Which 5.1 speaker system for new 24" iMac?

[docprego]

I finally got tired of checking stock at the Apple store everyday just to be told they are out of 24" iMacs. SO I ordered a 24" from the Apple store. One of my main uses of the system will be for DVD playback so I would like to add a 5.1 speaker system to the iMac.

1. I have read the sound output on the back has several functions, one of which is optical out. Does this mean I would need to get a speaker system with a built in Dolby Digital decoder?

2. Which speaker system would have all of the following features:
A. 5 speakers (2 front, 2 rear, 1 center) plus subwoofer
B. Correct color scheme to match the new iMac
C. Integrated Dolby Digital decoder
D. Control unit which can reside on my desk near the iMac, I hate
reaching down to the sub to access the volume and headphone jacks.

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[rogersmj]

The Logitech Z-5500 meets all your criteria, and is a great sounding system.

 

[pengu]

The Logitech Z-5500 meets all your criteria, and is a great sounding system.

ditto. i have the z5500s and they're great. auto switches between Dolby/DTS mode for surround encoded streams and ProLogic II to upconvert stereo to 5.1..

 

[cloudstrife13]

Logitech Z-5500 for sure!

 

[cobravap]

Z-5500's!!! for a 4th time. Hard finding a good deal for them though.

 

[docprego]

Z-5500's!!! for a 4th time. Hard finding a good deal for them though.

Wow, a unanimous recommendation for the Z-5500! I had not considered those at all due to the cost. Looks like the least expensive they can be had for is about $269, that is quite a bit more than I planned to spend.

Do you guys think the Z-5500 color scheme will look good next to the iMac? I was thinking the speakers should be more silver than black, the Z-5500 is the opposite.

Assuming I don't get this set, Is there a second best option that is less expensive?

Thank you.

 

[docprego]

I actually just put a picture of the Z-5500 speakers with their grills on next to the iMac and I have to say the match looked great. The black screen border really ties them together. Even the silver color appears to be very similar to the iMac silver. But the cost....

 

[cloudstrife13]

You can take off the covers on the Z-5500 and they look more silver that way and I think they would look great next to the new iMac. The white one it would still look good but not as the newer ones.

The Logitech Z-5300e are a step down but would probably still be good. The Z-5500 are awesome you won't be disappointed if you get them.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Looks like the least expensive they can be had for is about $269, that is quite a bit more than I planned to spend.

You're not going to get a 5.1 system with optical digital input and a digital decoder for cheap.

 

[docprego]

You can take off the covers on the Z-5500 and they look more silver that way and I think they would look great next to the new iMac. The white one it would still look good but not as the newer ones.

The Logitech Z-5300e are a step down but would probably still be good. The Z-5500 are awesome you won't be disappointed if you get them.

I made a quick composite of the new 24" iMac next to the Z-5500 satellites:

http://members.cox.net/docprego/Z5500iMac.jpg

Not positive the silver matches though it appears to in this image. I saw another iMac photo that when the satellites were placed next to it, there was a an obvious difference in the silver tones.

 

[jerry1]

I'm not at all familiar with the audio jack on the iMac but I understand the center is an optical carrier for audio. Are there cable available that have that jack on one end and the standard Toslink optical connector on the other end?

If so I guess you could plug it into a standard A/V receiver like an Onkyo to drive a standard home theatre speaker setup.

 

[G5Unit]

I just got my Z-5500 yesterday and they are amazing! I have then next to a 24 inch dell and a PowerMac G5, and they mach perfectly. And the speakers are bigger then you think, they're as tall as a regular water bottle. And the subwoofer is HUGE! make sure you have at least 18 inches by 14 inches to put thins thing anywhere. ALso, the receiver is quite large also, a little bit taller then a water bottle, and twice as wide. But the sound is amazing!

I would get them at PC Connection, free shipping and no tax = 299!

 

[jsfried]

Those are great speakers, I got mine for about $200 last year.

 

[rogersmj]

Looks like the least expensive they can be had for is about $269, that is quite a bit more than I planned to spend.

...

Assuming I don't get this set, Is there a second best option that is less expensive?

You want a 5.1 speaker system that does ALL those things on your list, has a built-in digital decoder and breakout box...and $270 is higher than you expected? I think you need to readjust your expectations. Those speakers are a steal at $270 for what you get. You can occasionally find sales that will bring the price a little lower. There really are no other good options. Price versus features and performance, the Z-5500 are pretty much in a class by themselves. Cheaper sets won't have a digital decoder, or sound nearly as nice. If you really don't want to spend that much, then get a nice 2.1 set. Very good 2.1 sets can be had for $100-$150.

 

[docprego]

You want a 5.1 speaker system that does ALL those things on your list, has a built-in digital decoder and breakout box...and $270 is higher than you expected? I think you need to readjust your expectations. Those speakers are a steal at $270 for what you get. You can occasionally find sales that will bring the price a little lower. There really are no other good options. Price versus features and performance, the Z-5500 are pretty much in a class by themselves. Cheaper sets won't have a digital decoder, or sound nearly as nice. If you really don't want to spend that much, then get a nice 2.1 set. Very good 2.1 sets can be had for $100-$150.

Fair enough, I just didn't realize my feature set demanded that premium. Now that I know I will either adjust my expectations for my price range or spend more on the Z-5500 than I had anticipated.

It looks like the next model down the Z-5300e does not have on board Dolby Digital decoding.

Are there any other speaker systems out there that meet my requirements for the same cost or preferably less than the Z-5500 from any manufacturer?

Thank you.

P.S. I got my iMac today, my local store got a shipment so I canceled my online order.

 

[rallycars]

I am getting my iMac next week. I have had a Pioneer HTD-530DV (iThink) surround system that is a 600w 5.1 surround system with a 5 disc carousel that plays CD, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-A, SACD, Dolby, DTS, and just about any other disc you throw at it short of the new HD discs. I paid $350 for it about 4 years ago and talked my dad into buying it after me. I see that newegg is selling only the speakers for 99, weird. maybe they don't sell it anymore, as it's older. Maybe there is something new that is similar, or maybe they have one used. This is more expensive that the other option, but it is more versatile, though perhaps unnecessary if you don't want it for surround music like DVD-A and SACD. It has a coax digital input (rca plug), which can be used if you get a toslink to coax adapter. Sorry I couldn't really help.

I have this hooked up to my hdtv in the other room. I probably won't use it with my iMac, but it is good to know that I could if I wanted to.