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Hey, I've been using my Logitech z-560s for some years now and they are getting a little long in the tooth. I've been looking at the newer Logitech z-5500s, but will I be getting a decent increase in sound quality over the setup I currently have?

My only requirements for the upgrade are that they are less than $500 and are a 5.1 system. I will have these connected to my computer through an Asus Xonar DX soundcard. Besides the typical movies and games, I'll be using the speaker setup for various parties in my small/medium-sized studio apartment.

Shmeal wrote:

Hey, I've been using my Logitech z-560s for some years now and they are getting a little long in the tooth. I've been looking at the newer Logitech z-5500s, but will I be getting a decent increase in sound quality over the setup I currently have?

Short answer: no you really won't notice in difference in sound quality.

You might know that depends on the source of the media as well as a few components in the speaker system itself. It would probably be nice to have 5.1 vs 4.1, but that's not the real issue here. If you have the money, and the Z-5500's fit your needs I say pick them up. They're pretty good speakers for a 5.1 computer set.

If the 560s are still working, and you're looking for an improvement in quality, I'd say keep using the 560s, and start putting that $500 toward an actual component system. You would likely want bookshelf front speakers (or smaller) in a studio apartment, which fortunately keeps the final tally more affordable. The $500 would buy a good Denon, Onkyo, or Yamaha surround receiver along with a good pair of 2-way bookshelf speakers in the 5.25-6.5" range along with miscellaneous cables and wire. Another $300 expenditure later would get you the center channel and rear surrounds, and another $300 expenditure after that would buy a decent powered subwoofer.

I were you, i would only upgrade, if i was getting a good price for that speaker set you own now.