which batter one sound card i dont want use gaming sound ok so help me which brand good ??? and model so most best sound card wil be loud and bass

You need a soundcard capable of encoding bit streams to the Logitech's AV receiver, this is the ONLY way you can get DTS 5.1 and Dolby 5.1 on MP3 files and movie files which are originally 2 channels (alternatively use your receivers built in Prologic up mix feature which will sound like crap)


ok u check sound card link http://asia.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=205&product=14189&listby=

so can detect 6ch direct z-5500 ??? is sound card good ?
i tested other computer sound card creative sound blaster 5.1 live oem pc card very old but no software so driver only i connect 3 cables z-5500 i set effect 6ch direct i play song mp3 i see center no sound maybe sound card can't detect 5.1

You can't get Dolby/DTS 5.1 using 3 cables; you need a digital cable such as fibre, coaxial, or HDMI. You need a new sound card with both digital connections and encoding bit stream support.


Dolby/DTS encoding cards:

Auzentech X- Plosion
Auzentech X-Meridian
Auzentech/Creative Prelude (avoid)
Asus Xonar D2 7.1

Edit:

i just want dolby digital/DTS Decoding i dont want encoding so i want good sound card i use listering songs mp3 and dolby digital and DTS and movie 5.1 so what analogue its 3 cables green black orange right ??? so which good sound card

If it's just decoding that you want ANY cheap crappy soundcard with a digital connection will decode data from a store bought DVD. But from what your asking it sounds like you know little about what your talking about. If you want Dolby from MP3 files then you DO want encoding. You can only decode from a DVD because they pre-encoded, however MP3s need to be encoded first.

Also. You cant get Dolby using the cables green black orange cablesm you will only get stereo or a Prologic upmix.

Edit 2: be back in a few hours...I'll help you find your screen shots later

[gopala33]

ohh thanks i understand
its not valume u can see my old sound card onboard u see like picture valume control
picture link http://img378.imageshack.us/my.php?i...4793158kn0.jpg
show me screenshot i want see valume control that sound card Asus Xonar D2 7.1
very hard to find pic u can see my sound card onboard old u see valume control i need picture sound card asus xonar D2 7.1 screenshot valume

[FreedomEclipse]

Im a Z-5500 wannabe. been looking to upgrade my set of old 5.1's for something newer

[Darren]

ohh thanks i understand
its not valume u can see my old sound card onboard u see like picture valume control
picture link http://img378.imageshack.us/my.php?i...4793158kn0.jpg
show me screenshot i want see valume control that sound card Asus Xonar D2 7.1
very hard to find pic u can see my sound card onboard old u see valume control i need picture sound card asus xonar D2 7.1 screenshot valume


Why do you care what the driver's navigation menu looks like? The Xonar's menu should like identical to the other cmedia menus. But since you asked!

http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=74590643to8.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=50291377rq8.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=18308313tw5.jpg



Im a Z-5500 wannabe. been looking to upgrade my set of old 5.1's for something newer

The Z-5500 is like four years old, your better off investing in a AV receiver and some bookshelf speakers. :)

[twicksisted]

Why do you care what the driver's navigation menu looks like? The Xonar's menu should like identical to the other cmedia menus. But since you asked!

http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=74590643to8.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=50291377rq8.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=18308313tw5.jpg





The Z-5500 is like four years old, your better off investing in a AV receiver and some bookshelf speakers. :)

thats not the Asus D2 control panel in those pics though.... thats the oxygen control panel (C-Media soundcard)...
Anyways... exactely what he said, I showed you a picture of it (see previous post of mine with pic).... and thats not the point really as darren says... lol... im starting to think that youre taking the piss here (gopala33)

[gopala33]

Why do you care what the driver's navigation menu looks like? The Xonar's menu should like identical to the other cmedia menus. But since you asked!

http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=74590643to8.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=50291377rq8.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=18308313tw5.jpg





The Z-5500 is like four years old, your better off investing in a AV receiver and some bookshelf speakers. :)

hey i see screenshot its other sound card it not asus Xonar D2

[gopala33]

thats not the Asus D2 control panel in those pics though.... thats the oxygen control panel (C-Media soundcard)...
Anyways... exactely what he said, I showed you a picture of it (see previous post of mine with pic).... and thats not the point really as darren says... lol... im starting to think that youre taking the piss here (gopala33)

ya i did see picture asus xanor d2 but i see its not valume like valume wave,etc u did see my pic sound card like valume control

[Mussels]

gopala: i dont think we know what you're asking. your spelling and overall grammar isnt helping, please take some more time and plan out what you want to ask.

[twicksisted]

ya i did see picture asus xanor d2 but i see its not valume like valume wave,etc u did see my pic sound card like valume control

here we go dude... I took a screenie of each feature in the
Asus D2 Control panel.. I think what youre trying to refer to is the device "Mixer".
hope this helps ;)



http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/1-3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/2-2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/3-3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/4-3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/5-3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/6-3.jpg

[gopala33]

ohh thanks help for me i see karaoke can removed vocal so no voice 100% so wil be music only right

[twicksisted]

ohh thanks help for me i see karaoke can removed vocal so no voice 100% so wil be music only right

no worries ;)
I dont use the kareoke function... its just a filter though that filters out the midrange sounds (where the voice in a track predominatly sits in the mix)... so it couldnt ever do it 100% but it dosent sound half bad

[gopala33]

ohh thanks i have DTS Wav i play song i got sound noise
i buy that card asus xanor d2 so file Wav DTS version i play wil get song ??? i need use optical or coax ?

[twicksisted]

ohh thanks i have DTS Wav i play song i got sound noise
i buy that card asus xanor d2 so file Wav DTS version i play wil get song ??? i need use optical or coax ?

I personally use optical connection... but I use the soundcard to upmix stereo files and such rather than the Z-5500's as I prefer its upmixing of 5.1 signals to that of the Z-5500 headunit.

and yes if you bought the Xonar soundcard you would be able to play a DTS encoded audio file to the Z5500 over optical.

[gopala33]

I personally use optical connection... but I use the soundcard to upmix stereo files and such rather than the Z-5500's as I prefer its upmixing of 5.1 signals to that of the Z-5500 headunit.

and yes if you bought the Xonar soundcard you would be able to play a DTS encoded audio file to the Z5500 over optical.

i when i buy Xonar D2 they give optical toslink cable its orignal u have test the cable how about sound quality ?????

[twicksisted]

i when i buy Xonar D2 they give optical toslink cable its orignal u have test the cable how about sound quality ?????

The quality of a cable is only relevant when dealing with analogue signals, not digital

They do include an optical cable with the sound card.... and because it's digital and just transmits data from the sound card to speakers.. therefore there is no loss of quality, it will sound exactly as intended.

[freaksavior]

http://sinan.ussakli.net/basstest/

Check that out guys.

play the 5-100 sub test, it will hurt your ears

[Mussels]

thanks for the links freak, they should be added to the first post.

[nareshseep]

Guys check this out, I know this is the logitech thread.
http://www.edifier-international.com/product.php?seri=7

to me it looks just like the 5500, but has a tweeter!!! l same control pod, same features

[Mussels]

naresheep: it might LOOK similar, but the specs show it to be nothing like it



- Power output: RMS 2 x 10W + 20W (THD=10%)
- Signal to noise ratio: >=85dBA



edit: i think you meant the S750 set. that sets specs are similar, and while it claims to have seperate treble control the rest of it seems inferior... it doesnt have DTS decoding, for example.

[majki84]

Hello from Poland :) First, i'd like to say that I like this forum very much and read all this topic and dozens of others similar and didn't find the answer, so maybe You will be able to help me.

I'm going to buy a new PC with Logitech Z-5500 and some decent sound card. The setup will be used for: 40% movies, 35% music, 25% games. I was thinking about getting Asus Xonar DX or D2(X), but i heard that there are some problems with sound in the games (but it's not that important, maybe it's just drivers). I want to watch dvd movies or even Full HD (I'll get 24-26 inch lcd), listen to music in FLAC and play FPP (mainly)games. I want the best sound quallity i can get not spending a fortune. Question is: Can i get DTS 96/24 on Xonar DX (which doesn't have DTS encoder, but speakers has) through optical out? Coz someone told me that it's posible only via coaxial out and DX has Optical.
Another Q is: I read that if you connect speakers digitally to sound card, the latter doesn't do practilly nothing with the sound, just passes through to speakers which makes all the rest (and Z-5500 has all decoders I need - DTS, DD, DPLII), so why do I need expensive sound card? The cheap one with digital out should do the thing?
I was told that it's good to have speakers connected also via analog for games (digital for the rest), coz not all the games are in 5.1, but through analogs i will get 5.1 sound(?). Soundcard is very important on analog for decent sound, point to Xonar. Do i really need analog nowadays?
Will I hear the deference between DX and D2(x)? On digital rather not, but what about analog? I think that DX is good enough for this speakers or should i move to D2 for triple price for this tiny better quality sound and built-in DTS en/decoder (do i need it?, it's already in z5500)?
I just want to hear all the hot stuff like DD, DTS and have decent 5.1 sound in games. What should i choose? The more i read the forums worldwide the dumper I am :) Help me please :)

[freaksavior]

thanks for the links freak, they should be added to the first post.

