Logitech Z-5500 Digital Soundroom [Archive]

DanishDevil

04-16-2008, 08:42 PM

Welcome to the Logitech Z-5500 Digital Soundroom!

http://www.logitech.com/repository/335/jpg/2407.1.0.jpg

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Members

Z-5500 Owners

DanishDevil (Zack)
Devices: Auzentech X-Fi Prelude Direct & Optical, Dell D820 Laptop Realtek Onboard Coaxial
Speaker Info: Firmware v2.1.0, M/N: S-0115A, PID: R724, Speaker Wire, No Boost 22
Favorite Media: All modern rock & metal, COD4

twicksisted (Ken)
Devices: Asus Xonar D2X Optical
Speaker Info: -
Favorite Media: Monkey Radio (kruder & Dorfmeister)

Black Panther (Charmaine)
Devices: X-Fi Xtreme Music 5.1
Speaker Info: Firmware v2.0.9, M/N: S-0115B, Speaker Wire, Boost 22
Favorite Media: Basshunter & Benny Benassi

asb2106 (Tony)
Devices: ASUS Rampage Supreme FXII Optical, DVR Coaxial, iPod
Speaker Info: Speaker Wire, No Boost 22
Favorite Media: CS JAY - Impetus Viscus

calvary1980 (Christine)
Devices: X-Fi Xtreme Gamer 7.1
Speaker Info: -
Favorite Media: DVD & Heavy Metal

malware (Radoslav)
Devices: X-Fi Xtreme Music 5.1
Speaker Info: Firmware v2.1.0, PID: R740, Speaker Wire, Boost 22
Favorite Media: House, Trance, & Progressive

allen337 (Allen)
Devices: -
Speaker Info: -
Favorite Media: DVD & Heavy Metal

xvi (Kyle)
Devices: Turtle Beach Montego DDL (CMI8768 chipset) Optical, PS2
Speaker Info: Firmware v2.0.4, No Boost 22
Favorite Media: Grand Turismo 4

Jasper005
Devices: X-Fi Fatal1ty
Speaker Info: Firmware v2.0.4, No Boost 22
Favorite Media: Grand Turismo 4

Master_of_Time (Victor)
Devices: ASUS SupremeFXII
Speaker Info: Firmware v2.1.0, Speaker Wire, Boost 22
Favorite Media: HD Movies, Black Sabbath, & "Really Hardcore Stuff"

gerrynicol
Devices: Auzentech X-Fi Prelude Optical
Speaker Info: Speaker Wire, Boost 22
Favorite Media: Metal, HipHop, & Movies

Mussels
Devices: Auzentech X-Mystique Coax, HDTV Optical, Wii, Xbox, PS2, MP3 Player
Speaker Info: Firmware v2.1.0, M/N: S-0115B, PID: R750, Boost 22
Favorite Media: anime! (in 5.1:D)

chargerblender
Devices: -
Speaker Info: -
Favorite Media: -

hv43082
Devices: X-Fi Fatal1ty-
Speaker Info: -
Favorite Media: -

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Z-5300 Owners

FatForester
Devices: -
Favorite Media: -

DaedalusHelios
Devices: -
Favorite Media: -

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Soon-To-Be/Wannabe Owners

JrRacinFan (Shaun) [Wannabe]
farlex85 [Wannabe]

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We want pictures of your setups! Also, please let us know the following information about your setup BY SENDING ME A PM!!!:

All devices that you have connected to the system and how they are connected
System Firmware Version
M/N (from the back of your sub)
PID (from under any of your satellites or sub - really your manufacturer date)
Speaker connection type (RCA or speaker wire)
Do you have Boost 22 capability
What your favorite song/album/movie/game is to use with them!

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Overview

http://techfuzion.net/DanishDevil/Z-5500SoundRoom/overview.jpg

Specifications

http://techfuzion.net/DanishDevil/Z-5500SoundRoom/specifications.jpg

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Best Deal
ClubIT - $270 Shipped (http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A5147062)
Dell $200 (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0405790&dgc=CJ&cid=24471&lid=566643)
Geeks.com $160 (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=970115-0403-R&cpc=SCH)

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Secrets/Tips/Tricks

Volume Tricks
-Boost 11
Keep turning the volume knob past maximum volume until it reaches "boost" levels.
-Boost 22
Some have been able to achieve boost 22 by holding the mute button once at boost 11 and keep turning, but I can't seem to do it on my speakers (System Firmware v2.1.0). Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA4IHFy0zGA&feature=related) is a YouTube video showing Boost 22.
-Analog Volume Offset
You can also individually boost the volume of analog sources by holding mute on the pod and turning the volume knob. This will display a "Volume + #" up to 11.
Second Skin
While the system is on standby (press the power button until the LED is red) and hold Input + Effect + Settings + Mute for about six seconds until the screen shows "Second Skin". This is a "stepped" skin. Try it out! You will also notice that the standby LED is now purple (pink) instead of red.
Display Firmware Version and Reset to Factory Settings
While in standby, hold Input + Settings, and it will both display your firmware version and reset all your settings.
Display Digital Stream Information
While in standby, press Input + Effect for 6 seconds, the pod goes into diagnostic mode, and whenever you play a digital stream, instead of the DD or DTS logo, it will display information such as format and bitrate.
Subwoofer Mesh Removal
Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFCwr9AEJmU&feature=related) is a YouTube video showing how to get the mesh off your subwoofer.
Speaker Specifications
The speakers used in this set are made by Tangband Speakers (http://www.tb-speaker.com/).
Satellite Tweeter: F Series W3-871SC (http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1208_03/w3-871sc.htm)
Sub Driver: PA Series WT-644F (http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1208_03/wt-644f.htm)

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Reviews

By Willz (http://www.hardwareforums.com/content-view/logitech-z-5500-5-1-speaker-system-1-13505/)
Tweaknews (http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/z5500/)
Audioholics (http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/logitech-z-5500/logitech-z-5500-build-quality)

twicksisted

04-19-2008, 12:09 PM

Alright, here we go... had to do a quick tidy up as it was a mess :P

Logitech Z-5500 (optical link to Asus Xonar D2X)
favorite song... um... well been playing a lot of monkey radio (streaming from Winamp)... Id say anything by kruder & Dorfmeister is good ;)

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

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/Logitech-headunit2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/Speaker.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/Case1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/Case2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/Sub.jpg

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

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/Xonar-Soundcard2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/DSC00072.jpg

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

Black Panther

04-19-2008, 01:18 PM

Here goes!

Mine is connected to the X-Fi Xtreme Music.

My camera is out of action at the moment so not all the photos are recent.
I have moved my setup to the bedroom. At the moment the sub is taking the place where the stool in front of the furniture with the mirror should be.

This was some months ago, in a different smaller room. I have since then changed monitor.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h77/bigwideland_2006/deskpic2.jpg

The following one was taken a couple of weeks ago:
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h77/bigwideland_2006/IMG_0032.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h77/bigwideland_2006/IMG_0028.jpg

My favourite songs are those by Bass Hunter and Benny Benassi. You should try them out on the Z5500... on 1/3 volume the whole house trembles with the bass!

Boten Anna -- Bass Hunter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYQUsp-jxDQ)

Hit my Heart -- Benny Benassi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocR1FCgS-1A)

More Benassi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLch68ZQPWc&feature=related)

DanishDevil

04-19-2008, 07:27 PM

BassHunter! I remember about a year ago me and my buddies would go paintballing or laser tagging and that would be our pump up song! :D

Sweet setups! I'll add you guys to the list. I'll add pics of my setup once I get it set up @ home and I'm done with school in a few days ;)

And I'm trying to track down where I saw that secret menu thing. I'll get this thing more up to date once I'm done w/ finals.

FatForester

04-19-2008, 08:38 PM

I've got the Z-5300's... do those count? :ohwell:

DanishDevil

04-19-2008, 08:47 PM

We can add a Z5300 section if you like ;)

magibeg

04-19-2008, 08:54 PM

Quick, hook me up with the secret menus in the control panel ;) Or do i have to post pics of my system and such before i am let in on the secrets. (discovered earlier in the week that the z-5500 actually goes beyond max volume and shoots into "boost mode" up to 11)

MikeJeng

04-19-2008, 09:09 PM

Lol, I got my Z-5500 for $139.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w47/michaelrvb/DSC04048.jpg

You can't see it too well. The lamp is on top of the subwoofer.

twicksisted

04-19-2008, 09:19 PM

You can't see it too well. The lamp is on top of the subwoofer.

The filament on the bulb probably wont last long ;) All that vibration

DanishDevil

04-19-2008, 09:20 PM

Added a lot of secrets.

Black Panther

04-19-2008, 09:27 PM

Lol, I got my Z-5500 for $139.

Sweet... I got mine for €335.00 ($432) from Scan Malta (http://scanmalta.com/item.php?WebCategory=sound&ProductCode=SNS-L12004) because I decided to buy them locally.

I wish I lived in the US! :cry:

Secrets:

Boost Volume
Keep turning the volume knob past maximum volume until it goes up to Boost 11
Second Skin
While the system is on standby (press the power button until the LED is red) and hold input + effect + settings + mute for about six seconds until the screen shows "Second Skin". This is a "stepped" skin. Try it out!

Awesome! Thanks for that info! :toast:

Now who has had the guts to try out the volume on boost 11?
The most I've ever put it was 3/4 volume and even that's too much when family's here.. I'm going to try it when I'm home alone next Monday :D

EDIT: Hey I found a couple of more secrets!

Boost Mode - Far Beyond The Level of Human Hearing Effect
There's also Boost 22 for people who use analogue. Just crank it all the way to Boost11, then hold down mute button, and keep cranking it up!
OMG this really works I got it up to Boost 22... :eek: Haven't tested out volume yet, it's nearly midnight here...

Volume+
Hold down the mute button as you turn the knob for Volume+ effect. With this effect on. The speakers would sound even louder than they already are.

Diagnostic Mode
When the unit is off, if you press and hold the Input and Effect buttons simultaneously for six seconds, you will put the unit in "Diagnostic Mode". In this mode, whenever a digital stream is detected, it will display information about that stream for five seconds, just like a receiver does. Might as well always leave it in this mode. It doesn't hurt anything, and the information is fun to have.

