Z-5500 Digital THX 5.1 PC Multimedia Speakers

by Logitech

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 277.6 x 234.2 x 372 inches ; 55.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 54.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0006HBCL8
• Item model number: 966196
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 15, 2005

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best system for this budget, December 30, 2007

By 

Michael Makowski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Z-5500 Digital THX 5.1 PC Multimedia Speakers (Accessory)

I bought this originally for my computer setup to listen to my music, play games in surround sound, as well as watch DVD's in full 5.1 surround sound. The sub on this system is UNBELIEVABLE!!! This system is so good I've transferred it to my TV and use it as a home theater system and I plan on buying a second system for the computer. This is as loud as you will ever need out of a system. The loudest I've taken it is maybe 60-70% power and TRUST ME that was loud as all hell and shook all the glassware in my kitchen upstairs. Unless you have your own house and got this system in the basement you will never set it louder or even that loud without the cops coming to your door.
I have never said this about any electronic purchase I've done, but for the first time ever I've found a product that I will NEVER have to replace or upgrade. This system serves ALL my movie, game, and music needs. I am happy with this purchase for the rest of my life and I am quite the audiophile. I will only buy another speaker system if this one breaks, and I would replace it with the same system. That's saying a lot as there is pretty much no electronic device out there that you can say you'll never have to upgrade to a better one.

This set comes with a control box that has all the volume controls and inputs. From here you control the volume individually to the center, surround, and sub speakers. It has a direct line in (Front, center, surround, and sub) as well as a digital line in and even a optical. I have the direct and the digital lines used. For DVD's I switch over to digital input and the control box does the audio decoding itself in THX surround sound. I've found that this produces the best quality sound and is much better than using the software decoder on your computer. Just set the computer as "pass-thru" no decoding.

For music for some reason I've found that it works better as a direct connection. Maybe this has something to do with the audio card decoding and processing the music. It just seems fuller, louder, and generally clearer in direct connect with music. Also you can set it at direct, stereo, stereo x 2 (uses front and rear speakers) this stereo X2 is my personal favorite for music. It also has a Dolby Prologic Movie and Music setting. I never use the Music setting, it's useless in my mind, it tries to process the music into 5.1 sound and that just doesn't fly.

The Pro Logic Movie setting I've never used until just recently (I've had these speakers for 2-3 years.) I never saw the benefit of the Pro Logic movie setting as I just watched the DVD in the control box's THX setting. I did however recently find he use for the Pro logic movie setting. If you are watching a move that has been downloaded off the internet and only has the Stereo audio then the Pro Logic actually does a pretty good Job at turning it into 5.1 surround. I watched a few movies using this setting and it did an amazing job and turning the audio into surround. Not sure how it can do this, but give it a try on video with only a stereo track and it does a great job. I discovered this by accident watching "Imax Magnificent Desolation" a DVD about the Apollo moon landings and for some reason I had it on Pro Logic Movie. When the spacecraft was landing on the moon it kicked up a bunch of dust and I got startled for a minute because I heard the dust and sound coming from behind me. The system was able to accurately surround sound this event. I watched it again in regular stereo mode and I was astonished at how well the PL made it surround. I cannot watch any video now without the PL Movie setting (unless it's a DVD with authentic 5.1 sound).

So to conclude this system rocks, it's as loud as you'll ever need it and is very multipurpose. Yes I know there will be people saying that this system sucks when it comes to a home theater setup and that you need to buy a $2000 home theater speaker set up. Well perhaps these $2000 systems are better, but I've compared this to those and honestly my ear can barely tell any difference at all, and when you look at the price difference then it's a no brainer to get this system. Oh yeah and the Sub is Huge and gives you all the bass you can handle and then some. I know having a great Sub and bass is what makes a system and to a point this is true as the sub is what makes you "feel" the music and this sub definitely kicks you. I have it about 3 feet away from me and it vibrates my pants when it's set on a pleasant "Metallica" volume '

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best speakers i've ever had, August 19, 2010

By 

J. Van Cleve (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Z-5500 Digital THX 5.1 PC Multimedia Speakers (Accessory)

I bought these EIGHT years ago, and they are still working as well as the day I bought them. Booming base, nice simple remote, and have not had a SINGLE problem since the day i got them in 2002. Best speakers you can get for the dollar, and you shouldn't have to replace them for years to come.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shake It Up With The Logitech Z 5500 Speaker System, July 24, 2010

By 

Avid Reviewer "A Music Fan" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Z-5500 Digital THX 5.1 PC Multimedia Speakers (Accessory)

I had been hankering for the Logitech Z-5500 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System for a long time. I finally took the plunge and bought it based on the large number of positive reviews I had read about it. I've had it for over 2 years now and I've never regretted it. The sound quality from these speakers is just phenomenal.

The 4 satellite speakers and the center channel speaker is clear as a bell and can handle very high volumes so I don't have to worry about driving them too hard. I tried cranking up the volume all the way and couldn't get these speakers to buzz.

I was also blown away by amount of sonic boom the bass speaker is capable of putting out. Having used a puny 2 speaker system for the longest time, I can really appreciate how the strong bass along with the surround sound adds so much more depth and excitement to music and movies.

I had to experiment with the placement of the 4 satellite speakers to get the best immersive sound experience. These speakers are perfect for a home theater surround sound system!

I'm absolutely thrilled with these speakers because they have added immeasurably to my enjoyment whether I'm listening to music or watching a movie. It is definitely money well spent (I paid under 4 hundo for mine).