Your welcome. I played the sub test on my dads klispch and i had to turn it off les than half way through it :)

[Darren]

I was thinking about getting Asus Xonar DX or D2(X), but i heard that there are some problems with sound in the games (but it's not that important, maybe it's just drivers).


Sounds like bad rumors, the Xonar's drivers are one of the best, really stable. You will have less driver related problems in games with a Xonar than with a Creative product.


I want the best sound quality i can get not spending a fortune.


You don't need to spend a fortune, but if you want quality products you shouldn't be looking for "computer speakers", you should be looking at home cinema systems and bookshelf speakers.

Coz someone told me that it's posible only via coaxial out and DX has Optical

That is because Dolby Digital or DTS can only be transmitted through a digital data cable e.g. Fibre optical, coaxial, and HDMI.


so why do I need expensive sound card? The cheap one with digital out should do the thing?

Not all soundcards with digital outputs have the same capabilities, for example most sound cards only support stereo through the digital outputs and can only carry 5.1 streams if the data is pre-encoded prior e.g. DVDs/HD DVDs/Blu-Ray are usually pre-encoded in 5.1 and hence why most sound cards with digital outs can pass these 5.1 channels to the decoder/AV receiver opposed to the usual stereo.
The only way to get Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 though the soundcards outputs in material which isn't pre-encoded such as stereo content e.g. MP3 files, games, downloaded videos, is to purchase a sound card capable of encoding the material in real-time into 5.1 streams ready for the receiver/AV. Only a few sound cards are capable of real time pre-encoding such as, Asus Xonar (D2, D2X), Auzentech X-Plosion, Auzentech X-Meridian, Auzentech/Creative Prelude. There are a few other cards which I can't remember the names of.

coz not all the games are in 5.1, but through analogs i will get 5.1 sound(?).

Using analogue you'll only get PCM stereo. The only way to get 5.1 is to use the receiver's Prologic feature which wills up mix the channels to Prologic 5.1, also you will be unable to get DTS or Dolby, not even in DVDs.


I think that DX is good enough for this speakers or should i move to D2 for triple price for this tiny better quality sound and built-in DTS en/decoder (do i need it?, it's already in z5500)?

The Z-5500's only "decodes" you still need a soundcard to "encode" the data into 5.1 bit streams to so the The Z-5500's can decode it.
You will not hear any difference in sound quality between the D2 and D2X, the difference is in its interface. The D2 is for PCI expansion slots and the D2X is for PCI-Express expansion slots. The DX version can only encode Dolby Digital but not DTS that is why it's cheaper. (bare in mind it can decode DTS just not encode it. It can however encode and decode Dolby Digital)

PS. You talk as if the Z-5500 is this fantastic product, It's like 5 year old piece of hardware, if you're serious about movies you'd invest in a home cinema system and bookshelf speakers and leave the plastic toy looking computer speakers alone.

Edit:


3. Analogue will indeed get you 5.1 sound. That was a... big mistake on darrens part. Of course analogue works in 5.1, or else theres a lot of idiots out there with analogue speaker sets! analogue just doesnt sound as good as digital :)


I hold my hands up; I should have been more specific. I meant that you can't get Dolby 5.1 or DTS 5.1 bit streams through analogue. :)

[chron]

was thinking of cleaning my desk and room before these pictures, but i figured, what the hell lol.

I've got this system pared with an X-Fi platinum on the pc, and I'm using optical in from my DVR along with hdmi on the monitor. Right now I'm watching pbs at 720p/DD :P


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo126/chronstinct/img1221613213887.jpg
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo126/chronstinct/img1221613216271.jpg

[Mussels]

long message

I'll just reinforce some points that darren made.


1. optical, coax, HDMI - all the same. Digital is digital.

2. for media, there is no use with a better soundcard. your 2.0 stuff is never going to become anything else, and your 5.1 dolby digital and DTS sound is getting passed through without being touched by the soundcard.

2.1 For *GAMES* you will only get 2.0 sound without a sound card capable of real time encoding. For 5.1 games you need analogue, or a card with encoding. that is where these expensive cards come into it.

3. Analogue will indeed get you 5.1 sound. That was a... big mistake on darrens part. Of course analogue works in 5.1, or else theres a lot of idiots out there with analogue speaker sets! analogue just doesnt sound as good as digital :)

[majki84]

You don't need to spend a fortune, but if you want quality products you shouldn't be looking for "computer speakers", you should be looking at home cinema systems and bookshelf speakers.

You will not hear any difference in sound quality between the D2 and D2X, the difference is in its interface.

PS. You talk as if the Z-5500 is this fantastic product, It's like 5 year old piece of hardware, if you're serious about movies you'd invest in a home cinema system and bookshelf speakers and leave the plastic toy looking computer speakers alone.



I know that there's no deference between D2 and D2X, I wrote DX vs D2X. Will I hear the deference in sound quality on z-5500? Do i really need this D2's dts de/encoder in my case? Is there dts in games? I think it's only in movies and there sound is pre-encoded so DX should do just fine, passing sound to speakers with dts decoder(?).
I know home cinema is better, but I don't have place for big speakers (small room in the flat) and good columns and ampli is way more expensive then this setup.
So DX or D2X? Which way to go? :)
Oh, and do You know how to recognise revision 2 of this speakers? Someone wrote here that all the speakers made after 2007 (so R-7xx) are free of popping sounds etc. I want to buy the speakers on pixmania.com and they wrote that they are selling this model from: 01/10/2004

Ref. Constructeur : 970115-0914

Will they be ok?

[Darren]

I wrote DX vs D2X. Will I hear the deference in sound quality on z-5500?

No. You will not hear a difference in sound quality. The main difference that separates the DX version is that it lacks the DTS encoding, but it does have Dolby encoding, Dolby decoding, and DTS decoding. Apart from that I doubt you'll hear a measurable difference. If the D2X is too expensive there are other alternatives such as the Auzentech X-plosion which is way cheaper and supports everything you need.

Do i really need this D2's dts de/encoder in my case? Is there dts in games? I think it's only in movies and there sound is pre-encoded so DX should do just fine, passing sound to speakers with dts decoder(?)

Games, MP3 files, any other multimedia file that is downloaded from the internet are usually in PCM Stereo. Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 is only in AC3 files/store bought DVDs and hence the sound is passed through to the decoder (this can be achieved with any soundcard with SPDIF/digital out)

However if you want Dolby Digital in games, MP3 files, any other multimedia files you'll need an encoder type soundcard e.g. Xonar, Auzentech.


Oh, and do You know how to recognise revision 2 of this speakers? Someone wrote here that all the speakers made after 2007 (so R-7xx) are free of popping sounds etc. I want to buy the speakers on pixmania.com and they wrote that they are selling this model from: 01/10/2004
Ref. Constructeur : 970115-0914


Personally I wouldn't buy computer speakers especially ones which were almost 5 years old, let alone one which has a history of making popping noise. But as far as revisions go, it's completely random which batch you receive.

[Mussels]

DEcoding is almost wortlhess as it can be done in software.
Only movies are pre ENcoded, no games come in dolby digital or DTS.

The only reason to get an ENCODING card is to move an analogue 5.1 source (games!) over to digital 5.1!

[majki84]

So i understand that if dx has dolby digital encoding it will be enough for gaming, i don't need dts encoding here? Also i don't need dts encoding for movies and music as they are already pre encoded and my speakers will decode it with no problem(via optical)?so why would i need dts encoding in d2x in daily use? Sorry, i'm still not convinced which card to choose :/

[Darren]

so why would i need dts encoding in d2x in daily use? Sorry, i'm still not convinced which card to choose :/

DTS encoding is a personal choice if you don't need DTS encoding get the DX otherwise get the D2X if you want both Dolby encoding and DTS encoding. It's a personal choice which soundcard you purchase because know one can "convince" you which to select, all I can do is explain the features and you will have to choose based on which features will satisfy your needs and financial budget.

Personally I've got an Auzentech X-Meridian soundcard and when playing MP3s and MPEG files I rather the sound of DTS encoding opposed to Dolby encoding. Dolby tends to have a more focused center for dialogue whilst DTS tends to have weaker dialogue but heavier surround effects. But everyone's has their own preferences and experiences will vary depending their speaker setup.

[majki84]

Personally I've got an Auzentech X-Meridian soundcard and when playing MP3s and MPEG files I rather the sound of DTS encoding opposed to Dolby encoding. Dolby tends to have a more focused center for dialogue whilst DTS tends to have weaker dialogue but heavier surround effects.
That's what i wanted to know! :) To sum up: dts encoding can be used in music but it just differs from dolby encoding(inc.in dx)in surround effect. I still can be able to watch stereo movies and mp3s in 5.1 on dx thanks to dolby. If dolby encoding for stereo content suits me,then i really don't need dts encoding actually. Even when watching dvds and blue ray movies i don't need dts encoding as they are already pre encoded and z-5500 will decode it(only via digital,so in dx - via optical). So in my case it's not worth spending a fortune od d2x for just dts encoding which will give me only diferent surround effect. All the movies are preencoded? What about quallity. As far as i know dts has better bit/kHz then dolby. Will i be able to hear flac files, blue ray moviec on dx?

