M-Audio AV40 vs. Logitech Z5500 -- Which one?

[zeth006]

I know that both differ greatly in price. But I was hoping to get a few second opinions as to which set of speakers would be "better."

I'm told that Logitech speakers tend to do well in the boomy base arena and am planning to purchase a separate subwoofer for the AV40's in the event I decide to get them.


What do you guys think? If there's another sub-$300 speaker (e.g. polk audio, etc) set from another company out there that's better, let me know!

(P.S. I miss Klipsch IFI speakers, but 1. They're discontinued and 2. They had burning out issues)

 

[Mo Killah]

I love my M-Audio AV40's, they are a great sounding speaker, very musical, they help your music sound good, with plenty of bass. However please keep in mind they are a near-field monitor, outstanding for what they do. They are not designed to fill the room. They have a fantastic near-field soundstage with excellent detail and instrumental seperation. I seriously don't think you would need an external subwoofer unless you intend to use it for gaming and want to feel the explosions and such on a visceral level. They really have plenty of punch. Get the AV40's first and see if you need the bass extension after you burn them in for awile.They are a great speaker for the money. Which ever one you get, enjoy. Cheers!

(I didn't list my speakers in my signature, the Q40's are a good mid-fi headphone also.)

 

[t1337Dude]

The M-Audio AV40s are much, much, much better for music. The Z-5500s are probably better for games and movies due to its subwoofer. I'd recommend the AV40s regardless.

 

[zeth006]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t1337Dude /img/forum/go_quote.gif The M-Audio AV40s are much, much, much better for music. The Z-5500s are probably better for games and movies due to its subwoofer. I'd recommend the AV40s regardless.

By "games" and movies do you mean those in which a lot of bass and explosions that require it is expected? I do light gaming and watch movies on and off, but don't really expect to need or want tons of bass. The same goes for music.

Even then, I appreciate the sweetness of music when it's played during games and movies.

I guess from all this we can say that a set of speakers that suits my experience when doing all 3 would be a good choice, so if I want the best of all 3 worlds, I can always pay the extra $100-200 for a subwoofer to go with the MV40s.

But I will admit that I have noticed that my brother's Z-2300s are more bass-heavy and less music friendly.

EDIT: The M-Audio Bxfa deluxe may be preferable at my budget.

Amazon.com has one at an affordable price of about $228.

 

[t1337Dude]

A subwoofer + the MV40s will bring you the best of both worlds. Unless you care about having surround sound (but to be honest, having 5 wired speakers all over the room is more trouble than it's worth). Without the subwoofer, the only advantage the Z-5500 has over the MV40s is that you can literally feel the explosions and gun shots. If I were you, I'd just get the MV40s and call it a day.

I don't have any experience with the M-Audio Bxfa Deluxe so I can't really offer any opinions on it.

 

[zeth006]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t1337Dude /img/forum/go_quote.gif A subwoofer + the MV40s will bring you the best of both worlds. Unless you care about having surround sound (but to be honest, having 5 wired speakers all over the room is more trouble than it's worth). Without the subwoofer, the only advantage the Z-5500 has over the MV40s is that you can literally feel the explosions and gun shots. If I were you, I'd just get the MV40s and call it a day. I don't have any experience with the M-Audio Bxfa Deluxe so I can't really offer any opinions on it.

Glad to hear that!

I've heard that the Bxfa's a beefed up version of the MV40s.

One poster year from few years back puts it well.




Quote:

1. The AV40's are a speaker. The BX5a's are reference monitors. That's all I should have to say.... but that difference isn't always apparent.... so let's dig deeper. 2. The BX5a's have their own amplifier built into each speaker. The AV40's have both amps built into the left speaker. 3. The BX5a's reach nearly a full 30Hz lower (56Hz vs. 85Hz). 4. The BX5a's have a 5" vs. a 4" low frequency driver. 5. The BX5a's support XLR inputs - the AV40's do NOT. 6. The BX5a's use a 3 pronged, ground plug. The AV40's use a 2 wire polarized plug. (In the US anyway). <Long boring electrical explanation deleted >. 7. The AV40's have 20 watts per channel. The BX5a's have 38 watts for the high frequency driver, another 38 watts for the low frequency driver - PER SIDE. That's roughly 4 times the wattage. 8. The AV40's cross over at 2.7kHz, the BX5a's cross over at 3.0kHz. LOTS of other differences when you dig a little deeper... AV40: http://www.m-audio.com/images/global...40_UG_EN02.pdf BX5a: http://www.m-audio.com/images/global...BX5_Manual.pdf In the end though, the long and the short of it is this.... None of the above information makes a bit of difference until we know what you're going to be using them for...

I'll be checking out sound cards to go along with this system. On Amazon.com, the Creative X-Fi Titanium seems to be a popular choice. As for cables, one review for the bxfa's claimed that these cables were a decent choice for decreased interference (Nope, cables don't come with the bxfa, have to be bought separately.

 

[kite7]

I have the AV 40 and the BX5a and I'd definitely say the BX5a is much better, I wish I went straight to the BX5a in the first place. The overall midrange is very smooth compared to the AV40, which made me a little fatigued after awhile.

 

[zeth006]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kite7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the AV 40 and the BX5a and I'd definitely say the BX5a is much better, I wish I went straight to the BX5a in the first place. The overall midrange is very smooth compared to the AV40, which made me a little fatigued after awhile.

Glad to hear that! Makes me more confident.


I'll be finalizing my speaker decision in a month or two after my currently chaotic schedule eases.

 

[kite7]

Forgot to mention I also have a sub paired with the BX5a. I'm using a very dated energy eps-12 12" subwoofer. Just couldn't live without a sub after selling my old 5.1 computer speakers. If you're looking for a sub $100 subwoofer, I've seen people recommend these

Parts-Express.com:*Dayton SUB-80 8" HT Series 80 Watt Powered Subwoofer | Dayton SUB-80 subwoofer sub powered sub SUB-80 home theater 5.1 7.1 surround bass LFE Theaters110308 gifts1117 cyber121 WinningSubwoofers

Parts-Express.com:*Dayton ES8 Elite Series 100 Watt 8" Powered Subwoofer | Dayton ES8 dayton audio HSU subwoofer hsu subwoofer powered subwoofer 8" subwoofer home theater subwoofer ht subwoofer hsu LCS122208 WinningSubwoofers Dayton25Speakers063009

Parts-Express.com:*AudioSource PSW110 10" 125 Watt Front Firing Subwoofer | AudioSource PSW110 Subwoofer PSW110 subwoofer 125 watt subwoofer 125 watt active subwoofer 10" subwoofer 10" 125 watt subwoofer audiosource subwoofer bass reflex subwoofer po

 

[zeth006]

I'll be looking at subwoofers from Sony, Yamaha, Polk Audio, and M-Audio from Amazon.com, but thanks!!!


Leaning toward the Yamaha. Best reviews out of all of them. I'm pretty confident I'll still be able to get it for right under $200 from eBay when it comes time to buy.