PS Twicksisted, your computer case is awesome. What brand is it?

twicksisted

04-19-2008, 09:52 PM

PS Twicksisted, your computer case is awesome. What brand is it?

Its a NZXT Lexa....
http://www.nzxt.com/products/lexa/

Im very happy with it.... loads of cooling... (retains fingerprints though hehehe)
Great case, can highly reccommend it... though they brought out a black version with red or blue lights that looks better!

I need to tidy up my cases cables though becuase i have such a mess in there... (five harddrives and ribbon cable to my Floppy driver)... thinking of ways to drill the case to hide most of the wiring, but with 5 HDD's its a bit hard.
temps are fine though so im not worried about it from a performance perspective.

DanishDevil

04-19-2008, 09:57 PM

EDIT: Hey I found a couple of more secrets!

I found those right after I posted that. Haha. Looking for a few more.

And I couldn't get past boost 11 even with the mute button trick...

Black Panther

04-19-2008, 09:57 PM

-Boost 22
Some have been able to achieve boost 22 by holding the mute button once at boost 11 and keep turning, but I can't seem to do it on my speakers.

DanishDevil, check my previous post. I guess you have to be using analogue for it to work? On my system it works though I haven't as yet tried out the actual sound...:toast:

Edit: Danish we keep posting at the same time even now! :laugh:

DanishDevil

04-19-2008, 10:02 PM

Haha nice. Yeah I'm on analog running a stereo source from my ipod right now. Does it have to be 5.1 analog???

I know it won't work on coax or opty. I can get the +11 thing on this source, but then when I try for boost, it just stops at full + 11

Black Panther

04-19-2008, 10:08 PM

I always keep mine on 5.1
In the menu of my Xtreme Music I can choose between 3 modes,
- Entertainment
- Audio Creation
- Gaming

Audio Creation I never used... and I found out that when I put it in gaming mode I only get stereo, whereas in Entertainment mode I get 5.1 which even works as proper 5.1 sound in Oblivion.

I changed the setting to gaming, hence giving me stereo, and the +22 boost still worked. So yeah supposedly it should work even if it's not 5.1

DanishDevil

04-19-2008, 10:14 PM

Weird...maybe my firmware's diff. than urs.

Black Panther

04-19-2008, 10:21 PM

Hmmm I dunno, what setting do you have your X-fi on? Does it have entertainment, audio creation and gaming choices as well I assume?

To get the +22 I turn the volume, keep turning it till it reaches boost 11 and then keep turning it, press the mute button and keep turning the volume to boost 22. Sure you're doing it that way?

Try playing a sound file from your pc, disconnect your ipod and check it out again.

I'll search about it...

FatForester

04-19-2008, 10:25 PM

We can add a Z5300 section if you like ;)

Nah, there's no need. I'll sit back and drool for the time being. :laugh:

Black Panther:

There's an option to choose the speaker setup in Game Mode as well. That option is given on the drivers off the CD, so you're missing something. If you haven't, updating drivers is good regardless :)

DaedalusHelios

04-19-2008, 10:35 PM

Z5300 is the same when it comes to sound. Same speakers. The sub might also be the same wattage. I have a Z-5300 aswell.

The sub might be a little higher watts but it really won't make much of a difference Forrester. ;)

But the controls look fancy on the Z-5500. Thats the real difference between the two.
Its silver would stick out to much in my living room:

Black leather couch, Black leather ottomans, black oriental style TV stand, Black Cooler master Cosmos 1000, and Black 65" Samsung DLP 1080p.

Everything is black. Silver would stick out. :(

Actually if the remote comes apart easily I could use metallic black paint on the Silver parts!

Does it come apart easily? :confused: I hope it does. I might get it if it does.:laugh:

DaedalusHelios

04-19-2008, 10:47 PM

See what I am sayin. Scanner is not there currently because of the overdose of silver. :laugh:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1276452/65DLPCosmos1000HTPC.jpg

I like it to be black so when the lights are out watching a Bluray or HD-DVD all you see is the screen.

Silver is reflective.:(

DanishDevil

04-19-2008, 11:13 PM

Grab that spraycan!

DanishDevil

04-19-2008, 11:16 PM

asb2106

04-20-2008, 12:56 AM

THANKS EVERYONE HERE!!!!!

I knew of the boost 11 thing, but the Volume+, ohh thats sweet! I love the second skin too!

It brings a new face to my z5500, Ive had it for 3 years now, so it was nice to give it a fresh face!!

I love the fact that a set of speakers can still rock after 3 years!! I normally kill speakers in a year or so.

Count me in on the club! I am reorganzin the room so I can make a bigger desk for my computers. When I get it all done Ill take pics of it with the z5500 all set up and ill post em here

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 01:34 AM

Sounds good asb! Have a few favorite and/or devices I can put by your name for now?

:toast:Welcome!

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 01:44 AM

Added a Z-5300 Section. Revamped the layout a little bit.

BTW - If any of you ever find a better deal that I've posted, let me know!

Let's get some members in here!

Also, I liked how some groups used real names. Let me know yours if you want it added to the list.

asb2106

04-20-2008, 01:46 AM

Sounds good asb! Have a few favorite and/or devices I can put by your name for now?

:toast:Welcome!

Favorite Song, Ill have to think about that, I really dont know....

But I have hooked up

supreme FXII from rampage - optical
DVR box - coaxial
Ipod - analog

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 01:57 AM

Done.

Where's all the other people that said they'd join?

Also added a Soon-to-be/Wannabe Owners section! :D

twicksisted

04-20-2008, 01:57 AM

Real name: Ken ;)

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 02:00 AM

:toast: Nice to meet you Ken. Added.

JrRacinFan

04-20-2008, 02:00 AM

Done.

Where's all the other people that said they'd join?

Also added a Soon-to-be/Wannabe Owners section! :D

Darn apt being too dang small and too many neighbors. I would have to fall in the "listen to yours" section.

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 02:03 AM

Darn apt being too dang small and too many neighbors. I would have to fall in the "listen to yours" section.

You've got [Wannabe] status!

Welcome to the SoundRoom!

JrRacinFan

04-20-2008, 02:07 AM

Although, we may be moving soon and I MIGHT pickup a set.

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 02:13 AM

Keep an eye out here man! I've seen a deal as good as $170 shipped before, and I paid just under $200!

asb2106

04-20-2008, 02:52 AM

My name is Tony :toast:

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 03:06 AM

Added. Good 2 meet ya Tony.

asb2106

04-20-2008, 03:09 AM

Added. Good 2 meet ya Tony.

Same Here!

I thought of my favorite song!!!!

CS JAY - Impetus Viscus - That song rules with some bass and good mids/highs!(sounds better in my car though :) )

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 03:13 AM

Done.

JrRacinFan

04-20-2008, 03:23 AM

Well I may as well follow suit, name is Shaun. I feel like I am in a half-baked AA meeting LOL.

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 03:39 AM

Haha! Well you're the one with the problem! You don't have these speakers!

DaedalusHelios

04-20-2008, 06:54 AM

Haha! Well you're the one with the problem! You don't have these speakers!

It makes your E-peenor huge!:laugh:

Its probably better than any sub I have. :ohwell:

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 07:23 AM

It makes your E-peenor huge!:laugh:

Its probably better than any sub I have. :ohwell:

Have you tried Boost 11 or Boost 22? Your E-peenor more than DOUBLES IN SIZE!!!

DaedalusHelios

04-20-2008, 07:41 AM

Is that 11" and 22" Wow!:laugh:

Duxx

04-20-2008, 07:56 AM

I've only got the Z-5300's... :( But ill post some pictures
A. When i clean up my desk(beer bottles, sharpies, batteries, pencils, keys, rulers, tissue, proppel, 4 extra nonuseable speakers, and some garbage)
B. When I got buy some AA batteries for my camera :)
C. I can hardly appreciate these, my Apt. is right across from the main desk ... and they always bitch.

DaedalusHelios

04-20-2008, 08:02 AM

That sucks. Yeah some old lady lives below me but I think shes scared of me. :laugh:

wiak

04-20-2008, 08:23 AM

i got teh Z-5500 to :P

farlex85

04-20-2008, 08:46 AM

Count me in as a wannabe. These things look golden. Case upgrade first, then another hdd, then new sound card and these babies. ETA about late august or so.

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 09:55 AM

Farlex, you're added as a wannabe ;)

Duxx and wiak, I'll need the additional information before I put your names up :toast:

calvary1980

04-20-2008, 10:19 AM

I had a pair with my Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer 7.1 but I sold them because my back right Sat was starting to distort but you had to put your ear right up to it to notice, I bought a new pair haven't even taken them out of the box (damn heavy) but no Sound card yet probably Fatal1ty Pro i'm slowly Assembling my new Box no Camera :(

PS, perhaps you should change Club to Z-* which would include Z-5500, Z-2300, Z-Cinema and Discontinued or Older ones such as Z-5300 and Z-680

- Christine

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 10:42 AM

calvary1980

04-20-2008, 10:48 AM

whether you change it or not more people own X and G Series :( which are plagued by Technical Problems. my Favorite Media is DVD, Heavy Metal and you might want to change Xtreme Gamer to Xtreme Gamer 7.1 as there is 2 versions.

added Club House to sig.

- Christine

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 11:36 AM

Done.

What kinds of technical problems are we talking about???

calvary1980

04-20-2008, 11:46 AM

actually I shouldn't of said "plagued" they just use lower end parts in the X and G series they suffer from Distortion at High Volume and Drowning Bass commonly found in Samples.

- Christine

asb2106

04-20-2008, 02:32 PM

added to sig!!

Black Panther

04-20-2008, 06:48 PM

My real name's Charmaine. :)

A question - listen has anyone really ever tried the sound of these on boost +11 (let alone boost +22) :confused:

I dunno maybe my speakers are inferior or my room acoustics are bad or I don't have proper music but the satellites kinda distort and I only got the m to boost +2 or so. :ohwell:

Maybe I should try just lowering the satellite volume?

Edit: I did lower... and got to boost +6
lol wax is going to fall out of my ears for the vibe...