[twicksisted]

That's what i wanted to know! :) To sum up: dts encoding can be used in music but it just differs from dolby encoding(inc.in dx)in surround effect. I still can be able to watch stereo movies and mp3s in 5.1 on dx thanks to dolby. If dolby encoding for stereo content suits me,then i really don't need dts encoding actually. Even when watching dvds and blue ray movies i don't need dts encoding as they are already pre encoded and z-5500 will decode it(only via digital,so in dx - via optical). So in my case it's not worth spending a fortune od d2x for just dts encoding which will give me only diferent surround effect. All the movies are preencoded? What about quallity. As far as i know dts has better bit/kHz then dolby. Will i be able to hear flac files, blue ray moviec on dx?

If money is no object and you want the best, then go for the azuntechs or the xonar...
If you want to get the full potential out of blue ray movies and their higher quality sound in comparison to normal dobly surround aswell.
DTS uses less compression than dolby in the same way as a flac uses less compression than an mp3 for a higher quality. You will find DTS on the better cards and in my opinion, yes, it is worth it :)

Ive often bought stuff only to replace it a while later with the best that money can buy... becuase usually you get what you pay for and in this case its not that much more :)

[chron]

With my x-fi card, I find that surround stereo at 50%, 50% crystalizer, and the eq set to country, you get very crisp music. The bass seems to go up when you set the stereo surround to 50% which makes up for the lack of it in the country eq setting, then the 50% crystalizer just boosts everything.

Anyone else have any prefered X-Fi / Z-5500 settings?

[DanishDevil]

I set similar settings to those, but I used a custom EQ to bump mids and treble, and kept the speaker settings default, but bumped the bass and surround a bit. Of course, DDL because I had an Auzen X-Fi Prelude, but with my old Creative X-Fi, I just went analog.

[Bellamy29]

Personally I wouldn't buy computer speakers especially ones which were almost 5 years old, let alone one which has a history of making popping noise. But as far as revisions go, it's completely random which batch you receive.

Try to find something in it's price range that even measures close to price and value point. Also, have you heard these speakers? I'm guessing no. All the reviews, people are just crazy? The speakers obviously appeal to the masses, and unless you view the masses as crazy people, they have a say too. No, it won't be audiophile equipment, but come on. I have a $4000 klipsch surround sound setup in my living room. Do these hold a candle to it? No. They aren't that bad.

The DX is completely fine for your Z-5500, most if not everyone recommends it over the X-plosion and other cards in the price range. But if you really want DTS, then get the X-plosion I would recommend.

[FreedomEclipse]

hey hey hey - better get a seat warmed up for me - I will hopefully have a set of 5500's by tuesday/wednesday next week

[FreedomEclipse]

Just placed an order for my speakers - they will be here in 4 days time. cost me a grand total of $349.70 (converted from GBP)

how much can u moobs in the US get it for??? Im guessing probably around $300

[TheGuruStud]

Just placed an order for my speakers - they will be here in 4 days time. cost me a grand total of $349.70 (converted from GBP)

how much can u moobs in the US get it for??? Im guessing probably around $300

175 with free shipping :)

[FreedomEclipse]

175 with free shipping :)

:twitch::banghead::banghead::shadedshu

*sigh* Welcome to Europe - home of the 17.5% VAT (Value Added Tax) & assholes that fix their prices.

$349 'IS' the cheapest i could find in the UK.

the price of any item in the UK is split in many different ways via tax's & this is all before the retailers had to put the product on their shelves & in a desprite bid to cover their costs & of course their margin of profit

its daylight robbery

[TheGuruStud]

:twitch::banghead::banghead::shadedshu

*sigh* Welcome to Europe - home of the 17.5% VAT (Value Added Tax) & assholes that fix their prices.

$349 'IS' the cheapest i could find in the UK.

the price of any item in the UK is split in many different ways via tax's & this is all before the retailers had to put the product on their shelves & of course adding their own 'cut' for gross profit.

its daylight robbery

Well, it could be worse. You could live here...oh wait, you do. United Tyrannical Gov of Britain/America.

What's their justification for these taxes, BTW? So prince douche can pilot a chinook helicopter to his girlfriend's house and show off?

[FreedomEclipse]

Possibly to bail out banks that are going or soon to be bust. they say tax's are in places to run the country - the only thing ive seen is a member of parlament take a taxi from london all the way to Scotland on 'tax payers' money. & of course Prince Douche can pilot a chopper to his girlfriends house.

weve got so many tax's (stealth tax's included) in this country - so many people pay their tax's & as direct result a member of parlament can take a london taxi all the way to scotland. - I hope he achieved whatever he went to scotland to achieve.

the justification is that us working class people are forced to work longer hours to pay for overpriced things then we get blamed for 'slump in profits' because were all to busy working to shop & then they tax our earnings when we havent even seen the light of day in how many years????

there is no end to this. & its even worse with this recession/credit crunch - this time we lose our jobs, some people wont even get paid because their companies gone bust - welcome to the UK! what want your salary? wait i'l just ask the manager if he will give us back the half a mil bonus we paid him.

[TheGuruStud]

Does anyone know if Asus plans on fixing the D2 equalizer? It's crap haha.

And does everyone's Z5500s have 2 khz just shrieking at high volumes? I have to significantly cut the frequency. It's killer on you ears and sounds staticy. (did it before with onboard ADI too)

[Darren]

Try to find something in it's price range that even measures close to price and value point. Also, have you heard these speakers? I'm guessing no. All the reviews, people are just crazy? The speakers obviously appeal to the masses, and unless you view the masses as crazy people, they have a say too. No, it won't be audiophile equipment, but come on. I have a $4000 klipsch surround sound setup in my living room. Do these hold a candle to it? No. They aren't that bad.



I know that the Z-5500 are good computers speakers but I try to be as objective as possible and therefore meaning that I have to say a few negatives as well as positives otherwise I sound like a fan boy. My only gripe with the Z-5500 is the price tag because in the United Kingdom they are between £200-350 ($400-700 US) which is a stupid amount considering they are five years old. In the UK £130 can buy you a decent AV receiver with Coaxial/HDMI connections with all the standards you'd expect such as DD, DTS, Prologic IIx, DTS Neo - extras such as FM/AM radio etc. £50 can buy you a pair of decent bookshelf speakers, not the best but better than the satellites on the Z-5500. So that's £100 for four bookshelf speakers. £70 can easily by a active subwoofer, so in conclusion although the Z-5500 are good speakers, here in the UK the Z-5500 is not much cheaper than a mediocre home cinema system which will would have more features and be slightly better spec'd


The DX is completely fine for your Z-5500, most if not everyone recommends it over the X-plosion and other cards in the price range. But if you really want DTS, then get the X-plosion I would recommend.


I think majki84 went with the Asus Xonar DX :)

[majki84]

I didn't buy anything yet, still thinking ;/ I need to find out if logitech poland is exchanging early revisions of z-5500 into r-7xx or above for free (because pixmania.com is selling them for about 230€ but probably old ones, with popping sound etc). I will probably go for the DX, I can get DTS on it, coz speakers has decoder, but i'm thinking if crystalizer on X-Fi wouldn't be better for low kbps mp3 (like 128-160kbps) then DX, hard choice. I don't play that much so i don't care about dx's problems in games, I need the best sound in music and movies.

[Mussels]

music (MP3's) are the problem. no matter what soundcard you get, they just wont sound any better, to be honest.

Games require a card that can encode to dolby or DTS - DTS is the best quality, but not by a huge amount. Movies dont require anything apart from a digital output, thats the joy of digital!

[Bellamy29]

I know that the Z-5500 are good computers speakers but I try to be as objective as possible and therefore meaning that I have to say a few negatives as well as positives otherwise I sound like a fan boy. My only gripe with the Z-5500 is the price tag because in the United Kingdom they are between £200-350 ($400-700 US) which is a stupid amount considering they are five years old. In the UK £130 can buy you a decent AV receiver with Coaxial/HDMI connections with all the standards you'd expect such as DD, DTS, Prologic IIx, DTS Neo - extras such as FM/AM radio etc. £50 can buy you a pair of decent bookshelf speakers, not the best but better than the satellites on the Z-5500. So that's £100 for four bookshelf speakers. £70 can easily by a active subwoofer, so in conclusion although the Z-5500 are good speakers, here in the UK the Z-5500 is not much cheaper than a mediocre home cinema system which will would have more features and be slightly better spec'd


I think majki84 went with the Asus Xonar DX :)

Holy crap - UK people get screwed in a lot of things, lol. I remember shrieking at the PS3 price in the UK at launch.. or was it Australia? Either way, yeah. For that price, definitely go for something else.

Someone is offering me $260 for my speakers. I could probably get (very cheap) bookshelves and a receiver after adding in ~100 more. Is it worth it? I don't know.. lots of people who complain about the music aspect of it (bass being boomy) can be fixed with placement and equalizers. Not fully, but enough :). When the $$ starts coming in though, I'd go for some bookshelves and eventually build a real 5.1 set - like years down the road.

