1. Is the decoder on the Z-5500 the only factor in signal quality or does the soundcard factor into it? My understanding is the only thing the soundcard does is read the data from the application and send it to the Z-5500 for decoding.

2. How common is game support for surround sound? Out of the 3 new games on my computer - R6 Vegas 2, Fallout 3 and Left 4 Dead, only L4D features options for 2 to 7.1 speaker configurations. Is this a reliable sign that only L4D supports surround sound?

3. Is the Z-5500 worth the cash?

Ideally, with DD/dts tracks the sound card is just passing the stream through over optical.
The decoder doesn't seem like an especially likely place for error to come in these days either.

You might look up EAX HD and Dolby Digital Live if you're not familiar with them.
I doubt your onboard sound does Dolby Digital Live encoding (you could check). I'm not sure if anyone makes a card that will use EAXHD and turn around and output a DD/dts stream, but there are some fancy non-Creative high end 'gamer' cards now.

Not sound quality wise for $400. Relative to an entry level DD decoding receiver, a set of decent inexpensive surrounds and a cheap powered subwoofer. At $300 it's still likely doable with used deals on craigslist, etc. Such systems can of course later be upgraded in a piecemeal fashion.

The logitech sub gets pretty loud, and the surrounds do too, but they're nothing new or miraculous. You can probably listen to them or another logitech system with the same surrounds or sub if you have a few chain computer or electronics stores near you.

If sound quality with music is a priority, you're going to be better off just getting a single pair of good speakers with most of your budget (unless the majority of sound listened to on the computer is surround encoded).

3. Is the Z-5500 worth the cash?

Does the sound card play any part in processing the code and will a better sound card improve quality?

2. How common is game support for surround sound? Out of the 3 new games on my computer - R6 Vegas 2, Fallout 3 and Left 4 Dead, only L4D features options for 2 to 7.1 speaker configurations. Is this a reliable sign that only L4D supports surround sound?

Is the Z-5500 worth the cash? I'm all about the complete sound... I'm most critical about movie sound as I want to be able to hear and feel every detail the sound artists put into the movie.

I listen to music with a pair of Logitech Z-2300's and I'm quite content with them actually. The major reason for my upgrade is for a better signal (DTS) and clear surround sound for movies.

3. Snake: Isn't there some kind of trade off between getting to hear surround sound and very clear stereo sound?

Will a good pair of 2.1's give better imaging than a cheap 5.1?

• With all due respect to TOS #8, Better speakers = better absolute sound quality.  The difference between a cheap one-way loudspeaker and a 2-way (a speaker that contains a tweeter and a woofer) or 3-way (a speaker that contains a tweeter and a woofer and mid-range driver) speaker is pretty tremendous. As other''s have mentioned, you need to go listen somewhere to understand this.
  
• The purpose of a subwoofer is essentially a psychoacoustic one. By sending the bass frequencies from a crossover to the subwoofer you are choosing to forfeit the directionality of the bass notes in favor clearer reproduction, with the understanding that we humans are poor at locating the direction of bass notes.
  3" inch one-way drivers are unable to reproduce quite a bit of low and mid-low frequencies that humans can locate. So instead, in a system like the Z-5500, all of those those frequencies get sent to the subwoofer, or (less likely) they get sent to the satellites and are essentially lost.

For $400 AUS? No. They don't exist.
Even for a $1000AUS [acronym title='Home Theater in a Box']HTiB[/acronym] you're probably looking at 2 way satellite speakers that only have 3-4" woofers.


But we could find you a decent pair of speakers for ~300 and you could try to go bargain shopping for a (used?) integrated amp to drive them.

You can then combined that with your sub from your Z-2300's and you'll have a pretty good starting system you can build onto if you decide to spend more money.

Do I need a DTS/DD decoder to go with that?

Ok let's assume I only have AU$1000 to spend on surround sound - what would be the best option?

Depends on what receiver/amp you can find.

I would probably buy separate components for $1000AUS.

“Do I really need hugely expensive speaker cables?”

When it comes to speaker cables, most of the information you will get from dealers and so-called experts is just plain wrong. We believe that a good quality, simple low impedance copper cable is all that is required for all but the most difficult of installation jobs or speaker systems. Longer runs or higher powered systems benefit from a thicker cable but in general the trend towards very thick cables which have "magic" properties is just a waste of money.

“Are they 'audiophile' speakers?”

"Audiophile" means different things to people, for many it means "overpriced" and to others it means no compromise superior performance. Our kits are universally acclaimed as being excellent value for money and we do make the occasional compromise in design (especially with cosmetics and gadgets) to ensure costs are kept down so technically speaking, they aren't "audiophile" speakers. One listen, however, convinces most people that they are in fact outstanding value for money and produce superb sound for the purpose they are designed for.

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