Second Edit: Oh....MY.... GEESH...
I made it to boost+22:eek: Honestly it's awesome... my pants and shirt got a life of their own moving around, and the vent of the sub was blowing like a house fan :eek: I never imagined these speakers had this potential -- to the extent that hubby told me (again!) that I should disconnect them from my rig and give them to him........ :rolleyes:

twicksisted

04-20-2008, 07:24 PM

lol thats crazy hehe... boost 22? i never even push them above half... then again I am using opticval and thats about twice the volume of the analogue input.

DanishDevil

04-20-2008, 07:58 PM

I set my laptop on its lowest volume and pushed Boost 11. It sounded REALLY CLEAR!!! These speakers rock :rockout:

Still no Boost 22 for me, though :( I'll have to do a firmware check. Maybe these are older...

lol thats crazy hehe... boost 22? i never even push them above half... then again I am using opticval and thats about twice the volume of the analogue input.

And you can change that now! Check the 1st post under "Volume Tricks" near the bottom.

asb2106

04-21-2008, 12:20 AM

i have no boost 22 :( just 11.

DanishDevil

04-21-2008, 03:02 AM

Would you mind checking your firmware version and posting that here? I'll check mine. I bet we've got an older version that doesn't support Boost 22.

@ People who can reach Boost 22: Can you do it in the second skin? Maybe you only can in the first???

DanishDevil

04-21-2008, 07:46 AM

I have System Firmware v2.1.0 by the way. What firmware do you guys have?

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 08:26 AM

@ People who can reach Boost 22: Can you do it in the second skin? Maybe you only can in the first???

I can do it on both skins.

But believe me you don't need boost 22! Jmo but it's too much. I left it at boost 22 for like 15 seconds yesterday while testing, and my ears are still hurting this morning honestly.

I can't check my firmware right now cause I'm at work, but I'll do so in the afternoon.

malware

04-21-2008, 08:30 AM

Does anyone know if the firmware can be preflashed with newer?
Btw can I join the club, I have the Z-5500 with a Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic Retail but I'm planning on buying an Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 soon.

Danish Devil, here's a video of boosting to +22, take a look in case there's something you're doing wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA4IHFy0zGA&feature=related

Here's also a video guide of how to remove Z-5500 sub grill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFCwr9AEJmU&feature=related

Finally my real name is Radoslav, glad to meet you all. :)

DanishDevil

04-21-2008, 09:21 AM

I can do it on both skins.

But believe me you don't need boost 22! Jmo but it's too much. I left it at boost 22 for like 15 seconds yesterday while testing, and my ears are still hurting this morning honestly.

I can't check my firmware right now cause I'm at work, but I'll do so in the afternoon.

Thanks man! And I know I don't need Boost 22, but I want it :D

Does anyone know if the firmware can be preflashed with newer?
Btw can I join the club, I have the Z-5500 with a Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic Retail but I'm planning on buying an Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 soon.

Danish Devil, here's a video of boosting to +22, take a look in case there's something you're doing wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA4IHFy0zGA&feature=related

Here's also a video guide of how to remove Z-5500 sub grill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFCwr9AEJmU&feature=related

Finally my real name is Radoslav, glad to meet you all. :)

I have no idea if you can update your firmware. How would you, though? I mean, the controller does connect to the sub with a serial port, but where on earth would you get the new firmware and the ability to flash it? That would be awesome!!! I just searched the web, and I can't find anything about it.

Watched the video, and that's exactly what I'm doing! Maybe I've got a newer/older firmware version that doesn't support Boost 22 because too many people were voiding their warranties with it :roll:

Welcome to the Sound Room malware! :toast:

Videos added as well.

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 10:31 AM

doesn't support Boost 22 because too many people were voiding their warranties with it :roll:

Might be very true. When I tried it out I had a funny smell in the room. It was like the 'new electronic component' smell, like warm (not burning) plastic.
Everything is working fine, I did no damage and the sound is still nice and clear. But I didn't like that smell...

I don't know if it was because I've never had my system volume on more than half-way previously so stuff never got the chance to reach its temperature hence the warm plastic smell. Or whether had I left it for longer something would have burnt out!

DanishDevil

04-21-2008, 10:33 AM

That's a little scary! Well definitely let me know what System Firmware you're running and maybe we can jump to a conclusion on why I can't get my super-gigante e-penis from Boost 22 :D

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 11:47 AM

I have System Firmware v2.1.0 by the way. What firmware do you guys have?

Mine is v2.0.9 that means older firmware I guess.

Probably the boost 22 function was removed on later firmware precisely for the reason you stated! I'm definitely not going to test it out to see whether something does go wrong with boost 22.
Not worth getting a super-gigante e-penis if it shrivels down in ashes and charcoal would it? :p

twicksisted

04-21-2008, 01:09 PM

e-penis lololol

asb2106

04-21-2008, 01:33 PM

ok, how many of you have a z5500 that looks like this?
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/36-121-120-08.JPG
Or like this? -- Mine looks like this one. Maybe we can get more info on which ones do what by figuring out when they made this change......
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/36-121-120-25.jpg

BOTH of these pics are from Newegg, so I am thinking that there has been two major revisions released...... maybe the new firmware that supports boost 22 has the RCA plugs??

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 02:01 PM

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/36-121-120-25.jpg

Mine looks like that one too.

Maybe guys from Europe can check which firmware they have?

asb2106

04-21-2008, 02:10 PM

Mine looks like that one too.

Maybe guys from Europe can check which firmware they have?

and your z5500 allows you boost 22??

So everyone knows, Im not concerned that I cant hit boost 22, I do not need it by any means, just the fact that mine cannot do it is what bothers me!!

I watched some videos on how to do boost 22, I can do the volume+11, just not boost 22....

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 02:17 PM

What firmware do you have?

I'm now assuming that people who have the old firmware 2.0.9 can get boost 22, while those of you with the newer firmware 2.1.0 have had it disabled...

malware

04-21-2008, 02:19 PM

Mine looks like that one too.

Maybe guys from Europe can check which firmware they have?

Europe here, I have the second version with the spring-loaded connectors (black/red) [I'm glad I have this version, because I'm using custom cables], and my firmware is 2.1.0.

P.S. I hate Logitech for having these "different revisions", I'm still swearing because of my "Europian G15" with this huge Enter key, when there is no indication and the case looks just like the American international version. I had to sell the sucker and now I'm importing one from USA ... don't ask me about shipping cost to Europe...d@mn Logitech.

P.S1. DanishDevil you can add firmware version under members' names. ;)

asb2106

04-21-2008, 02:22 PM

What firmware do you have?

I'm now assuming that people who have the old firmware 2.0.9 can get boost 22, while those of you with the newer firmware 2.1.0 have had it disabled...

Im gonna check when I get home from work.... just started an hour ago, so it will be about 8 hours before Im home :(

Europe here, I have the second version with the spring-loaded connectors (black/red) [I'm glad I have this version, because I'm using custom cables], and my firmware is 2.1.0.

P.S. I hate Logitech for having these "different revisions", I'm still swearing because of my "Europian G15" with this huge Enter key, when there is no indication and the case looks just like the American international version. I had to sell the sucker and now I'm importing one from USA ... don't ask me about shipping cost to Europe...d@mn Logitech.

P.S1. DanishDevil you can add firmware version under members' names. ;)

The RCA connections were the first revision eh??

I have had my set for 3 years now, and I have the spring loaded also. I thought the RCA would have been the newer ones......

malware

04-21-2008, 02:34 PM

...

The RCA connections were the first revision eh??

I have had my set for 3 years now, and I have the spring loaded also. I thought the RCA would have been the newer ones......

Don't know, I've seen reviews of both versions aroun the web.
I bought mine about two months ago ... and they're definitely spring loaded.

EDIT: Now I'm looking at the back of my sub and there's a M/N, mine says S-0115B, if there's someone with the RCA version, please report what's written on the back of the sub.

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 02:35 PM

Europe here, I have the second version with the spring-loaded connectors (black/red) [I'm glad I have this version, because I'm using custom cables], and my firmware is 2.1.0.

So I have the second version with the black/red connectors... and the older firmware. Weird. :wtf:

Asb2106: I'd add to your suggestion - under the people's names DanishDevil can add what firmware they have and what version as well.

I bought mine summer last year.

This is interesting...

malware

04-21-2008, 02:54 PM

Black Panther can you tell us what's the M/N written on the sub of yours?

I have new information which might be useful for the Club - specs of the speakers. They're made by a company called Tangband Speakers (http://www.tb-speaker.com/).

satellite tweeter: http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1208_03/w3-871sc.htm (F Series W3-871SC)
SUB driver: http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1208_03/wt-644f.htm (PA Series WT-644F)

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 02:57 PM

Black Panther can you tell us what's the M/N written on the sub of yours?

S-0115B

(What is M/N? Manufacturer Number?)

malware

04-21-2008, 03:07 PM

S-0115B

(What is M/N? Manufacturer Number?)

Or Model Number. ;)
I found a thread at the Logitech forums, and there a member who seems to be familiar with the case says:

The RCA ones were the first ones that came out. No Doubt. They went back to bare wire later because the RCA lengths were too limited, and its far easier to get variable length bare wire.

He's probably right, and the RCA model is now discontinued ... glad it's not some of the Logitech's region tricks.

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 03:48 PM

Have you tried putting the Effect on 6 channel direct when attempting Boost 22?

asb2106

04-21-2008, 04:00 PM

Have you tried putting the Effect on 6 channel direct when attempting Boost 22?

You have to have the analog inputs populated for that right?? I dont use all the inputs, just one of them

allen337

04-21-2008, 04:03 PM

Hi im allen:laugh: had my z5500s 4 months now and no +22 yet I try all the time. ALLEN

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 07:39 PM

You have to have the analog inputs populated for that right?? I dont use all the inputs, just one of them

Yes I'm using the analog inputs. I mean the black, green and orange connectors.

I wanted to put up more photos of my setup but my camera is working intermittently, and only 2 photos came out, sorry for the quality lol but I couldn't choose the best ones!