For the UK though, DEFINITELY would get home theater equipment if the Z-5500 is that price. That is too high.

[TheGuruStud]

Holy crap - UK people get screwed in a lot of things, lol. I remember shrieking at the PS3 price in the UK at launch.. or was it Australia? Either way, yeah. For that price, definitely go for something else.

Someone is offering me $260 for my speakers. I could probably get (very cheap) bookshelves and a receiver after adding in ~100 more. Is it worth it? I don't know.. lots of people who complain about the music aspect of it (bass being boomy) can be fixed with placement and equalizers. Not fully, but enough :). When the $$ starts coming in though, I'd go for some bookshelves and eventually build a real 5.1 set - like years down the road.

For the UK though, DEFINITELY would get home theater equipment if the Z-5500 is that price. That is too high.

I would never describe the z5500s as boomy. I don't where people get that :confused:

The low end logitechs are definitely boomy, but that's the best they can do for any punch.

If anything, mine's severely lacking on any "boominess". I jack up 30-60 hz just so there's low end punch.

[FreedomEclipse]

My only gripe with the Z-5500 is the price tag because in the United Kingdom they are between £200-350 ($400-700 US)

tbh - my set cost £194 but because i didnt want to wait i slapped a few quid on p&P to have it deliverd at a certain time. $344.58 - Free P&P

i coulda had it next day delivery but if i did that then id be paying the exact same amount as i would if i had gone down to my usual pc shop to get it & i doubt those bastards are willing to go cheaper then £190.

there IS a site selling it for £180 free P&P but its a terrible site. Ive read stuff about one person spent about 5grand on their site for a complete home entertainment package - 50" tv, dvd player, surround sound system etc etc & they sent him a dyson vacumcleaner instead LOL & refused to refund him or accept the dyson back.

there are lots of bad comments about this site - Un profesional after sales etc etc the usual but they seem yank peoples chain a lot lot more then any other business. I musta went through 3-4 forums where it was just bad comment after bad comment after bad comment. a lotta comments about people taking legal action against the site.


Pixmania.com

[Darren]

tbh - my set cost £194 but because i didnt want to wait i slapped a few quid on p&P to have it deliverd at a certain time. $344.58 - Free P&P



For £194 you got a good deal as I've seen the Logitech Z-5500 for a lot more. But to be honest I still stand by the fact that these days you can buy a regular AV receiver with your standard features (coaxial/fibre connections, radio, about 20 DSPs, DD/DTS) from £100, from £140 if you want HDMI. Heck if you think bookshelf speakers are pricey I've seen some decent "all in one" packages which come with mediocre 5.1 speakers and subwoofer in addition to the AV receiver, these can be found for about £160+ and hence giving one flexibility to upgrade the speakers at a later date. For personal reasons I favour the AV receiver because of the multiple input/outputs. I can have my TV/free view box connected via coaxial, PC/soundcard via fibre optical, and if a friend brings a console around I can connect that into the spare fibre input and switch between devices at a press of a button on the remote.


Holy crap - UK people get screwed in a lot of things, lol. I remember shrieking at the PS3 price in the UK at launch.. or was it Australia? Either way, yeah. For that price, definitely go for something else.



The PS3's launch price in the UK was £425-500 for just the console and one controller. Even now the PS3 is still between £240-450 depending on whether you get the 20 GB, 40 GB or 80 GB version and you'll get no accessories no games, just the console and one controller, and Sony wonder why sales are crap in the UK.

[FreedomEclipse]

Hey hey all - Ebuyer fucked up my order & sent it on next day delivery instead of within the next 3-4 working days LOL. I paid for a 3-4working day delivery but i got next day :P - Ive already got it set up. pics to follow in a 15-30mins once ive finished blasting some....


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/FinalFreedomEclipse/Animation3.gif

[twicksisted]

Hey hey all - Ebuyer fucked up my order & sent it on next day delivery instead of within the next 3-4 working days LOL. I paid for a 3-4working day delivery but i got next day :P - Ive already got it set up. pics to follow in a 15-30mins once ive finished blasting some....


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/FinalFreedomEclipse/Animation3.gif

haha wicked bro... have fun, i remember it being a good day when i unwrapped mine ;)

[FreedomEclipse]

right back with some pics - Excuse the mess - my desk is a bit of a pit but i DID hoover the floor before putting the new speakers in.....

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/FinalFreedomEclipse/Logitech%205500/DSC01891.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/FinalFreedomEclipse/Logitech%205500/DSC01892.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/FinalFreedomEclipse/Logitech%205500/DSC01893.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/FinalFreedomEclipse/Logitech%205500/DSC01894.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/FinalFreedomEclipse/Logitech%205500/DSC01895-1.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n210/FinalFreedomEclipse/Logitech%205500/DSC01895.jpg

I shoulda taken a pic of me hugging the delivery guy when he came to the door with this huge motherf**king box & the me unwrapping it like a childs first xmas present :D then another when i started putting the set together in my room.

& i have to say - wow it sounds weird without no tweeters for the high tones. - everything still sounds beautiful - the bass is beautifuly balanced with the rest of the music - its not overly muddy or anything nor does it choke any of the other sounds.

[Mussels]

^ we have another logitech lover.

[FreedomEclipse]

A small issue is it not possibl to hook up 'digitally' through the flexijack on my Xtreme music??? I cant get my built in SPDF to work LOL - Ive read that i may need an XFi expansion upgrade thing to get spdf. im not too botherd but it would be nice to get it working

[Mussels]

creative did go with a custom SPDIF output on many cards, sorry i cant help there.

[will]

I have had z5500s since the end of 2005, can I join please? I have had 2 different sets, I sent the first ones back about a year ago because the sub was humming. I have them connected up to an Audigy 2ZS (still awesome). I love them for absolutely everything, movies, music especially games! Playing FEAR in the dark with these bad boys cranked is insane! Probably the best bit of that game was where you first meet those invisible things, that had some real atmosphere! More recently though bioshock was real good, as were obviously COD4/crysis etc.
Here are some pics of my current setup (my good screen is in my home cinema room atm):

http://img.techpowerup.org/081001/DSCF7216 [50%].jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081001/DSCF7226 [50%].jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081001/DSCF7208 [50%].jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081001/DSCF7211 [50%].jpg

My rooms a real mess sorry about that!

I really love this system, the amount of performance you get for the money is amazing, plus it can go really loud without distortion which is awesome.
BTW thanks for the secrets, they are pretty cool!
Just noticed on the specs for the midrange driver it says rated input power 12W, maximum 25W. That cant be right surely?

[Cold Storm]

I got to ask everyone.. I'm thinking of grabbing these.. I have a baby logitech's and I am thinking of these, or Some Behringer MS40 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836196002)... So, what do you guys think?

I am more of watching movie's in HD, while listening to Bass style music. I have all ready modded my sound card for deep base

[twicksisted]

I got to ask everyone.. I'm thinking of grabbing these.. I have a baby logitech's and I am thinking of these, or Some Behringer MS40 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836196002)... So, what do you guys think?

I am more of watching movie's in HD, while listening to Bass style music. I have all ready modded my sound card for deep base

stay well away from those behringers... they very cheap and nasty and will have no where near the same performance as the logitechs. If you said you were going for behiringer 2031A's instead then Id say that they would be on a SPL par with the Z5500 speakers, but as they are studio monitor speakers you really should have them hooked up to a mixer and will have to turn them off before the pc, and turn on after the pc to avoid breaking them.

[Cold Storm]

stay well away from those behringers... they very cheap and nasty and will have no where near the same performance as the logitechs. If you said you were going for behiringer 2031A's instead then Id say that they would be on a SPL par with the Z5500 speakers, but as they are studio monitor speakers you really should have them hooked up to a mixer and will have to turn them off before the pc, and turn on after the pc to avoid breaking them.

See, I'm glad to asked before doing so. My friend told me the Behringer's where it because of the fact they are full 40watt per speaker speakers... But, I've eye'd these because of the fact they are $239 right now at Compusa. So I'm wanting to know before tomorrow.. I really haven't seen anything per computer that the Behringer's where good... But, I'd rather do some research before spending that amount of cash

[twicksisted]

See, I'm glad to asked before doing so. My friend told me the Behringer's where it because of the fact they are full 40watt per speaker speakers... But, I've eye'd these because of the fact they are $239 right now at Compusa. So I'm wanting to know before tomorrow.. I really haven't seen anything per computer that the Behringer's where good... But, I'd rather do some research before spending that amount of cash

The Behringers are a knock off of the Edirol (Roland) cheap PC monitor Speakers... they pretty low end stuff for musicians to use on a mixer or keyboard to have reference sound...]
Becuase of the small bass drivers they dont have much bass either and will distort if pushed a little.

Behringer do well in the studio / audio department as they tend to make knockoffs of famous gear and sell it for rock bottom prices... the problem with it though is definately the quality and longetivity.

I had a pair of the Behringer truth 2031A active studio monitors... 200RMS per speaker with 8" LF drivers and built in amps. They were a knock off of the Mackie speakers and they sounded pretty good, had loads of bass and a very balanced sound. They diddnt last long though and i forgot to turn them off oneday after powering off my pc, the spike blew the tweeter of one of the boxes and I returned them and got some "Tannoy 5A" monitor speakers instead.

