I played my tropical party the other night. As far as the songs go it went well. I used my Yamaha stereo powered mixer and two Traynor cabinets. Each cabinet had a 10 inch speaker and a horn tweeter. No matter what I did I could not get the clarity and good sound that I get from my Logitech Z2200s. It was a small party, volume and bass were not a problem. I thought the piano sound was poor. I also thought the styles sounded muddy. No matter what EQ I used I could not get the sound to sound as good as it does through the Logitechs. Is it possible that I never will get this setup to sound as good? Any suggestions?

Tom

10" inch speakers tend to have a bit "muddy" or "hard" sound to them. 8" or 12" tend to have a clearer sound.
IMHO

Doc-Z

Tom,

After using the Logitech systems and the Bose PAS, most conventional speaker systems will sound muddy. I've owned and used a huge number of sound systems over these many decades, many of which have really been rated high and very expensive. To date, none, absolutely none, have compared to the Bose PAS and the Logitech Z-5500 systems. Within the next few weeks I'm going to pick up a Logitech Z-5300 system to use for small nursing home jobs. When I get it set up I'll provide an objective report on my findings. If it works as well as I believe it will, I will modify the package for quick setups and teardowns and post photos. All I need now is a few extra hours a week.

Stick wit the Logitechs--you can't go wrong!

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

I'm sure the new Bose sounds great although I have not yet heard them.

As far as 10" speakers, I prefer them. When my wife, who also plays, and I did a major test of speakers a few years ago, we found that everything sounded better through 10" speakers. And the bigger you went, more disturbing sounds were introduced. Mind you, we both were working with Lowrey organs at the time selling for as much as $73,000, so we did have a quite an excellent reference for sound possibilities that I think most never have that opportunity.

Also, interestingly enough, I was talking to Tony Barbetta one day and he reaffirmed what we had discovered in testing speakers and that is that keyboards sound better through 10" speakers. Since the new Bose has come out, this may be a different case.

I'm glad you guys and gals like your Logitech's but I just can't get with them. Again, this may because I am using very expensive home organs for a reference point where I think most other people base it on what they have heard on other PA's. This is the only explanation that makes any sense to me on this issue.

BEst
Scott

Hey, Gary... why the 5300 since you already have the 5500 in your arsonal? Just curious

Glenn

Glenn,

Primarily, the 5300 is a bit lighter by a few pounds, but the main reason is I want to create a complete, one container package for small to mid-size nursing home jobs where I can just plug the keyboard into the back of the system, plug the mic into the keyboard and go to work in a matter of five minutes maximum setup time.

I'm discovering that as I get older things seem to be getting heavier. The Z-5500 is a great system for larger venues where I have audiences up to 125 people, but when I'm doing a small nursing home with 25 to 30 people in a very small room, the 5500 is not necessary. The same is true when I playing a small, private party in someone's living room or family room.

So, the bottom line is I'm taking on another project (Yeah! I really need another project like a hole in the head. ) And, if my loving wife doesn't kill me, I hope to get started on it in the very near future. If, however, the 5300 doesn't cut it, I'll modify the 5500 to do the same job.

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

For PA systems, I personally prefer 12" with horns instead of tweeters, over anything else. They give a warm, balanced sound, good midrange, and adequate bass.

10" I think have to much mids, and tweeters doesn't have as good high range as horns.

But the best sounding speakers for PA systems I think is either 12" or 18" hornsubs. Even though they are subs, they do both bass and mid, so with a couple of 12" tops and using dual MONO brigded amps that are powerful enough to drive them, you're all set for great sound!

Doc-Z

Just a couple of questions..

Reading some of the replies, you guys use Logitec speakers? for live gigs??

5.1 home stereo/computer speakers?

Do theese have the power to put sound out to a big audience of 100++ people?

How do theese compare to real PA speakers?
Like a normal small PA system with 12" cabinets using a PA amplifier of 250W RMS pr. Channel?
I would imagine the sound of the PC speakers will thin out in a crowd, not having much bearing? Or am I wrong?

Doc-Z

Doc-z
You are right. When you are competing with noise in a pub or a large crowd, of course you cannot use the Logitechs. As for 10" speakers, one of the top notch systems, d&b of Germany has to 10's in a pair of tops I heard here in Norway, and it was the best portable system I have ever heard. You cannot generally speak size and quality, too many other factors, driver size, type of driver, material etc.

