Z-5500 sub not loud at all???

[glocktodahead]

Alright guys,

First of all, wanted to say I hope everyone had a good Xmas and new year! I just got myself a set of logitech z-5500 speakers and they are awesome, I am currently in the process of burning them in and they are very good. The problem I am having is that it seems as though my sub isn't doing what it should!

After reading the reviews on the internet I was expecting the sub to shake windows at low volume. I currently have the volume at 1/2 of the way up and the sub is working, but I feel as if it's not pumping as loud as it should. I have taken the speakers up past half and they barely shake my desk which it is right next to. I have a feeling that it is my sound card that is screwing me up some how. All of the connections are correct and I am using an analog connection and 6 ch direct input settings.

The sound card I am using is for my laptop: creative sound blaster x-fi usb sound card.

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=17751

Would using an optical cord change anything at all?

Any ideas?

 

[Hassan]

I've got the Z2300 and they seem to be on the thumping side even on low volume.

I would suggest that you connect the sub to an iPod/MP3 Player or anything that outputs sound and see if its the Sub at fault.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Have you turned the sub up in the levels setting on the desktop pod?

 

[glocktodahead]

I have no ipod to connect to it or mp3 player so i'm stuck that way. Yes, all the levels are maxxed out on the pod and in my sound settings

 

[tinytomlogan]

no on the desktop pod that comes with the z5500, have you changed it there?

 

[glocktodahead]

Yes all the levels are at max on the desktop pod.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Sounds faulty then. try audio from any other source to check, youll know if its working......

 

[PeterStoba]

What audio are you playing through it?

 

[glocktodahead]

I have tried, mp3's, game's, movies all have the same effect. Sounds just fine from the satellites, but the sub is lacking. I am going out today to pick up an optical cord to see if that changes anything, and then I will hook it up to my friends ps3 to check and see if there is a difference in sound. I'll post as soon as I test it out.

 

[Ging3r]

Tbh, it shouldnt be shaking windows at low volumes...thats what subs arent meant to do.

They're meant to give you the room filling bass and sound, but you should not distinctly be able to hear it.

The only time you should notice it is when you take it out, and the sounds suddenly become very tinny and flat.

I dont know the speakers very well, but if the whole system isnt driven off the sub, then take the sub out, and then listen to something.

That will really tell you if its faulty

 

[tinytomlogan]

Belive me Ginger if you have ever used Z5500's you can DEFFO tell that sub is on......

 

[Ghosthud1]

188watts of sub power would defo be noticeable at any level!

defo sounds like the sub is faulty , or maybe its something to do with your sound drivers not liking it?

 

[tinytomlogan]

Thats why I said for him to plug it all in to another sound source.

 

[alexhull24]

Sounds like it might be setup wrong in windows or connected wrongly. Is there an output from the centre speaker in surround? It's the same jack as the sub for analogue.

 

[glocktodahead]

Well guys I went out and bought an optical cord and hooked it up and the sub is working definitely better than it was. I hooked up a ps3 to it and it sounded the same as hooking it up to my computer via optical so maybe i just need to burn them in longer. I'm not sure how much of an effect it will have on the sub but hopefully it gets better. It definitely works better than it was so I will keep it like this and play them for awhile and see how much better it gets. Everything is connected properly, all the satellites connect via speaker wire (separate red and black wires) to the sub and they are all setup properly.

Thanks for the input. I know that the sub is working now

Anyone have an idea if burning in the speakers will loosen the sub as well? If so, how many hours of burn time do you figure it would take?

 

[Ghosthud1]

breaking in a sub can take weeks sometimes , knowledge from my two 900w's in my car lol

 

[tinytomlogan]

The z5500's should make your head hurt out of the box if you have it at max dude. If its not shaking the house something isnt right

 

[glocktodahead]

I really don't know what to do then. It kicks out bass, but by no means is it making the entire place rumble...the volume is at 1/2 right now playing my tunes with optical and PLII music. the sub is maxxed and the center and surround is turned down to 4 bars.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Put it on stereo x2

what level is the bass on?

I found that optical was pants, I stayed with the 3 cables so I could use stereo x2 dudio

 

[glocktodahead]

The sub is at the maximum level. I tried switching back to the analog 3 wires and put it on stereo x2 and i'm getting more bass with optical. Stereo x2 doesn't give me any more bass than the PLII setting. It is sounding better now though for sure. I'm starting to think it's just needing to get broken in.