Best speakers to replace my z5500 with? (5.1/2.1 or 2.0)

h0p3r · Mar 3, 2011

A while ago, my house burned down and now I'm looking to replace my lost Logitech Z-5500.

I was wondering if there are any alternatives with similar setup (5.1/7.1) that would be better than just getting another Z-5500.

Even if I'm searching for some 5.1/7.1, good quality 2.0 or 2.1 is perfectly fine.

The price is not so much as an issue since insurance will pay me back. (around 500$).

Multiple inputs would be nice.
Something audiophile friendly is a must, I will mainly use the speakers for movies and music. If it plays nice with games as well then yay!
I don't have any special soundcard on my rig, but I'm saving up for an HM-801. I'm also thinking about an Apogee Duet (my main rig being a Mac)

Thanks!

Suggestions so far:
5.1
Klipsch HD 500 Compact 5.1
Boston Acoustic SoundWare XS 5.1
Energy 5.1
2.0
Audioengine A5s

pjBSOD · Mar 3, 2011

Did you bring your flame proof suit? You're going to need it, things are about to get ugly in this thread.

microman · Mar 3, 2011

with $500 i know there are a LOT of better options that will be rolling in.

h0p3r · Mar 3, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by E-Peen;12599785
Did you bring your flame proof suit? You're going to need it, things are about to get ugly in this thread.

Thanks for the heads-up

but I know the community is helpful.
Quote:

Originally Posted by microman;12599792
with $500 i know there are a LOT of better options that will be rolling in.

I was sure there were better alternatives! Now, if there would be any specifics...

pjBSOD · Mar 3, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0p3r;12599847
Thanks for the heads-up

but I know the community is helpful.

This community is very helpful, it's just a large majority of it has a very strong "dislike" for the z-5500. And it's understandable, you're paying a fair amount of money for something that's worse than what you can really get at that price.

I don't mean to say it's a good thing, but it's kind of good you get money to buy a better set of speakers. You'll be much happier than you were with the z-5500s.

h0p3r · Mar 3, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by E-Peen;12599878
This community is very helpful, it's just a large majority of it has a very strong "dislike" for the z-5500. And it's understandable, you're paying a fair amount of money for something that's worse than what you can really get at that price.

I don't mean to say it's a good thing, but it's kind of good you get money to buy a better set of speakers. You'll be much happier than you were with the z-5500s.

I knew I was doing the right thing asking OCN before replacing my z-5500s.

I started to be more audiophile this year and I can't go back. I was sure the z-5500s weren't really great, but I couldn't do much about it.

Simca · Mar 3, 2011

First of all, welcome to OCN.

Second of all, I'm sorry to hear your house burned down.

Third, there are a number of solutions for 500 dollars.

First, do you really need 5.1 sound? If you don't appropriately place your speakers around you and instead just put them all on your desk you'll be getting worse quality than if you just bought a 2.1 set up. Know what I mean? For more speakers you're sacrificing quality simply on an expense base. So we could give you a 5.1 setup that'll be good, or a 500 dollars 2.1 set up that will be great. Know what I mean?

If you're still stuck on a 5.1 set up though, here are some suggestions.

First is to go the real speaker route and get 2x Polk Audio M50s, 2x M30s, 1x Polk Audio CS1, and a BIC F-12 Subwoofer (Which is normally 500 dollars itself...but currently 182).

Or you could just go the traditional PC speakers route:
http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-HD-500-Compact-Theater/dp/B001XURGT4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1299193114&sr=1-1]Klipsch HD 500 Compact 5.1[/URL] (I think these replaced the ProMedia 5.1s)
http://www.amazon.com/Boston-Acoustics-SoundWareXS5-1B-Speaker-System/dp/B002FS1NYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1299193092&sr=1-1]Boston Acoustic SoundWare XS 5.1[/URL]

http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Classic-Theater-System-Black/dp/B001202C44]Energy 5.1[/URL]

h0p3r · Mar 3, 2011

Thank you!

It's true, I haven't really used the 5.1 since my room was quite small.
I did use the 5.1 for Stereo X2 (one set of speakers around my monitor, one set of speakers next to my bed) but that's it. I am willing to give non-5.1 setup a go, but I liked having it "just in case".

I could go the real speakers way and go with a more expensive 2.1 setup and then later add 2 more speakers if needed be?

PC speaker setup would be easier, wouldn't it? I would like to have multiple inputs for several audio sources and it would be harder with traditional speakers.

The Boston Acoustics are so beautiful!

The M50s are too big. I guess that if I go the 2.1 way with traditional speakers, I should get the BIC F-12? I wonder if Amazon will ship to CAN...

Simca · Mar 3, 2011

Not the best person to give advice on 2.1 speakers as this is not my forte, but from people I've talked to that went this route they usually chose http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Powered-Multimedia-Speaker-System/dp/B000OABTPQ]Audioengine A5s[/URL].

Then just go with the subwoofer I posted up there.

h0p3r · Mar 3, 2011

My mind is almost set: I'd like to get some amazing 2.1 instead of some really good 5.1.
The only drawback is the lack of a processor for multiple inputs (the Z-5500's volume knob stand also is used for plugging inputs (digital coax, optical, etc...).