Gary:
Can't wait to see what you come up for a one package design for the 5300s. I used your design for my 5300s and it works great. Now, could you hurry that project up, eh? LOL

Doc-z,

There has been much discussion about using the Logictech speakers. I use them at home for practice and out for small jobs such as nursing homes and small private parties at country clubs and restuarants. I use the Z2200s and they are perfect (IMHO) for groups of 0 to 60. There have been a couple of disenters to this opinion but I would say there are 10 satisfied users for every one dissatisfied. You can check prior posts for opinions. I believe this system is 270 watts RMS.

Gary Diamond and a few others use the Z5500s which are 5.1. I haven't heard of any dissatisfied users of the Z5500. I've heard of professionals using them for crowds of up to 150 with excellent results. I believe this setup is 550 watts RMS.

I never would have believed it either but I heard them being used first hand with my own ears at the San Jose Synthjam in May of 2004. We were in an activities building at a mobile home park. They easily filled the whole room.

My Tyros does not have speakers. These two systems (the 2200s and 5500s) seem to be much better than the Yamaha Tyros speakers. These systems have more than enough bass and the drums and vocals really are clear and crisp. A couple of people on the forum felt that these systems lack mid range. Check out prior posts.

Setup is a breeze and with the the 2200s I can carry the whole system in a large gym bag.

I hope this helps.

Tom

Doc-z,

Before you make any ill informed assumptions about the Logictech 2200s and the 5500s I would search the many prior posts on the subject.

Tom

When I played pro guitar 12" speakers in my fnder amp were great. I listened to 2 fender guitar amps, one with 2 ten inch speakers and another with 4 ten inch speakers. They were different than my 12's -- I liked what I heard.

Just recently a friend and I listen to 2 different keyboards -- our opinions were very different about the same keyboards --OK, we all hear different, I accept.

For me, my JBL powered 10's give me one great sound. Add a sub for bigger jobs and it becomes fantastic. When I put the speakers on stands I hear things from my keyboard, both KN7 and the Tyros I normally do not hear. As for the sound of my voice, it gets stronger, clearer and out in front.

I am very interested in the Z5500, wow, so many great reports.
IMHO, John C.

I'm not assuming anything, I was suprised that such speakers were used for gigs. I thought maybe I could use em in my setup and was eager hear thoughts on the subject...

Royandreno, yes you are right, it differs from speaker to speaker. But for my taste, I feel 10" are general to "harsh" sounding. I prefer 8", 12" and 18" to them, this is offcourse generally speaking and entirely my own opinion. I have a couple of Carlsbro 12" I like the sound, but I hate the sound in my Peavey 15", they sound muddy. I've gigged with heaps of different setups, ranging from Fender Passport P-150 and Voice Sysmtes Combo (8") to HK Hornsubs with dual 18" drivers. All rigs have different qualities, and different places for use. I wouldn't use 4 HK subs in a small pub, nor would I use a P-150 at a concert.

When you people are using theese logitechs, are you playing "background music" or are you the main attraction, trying to comunicate with an audience listening to you?

Doc-Z

Doc-Z

Technology has changed the world of sounds systems dramatically over the past few years. Unfortunately, manufacturers of conventional sound systems does not seem to be keeping up with this trend.

The vast majority of us that are using the Logitech and Bose systems are OMB entertainers who are performing in small to mid size venues with audiences ranging in size from 50 to 150 people. We are not playing background music for quaint dinner parties where they volumes are so faint that no one can hear you playing. Instead, we're headlining, playing and singing, filling dancefoors to capacity and hearing some of the best sound quality we've experienced in years.

While these tiny speakers were initially designed for home theater and computer systems, you must keep in mind that in both aspects consumers demanded and got incredible quality sound systems. As these tiny systems increased in size, they also increased in quality, providing outstanding sounds throughout the frequency range, and projecting those sounds over greater distances.

It was just two years ago when a few of us decided to give the Logitech systems a try, beginning with the Z-2200. The results were phonemonal. Today, whith the 5.1 surround systems offered with the Logtech Z-5300 and Z-5500, those sounds have improved to an even greater degree, providing crisp highs, excellent mids and gut-thumping lows that reach well beyond conventional sound systems. Those often muddy sounds experienced with large, conventional systems are gone.

While there are still a lot of individuals who seem to be impressed with expensive, monster speakers sitting atop huge stands, wires running all over the floor, stacks of equipment, and 1-hour setup times, I'm not among them. My ageing body really enjoys the lightweight Logitech Z-5500 system, a system that provides my audiences with crisp, clear vocals, plus transmits the exact sounds of my keyboard throughout the venue at levels enjoyed by everyone.

