Z5500s to...

miniyazz

miniyazz

miniyazz

Soldato
Joined
25 Dec 2008
Posts
5,976
Location
Sheffield/Norwich
Hi chaps, this seems like the right place to be asking about speakers/headphones :)

Currently I've got a set of Z-5500s which I've had for a couple of years now and have been fine, but I never use surround sound and being in shared accommodation I rarely have them above about an eighth of their potential volume either :(
2.1 seems a logical choice, as I enjoy bass from time to time. They'll be used principally for music and films, not much gaming.

I've noticed a few sets of 2.1 speakers recommended on here recently - the Z323, Z523 and Z-2300s spring to mind - although the Z323 has relatively poor reviews so is probably out.

So if anyone can answer it, my first question is - am I going to be disappointed with the sound quality of the Z523s coming from some Z5500s, or would I really have to be looking at the Z2300s? And is there anything else I should be looking at in the Z523 price range? (just under £70 from OcUK)


With the money I have left over from selling my Z5500s I'm also hoping to get some decent headphones, mostly for a 2-month holiday abroad next year but feasibly for the train and suchlike from time to time. Having read a little around the subject I think closed headphones would be best suited to me - and the NS1000s seem to be recommended. Will they work adequately plugged into, say, an iPod, or do they need a proper amp?

I've never had a decent set of headphones/earphones so don't really know what to expect - is the sound quality comparable to a moderately decent speaker set? (e.g. Z5500s). I can't claim to be an audiophile, but I don't want headphones that are going to sound tinny!


So, yup. Any advice accepted. Cheers in advance. :)
 
Why not get an amp and some good bookshelf speakers instead?

Or you could go down the amp + Headphone route. [eg. Audio Technica M-50: its closed]

You will get quite a bit of money from selling the Z5500 as well.
If you want an upgrade, i dont think the logitech 2.1s will satisfy you in terms of sound quality.

You could also look into active speakers like the Acoustic Energy Aego 2.1s from OCUK.
Or AudioEngine A2 or A5s. They have built in amp so you dont need to buy a seperate amp.
 
NS1000's are superb. For £50, they are a no brainer really. You don't need an amp, but you will need to replace the battery every once in a while, or use rechargeable ones.

Agreed with Kyaw25, cheaper 2.1 speakers won't satisfy you, not for music. If you want 2.1, you want to be looking at the Aego's really, to do music justice. Cheaper 2.1/5.1 sets are fine for gaming, which is what they are designed for. Music is where they are poor.
 
Cheers for the replies, looks like I'll be going for the NS1000s then :)
One thing I'm concerned about though is the quality of my iPod Touch (it has the headphone jack problem) so ideally I want to be using the 'iPod port' at the bottom instead of the headphone jack. I got an adaptor for it which works great - except it turns out I can't adjust the volume on the iPod when the sound goes through the 'iPod port' (which genius thought that up?) as it's meant to be adjusted by the dock it's plugged into, so stays on maximum.
Is there any form of inline volume control cable available that can lower the volume independent from the audio source?


Thanks for the input on the 2.1 set as well - the Aegos do look a pretty decent solution, and if the logitechs are more suited for gaming then definitely the ones to go for. Shame about the lack of a remote - though that's only a problem if I can't get anything to adjust the volume on my iPod!

Cheers again.
 
Yes a well known electronic component retailer beginning with M, sells such a thing. They are the only place I have found that does a headphone extension with volume control.
 
I have Z5400's, housemate Z5500's. Sure we thought both sets were really good.
That's until he dropped £900 on bookshelfs, dedicated amp and a DAC.

absolutely phenominal audio, with spotify premium its almost 'too clear' lol

I just avoid listening to his setup, ignorance is bliss! I do love 5.1 for gaming though...
 
Not much chance of me happening across a properly decent audio setup in the near future!

I'm all established with NS1000s (burning them in as we speak) and the Aego M 2.1 set.
Do the Aegos need burning in? Or is it just headphones?

Also got me a new iPod Touch :D, though I did pick up an inline volume control for a few quid. I'm sure it'll come in handy.
 
The benefit of burning in is debatable. Some think it makes a difference, some think it's just nonsense. Technically, if headphones were to benefit from burning in, then speakers would too. After all, speakers work in a similar way. I have thought it was just down to one becoming accustomed to the sound, rather than the sound changing. However, I read a comment some time back, that some guy owned a pair of headphones, which he had used a lot. He compared them to brand new pair, and said they sounded different. Burning in might make some difference, but whatever changes in the sound, if anything, is going to be met half way by one being more accustomed to the new sound signature.

I certainly don't believe in leaving headphones to burn in for x amount of hours, before using them.
 
Yup, it does seem very subjective. And tbh I've been using them intermittently and they sound decent enough, not that I'm an audiophile in any shape or form! I was just reading online and a few places seemed to suggest doing so, so I thought I may as well give it a go.
 
I plan to go separates someday, I find the Z-5500 great for gaming and watching tv/films but horrible for music. Though I only use them when sat at my sofa with the TV connected, I use my headphones when at my PC.

I mean, the Z-5500 are good for certain types of music, but lack luster at others.
 
I went for the Aego M 2.1s. What makes you say the Z300s are the best ones to get? What do you use them for?

I always found the Z5500s decent enough for music by my tastes, but of course that's not their forte.
 
miniyazz said:
I went for the Aego M 2.1s. What makes you say the Z300s are the best ones to get? What do you use them for?

I always found the Z5500s decent enough for music by my tastes, but of course that's not their forte.
Click to expand...

I use them to listin to music, watch movies and for gaming, they sound awesome, the bass in bc2 just amazes me everytime i play the game. (im also using my logitech G51 speakers but with the sub turned down.)
 
One of my main reasons for changing was to have a set that didn't take up as much space. I could quite comfortably fit three of the Aego boxes into the box the Z5500s came in with plenty of room to spare, so mission accomplished :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom