Just picked up my Logitech Z-5500 system and the best word I can use to describe the sound is AWESOME! The clarity is beyond belief, even at higher volumes. No distortion at all, crisp highs, excellent mids and gut-thumpin' lows--all of the ingredients of a great system.

Now comes the task of modifying everything for a quick set-up and tear-down. This should be an outstanding rig for small to mid-size venues. It's still not powerful enough for the larger jobs, but that's why I still have the Barbettas.

Within the next few weeks, I will have the speakers mounted on stands, all the wiring will be harnessed and at that point I'll post some photos.

Also, when everything is ready to go on the road with the 5500s, I'll put the 2200 system, stands, gig bag and all accessories up for sale.

Gary

Thanks Gary. Article:
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,65686,00.html

Hi Gary.

Good news
My congratulations.
I am waiting for mine;maybe next December.
Can You make a complete "Test drive" ?

Cheers
Chico

Gary, glad to see your positive response on the 5500. How does it compare head-to-head against the 2200? Also, with 5 speakers, could 2 be used as monitors?

Glenn

Glenn,

Two speakers could be used as monitors, but in my case with the PSR-3000 I used the keyboard speakers as monitors.

As for how it compares with the Z-2200 system, it's a significant improvement in both sould quality and overall power.

Semilive,

The article is right on the money. In fact, when I cranked it up to a boost level of 6 it was more than I could handle, but amazingly, it all of the sounds were still quite clear and crisp.

Chico,

You're going to love this system.

BTW: The hook-up I used was not complicated at all. I merely used the single, stereo input and did not worry about the 5.1 surround sound option. Unless you have the option of placing speakers at each corner of the room you're performing at, it really doesn't matter. I hope placing the satellites on stands accomplishes what I believe it will, which is to have a wide dispersement of sounds throughout the rooms where I perform regularly.

Gary

Hi Gary

I'm trying to understand what you are saying.

Are you saying you are using this as a 2.1 system or are you using all 5 satellites?

How exactly did you wire it from the keyboard to the control box. I'm curious, because it sounds like you took a different approach than me.

I am still leaning toward using the sub alone with the JBL's but am also curious to find out how you hooked it up just using the Logitech and how you hook it up if you wanted to use it in conjuction with your Barbetta's for example. Also wondering how you would hook it up using the Barbetta's and just the sub.

May be more than one way to skin this cat.

Best
Scott

[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 11-18-2004).]

Scott,

Yes, I'm using all speakers, 5 satellites and the sub. Just plug an 1/8-inch, male, stereo to 2 1/4-inch, male jacks, into the side of the remote where the icon shows a musical note. The two 1/4-inch male plugs are then connected to the keyboard's output. This 1/8-inch connection is the input for external, stereo devices such as CD players, etc. Next, there is a switch on the back that must be set in the up position to 6-ch direct. That's all there is to it. You can set the individual volume levels of each speaker pair and the sub using the remote control device. However, the only way you can use the boost control is using the main control volume knob.

Gary

Gary, is the 5500 as bass heavy as the 2200? Or... can the bass be reduced moreso than with the 2200?

Glenn

Hi Gary

I'll try that later, but it seems to me I was getting something else.

As far as the boost control if you hit the volume button on the remote control several times in a row very rapidly it will go into the boost mode.

Scott

Glenn,

Yes, the bass is a bit heavier, but not by much, and you can adjust it as high or low as you wish.

Scott,

I discovered this shortly after posting the last thread. If you hold the button down, it taks a few seconds, then responds to the boost levels.

Gary

Gary,

Great that you finally got around to the Z-5500's. I look forward to future comments on them. I was wondering - were your current comments relative to output from your keyboard only or have you had a chance to check out your vocals through the system?

Thanks,

vc

I hooked up the Crown CM-311A to the PSR-3000, and fired everything through the Z-5500 system last night--superb. The vocals were crisp, cleaner than I could have ever imagined, no feedback whatsoever, even at higher volume levels with the speakers pointed directly at me and positioned just four feet away. I'm am really excited about the prospects of this system, and sincerely believe that once I have everything set up the way I want, I should be able to perform in front of audiences of 150 to 200 with ease and still have lots of top end volume to spare. I will not, however, know this until I set up in a large hall and test everything out. I will use it on New Year's Eve for this year's annual bash at the Diamond Ranch.

I have a relatively light schedule during the upcoming week, just a few newspaper and magazine articles to write until Friday's gig (job), therefore, I hope to have the Z-5500's speakers all mounted on stands, the wiring harnessed and everything else packaged for use on the fly. Should be fun, and I will post final results and photos.

