Logitech Z-560, 400w surround sound speakers

[kenfowler3966]

If any one is looking for surround speakers for their computer, I have bought 2 sets of these from PC World at £59.99 each.(One for my son's Xmas present, and I was so impressed with the quality I have bought a set for my computer)

They are fantastic quality, with THX certified 50w speakers with removable covers and a huge 200w base speaker, but no central front speaker. These were reviewed as outstanding when they were £199, even now the same base speaker and 2 front identical speakers as a 2:1 system cost £149 at PC world.

Presumably discounted as not 5:1, but fantastic value nevertheless. Cheapest on line price I have seen is £160, they are to be found if you are lucky near the speaker section but probably with no price near them so they are not selling as they look expensive!

[DVDcake]

Just went and got these myself yesterday following this post, thanks Ken.

I only needed them for stereo and saw the other Logitech stereo system also. Thinking they might be cheaper still and forgetting what you had already posted I asked the till guy for the price.

'£149.99 sir',
'£150 !!!', I replied, 'but you have the same system with four speakers for £59.99'
'Ah but these are higher quality',he said in reference to the stereo system.

When I pointed out that the 4.1 system used the same speakers and was also made by Logitech he went very quiet.

So I intend to use the 4.1 system for stereo by not connecting the rear speakers and only feeding an input signal in via the front stereo channel. I can then use the fader control to maximise the power to the front channel. Hopefully there is no protection circuit that prevents the amp from working when used in this way.

[Buckster]

Thanks - I went to buy a pair yesterday - none on the shelves but there was one in stock at the back.

Very nice speakers indeed for 59 quid - very impressed - I decided to upgrade to these from a 5.1 setup of Creative Labs 5300 speakers and glad I did - I can sacrifice the centre channel for the increase in quality.

Cheers, Mark.

[Mark Ward]

I went and bought 3 sets on Sunday.

Haven't heard them yet but I've got a set for home, a set for work and another set for a pal at work who asked me to get him some.

Seem VERY good quality!

Thanks!

Mark.

[monkeynuts]

WOW! just picked up a set from pcworld in Bath and for 60quid, they are incredible! the sub is worth the money alone, or buy a couple of sets and make a 6.1 satellite arrangment with another amp....

If anyone is interested, there were 4 sets left in stock, tho i might well be back down there to get another set. although the sales assistant was probably gonna take a set

Thanks for the spot Ken

[Doublespresso]

Picked up the last one from Staples Corner! It was in the storeroom not on dispaly on the shlef...
They look good <heavy too>

Cheers Ken! )

Doublespresso

[Bassbin]

Picked up a pair in Leicester today amazing for the money. They are a 4.0 design rather than 4.1 but suit my sounblaster platinum 4.0 card perfectly and play to earsplitting levels.

[monkeynuts]

anyone know how i could make the sub take a standard phono input? i'm very interested in making a 6.1 surround sound system from a couple of sets to be run off a seperate amp but need to know if adaptors are available for the strange input connection on the sub.

Many thanks

[Bassbin]

The inputs are via 3.5mm stereo jacks one for the front and one for the rear. The sub reproduces all the deep bass from these and then sends the rest of the signal to the sats. So if you get a single phono to 2 phono adapter and a 2 phono to 3.5mm stereo adapter you could plug the combined lead into the controller of the z560. It'll work but what isn't clear is whether not plugging the sat speakers in will do any harm. I can't see how it can but the manual provides almost nothing to help. In terms od output the sub has bested my mission 70ASE and an Eltax Atomic 10.2 that I'm currently playing with. However, it doesn't give the tight, clean bass that most enthusiasts crave.

The sats take bare wires or banana plugs so I slotted them into my mainsystem and tried them as a stereo pair with a Servo 15. The worked surprisingly well like this and I may even use 2 of them as rear surrounds in my bedroom system.

Overall for £60 I'd buy them and give them a try.

[monkeynuts]

well i've bought a 2nd set and set 3 fronts up with my Marantz SR6200 amp and left the PDR-12 set up with usual surrounds and they sound very good for less than a tenner each!

I'll have a go at working out wiring up the sub as i really want the system to work out as a cheap surround sound setup for my girlfriend to connect up to her dvd player.

Can you buy a 'female' 3.5mm connector? i have a 3.5mm to 2 phono lead that i used to connect a portable MD to amp to get me started....

Thanks again

[MalcolmD]

Thanks for posting this offer, and with your advice I have a purchased a set. However not sure if the built in sound on the motherboard does them justice as they are sounding a bit too bass(ey), even with the sub turned right down.

Has anyone got any suggestions on a decent sound card to go with these speakers, hopefully not expensive as I am still suffering from the 'what the heck have you bought now'.

Hope you can help.

[Bassbin]

I'm using a Creative Labs Soundblaster Platinium Live 4.0 sound card. Should be able to pick one up on ebay for £20-£30 (more if you want the breakout connection box (fits into a 5.25 bay). I think this sounds pretty good and I was pleased with it even at its new price of £130 a few years ago.

Have you got a code for these speakers?

[Mark Ward]

Monketnuts wrote:-

Can you buy a 'female' 3.5mm connector? i have a 3.5mm to 2 phono lead that i used to connect a portable MD to amp to get me started....

I haven't tried it yet but I've the bits and can't see whay this won't work.

Both of the Speaker system mini-jacks
into
Maplins Stereo headphones mini-jack splitter
into
Maplins Stereo Mini-jack(Female) :Mini-jack(Female)adapter
into
Mini-Jack to 2 RCA (Phono)
into
2 RCA:1 RCA adapter

I happened to have most these leads lying around anyway but should work OK. I don't think that lot would all that much in Maplins.

I'd point out that this is a temporary setup intended for the living room until I locate a reasonable sub for around £200.

Mark.


Mark.

[monkeynuts]

Mark,

Thanks for the advice, i have bought a Stereo Mini-jack(Female) --Mini-jack(Female) adapter for £2 from my local audio/video shop and found a 3.5mm--female phono socket lying around that i can connect the subwoofer lead to directly.

Works a treat and sub seems to come to life with the signal from DD/DTS from my AV amp. not quite up there with my PDR-12 but more than good enough for my old man.

Thanks again

Sam