new z-5500 speakers *Dead for now*

[Raider1284]

Just purchased these speakers and it seems to be the best deal I have found.

[EDIT] as allison pointed out, I guess the coupon are now automatically added to the z-5500 so you probally dont have to go through the coupon website below; couple hours ago this wasnt the case. Still a good deal though.

<--Original Post -->
First go here: http://www.4computercoupons.com/dell-coupons.html to grab the "Save up to 20% on your purchase of select Electronics & Accessories ordered through Dell Home Electronics & Accessories." coupon.

Then simply search and add the z-5500 speakers to get an instant 15% off. They are also doing free shipping at the moment so these end up being $220 shipped!

$240 shipped in California

people are asking more then this for used pairs on ebay!

 

[allisolm]

If I just go to Dell.com without using your link and search for z-5500, they show as $220.15 with free shipping.

 

[vetanix]

Ahh, thank you so much for giving us this deal. It's almost a 100 sea shells less than Newegg! I bit. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[videopho]

Best bang or sound for the bucks, undoubtedly.
I have my xbox 360 hooked up to these and the combo just simply rock my socks off. LOL

 

[datobin1]

Direct link
http://accessories.us.dell.com...dhs&cs=19&sku=A0405790

 

[simondedalus]

find out more and more

 

[Aquila76]

Here's a couple 'Easter Eggs' you can perform on the control module (shamelessly copied from the last z-5500 @ Dell thread):

Turn off your set and hold the Input+Effects+Settings+Mute buttons all at the same time, for about 5 seconds and the screen will display that the 2nd display is now active.
It changes the lcd out look for settings and Volume, and the off button is now a cool purple color in place of red
-----
Boost Mode - Ultra Home Cinema Effect:
At full volume contiune turning the knob.
Boost mode will then be activated.
-----
Boost Mode - Far Beyond The Level of Human Hearing Effect:
There's also Boost 22 for people who use analogue. Just crank it all the way to Boost11, then hold down mute button, and keep cranking it up!
-----
Volume+
Hold down the mute button as you turn the knob for Volume+ effect.
-----
Diagnostic Mode
When the unit is off, if you press and hold the Input and Effect buttons simultaneously for six seconds, you will put the unit in "Diagnostic Mode". In this mode, whenever a digital stream is detected, it will display information about that stream for five seconds, just like a receiver does. Might as well always leave it in this mode. It doesn't hurt anything, and the information is fun to have.

 

[Tweak155]

Originally posted by: Aquila76
Here's a couple 'Easter Eggs' you can perform on the control module (shamelessly copied from the last z-5500 @ Dell thread):

Turn off your set and hold the Input+Effects+Settings+Mute buttons all at the same time, for about 5 seconds and the screen will display that the 2nd display is now active.
It changes the lcd out look for settings and Volume, and the off button is now a cool purple color in place of red
-----
Boost Mode - Ultra Home Cinema Effect:
At full volume contiune turning the knob.
Boost mode will then be activated.
-----
Boost Mode - Far Beyond The Level of Human Hearing Effect:
There's also Boost 22 for people who use analogue. Just crank it all the way to Boost11, then hold down mute button, and keep cranking it up!
-----
Volume+
Hold down the mute button as you turn the knob for Volume+ effect.
-----
Diagnostic Mode
When the unit is off, if you press and hold the Input and Effect buttons simultaneously for six seconds, you will put the unit in "Diagnostic Mode". In this mode, whenever a digital stream is detected, it will display information about that stream for five seconds, just like a receiver does. Might as well always leave it in this mode. It doesn't hurt anything, and the information is fun to have.

Thats crazy. I don't have the manual for this set, I wonder why they would hide stuff like that and not make them menus from the control. Thats actually kind of stupid.

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: Tweak155

Originally posted by: Aquila76
Here's a couple 'Easter Eggs' you can perform on the control module (shamelessly copied from the last z-5500 @ Dell thread):
...

