Hercules Gaming Theater XP or Sound Blaster Audigy 2?

[Nolan75]

My system is a P4 1.6A with 1GB RAM and a GF TI 4200 128MB and I have onboard sound with an Albatron PX845PEV PRO, and a set of Logitech Z640 speakers. I was looking at getting an upgrade from the onboard sound and have pretty much narrowed it down to the Hercules or the Sound Blaster from the title. I was wondering about peoples experiences with these two cards and whether there is a real difference performance wise between them. Cost wise there is only a $3 difference between the cards at Newegg.

Nolan

 

[Corporate Thug]

i really like game theater XP

 

[PliotronX]

I'd go with the A2; better SQ, better game support, etc.. But if you need digital I/O, go with the Herc.

 

[Brian48]

Unless you really need the breakout box, the Audigy2 is the better choice, even at the additional expense. I've had a Herc GTXP before and I would never opt for it over the A2. The A1 yes, the A2 no.

 

[Nolan75]

^

 

[BentValve]

Audigy 2 is the best gaming card by a long shot.

 

[Mem]

Another vote for Audigy 2,btw you can find the OEM version of Audigy 2 cheap online, so that`s what I would go for if I was replacing my sound card.

 

[spclwpns]

I recently 'dumped' my old gtxp after quite some time of faithful service. The A2 simply sounds better and out-performs the 'old' workhorse...... It's too dated to consider imho 😉

 

[XBoxLPU]

Originally posted by: shady06
i really like game theater XP

Ditto

The breakout box is very useful

And well I got tired of Creative

 

[billyjak]

Listened and installed both, Audigy 2 is much better to my ears.

 

[Atlantean]

I have a hercules game theater xp, and would have to recommend that because I have never tried the audigy 2, though some of my friends have the audigy gamer and it sounds pretty good on their speakers.