I had moved my rig to the bedroom:

http://img.techpowerup.org/080421/IMG_0187.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/080421/IMG_0178079.jpg

Another strange issue with my setup, I didn't suspect it was strange until I read about someone who had the same 'issue' on the logitech forums. I wouldn't call it a problem because it doesn't create problems, but is more of a curiousity. It's about my controller displaying the option 96-24 on the display when using the 6 channel direct effect. The OP on the logitech forums was insisting that bitrate shouldn't be displayed when in analogue mode. Some of the savvy people there told him that bitrate isn't limited only to digital, and the thread there was like a war between one of the gurus of the forum and the OP. That was until the OP posted a reply he got from the official Logitech Support, which I quote here:

Thank you for contacting Logitech's Electronic Technical Support.

I am sorry for the delay in replying to your email. You should not be getting the option 96-24 on the display when using the 6 channel direct effect.

This could be some kind of problem with the control pod.

As luck has it, this was the last post in that thread... :ohwell:

Link (http://forums.logitech.com/logitech/board/message?board.id=51_speakers&thread.id=11844&page=1)

As I said not that I'm worrying my head off, as long as my sound functions correctly I don't mind whether I have 96-24 on the display or not.

malware

04-21-2008, 07:47 PM

Wow, my controller is also displaying the "96-24" always? I'm using analog connection, 6 channel direct.

twicksisted

04-21-2008, 07:50 PM

From what I understand, its showing up as 24/96 because the DAC / ADC convertors in the head unit is working in that resolution whether or not the analogue / digital signal is 24/96...
The signal its getting may be analogue from your soundcard, but internally the headunits DAC / ADC (digital is using 24/96 to process the analogue signal... giving you high resolution amplification and output (even though its still analogue as the wires to the speakers are).

DAC= Digital to Analogue convertor
ADC= Analogue to Digital convertor

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 07:50 PM

Hmmm I'm ready to bet that either Logitech support got it wrong... or more likely that guy invented everything? :laugh:

xvi

04-21-2008, 08:22 PM

Some have been able to achieve boost 22 by holding the mute button once at boost 11 and keep turning, but I can't seem to do it on my speakers (System Firmware v2.1.0). Here is a YouTube video showing Boost 22.

It looks like he's using the analogue boost with the volume boost to achieve "Boost 22". The analogue boost is apparently not available on Optical (hence "analogue"). It looks to me like "Analogue Boost +11" and "Boost 11" is the same as "Boost 22".

I can't seem to get it to work. I watched a few videos and didn't get anywhere.

I'll snap a pic of my horribly messy setup and join.

xvi (Kyle)
Devices: Turtle Beach Montego DDL (CMI8768 chipset) Optical, PS2
Firmware: Firmware v2.0.4
M/N: X-####X
Speaker Connection: SPEAKER WIRE
96-24 Analog Bug: YES
Boost 22 Capable: NO
Date Purchased: Unknown
Favorite Media: Gran Turismo 4

twicksisted

04-21-2008, 08:40 PM

It looks to me like "Analogue Boost +11" and "Boost 11" is the same as "Boost 22".

Well first thing i noticed when I went digital was double the sound output, so yeah, it would make sense that Boost 22 analog is the same as Boost 11 Digital

asb2106

04-21-2008, 08:52 PM

Well first thing i noticed when I went digital was double the sound output, so yeah, it would make sense that Boost 22 analog is the same as Boost 11 Digital

this is very true :) I did notice this myself

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 09:05 PM

Well first thing i noticed when I went digital was double the sound output, so yeah, it would make sense that Boost 22 analog is the same as Boost 11 Digital

That means what you previously got with the sound bar half full now you get the same volume with the sound bar 1/4 full? Wow...

Apart from that, did you notice any audible improvement in the sound quality?

I remember I did notice a very good improvement in the sound quality between onboard soundmax and the xtreme music. Previously I couldn't get the volume on the satellites high enough, no matter how high I put them and how low I put the subwoofer I couldn't get a good balance. The sound card made a great difference (apart from the other functions of the x-fi like EAX, crystallizer etc).

DanishDevil

04-21-2008, 09:39 PM

Ok, I've updated quite a bit, but not everything before this post. Keep replying with what's missing from the information under your names.

As far as I can tell now, there's no clear-cut revision that is plagued by the analog 96-24 bug or the boost 22 incapability.

I need to take a couple days off from the forum, since I've got finals tomorrow and Wednesday. I'll see you guys in a few days :toast:

asb2106

04-21-2008, 09:45 PM

Black Panther

04-21-2008, 10:06 PM

Good luck in your finals DanishDevil!
And thanks for creating this club. I learnt lots of stuff on my Z-5500 from here. :)

allen337

04-21-2008, 10:11 PM

Mine says 96-24 in direct also just thought it was a fluke. Im also using onboard sound and guess what DTS works in 6 chanel direct also. ALLEN

asb2106

04-21-2008, 10:23 PM

ahh heres one for yah guys,

my z5500 never had the 96-24 on it, I switched to skin 2 and now its on there all the time!!

Black Panther

04-23-2008, 04:01 PM

Here are some links to reviews of the Z-5500:

By Willz (http://www.hardwareforums.com/content-view/logitech-z-5500-5-1-speaker-system-1-13505/)

Tweaknews (http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/z5500/)

Audioholics (http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/logitech-z-5500/logitech-z-5500-build-quality)

Jasper005

04-23-2008, 04:01 PM

twicksisted

04-23-2008, 04:07 PM

Hi Jasper,

If you get yourself a good soundcard with dolby digital & DTS, you can hook up with analogue, optical, coaxial...

you say that you mostly watch stereo movies...dolby digital / prologic allows you to use a normal stereo signal but have it panned out over 5.1 speakers... the effect sounds fantastic on my soundcard and makes DivX stereo movies sound great... though watching an actual DVD sounds best I definately want blue ray as the resolution on my 24" screen is a bit blurry on DVD hehe).

optical is good because the optical connection to the headunit tells it what program to put itself into (stereo, quad, 5.1 etc...) so you dont have to change it yourself. It also sounds louder, but i think that could just be the fact that its not going through an ADC convertor.

I wouldnt say that its neccessary though to use optical if you have these speakers, but as the cable was included with my soundcard, I thought why the hell not ;)

Jasper005

04-23-2008, 04:27 PM

Thanks Twicksisted

If you get yourself a good soundcard with dolby digital & DTS, you can hook up with analogue, optical, coaxial...

I think my soundcard does DTS and dolby as well as THQ (no idea)

"Enjoy truly cinematic movie sound
The Sound Blaster X-Fi sound card delivers THX® certified surround sound and includes DTS™ and Dolby Digital®-EX decoding for an unbeatable DVD movie watching experience."

twicksisted

04-23-2008, 04:41 PM

yeah it will do :)
if you get an optical cable, then you can use DTS which is like prologic 5.1 but with less compression so better quality sound. you can get them pretty cheap, but still its not really neccessary as analogue / prologic will sound similar on your stereo movies.

Theres DTS interactive mode i think, that splits the stereo signal up into 5.1 and simulates that movie sound on your normal stereo movies... it actually works quite well on mivies where theres definate pan in the stereo signal.

DanishDevil

04-23-2008, 05:03 PM

It definitely does. I use them hooked up to analog.

DD and DTS are great with movies, but I'd rather use my X-Fi to decode everything on my computer.

BTW - Done with finals!

Mussels

04-23-2008, 05:06 PM

Hi,

I've got the Logitech Z-5500 and a creative x-fi fatality. I mostly listen to music and play games with 5.1 sound on them. Its very rare that I will watch a DVD copy of a movie with them, as most of the videos I watch are in Divx format :wtf:

I was just after some advice on the best way to connect them up to each other. At the moment I just use an analog cable, and it sounds great. Is it worth splashing the cash on an optical cable or another type? What are the benefits and disadvantages of doing this?

Thanks for any help and sorry if its a dumb question!

with an X-fi you are stuck analogue. More or less, you need something in dolby BEFOREhand to have it work over optical/digital - you'll only get 2.0 sound.

The reason Auzentech cards (such as the X-fi prelude) are so popular is that they can encode real-time, turning normal 5.1 audio (analogue, say from a game) into a digital signal (so that speakers such as the awesome Z-5500's) can get surround sound. The key here is ENcoding as opposed to DEcoding (passthrough lets it go straight to speakrs. dolby movie to dolby speakers. DEcoding lets you get dolby over analogue. ENcoding lets everything else go digital)

Stay analogue - you already blew a lot of cash on teh soundcard, so upgrading really is not worth it. (digitals biggest boon is no interference, and less cables)

Black Panther

04-24-2008, 07:53 PM

What's your preferred music to listen to on the Z-5500? Please also state the genre!

Mine are techno/bass/electronic genre. Basically all of Bass Hunter and Benny Benassi, most of Enigma. What are yours?

Alizee-Benassi Heavy Bass Remix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot-DD1oQE78) Awesome!:rockout:

DaedalusHelios

04-24-2008, 08:49 PM

My new Asus HD-DVD drive came in!(I already have a bluray drive;))

I got it for $10.:eek:

asb2106

04-24-2008, 09:05 PM

My new Asus HD-DVD drive came in!(I already have a bluray drive;))

I got it for $10.:eek:

I hope there is more! I want one!!

Mussels

04-25-2008, 05:59 AM

looking to get me a set of Z-5500's - any comments? better alternatives?

Got an auzentech X-plosion that does dolby digital encoding, so i figured these old beasts were still the best shot.

DanishDevil

04-25-2008, 07:51 AM

Mussels, these speakers will literally destroy anything in their path and price range.

I very well may move onto an Auzentech X-Plosion from my X-Fi Fatal1ty, and I'll be coupling it with these babies.

The only speakers that I have ever heard that sound anything close to these are the Klisph 5.1's, and they're a lot more expensive and have a lot less connectivity.

Black Panther

04-25-2008, 01:29 PM

Mussels, these speakers have got an extremely rich bass and crisp-clear satellites. The volume pwns all pc speakers, and most home cinemas. My sub is under a table, and stuff on the table moves when I have the volume like 3/4 high. Normally having the volume on 1/2 or less is OK for me!

TIP: If you plan to get the Z-5500, make sure that the PID number is R7xx. The older ones with PID numbers R6xx and R5xx there were a lot of them with the problem of having the satellites make a popping sound even when no sound was being played but the volume turned on. The R7xx corrected this problem.
(I was lucky I got a good set because my PID is R649, and I didn't know about this when I bought them!). All the defective R6xx series can get rma'd successfully (if still under warranty) if they exhibit this problem though.