Those Audioengine A5s are beautiful. Reading the bad reviews though, some things are consistent such as muddly bass and low-frequency feedbacks.

Not very audiophile.

h0p3r · Mar 4, 2011

I went to a local music equipment store and went to their studio monitor section.
The staff was helpful and told me about their best seller: KRK Rokit 5.
They were OK sounding, bass heavy and a bit muddy.
Then, I stumbled on these beauties

.
They had much less bass than the KRKs, but everything sounded 10x crisper and more clear!!

Now I have 2 questions:
- Would studio monitors be good for music/movies/gaming?
- Is there anything that would sound like the Adam but with more bass (same price range though)?

pioneerisloud · Mar 4, 2011

With a $500 budget, wanting 2.1, and having multiple inputs....

You should find a reciever, speakers, and sub. You could add to it later (depending on the receiver), and you'll get great bang for your buck out of a good setup.

If you're wanting to future proof yourself, then steer away from powered speakers (PC speakers).

h0p3r · Mar 4, 2011

http://www.adam-audio.com/en/pro-audio/products/a3x/technical-data

Are they powered?

rpgman1 · Mar 4, 2011

You could go with the Swan M50W 2.1 set. Someone here on OCN like this set and recommend it.

kpopsaranghae · Mar 4, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0p3r;12604983
http://www.adam-audio.com/en/pro-audio/products/a3x/technical-data

Are they powered?

Yes they are powered.

Btw, looking at those Swan M10's, for a 2.1 system, it doesn't hit very low. At your price range, idk if there are that many 2.1 systems. I mean with that money, you might as well get a receiver and then get your own satellites and a sub, just like a guy recommended a few post above.

Don't really know of anything to recommend at that price range, but i think you should start looking around for something along those lines.

h0p3r · Mar 4, 2011

My room being quite small and all, I think the sub would be sort of overkill.

I mean, like Simca said, I could max out my insurance money on two extremely well built speakers instead of dividing the money into the receivers, satellites and subs.

I'm not sure if that's THE path as my Adams might not be futureproof?

pioneerisloud · Mar 4, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0p3r;12605448
My room being quite small and all, I think the sub would be sort of overkill.

I mean, like Simca said, I could max out my insurance money on two extremely well built speakers instead of dividing the money into the receivers, satellites and subs.

I'm not sure if that's THE path as my Adams might not be futureproof?

Keep in mind, with powered speakers, you have basically NO room for future additions. And you'll have absolutely NO low end to them at all (usually stop around 60Hz or so for 2.0 studio monitors).

dvalue · Mar 4, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by pioneerisloud;12605477
Keep in mind, with powered speakers, you have basically NO room for future additions. And you'll have absolutely NO low end to them at all (usually stop around 60Hz or so for 2.0 studio monitors).

I dont know, the powered monitors I've demoed have all had a decent response to around 45hz or so, but that probably has to do with the rolloff of the woofer and xover.

aweir · Mar 4, 2011

Your gonna need a receiver. How else are you going to power speakers?

anyone have any suggesstions?

Starting from about $150

Pioneer VSX-520-K 5.1 Home Theater Receiver
[ame="[URL=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=overclockdotnet-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPioneer-VSX-520-K-Home-Theater-Receiver%2Fdp%2FB0039XQKXQ%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Daht%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1299224054%26sr%3D1-1]http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-520-K-Home-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0039XQKXQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1299224054&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-520-K-Home-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0039XQKXQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1299224054&sr=1-1[/ame[/URL]]

Polk Audio RM705 5.1 Home Theater System
[ame="[URL=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=overclockdotnet-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPolk-Audio-RM705-Theater-System%2Fdp%2FB000WGJX5A%2Fref%3Dpd_cp_e_3]http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-RM705-Theater-System/dp/B000WGJX5A/ref=pd_cp_e_3"]http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-RM705-Theater-System/dp/B000WGJX5A/ref=pd_cp_e_3[/ame[/URL]]

Klipsch HD 300 Compact 5.1 High Definition Theater system speakers
[ame="[URL=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=overclockdotnet-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB001XURGSK%2Fref%3Dpd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1%3Fpf_rd_p%3D486539851%26pf_rd_s%3Dlpo-top-stripe-1%26pf_rd_t%3D201%26pf_rd_i%3DB001XURGT4%26pf_rd_m%3DATVPDKIKX0DER%26pf_rd_r%3D0R6GMPHM7DVX0KFS53N8]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001XURGSK/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001XURGT4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0R6GMPHM7DVX0KFS53N8"]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001XURGSK/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001XURGT4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0R6GMPHM7DVX0KFS53N8[/ame[/URL]]

There you, the best bank for the buck and still under $500. The z-5500 has nothing on this setup.

h0p3r · Mar 4, 2011

Can't we easily add a subwoofer to a studio monitor setup?

The Adams I'm thinking of do stop at 60Hz, but I think the store guy mentioned a way to plug them to some adam subwoofer.

Best speakers to replace my z5500 with? (5.1/2.1 or 2.0)

h0p3r

pjBSOD

microman

h0p3r

pjBSOD

h0p3r

Simca

h0p3r

Simca

h0p3r

h0p3r

pioneerisloud

h0p3r

rpgman1

kpopsaranghae

h0p3r

pioneerisloud

dvalue

aweir

h0p3r

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