Speakers... Z5300E vs Z5500

[jEnkinsX]

i know the Z5500 is louder and bigger.. but for a basement about 650 Sq Ft... will a 280W Z5300E be good enough? or Z5500 is what ill need? its going to be on an HTPC... i can get the Z5300E for $185 w/ tax.. or $325 w/tax for the Z5500

[goofball]

I would go for the Z5500's. They are digital and analog, as opposed to just analog for the 5300E's. Not to mention you have much more control with the 5500's. Well worth it.

Having compared the 5300's with the Z680's, it's really no comparison. Paired with an awesome solution like nvidia's digital Soundstorm technology, the Z680's are easily clearer with more distinct channel separation.

just my opinion.

[Cafe_333]

The 280W is definately not enough for a basement that size.

That kind of system is only good enough for small to midsized bedrooms. At best, it maybe *barely* borderline enough to fill your basement - even then that's really pushing it with the risk of blowing your speakers when you try to acoustically fill the room. Even if you can get away with it, it's never a good idea to be constantly pushing your speakers to the edge of the envelope.

The 500W on the other hand will surely do you more justice. Especially for an HTPC and you plan on playing things at a loud volume, this will be your best bet to put your money on. But to each their own. You get what you pay for.

EDIT: imho, at the price difference with taxes included, the extra $160 towards a better sound system that performs twice as good is pretty negligable.

[Gordon]

I have the Z680s. 500W pounds like hard.

Anyways, I suggest you get the Z680s or the new version Z5000 something that has 500WATTS

Those two systems rock.

[jEnkinsX]

[sleepyguy]

Definately grab the Z5500 if you can afford it... the digital source will come in handy for XBOX360 and/or PS3

[Ryan]

Definately grab the Z5500 if you can afford it... the digital source will come in handy for XBOX360 and/or PS3

I bought these speakers a couple of days ago. They rock.

[stubbienz]

Hi

I went from the 5300 to the z680 the 680 are far better. There isnt that much difference between the 680 and the 5500 just a little bit more bass from the 5500's. Just my 3c

Regards, Paul

[Cafe_333]

According to Logitech's description in the following link, the 5500 is actually a newer version of the z680. Specifications on both systems are *exactly* the same. Front/Rear satellites all produce 62W, 69W at the centers and both of the Subwoofers produce 188W. I don't see how the 5500 is heavier on the base. The only notable difference i can see from the two systems is that the 5500 is natively digital.

The 5500 *looks* better anyway, lol.

Logitech® Z-5500 Digital 5.1 Speakers
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...CONTENTID=9486



Logitech® Z680 5.1 Computer Speakers
Technical Specifications for the Z680 for comparison purposes:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...s&vi=tech-data

[Ryan]

10" Woofer on the 5500, 8" on the 680s.

According to Logitech's description in the following link, the 5500 is actually a newer version of the z680. Specifications on both systems are *exactly* the same. Front/Rear satellites all produce 62W, 69W at the centers and both of the Subwoofers produce 188W. I don't see how the 5500 is heavier on the base. The only notable difference i can see from the two systems is that the 5500 is natively digital.

The 5500 *looks* better anyway, lol.

Logitech® Z-5500 Digital 5.1 Speakers
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...CONTENTID=9486



Logitech® Z680 5.1 Computer Speakers
Technical Specifications for the Z680 for comparison purposes:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...s&vi=tech-data

[WiZZLa]

I don't see how the 5500 is heavier on the base.

You have to see the sub in person, it's a beast compared to the Z-680s.



Sub Lovin'. Feels good with lots of bass "pounding."



jEnkinsX, make sure you get the newer revision of the Z-5500s so you can run your own speaker wire. You can also do a digital output (optical or coax) with DTS from your HTPC, dvd player, etc with the Z-5500, the Z-5300s can't do that.

[2000fordfocus]

both are pretty good!

[Cafe_333]

ahh... i didn't notice that the woofer sizes were different.
In any case, the base is still not 'heavier' as to my comment. But it will sound deeper because when you have two systems with the same amount of power output but two different sized low throw subs, you still get the same amount of base, but a different tone of base. My point is that the 10" will give a lower tone while the 8" will have a higher tone of base. You will not get more pounding basically. Just a deeper tone since the throw back is wider.

In light of this, the z5500 will definatey sound better than the z680 as it will acoustically sound more 'full' than the z680 will. Go for the z5500. It is afterall the newer version of the z680.

[Evil Techie]

i dont think digital makes that much of a matter if you have a good soundcard that does good analog

IMO speakers at this range are still not fully benefecial from digital

i mean my klipsch promedia 5.1 ultra probably sound better than Z-5500 (i never did a side by side testing but still some audiophiles might agree with me that the mids and highs on klipsch are better and more clear) and yet mine is analog
using m-audio revo 7.1

but for sure the Z5500 looks nice and sounds pretty good from my demo experiences