The PID shows the date of manufacture. For example mine R649 is translated into the 49th week of 2006. An R721 would be the 21st week of 2007.

A suggestion to DanishDevil -- I think it's better under the names in the first post to put the PID number together with or instead of the date of purchase?

The PID is easy to find, it's underneath each satellite, and at the bottom of the sub underneath. It should be the same PID number on all speakers.

http://img.techpowerup.org/080425/IMG_0196310.jpg

Btw Danish, for the record I have the 96-24 analog bug too. :laugh:
http://img.techpowerup.org/080425/IMG_0197.jpg

twicksisted

04-25-2008, 04:58 PM

its not a bug though ;)
Its just that the amp is working digitally in 24/96 whatever the input signal

Mussels

04-25-2008, 05:58 PM

well i think my x-plosion does digital 24/96, so its all good :)

Buying online so i cant check teh code, its ~$350 online vs $600 locally.

where is the subs bass control? on the remote or the sub?

twicksisted

04-25-2008, 06:42 PM

well i think my x-plosion does digital 24/96, so its all good :)

Buying online so i cant check teh code, its ~$350 online vs $600 locally.

where is the subs bass control? on the remote or the sub?

On both the remote control and the head unit

Mussels

04-25-2008, 06:51 PM

On both the remote control and the head unit

well i think i'll order monday. just cant find anything wrong, except that i'll miss how teh center speaker of my 540's sits on top of the TV. it just looks nice there :D

twicksisted

04-25-2008, 06:56 PM

I just slotted mine under my LCD panel...fits perfectly and raising it works better for when I game :)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/DSC00045.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/twicksisted/desktop2.jpg

asb2106

04-25-2008, 07:30 PM

malware

04-25-2008, 07:37 PM

Little update, if DanishDevil can update my profile here. :)
My firmware is 2.1.0, my PID R740, and I have the 96-24 bug too when using analog connection, direct 6ch. ... also I have the +22 boost.
Favorite media: wow they're many I'm a trance/progressive listener, but I like to listen all kind of music as long as it is not some commercial sh1t.

btw if you all want to hear what the Z-5500 sub is capable of please listen to a song called jibbs ft. chamillionaire - king kong at really loud levels ... you'll see what I'm talking about. ;)

Black Panther

04-25-2008, 07:38 PM

its not a bug though ;)
Its just that the amp is working digitally in 24/96 whatever the input signal

It is a bug.... check what Logitech tech support emailed to a guy on the Logitech forums I quoted it here. (http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpost.php?p=759863&postcount=82) Anyway, bug or not, it is harmless. :)

Mussels, you can control Sub also from your card's software as well from the equalizer (well I'm sure you knew that but I pointed it out just in case you missed it) ;).

In actual fact I have a problem myself here, maybe someone who has a Creative Labs X-Fi can help me out?

On the THX settings (in the help part) it says that if you have a bass speaker you should 'enable bass redirection' and then choose the amount of crossover you get through the satellites.

Well, if I enable bass reduction, even if I select sub-woofer gain +15dB and play around with the crossover slider, I get inferior quality for the whole sound in general. I mean I tested it out by keeping my hand partially covering the 4" side-hole of the sub. If I enable bass reduction and put sub gain +15dB and even increase a tad the sub through the equalizer of the x-fi, I feel little 'wind' blowing through my fingers. With bass reduction and +15dB bass boost my sub is like half muted, and the satellites sound somewhat dead and empty.

Whereas if I do away with bass reduction I get crisp clear sound from the satellites (with SVM enabled) and the side-hole of the sub blows nice wind through my fingers, and there's definitely more vibe and boom in the room which I like.:D

I wonder why the instructions on the x-fi's driver kinda conflict? Either that or my ears have a problem :confused:

Another question I had -- if the max bitrate of my x-fi is 96 does that mean that whether I play music with 96 bitrate or 320 bit it would be sounding just the same and hence anything over 96 would be overkill for me?

twicksisted

04-25-2008, 07:42 PM

is that monitor the 245bw?? I have that, and that looks like a great idea!

yeah thats the Samsung SM245B... the centre speaker fits under the panel on the black foot of the LCD screen... :)

malware

04-25-2008, 07:47 PM

Bass redirect feature is for speakers without internal crossover, in the case of Z-5500 they have an internal crossover at 120Hz.
Once you put the bass redirect through the Creative drivers and set it to 80Hz for example (the THX freq) all frequencies from 80 to the internal crossover 120Hz will be gone .... your sub will sound muted and will lack punch. Unfortunately because of the crappy Creative drivers even when set at 120Hz the bass redirect feature makes the sub go somewhat muted too.
I strongly recommend leaving this option, use it only with speakers without internal crossover.
Also the speaker size mean a lot ... make sure you use "small" because if you go "large" the satellites will try to do the low freqs that're only for the sub. Setting the speakers to "large" is only for receivers and floorstanding speakers with large 8-10-12" drivers in them.

twicksisted

04-25-2008, 08:11 PM

Another question I had -- if the max bitrate of my x-fi is 96 does that mean that whether I play music with 96 bitrate or 320 bit it would be sounding just the same and hence anything over 96 would be overkill for me?

The amp wont accept a signal digitally over 24/96... though if you were to feed it an analogue signal thats been processed on a soundcard at 24/192 or something it would work.

You talking about a 320kbps MP3 file as a signal into the amp / speakers... its properties are 320kbps which is 16bit audio.
The Z5500 headunit / amp works at 24bit 96khz internally and processes and mixes / upmixes the signals at that bitrate internally no matter what the input signal. this is why I said that its not a bug for it to display the 24/96 logo.

Playing a WAV (also 16bit), or 320kbps MP3 file makes no difference to what bitrate the amp will internally process at.

The higher the bitrate, the higher the resolution so "theoretically" the better it will sound even if its a lower bitrate signal... This works better though for mixing different signals together (or DSP where it adds to the sound).

to think of it differently, think about colour as they work the same...
Think of it like setting your graphics settings to 16bit colour instead of 32bit colour... theres more colours in 32bit, but if you were to use photoshop and a 16bit image it would still look the same... now if you were to mix two or more 16 bit images together in 32bit it would be better as you'd lose less as they blend and possibly gain resolution as they morph into something different.

heres a pic of a 24bit waveform (note how smooth it is):
http://www.cadenzarecording.com/images/Dither/waveforms/ditheronoriginal.jpg

Heres a pic of a 16bit waveform of the same thing (look how rough it is):
http://www.cadenzarecording.com/images/Dither/waveforms/16bitdithered.jpg

An analogue signal would be completely smooth and arguably better albeit for the noise the signal would contain... now you can see why if you were to mix two 16 bit signals in 24bit it would allow for higher resolution and why they would use 24bit processing for the DSP chips inside the amp :)

DanishDevil

04-25-2008, 08:43 PM

I'm unpacking all my stuff @ home, so I'll update this as soon as I'm settled in.

Mussels

04-26-2008, 08:42 AM

after what everyones said, i'm making the order tomorrow. looks like my TV is tall enough that the speaker can sit in front of it without blocking view of the screen (somewhere around 5-7", but the couch is lower than the TV so theres a height difference)

looks like i'll be haunting this thread with questions once i get them :)

DanishDevil

04-26-2008, 09:01 AM

We can't wait for your questions :toast:

Master_of_Time

04-26-2008, 11:05 AM

Hi, this is my first post at TPU. I bought the speakers 5 months ago and everybody hates me now. :laugh: So, here are the answers that you want:
1. Only the PC, the soundcard is SupremeFXII, the one that came with the Asus SIIF
2. Firmware - v2.1.0
3. M/N: xxxxxx
4. Speaker Wire
5. Yes, I have Boost 22, but I've only tried these monsters at Boost 7... :D
6. I do use 96/24 in analog.
7. I got them for my birthday - 03.12.2007.
8. I watch HD movies,a lot of games with surround and metal ranging from Black Sabbath to really hardcore stuff. (That's why everybody hates me :rockout: )
P.S. Sorry, I don't have anything decent to shoot a few pics, just my dad's crappy gsm camera and that's it.
EDIT: I forgot - my real name is Victor, I live in Sofia, Bulgaria.
EDIT 2: I've got some crappy pics. Sorry, they're really crappy, but that's all I've got for now. If I get some better pics I'll change them. Oh, yes and the pics are a little old, i have a different monitor and case now.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll233/fatal1ty3910/DSC00010.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll233/fatal1ty3910/DSC00009.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll233/fatal1ty3910/DSC00007.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll233/fatal1ty3910/DSC00022.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll233/fatal1ty3910/DSC00002.jpg

gerrynicol

04-26-2008, 03:08 PM

1. PC, through optical on an Auzentech X-Fi Prelude
2. ??
3. subs under a set of drawers
4. speaker wire
5. I have boost, don't need to use it lol
6. Yup
7. 3 months ago
8. Metal, hip hop stuff. movies.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/Gerrynicol/26042008037.jpg

asb2106

04-28-2008, 12:30 AM

Hey Guys!! Just around around to taking some snapshots of the computer corner of mine :)

I have a 5 foot by 4 foot little hole that I get for my computer and the junk that goes with it(including the Z5500), so heres the pics!!

http://img.techpowerup.org/080427/IMG_2051.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/080427/IMG_2052.jpg

Sorry bout the computer being in somewhat of peices :)

It is under water cooling construction. I am adding a radiator, 10 new fans, another pump, and Im rewiring the whole case! So there is wires and shit everywhere

Master_of_Time

04-28-2008, 10:59 AM

Umm... I'm just asking, but when is the soundroom page going to get updated? I've joined and gerrynicol too. I'm really sorry if you're having work or something - I'm just asking.

Master_of_Time

04-28-2008, 11:01 AM

Umm... I'm just asking, but when is the soundroom page going to get updated? I've joined and gerrynicol too. I'm really sorry DanishDevil if you're having work or something - I'm just asking.

Mussels

04-28-2008, 11:03 AM

you just said that twice.

