Logitech Z-5500 or Creative Gigaworks G550W?

[crainger]

I picked up my 5500Z for 300AUD, nothing really compared to my 680s which were 600AUD back in the day O_O!

[Single Player]

z-5500

[abtomat74]

If you're using AC3Filter, movies that are Digital or DTS streamed(even downloads) sound incredible. I'm surprised to hear some of the comments on the HT part, though I would agree with them had they mentioned music.

Music is the only area I think the z5500's are weak, which I did not buy the system for :) Gaming and HT is excellent if set up properly and using Digital(games I use analog). Even the PLII mode for basic 700mb avi's does wonders.

[Toss3]

Z-5500 Hands down - built in DTS and DD decoder and spdif connector. You could always pair it up with a nice Auzentech Card with DTS connect and DD Live support. :) The z-5500 speakers are pretty huge though, so you might want to check their size before buying them. :)

[WeReWoLf]

I got the Z5500's and i've never been happier with a decision about a hardware component since the 8800gtx i bought.

[Bman212121]

If you're using AC3Filter, movies that are Digital or DTS streamed(even downloads) sound incredible. I'm surprised to hear some of the comments on the HT part, though I would agree with them had they mentioned music.

Music is the only area I think the z5500's are weak, which I did not buy the system for :) Gaming and HT is excellent if set up properly and using Digital(games I use analog). Even the PLII mode for basic 700mb avi's does wonders.

What sound card are you paring the system with? I think they are great in music provided the source is good. Once again this is where I think the X-FI really helps because when your playing MP3s they need to be expanded to all of the channels. I'm not too crazy about the PL music setting and just feeding the system from an onboard 2 channel audio setup. Using the X-Fi I can let the soundcard expand the audio to all of the channels and it sounds great.

[Revs]

I'm gonna be using the Strikers PCI-Ex sound card for now. It too can 'expand' the sound. I know alot of people have said get an X-Fi card but I really can't fault this sound card. I've tried several sets of speakers inc. some B&W speakers we have downstairs and it sounds really good. Software is OK too.

Also, i've just been speaking to a guy I know at the local HiFi centre and he said I should listen to the Kef speakers he has in stock. They're the Kef KHT1005's and they're on special offer at £250. I'm gonna pop in after work and have a look and listen. The sub is less powerful but they get good reviews on the web. Not too sure but I think I would need a seperate amp for these.

[Revs]

OK i've just been to listen to these speakers paired up with a Denon AVR-1508 amp (http://www.denon.co.uk/site/frames_main.php?main=prod&ver=&MID=3&sub=1&action=detail&Pid=335) and within about a minute of watching I-Robot I knew I had to get em. Bass so low and smooth and the satellites were crystal clear :drooling:

The down side is together they were about double what I was planning on spending at £499, but what the hell, they'll last me years. I'll just have to do a little more overtime :D Gonna pick em up tomorrow as I was on the bike today.

http://www.big-screen.de/deutsch/image/produktbilder/hifi_sound/elektronik/denon/denon_av/denon_1508_600.jpg

http://www.avland.co.uk/kef/kht1005/kht1005.jpg

[npras42]

Dude, you bought a Denon AVR 1508 for Logitech speakers? I think that's a little (read: insanely, hugely) much!

IMO you would've been better off buying an amp for around £200 and then spending £300 on real speakers.

[Revs]

Dude, you bought a Denon AVR 1508 for Logitech speakers? I think that's a little (read: insanely, hugely) much!

IMO you would've been better off buying an amp for around £200 and then spending £300 on real speakers.

No, to go with the Kef speakers I mentioned in the previous post. I've just added pics :)

[npras42]

Oh, sorry I didn't read the post before your last post.

The only advice I give to people buying audio equipment is to go to the local hi-fi shop and listen for yourself because there is so much variation in people's taste that you really need to see and hear the options for yourself. Since you've done that I'm sure you'll be really happy with it.

My Sony amp and Bowers & Wilkins speaker system was certainly not the most popular choice of systsm when I bought it 5 years ago but I loved the clinical sound of the Sony amp and my speakers just flat out rock!

[abtomat74]

What sound card are you paring the system with?

RealTek ALC850(not-HD) onboard. It is 8 channel(coax and optical outs) and has served me well for almost 3 years now. If it didn't sound good, I'd have bought a sound card by now. You said adding a card made music better? Cool, but my car is my audio room :)

[omg_dastard!]

i purchased me a set of z-5500 today ^^

cost me 285euros ($450). Hope they will be worth it :)

[Revs]

This Denon/Kef setup I've picked up sounds far better than I would have thought possible for the money. It really does sound awesome with movies and pretty damn good with music. Took a while to work out how to use the amp though :o.

My only trouble now is that I didn't realise i'd need a Dolby Live sound card to output 5.1 game audio through the optical cable. I think the cheapest option for now would be to output through the 3.5mm jacks for game audio, and the opticlal cable for movies.

[omg_dastard!]

i purchased me a set of z-5500 today ^^

cost me 285euros ($450). Hope they will be worth it :)


btw, is the Canon 400D any good with stock lens? Brought them for someone :)

cheers

[evox]

btw, is the Canon 400D any good with stock lens? Brought them for someone :)

cheers
Well, notwithstanding you quoted yourself, Digital Rebel XTi is an incredible piece of machinery. And it's very much awesome with stock lens. You can always get aftermarket Canon ones depending on the usage.

[omg_dastard!]

Well, notwithstanding you quoted yourself, Digital Rebel XTi is an incredible piece of machinery. And it's very much awesome with stock lens. You can always get aftermarket Canon ones depending on the usage.

i havent heard of the digital rebel xti :|

http://www.dabs4work.ie/productview.aspx?QuickLinx=48JL

thats the model :)

[evox]

i havent heard of the digital rebel xti :|

http://www.dabs4work.ie/productview.aspx?QuickLinx=48JL

thats the model :)

EOS 400D is also called Digital Rebel XTi. EOS 350D was Digital Rebel XT.

[omg_dastard!]

EOS 400D is also called Digital Rebel XTi. EOS 350D was Digital Rebel XT.

sweet dude, i suddenly shat myself and thought I had been ripped of :|

The bastard courier service decided not to deliver my stuff today :@ and they dont deliver on Sat or Sun. So I have to wait til MONDAY :@ to get the stuff.



*pissed off*

[evox]

sweet dude, i suddenly shat myself and thought I had been ripped of :|

The bastard courier service decided not to deliver my stuff today :@ and they dont deliver on Sat or Sun. So I have to wait til MONDAY :@ to get the stuff.



*pissed off*

You'll have some serious fun! Its's a god-like camera. :D

[Famaliden]

Im guessing that those saying "get the Z-5500s" hasnt actually heard the gigaworks. I have both sets and the gigaworks sound much better overall. The only thing the 5500s have on the gigaworks is the bass speaker but the gigaworks overall sound destroys the 5500s.

[crainger]

I've heard both and I'd say the Gigaworks are worse.

[RejZoR]

Thats been known for ages and i doubt it'll ever change. Creative Labs speakers cover entire sound stage much better than Logitech which bet everything on bass (wattage balance for subwoofer tells a lot too).
They may know how to make good mices but they have plenty to learn about speakers.
But since ppl mostly trip just on bass that may not change anytime soon.
Thank god we have Creative Labs and Altec Lansing...

[bacon12]

Make up your minds already, I am in the market and am debating between these two. Everywhere I do research on them its the same thing, people debating which is better, or biased reviews on either.

[omg_dastard!]

****! Ive just paid $450 to downgrade :headexplode:


Damn :(