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PC Sound cards and speakers.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:52 pm
by Macitor
Hey all,
I am ISO a good sound system with surround sound capabilities for my pc. I have purchased this card:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... pe=product

but have not opened it yet. Thus, it is returnable thus far. (bought it for the rebate.)

Due to the research I tend to do, I need a little outside assistance (you all :D )

My questions to you are:
1) Does anyone have this card and if so, what speakers do you use with it?

2) Do you think I should get a different card? (and suggestions about what card would be suitable... Looking for 5.1 or better sound)

It might help to know that it will be exclusively for my pc.
Also, I will be looking to install a dvd player in my system for playback of movies. I do not play music CDs on my pc at this time. (do not foresee that in the future either.)

I have an AMD based PC. (1800+) with 30 gigs of hrad drive and 512mb of memory.

I live in the US and care not to convert coinage. But if the deal is good enough, I would be willing to.

Thanks all (in advance) for your help. If anyone can get help anywhere, it is here. :-)

- Macitor

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:55 pm
by Seon MacRae
I still use the Sound Blaster Live 5.1 on my pc, and it does the job for me.

If you want to go higher-end, though, definitely get a Sound Blaster Audigy card.

For speakers, Klipsch speakers are the high-end speakers for computers (with the price to match), but I've had good experiences with Boston Accoustics as well.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:30 pm
by Macitor
Klipsch, yeah... right. I am not independantly wealthy or anything. ;-)

So you use a dvd player with your speakers and what kind of speakers do you use with your SB Live card? (the BA speakers?)

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:36 pm
by Ehran
should do you fine. i have an audigy (2?) and i am quite pleased with it. you will not regret watching dvd's on your computer if you have a decent size screen. I have never bothered to get a dvd for the tv after i started using the dvd on the computer it was just too sad watching the tube.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:18 pm
by simon
you paid 50 bucks for that? goes for half that on ebay

all you need is a good set of speakers, thats where you should put the money, i get by with a 5 dollar card but 200 buck speakers

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:29 am
by Doc
A good site for computer related info.
http://www.tomshardware.com/

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:10 pm
by Macitor
simon wrote:you paid 50 bucks for that? goes for half that on ebay

all you need is a good set of speakers, thats where you should put the money, i get by with a 5 dollar card but 200 buck speakers



Perhaps you overlooked the: Price before: $20 mail-in rebate info? *smirks*

Wow, what kind of card and speakers do you have? Does the software and card support all the features of the speakers?

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:24 pm
by simon
grrr, perhaps i did

Creative MegaWorks THX® 5.1 550, 250 bucks

sound card, i got onboard sound with 5.1 works fine, in the past i used a $5 sound card on ebay, worked fine sounded great, but the Sound Blaster® Audigy™ 2 ZS Platinum Pro for 250 is something i have my eye on

500 bucks for the whole thing there

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:43 pm
by Macitor
I actually am thinking of returning the card I have and getting an audigy 2 ... a little more $ but I am aiming for some good quality sound.

Guess what I am looking for her is advice on if the creative labs cards and non-creative speakers play nice together and support each other.

*walks off mumbling, "why can't things just be easy"*

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 5:32 pm
by Seon MacRae
I've owned Altec Lansing, Boston Accoustics, and Yamaha speakers, and haven't had a problem with any of them. The Boston Accoustics were the best.

I've heard the JBL speakers are good as well, plus the "Creature" speakers look neat.
http://www.harman-multimedia.com/shop_l ... 8871&id1=2

Creative Soundworks makes good systems as well, and they have a broad range of systems and prices:
http://us.creative.com/shop/shopcategory.asp?category=4

Your best bet is to go to a store and listen to the different sets, then go with the one you like the most. I've found that speaker selection is highly subjective, and it's best to hear them in person before selecting the right set.

sound system

PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 4:56 am
by Ashuuk
paper cup and some string works great for me :P

PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:36 pm
by Seon MacRae
Dixie brand or generic paper cup? :D

Sound system

PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:50 am
by Ashuuk
Generic, dixie cups are overated and more expensive with 5 generic cups I get surround sound. Thats the price of one dixie cup. :P