Which speakers to buy?

muddocktormuddocktor
edited February 2005 in Hardware
Since I cleared more money last month than normally and since my daughter's speakers died on her machine, I decided to give her my Monsoon speakers and splurge on some new ones for me. The 2 speakers systems I'm considering are the following.

1. Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Digital Speaker System w/Digital Hardware Decoder -RETAIL

2. Klipsch ProMedia ultra 5.1 Personal Audio System

The price difference of $50 or so doesn't matter a bit to me; I just want to get the best sounding of the 2 systems, and I haven't actually heard either setup. Any help on which to choose would be much appreciated. :)

mudd

Comments

  • floppybootstompfloppybootstomp Greenwich New
    edited February 2005
    That's a hard choice, both have had excellent reviews.

    I think you really do need to hear both to make a decision, which could be a tad difficult.

    Hopefully somebody here has actually heard both systems. If I had to choose blind I'd probably choose the Logitech simply on the strength of the reviews and cos I like their products.

    But I must confess that's not really very clever without actually having heard them both first.
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    Logitech
  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    GnomeWizardd wrote:
    Logitech

    Why?


    I've got klipsch 4.1s, my friend has the logitechs, I think they sound about the same. The best thing you could do would be to actually listen to both, and see what sounds best to you.
  • madmatmadmat
    edited February 2005
    I'd have to say out of the choices listed, the Logitechs but (here's obligatory but, fellas) I would suggest getting the Z-680's instead for one simple reason, they offer you the freedom of using any speaker wire you choose rather than the gimpy stuff with the RCA plugs on it for extension purposes plus you can use the monstar gauge wires as well and we all know the gauge of the wire that's included in any speaker kit...horribly ineffective.

    The sound's about the same, the 5500's have more power and a bigger sub I believe but the Z-680's will get loud enough to make you cringe sitting directly in front of them and to me that's just the right volume.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    5500. They sound better, and I've listened to them both extensively.
  • entropyentropy Yah-Der-Hey (Wisconsin)
    edited February 2005
    I'm lovin' my 5500s. And I thought the speaker wire would be a problem, too. But it's not at ALL. It's sheilded *slightly* less than an 80-ohm video or coax digital cable. And it's RCA, so very easy to extend (though it's plenty long already). The 6-channel direct cable included could be better ... there's a slight hiss if you mash it to the 20th notch and/or boost range. Perhaps buying a nice, heavily sheilded set would do it... I might give that a shot. If you use Digital, though, there's no hiss at all.

    I haven't heard any other high-end speaker computer speaker systems, but my brother's Klipsch 2.1's aren't bad for their price/size. I assume that would carry over to the big boys.

    I vote Logitech, simply because I love my speakers! :D
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    listened to the kilipsh 5.1 ( my dads ) and the 680's ( overload has them) and the 680's sound better
  • SonorousSonorous
    will never again buy computer speakers

    I have discovered something wonderful http://www.athenaspeakers.com/


    Did'nt mean to go off topic, so I will fix that. If you have to room, and cash, Really consider these speakers....
     F@H Fanatic US Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    will never again buy computer speakers

    I have discovered something wonderful http://www.athenaspeakers.com/


    Did'nt mean to go off topic, so I will fix that. If you have to room, and cash, Really consider these speakers. I can't find speakers for even 300 dollars more than what i paid for the pair (600) that sound better. I have the AS-F2 floor speakers and AS-P4 subwoofer by the way.
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited February 2005
    Well, after reading some comments here, I just went to the Best Buy in Lafayette to see if they had both systems. They did have the Klipsch Ultra 5.1 but not the Z 5500's. The best Logitech speakers they had were the Z 5300. Of the 2, I think that the Klipsch sounded a little better, but then they also cost $150 more than the Z 5300 too. That's why I'm asking for opinions here; it's pretty much a frigging computer wasteland in the area and the BB is about the only store around to actually go see and listen to stuff at.

    I'm probably going to order the speakers (whichever one's I decide to go with) Friday morning, so keep the good comments coming. :thumbsup:


    The Trickster, I'm sure your speakers sound great, but that's too much money for me to put out for speakers. My old ears aren't good enough to go that high for speakers. ;) I'm looking to spend around $350-375 max.

    Also, if anyone knows of some other speakers to consider in my price range, please speak up.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    Gigaworks 750...
  • entropyentropy Yah-Der-Hey (Wisconsin)
    edited February 2005
    $290? With $20 shipping? I'd look around, dude. Newegg is great, no doubt, but damn. I got mine for $250 shipped. Then again, it was a holiday Amazon sale that I just caught. However, see if you can't grab them somewhere else. I'd do it for ya, but I'm really busy right now :(
  • SonorousSonorous
    didn't see that the sale ended.

    A little while some one could get the AS-F2s for 300 a pair. At any rate either logitech or klipsch, as long as you go with one of those two, maybe even Altec Lansing? I would go with the Klips myself
     F@H Fanatic US Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    didn't see that the sale ended.

    A little while some one could get the AS-F2s for 300 a pair. At any rate either logitech or klipsch, as long as you go with one of those two, maybe even Altec Lansing? I would go with the Klips myself
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited February 2005
    entropy wrote:
    $290? With $20 shipping? I'd look around, dude. Newegg is great, no doubt, but damn. I got mine for $250 shipped. Then again, it was a holiday Amazon sale that I just caught. However, see if you can't grab them somewhere else. I'd do it for ya, but I'm really busy right now :(


    I am planning to shop around, don't worry. I've noticed that lately Newegg is getting beat out on pricing on stuff by other reliable vendors.

    Looks like the best price I've been able to scare up on the Z 5500 is around $288.00 shiped, which means that you got a good deal on your speakers.
  • dragonV8dragonV8 not here much New
    edited February 2005
    Can't comment on Klipsch as i have not heard them. Logitech Z5500's are much better than the 680's.

    Sally had the 680's till a few days ago. Hooked her up with a new Z5500 system and must say the improvement is very noticable.

    Either way, anything is better than the built in speakers.

    Good luck finding a good deal, Mudd. :thumbsup:
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited February 2005
    Ive seen the Logitechs for a bit less. Around $260 sometimes.
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited February 2005
    mmonnin wrote:
    Ive seen the Logitechs for a bit less. Around $260 sometimes.

    Marc, if you can find the Z-5500's for less, post up some links. The best I've found them for is $289 at a place called www.chiefvalue.com and that's a vendor I've never bought from. They do have an 8.54 rating at resellerratings though, with 51 reviews. Of those reviews, 36 of them are in the last 6 months.

    Yeah, I think I'm going to go with the Logitech speakers. They are a little cheaper than the Klipsch and it looks like they won in the poll. :)
Sign In or Register to comment.