I would definately advise against those cheap small behringers for general pc useage, watching movies and playing games...
Im more than happy with my Logitech Z-5500's and use those on my asus D2X soundcard... (for my music production though im using some Tannoy 5A's and a pair of Rokit V8's on an m-audio soundcard)

[Cold Storm]

The Behringers are a knock off of the Edirol (Roland) cheap PC monitor Speakers... they pretty low end stuff for musicians to use on a mixer or keyboard to have reference sound...]
Becuase of the small bass drivers they dont have much bass either and will distort if pushed a little.

Behringer do well in the studio / audio department as they tend to make knockoffs of famous gear and sell it for rock bottom prices... the problem with it though is definately the quality and longetivity.

I had a pair of the Behringer truth 2031A active studio monitors... 200RMS per speaker with 8" LF drivers and built in amps. They were a knock off of the Mackie speakers and they sounded pretty good, had loads of bass and a very balanced sound. They diddnt last long though and i forgot to turn them off oneday after powering off my pc, the spike blew the tweeter of one of the boxes and I returned them and got some "Tannoy 5A" monitor speakers instead.

I would definately advise against those cheap small behringers for general pc useage, watching movies and playing games...
Im more than happy with my Logitech Z-5500's and use those on my asus D2X soundcard... (for my music production though im using some Tannoy 5A's and a pair of Rokit V8's on an m-audio soundcard)


I do thank you for that insite. I forgot all about the tweeters being in the speakers themselves... A powering down and on of a computer can do that... :banghead:
I think as of tomorrow I'll be a member.. I'm still thinking of this or a new monitor... but, after listening to my speakers last night... Wow... Need new ones...

[twicksisted]

I do thank you for that insite. I forgot all about the tweeters being in the speakers themselves... A powering down and on of a computer can do that... :banghead:
I think as of tomorrow I'll be a member.. I'm still thinking of this or a new monitor... but, after listening to my speakers last night... Wow... Need new ones...

Trust me, you wont be sorry...
Start planning looking for where you going to set them up now as when they arrive you'll be so keen to set them up that you wont be thinking straight ;)

I ended up moving mine about 4 times till i was happy... at one point i just had 3 sattelites setup (sounded perfectly fine though)

[Cold Storm]

Trust me, you wont be sorry...
Start planning looking for where you going to set them up now as when they arrive you'll be so keen to set them up that you wont be thinking straight ;)

I ended up moving mine about 4 times till i was happy... at one point i just had 3 sattelites setup (sounded perfectly fine though)

Yeah, I got my thought of where to put them. If you think I don't have TON of space for all 5, but I know I can place them. If not, just 3 like you said.

[twicksisted]

Yeah, I got my thought of where to put them. If you think I don't have TON of space for all 5, but I know I can place them. If not, just 3 like you said.

nice one... be sure to post some pics when you get them :)

[Cold Storm]

nice one... be sure to post some pics when you get them :)

Will do. hope to get off work early tomorrow to go up to Compusa. Calling in the morning to see if they still have them.

[Cold Storm]

Well add another m8 to This Club. I got mine today, and WOW... Glad I grabbed them!
I will post pictures come tomorrow.

[Mussels]

Well add another m8 to This Club. I got mine today, and WOW... Glad I grabbed them!
I will post pictures come tomorrow.

dont forget to try out second skin and the info mode - i much prefer them over the original setup.

[FreedomEclipse]

hey hey - i was thinking of swaping out my Xtreme Music for a Xonar D2x. but i heard its not too hot on gaming.

given the choices would you get a Xonar or a Xtreme Gamer?? - Xtreme gamer being the cheaper option of course.

I love my games n at the same time i love my music

[Mussels]

hey hey - i was thinking of swaping out my Xtreme Music for a Xonar D2x. but i heard its not too hot on gaming.

given the choices would you get a Xonar or a Xtreme Gamer?? - Xtreme gamer being the cheaper option of course.

I love my games n at the same time i love my music

90% of people hate creative cards for their quality (or lack thereof)

If you dont want a xonar, grab an auzentech - if you want the best of everything, they auzen have their own X-fi.

[FreedomEclipse]

gettin hold of an Auzentech is gonna be difficult. my usual retail store = sold out, Ebuyer = Dont stock them. Ebay = Pricey, not many + wrong model.

Im trying not to buy online as when i do I gotta ask my dad to use his credit/debit card :P (I haz no debit card) & he's stupidly cautious about buying stuff online - you do not know how much trouble i went through just to get him to trust Ebuyer - If it was ebuyer he woulda put up a fuss but he still woulda bought it provided i can put a deposit or pay upfront.

I will contact my usual retail store n see how that goes. otherwise its still Creative & Asus's cards floating around on the market.

::EDIT::

Ive been looking for the Auzentech XFi Prelude but all i can find is the X-plosion Cinema

[TheGuruStud]

No problems gaming here with D2. Creative's EAX crap doesn't really do anything, to me.
It's never been accurate and real sounding before. Maybe 5 is different, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[laszlo]

my 2 weeks old z-5500 was 380$ ...

i have on the back of speakers 0808 latest firmware 2.1.0 boost 22;2nd skin eat 50% of max power

have made a few bass test and was a failure ;z has start to make a buzzing sound i think the lower freq. aren't supported well

at this time i have only stereo output from pc to the console and digital coaxial from dvd (DTS is decoded)

i'll like to connect with 3 stereo jacks from pc to console but i have only 6 free wires at my cable from pc to TV(2 wires tv-out) and Z5500;i use a ftp cable which was set under the floor and i don't want to have visible cables so does anyone know if i can use 1 ground (the shield of ftp cable) for all the 3 stereo in-output?

[twicksisted]

my 2 weeks old z-5500 was 380$ ...

i have on the back of speakers 0808 latest firmware 2.1.0 boost 22;2nd skin eat 50% of max power

have made a few bass test and was a failure ;z has start to make a buzzing sound i think the lower freq. aren't supported well

at this time i have only stereo output from pc to the console and digital coaxial from dvd (DTS is decoded)

i'll like to connect with 3 stereo jacks from pc to console but i have only 6 free wires at my cable from pc to TV(2 wires tv-out) and Z5500;i use a ftp cable which was set under the floor and i don't want to have visible cables so does anyone know if i can use 1 ground (the shield of ftp cable) for all the 3 stereo in-output?

when you say FTP cable do you mean ethernet cable (or normal network cable)?

[laszlo]

when you say FTP cable do you mean ethernet cable (or normal network cable)?


networking is not my field but the cable has 8 wires shielded and the individual wire is solid copper

[Cold Storm]

All right guys. I've set it all up. Have the pictures!

Cold Storm
1. Device: Auzentech X-plosion 7.1 Modded
2. System Firmware: V.2.1.0
3. M/N: S-0115A
4. PID: R738
5. Speaker connection: Speaker Wire
6. Boost 22: Yes
7. Anime, Movies, Rap, Rock


http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081646.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081645b.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081647.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081647a.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081647b.jpg

Took the pictures from my picture phone... lmao...

[twicksisted]

nice... i see you got the second skin going... (purple light)

[Cold Storm]

nice... i see you got the second skin going... (purple light)

Oh yeah, I did all the little "secrets" that are on the first post.. It's a great system. You can't beat the price for this... Have the op amp modded on the Azuen and I don't even need the extra bass boost in order to have the glass behind the desk rattle!

[FreedomEclipse]

Not to everyones taste but Symphony X's most recent album sounds gorgous on these speakers

[J-Man]

I have a problem with my speakers. I can only hear 2 speakers working. I am in 6 channel direct on the LCD. Have I plugged the connectors in the right slots on my sound card? Left to right, black, pink then green.

[Darren]

I have a problem with my speakers. I can only hear 2 speakers working. I am in 6 channel direct on the LCD. Have I plugged the connectors in the right slots on my sound card? Left to right, black, pink then green.

I found this extract from another website.

Connecting a PC's 2 Channel Stereo Analog output:

If your PC or Laptop only has stereo output (2 Channel Left / Right) you can still simulate the 5.1 experience via your Z-5500. You need to first set the toggle switch at the back of the Control Center from 6 Channel Direct to Stereo 1-3. You then plug in the stereo mini-plug coming from your PC/laptop to any of the 3 (now stereo) input jacks at the back of the Control Center. You have to enable this input by selecting it from the Control Center's Input options. You can then simulate Dolby 5.1 (for Movies or Music) by selecting Pro Logic II (PLII) Movies or Music under Effects in the Control Center.

Edit: Make sure you read my edits in your previous thread as well :)

[Cold Storm]

Left to right is this
Pink, Black Green

And for a picture here is one from Overclockers (http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sbxfi/2.htm) For a little more help on the card and anything else

[Mussels]

I have a problem with my speakers. I can only hear 2 speakers working. I am in 6 channel direct on the LCD. Have I plugged the connectors in the right slots on my sound card? Left to right, black, pink then green.

you're also going to need a 5.1 source. make sure you arent testing with music or stereo files.

