The sad tale of my Klipsch 4.1s

[screwdriver223]

I've had a set of Klipsch 4.1 computer speakers since 2001... they sounded great, and I loved them. Unfortunately, the sub/amp recently died.

I opened the sub up, and checked the resistors which are known to frequently blow and cause the amp to die... Unfortunately they were all fine. Given how old they are I'm giving up on the sub, and moving on. The satellites themselves are fine, however. So, I have two options:

1) Keep the sats, and buy a new amp and sub.

2) Just bite the bullet and buy a new 5.1 system (I'm eying the z-5500 for $300 at Dell now...). I'd use the old sats as paperweights.

Anyone have any suggestions for which option is best? And can anyone recommend amp/sub combos if I go with option 1?

Thanks,
Screwdriver

[evanx]

The Z5500 for $300 is paying too much. You can get them lower.

[screwdriver223]

The Z5500 for $300 is paying too much. You can get them lower.

... and that is going to be significantly less than buying a new sub and amp or receiver, right?

[zzz3]

I've had a set of Klipsch 4.1 computer speakers since 2001... they sounded great, and I loved them. Unfortunately, the sub/amp recently died.

I opened the sub up, and checked the resistors which are known to frequently blow and cause the amp to die... Unfortunately they were all fine. Given how old they are I'm giving up on the sub, and moving on. The satellites themselves are fine, however. So, I have two options:

1) Keep the sats, and buy a new amp and sub.

2) Just bite the bullet and buy a new 5.1 system (I'm eying the z-5500 for $300 at Dell now...). I'd use the old sats as paperweights.

Anyone have any suggestions for which option is best? And can anyone recommend amp/sub combos if I go with option 1?

Thanks,
Screwdriver

Did you call klipsch, i have seen some really great instances of customer service for out of warranty stuff at avs. Post in avsforum in the klipsch area and then give klipsch a call. Im pretty sure they watch the klipsch thread at avs so this will increase your chances of getting help. Also try the klipsch forum at their website.

[screwdriver223]

Did you call klipsch, i have seen some really great instances of customer service for out of warranty stuff at avs. Post in avsforum in the klipsch area and then give klipsch a call. Im pretty sure they watch the klipsch thread at avs so this will increase your chances of getting help. Also try the klipsch forum at their website.

Thanks for the advice, but I've tried it already... Klipsch has discontinued their line of computer speakers, so they won't do repairs or sell replacement parts. There was a thread on fixing the subs on their forums, but other than replacing the blown resistors (which I've already checked) there wasn't much there on how to fix the problem. Given how old the sub is, and how much it would cost to ship it for repairs, I've basically resigned myself to the fact it's toast...

[Oversized Rooster]

Just get the Z-5500 speakers for $300. It's a fair price actually.

While I have seen them as low as $230 + tax, that was when the Canadian dollar was stronger than the USD and also when there were more sales. These days we don't see that many discounts.

[chinaboy1021]

check out some other high end computer speakers.

if you ever listen to the 5500, you will notice they do not have the clarity of klipsh. they sound heavy and muffled comparing to klipsch.

try 5500s before you order!

[screwdriver223]

if you ever listen to the 5500, you will notice they do not have the clarity of klipsh. they sound heavy and muffled comparing to klipsch.


Thanks for the warning... Couldn't I just use my klipsch sats with the 5500 sub? I think the connectors and wattage are the same.

[Oversized Rooster]

check out some other high end computer speakers.

if you ever listen to the 5500, you will notice they do not have the clarity of klipsh. they sound heavy and muffled comparing to klipsch.

try 5500s before you order!

If you use crappy onboard sound as many people here do, ANY sound system will sound muffled and unclear.

If you take a sound card like the Prelude X-Fi, or Asus Xonar, then the Z-5500 sounds like a COMPELTELY DIFFERENT sound system.

Make sure to output analog because the components on these sound cards are far higher end then the internal circuitry in the Z-5500.

[evanx]

If you use crappy onboard sound as many people here do, ANY sound system will sound muffled and unclear.

If you take a sound card like the Prelude X-Fi, or Asus Xonar, then the Z-5500 sounds like a COMPELTELY DIFFERENT sound system.

Make sure to output analog because the components on these sound cards are far higher end then the internal circuitry in the Z-5500.

I agree. It's ironic but makes sense. The onboard decoder for optical is barely decent.

The Z5500 sounds great already on my HT Omega Striker. The general opinion for higher end audio is that the HT Omega Claro is supposedly technically better than the Asus Xonar. Most don't clarify if it's the DX or D2X version. The Xonar is the "in thing" now though for upgraders.

[Postumus]

so a high end soundcard will make the z5500s sound good? I had them before and was using a hmm either onboard and/or a sb audigy 2 zx and i thought the klipsch speakers i had before smoked them outta the water...

[Jon Lai]

If you use crappy onboard sound as many people here do, ANY sound system will sound muffled and unclear.

If you take a sound card like the Prelude X-Fi, or Asus Xonar, then the Z-5500 sounds like a COMPELTELY DIFFERENT sound system.

Make sure to output analog because the components on these sound cards are far higher end then the internal circuitry in the Z-5500.

That's why you should get an amp that could decode it for you by sending it RAW audio. My HK AVR445 does this magnificently via USB.

[Oversized Rooster]

That's why you should get an amp that could decode it for you by sending it RAW audio. My HK AVR445 does this magnificently via USB.

Yes, that is correct. If you have a proper external receiver than obviously just send out some DTS signal over optical and you're done. But for PC speakers, analog is still better because the electronic components on the high end sound cards will produce better sound.

As for the comment earlier, the D2X is the superior Xonar card. The DX is just a low profile card which uses an inferior sound processor and its SNR is much lower, too. Right now, Auzentech has the best low profile card (X-Fi Forte 7.1).

[screwdriver223]

if you ever listen to the 5500, you will notice they do not have the clarity of klipsh. they sound heavy and muffled comparing to klipsch.

So, I ordered the the 5500's, and I completely agree the your assessment. I ended up using my old Klipsch satellites instead of the Logitech ones... the Klipsch's are just more clear and "bright". Also, it seems the Logitech sub was designed more for games or pissing off your neighbours than for listening to music. It's not terrible for music... just not quite as tight as my old Klipsch sub.