Best sound setup for $200? Best for $300?

[ChrisIsBored]

I'm building a new gaming rig, so I'd like some nice sound. Last time I really ever thought about buying sound cards was back when the SB Live Value was the best thing(price & performance). So now I need some recommendations.

I need a sound card + speakers. A 5.1 setup would be excellent but not necessary. If I can get better a better 4.1 system for the same price as an OK 5.1 I wouldn't mind going with the 4.1

I have two options, spend $200 or less on speakers + soundcard, or possibly a higher $ going with spending up to $300.

Hopefully someone can recommend some good setups in my price range.

Thanks

 

[|TOAST|]

I have heard nothing but good things about the Santz Cruz 5.1 sound card (sorry don't know which model since I have Audigy Platinum) and its very affordable (don't quote me on this one but I believe you can get it for $40-60). For speakers I'd get the Logitech Z560s (a 400 watt THX 4.1 surround sound set that goes for $130+). The bass is heavy when needed (ie: games and DVD's) and these speakers are better than my stereo 300 watt system. For the center channel I just used my last set of speakers from my old computer... a 50 watt 2.1 sollution. just turned the two stereo satellites on their sides infront of monitor and directly next to each each (make sure they are shielded since the EMR fields will "goof" your monitor output otherwise). The bass on the 2.1's isn't really used but is there for deep voices (not that I really need more bass but good 2.1's can be found for $35+. Just make sure your sound card has 3 outputs --> 2 front stereo speakers, 2 rear surround sound satellites and a center channel out. I'd recommend this setup since Just buying teh Klipsch 5.1 THX 500 watt solution would cost about $400 and would yield less bass (Logitech designed a long "U" reflex "horn" to lengthen the resonance pathway for a much stonger - 188 watts - , crisper and well pumped out bass sound IMHO). The klipsch solution is out of your budget and doesn't yeild a sound card either. You make the call and here's a link to find out more about the Logitech Z560's

 

[tsnyder]

I have a SB Audigy platinum... the best part is the drive in the front. The sound quality is decent for the most part, but I'm running WinXP and a few games have some serious issues with sound popping. I've narrowed this issue down to Windows not giving the particular program high enough resources. By going into Task Manager I can give the program "high" or "real time" priority which seems to solve the problem.

I don't know what kind of system you're planning on building but I was very impressed with the sound quality on the integrated 6 channel audio that comes with the Soyo Dragon +. The board comes with Coaxial and Optical outputs so you have just as many ouput options as you would with the creative card. The best thing though was, I didn't experience these same sound problems I had with the audigy. IF you want the most for your money I think this motherboard is one of the best... you get quality sound, raid, and ethernet.

I wouldn't usually suggest onboard sound, because most of it sucks... but this would be an exception.

If I were purchasing a sound card my first choice would be a white box Audigy,
2nd Phillips Acoustic Edge
3rd Hercules Gaming Theater XP

I bought my Audigy at www.newegg.com

 

[tsnyder]

oh... and as far as speakers go, I've been very impressed with my Monsoon MM700 speakers. I bought them at CompUSA for $99 with a rebate. There's a newer model out now that is supposed to be a bit better. I have a klipsch home theater system (RP5,RC3,RS3) and I still think the monsoon speakers sound great (for pc speakers). I personally think it's ridiculous to spend up to $400 on pc speakers like the promedias... you might as well buy a cheap home theater for that kind of money. You should think practically about pc speakers... after all most of them have some major compromises compared to home theater speakers.

 

[E3Art]

i just bought some Klipsch 2.1 pro audio speakers, it comes with 2 speakers and a powered sub that delivers more power than most 5.1 systems. I got it at bestbuy, you can go to bestbuy.com and compare it with most other speakers and decide what you like. They cost $179 Its a little on the expensive side but there really awesome.

 

[NotoriousJTC]

I'm moving from a SB Live! Value and a pair of old KOSS HD-100 speakers to the TB Santa Cruz and Logitech Z-560's.....

This seems like the perfect move for me, the Z-560 are great sounding and are a great deal for it's price, not to mention they have headphone jacks on the Sound control tower, which is perfect for me. The wall mountability of the rear sat's are also a plus. Going to the Santa Cruz should eleviate the problems i had with popping and static when i ran my SB Live with XP.

 

[NotoriousJTC]

dbl post.

 

[|TOAST|]

also the fronts are just as easily (exact same) wall mountable

 

[ed21x]

sorry to go a bit off topic... but did anybody else notice a slight drop in sound clarity when upgrading from Windows Me to XP? It seem,ed to have happened to me...

and for your question, the SB Audigy DE and Logitech z560's should be the best combo to have in terms of price and performance

 

[in2speed]

I have a couple questions. How long are the speaker wires for the rear speakers with the Z560's? I would prefer to get rear speakers with 3' to 5' height tripod pedestals, but I have a shelf to put them on if the wires will reach 15' or longer. The rear speakers would end up being about 8 or 9 feet behind me.

Also, with the C-Media 5.1 chip on the Soyo Dragon Plus (and other boards), can this be operated without a center speaker?

I am tempted to go with ProMedia 2.1's. My thinking is that two great speakers plus a sub will sound better than 4 or 5 mediocre ones. I listen to music - I'm not a gamer (yet) and I don't want to watch DVD's in my office, so a surround system may be useless.

For 2 channel (stereo) music, what soundcard would have the best qualitiy? I am an audiophile, so AC97 is out.

All comments would be appreciated. Just don't flame me because I don't play Quake3.

 

[Shuelessjo]

Sound card: SB Audigy oem $60
Speakers: Cambridge Sound Words Four Point Surround 2000 (FPS 2000) Digital $149

That would be a sweet setup.



Joseph

 

[erikiksaz]

from what i hear, those z560's are pretty good, but IMHO, i'd go for headphones, but that's just me. I wouldn't buy any creative speakers over those z560's or klipsh's.

 

[Byte]

I have klispch, they are great, but not for everyone. FPS2000 are alright, but the new ones they have for $99, i think it's 5.1 are even better and hard to beat the price, are they called inspire or something?. A lot of mags rave about the Labtec Pulse for $50, i feel it's super crap after listening to them at my friends house. Haven't heard the Logitechs yet, though i'll try them soon. Where can you find a sound card with 3 outputs?

 

[Shuelessjo]

<< I have klispch, they are great, but not for everyone. FPS2000 are alright, but the new ones they have for $99, i think it's 5.1 are even better and hard to beat the price, are they called inspire or something?. A lot of mags rave about the Labtec Pulse for $50, i feel it's super crap after listening to them at my friends house. Haven't heard the Logitechs yet, though i'll try them soon. Where can you find a sound card with 3 outputs? >>



They have 2 newer sets of speakers out for less $$$ than the FPS 2000 Digitals. The DTT 2200 5.1 and the Inspire 5.1 5300. Both are about $100. I have heard them both and they SUCK. They have horrible sound compared to the FPS 2000 Digitals. They just dont compare in quality. The ONLY advantage they have over the FPS 2000s is that they have a passive 5.1 setup. So if you have an SB Live or Audigy you can have 5.1 surround sound when you are watching DVD movies.


Joseph

 

[silent tone]

<< but I have a shelf to put them on if the wires will reach 15' or longer. The rear speakers would end up being about 8 or 9 feet behind me. >>


I don't think the wires are that long, maybe 12'. Though they're not shielded or anything so replacing them with equal quality wires would be cheap.


<< Where can you find a sound card with 3 outputs? >>


The santa cruz has an extra jack in addition to it's front and rear stereo jacks. It can be used as an analog/digital output or analog input.