Z5500 sub only-how to test it works

ycon on 11/11/2014 - 09:30
Last edited 11/11/2014 - 09:35

Hi,

I've picked up (off the street) a Z5500 subwoofer (only). I get it might be broken but I've found perfectly working electronics from the same place.

There are no speakers, and there's no control panel (plugs in via a "serial" like port) so I cannot test it out.

http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac262/fengkunliu/Z5500BAC…

I plugged in the power cord but there is no light to indicate anything. It also does not make any noise to indicate it's on.

Should the sub make a sound when only the power cord is plugged in?

Is my only option the original "control pad" and original speakers?

Electrical & Electronics

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ESEMCE on 11/11/2014 - 09:49

Did a quick search for "ZS5500 pinout" (pinout is the keyword when searching for how these fancy plugs/sockets are wired)

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Z5500&oq=Z5500&aqs=chrome…

Looks like Post #6 from the "Hacking the Logitech Z5500 - diyAudio" page answers most of your query.
ycon on 11/11/2014 - 10:51

Cheers for that. It looks like post #6 involes solidering and looks quite complex.

Would any cheap "pinout" option on ebay work? Or dose it need to be a Z5500 specific pinout?
- ESEMCE on 11/11/2014 - 11:16
  
  pinout is just a terminology for what pin goes where electrically.
  
  You can't buy a pinout from ebay, it's just a "map".
  You will be able to buy a d-SUB connector but it will still need soldering. You might get away with twisting wires on, but the connections will be unreliable.
  
  Looks like this is what you'll need to do..
  http://z5500-project.blogspot.com.au/
  Pretty basic electronics really. Jaycar would have all the parts you need.
Dabes on 11/11/2014 - 11:09

If it was on the street the cone's probably split from the voice coil, making the sub pretty useless as it'll just make a 'flappy' sound with no bass at all.

You could take the grill off and remove the sub to see if it's damaged/split before trying to to get it working.. It's easy and there are guides around. Here's what a damaged one looks like http://imgur.com/oc9nY.jpg

I tried repairing my sub whilst waiting for one to arrive from amazon.. Shoe glue and duct tape didn't really cut it.
- ycon on 11/11/2014 - 12:04
  
  That's a good idea. I will check this out before anything else.
  
  The soldiering does seem a little daunting, would probably prefer to spend $20-30 than spend the time soldiering. Are there any solutions for me around that price?
  
  Also, can I just plug any speakers into this (given they've got the right red/black wire connection)?
  - ESEMCE on 11/11/2014 - 12:11
    
    You can plug in any old speakers, but you'll still need to get signal to the speakers.. and that's going to have to be via some soldering.
    - ycon on 11/11/2014 - 13:19
      
      I don't quite follow… How about if I bought this-
      
      http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/320741280010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWA…
      
      Would I still need to solder anything?
    - Dabes on 11/11/2014 - 14:12
      
      +1
      
      @ycon: That bypass cable looks like it would do the job.. Any speakers will work as long as they have separate positive / negative wires. You can break off any connectors and split/strip the ends of the wires.
      
      Here's how to remove the grill.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFCwr9AEJmU
      There are 8 screws around the sub with two wires you'll need to disconnect from the amp.
    - ycon on 11/11/2014 - 17:02
      
      @Dabes:
      
      Thank you- got the cover off and looks fine to me (aside from being VERY dusty)-
      
      https://imgur.com/a/9EPpP
      
      Does it look like anything is wrong?
    - ESEMCE on 12/11/2014 - 07:45
      
      @ycon:
      Yep, that ought to do the trick, but it looks pretty dodgy quality.
      The cable in the photo with the Tennis ball Green Dell is so thin!
      
      Would cost $10 in parts and some time to solder your own and it'd be far sturdier.
    - ycon on 12/11/2014 - 10:25
      
      @scubacoles:
      
      That german guide you linked me to looks quite complex- replacing preamplifier chips? If I could find a simple guide, I might give it a try over buying the cord… This is OZB
    - ESEMCE on 12/11/2014 - 10:40
      
      @ycon:
      He's doing the works though.. replacing burned out chips and MOSFETS etc
      
      for 2 channel from 4 speakers you just need to do this bit.
      http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvWH7nK6wsE/ToNCKIIGqYI/AAAAAAAAAB…
    - Dabes on 12/11/2014 - 19:20
      
      @ycon:
      
      Looks good to me.. It'd be obvious if it was split.. http://i.imgur.com/flamEJo.jpg
      (ignore the shoe glue :p)
ycon on 14/11/2014 - 10:26

+1

Logitech are amazing.

I contacted them via Facebook and asked if their spare parts department had a control pod.I said I've got no warranty.

Today I get an email saying they've dispatched it to my address. Incredible
- ESEMCE on 14/11/2014 - 10:36
  
  Wow, nice job!

Z5500 sub only-how to test it works

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