As I have said in the past, let your ears be the judge--not your eyes or your wallet.

Good Luck on whatever you decide upon,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Well said, Gary.

Glenn

Anyone ever suggest to the Logitech folks that it may be worth producing a system specifically for portable sound for musicians, meetings, etc.? I'm talking about simply beefing up the connections ( adding 1/4" jacks to both ends), handles, carrying case, etc.?) Looks like there is enough interst and satisfaction in the current product to make it viable.


Russ

While I still use 'old-fashioned' box speakers and a powered amp/mixer, I am surprised at the wonderment and reluctance on the part of some people to accept the fact that with today's technology, when it comes to speakers as much as anything else, small does NOT equal inferior ... I remember a number of years ago when I first heard a Bose home theater surround sound system .. I was blown away and couldn't believe the sound was coming from "those small speakers" ... I realize that there are different demands between home theater systems and performance venues, but the technology has come SO FAR ... I also think it is part of the 'persona' for 'rockers' to have huge sound systems, if only for the 'image factor' ... (WOW, did you see the SPEAKERS they had, DUDE??? ) ... but as has been said, before deciding, LISTEN !!!
t.

Doubtful they'd be interested. However, if you're not that much of a do-it-yourselfer, you shouldn't have much difficulty finding a technician who could make the necessary changes. I know of one guy who did just that (with the connections), and he's happy as can be.

Glenn

Ok... a couple of questions to the people who use Logitechs.

Is the sound loud and hard enough to sound over a crowd of drunken maniacs dancing, shouting and singing along? Or will the sound drown out?

How loud can you play with those speakers? are we talking >80db?

It's real hard for me to understand that systems designed for close proximity listening, infront of a computer, with small piezo drivers can produce a fullrange long bearing sound. But if it can, I would be real interested in getting one. But before I toss out 200$ for PC speakers, I want to know if they are truly usable.

Doc-Z

Forgot my other question...

Can they play so loud, that people will not be able to talk to eachother, unless they scream into eachothers ear?

Doc-Z

Doc-Z,

It depends on the size of the venue, how loud the drunken crowd gets, and lots of other factors. I've never measured the DB, so I cannot comment on that.

I have a rule, though, that seems to work for me. First, I never play so loud the audience cannot conduct a conversation. I play loud enough for them to enjoy the music and dance, but blowing someone's head off and causing hearing damage by cranking up the volume is just plain stupid.

Most of the people I've heard that were playing rediculously loud were people that either could not play, could not read an audience, could not sing, and could not entertain.

I've been to several weddings that used DJ's for entertainment and they continued to crank up the volume and tempo with hopes of getting the audience off their butts and onto the dance floor--it never works. The audiences at most wedding receptions consisted of individuals ranging in age from 50 to 70 years old. The only youngsters, 20 to 30 year olds, were a dozen or so folks in the wedding party and a few or their close friends. So, what does the idiot DJ do? Puts on some hip-hop and rap, cranks up the volume to where the windows are beginning to crack, drinks a pitcher of beer and takes off his tuxedo jacket. At the end of the first hour, most of the older folks have either left or moved as far away from the music as possible, the youngsters are plastered, and other than a few requested first dance numbers, etc, the dance floor remains empty.

As I said at the onset, buy the system from a retailer that has a liberal return policy. If you don't like what you hear, take it back for a full refund.

Good Luck on whatever you decide upon,

Gary

I am curious if the Logitechs 5500 are loud enough to be used in a trio or combo? What I mean is when the guitar player has his amp,live drummer,perhaps a PA for vocals or sax, assuming a normal sound level. has anyone yet used the Logitech in this kind of situation?? and were you satisfied with the sound??

Last week I fired a pair of mics, PSR-3000 and a guitar through the Z-5500 and there was lots of headroom. The sound quality was excellent, the vocals were crisp and clean, the sub-woofer was turned down to 25 and at Boost #1 there was sufficient volume for an audience of 65 to 75 people.

BTW: I just tried out the Z-5300 at the store, and the sound was outstanding. Doesn't have the punch of the Z-5500, but it was more than sufficient for audiences up to 75 people in small to mid-size venues. I didn't buy it because at Best Buy the price tag was $199 and I've seen it for about $50 less online.

More to come,

Gary