[Dia01]

Bought mine about 1 month ago for my HTPC setup. Can not be any happier with them although still need to set the rear speakers up once I finish renovating the lounge room. The sub is bloody enormous!

Firmware - v2.1.0
M/N - S011SB
PID - R817
Speaker connection - Speaker Wire
Input - Motherboard Toslink Optical

19413

[will]

Bought mine about 1 month ago for my HTPC setup. Can not be any happier with them although still need to set the rear speakers up once I finish renovating the lounge room. The sub is bloody enormous!

Nice setup! What case is that HTPC using? I think you would get better sound if you moved your left and right speakers further apart, you will get better stereo imaging and the soundstage should improve a lot.

[Dia01]

Nice setup! What case is that HTPC using? I think you would get better sound if you moved your left and right speakers further apart, you will get better stereo imaging and the soundstage should improve a lot.

Case is a Thermaltake DH102. I'm actually thinking of mounting the front left and right speakers on the wall once I finish renovating as well as the rears on the back wall.

[Mussels]

oh yeah. i can definately agree, getting the spacing right really matters with speakers like this. They arent designed to be right next to each other.

Mine sounds rather poor atm, since my desk still hasnt been moved to my new house, the rear speakers are mounted on the ceiling while the fronts are on the floor. Makes for a pretty weird soundstage.

[Whilhelm]

I have a set of these, they are fantastic little speakers for what they cost. Here is a few shots of my old college dorm room showing how I had them set up.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19786&stc=1&d=1225439785
http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19787&stc=1&d=1225439829
http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19788&stc=1&d=1225439855

I eventually replaced it with a receiver and got a bigger sub and bigger fronts, center, and rear speakers I still use the Z-5500s as side surrounds in the 7.1 setup. Eventually I am going to get a totally new matching set of speakers but for now the hodgepodge of speakers I have going now sound pretty great to me.:)

http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19789&stc=1&d=1225439906

Thats my contribution to a good thread full of people that enjoy great sound quality. :toast:

[mab1376]

how can i check the firmware on my z-5500's and can i upgrade it?

there's no need just curious..

[Cold Storm]

The first post will show you how to Check for the firmware on it. And all the little things that you can play with

[urge]

Hello everyone!

I found this site a couple days ago while looking for some information. I have had my Z-5500 for a couple weeks now but to be honest I havent had the oppurtunity to really use it to its full potential. The highest ive probably gone on my volume control is 6 bars. The thing is freakin loud even just that much haha and I like LOUD. I got 2 10 inch subs in my car (although they currently arent working :mad:)

Anyways, i sent the info to join to devil and here are some pictures of my setup. I dont have pictures of my rear speakers because they are just on the floor right now. I dont know whether to mount them on my wall or buy some sort of stands for them.

19796

19798

19799

I know I just got here but i have some questions for you guys =P

1) Ive read about this whole second skin thing and saw the trick on how to enable it. However i also remember reading something in this thread saying that it lowers the sound? What pros and cons come along with the second skin and is it worth it to change to it?

2) I have onboard sound on my fairly new motherboard. It had a realtek HD audio manager which lets me configure the sound from Headphones to 8CH. Currently however im using the green/orange/black cable that came with the Z-5500's. The motherboard also has an optical out so I want to buy one since I hear the sound is alot better but the question is do i need to upgrade and get a real sound card for the optical? or should I be getting true 5.1 already coming out of my computer. I tested with a dvd and the Pro logic movie setting makes the characters voices go away but i still hear sound effects... If i set it to 6ch it works fine though. Is this becuase of the way I have it hooked up?

3) How do you guys manage having more than one digital audio cable going to the reciever? I would ideally like to have my xbox using digital audio along with my computer without having to unplug/plug everytime i want to switch between the two.

4) I currently have Volume +3 since im using analog (at least I think im using analog). Am I hurting anything by having that setting configured? I read in this thread it was useful for adjusting the gain since analog comes through at a lower audio level. but I just wanted some input.

5) My front speakers didnt need much cable since they are close to the speaker. To keep things tidier I have the length I didnt need tied up like how it came out of the box. Will this hurt the speakers or will it create resistance and degrade sound quality? If so how should the wires be wrapped/rolled up?

If I was unclear in any of the questions. I can rephrase something if need be. I tried to look for these answers in the 24 pages of posts and looked through most of them but couldnt find what I was looking for. Thank you all in advance for reading and replying =)

[Darren]

2) I have onboard sound on my fairly new motherboard. It had a realtek HD audio manager which lets me configure the sound from Headphones to 8CH. Currently however im using the green/orange/black cable that came with the Z-5500's. The motherboard also has an optical out so I want to buy one since I hear the sound is alot better but the question is do i need to upgrade and get a real sound card for the optical? or should I be getting true 5.1 already coming out of my computer. I tested with a dvd and the Pro logic movie setting makes the characters voices go away but i still hear sound effects... If i set it to 6ch it works fine though. Is this becuase of the way I have it hooked up?

3) How do you guys manage having more than one digital audio cable going to the reciever? I would ideally like to have my xbox using digital audio along with my computer without having to unplug/plug everytime i want to switch between the two.



To get real 5.1 e.g. Dolby Digital/DTS you need a specialist soundcard which is capable of encoding. The following sound cards can encode stereo into 5.1 bitstreams when using either digital coaxial or fibre:

HT OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $63.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001


HT OMEGA CLARO 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $159.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271002

AuzenTech AZT-XPCINE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz $99.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156006


ASUS Xonar D2 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Ultra Fidelity $179.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132001

Edit: The Logitech Z-5500 has both fibre and coaxial. You can connect the Xbox via fibre to the receiver and use coaxial from the soundcard to the receiver.

[urge]

Info:


1)All devices that you have connected to the system and how they are connected

currently only my computer. I have my 46" samsung LCD HDTV as a secondary monitor however and play dvd's and games that way.

2)System Firmware Version

not sure... dont really want to reset my settings to check =\

3)M/N (from the back of your sub)

S-0015A

4)PID (from under any of your satellites or sub - really your manufacturer date)

PID - R740

5)Speaker connection type (RCA or speaker wire)

Speaker wire that came with the system

6)Do you have Boost 22 capability

I tested and I have boost +11 capability but even though I put the volume up with no sound being played i was kinda freaked out to go higher.

7)What your favorite song/album/movie/game is to use with them!

A fun song to play on these puppies is...Chemical Brothers - Bass test (The crazy bass effect at the begining is fantastic)

Artist - Anything rock, Disturbed, Tool, OLP, lots. Havent tested and movies for real yet. Dance/Jungle is good too.

[urge]

To get real 5.1 e.g. Dolby Digital/DTS you need a specialist soundcard which is capable of encoding. The following sound cards can encode stereo into 5.1 bitstreams when using either digital coaxial or fibre:

HT OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $63.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001


HT OMEGA CLARO 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $159.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271002

AuzenTech AZT-XPCINE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz $99.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156006


ASUS Xonar D2 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Ultra Fidelity $179.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132001

Edit: The Logitech Z-5500 has both fibre and coaxial. You can connect the Xbox via fibre to the receiver and use coaxial from the soundcard to the receiver.

Thanks Darren, some good info there. The higher end HT Omega looks fantastic but I cant find it available anywhere around me =(. The ASUS Xonar doesnt have Optical out which blows so thats out. That pretty much leaves me with the AuzenTech AZT. The thing also comes with a digital optical cable which is nice! Still hard to find around here but at least its available. Do you have any personal experience with the above cards? If the HT Omegas are really that much better I might try to find one on ebay or something....

[Darren]

The ASUS Xonar doesn't have Optical out

The Xonar does indeed have optical out and in, the soundcard's coaxial output is dual purpose and turns into optical out with a small attachment that comes supplied with the soundcard.

Do you have any personal experience with the above cards?

Yeah I'm using the Auzentech X-Meridian hooked up to my Sony AV receiver, it's also capable of encoding bit streams however it's production has stopped. The HT Omega is your cheapest alternative, you don't need to go for the highest end version for its encoding features.

Edit:

Also look out for the Auzentech X-Plosion, its cheap and has DTS and Dolby encoding with extremely reliable drivers.

Edit 2:

The Auzentech X-Fi Prelude would also meet your requirements, be prepared of the headaches of Creative's lack of technical support and drivers. Excellent card though, but there are cheaper alternatives.

[DanishDevil]

Best card for the system IMO:

Auzentech X-Fi Prelude
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156005&Tpk=x-fi%20prelude

Real time Dolby Digital Live encoding, as well as all the other stuff that those have.

[Mussels]

and because you may not have read your way through this thread...


1. Analogue 5.1 will work already on your system. Whatever your source is, you get that output. (2.0 channel MP3 files give you 2.0 channel sound, 5.1 games give 5.1 sound, etc)

2. Digital audio is only 2.0. ONLY. The exceptions being pre-encoded movies (dolby digital or dolby DTS) or, if you get a sound card with encoding capabilities it can turn analogue audio into a digital system, and keep the surround sound - this requires the original source to be greater than 2.0 channel! (encoding or not, a stereo MP3 file is going to remain a stereo MP3 file)

[TheGuruStud]

Well, most audio card software will auto. upmix it for you, though (the expensive one's for sure, even the cheap x-fis do).

