Storm-Chaser

Alright. So I can sell my Z625 sub and my z5500 sub and probably make back $150 or something like that. And retain the small speakers though? Do they have any redeeming value in a new custom system? That sounds like more fun anyway, and I will be able to customize it exactly to my needs / specifications.

I did some testing earlier to see about that, but both systems really do complement each other quite well. It's definitely a better and more immersive experience with the full seven speakers and two subs. I get more thump out of the z625, but the z5500 sub has it's place as well down load or from the second floor. It's like rolling thunder, and the z625 is more like lightning. You can push the speakers harder on the z5500, but not by much. I think I might go with one of these so I can run both via digital interface. Only $20

I know, I don't have the speakers set up yet, I still need to mount them on the wall. I have them pointed away because it can get too loud lol

Yeah after the last couple days of using it I am not very impressed. It's marginally better than my z625, which only has two speakers. The subwoofer on the z625 also kicks harder, but to be honest both systems complement each other very well. So I can live with it for now. One advantage to the z5500 is you can push the speakers much harder without distortion, and the sub does better down low and that's a good thing. And brings me to my next question. Can you or @pioneerisloudrespond. Given the z5500 has some trade offs, but both systems work well together, Im probably going to keep everything around for a year or so. But I still don't mind investing a little more money into this project. Now that being said my complaints / comments are: The 10" 188W sub on the z5500 doesn't have the punch of my other woofer, yet it's almost twice as big. For the super low tones it does to better, however. So I need to know how I can take advantage (exploit) the performance of the bigger 10" subwoofer because I can tell there is a lot more that Logitech left on the table. For example, the range of the subwoofer on the z625 is much wider than the z-5500. So you can have the volume relatively low and still here it thump. Versus the Z-5500, where you can get there with the sub, but the volume is going to have to be pretty loud as well which kind of pisses me off that they overlooked something so elementary. It's more "couped" up in my opinion. I think it could easily be pushed much harder, I just don't have the knowhow or the knowledge yet. Basically, I need a better way to "uncouple" the subwoofer so it can be boosted. So here is a list: 1) Better performance / more control over the z5500 subwoofer. 2) I suitable amp to boost performance (should I get two amps, one for the speakers and one for the subs?) 3) Anything else you guys can think of. 4) After reading @pioneerisloudresponse I will not be using the third subwoofer. That will be re-purposed.

Thanks for the tips. So the optical cable arrived today and since I'm using two sound systems in this project, it looks less and less likely I will be able to use the digital source. Reason being, I need the analog output on the z5500 so I can use my Z625 with it. I can only pair the two through the analog connection. When I connect optical, I lose analog. And the inverse proportion to that, I can only enable one output at a time from the computer (so I cant have digital going to one sound system and analog to the other). I suppose if they make an optical splitter, I could go that route? Is that even possible? I mean the sound is great as it is so I am not really losing much but Id still prefer digital.

Okay a couple more just for kicks (pun intended) This one is especially demonstrative of the power of this system...

Oh yeah no doubt and that's really the basic idea here. I'm just getting my feet wet and then probably doing a custom system once I feel confident. And build my own subwoofer enclosure. With everything you guys are telling me, that should be a fairly straightforward process in the quest for better audio once I do some "sound" research (pun intended). So I have a year to get all my ducks in a row. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the logitech because as much as you are kinda knocking it, the sound quality is very good once you dial in the EQ as demonstrated by the second video. Also note, you can turn the volume up to it's highest setting (with 20db pre-amp gain to boot) and the speakers remain crisp and there is no distortion. That's one thing I was looking for because I usually play music with the volume cranked.

Here you go... Sorry about the shaky camera, I've been chopping wood all morning and my wrists are feelin it. This one you should be able to turn up a little bit. Comes through very crisp and clear on this side. There is a little distortion of the sub at the end of the video, but that's a simple EQ adjustment.

Okay video should be fixed now... give it whirl. Ill be back later with a more aggressive song to really push the system hard so hang tight for that. But I used this one for now (Toby Keith) because it's super crisp and clear.

Finding a good balance so far... I will also upload another video with another song later with a little more thump to it. Logitech hybrid sound system Z5500 and Z625 - YouTube

Yeah I get that. It's a little annoying that Logitech makes this huge 10" subwoofer that weights as much as an engine block and then really limit control over it. But the tuning is definitely helping already. I'm also using Equalizer APO which is implemented mostly for playing music on youtube / songs on the internet to help with the bass / treble "situation". Other scenario is for that which whipps the llamas ass. It sounds really good like this: Ill be back with more updates later...

