Z-5500 Digital Speaker System

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 0.0
  Features : 0.0
  Performance : 0.0
  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Nathaniel Wilkins
• Edited by:
  Rich Brown
• Reviewed on: 11/22/2004
• Released on: 09/29/2004

Logitech's latest flagship offering, the Z-5500 5.1 Digital speaker set, is an updated version of the excellent Z-680, with new styling and a few performance upgrades. The Z-5500 Digital set ($399.95) includes four satellite speakers, a center-channel speaker, a mammoth subwoofer, a wireless remote control, and a swank control module with both analog and digital inputs, all of which amounts to a package that should keep Logitech at the top of its game.

The Z-5500 Digital's control module incorporates Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS, and DTS 96/24 processing, facilitating direct connection to DVD players and game consoles without using an A/V receiver. You may, however, require an adapter to add digital outputs to your game console.

Measuring 9 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide, the control module includes a tabletop stand. The unit has a backlit, two-line text display and six buttons that make it easy to configure settings. A big, easy-to-find silver knob makes it easy to adjust the volume without looking away from your monitor. Despite its small size, the well-designed remote lets you control almost all of the system's features.

The Logitech Z-5500 Digital has an impressive assortment of jacks that allow you to connect up to six source devices simultaneously. The control module's rear panel boasts optical and coaxial digital-audio inputs as well as three 1/8-inch analog minijack inputs. You can configure the three minijacks as a group to connect a 5.1-channel PC sound card or independently to connect up to three separate stereo sources. The control module's side panel hosts a 1/8-inch headphone output and a 1/8-inch auxiliary input for playing a device such as an iPod. We've seen home audio receivers with fewer inputs--a testament to the flexibility of this setup.

All four of the identical satellite speakers and the matching (though horizontally oriented) center speaker include desk stands that swivel and conveniently convert into wall mounts. Each of the speakers incorporates a single 3-inch driver as opposed to the dual-driver, two-way designs employed by Klipsch's competing ProMedia Ultra 5.1 system, but performance doesn't suffer.

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Where to buy

Z-5500 Digital Speaker System: $379.99 - $412.99

store	price	in stock?	rating
	$389.99	Yes
	$379.99	Yes
Amazon.com Marketplace	$379.99	Yes
	$412.99	Yes

see prices from 4 stores

Compare prices for Z-5500 Digital Speaker System

	Dell Small Business	$389.99
	Amazon.com	$379.99
	Amazon.com Marketplace	$379.99
	CDW Corporation	$412.99

Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 135 reviews
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• Showing 3 of 135 user reviews

• 5.0 stars

  "Amazing Theatre-Like Sound"

  by ChicoThorn on December 5, 2009

• 4.5 stars

  "Outstanding performance"

  by stapp89 on November 9, 2009

• 4.0 stars

  "I'm impressed and so are my friends!"

  by ejr04 on October 30, 2009

• See all 135 user reviews Write review

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

• alaTest.com

  Editors' rating: 91

  Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 2481 reviews of Logitech Z-5500 Digital from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 85/100 and users 92/100. Comparing these reviews to 104286 other Speakers reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 91/100 = Excellent.

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• pcworld.com

  Editors' rating: 88

  Summary: Cheaper 5.1-channel speakers are out there, but Logitech's Z-5500 presents an optimal mix of sound and features

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• thetechlounge.com

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• t3.com

  Editors' rating: 100

  Summary: It's a wallet-pounder, but worth it

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• pcmag.com

  Editors' rating: 80

  Summary: The Logitech Z-5500 Digital speaker system is a 5.1-channel behemoth that boasts a wealth of connectivity options and multi-channel effects. It's a perfect match for most game consoles, home theaters, and PCsbut its bombastic low end can become over

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• digitaltrends.com

  Editors' rating: 85

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