[Mussels]

Well, most audio card software will auto. upmix it for you, though (the expensive one's for sure, even the cheap x-fis do).

lots dont. the creative cards always have, but the others dont.
I hardly see it as an option, becuase if you forget to turn it off it messes with movies and games.

IMO "surround sound" and "2x stereo" are *not* the same thing. i dont give a damn how many speakers are making noise, if its not positional. if its not position, whats the point of having surround sound speakers! just run them all off a single stereo cable if thats all you want.

[TheGuruStud]

lots dont. the creative cards always have, but the others dont.
I hardly see it as an option, becuase if you forget to turn it off it messes with movies and games.

IMO "surround sound" and "2x stereo" are *not* the same thing. i dont give a damn how many speakers are making noise, if its not positional. if its not position, whats the point of having surround sound speakers! just run them all off a single stereo cable if thats all you want.

I know what you mean, but if it's set just to upmix (not the 2x) 2 ch it won't affect 5.1 stuff. I even had integrated that does it.

Even if it's only 2ch, it sounds much better also coming out of the rear. It makes it immersive. I can't stand fronts only. Even If I didn't have 5.1 sources I'd still get a 5.1 system.

[sai_ace]

Hello All!

My name is Sai. Me and my brother are proud owners of a z5500 for the past 9 months..

We enjoy watching DTS movies and that was the prime reason for selecting the z5500. The soundcard is a simple creative audigy that has a digital 96/24 output and we have connected the speaker to the card using a coax cable.

Reading through some of the posts here I feel that this is not sufficient for the best sound quality.
If that is so, then why?

Also recently when I was watching LOTR with DTS playback...I felt the center channel wasweak and it was not easy to grasp the dialogues....but when i cranked the volume up on the center and also overall, i could hear jarring distortions... what could be the problem?

I was watching it on MPC.

Thanks a lot guys!

[Mussels]

playing it via digital should be fine. If you had problems with the audio, it was either that MPC wasnt passing it through properly (use the AC3 filter codec) or the source audio was just poor.

[sai_ace]

Thanks mussels,

I am using MPC with the AC3 filter. Source file seems fine. I wish I could change my Center channel to a slightly larger speaker. Something that can take higher load... has anybody tried that here?

[Mussels]

Thanks mussels,

I am using MPC with the AC3 filter. Source file seems fine. I wish I could change my Center channel to a slightly larger speaker. Something that can take higher load... has anybody tried that here?

regardless of how big a speaker you put in the center, it'll still be held back by the power of the amplifier. You could just boost it in AC3 filter?

Oh and i must ask - what do you have set for speaker options in AC3 filter. Many people set 5.1, when you need to set 'no change' for the digital files. Also, use SPDIF must be set/ticked for it to work properly.

[Black Panther]

Is there a way I can connect my Z5500's to the laptop in system specs?

It's connected fine to my desktop, but I'd wish I could enjoy it with the laptop too when I use the lappie at home...

The laptop's got only one sound output, which has a head-phone symbol :ohwell:

In the Realtek HD Audio Manager I have the sound on Quadraphonic since the lappie's got 4 inbuilt speakers, 2 at the front and 2 at the sides. In the Audio Manager it does give me the choice to make the sound at 5.1 so I guess attaching 5.1 external speakers (like the Z5500) is possible? How?

Thanks!:toast:

[DanishDevil]

You could always connect it to one of the inputs on the Z-5500's and select DD PLII Movie or Music. If you're already using the three stereo jacks on the back, there's an input on the side of the controller.

If that's the only physical output you've got, then that's your only option. You could contact the manufacturer and ask, but I think you're out of luck for true 5.1 sound. I used PLII plenty for music and movies, and it still sounds great!

[Mussels]

Is there a way I can connect my Z5500's to the laptop in system specs?

It's connected fine to my desktop, but I'd wish I could enjoy it with the laptop too when I use the lappie at home...

The laptop's got only one sound output, which has a head-phone symbol :ohwell:

In the Realtek HD Audio Manager I have the sound on Quadraphonic since the lappie's got 4 inbuilt speakers, 2 at the front and 2 at the sides. In the Audio Manager it does give me the choice to make the sound at 5.1 so I guess attaching 5.1 external speakers (like the Z5500) is possible? How?

Thanks!:toast:

check what outputs it has. It will have a headphone out jack at least, but its not impossible for it to have 3 plugs (For 5.1 analogue) or an optical out/coax out.

Even if it doesnt, you can always grab a 5.1 USB sound card.

[DanishDevil]

I was thinking of how to hook up my new (ordering it this week) Sony VAIO FW to my Z-5500's, and I think I'm going to go with a Creative USB Sound Card that's about $50 that has an optical out. My 360 uses an optical out, though. Anyone know of a USB or ExpressCard (34) sound card that has a Coaxial out?

[TheGuruStud]

USB is starved for BW. I'd definitely look for a card.

edit: I didn't find any haha

[Mussels]

I was thinking of how to hook up my new (ordering it this week) Sony VAIO FW to my Z-5500's, and I think I'm going to go with a Creative USB Sound Card that's about $50 that has an optical out. My 360 uses an optical out, though. Anyone know of a USB or ExpressCard (34) sound card that has a Coaxial out?

i have a creative SB live! 24 bit external, it has optical and coax out. its an old unit, i'm sure they have newer ones that do the same thing.

[FreedomEclipse]

Is there a way I can connect my Z5500's to the laptop in system specs?

It's connected fine to my desktop, but I'd wish I could enjoy it with the laptop too when I use the lappie at home...

The laptop's got only one sound output, which has a head-phone symbol :ohwell:

In the Realtek HD Audio Manager I have the sound on Quadraphonic since the lappie's got 4 inbuilt speakers, 2 at the front and 2 at the sides. In the Audio Manager it does give me the choice to make the sound at 5.1 so I guess attaching 5.1 external speakers (like the Z5500) is possible? How?

Thanks!:toast:

if you can see a red light shining out from the heaphone socket (99.9% of laptops have this unless its a really really old ragged dated 'seen better days' hag of a laptop) you can most possibly hook it up to the Z5500's Via TOSLINK to Optical - I know for a fact that most laptops that has built in AC'97 audio built within the last 3-4years (maybe more) will support a 'digital linkup' via their headphones socket.

I know it works because i done exactly the same thing when i was testing my own Z5500's

[DanishDevil]

I have seen that before. In fact, my Auzentech had it, but instead of its stereo ports, it was in its coax ports.

I don't think my Sony's got it, though :'( And it's my damn Blu-Ray player! I'll look into it.

[twicksisted]

you could try a PCIMA soundcard.... they make really good audio production ones which are 24bit 192khz and they should have optical out.... i think theres a good budget range called ESI that make them for DJ's who use laptops though I havent used one before.

that way you wont have to have a seperate usb / firewire soundcard attached to the lappie and it would sit firmly in the slot

[Mussels]

if and when you do get it sorted out, i have a small guide/files list for setting up AC3 audio passthrough for optical speakers, to make sure you get proper 5.1 outputs. (it tends to drop back to 2.0 in most players on default settings)

[DanishDevil]

Thanks Mussels. I'll let you know.

you could try a PCIMA soundcard.... they make really good audio production ones which are 24bit 192khz and they should have optical out.... i think theres a good budget range called ESI that make them for DJ's who use laptops though I havent used one before.

that way you wont have to have a seperate usb / firewire soundcard attached to the lappie and it would sit firmly in the slot

PCMCIA, right? I don't have one of those slots on the Sony. I've got an ExpressCard 34 slot (as opposed to the full 54).

[DanishDevil]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102025

This looks like it would work, but where's the optical out? Is it a TOSLINK?

[Mussels]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102025

This looks like it would work, but where's the optical out? Is it a TOSLINK?

TOSLINK is the name for optical SPDIF, yes. I do not see it mentioned on that creative product.

[DanishDevil]

I don't see it mentioned either, but look at the second reviewer. He said he's using it with optical...I gotta look into it. Good price anyway.

[Black Panther]

If that's the only physical output you've got, then that's your only option. You could contact the manufacturer and ask, but I think you're out of luck for true 5.1 sound. I used PLII plenty for music and movies, and it still sounds great!

It's also got an S/PDIF Digital output... :confused:

I checked the specs (http://www.p4laptops.com.au/main/D901C_Ultimate.pdf):
Built-in Intel® High Definition 5.1CH Sound System
S/PDIF Digital output
1 Built-in Microphone
4 Built-in Speakers

I'm a noob when it comes to audio connections... I saw the image on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPDIF) and the connector looks very different from the headphone one?

Am I confusing things up?

[DanishDevil]

S/PDIF stands for Sony/Phillips Digital InterFace. This takes the form of either an Optical, TOSLINK (which is really optical, but just a different connector), or Coaxial audio connector. They look like this:

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:fbL7i_l3nWTjKM:http://zombietronix.com/img/helpsurround/hookups.png

The left two (white and red) are what you see on televisions, normally next to a yellow one, which is video. In this picture, the yellow is Coaxial Audio, and to the right is Optical audio. You can use a yellow cable that you use with your VCR for Coaxial Audio, and you need an optical cable for an optical connection.

