Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System

I waited several years before I purchased these. My Klipsch Promedia 5.1's bit the dust about 2 years ago, the infamous amp problem. I didn't really want to spend $300 on another set of computer speakers at the time, so I bought the Logitech G51's. They were pretty good speakers for the money. After owning them for 23 months, the rears stopped working. Logitech made good on their warranty, and I have a check coming for what I paid for those speakers, being that they don't make this model any longer. Figured now was the time to go ahead and get what I really wanted. I consider the refund a down payment for the 5500's. I saw the price here and at another retailers rise and fall, rise and fall again. One day, C*****t C**y puts these on sale here using the marketplace for a pretty good price, and even after the shipping costs, they were still cheaper than I have seen in years.One thing I do not understand is why all of the high end sound cards for 5.1 and 7.1 speakers, when there are very few 5.1 computer speakers on the market anymore. These are the best 5.1 computers on the market now. These are not as good as my Klipsch were, but they are close. From most of the reviews that I have read, the longevity of these speakers is much better than the Klipsch ever were.Now when these things land at your house, I hope you are strong, as the box is very large and heavy. As I was unpacking the box, I was very impressed by the quality of the speakers and the size of the sub. Holy cow, that sub is huge!! They give you a lot of speaker wire, doesn't appear to be the best quality wire, but it will work for now. Setting them up was pretty easy. I am using the RCA analog connection to my PC for now, as I am all out of optical cables at the moment.Now for the good stuff. I have listened to these speakers at low volume listening to classical guitar, Phil Keaggy and the like to be exact. Now I am sure there are better speakers out there, but I am satisfied with the highs and the clarity of the music. I have had to turn the bass way down, and let me tell you, there is plenty of it. I love having the 5.1 speakers and being able to hear the sound all around you. I haven't had the chance to play any games on it yet, but I am looking forward to hearing things creep up behind me and raising the hair on the back of my neck just like my Klipsch used to do for me. Are they as good as the Klipsch, no, but they are pretty good.I am not sure why more speaker manufacturers don't make 5.1's anymore. Once you have them, you don't go back to anything else.Face it, you buy your speakers for the experience that they give you, and I believe these are the best 5.1's on the market right now. I know the price is high, and it waivers all the time. If you are on the fence, and you have the money and need quality computer speakers, wait for the right price point and jump in and get these. You will not be disappointed.

===============================10-31-04 Update: Kudos to Amazon on fast shipping... I got them in two days! But Amazon's pricing fluctuation still gets under my skin. The day they shipped my speakers the price was down to $286. That was for one day and still not listed as a sale price, then the next day back up to 306.99 again and has remained there. BTW - you can get these at CheifValue for 279.99 in case you're interested. Today (10/31/04) they have a $5 off coupon and $10 shipping!About the speakers - I'm listening to Matchbox Twenty right now. These bad boys really rock the house, no kidding! Everything Logitech says in their marketing material about the Z-5500's is true.I'm using Real Media for CD's and it sounds great, everything from ABBA to Ja Rule to Zeplin. Windows Player just sucks in comparison. If anyone uses a better media player than "Real" please let me know.I've heard certain musical sounds from this system that I don't recall hearing on any other. If, so they were drowned in the mix. This clarity is most notable in the mid to high frequency range. Lows are exceptionally clear as well and you don't get the normal grinding rumble as with most subs. Instead, you'll get a crisp and clean deep bass.Movies are absolutely astounding on this speaker system. Of course I had to watch Matrix (the first one). Some others were Armageddon, Twister, Blade I and Gladiator. The sound rivaled my 10k home theater system. Again, no kidding! While watching Twister I felt like I was in the "----ing" tornado. Even more so than my big system. I'm assuming this is because I have these set up in my home office where the room is smaller and probably better acoustic ambience. I would not like to think that my $2500 home theater speakers are inferior to the Z-5500's ;-(THX and dts worked great on my system with the Audigy 2 soundcard. The Direct Connection (analog) sounds great in itself but utilize the Digital connection and you'll be awe-struck! It really brings you into the movie...Playing Games - haven't tested much in that respect due to time constraints but with these speakers I'm inclined to get back into some serious gaming. Dangerous for me as I already have problems with getting a good-nights-sleep. What I have played Star Wars "Attack of the Clones" and the sound was nothing less than amazing especially when compared to the TDK speakers that previously interfaced my PC to my ears. Other than that I really don't have much of a comparison with the exception of trying out a few speaker models in retail locations including these.The speakers are very appealing to the eye. One cool feature of the design is if you want to mount them on the wall you just have to rotate the speaker stand 180 degrees and they're wall mountable as is.The Control center is very easy to navigate. I really like the large dial that controls the volume plus other level adjustments for the various settings to include center, surround, sub...anything that requires an up/down adjustments. The other selection are made by repeatedly pressing the appropriate button. Example: "Input" - Press once = Optical = Press twice = Coax - Press a 3rd time = Direct. From there if an effect is associated with the input you would select "Effect" and press the necessary times to select the desired effect. Very simplistic, and that's a good thing because speaker controls should not be complicated.The Display is very easy to read, unlike the previous version (the 680's). I can easily see/read the display from several feet away and it's not too bright yet easily readable in the daytime.A couple of nice extras are the headphone and auxiliary jacks on the side of the Control Center. That is something that I really needed.The only improvements I can recommend are very minor but here they are:Speaker wire connections - the wires are fixed so you are limited to the length of wire that comes with each speaker. Although you can buy extensions to fit the RCA type connectors. I feel this may inhibit the sound quality as opposed to the ability to direct wire the speakers with a custom length of good speaker wire.Even though I really don't have any complaints about the display it would have been nice to include contrast/brightness adjustments for those who would prefer the ability customize the view. But really this is not a big deal at all.The remote control could use a little dressing up so that it would look like it is a part of the "Nice Package". Instead, what you get is a plain black remote with black buttons and small white lettering. Very Plane Jane in appearance but it does offer enough controls to make it usable.The main power switch is on the sub with a standby switch on the Control Center. This is acceptable but it would have been a plus if Logitech would have included the logic to be able to detect sound input in the standby mode which would turn the speakers on.Bottom line - these are all minor issues and are nothing to really complain about. The design and sound that these speakers produce deserve no less than 5 stars in my opinion.==================================10-26-04 Update: After much hassle of back and forth emails, Amazon finally agreed to do the honorable thing and make it right. ...my system is on its way! Once received I'll write a detailed review of the Logitech Z-5500==================================10-24-04 Honestly, I have tried these speakers and would give them 10 stars! But that is not why I'm writing here today. Out of my 10 stars Logitech Z-5500 gets 5 and Amazon gets a big fat zero!!!Here's the deal: Just two days ago Amazon's price (not on sale) was $279 with free shipping. This was one of the lowest prices around. I didn't buy then because I was waiting on an Amazon Gift Certificate so I could afford the speakers. Now (2 days later) that I've got it I come back and the price is now $306 still with free shipping.I know a lot of people were waiting for these to come in stock and I'm sure they're a fast seller. I'm not sure but it looks a little strange that Amazon jacked up their price to cover what would normally be shipping charge that just happens to be "free". Hmmm? Just my thoughts so don't "dog" me on this review since I didn't take away from the speaker rating. Thanks!