Optical Out + Logitech Z-5500

Hello, welcome!

I personally use the Z5500's myself. have been for two years now. They are definitely versatile and are probably some of the best personal speakers.

All i needed to do to get them up and going was purchase an optical cable (really doesnt matter what kind, i found one for a measly $6 in the XboX section of an electronics store, no real need to spend 30$ on an optical cable granted some shielding might fair better but i havent had any issues with this particular cable)
or if you dont mind ordering online Monoprice.com is your best bet for good cable deals.

(ive had these set up to use on a PC using analog connectors (provided), and my macpro with Toslink, dvd with component and you can switch simultaneously through different devices connected at once)

Setting up is easy.
Go into Audio/Sound preferences in your System Preferences and select Optical/Digital Out. and you will notice that it greys out/deselects the volume adjuster and when you press the volume keys it will have a (Do Not/Can Not symbol)
That is normal as you will need to adjust the digital signal via the amplifier, which is what the control pod is for.
It adjusts the signal accordingly.

I believe theres other methods of setting these speakers up to recieve 'analog', you can take the Line Out in the back of the computer and plug it into the Line In (this where you plug an Ipod or Cdplayer into) of the Control Pod its right under the Headphone jack, and you can stereo surround that way or even the front panel of the computer into the headphone jack.
Basically you can make associate the computer with an ipod/cdplayer if you connect them to the line in on the control pod and it will broadcast that signal that way.

I prefer digital. I mean there are some issues with digital, such as firewave the signal seems to cut out, im not entirely 100% sure why that is, but some optical devices do that too...where you may have to press the power button on the control pod to reset it to get that signal. (not sure if its cable related or not) but really isnt that big of a deal a nuisance really.

but ive been satisfied with the clarity and ease of use with the z5500, trust me theyll be one great addition to the macpro set up!

also you can choose to have it reproduce in stereo or stereo x2 (note the center speaker will not produce any audio), theres also DOLBY PL II Movie and Dolby PL II Music; which are perfect if you have 5.1 encoded movies or music.

you may wanna check out:
http://forums.logitech.com/logitech/board?board.id=51_speakers

for additional info on how to set it up to your liking or get some better ideas.

Goodluck and have fun!!

Btw that is a really good deal on those speakers.

Message was edited by: AppleNewton

Message was edited by: AppleNewton

Thank you for the solved. =)

anytime, i love to share the wealth and help out where i can!

let me know how it goes with the speakers!