Your sound card recommendation

Just looking for a good 5.1 sound card recommendation, looking to spend under 60 bucks.

~K

<recommendation>Its 448AM...go to sleep. </recommendation>

lol, I wish I could. I'm sure the boss man wouldn't like that.

sound for games or music?

ahh, mostly music limited gaming

if for sound...
http//www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1226632&Sku=C460-9004%20KIT&SRCCODE=SHOPPINGDF&CMP=OTC-SHOPPING
though i dont' know where you can get that card without the crappy headphones but those are the best music sound performance per dollar card i know of.. unless you can get lucky and grab an audigy 2 zs for cheap when the coupons come out every once in a while

does it matter if I'm only going to be runnin 5 speakers at the most? I'm lookin in getting one of the logitech either the Logitech Z-5500 505 Watts 5.1 Speaker or the Logitech THX Z-5300e 280 Watts RMS 5.1, not really sure yet or any other suggestions anyone might have for speakers. My roommate just bought the logitech z-2300 2.1's and they're pretty incredable.

I second the Chaintech AV720 suggestion, though there's no reason to buy it at Tiger Direct; try Newegg instead.

Is it worth getting the audigy 2 zs over the Chaintech AV720? I've seen a few good prices and wondering if it's worth it.

Get an X-fi for 130$, best sound available.

$130 for a sound card? hmm I just can't bring myself to it.

x-fi is a bit overrated but if you really need to squeeze that extra couple of fps out of a game you can get it and improve your performance

I was also going to recommend the Chaintech AV710 (I have one) but it's out of stock at newegg so you mind as well get it at TD. It's cheap and is great for music (some threads at AVS forum about the chipset) since it does kernel streaming. Only take the audigy if you do a lot of gaming, but I see a lot of people having problems with it.

the problem with audigy is that it has lots of junk installed with the software (according to friends who have audigy 2 zs) but i dont' even bother with a soundcard since the motherboard i have came with a decent 8 channel sound module

This is a pretty good deal for 7.1...
http//www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290232

http//www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290223&ps=hot0

hmmm... I hate rebates, they suck but that is a good price. I'm trying to determine if I want the 500 watt system or the 280 watt Logitech system. How much of a difference would sound quality be between the two cards?

wow.. that audigy 2zs really is unbelievably cheap... nice find

[quotee1e0f860f1="hairyferry"]hmmm... I hate rebates, they suck but that is a good price. I'm trying to determine if I want the 500 watt system or the 280 watt Logitech system. How much of a difference would sound quality be between the two cards?[/quotee1e0f860f1]

Get the Klipsch Promedia Ultra

PS Wattage means nothing

logitech's overall have very very good sound quality in my experience but they're kinda overrated/overpriced unless you get a good deal on them

[quote10f2cee726="Aurelius"]logitech's overall have very very good sound quality in my experience but they're kinda overrated/overpriced unless you get a good deal on them[/quote10f2cee726]

I think everything you said is opposite the truth wink

Overall logitech is rated as being inferior to brands such as Klipsch and Cambridge Soundworks (Creative). But then again, their price are around $100 lower for the top end comptuer speakers. Klipsch and Cambridge Soundworks have been known to produce speakers.

The speaker systems i've owned (In order)

Midiland 4.1
Boston Acoustics 4.1 Ba4800
Logitech Z-560
Creative Megaworks 550D (Cambridge Soundworks)
Klipsch Promedia Ultra
Altec Lansing MX5020 (Black Friday deal, couldnt resist)

I currently still own the Klipsch Promedia Ultra (used for desktop) and the Altec Lansing MX5020 (For laptop). My friend has my Megaworks 550D, though its still mine.

The MX5020 are ok speakers, but i would have to say the Klipsch sound better. But then again the prices dont compare. ($20 vs $300)

If you want a good 2.1 speaker system get the Altec Lansing MX5021, if you want 2.0 get the Swans (Awsome reviews)

If you want 5.1 i would recommend the Promedia Ultra 5.1, or the Gigaworks S700, if you can find it.

If you want a 7.1 setup your only option is the Gigaworks S750.

If you want a lot of bass power (Inaccurate) then Logitech is your choice. I admit, they have a lot of power, but when it comes to sound accuracy Logitech is last place.

Gaming=Logitech
Music/Some DVD=Klipsch/Cambridge Soundworks

Though if you were only deciding between the Klipsch and Cambridge Soundworks then i'd say if you want more bass go with Klipsch. If you want more sound accuracy (Classical anyone?) go with the Cambridge Soundworks. The Cambridge Soundworks has titanium tweeters, so it is capiable of producing better highs. The Promedia Ultra has a dual 8 inch sub, trust me, it gets ultra low.

I'll shut up now

compfreak you sure are a compfreak... Thanks for the info it'll help alot!!

hah... i think logitech is good sound quality for the price if you can find coupons and stuff that seem easy enough to get. and if you listen to rock music and nothign else like me than power is what you like! )

o and just to throw in that i play source when i have some spare time and there's nothing like really really strong bass and a sniper rifle

[quotec88002c905="Aurelius"]hah... i think logitech is good sound quality for the price if you can find coupons and stuff that seem easy enough to get. and if you listen to rock music and nothign else like me than power is what you like! )[/quotec88002c905]

<----

Pop
Classical
Christian

So yea, accuracy is a concern of mine

yeah, I'm a Pop/Christian too but I like my hardcore rock bass.... But then again the speakers and sound card aren't for me they're for the future wifey so she's more of the Christian/pop. Sniper rifles... hmm yes please!

[quotecaf71fdca5="hairyferry"]yeah, I'm a Pop/Christian too but I like my hardcore rock bass.... But then again the speakers and sound card aren't for me they're for the future wifey so she's more of the Christian/pop. Sniper rifles... hmm yes please![/quotecaf71fdca5]

Klipsch Promedia Ultra all the way then. It has good bass but also good vocals.

Yeah, I think I'll do that route, can you suggest any cheap sites to get em? I'm seein em on ebay for about $200

[quotef2782c445b="hairyferry"]Yeah, I think I'll do that route, can you suggest any cheap sites to get em? I'm seein em on ebay for about $200[/quotef2782c445b]

I got them off a freebie site, he accidently gave me paypal and the speakers, but i paid $150 back, so i technically paid $150 for the speakers.

If $200 is for a new system then thats an awsome price. I'd personally get it off Amazon for $300, but thats just me.