Logitech Z-5500 5 Speakers

I bought the Logitech Z-5300e's about six months ago to be installed in our rec room - or commonly known as the "gaming rig". The price was right at $199.99 (Best Buy) after rebates and seeing as it's 'big brother' - the Z-5500's - were $499.99 plus tax, the decision was a no-brainer.

Content with the 5300e's (except always lacking true 5.1 because they were not hooked up to a PC but a stereo TV output), I enjoyed gaming and the occasional movie through the pseudo - or 'matrix' - surround mode.

Best Buy was holding a "Door Crasher" sale one day recently and they had the 5500's for only $279.99. I couldn't resist. I bought the 5500's and sold 5300e's to recoup some loss.

To begin, the box is HEAVY (yes - capital letters). You will probably be surprised at how much work it will be to lug the box just to your car/minivan/SUV/truck. After getting it home, I unpacked it and began to set things up. The sub-woofer is slightly larger (both wattage and actual size) than the 5300e's - and looks different.

The main difference between the 5300e's and the 5500's is the surround processor unit. It is the most important piece of this ensemble. Without it, you wouldn't bother spending the money for the 5500's and it would be better to spring for the cheaper 5300e's. The unit is also special in that it accepts one digital optical input (as well as one digital co-ax digital input). This means that I could now run a true digital signal from my Xbox 360 and PS2 (the Wii has no digital output nor does the Gamecube. The original Xbox could with a separate special cable). I already owned a video switcher that could switch digital optical cable signals as well - so one input was fine.

The sound was true and discreet. The bass is tight and 'punchy' (but not over-powering). During movies, dialog was clear and precise in the front three monitors and surround effects were discreet and "made you turn to look back" when certain sounds were heard. In other words, I would occasionally (without thinking) turn my head and look over my shoulder because I heard someone speak just out of that speaker, and it sounded real. Sounds 'corny' - but very true. Excellent frequency response - and I'll say it again - very good discreet signals to each monitor (speaker).

Games were a mixed situation based on - I'm guessing - programmers' ability to mix a sound field. "Call of Duty 3" (Xbox 360) gave you a great sense of tricking you to think you were actually in an area much larger than the room you're in. That was a good sound field. Trying "SSX 3" for the PS2 was different. There you are, barreling down a mountain on a snowboard - but you felt like you were boxed in a canyon (sound wise) even though you were on the open slopes. People come up from behind you during a race - and you hear them where they are actually positioned behind you (so that was good) - but the whole sound field seemed like a small corridor. Not the 5500's fault - it's the game designers' fault.

Speaking of sound design - these speakers (like many Logitech sets nowadays) are THX certified. Mostly, that means that the frequency response matches Lucasfilm's THX video game standards. It actually doesn't mean much because I've heard speakers that are not THX certified but sound better and have better frequency response. Go figure. True THX certification has just as much to do with the room dimensions than it does frequency response. The 5500's can process and deliver discreet Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II and DTS signals. For gaming, only systems like the 360, PS3, PS2 and XB would ever possibly use this (and only the 360 and PS3 have a bigger selection of games with in-game Dolby Digital). DTS is basically used only in the occasional movie (very rare in a video game) but is by far the best surround mode available. The 5500's can process a higher bit-rate DTS signal, so the sounds are much more "room filling" (not volume, but range of sound). The one side effect of higher DTS bit-rate sampling usually is that your ear will perceive the volume as generally being more quiet. You get used to it quickly once you quickly settle in to the material's (movie, game, etc.) sound field and realize that ever day life is (for the most part) actually rather quiet. (you New Yorker's will argue, I know. I know. You have every right to argue! ha ha).

All in all, the addition of the sound processor, a very basic remote and more wattage makes this a truly excellent mini-home theater system. It won't replace your Bose Home Theater, or the Franken-system you've built around your living room's 50" LCD HDTV that makes the windows rattle and the neighbors call the cops (although the 5500's can rattle windows on occasion! Trust me...) - but purchasing the 5500's for a cost effective way to get a decent true Dolby Digital surround system in a rec room, gaming area or even on a 5.1 card enabled PC (which was the true purpose for Logitech's line of 5.1 speaker sets) - you cannot get much better than Logitech's flagship. (NOTE: the 5450 set only adds wireless rear speakers - and you need to keep replacing batteries).

If you can get this set for much lower than the 509.99 MSRP price like I did (yay, Best Buy!) - you will be extremely pleased with how your game consoles open up and sink you into it's world. Video is very important and should always come first in an AV setup, but don't ignore the audio. Let me tell you, the first time you fire up "Gears of War" in Dolby Digital on these speakers - WOW. You. Are. There.