[mrm081561]

I'm considering either the Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 system for my computer or Logitech's Z-5500 system. The specs say that the Klipsch base goes lower. Has anyone heard both?

 

[shaggnasty]

I've got the 3.1 version and it sounds great.

 

[swerveddy]

The ultra 5.1s are several classes above the logitech system for overal sound quality. THey have no rivals for pc other than the gigaworks, which have slightly better quality sats, but a weaker underported sub that does not extend as deep. If you crave boomy non defined one note homogenized bullcrap - the logitechs may be for you.



If you would like to read a review on the ultras I wrote one up with some charts and numbers when they first came out over a year ago - comparing them with the older model.



Here is the review I wrote up way back when ( i think the graphs are on the 5th page ):

http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/reviews/.../KlipschUltra/



Its pretty long but you might be suprized with what this sub can do, especially at the pricepoint , it outclasses many entry level HT subs.


In fact to give you an idea of where it lies in the HT world (comming from a discussion with a klipsch engineer that helped design it, the ultra sub is the roughly the equivalent of the Klipsch RW-10 in Frequency Respeonse and overall Extension. (it is linear to 31hz. with no loss.) compare that to the gigaworks sub which begins to drop rapidly starting at 40hz and down.




For a very nice comparison between the klipsch ultra 5.1's and the gigaworks 5.1s I recommend you check out theEARs review and comparison to get his opinion as well.


http://www.dreamnid.com/theear/klips...1u/default.php



This should give you an idea of what to expect, I would totally rule out the logitech unless you absolutely needed the decoder...



- Ed

 

[DMF]

Swerv, glad you found TheEAR's review. I had lost it so couldn't post it.


Yes, afaik the Ultra is still the system to beat. I have a GMX A-2.1 and love it. And the Ultra kicks its ass too.

 

[F355]

I wish klipsch started selling JUST the ultra sub.

then we could start adding satellites of our choice.

I think cambridge sold such a sub, for a little while.

 

[Grond]

Mine were so awful I had to return them. Ear bleeding harshness around 1-2 khz, makes my ears hurt now just thinking about it. Since I had to eat the shipping I wasn't interested in trying a second pair.

 

[F355]

hmm, interesting.

I thought they tamed the brightness in the ultras.


like I said in my previous post,

I wish klipsch started selling JUST the ultra sub...

 

[JGene]

The satellites are only worth $20/speaker so buying replacing all of them wouldn't be throwing that much money away. Anyways, lots of people have replaced the sats with an RCX-4 center and RSX-5 sats for surround. The RCX/RSX line has a higher efficiency rating than the stock sats so you actually get more power with the larger speakers. The down side is that it'll cost you around $800 to make the conversion.


Another speaker people have had good success replacing the sats with is the Klipsch RB-25. However everyone who has tried that setup still says that the Klipsch sub (and built-in amp) driving RB-25s is below what a dedicated amp/receiver can do.


That said I purchased my Klipsch 5.1 speakers for explicitly that purpose. However I've actually been quite satisfied with the entire system so I have not yet upgraded yet. But at least I know that there is a good upgrade path when I get bored with it several months on down the road.


I've attached a photo comparing the stock satellite to the RSX-4 and the RSX-5. Edit: That's not my photo but I found it on Klipsch's forum back in November if I remember correctly.

 

[JGene]

Here's also a pic of the Klipsch RB-25s being driven off the Ultra amp. Again, not my pic since it came from the Klipsch forum. As you can see those speakers are too big for a desk application but up on stands they'd be great for an HTPC setup.