Old Logitech Speakers (Plus Wiring Hassle) Vs Budget 5.1 Wireless Kit

dufflover on 29/05/2025 - 10:00
Last edited 29/05/2025 - 11:13

Alright so "VS" is probably not what I meant but hopefully you'll get the jist.

TLDR:

  • Have a set of Logitech Z-5400s from my youth, not an audiophile so quality is "ok enough"
  • Moved into new house, design definitely suits wireless gear and feeling too lazy to neatly wire it all up,
  • Is a 'budget' but 'modern' kit ~$300 or less (e.g. max is Hisense AX5100G) worth it basically for "modern tech convenience"? (i.e. wireless speakers, built-in BT receiver for phone music)
  • Edit/upd: I just used dodgy tape at my old place, haven't tried proper cable/channeling/trunks, but I mean they would still be obviously visible additions. (https://www.bunnings.com.au/deta-16-x-10mm-x-2m-trunking_p43…)

Long version

Have a set of ol' Logitech Z5400's. When I moved out to my own place, took them with me to use in my living room (~4x4m) as my cheap 5.1 setup, and even then I mostly just used TV speakers unless watching a movie. Separate BT receiver to another input for playing music off my phone. So clearly I'm not an audiophile by any means.

Fast forward many years again and I've moved into a new place. Took them with me cos thought why not just re-use them, no urge to upgrade or anything. But coming to the actual set it up now, I'm really put off by the whole wiring thing. The power cords, control pod, speaker wires along TV unit (fixed/wall mounted),and the big one of running long cables along the wall to the rear and all that tape or cable trunking to make it neat …

So sticky beaked cheap wireless 5.1 systems for how much easier they would be to set up, save the extra BT receiver and buttons, all that modern tech convenience stuff. Already well placed power outlets for the rears. But even the "cheap" ones are many hundreds of dollars and not sure how they would sound. But if they are reliable enough and will last as long as my Logitech's then not so bad, maybe.

Just wondering if there's any other alternatives I hadn't thought of? How would a basic wireless kit compare? e.g. I can at least space my L/R satellites on the edges, rather than rely on narrow sound bar firing/reflections.

Hisense AX5100G 5.1 Soundbar

Electrical & Electronics Speakers

Comments

  • dufflover on 29/05/2025 - 10:03

    Random extra thought: not that I would have thought this at the time, but if I had paid more for the Z-5450s (wireless rears) it wouldn't have been a problem lol

  • Boioioioi on 29/05/2025 - 11:03
    +2

    You could try the modern equivalent but IMO will be hard to beat the Z5400 without spending a lot. Those are actually quite good.

    I am rocking the Z2300 right now.

    • dufflover on 29/05/2025 - 11:10

      haha ok if that's the case then maybe I've under-rated them.
      I remember back in the day when looking at them Logitech speakers were just known as bass-heavy boom-focused speakers, when upgrading from the old X530's I had. Though still were recommended more than the Creative-brand equivalent (plus that weird bubble shape).
      So I've made a bit of a broadbrush assumption that something designed for a home theatre to begin with, and branded even if entry level, would be better. But yes I have used 'really' cheap speakers before like cheap Edifer 2.1's from MSY for as my computer desk speakers, and they are noticeably more tinny/muddy. So I'd be disappointed buying something new and ending up with that.

    • Devastator0 on 29/05/2025 - 15:25

      The Z-2300's were the goat for a 2.1 PC system. I still have a set of them but I get this weird static-y noise through them but haven't had the will to throw them out because I like them too much lol.

      • spackbace on 29/05/2025 - 16:14

        Same, still have the 2300s as PC speakers

  • ddhar on 29/05/2025 - 11:06
    +2

    Whichever you choose, try to have a listen, where possible, to make sure you are happy with the sound. I know many people 'upgrading' to something expensive, only to express their disappointment in the sound.

  • spackbace on 29/05/2025 - 11:08
    +1

    Could try Marketplace? Can easily find HTIB (home theatre in a box) setups with wireless rears for cheap. Quality might be on par with what you have currently though, won't be an improvement

  • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2025 - 11:13
    +1

    I can't talk to that specific soundbar, but IMO it works better with a TV. I liked the sound of my Z5500 that I used to have, but a cheap soundbar with sub was better for just watching TV, with things like dialogue boost. It is also way simpler, I reorganised the living room recently, wired speakers would have been a nightmare.

    Speakers still last for ages too. At the time I bought my samsung soundbar I bought a lot of samsung stuff (I was ignorant), washing machine, fridge, TV, phone. The soundbar is the only thing that didn't need to be replaced under warranty or broke after warranty.

    • dufflover on 29/05/2025 - 11:21

      Thanks for your feedback comparing it to speakers of that generation.
      This would be one of those new convenience things where I am used to not purposely turning on the speakers just for casual TV viewing (like news over dinner) but if buying something new where they turn on with the TV automatically it'd be 'yeah why not' …

      • ddhar on 29/05/2025 - 11:39
        +1

        This feature is called HDMI Arc. Most soundbars are equipped with this and so are Home Theatre amps.

        If you like tinkering a bit, you could scour the used market for a HT amp (make sure it has the ARC feature) and use the rest of the budget for a pair of good quality speakers. SQ-wise, they should trounce any packaged 5.1 system.

  • ForkSnorter on 29/05/2025 - 13:21

    I haven't heard a better setup than my $110 setup:

    2nd hand Sony amplifier (also called A/V receiver) = $60 on FB market place
    2 large floor speakers (solid and heavy enough to hold a large plant) = $50 at cash converters
    1 centre speaker that came with the Sony amplifier = free

    Even compared it to a top of the range soundbar, which was noticeably inferior.

    All the wires are hidden behind the beautiful timber TV unit, and took 10 mins to hook up everything.

    • dufflover on 29/05/2025 - 13:28

      Thanks but you've kinda missed all the main points lol :P
      - TV unit in this house is not that "wire friendly", wall mounted with minimal entry/exit holes
      - Having rear surround speakers

    • ForkSnorter on 29/05/2025 - 14:25

      Oh I forgot, my system has a massive powered subwoofer that came with the amplifier.

  • dufflover on 30/05/2025 - 09:36

    For anyone coming across this later finally found there used to be products that take an amp-out and retransmit it to a another unit with speaker cable jacks:
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/PureLink-Wireless-Subwoofer-Set-Rei…

    Unsurprisingly not very popular/available anymore to bother with

    • spackbace on 30/05/2025 - 12:26

      I'd imagine any form of lag would be annoying

  • Windows7forever on 06/06/2025 - 20:07
    +1

    I have a messy 5 channel speaker system in the lounge room and a soundbar in the bedroom. Tbh the soundbar is just easier and tidier even if it's not as powerful.

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