Sound Advice

[Dida]

I am building a PC, mostly for games, a little bit of TV watching and DVD's and general applications (word for typing legal documents, etc).
I would like some advice on the sound system. On my old pc, I have a SB Live Value sound card, and some Altec Lancing 4.1 speaker. I want to go definitely higher than that. My motherboard already has an onboard AC97 7.1 sound. I would like to know whether putting in a good sound card would make any difference in sound quality.
I am not a big sound person, so I probably won't use the advance features on the card. Plus, I would like to hook up ordinary stereos to the PC rather than buying another set of PC speakers, because PC speakers tend to be overpriced for their performance.

 

[Zelig]

There's a noticable difference in using a real soundcard, especially if you're running a good set of speakers.

I can't agree with all computer speakers being overpriced for their performance, you'll have a real hard time finding a similarly priced system to match the sound quality of either the Klipsch Ultra's or Creative S750. For the rest of the computer systems available, your comment stands though.

Personally, I've got an Audigy 2 ZS card using modded Audigy 4 drivers and a set of Klipsch 5.1 Ultras with a pair of Boston Acoustics CR67 speakers to replace the front two satellites and an extra sub wired up. Awesome sound quality I get out of this, though it is pretty pricey compared to most peoples' computer sound setups.

 

[Dida]

I checked out the Audigy 2 ZS cards, they have many set ups, like Audigy 2 ZS Value, or Platium, or Platium Pro, with prices ranging from 50 to 200. Would the sound quality differ much from the value to the Platium Pro? The Price difference is quite large.

So far, on paper, it looks like the ZS Value for $50 and Audigy 2 ZS for $70 are my best bets. The Platium, or Pro or Gamers Edition probably has features that I don't need.

There aren't that many 7.1 speakers around, 2 are by creative, the Gigawork and Inspire, I think the Inspire won't be too nice, since it has only around 70 Watt, but the Gigawork is extremely expensive.

Maybe I should go with a 5.1 set up, which would be a lot cheaper.

 

[Zelig]

The plain Audigy 2 ZS, or OEM version is probably your best bet if you're looking at that line. The value version has poorer sound quality, while the platinum and pro versions just have the front panel and jazz included.

7.1 is basically overkill IMO... especially for music, as it's mostly best in stereo anyway.

Sorry, but you won't be getting any recommendations from me for cheap speakers... the least I would ever go with myself would be either the Klipsch 5.1, or the Creative 5.1 set. (same as S750, without the 2 extra sats)
I'd get some decent headphones if I didn't want to spend more money... poor sound quality just grates on my ears since I've started listening to higher end setups.

 

[cidknee]

well I have a smaller set for my pc... like the one im gonna show, but only a 2.1..
heres the one I want.. wife forbids it though
Klipsch make the best speakers as far as Im concerned for pc's

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=003413&cid=SP

 

[Dida]

I think I am getting the Audigy 2 ZS card for sure, as for speakers, I am thinking the following:
Logitech THX Z-5300e 280 Watts RMS 5.1 Speaker - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121121
CREATIVE G500 310 Watts RMS 5.1 GigaWorks ProGamer Speaker System - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836116160

Or, maybe the Creative S700, which is about $100 cheaper than the S750, but can be upgraded later, or the Klipsch PROMEDIA ULTRA 5.1 speakers.

 

[Zelig]

The Creative set there is easily the better one. Logitech speakers have boomy bass, but the actual sound reproduction is quite poor.

Would it be possible for you to get to somewhere where you could listen to the speakers before you buy them? I always demo speakers before purchasing... bear in mind that if you do this, the bass in the higher end setups (especially the Klipschs) will sound more subdued if you're demoing them in a large store such as best buy, because of the increased balance of sound they have.

The Klipsch set can be "upgraded" as well. I've swapped the front two satellites for a pair of Boston Acoustics speakers that are normally around $250/pair.