Speakers issue: JBL ESC 360 or Logitech Z-5500? Help!

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

VS



FIGHT!



My problem with legacy soundcards (like AWE64 or AWE32) is poor support with PC-designated speakers. Most 5.1 PC speakers (particularly cheap ones) have four channels analog input (front L/R and rear L/R), which is designed to work with front/rear output from most modern soundcards. In most cases, when I connect my legacy soundcard to those, only front speakers are on. The rears are mute.

However, a dedicated surround receiver is still out of question, since I would be likely to move in near future. What I really need now is a "packaged" set of speakers, which is small in size and easy to pack everytime I move.



So these are my considerations in deciding between the two:



(1) Sounds coming from all speakers. To play plain stereo music and such. I'm tired of having the rear speakers muted everytime I use the DOS-legacy soundcards; which only has "plain stereo" output.

To be fair, some models like Altec Lansing 4.1 can "duplex" plain stereo input if the rear inputs are not being plugged, but being an older model, it doesn't support Dolby Pro Logic nor Dolby Digital 5.1.



(2) Dolby Pro Logic. There are old games already support Dolby Pro Logic long before the days of EAX or Aureal 3D. Examples are Comanche 3 and Assault Rigs. Pro Logic II would be nice.



(3) Surround emulation of plain stereo signal. "Fake surround" would be nice since there are not many games supporting Pro Logic. Is "fake surround" an inherent feature of Pro Logic II (or Pro Logic), or it's an "extra" feature only offered by high-end, dedicated surround receivers?



(4) 3D sound effects in modern games. Actually, this one is for modern soundcards, to enable 3D sound effects in games like WarCraft 3. Y'know, EAX, Aureal 3D, and the likes.

Some months ago phongn told me that "game surround" has nothing to do with Dolby; the front/rear sound effects are separated by the game engine, and each being channeled to the front and rear output of the soundcard respectively.

So in order to enable 3D surround sounds, I guess I would need to connect through four channels analog input (or six channels) which is common in PC speakers today. The problem is: JBL ESC 360 only has stereo input, coaxial input, and digital input.

Can the 3D "surround" in games also channeled through S/PDIF output, which is common in high-end modern sound cards? Or they're only channeled through the sound card's four channels analog output? If that's the case, then I guess ESC 360 is out of question?





I also gathered limited informations on each candidate, and I still have issues with both:



JBL ECS 360:

Like I said, it doesn't have four (or six) channels analog input. Also, I have downloaded the manual, and what I've found is discouraging:

Surround(18 ), Phantom (19) and 3-Stereo (20) are available listening options for Dolby Pro Logic. Stereo (21) bypasses the surround processing and outputs sound through the right- and left-front speakers only.

In Surround mode, all five satellites and the subwoofer will play. In Phantom mode, all speakers except the center channel will play. In 3-Stereo, all speakers except for the two surround speakers will be active.

...............................

Surround
Use this mode for films recorded using DTS, Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic Surround.

Phantom
This mode creates surround sound from stereo recordings. The center channel is not used and the surround channels have a 20-ms delay.

3-Stereo Mode
Use this mode to play back Pro Logic-encoded films when you do not want the surround channels to play.

Stereo
This mode plays a recording in traditional two-channel stereo.

Whoa, so what those are supposed to mean? Does it mean I would lose the sounds if the source signal is plain stereo? (like most old games I'm playing)

But the manual said we can select the surround mode. So what happens if I enable "surround", but using plain stereo input signal? The manual is only 14 pages and not very detailed.



Logitech Z-5500:

Well it has six channels analog input like most PC speakers today, which supports 2, 4, or 6 channel PC sound cards.

6 channel direct (3 stereo-mini connectors) for 2, 4, or 6 channel PC sound cards

So I guess it would support my AWE64, huh? But when I went to the store and made the question, the storekeeper called the dealer, and the dealer told that all speakers only work when using six-channels soundcards.