Thats crazy. I don't have the manual for this set, I wonder why they would hide stuff like that and not make them menus from the control. Thats actually kind of stupid.

These things aren't in the manual, either. They were probably posted on-line after people had issues with a connection problem or something that Logitech stepped them through. Or those bored geeks out there that like to try out weird button press combos on things hoping for results.

I can understand the volume boost; I don't know if that will damage the speakers if run that way for extended periods of time.

Diagnostic mode might confuse some users with all the info: "96kbps? I want to listen to an MP3, not download pr0n!". Also, 'Diagnostic Mode' could sound like the device is broken and need troubleshooting by certain users (I group older family members in this group).

The second display should definitely be an option.

 

[TemjinGold]

Dang that's cheap.

Hey, a question for those of you who have this: I wanted to get a PS3 and hook that to my Dell 24" LCD but I wouldn't have sound. Have a Creative MegaWorks 650 6.1 (analog) currently but didn't really notice any obvious way to plug both the PC and the PS3 into it. Is there a way? If not, would picking this z5500 set up solve that problem for me (as in allow me to connect both at the same time)? I don't want to run both sets of speakers so if I pick this up, I'm gonna ditch my current one (probably donate to Goodwill or something). Thanks!

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: TemjinGold
Dang that's cheap.

Hey, a question for those of you who have this: I wanted to get a PS3 and hook that to my Dell 24" LCD but I wouldn't have sound. Have a Creative MegaWorks 650 6.1 (analog) currently but didn't really notice any obvious way to plug both the PC and the PS3 into it. Is there a way? If not, would picking this z5500 set up solve that problem for me (as in allow me to connect both at the same time)? I don't want to run both sets of speakers so if I pick this up, I'm gonna ditch my current one (probably donate to Goodwill or something). Thanks!

You can get some Y-Cables (2 Female to 1 Male) from Radio Shack or Monoprice and use your existing set. You shouldn't notice too bad a drop in quality, just don't use both at the same time.

Alternatively (and far more expensive than $20 worth of adapters), this set has hookups for analog 6 channel discrete, as well as both Coax and Optical digital inputs. I've got my PC hooked up via analog for PC duties and gaming, and also Optical for watching a DVD (the z-5500 decodes dts and Dolby Digital streams). I see no reason why you couldn't do the same with your PC and PS3.

 

[TemjinGold]

Ahh... I see. I just might spring for this set then. Thanks!

 

[EliteRetard]

Originally posted by: TemjinGold
Dang that's cheap.

Hey, a question for those of you who have this: I wanted to get a PS3 and hook that to my Dell 24" LCD but I wouldn't have sound. Have a Creative MegaWorks 650 6.1 (analog) currently but didn't really notice any obvious way to plug both the PC and the PS3 into it. Is there a way? If not, would picking this z5500 set up solve that problem for me (as in allow me to connect both at the same time)? I don't want to run both sets of speakers so if I pick this up, I'm gonna ditch my current one (probably donate to Goodwill or something). Thanks!

Any chance youd be willing to donate those speakers to me if I pay shipping? Cant normally afford a nice set, but itd be nice to get away from my old 6 watt 2 channel speakers (sun multimedia speakers?). Tax deductable

 

[TemjinGold]

I would have but unfortunately you're a couple of hours late. One of my friends offered to snag me a PS3 for a bit under retail in exchange for them. Sorry!

 

[abaez]

Can anyone recommend a sound card to hook these up to? Nothing Creative of course. Would the XPlosion work or is that unnecessary since the speakers have their own DAC or whatever (I'm not an audiophile).

 

[Aquila76]

Honestly, I'm finally using the onboard audio from my A8N-SLI and they sound great (I tossed my SB Audigy due to some audio conflict trying to watch DVDs). Pretty much anything current with a 5.1 output for the PC and an optical or coax digital out for DVD will sound like an angelic choir.

 

[Takemaru]

I'm surprised these speakers have stayed above this price so long, i got these from amazon for the same price xmas before last.

