Logitech Z-5500 best option?

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rpgcyco

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RpgCyco
RpgCyco
I recently purchased a Samsung LA55A950 LCD TV for my bedroom. It's arriving on Tuesday the 6th and it's my first HDTV.

I want to improve my audio experience too. At the moment, I have no external speakers and use the built in speakers on my 29" SDTV. And they're horrible, obviously.

I have about $500 AU to spend on a [temporary] audio setup, while I save up for a much better system. At the moment, my current thinking is to purchase a set of Logitech Z-5500 speakers and when I get a much better setup in the future, I can retire them to my PC.

However, I am not hugely knowledgeable in this area so if there's a better option, I'm happy to hear it.
 
Depends really on how close to $500 you're going to spend. Z-5500s are closer to $400 now. Something like this Yamaha system, you can get for under $500 at JB Hi-Fi, also a Sony and Kenwood System for around that too, which is probably a better buy and more upgradable than the Logitech.
 
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I own Z-5400 and they are awesome, you wouldnt be dissapointed with Z-5500s, probably the best you can get for the buck.

Then you can save up for a good sound system like you said and retire them to the pc.
 
I'm a bit also into this question. Is really possible to get a better system than the Z-5000 for a similar price, but not into that cheap-pc-kits?. I do know the risk of get a wrong match between the decoder and the speakers if bought individually. I've been always into the Stereo world, but recently with all this 5.1 era I'm really thinking to do an improvement into my gaming scene adding also a 5.1 system. Are all the Playstation 3 titles recorded into 6 sound channels to approach the 5.1 standard/protocol?

I don't need the video features of those A/V Receivers since I use only a single HDMI system, so what I need is something focused in the audio, to get the audio of my Playstation 3 from its Optical Out and get the best of it at a not high price. I was thinkin' about the idea of a audio decoder only and a 5.1 speakers set up attached to it. There's really a possibility of a individual setup (like this) better than the Logitech Z-5500 one, at a similar price?.

I've been reading threads here with great info from people like Scaff, the Interceptor, Digital-Nitrate, and many more that also love Hi-Fi sound like me. But the problem is that I'm a student and the moment for the Marantz and the McIntosh stuff will be later in my life >_<, so imagine for example 400&#8364; as a max. Is it possible to get a better quality alternative to the Logitech Z-5500?, because I don't like that kind of Creative or Logitech stuff.

I've seen the Onkyo HT-S590 as one of the first search results, at a great price (249&#8364;). I does include some kind of video part on the reciever but even with that included (and being useless for me) it's a nice price. Another choice was a Harman Kardon AVR132 with a set up of JBL 178 speakers, for 399&#8364;. Do you think that for example the Onkyo kit would sound better than the Logitech Z-5500 right? (I'm talkin' about quality, the sound pressure isn't a problem I think, since I'm into a 4x6 meters room).
 
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Aero-R
I'm a bit also into this question. Is really possible to get a better system than the Z-5000 for a similar price, but not into that cheap-pc-kits?. I do know the risk of get a wrong match between the decoder and the speakers if bought individually. I've been always into the Stereo world, but recently with all this 5.1 era I'm really thinking to do an improvement into my gaming scene adding also a 5.1 system. Are all the Playstation 3 titles recorded into 6 sound channels to approach the 5.1 standard/protocol?

I don't need the video features of those A/V Receivers since I use only a single HDMI system, so what I need is something focused in the audio, to get the audio of my Playstation 3 from its Optical Out and get the best of it at a not high price. I was thinkin' about the idea of a audio decoder only and a 5.1 speakers set up attached to it. There's really a possibility of a individual setup (like this) better than the Logitech Z-5500 one, at a similar price?.

I've been reading threads here with great info from people like Scaff, the Interceptor, Digital-Nitrate, and many more that also love Hi-Fi sound like me. But the problem is that I'm a student and the moment for the Marantz and the McIntosh stuff will be later in my life >_<, so imagine for example 400€ as a max. Is it possible to get a better quality alternative to the Logitech Z-5500?, because I don't like that kind of Creative or Logitech stuff.

I've seen the Onkyo HT-S590 as one of the first search results, at a great price (249€). I does include some kind of video part on the reciever but even with that included (and being useless for me) it's a nice price. Another choice was a Harman Kardon AVR132 with a set up of JBL 178 speakers, for 399€. Do you think that for example the Onkyo kit would sound better than the Logitech Z-5500 right? (I'm talkin' about quality, the sound pressure isn't a problem I think, since I'm into a 4x6 meters room).
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Personally I would always recommend a separates system over a single box system if you are even remotely interested in sound quality.

They also make a lot more sense if you are looking to build on the system in the future as they can be upgraded bit-by-bit as and when you can afford to (which is often impossible with single box systems).

The money you are looking at would certainly get you a good entry level separates system, 400 euro is around £360 and for that money I would look at something like the following.

Sony STRDG 820 - £230

and

Tannoy SFX 5.1 - £145

Which is £375, a little over the budget you mentioned, but that would be a future proof amp as it will go to a 7.1 set-up if you want in the future and will handle all the HD audio formats. On top of that it will sound better than a single box unit and will handle years worth of speaker upgrades.

If it was my money I know which route I would go down.


BTW - In regard to your first question, yes the vast, vast majority of PS3 games will give you full 5.1, many now going to 7.1 uncompressed (HD audio).

Regards

Scaff
 

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