Gary

Gary good luck with your new system...I know you'll sound great performing with it this Holiday Season for sure. Awaitig your setup Pictures.

Gary, you shouldn't have any problem with the power that the Z-5500 system has.
I just played a dance in a 3000 sq. foot hall with the Z-2200 (satellites on stands as you described). This was a very "live" hall, long and narrow. In fact the hall is so live that I had to face the satellites backwords, pointing directly into the stage curtain. No amount of equalization seemed to work. In spite of the sound directed into the curtain, there was plenty of volume with power to spare.
Since I don't sing, I can't attest to how the z-2200 would sound with vocals under the weird setup that I had to use.
We'll be waiting for your report from New Year's Eve.
Best of Luck,
Walt

Gary,
You seem pleased with yourZ5500...which is great...Based on previous input from you I've had a look(onLine) at same...and am a bit puzzled when you say you expect this 500W & quite small system, to cover audience of 150/200...in a concert situation maybe, but surely not powerful enough for your typical NY Eve bash....or am I missing something here.
I think I may have mentioned that I am at present doing some Live trials for Bose on their Euro version of PAS Syst....it has awsome power,clarity & dispersion(180*wide)...main issue for me is that it is only Mono & Euro cost is 3500 for basic unit. So are we talkin Apples & oranges here, 'Cause Bose unit would at best cover audience of 300....400 absolute Max....
Would like to keep in touch on issue as you put 5500s through their paces.

Regards
LeoD

Leo,

For the past 10 years or more I've been holding my own New Year's Eve bash, which only involves about 60 of my closest friends. I take care of everything, the food, booze, entertainment, etc. They just show up and we all have a great time. Last night I performed for an audience of about 200 and used the Barbetta's, it went great, kept the dance floor packed and people of all ages and at one point had a 100 people conga line that mainly consisted of younger people. I believe the 5500 would have sufficed at this venue, but unfortunately, the system is not ready to go on the job yet.

Gary

Hi Gary

I wonder if you would list your setting you are using. Seeing that you have had much experience with the Z2200's and are now enjoying your new Z5500's even more, I would love to see how you are doing it to see if I can increase my enjoyment of them as they come in the box.

My thanks to you for pioneering this and to Chico from Brazil for letting us all know about the new Z5500's

Best
Scott

[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 11-22-2004).]

First, the keyboard's master EQ settings are: EQ1=4, EQ2=3, EQ3=4, EQ4=8, EQ5=10

The current mic settings are:
Low= 100hz +9d, Mid= 2.0 0db, High= 10Khz +9db
Noise Gate= off, Th. -60Db, Compressor= on/-20/5.0/110
Harmony Control= play/off/lower/0-bal/auto/xf/off/70

The individual speaker volume settings on the Z-5500 are currently set at maxium, and only the main volume is used to control the overall volume. This seems to work out well in the office, but I may have to modify this in a larger venue.

As for the input, i merely placed the selector switch in the up position, then connected a Radio Shack headset adapter cable to the 1/8-inch input jack located on the side of the remote receiver, and plugged in a short effects cable into the 1/4-inch female plug at the other end of the headphone extension. The 1/4-inch males are then plugged into the standard keyboard output jacks, which provides you with additional volume control directly from the keyboard itself. I'm singing through a Crown CM-311-A headset mic, which has provided me with outstanding results.

Today, I'm off to the local music store to look for appropriate stannds for the left and right satellite speakers, which I intend to mount two to a pole, and they will be faced at a 30 degree angle from each other to provide the broadest possible coverage. The satellites will then be positioned about 3 feet to my left and right, about three feet behind me. The sub and center speaker will be positioned on the floor on the left side of the keyboard stand, and the remote receiver will be on top of the sub as well, positioned behind the center speaker. I'll probably Velcro the center speaker and receiver in place just to be on the safe side.

All of the wiring will be harnessed using cable wrap, which can be purchased at Radion Shack as well. This keeps the cables neat, covered and eliminates the eyesore of dozens of cables all over the floor. It also facilitates faster set-ups and tear-downs.

As things progress, I'll post some photos,

Gary

Gary,
I'll be following your progress on this topic ...very interesting ...We'll let you do all the donkey work....not really fair is it....but they seem to be great value for the price ...and convenient too...

Thanks
LeoD

Hi Gary

I assume you have found the PLII Music setting the best for sound?

Scott

Actually, the 6-channel direct seems to be the route to go. Not only does it sound fantastic, it's the least complicated hookup.

I'm headed out to purchase two pieces of aluminum for the satellite speakers today, hope to have them mounted by this evening, and I'll work on the wiring harness on Saturday. During the same time frame, now till Saturday, I also have to put out two magazine articles, play two nursing homes, and cook Thanksgiving dinner for the entire family. This gettin' old stuff ain't what is's cracked up to be!

