USB Speakers (READ ONLY ARCHIVE)

[BW022]

Folks,

I'm trying to get some specific information on the Z-5 USB speakers. I wish I could just download the manuals, but the Z-5 is not listed on the manuals list. So....

I'll planning on using the speakers connected to a Vista (MCE) machine in another room. The computer is in the den running the TV, but I'd like to have the option of listening to music in the living room. I can easily put a hole through the wall for the USB cable and plug it in the back of the computer.

What I need to know is:

1. Does the remote on/off physically disconnect the USB cable? i.e. will the Vista machine detect the speakers being connected/disconnect on the USB cable and therefore switch between it's normal sound system and the USB speakers. Physically connecting/disconnecting the USB cable at the back of the machine would be a hassle. 

2. Does the remote work through the speakers or via some connection to the computer? I.e. I assume that you point the remote at the speakers and it transmits play/pause/next/previous via the USB cable rather than needing to point to the computer.

3. Will the remote actually start software on the computer? I.e. would it start Media Center or Media Player when powered on, or do you have to set these up on the computer via a keyboard/mouse? It would be great if I didn't have to actually go to the den and start Media Center/Player, but that would be more of a "nice to have".

4. It appears to be powered via the USB port. Is the volume acceptable for a good-sized room? I don't play music loud, but the room is a good 15'x16'.

5. Is there any way of mounting the speakers on a wall? I.e. do they have mounting brackets, holes for screws, or accept speaker stands?

Finally, is there anyway to get hold of the manuals?

Thanks,

Brett

[Mike_M]

Hi BW0,

Here is the QSG for the Z-5. I took the liberty of removing some content not relevant to this post.

That's it.

[Mike_M]

Hi BW0,

Remote mutes the speakers. They are always on.

The remote sensor is in the right speaker.

The remote will start player applications. itunes and Windows Media Player for sure.

It may be small for a 15x16 room, but it works very well in a 10x12 room. I have not tried it in a 15x16 room.

You would need to have a shelf to mount these speakers. There are no holes to mount through.

The manual is in the post above.

[BW022 · Accepted solution]

Mike,

Thank you for posting. A few follow-ups...

1. Ok... so the remote only mutes the speakers. Is there anyway to power off the speakers from the speakers side? A switch on the back of a speaker or maybe some sort of USB cable with a switch in it? Otherwise, I have to a) go to the other room, and b) mess around with the sound settings to manually turn off my main speakers and turn on the others. My wireless headset works automatically -- when on the speakers go off and sound comes through it; when off, the computer automatically switches my speakers on.

2. Ok... sensor is in one of the speakers. Great.

3. Ok... when the remote starts up say Media Player... exactly how does it know which play list to run?

4. Ok... speakers might be small for the room, although I don't play them loud and they would be fairly close to the sitting areas.

5. Shelf... rats. That may be an issue. How much do the speakers weigh? Really hate to put in shelves. One side might have an end-table, but the other definitely needs them mounted on the wall, and I'd rather both mounted along the ceiling or some where not so visible.

Finally, I really can't see any of the manual posted. Just the front cover. No real text or anything.

Thanks,

Brett

[Mike_M]

Hi BW0,

Sorry, I had to dig a pair of these speakers out and set them up.

OK:

Pictures will be visible as soon as they are "approved". (Fear of inappropriate pics prevents immediate availability.)

1. The Z5's are USB powered. Always available. No switch.

2. Right speaker.

3. The first playlist in the Playlists column.

4.OK. Your choice.

5. Right speaker is maybe 2 pounds, left speaker is maybe 1 pound.

As a note there is a limit to the distance you can extend a USB cable. I wouldn't go past 15 feet.

[BW022]

Mike,

Thanks again for answering the questions.

I'll need to think about finding a method of inserting a USB switch or something (so I don't have to physically walk to the other room and reach in behind in the dark to plug/unplag it). Also I'll need to come up with some way of mounting them. 2lbs too heavy for adhesive, so that means stands or maybe drilling a hole in the casing?

The USB length shouldn't be a problem. The computer is literally the thickness of the wall (4") away from where it needs to go. Even mounted high, it shouldn't be an issue. Speakers would be about 6' apart so the cable between the two should be long enough.

Again, many thanks. :-)

Brett

[BW022]

Mike,

I went ahead and purchased the speakers and I find them great.

Volume is not a problem even for the size of the room. A $40 set of speaker stands solved the mounting issue. The remove is fine (although with limited range of only 3' or so) and works well. So far the plug/unplug issues isn't that big of a deal - I have to go to the other room and set the audio device to the speakers - but after doing so the remote works fine. A manual power switch or unplug would be nice, but you can't have everything. The speakers do look great and they do sound good when sitting between them and at a distance so that is definitely a bonus.

Anyway... pleased so far.

[WilDersh]

Forget the question on Auxiliary jack. I had the ipod also attached to itunes, so it wasn't playing. Removed the ipod from itunes & computer and it works by just plugging in the jack.  So sorry.

[burnselk]

Clicking on the "speaker icon" at the bottom right in the task bar and selecting "mute" will turn the Z-5 speakers off......as soon as you mute the speaker icon the white power light on the speaker goes off.