 

[Tweak155]

Originally posted by: Takemaru
I'm surprised these speakers have stayed above this price so long, i got these from amazon for the same price xmas before last.

I think they are high quality. I don't see how speakers could get "better", just more powerful

 

[Raider1284]

Question for you audio guys. Would it be better to hook up these speakers using analog cables from my audigy 2... or better to use an optical cable from my motherboard's onboard sound?

Also whats up with dell "time to ship". I ordered on friday, and they arent even leaving the warehouse until this coming fri? Are dell's estimated ship date accurate or are they a "worst case senario" deal?

 

[Tweak155]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
Question for you audio guys. Would it be better to hook up these speakers using analog cables from my audigy 2... or better to use an optical cable from my motherboard's onboard sound?

Also whats up with dell "time to ship". I ordered on friday, and they arent even leaving the warehouse until this coming fri? Are dell's estimated ship date accurate or are they a "worst case senario" deal?

Not sure on the analog/digital...I would assume the analog would be better coming from a better sound processor, but I'm no expert.

As for the shipping issue, I ordered the new HC 24" monitor about 2 weeks ago and it said it wouldn't ship until the 21st...it shipped the next day after i ordered it. So it estimated a 2 week delay but it shipped the next day. Dunno if that helps.

 

[schdaddy]

My ship date is 7/31, which is OK - assuming it arrives before the release of BioShock.


thanks op

 

[Raider1284]

schdaddy, my order said the ship date was that as well, but they left their warehouse the next day. I think their ship dates are, "at the latest" dates. I ordered mine on friday, and they shipped the following monday.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Aquila76
Alternatively (and far more expensive than $20 worth of adapters), this set has hookups for analog 6 channel discrete, as well as both Coax and Optical digital inputs. I've got my PC hooked up via analog for PC duties and gaming, and also Optical for watching a DVD (the z-5500 decodes dts and Dolby Digital streams). I see no reason why you couldn't do the same with your PC and PS3.

It would be best for you to use analog for both situations

Originally posted by: Raider1284
Question for you audio guys. Would it be better to hook up these speakers using analog cables from my audigy 2... or better to use an optical cable from my motherboard's onboard sound?

Also whats up with dell "time to ship". I ordered on friday, and they arent even leaving the warehouse until this coming fri? Are dell's estimated ship date accurate or are they a "worst case senario" deal?

The Analog audio from your Audigy 2 would be the better choice.

Originally posted by: Tweak155

Originally posted by: Takemaru
I'm surprised these speakers have stayed above this price so long, i got these from amazon for the same price xmas before last.

I think they are high quality. I don't see how speakers could get "better", just more powerful

There are many ways in which these speakers COULD be made better. Speakers don't stop getting better at the $300 price point.

Originally posted by: abaez
Can anyone recommend a sound card to hook these up to? Nothing Creative of course. Would the XPlosion work or is that unnecessary since the speakers have their own DAC or whatever (I'm not an audiophile).

Are you planning on gaming significantly or are you more movies/music?

 

[travisj]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Raider1284
Question for you audio guys. Would it be better to hook up these speakers using analog cables from my audigy 2... or better to use an optical cable from my motherboard's onboard sound?

Also whats up with dell "time to ship". I ordered on friday, and they arent even leaving the warehouse until this coming fri? Are dell's estimated ship date accurate or are they a "worst case senario" deal?

The Analog audio from your Audigy 2 would be the better choice.

Interesting, I always assumed Digital was better. What about digital onboard vs. analog onboard?

Is it just a matter of comparing decoders, i.e. the Audigy is a better decoder than the one built into the Z5500? If so, what about the Z5500 decoder vs. the typical onboard decoder?

 

[abaez]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: abaez
Can anyone recommend a sound card to hook these up to? Nothing Creative of course. Would the XPlosion work or is that unnecessary since the speakers have their own DAC or whatever (I'm not an audiophile).

Are you planning on gaming significantly or are you more movies/music?

I'm going to do both, but I'd wager it'd be like 60/40 more towards movies.