Last speaker questions, really! 6.1 worth it for games? External Dolbydigital decoder, or just use audigy2?

[bigshooter]

I'm building a new comp, and although I won't have it for a little while (waiting for canterwood), I am going to upgrade my speakers now. I currently ahve an sb audigy, but its beign sold with most of the components to my rooommate. I figured I'd get an audigy2 platinum (not the EX, just the one with the internal connection box). The audigy 2 says it supports dolby digital decoding, dts, dolby digital ex, etc... It also has an extra output for 6.1 speaker systems.

Question 1.
If games pick up dolby digital soundtracks in the near future, will the audigy2 decode that dd stream, or will it just do dvd audio? (not sure why it wouldn't do both, just had to ask) WOuld I need to get a dd decoder box for the klipsch 5.1's or is that mainly for xbox, dvd player systems that don't have any kind of decoding solution of their own.

Question 2.
If the audigy will decode everyting on its own, should I just get the creative 6.1 speaker system? I heard its pretty decent, pretty powerful, and gives you that extra rear center speaker.
Or should I still choose between the klipsch promedia 5.1 and logitech z-680.

Question 3.
Don't know how big 6.1 audio for games would ever be, and there aren't many dd ex/dts es titles out there. Just to be safe, would getting the logitechs with dd/dts/pro logic II decoding built in be beneficial over getting the Klipsch plus dd5.1 box that only does dts and dd5.1? (the audigy may already do those two). Or are we back at question 1 where you don't even need a decoder, just plug the speakers into teh sound card and use analog out since digital out would only make sense if it's going into a decoder.



If answering all 3 in one answer is easier, go ahead. I asked kind fo the same thing in all the questions, but they are all concerns I have before plopping down a bunch of $$$'s for the klipsch, and maybe more for the decoder box. The main reason I'm even thinking of logitech still is the price and features, and teh creative 6.1 just came up when I found them on newegg.
General advice on this stuff is also appreciated. Can't wait until i reach indecision about hard drives and motherboards too. At least I can decide on ram, vid card, and processor on my own.

 

[StraightPipe]

I cant answer all that, but since no one else is even trying i'll tell you what I can

short and sweet, I havent seen any PC games with 6.1

 

[Nanuk]

Sorry if this doesn't help much. As far as I know there aren't even any games that trully suport 5.1 suround gaming.

One notable upcoming 5.1 game will be DOOM 3 (though I think id won't be using the EAX format because of unresolvable driver issues that Creative couldn't help them with).

But that aside, you'll only be able to use 5.1 for FPS games (duh! like you didn't already know that) RPG wise i think your audigy 2 will be fine because of low CPU utilization.

Speaker choice, it's up to you. I prefer the Kilpsch over the logitechs though. This is not out of bias though since I've listened to my cousin's Logitechs I ended up buying a set of Klipsch speakers since they sound a tad bit better. And nary have I heard and pops or hissess on my Promedia's even with the volume turned all the way up. With Warcraft 3 the quality was very impressive down to the drum sounds of the kodo beast. The clarity and crispness was extremely impressive! I suggest going to a store and giving the both a test run and let your ears decide for you. Or even better, if you have a friend or a relative who has one, play a game on it. Though was to what 5.1 surround game i don't know. Maybe a DVD movie like the Matrix might be a better choice.

The Logitech's blue leds are nice though, but that's an aesthetic choice. 😉

 

[Pariah]

If games pick up dolby digital soundtracks in the near future, will the audigy2 decode that dd stream, or will it just do dvd audio? (not sure why it wouldn't do both, just had to ask) WOuld I need to get a dd decoder box for the klipsch 5.1's or is that mainly for xbox, dvd player systems that don't have any kind of decoding solution of their own.

The Audigy 2 can decode DD onboard so no external decoder is necessary even if it is in game audio.

If the audigy will decode everyting on its own, should I just get the creative 6.1 speaker system? I heard its pretty decent, pretty powerful, and gives you that extra rear center speaker.
Or should I still choose between the klipsch promedia 5.1 and logitech z-680.

I'd wait for the just announced Creative Megaworks 6.1. They should be the best PC speakers in their price range including the Klipsch and Logitech.

Don't know how big 6.1 audio for games would ever be, and there aren't many dd ex/dts es titles out there. Just to be safe, would getting the logitechs with dd/dts/pro logic II decoding built in be beneficial over getting the Klipsch plus dd5.1 box that only does dts and dd5.1? (the audigy may already do those two). Or are we back at question 1 where you don't even need a decoder, just plug the speakers into teh sound card and use analog out since digital out would only make sense if it's going into a decoder.

The Audigy 2 does not decode DTS, it only has pass through, but with current software DVD players like PowerDVD and WinDVD is doesn't matter as they can perform the decoding. I wouldn't spend the money on a hardware decoder unless you're planning on a HT receiver.

 

[chizow]

I'd wait for the just announced Creative Megaworks 6.1. They should be the best PC speakers in their price range including the Klipsch and Logitech.

Yep, the specs on that look sweet, 600W I believe. But it certainly isn't cheap 🙁

Luckily, there's a combo rebate if you purchase from the Creative store. You might be able to do better with a B&M markdown along with rebate, but I'm not sure when retailers will get stock of the Mega 5.1 and 6.1's. I think the rebate is a total of $100 for the speakers and any Audigy 2, $75 and $25 if separate. Not 100% sure though, its stated clearly on the Creative store page. $400 for the speakers, $530 w/ A2, $600 w/ A2 Platinum, and $650 /w A2 Platinum eX :Q:Q:Q

You could actually do much better if you just wanted the A2 retail. Newegg has it right now for $82 shipped after $30 MIR. With the $75 rebate on just the speakers, you could get it for $325. You'd have one very sweet 6.1 system for ~$410 after $105 in rebates (not sure about Creative's shipping though).

Also, about 6.1, the A2 will upmix any analog source to 6.1 at all times, so going 6.1 isn't a waste by any means. I'm running 5.1 and its excellent, but I can't comment on the effect of the rear center channel.

Chiz

Edit: Link to Creative Store

 

[bigshooter]

thanks, guys. I guess I'll take a look at the megaworks 6.1's, but I might wait for a review. I'll probably still go with the klipsch, but the megaworks are definitely worth looking into.