Z-5500 for Music

[Margaret]

Is Stereo mode generally better or are people using PLII Music mode?

Just wondering, not sure what sounds better other opinions would be muchos help!

 

[Margaret]

Ah okay cheers, just trying to find the best overall as most people say 2.1 (2 speakers, subwoofer, right?) is the best for Music.

Though PLII Music does seem better in my experience.

 

[Margaret]

If you find that a expansion mode "sounds better" from 2 channel to 5.1 for music that usually shows the speakers have a weakness for sound quality, soundstaging and general presence. Usually also because of the speaker frequency response, you need the others and the sub to boost the poor FR of a satellite.

After further testing I'm using Stereo from now on, PLII Music was just a lot louder than Stereo (and perhaps a bit too bassy), whacking Stereo up volume wise a tad it does sound better, to me anyway.

 

[Margaret]

I Used to just use 6 channel direct but for some reason that no longer plays from the correct speakers. The front left comes out the rear left and one speaker no longer plays. Now I use PLII Music as that plays and tests how it should. I preferred Direct though.

Stereo/6 channel sounds the same to me, but that's obvious because I have 3D/Upmixing turned off on my Audigy.

Anyway I'm digging Stereo/6 channel direct now, seems more balanced between the 2 speakers and better managed.

 

[Margaret]

After reading this tho am I to believe that these arnt that good for home cinema type use ? What else should I consider, keeping the price in mind ?

They are great, when playing Blu-Ray with DTS/Dolby 5.1 it sounds fantastic, this thread is just about what music setting to use, not because either is bad just wondering what people find is generally better.

I'd check some reviews before purchase though, here's one: http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/206-2/Logitech+Z5500+Digital+51+500W+Speaker+System/ plenty more on Google.

Probably the most interesting part for you;

Movies

For movie tests I chose four scenes from three different DVDs. The first was the pod race from Star Wars: Episode One followed by the final light saber duel between Darth Maul, Obi Wan and Quigon whatshisname. The pod race scene was nothing short of 3-D sound. Cranking the rear satellite volume and fiddling with the surround delay setting (more about that below) really added depth and distance to the speeding pod racers, a true surround sound experience. The light saber duel hummed heavily wreaking more havoc on my poor floorboards. The second DVD I reached for was Matrix Reloaded. I just can't get enough of that freeway scene...motorcycles, high speed car crashes, gunplay, explosions, bumping techno, Carrie-Anne Moss in tight leather...it could very well be the finest piece of cinema ever conceived. Despite the tight leather, the sounds and sound track are an excellent speaker test bed. Once again I was thoroughly impressed. The scream of Trinity's Ducati was an Italian love call of bassy exhaust and shrill RPMs. Gunshots are heavy thumps while explosions work to loosen the nails in my drywall. A second successful test. For my final DVD test I loaded up disc 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, special extended edition. I figured the gargantuan battle scene with the olyphants would sound right good over the Z-5500s. I'm sure you're tired of hearing me say it, but I was right again. Absolute beauty. These speakers are an excellent choice for a home media PC enthusiast and movie geek. (Kurtis' Note: Sorry to butt in again; however there is something I feel I should mention here. The Z-680s ended up being a popular choice for use as home theater speakers, you know, the kind you put in your living room and mount on walls, and I imagine that their new Z-5500s will follow suit. These speakers are incredibly powerful and can easily fill a room (hell, an entire house! and your neighbor's house!) with amazing sound. Just thought I would mention that, lol.)