Master_of_Time

04-28-2008, 12:09 PM

Yeah, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened... First I previewed the post and then I edited it. And then there are the two posts???? :confused:
EDIT: Can a moderator please delete the first post.

asb2106

04-28-2008, 01:11 PM

Yeah, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened... First I previewed the post and then I edited it. And then there are the two posts???? :confused:
EDIT: Can a moderator please delete the first post.

you can delete it, just hit edit and delete the message
and its only been 48hours since you joined, most threads get updated once maybe twice a week

DanishDevil

04-28-2008, 07:43 PM

I'll update it now. Sorry guys. I've been switching to Intel and going water and modding my case and I just got back from school and unpacking and adjusting to home again and it's been kind of hectic.

I'm a bad club president :(

Master_of_Time

04-28-2008, 11:21 PM

Oh, sorry man. I'm rushing you and you had work... :banghead: And about that case modding - when you're finished can you post some pics.
OK, ontopic now - I tried the boost 22 on open windows so they don't shatter... HOLY HELL!!! The sub moved my bed... :wtf: It was like maybe 20 seconds and it took me 2 or 3 days to restore my hearing to normal. Everything was falling off the shelves! And I've got plenty of neighbours... Man, I don't suppose they like Sodom. :D So, point taken - NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!!! Hell, maybe I will try that some day again, but I'll be drunk as sh1t before I do this again... :laugh:

DanishDevil

04-28-2008, 11:27 PM

Haha nice! These things are beasts aren't they?

BTW - my work so far is in this thread:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=57689

And I've also got one @ www.TechFuzion.net

And I PROMISE I will update this tonight!

gerrynicol

04-28-2008, 11:29 PM

DanishDevil

04-28-2008, 11:30 PM

Whenever I go boost anything, I have to turn everything else to minimum.

System sound to bare minimum, and program at minimum. Then, boost 11 sounds like a normal volume!

Master_of_Time

04-28-2008, 11:55 PM

Oh, yes! :D Everybody regrets that I bought the speakers, but I don't. What are you gonna do? I'm 14 and I like BIG sound, the kind that makes the neighbours hate you in every way possible.
I've tried with optical from my Asus Striker II Formula and I've had no distortion or weaker sound.

malware

04-29-2008, 07:50 AM

I just reinstalled my sound card driver but before I did, I tried the Boost level on the optical setting, the output sounded really distorted, so I put it back to normal, haven't tried it after reinstallation, might give it a go. I take it i'm the only one to get this:ohwell:

Why use X-Fi Prelude and optical on your Z-5500? You should try using the analogue outs of the card, I bet your system will sound way better, now you're wasting the most interesting part in the Auzentech, by transfering to the Z-5500's DACs.

DanishDevil

04-29-2008, 08:20 AM

Why don't you just send me the Prelude, and you can use the optical on your onboard sound :D It'll sound the same :roll:

malware

04-29-2008, 08:49 AM

Why don't you just send me the Prelude, and you can use the optical on your onboard sound :D It'll sound the same :roll:

Nice one. :laugh:

DanishDevil

04-29-2008, 09:09 AM

EVERYTHING IS UP TO DATE!!!

Phew...that only took me...*looks at watch*...I need to go to bed.

malware

04-29-2008, 09:13 AM

Augh ... you set my favourite media to DVD & Heavy Metal, wow I !!!HATE HATE HATE!!! metal please please change it.... I'm listening to house, trance, progressive. :)

Mussels

04-29-2008, 09:14 AM

EVERYTHING IS UP TO DATE!!!

Phew...that only took me...*looks at watch*...I need to go to bed.

dont worry, you'll be adding me soon enough...

DanishDevil

04-29-2008, 09:48 AM

Augh ... you set my favourite media to DVD & Heavy Metal, wow I !!!HATE HATE HATE!!! metal please please change it.... I'm listening to house, trance, progressive. :)

LMAO! Sorry dude!

:rockout:

gerrynicol

04-29-2008, 09:56 AM

Why use X-Fi Prelude and optical on your Z-5500? You should try using the analogue outs of the card, I bet your system will sound way better, now you're wasting the most interesting part in the Auzentech, by transfering to the Z-5500's DACs.

I think the digital out sounds better :ohwell: just proves everyone is different lol

Mussels

04-29-2008, 10:09 AM

The auzentechs have good DAC's, but so do the logitech speakers. Cant waaaaaaait. aaargh.

asb2106

04-29-2008, 01:19 PM

I just reinstalled my sound card driver but before I did, I tried the Boost level on the optical setting, the output sounded really distorted, so I put it back to normal, haven't tried it after reinstallation, might give it a go. I take it i'm the only one to get this:ohwell:

well if I were you I would just take out the sound card and use the coax or opitical that comes out of the motherboard. Its pure signal with no distortion(get a good cable) and the sound is amazing :D.

I used to funk with my x-fi and the z5500 but I gave up, no matter how hard I tried I would get distortion when the volume got louder. But made the switch to coax about 2 years back, and I will never go back to analog(besides the ipod).

gerrynicol

04-29-2008, 04:09 PM

well if I were you I would just take out the sound card and use the coax or opitical that comes out of the motherboard. Its pure signal with no distortion(get a good cable) and the sound is amazing :D.

I used to funk with my x-fi and the z5500 but I gave up, no matter how hard I tried I would get distortion when the volume got louder. But made the switch to coax about 2 years back, and I will never go back to analog(besides the ipod).

It's only through the analog cables it distorts, over the optical it's fine

asb2106

04-29-2008, 07:22 PM

It's only through the analog cables it distorts, over the optical it's fine

isn't that what I said?

DanishDevil

04-29-2008, 07:32 PM

isn't that what I said?

:roll:

Ahhhh you kids...

I think I'm going to leave my X-Fi Fatal1ty Champion out of my rig and try the Optical on my board. Anyone want to buy it? :)

I may or may not go Auzentech X-Fi...but onboard opty should work for now.

gerrynicol

04-29-2008, 07:34 PM

isn't that what I said?

:banghead: oops soz, just read it again properly :)

asb2106

04-29-2008, 08:06 PM

:banghead: oops soz, just read it again properly :)

:toast:Sorry, didnt mean to sound like a jerk :)

Optical or Coax is the way to go!!

DanishDevil

04-29-2008, 08:26 PM

You think upgrading to an Auzentech and going Direct 5.1 is worth it for games? Because the Logitechs won't do true 5.1 through Optical for EAX games and the like, will they?

asb2106

04-29-2008, 08:37 PM

You think upgrading to an Auzentech and going Direct 5.1 is worth it for games? Because the Logitechs won't do true 5.1 through Optical for EAX games and the like, will they?

Ive never noticed any problems. Optical 5.1 seems to work fine for me.....

Mussels

04-29-2008, 09:27 PM

i know optical is 2.0 without say, an auzentech to encode in dolby - how about coax? i've never used it.

DanishDevil

04-29-2008, 10:02 PM

I use it from my laptop...actually on it now. Same options as Optical. Sound clarity isn't as good, though, but you can use an old RCA Video cable (the yellow one).

Mussels

04-30-2008, 02:14 AM

I use it from my laptop...actually on it now. Same options as Optical. Sound clarity isn't as good, though, but you can use an old RCA Video cable (the yellow one).

what i meant was, does it require encoding as well?

My onboard sound has coax, but without the encoding it wont get surround in anything without pre-encoded dolby, correct?

Master_of_Time

04-30-2008, 02:30 AM

Well, I've always had 5.1 with optical which is connected to my m/b. I didn't tweak any settings at all, and I'm not sure that the SupremeFX II has ecoding for dolby. :confused:

Mussels

04-30-2008, 02:34 AM

Well, I've always had 5.1 with optical which is connected to my m/b. I didn't tweak any settings at all, and I'm not sure that the SupremeFX II has ecoding for dolby. :confused:

the way i know it, is that it needed to be encoded first for it to work.

Optical is 2.0 - you CAN use upmixing on your sound unit (pro logic) to 'fake' surround sound.

Pre-encoded media (some games, DVD movies) will come out in 5.1 as it is decoded. (i recall unreal tournament 2003?/2004? had dolby digital as an audio option)

The other option is a soundcard which does encoding, which i dont think the supremeFX does either.

Coax, i have NO experience with. no idea if its like analogue, or needs encoding like optical.

DanishDevil

04-30-2008, 04:10 AM

Coax for me right now is going off of Dolby Digital, but I'm just listening to music and shit on here. I'll have to pop a DVD in...

Master_of_Time

04-30-2008, 04:12 AM

Yes, the SupremeFX II can't encode dolby. So it seems that the control unit of the Z-5500's is upmixing the sound to 5.1. Well, it's good enough for me that way but I'm thinking of returning to the analog wires cuz I don't hear a difference between analog or optical. Well, I still haven't tried them with coax but I don't think I will. If someone uses/has used coax please let us know how many channels of sound did you get.

Mussels

04-30-2008, 04:13 AM

Coax for me right now is going off of Dolby Digital, but I'm just listening to music and shit on here. I'll have to pop a DVD in...

play a game or something not pre-encoded. I want to know if an 'analogue' non-dolby program, (such as CoD4 for example) will run in 5.1 without a card like an auzentech, or does it only do 5.1 with pre-encoded material.

What me and master want to know, is if coax works like analogue or optical. Does it require dolby digital/DTS to get 5.1 sound.

DanishDevil

04-30-2008, 04:16 AM

I can't run COD4 on this laptop :roll:

I can play a DVD on it...will that work?

I'm listening to music from iTunes with it on PLII Music, and it's 5.1. Watching Lost online in PLII Movie is 5.1.

Mussels

04-30-2008, 04:16 AM

I can't run COD4 on this laptop :roll:

I can play a DVD on it...will that work?

no because the DVD is pre encoded with dolby digital.

what we need is a 5.1 game, to be honest.

DanishDevil

04-30-2008, 04:26 AM

Mussels

04-30-2008, 04:49 AM

No luck until I get my Intel chip in.

When I do, I'll do a direct comparison between 5.1 Analog, Coax, and Optical, all through onboard sound.

I could do all three with my SB X-Fi as well if you like...but if I do, then you have to find someone to buy my X-Fi ;)

the main thing is, pre-encoded, post-encoded, or not at all.