Yes, when connected to a soundcard with plain stereo output (no rear channels analog output), the rear spakers would go mute. At least that was what the dealer told me.

So is there anyone more knowledgeable with either speakers? Is that true that, for example, Z-5500 would mute its rear speakers when connected with plain stereo output from older soundcards?

Does one of those models meet my requirements list? Or actually both? Or neither?


If neither products meet my list, then what should I use? Should I use a dedicated surround receiver?

If there's a mini-sized surround receiver, then I would go for it. How about "external audio soundboards" like Cavit RP U100 or Sound Blaster Extigy? Can they meet my requirements below? (of course the USB will be unplugged since I'll only use them as surround receiver).


Thanks,

[phongn]

External sound cards tend to have higher CPU utilization, so beware.

And the #1 rule in audio is to go try it out yourself. Hell, bring a tape player and hook it up to the system at some demo shop and fiddle with the settings.

[Chmee]

The last time I went computer-speaker shopping I couldn't find ONE stinking set that wasn't manufactured in China .... so I gave up and went home.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

External sound cards tend to have higher CPU utilization, so beware.

And the #1 rule in audio is to go try it out yourself. Hell, bring a tape player and hook it up to the system at some demo shop and fiddle with the settings.

Thanks. I guess I should test them with a laptop (because they don't have rear stereo output; just like old soundcards) to hear how they would handle Pro Logic and plain stereo signal.

[Natorgator]

I have the Logitech Z-5500. The speakers fucking kick ass.

So I guess it would support my AWE64, huh? But when I went to the store and made the question, the storekeeper called the dealer, and the dealer told that all speakers only work when using six-channels soundcards.

The dealer is wrong. All speakers will work in all modes. The Dolby music setting is especially nice when listening to mp3s.

For awhile I had them and all I had was a plain jane soundcard. There is an extra input on the receiver for sound cards that don't support the 6 channels. They sounded fine, and the rear speakers still worked. I was using a shitty soundcard that was built into my motherboard. The Z-5500 has different modes you can set it on, two of which are Dolby Music 5.1 and Dolby Movie 5.1. About a month later, I went ahead and upgraded to a soundcard that supported true 5.1 (I got an el-cheapo, it cost 12 bucks) and I really can't tell much difference.

Get the Logitech. You won't regret it.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

The dealer is wrong. All speakers will work in all modes. The Dolby music setting is especially nice when listening to mp3s.

Thanks! I guess I've made my pick now.

Altec Lansing 4.1 also has all its speakers work when connected from plain stereo, as long as the rear channels aren't plugged in, so it works with older soundcards. But of course, it has no Pro Logic capability.

[Chris OFarrell]

The 5500's will connect to just about anything.

And we had them in one of our stores once. We turned them up to about 30%. Two minuites later, the shop owner from next door barges in and tells us to turn it down, the sub was so awesome it was sending handbags falling from his shelves Awesome quality as well. The older Z-680 model has big problems I found when going from 70% power on up, the smaller sats got increasing distortion. However the 5500's maintain PERFECT quality right upto 100% (do NOT put them on 100% if you want to keep your ears intact!!).

There is only *one* fault. When you plug in headphones to the headphone jack, the volume control is still the master. So you might turn the headphones up to 80%. But if you take OUT the plug without turning the volume down first, the speakers power up to 80% and blast you into orbit. It can be quite a shock!

And for the record I think the 5500's are certified with just about everything including the latest Pro Logic and Dolby Digital modes, not to mention THX certified.

[phongn]

That's not a subwoofer, this is a subwoofer

THX certification for computer speakers is worthless.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

That's not a subwoofer, this is a subwoofer

B12-Plus/4 only

Add your own amp!

$2,499

*winces*

(probably later, when I'm not living & working in this pathetic country anymore)

THX certification for computer speakers is worthless.

I know; but when I have the money later, I guess it won't hurt to connect my legacy DOS/3dfx system to a dedicated Krell setup.