Alright then I am going to have some fun with this little project. I think I am on the right track here with all this excellent advice. Generally speaking, I am not an audio expert (just an overclocking expert and tech enthusiast, CPU collector, etc), so this is all good stuff and good food for thought, at least from my perspective. But I've really been through rough seas here (who hasn't? lol) in the past year and music is really helping me get through the days. That's why I can afford to put some money and time into this one. I have my gallium based liquid metal loop on hold ATM, but eventually I will get another z820 and get that going as well but that's still a few months out. And I'm not through adding more horse power to this sound system. It's going to get better from here. I have an analog splitter coming from amazon tomorrow. I can then (hope to) activate my third sub (sub only) which was from a Z-5300 series Logitech system. All of the small speakers are shot, but the sub is still okay. It should kick really hard with three subwoofers going. It's not being used so I might as well throw it in the mix. What I am reverting to for now is a program called winamp. Donno if you have used it, but the program is actually very useful. There is a built in EQ with a number of presets you can try out to dial in your speakers for your own preferences. When you say never boost frequencies, do you mean dont use pre-amp?

Okay I'm listening... Tell me more about USB DAC and why I should go get one. Maybe I will pick up a USB DAC and decent sound card as well.

Definitely going to pick out a decent sound card here, if anything just for more control like you are saying. I can experiment and might as well have good equipment. However, my motherboard, MSI MEG Z390 ACE has a very good sound card but as far as I can tell, they don't really let you manipulate much. Like no tweaking the pre amp or equalizer. And no software to utilize for tweaking your audio stuff. Which is really annoying because like I said the board has a pretty good sound card built into it. I will do some research the next couple days to make a decision. I will run it by you guys before I pull the trigger on the new soundcard.

Can you offer any recommendations for making it more boomy? It's superb right now, but I think I can make it even better with the right enclosure, or the right subwoofer positioning relative to walls or whatever. The subwoofers seem to kick harder when you have them positioned right. And on the desk and table is not ideal.

Yeah my math was definitely off, looking back. Logitech *claims* 505W RMS for the Z5500 and 400W for the Z625. Then the subwoofers: Logitech claims 188 W for the big subwoofer and IIRC 130 W for the small z625 subwoofer. What is a little odd is that the z625 subwoofer actually hits harder than the 10" z5500 does in some songs. Logitech made a mistake here in that you cant really crank the subwoofer up without cranking the volume, and sometimes you just want the low tones, so that's a bit annoying, (z625 system you can push the subwoofer a lot harder and keep the volume down) but I'm very happy overall.

Haha, it's funny you picked up on that. You bet! It was my first welding project with a new arc welder. I can get medieval if that's what the situation calls for. lol I like weaponry in general. Also have a pretty good gun / air soft collection going ATM.

Both subwoofers are firing on all cylinders! 7 speakers split 5/2 Look at that beast

Okay I have some research to do and I really appreciate the consultation here. At the moment I am going with analog only until the optical cable arrives tomorrow. I've now got a pretty dope setup with this addition. I was able to add my Z-625 system as well! So that's almost 1500W RMS peak and 300W total counting both subwoofers and 7 speakers! It shakes the wall upstairs. Love it. Neighbors probably hate it lol I will take some pictures so you guys can see what I am working with.

This is arguably one of the of Logitech's best sound systems. Very powerful. Figured if I'm going this route I might as well do this right. Since the audio out port on my motherboard is dead I was thinking of getting a sound card so I can take full advantage of sound quality and clarity. I was thinking PCI-e sound card and optical configuration for dolby digital? I'm not very well versed on good audio setups so any advice here is great. I have a full length PCIe slot and two half length ones open. Digital inputs on back of z5500 control panel:

Logitech Z5500 5.1 Digital Surround Sound System WWW.EBAY.COM Logitech Z5500 digital surround sound system for sale. One of the best sound systems Logitech has ever made. Optical input, aux, coax, 6... 505W RMS 188W 10" Subwoofer

Saw puddle of mudd live about 10-15 years ago at some hole in the wall music place in the Hawthorne district in Portland (and from what I remember they were pretty damn good). Needless to say, my vision was a little blurry on my walk home later that night. Still have the scars on my shins to prove it. lol

Take your time. I don't think I will re-institute the deadline.