Is a PC sound card necessary?

[prism]

I'm looking at getting a Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 setup for my computer, but I only have onboard sound at the moment. Should I invest in a separate soundcard? Does it make that much of a difference? And if so, can I get some recommendations? Thankee

 

[Schadenfroh]

Do you want to place an emphasis on gaming or music?

 

[biggestmuff]

Is there anything wrong with your current sound output device?

 

[prism]

More emphasis on music, but I still play some new games here and there.

Nothing wrong with my onboard sound output.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

game acceleration is not all it's cracked up to be. if you're happy with the quality of the sound the on-board puts out, then you're all set.

 

[Oyeve]

If it aint broke dont fix it. On-board should be fine.

 

[LS20]

YES. a quality sound card will make all the difference. when i installed an M-Audio Revolution, it made worlds of difference over the on-board C-Media sound.

you dont have to spend lots of money to get good sound... theres a 25$ sound card out there with the Envy24 chipset ... i actually have it but cant recall the name, sorry

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: LS20
YES. a quality sound card will make all the difference. when i installed an M-Audio Revolution, it made worlds of difference over the on-board C-Media sound.

you dont have to spend lots of money to get good sound... theres a 25$ sound card out there with the Envy24 chipset ... i actually have it but cant recall the name, sorry

Chaintech AV-710

 

[LS20]

thats the one!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Is the Chaintech working in Vista alright yet?

 

[Kaido]

I demoed the ProMedias at Best Buy the other day...they're amazing! My wife gave me the OK to get a set

 

[Modelworks]

av-710 works fine in vista/xp/linux

 

[cheesehead]

ProMedia? Feh.

Go get some REAL speakers. For the price, you can do better.

Alternately, go get some good headphones.

 

[intogamer]

For 2.1 I guess you could do onboard. But if I had decent 5.1 speakers I would go with a sound card.

 

[tphss]

Which onboard chip do you have? Realtek?
Separate card does make a difference, but if your happy now you will be much happier with the new speakers your getting cause they sound great, and 2 channels are not worth for a seperate sound card if your on board is good enough for you.

Then again, if you're an audiophile... I never use on-board sound, all my computers have top-end separate sound cards.

 

[LS20]

the number of speakers should not detemrine whether you upgrade or not. its about the sound quality

 

[prism]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
ProMedia? Feh.

Go get some REAL speakers. For the price, you can do better.
.

I purchased a set on ebay for $75 w/shipping used from a reputable seller. I've read nothing but amazing reviews on these speakers. What would you recommend?

 

[imported_LoKe]

I'm using the onboard S/PDIF out on the Gigabyte 956P to hook up to my receiver which powers a bunch of Paradigms (7's, 3SE's, CC170).

Perhaps I should look into a new card.

 

[LS20]

if youre using digital out, and the receiver does the DA processing and amplification, then no need to get new card

 

[Deinonych]

Originally posted by: Prism

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
ProMedia? Feh.

Go get some REAL speakers. For the price, you can do better.
.

I purchased a set on ebay for $75 w/shipping used from a reputable seller. I've read nothing but amazing reviews on these speakers. What would you recommend?

I would like to know this as well. I've used a set of ProMedia 2.1 speakers for five years now. They provide excellent sound quality, in my opinion.

 

[bigpow]

I had 2 PM5.1 Ultra, for 4 months.
Klipsch Customer Support was excellent tho, they provided all the return shippings and finally gave up and refunded my money.

I really like their sound quality, but I'd be very nervous buying a used set from ebay.

At anyrate, check Klipsch own forum on PM issues - They make good speakers, just not electronics.

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: Prism

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
ProMedia? Feh.

Go get some REAL speakers. For the price, you can do better.
.

I purchased a set on ebay for $75 w/shipping used from a reputable seller. I've read nothing but amazing reviews on these speakers. What would you recommend?

Another VERY satisfied Promedia 2.1 owner.

feh yourself saying you can do better and not spilling it.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: LoKe
I'm using the onboard S/PDIF out on the Gigabyte 956P to hook up to my receiver which powers a bunch of Paradigms (7's, 3SE's, CC170).

Perhaps I should look into a new card.

Nah, that would be pointless. One of the problems with onboard sound is unwanted background noise (like hearing the hard drive reading through the speakers). This doesn't happen with an optical connection though. That's how I have my PC hooked up to my receiver and it sounds perfect. I got rid of my sound card and just use the onboard optical now.