Is the onboard sound good enough?

[jfelano]

My Dad is finally joining the computer world. We got him a refurbished Dell Core 2 Duo desktop. The monitor does not have speakers, so I need to get him some speakers.

My question is, he likes to listen to classical music, can I get a nice 2.1 system with a subwoofer or is the onboard sound not good enough for that?

 

[sathyan]

No, onboard sound is not good enough for listening to classical music. Get a USB DAC to go with your speakers. What's your budget? What speakers are you planning on?

 

[Midwayman]

Pffft. Onboard sound is fine for 99.99999999% of people. Unless you're some crazy audiophile just spend the money on speakers.

 

[Childs]

Onboard sound should be fine. You can always add a sound card later if its not good enough.

 

[BurnItDwn]

the amplifier/speakers will make MUCH MUCH more difference vs the sound card.

What kind of budget is he looking at for the sound?

If it's over $3000, then I'd say it's worth buying a dedicated sound card.
If his budget is below $3000, then put every penny towards speakers/sub/amp.

If he's trying to do it on a smallish budget, a T-Amp with a pair of stereo speakers and a home theater subwoofer might be a better option than prepackaged 2.1 computer speakers ... but likely would be much less costly vs going with a reciever, or seperate amp + preamp.

 

[Childs]

the amplifier/speakers will make MUCH MUCH more difference vs the sound card.

What kind of budget is he looking at for the sound?

If it's over $3000, then I'd say it's worth buying a dedicated sound card.
If his budget is below $3000, then put every penny towards speakers/sub/amp.

If he's trying to do it on a smallish budget, a T-Amp with a pair of stereo speakers and a home theater subwoofer might be a better option than prepackaged 2.1 computer speakers ... but likely would be much less costly vs going with a reciever, or seperate amp + preamp.

The OP did say they bought a refurb Core 2 Duo, so I'm thinking the budget is fairly low. And when he is asking about a sound card, I think he is thinking something like a Xonar DGX or other $50ish sound card solution.

 

[BurnItDwn]

The OP did say they bought a refurb Core 2 Duo, so I'm thinking the budget is fairly low. And when he is asking about a sound card, I think he is thinking something like a Xonar DGX or other $50ish sound card solution.

Yah, or maybe he's already got speakers he plans to hook up ...

With a pretty low budget, a T amp and a pair of low end high sensitivity speakers can sound damn frickin good

 

[MongGrel]

Just to through it out there.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PassPro150/

I've a large system all ready, but if wanted something smaller from scratch might try those out myself.

 

[Number1]

Just to through it out there.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PassPro150/

I've a large system all ready, but if wanted something smaller from scratch might try those out myself.

That's a PA system. LOL

OP, sound from the PC should be fine.

 

[MongGrel]

That's a PA system. LOL

OP, sound from the PC should be fine.

Yes, yes it is.

 

[Morbus]

No, onboard sound is not good enough for listening to classical music. Get a USB DAC to go with your speakers. What's your budget? What speakers are you planning on?

Actually, it kind of depends. Onboard sound will be perfectly fine for all those cheesy powerpoints and youtube classical musics that people usually listen to... Unless you are a true music listener, and that means having proper quality audio files, onboard sound is perfectly fine. And even if you have high quality music files, it's still perfectly fine if you listen to basic music with few instruments. Piano tracks? Onboard is fine. Quartet tracks? Sure.

Now, full on orchestras? Get yourself a nice set of speakers and a dedicated soundcard, and you won't regret it.

 

[jfelano]

The OP did say they bought a refurb Core 2 Duo, so I'm thinking the budget is fairly low. And when he is asking about a sound card, I think he is thinking something like a Xonar DGX or other $50ish sound card solution.

Right on. I think most people who read my post went way overboard with my question. I think I'll just get him a logitch 2.1, he doesn't need anything fancy he does have a high end stereo system.

We didn't see any reason to buy him anything any better since it's his first computer. Thanks for your help everyone.