The reason being the Z-5500's can decode over optical at least, so DVD movies will get surround sound where games wouldnt. post-encoding (like the auzentechs do) will add surround (the Z55s will say its dolby)

Master_of_Time

04-30-2008, 04:55 AM

Wait, am I wrong, or the Pro logic Movie/Music is for upmixing? I think so, because when I bought those beasts I didn't have my PC which arrived a month later. I hooked them to a PIII 866Mhz :laugh: on the onboard sound with only one green jack for headphones/2.0 speakers. So when I switched to Pro logic Movie/Music it upmixed the sound to 5.1... But I suppose that's fake 5.1 and it doesn't work for games.
EDIT: Ok, now I'm confused. Here's what I just did - Alice in Chains Music Bank DVD with Dolby 5.1. When I'm on 6ch Direct the base guitar is coming only from the center and the vocals and everything else is coming from the front/back. When the Z's are on Dolby Movie the vocals are coming from the center, the second vocals from the back, and everything else is on all the speakers (drums, lead and bass guitar, etc.)

Mussels

04-30-2008, 04:56 AM

Wait, am I wrong, or the Pro logic Movie/Music is for upmixing? I think so, because when I bought those beasts I didn't have my PC which arrived a month later. I hooked them to a PIII 866Mhz :laugh: on the onboard sound with only one green jack for headphones/2.0 speakers. So when I switched to Pro logic Movie/Music it upmixed the sound to 5.1... But I suppose that's fake 5.1 and it doesn't work for games.

Thats correct, its fake upmixing.

If you were to run that on a game, it would give you two sets of left and right - you'd have no REAR sound.

if you ran optical with that on, its the same as only connecting the green in analogue - lots of front audio, no rear!

DanishDevil

04-30-2008, 07:24 AM

Damn...looks like I'm definitely gonna need me an Auzentech after all...

Mussels

04-30-2008, 09:14 AM

Damn...looks like I'm definitely gonna need me an Auzentech after all...

And now you see why everyone cried when Nforce2 died and we had no more real time encoding!

its hard to get across to people how this works, as long as speakers make noise people assume its 5.1 sound.

DanishDevil

04-30-2008, 07:33 PM

asb2106

04-30-2008, 08:16 PM

Yeah. Luckily I've got a buyer for my X-Fi, though. I'm definitely gonna have to pony up some extra cash to go for the Prelude, though.

When you getting your set of Z-5500 Digitals, Mussels? You've got to take a picture of your facial expression when you first hear them ;)

+1, you have to take a pic of your face :D

Thats a great idea! You may already think you know whats coming, but when you hear it your smile will stretch from ear to ear!

Master_of_Time

05-01-2008, 12:52 AM

The smile is going to be priceless! We really need to see a pic. :D When I first tested them with some true 5.1 music (Metallica Black Album DVD-Audio, 8GB FLACs, max bitrate is around 20Mbits/sec) I was just sitting in front of the desk and waiting. When "Sad but True" started I was jumping up in the air. I was more than happy. :D

Mussels

05-01-2008, 04:22 AM

Yeah. Luckily I've got a buyer for my X-Fi, though. I'm definitely gonna have to pony up some extra cash to go for the Prelude, though.

When you getting your set of Z-5500 Digitals, Mussels? You've got to take a picture of your facial expression when you first hear them ;)

they're shipping today - i had to pay extra shipping on them because they were too heavy for the regular courier to accept... may not make it in time for the weekend.

DanishDevil

05-01-2008, 11:12 AM

I promise you, the extra money and the wait will be worth it.

Start thinking now...what is the first thing you're going to play though them?

gerrynicol

05-01-2008, 11:54 AM

I watched the Matrix when I first got mine :eek::eek: wow, brought that film back to life, I had goosebumps lol:rockout:

Mussels

05-01-2008, 11:55 AM

I promise you, the extra money and the wait will be worth it.

Start thinking now...what is the first thing you're going to play though them?

weeeeelll.... i do have some MP3's that might like dolby upmixing. have some anime (gundam 00, appleseed) in 5.1 as well, they might turn out shiny :D

DanishDevil

05-01-2008, 12:00 PM

Set aside 5-6hrs for setup and some listening when you open the box. Trust me. Once you start listening, you won't stop ;)

Mussels

05-01-2008, 12:08 PM

well what suggestions (not music) do people have? any games or movies in particular? (apart from the aforementioned matrix, i own those on DVD so i can use them)

DanishDevil

05-01-2008, 01:21 PM

The original Jurassic Park is epic with these speakers. Any episodes of Band of Brothers or something like Saving Private Ryan or Black Hawk Down would scare you half to death.

Just think epic sound. Any war action movie, anything like 300, Lord of the Rings would probably sound amazing on these as well...

asb2106

05-01-2008, 03:10 PM

weeeeelll.... i do have some MP3's that might like dolby upmixing. have some anime (gundam 00, appleseed) in 5.1 as well, they might turn out shiny :D

I think you might be underestimating the power of the upmixing that the z5500 can do. I dont bother with 5.1 audio anymore because the z5500 does such a great job of the placement of audio its amazing. A 30 seconds from mars sound that I love has some speaker effects that position the audio around you and it sounds crystal clear from a 128kbs rip I did 2 years ago. I have great confidence in the abilities of the 5500, so much!!

FatForester

05-01-2008, 03:33 PM

I think you might be underestimating the power of the upmixing that the z5500 can do. I dont bother with 5.1 audio anymore because the z5500 does such a great job of the placement of audio its amazing. A 30 seconds from mars sound that I love has some speaker effects that position the audio around you and it sounds crystal clear from a 128kbs rip I did 2 years ago. I have great confidence in the abilities of the 5500, so much!!

128kbps??? You need to change that! If you think that 128 CBR's sound good, you need to re-rip into VBR V0-V2. I use Mediamonkey w/ the lame_enc.dll or EAC if I'm feeling REALLY crazy. The difference in quality is amazing!

asb2106

05-01-2008, 03:36 PM

128kbps??? You need to change that! If you think that 128 CBR's sound good, you need to re-rip into VBR V0-V2. I use Mediamonkey w/ the lame_enc.dll or EAC if I'm feeling REALLY crazy. The difference in quality is amazing!

well, like I said, that was 2 years ago. I rip my media now in the WMA loseless codec.

Im gonna look into your suggestion though. That sounds like I sound be doing that!!

Mussels

05-01-2008, 03:37 PM

most of my MP3's are in the 128-320 range. doesnt help that i didnt rip most of it.

I'll try the upmixing, as the 'mixing' on my 540's is nasty (all it seems to do is add an echoey warbley version of the front speakers to the rears, its not even 2x stereo, its rather distorted)

DanishDevil

05-01-2008, 03:55 PM

I'm on Dolby Digital (DD :D) all the time, and it sounds great.

Mussels

05-01-2008, 03:57 PM

I'm on Dolby Digital (DD :D) all the time, and it sounds great.

how does that work with the x-fi? you cant encode, so you just watch movies only?

(i have never used Z-5500's, so if you're speaking of some mode on it, i have no idea)

DanishDevil

05-01-2008, 04:25 PM

I honestly haven't used the X-Fi with it. No reason to. You're not gonna use DD with the X-Fi. You're gonna let the X-Fi decode and do 6ch Direct.

For every input, you can select the mode. For digital, you can do stereo, stereox2, DD PLII Movie, and DD PLII Music. For analog, same ones, but if you're using the 6ch direct option, it will bypass any decoding by the pod, and give you what your sound card is putting out.

Hope that helps!

asb2106

05-01-2008, 04:39 PM

I'm on Dolby Digital (DD :D) all the time, and it sounds great.

me too! I use music and movie, depending on how Im feeling that day. And alot of my music is 128 - 192 also, ripped from others, and it does sound great on the DD settings. I like to use the stereo x2 when Im cleaning or doing stuff around the house. Its louder, but it doesnt have the "effect".

Mussels

05-01-2008, 05:02 PM

gerrynicol

05-01-2008, 06:52 PM

Im getting a bit confused here, I thought that (on optical) the DD movie/music 2 was just upmixing, and only when you play a DD signal(i.e movie) it will play true surround. Am I missing something??

twicksisted

05-01-2008, 07:39 PM

Im getting a bit confused here, I thought that (on optical) the DD movie/music 2 was just upmixing, and only when you play a DD signal(i.e movie) it will play true surround. Am I missing something??

You can have true surround over optical or analogue.
think of it this way (flow diagram):

Computer > Soundcard > ADC / DAC > Z5500 headunit > DSP chip > DAC > Speakers

The sound signal comes from the computer, into the DAC or ADC convertors on the headuint and finally to the speakers.
ADC = Analogue to Digital convertor
DAC = Digital to Analogue convertor

Direct Input = no processing on DSP straight source from the soundcard (true surround or whatever effect you have selected on headunit of Z5500)
Optical = Detects what is sent to it from the soundcard, be it surround, DTS, dolby etc... also have option of adding your own effects or upmixing

If you use your soundcard to do the processing (upmixing, dolby DTS etc...) then you will put a direct signal into the headunit of the Z5500 and have surround over optical or analogue.

Or you can send a signal to the Z5500 speakers and headunit and push it through the ADC / DAC convertors and DSP chips and upmix or add effects.
Using Optical has its benefits as you dont have to select the input or DSP setting, though the downfall is that if you have a sound playing for undfer a second it wont be audible as thats how long the headunit takes to detect a signal and start the audio playing

Mussels

05-01-2008, 11:58 PM

Im getting a bit confused here, I thought that (on optical) the DD movie/music 2 was just upmixing, and only when you play a DD signal(i.e movie) it will play true surround. Am I missing something??

you are correct. i just got confused because he said dolby for everything :)

oh and....

THEY'RE HEEEEEERE.

Courier called to confirm i was home, as they're somewhat heavy to lug here if no ones ready to receive :) 10am right now, so i'll have alllllll day to mess with them. Quick! suggestions on what to listen to! :D

and here they are!