Gary

Hi Gary

That's interesting. It seems to sound noticibly better to me using the PLII Music.

I wonder why the difference?

Maybe we should talk by phone sometime.

Scott

Gary ... you don't have TIME to get old ..
t.

Gary just TALKS about being old. Fact of the matter is, he is getting skinnier and thinking younger all the time.
I am not sure what kind of thanksgiving reccomendations the South Beach Diet makes, but I hope it isn't Tofu Turkey.
Eddie

Real turkey, all breast meat, asparagus sauteed in EV olive oil with fresh garlic and covered with low-fat cheese sauce, sweet potatoes, green bean almondine, garden salad, stuffing for the kids not on a diet, and for desert, Jello sugar-free pudding with a spoonful of Cool-Whip topping.

As for the diet, just 3 pounds to go before I'm down to 175, a goal I intend to acheive a week or two from now.

Cheers,

Gary

For those interested in the z5500's, you might want to check out the url below for a sale going on the Logitech Z680's. The sub is 8" instead of 10", but other than that the specs seem to be very similar. Might be a good deal for someone at $199. Watch out for shipping though.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...IL&sku=L23-6182

Scott,

I was not thinking clearly when you asked about the settings. I was referring to the switch position in the rear of the control pannel--not the effects. As for the effects, yes, the PH-II Music is the best sounding of all the effects. However, the Stereo 2 is really hot as well, but it cuts out the center speaker. Just finished the speaker stands, wrapped the cables and I'm gonna' take a break for a while. I'll post the speaker stand photos in a few minutes.

Here's the stands.


and the speakers can be swiveled to any position you desire.



Gary

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 11-24-2004).]

Looks good Gary. Funny, I was thinking mic stand too if one was going to set it up on stands.

I'm thinking if I decide to use the sattellites that I'd mount them on the keyboard or X stand similar to how the Tyros speaker set is placed.

Trying to see how you have the speaker holder secured underneath and on top.

Best
Scott

Were you able to find the aluminum the right size pre-cut, or did you need to cut to size?

Scott

Mr. Wizard you did it again!!!!.....
Gary they look great!..
I would also assume they can be raised much higher too if needed?

good luck with them.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-24-2004).]

Scott,

The speakers are attached with a single, locking screw and nut through the aluminum plate and through the mounting hole in the speaker's foot. The aluminum plates (5 X 11 X 1/8-inch thick) was cut at a local welding shop and cost $3 each. I drilled a 1/4-inch hole in the center of each plate and this slips snugly over the 1/4X20 mic stud at the top of the stand. The anchoring/adjustment nut holds everything in place very securely with the aid of a lock washer. The cables are all wrappied with Spiral Cable Wrap, which was purchased at Radio Shack. I also shortened the longer cables so they are the same length as the shorter ones.

As for mounting the speakers on the keyboard, for me that would not work. They would be too low, and that just puts one more thing between me and the audience.

Gary

Gary....can you post a full front pic of your whole setup including the new speaker stands raised and sub/kb etc ?

I'll try to post the photos of the complete set-up later tonight.

Gary

Here it is--minimal setup, took less than 5 minutes to set up.



Gary

Real Nice gary...Good Job!!

Hi Gary

Very nice job! Maybe you should get a job with Logitech.

Just curious now that you've had some time to play with them, and with your experience with the z2200's, how big of a crowd and room do you suspect this to handle?

Scott

Though I have not used this in live situation yet, I would suspect that venues with audiences of 150 to 175 would not be a problem at all, and possibly as many as 200 wouldn't be out of the question.

As for my Z-2200 system, my son purchased it from me yesterday. He heard it connected to the computer and said "Whoa! I've gotta' have one of these systems." He was equally impressed when he heard it connected to the PSR-3000.

Within the next few days I will begin constructing the transport system, something that's lightweight, attractive, portable, and capable of containing all 6 speakers, remote receiver, wiring harness, power strip, and power supplies for both the laptop and keyboard.

Just another fun day in Paradise!

Gary

Hi Gary

It seems that if you want to go light weight, I think I'd consider 2 cases, as the shipped weight of the z5500 was 58 lbs. Being that the sub is 34 lbs, and you are thinking about putting in all that stuff, you will easily go over 60 pounds, probably closer to 70.

You might want to take a look at Kmart. I picked up a very nice rolling duffel bag. It is 25" or 26". Sub fits perfect with a little extra room for the control box. It was $24.95.

Just a thought.

Best
Scott

I've been considering a rolling bag, and I'll be heading to K-Mart next week to do a bit of shopping. Thanks Scott.

Gary