TOSLINK consists of an adapter that goes from a TOSLINK capable coaxial audio port (and less traditionally, a 3.5mm headphone jack like on most computers and MP3 players) which allows an optical cable to be attached.

All audio connectivity except for Optical is transmitted through wires, while optical is just what it sounds like. Sound is transmitted by light.

[Mussels]

It's also got an S/PDIF Digital output... :confused:

I checked the specs (http://www.p4laptops.com.au/main/D901C_Ultimate.pdf):
Built-in Intel® High Definition 5.1CH Sound System
S/PDIF Digital output
1 Built-in Microphone
4 Built-in Speakers

I'm a noob when it comes to audio connections... I saw the image on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPDIF) and the connector looks very different from the headphone one?

Am I confusing things up?

since it doesnt say optical or not, it could be optical (look for a red glow) or it could be a coax. Coax could be confused for a TV out, since they use the same RCA connector.

[Black Panther]

So I'm guessing the S/PDIF is the one between the blue and the pink?

(Sorry for the blurred image)

I powered up the laptop but I don't see a red glow inside the hole.

http://img.techpowerup.org/081115/IMG_0384.jpg

Edit: here's a better picture I found online
http://mysite.verizon.net/revelin/AudioPorts.JPG

[Mussels]

yep that would indeed be the digital port, thats what the symbol indicates. Thats not the normal connector the Z5500's have, so you'll need some kind of adaptor i guess.

Anyone recognise that port, or know where to find an adaptor?

[will]

yep that would indeed be the digital port, thats what the symbol indicates. Thats not the normal connector the Z5500's have, so you'll need some kind of adaptor i guess.

Anyone recognise that port, or know where to find an adaptor?

You probably need a 3.5mm to coax adapter, I think you can just use a 3.5mm to phono cable though, they're really cheap and easy to find. Well thats how it works on my Audigy 2ZS anyway...

[DanishDevil]

I have never seen that type of connector before. Email the company that built your laptop and ask them what type of adapter you need to run an Optical or Coaxial line out.

Try something for me. Mess with the sound settings on the laptop and enable and set the default audio device as the digital out. Then play some sounds and watch for a red light in that port.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/CDE/_TOSLINK.JPG

Left is coaxial, right is optical. If that port glows red like that, you undoubtably need a TOSLINK adapter for a 3.5mm output (and of course an optical cable).

[twicksisted]

it could be a coaxial digital port as it has no optical light on it.... so perhaps a small 3'5" digital coaxial to RCA ciax cable would do the trick...
Its definately not optical or youd see the light beam in it

[Mussels]

agreed with twicksisted, i too beleive its a coaxial and not an optical, therefore no red light.

[Jasper005]

Hi Guys,

Was wondering now that the Dolby Digital Live Pack is available whether its worth me splashing out on a digital cable for my X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty and Z-5500s?

Does any one know if the live pack works with Vista 64bit?

Also what kind of cable would you recommend. If any at all. My PC is mostly used for games and Mp3 music, but I would still want 5.1 sound which I think is what the live pack enables? Sorry don't have much of a clue about digital outputs!

Thanks!

http://buy.soundblaster.com/_creativelabsstore/cgi-bin/pd.cgi?page=product_detail&category=Software&pid=F2222DDN6Z2H2ADDEZD

[tigger]

For my soundcard,i just made a small lead with a headphone 3.5mm plug on one end,and a phono socket(female) on the other.And i am using the thick yellow video cable that came with my graphics card to connect from that to my amp.

[Mussels]

Hi Guys,

Was wondering now that the Dolby Digital Live Pack is available whether its worth me splashing out on a digital cable for my X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty and Z-5500s?

Does any one know if the live pack works with Vista 64bit?

Also what kind of cable would you recommend. If any at all. My PC is mostly used for games and Mp3 music, but I would still want 5.1 sound which I think is what the live pack enables? Sorry don't have much of a clue about digital outputs!

Thanks!

http://buy.soundblaster.com/_creativelabsstore/cgi-bin/pd.cgi?page=product_detail&category=Software&pid=F2222DDN6Z2H2ADDEZD

MP3's will never be 5.1. I beleive the 'Live' pack, will allow dolby digital encoding like my auzentech has - basically, that translates analogue 5.1 signals (such as games) into 5.1 digital signals (which home theater speakers (such as the Z5500) use)

[Jasper005]

Will it still allow my sound card to up mix mp3s to 5.1 if I use the live pack like it does at the moment with my analogue connections?

Also do you think the quality difference is worth the cost of the cable?

Thanks

[Mussels]

Will it still allow my sound card to up mix mp3s to 5.1 if I use the live pack like it does at the moment with my analogue connections?

Also do you think the quality difference is worth the cost of the cable?

Thanks

if your sound card has upmixing, then yes. In my case, once i enable dolby digital encoding i lose the ability to upmix, without first disabling the encoding (its tricking the speakers into thinking its always 5.1, so if theres no signal they're just blank/empty)

Digital vs analogue depends on the speakers, really. Assuming you have Z5500's, which this thread is about then yes, i get better quality over digital. I have less background hiss through the speakers and it does sound a bit clearer.

[DanishDevil]

OK guys, since I've been overseas for a while, and I'm coming back to the US for a little while, I want to make it up to those who I have not yet added to the members list. Please post here if you have not yet been added, and I'll get you on here within the next few weeks.

[Cold Storm]

You haven't added me Double D.

QUOTE=Cold Storm;1002145]All right guys. I've set it all up. Have the pictures!

Cold Storm
1. Device: Auzentech X-plosion 7.1 Modded
2. System Firmware: V.2.1.0
3. M/N: S-0115A
4. PID: R738
5. Speaker connection: Speaker Wire
6. Boost 22: Yes
7. Anime, Movies, Rap, Rock


http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081646.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081645b.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081647.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081647a.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/081003/1003081647b.jpg

Took the pictures from my picture phone... lmao...[/QUOTE]

And, since I got my new camera. A better picture of my setup. Don't mind the stuff behind my desk... Just learned about it after looking at the picture. :roll:

http://img.techpowerup.org/081119/DSCN0021.jpg

[DanishDevil]

You haven't added me Double D.

Added now :toast:

Sorry for the delay.

[Mussels]

you need a better camera, cold storm.

[DanishDevil]

Maybe you should buy a Digital SLR and join my new TPU club :D

[JrRacinFan]

DD,

I have a few questions regarding the setup. Can I use these in conjunction with my HDTV? it has a headphone jack and SPDIF out. Also, the onboard audio on the DFI has an optical out, but you knew that already.

[Mussels]

DD,

I have a few questions regarding the setup. Can I use these in conjunction with my HDTV? it has a headphone jack and SPDIF out. Also, the onboard audio on the DFI has an optical out, but you knew that already.

check my setup. thats how i do it.

The SPDIF out of your TV should work, but my samsung fails and doesnt pass through 5.1 signals - only 2.0. You're better off using the motherboards SPDIF output for movies, with the analogue for games.

[DanishDevil]

You will be able to, but check with your TV's manufacturer to make sure that the sound will output 5.1. It also depends on your source. In order to have 5.1 sound, you need to keep it 5.1 from the source all the way to the speakers. Tell me your entire HDTV setup, including your sources and players.

It will work wonders with the DFI. How I used it.

[Cold Storm]

you need a better camera, cold storm.

Maybe you should buy a Digital SLR and join my new TPU club :D



The one in the Quote was from my cell phone... And the last one was from my new camera I just bought. Nikon P60.. I got it last night... So still working out it's bugs

Another image to show ya with the new camera

http://img.techpowerup.org/081120/DSCN0015.jpg

[DanishDevil]

Nice! Come join the TPU Darkroom! (in da sig)

[Legend of Leroy Bad]

So just to make sure...noone has experienced lower volume with the Music Port than the 3 stereo inputs on the back?

[Mussels]

So just to make sure...noone has experienced lower volume with the Music Port than the 3 stereo inputs on the back?

you mean the input on the side of the head unit? never used it.

[Legend of Leroy Bad]

Yes.

[DanishDevil]

Rarely used it. You can always manually boost analog signals (not sure if the side one is included, but it may be) by holding down the mute button on the control unit and turning the volume knob up. You'll see "+xx" up to +11.

[Cold Storm]

I've done it once to try it out... My dogs where RUNNING... lol

[JrRacinFan]

You will be able to, but check with your TV's manufacturer to make sure that the sound will output 5.1. It also depends on your source. In order to have 5.1 sound, you need to keep it 5.1 from the source all the way to the speakers. Tell me your entire HDTV setup, including your sources and players.

It will work wonders with the DFI. How I used it.

It's a philips/magnavox. I will have to look up the model #. Only players I use is my PC and of course the PS2.

[DanishDevil]

How do you hook up the PS2 to it?

PC is going through Optical. Now we need to figure out whether or not the signal coming from the TV is going to be digital, and how it's going to get to the speakers, as well as how your PS2 plays its part.