Lol to the warning label 'magnetic - keep 2 feet away from TV and PC's' - since i use both, does that mean 4 feet? :D

Mussels

05-02-2008, 12:44 AM

in accordance with the rules

1. PC, wii, Xbox, playstation 2, MP3 player (why not)
2. 2.1.0
3. S-0115B
4. R750
5. optical for the PC - others for the other stuff :P
6. No boost 22 here.
7. No idea, just got em!

second skin is cool :D my keyboard can make the same purple color ;)

edit: how do i enable pro logic on optical? i cant seem to figure it out.
edit 2: it didnt want to enable until i actually had music playing. working peachy now - 5.1 MP3's. also windows volume had no effect for a few minutes as well.. all working now.

Now i just need the housemate to wake up, so i can crank the volume...

twicksisted

05-02-2008, 05:57 AM

edit: how do i enable pro logic on optical? i cant seem to figure it out....

Optical is auto sensing, so you feed it a signal and it automatically senses what it is... for pro logic you need to feed it a pro logic signal from the soundcard....
If you use 6 channel direct, then you can apply DSP effects.

Mussels

05-02-2008, 06:31 AM

Optical is auto sensing, so you feed it a signal and it automatically senses what it is... for pro logic you need to feed it a pro logic signal from the soundcard....
If you use 6 channel direct, then you can apply DSP effects.

it does work over optical. it just needs to sense a 2.0 channel signal first.

Mussels

05-02-2008, 08:34 AM

a story in one of the reviews (tweaknews) listed on page 1. worth reposting :)

Excess is good because the power is always there when you need it.

But excess can also get you into some rather weird and bad situations also. Take me for instance, I am happily testing the system volume levels out in the Tweaknews office by gaming and listening to a little Lil' Jon & the Eastside Boyz and I thought all was well..........until the next morning.

At 9:00am I was woken up with a rather loud knocking at my suite's front door. Opening the door revealed the building's property manager handing me a noise violation complaint that was filed and the manager's office by my next door neighbor. This would sound perfectly right seeing I was easily hitting 130+dB when testing the system at higher volume levels but there is one interesting thing I have to inform you about my neighbor...........

She is completely deaf........No joke, she can't hear a thing. Nadda...Zilch....

What I guess caused her to file the complaint is that I cleared 13 pictures off of the adjacent wall where our two suites attach. And yes, that wall was the same wall where the subwoofer was placed. From what I was told, I vibrated that wall so badly that almost all of her paintings, photos, trinkets or whatever vibrated and fell down.

So what's the moral of the story? This system is so loud it will piss even deaf people off.......

gerrynicol

05-02-2008, 09:43 AM

:laugh::laugh: thats awsome all hail the z5500:respect:

How are you getting on twith them Mussels hope your not stretching them out too hard today, you might want to break the sub in for a while before letting all hell loose lol.

Edit: and yeah, it will only play DD or Por logic when it is fed the proper signal(over the optical).

Mussels

05-02-2008, 10:09 AM

Mussels

05-02-2008, 12:56 PM

http://www.auzentech.com/site/support/cmi_connections.php

^ VERY IMPORTANT LINK FOR AUZENTECH USERS.

Ok, simple abbreviation: To make the dolby live encoding work, you must set the Cmedia application to use "SPDIF output - dolby digital live"
In the windows control panel 'SPEAKERS' must be the default device, NOT digital output.

This is letting me use analogue games (such as rainbow 6 vegas 2) in full 5.1 DD (as recognised by the Z5500 head unit) over optical. It is damned sweet!

Black Panther

05-02-2008, 01:52 PM

THEY'RE HEEEEEERE.

Lol to the warning label 'magnetic - keep 2 feet away from TV and PC's' - since i use both, does that mean 4 feet? :D

Yay for you! You're going to have fun today!

The 2ft magnetic warning applies only to the sub. The satellites are all shielded and you can put them as close to your monitor/pc/TV as you like.

I had a look over at the logitech forums, the guys there say that the 2ft warning is only for safety reasons just in case and that people put the sub next to their pc with no problem..... They do say that if you put the sub next to the monitor the monitor turns purple though. Not that that would be an ideal place lol. Anyway, if you've got space in the room I wouldn't risk it, mine is in fact like 3 ft away from my pc.

Mussels

05-02-2008, 01:55 PM

Yay for you! You're going to have fun today!

The 2ft magnetic warning applies only to the sub. The satellites are all shielded and you can put them as close to your monitor/pc/TV as you like.

I had a look over at the logitech forums, the guys there say that the 2ft warning is only for safety reasons just in case and that people put the sub next to their pc with no problem..... They do say that if you put the sub next to the monitor the monitor turns purple though. Not that that would be an ideal place lol. Anyway, if you've got space in the room I wouldn't risk it, mine is in fact like 3 ft away from my pc.

I'll take pics of the setup, once i tidy a few things (my PC is literally hanging in pieces, a fan stopped working earlier so i fixed it with the system running...)

http://img.techpowerup.org/080502/Junkpile lol.jpg

^ there we go. high res (ish) showing where teh front speakers and sub are. The leftmost speaker was too far to the right blocking part of the screen because i moved it putting the panels back on the PC :)

Enjoy my glorious junkpile of a workstation!

Black Panther

05-02-2008, 02:28 PM

Wow... nice stuff you got there. Great monitor!
(The only thing is that it might need a teeny weeny bit of wire management :laugh:;))

Seriously though if I were you I wouldn't keep the control pod on top of the sub. Or else fix it with tape or something. With the vibrations it will move and drop on the floor and get ruined... It will move even if you have the volume not on high.

(And... one thing that's bad with logitech is that they don't supply individual spare parts)

I just took a small video with my photocamera showing the sub at slightly less than 2/3 general volume. If I manage to upload it anywhere I'll post a link, you see the 'logitech' logo at the centre of the sub vibrating.

Edit: Here's the link for uploaded video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6dffrJw9ug&fmt=18).
(Lol it's short and very amateurish - first vid I uploaded on youtube doubling up my photo-camera as a video-cam. Put it on full-screen to view best) :o

You notice I keep the bedroom 'cupboard' doors open on purpose otherwise they'd pick up a vibration of their own!

Mussels

05-02-2008, 02:30 PM

Wow... nice stuff you got there. Great monitor!
(The only thing is that it might need a teeny weeny bit of wire management :laugh:;))

Seriously though if I were you I wouldn't keep the control pod on top of the sub. Or else fix it with tape or something. With the vibrations it might move and drop on the floor and get ruined...

(And... one thing that's bad with logitech is that they don't supply individual spare parts)

ok, i will move the unit. wire management... well, i'll get there. I was more interested in getting SOUND out of the beast :D

As a sidenote/update to the post i made before about auzentech cards: using the dolby encoding feature, the speakers think they are getting full 5.1 audio even if it is not - you cannot use the upmixing features (pro logic, stereo x2 etc) in combination with DD live encoding.

malware

05-02-2008, 02:33 PM

Seriously though if I were you I wouldn't keep the control pod on top of the sub. Or else fix it with tape or something. With the vibrations it might move and drop on the floor and get ruined...

(And... one thing that's bad with logitech is that they don't supply individual spare parts)
Amen
And you need a women to clean this mess. ;) Seriously, there's too much precious hardware to let it work like that.

Mussels

05-02-2008, 02:42 PM

Amen
And you need a women to clean this mess. ;) Seriously, there's too much precious hardware to let it work like that.

the woman is too busy playing assassins creed and guitar hero in her mess of a room :P

actually, as messy as the cables are its not as bad as it seems - the cables are visible because they are in FRONT of the desk. I found it rather hard to connect all the cables if its facing the other way :D Now that its working, i plan to re-organize it a bit.

Black Panther

05-02-2008, 02:51 PM

Amen
And you need a women to clean this mess. ;)

The only problem would be: a woman who is able to 'clean the mess' and re-organise stuff with wire management and all will probably be leaving the rest of the house in a mess (:ohwell: I wouldn't let my husband get started on that one!)

Mussels

05-02-2008, 02:54 PM

The only problem would be: a woman who is able to 'clean the mess' and re-organise stuff with wire management and all will probably be leaving the rest of the house in a mess (:ohwell: I wouldn't let my husband get started on that one!)

... Black panther is a girl? and married?

Lol, news to me!

Housemate would just sit down and listen to music or game on here to be honest, she wouldnt bother cleaning it :P

is there any other auzentech users here with the Z55's? I want to compare notes.

Black Panther

05-02-2008, 03:05 PM

... Black panther is a girl? and married?

Lol, news to me!

Lol that's why I put the venus symbol in my avatar. ;)
Actually I'm not married but I've been with my partner for 13 years, I refer to him as my husband since we don't have divorce here... but don't get me started on that...

Housemate would just sit down and listen to music or game on here to be honest, she wouldnt bother cleaning it :P

Husband never touches my pc except to watch a movie together with me. He tried the Crysis demo once... said it was 'nice'... and keeps begging me to exchange the Z-5500 and take the Samsung 350W home system he has instead (NEVER!!!) I have a house-cleaner who comes around like once every week or two but I don't let her touch anything within 3 feet of my rig. That area I do it myself. I got some wires on the floor too and I wouldn't want to have her jolt anything with a watery mop. :eek:

Mussels

05-02-2008, 04:03 PM

Lol that's why I put the venus symbol in my avatar. ;)
Actually I'm not married but I've been with my partner for 13 years, I refer to him as my husband since we don't have divorce here... but don't get me started on that...

Husband never touches my pc except to watch a movie together with me. He tried the Crysis demo once... said it was 'nice'... and keeps begging me to exchange the Z-5500 and take the Samsung 350W home system he has instead (NEVER!!!) I have a house-cleaner who comes around like once every week or two but I don't let her touch anything within 3 feet of my rig. That area I do it myself. I got some wires on the floor too and I wouldn't want to have her jolt anything with a watery mop. :eek:

ahh my female twin!

Anyway i have rebuilt teh setup :) my tweaks and final setup are:

Coax from the PC - using auzens dolby encoding. no audible difference to optical.
Optical from the TV (TV has 2.0 speakers, but gets a 5.1 signal off the air)
Wii/Xbox - connected via RCA to the TV, hopefully they will output via the optical port :)
Analogues currently empty - possibly for consoles if above fails.

Have also rearranged the desk and (almost) all cabling will post the 'after' pic once the camera charges.