Logitech does 5.1 surround sound on a budget with $100 Z506 speakers
By Darren Murph 
posted July 16th 2010 4:38AM
posted July 16th 2010 4:38AM
posted July 16th 2010 4:38AM
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got the z-5500 myself, brilliant stuff
that sub seems pretty tiny btw
@mrqs Got the z-5500's as well.
Pretty much any sub looks small when you've got the z-5500's.
@Vylen
touché
@mrqs Same, these look like another iteration of the z5500 magic. Just lower end.
I use my 5500's with my TV, awesome sound. I have had Boston Acoustics and an LG set up, for the money the Logitechs just kick them all.
@mrqs z5500 here also, really awesome sound. I use it for everything. TV/HTPC/Cable/Wii/360.
@crawlgsx I actually have the low end G51 speakers and I love them. I use my desk for both my PC and my Xbox so it's excellent for merging the sounds, looks like this one does the same without switching sources. The one thing I'd miss from this though is I love my G51s remote audio nob and headphone jacks. With that I can control volume without having to reach all the way up to my speakers...
@mrqs
Agreed.
When I used to live with my parents (insert nerd joke here), they were next door having a dinner party with our neighbours. I had some friends over for some drinks and I started showing off the low end the sub could hit, a few seconds later I get a phone call from my parents telling me their cutlery was literally rattling on the table, the next house over, both opposite sides of large houses.
Thanks Logitech.
@crawlgsx
I also have the z5500. Anyone else notice that there's been no upgrade of this product for like a couple years now???
@hastings double agreed
When I was at college and testing out my speakers, the guy from upstairs came down and said please turn down the volume, his bed was moving. (insert joke here).
@edroid
The z5500 is one of the few electronics I own that has gone up in price for the same product over the years.
I use it primarily as computer and ps3 speakers nowadays.
@mrqs I'm still rocking the old Z-560 4.1 system, and have a VERY old set of Klipsch Promedia v.2-400's as well! No need for a center channel on the PC anyways.
@mrqs there already out of stock on logitechs website
@mrqs
Looks like an updated version of the z530. A very good surround solution for those on an extreme budget. Might upgrade from my z530s, they are VERY old. I wish more speaker sets were available in this budget range, well worth it.
@mrqs
I used to have the z-5500. It was good, but I "downgraded" to a Klipsch Promedia 2.1 setup. What an improvement in sound quality. The sub was far clearer and faster (less drone-y and muddled like the 5500), and the speakers themselves were much better sounding (clearer highs and midrange... not just a relative muddle of everything). It seemed like ti could handle a much larger volume range as well.
I just don't have confidence in Logitech's "THX" certified speakers, or of course their regular speakers as well.
@mrqs I was looking into the Z-5500s but I don't have room for that behemoth of a sub.
@mrqs
cant tell if it has an optical port
would have been way better if they supported dolby digital
LE- LE-LE LET THE BEAT DROP!!!!!!!
@jahkamren http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjjyBVnYUsE
@KlassiK
That right there is what you call beat boxing..
@KlassiK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XryzjprNqE
Would definitely consider buying this.
Where can I go out to enjoy this?
It doesn't have a decoder. You'll need to have a surround receiver, a standalone decoder, or a 5.1 sound card to get surround sound out of it.
@sockatume (In other words, it's just the speakers and the amp. Unless you have 5.1-channel analogue audio to pump into it, you won't get 5.1-channel analogue audio out.)
@sockatume
pretty much every motherboard made since the cambrian period has integrated 5.1 audio out
@mrqs
Yes, but they state its great with a DVD/Blu-Ray system too and that's not really the case.
@Tes And it's the same situation with games consoles. It's basically just a PC speaker setup out of the box.
@sockatume
Yea, It's too bad that you go all the way up to the Z-5500 at $400 to get an optical input. I would like something a little better than the cheesy built-in-the-TV speakers for the bedroom without having to go to a full blown AV receiver. The TV has optical out, the sat receiver has optical out, and the little WD media player has optical out.
That's a win. Must buy I think.
better then z530 ?????????????????????
As a student, this speaker system seems very attractive for the price.
How does it work if my system goes.
Xbox -> HDMI -> Moniter -> ? -> Speaker system
I prefer not to use 3.5mm jack, is there an alternative?
@Mike Mike You'd need to buy an external decoder to really take advantage of this speaker package. A 3.5mm input will only deliver stereo audio. The Logitech system can apply a sort of fake 3D surround mode to a 2 channel source to give you surround (just like pro-logic does with home theatre receivers) but it's no where near as good as the true 5.1 digital sound you can get by using the analogue 6 channel inputs.
You're better off spending a bit more and getting a package with a Dolby Digital/DTS decoder onboard so you can plug the X-Box into it using the optical connection.
@Insomnihack Exactly. They are a bit misleading with this, selling a 5.1 system and acting like it will give you 5.1 sound for consoles. It might give 5.1 simulated, but not what's coming from the console.
And I wish they'd show a full on shot of the connections. I even went to the web site and they didn't have the manual up yet.
@Insomnihack
Thanks for the input
Just a reference,
The non-slim xbox's don't have optical outputs, which is strange considering that all PS2s have one.
@Mike Mike
The optical output connector is in the component output cable headshell. Kind of a weird place but is is there.
Great looking little package, but did we really need a guy reading out how wonderful they are when we could just read a press release? I had to battle not to fall asleep during that.
This is perfect for me! Exactly what I've been hoping to come across. Bookmarked for later. Logitech you're gonna sell at least one of these. =D
What no optical connections?
$100? Hasn't the X-540 5.1 speaker set been available for $70-80 for a while now?
@PotatoPants Yes they have and you can pick them up on eBay for around $40 sealed brand new.
@InfinitiProject
So then why the hell is this set so special? The X-540s are still available for a lower price...
It was a dumb decision to sell off my X540s and downing to X240s. I've been wanting to get some new speakers for my PC & PS3 (both connected to my monitor) and these look good.
I'll wait for user reviews before deciding.
What they DIDN'T tell is that you only get 2.1 audio out of most surround-capable devices without an external 5.1 DAC. Most manufacturers prefer surround sound over S/PDIF in their devices, that includes e.g. PS3, XBox 360 and every Intel-based Mac. There's your catch.
$100 really? Cheap I'll get this week.
am still perfectly happy with my z-2300 2.1 setup!
Still using my z560
Using Altec Lansing 2.1 ch vs2621
cant believe they have removed the 1: optical ins & 2: wireless rear speakers.. the 5500 system i have is truly the best little set up ive ever seen or heard, all they needed to do was add a few HDMI inputs & a couple more speakers for next gen 7.1 audio.
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/47/&view=34?compProducts=7191&A1=1&A2=2&A3=3&A4=4&A5=5&A6=6&A7=7&A8=8&A9=9&A10=10&A11=11&compProducts=234&A12=12&A13=13&A14=14&A15=15&A16=16&A17=17
What's the deal? Two setups at the same price point? Two disparate sets of features that really look like they should be on EVERY set of speakers? This set isn't wall mountable? WTF?
Somebody explain that link to me.
ew@cheap speakers.
I wouldnt buy ONE speaker that only costs $100, much less 5 and a sub. Youre better off buying some decent headphones.