Should I get a sound card?

[z0mb13]

I am currently using the on board sound on my mobo to output sound to my LCD TV using hdmi.

Will the sound come out better if I get a sound card? or it wont make any significant difference?

Thanks!

 

[Denithor]

Most likely very little difference, as long as you've got onboard HD audio.

Now if you're using an old (2+ years) motherboard you might notice an improvement.

 

[Sacraster]

since you are using digital output, i doubt you will notice any difference. upgrade to sound card if you are using analog output.

 

[somethingsketchy]

Unless you are a really big audiophile, you will not notice a difference with onboard audio and a separate sound card.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: somethingsketchy
Unless you are a really big audiophile, you will not notice a difference with onboard audio and a separate sound card.

More precisely, you might notice a difference if you have medium to high-end gear, regardless if you are an audiophile. But HDMI is tough to improve upon.

However, you cannot go much lower in sound quality than what you have now, so it's a moot subject...your TV speakers will probably sound just as good if using an old Sound Blaster PCI 64 (rebranded Ensonic) as they would with the latest whiz-bang sound card.

 

[z0mb13]

hmm ok
so If I want to get better sound, I need to get standalone speakers and then it would be beneficial to get a sound card?

 

[corkyg]

Stand alone speakers AND a standalone preamp/amp system.

 

[0roo0roo]

unless you have awesome speakers no.

your speakers should cost multiples of your soundcard.

 

[starfireone]

High end motherboards will normally give you a pretty decent embeded sound card. And for that matter even some mid range motherboards too. Digital sound can be greatly improved via an amp system...but you need to invest in an upper end 5.1 computer speaker system with surround sound to get the best HD audio. Always look at the RMS and Watts on a surround sound speaker system too...the higher the better and louder sound you will hear. Bottom line....look at buying better speaker system and not another sound card.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: starfireone
High end motherboards will normally give you a pretty decent embeded sound card. And for that matter even some mid range motherboards too. Digital sound can be greatly improved via an amp system...but you need to invest in an upper end 5.1 computer speaker system with surround sound to get the best HD audio. Always look at the RMS and Watts on a surround sound speaker system too...the higher the better and louder sound you will hear. Bottom line....look at buying better speaker system and not another sound card.

I'd like to know how digital sound can be improved via an "amp system"...

Also your claims about power are occasionally true but are no guarantee of sound quality or overall volume.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Also your claims about power are occasionally true but are no guarantee of sound quality or overall volume.

If using crap speakers like Sony, that is correct. If using decent speakers such as DefTech or Klipsch, that is not correct.

Decent RMS and clean power produces more volume without driving the speakers nearly as hard. You can get the same volume from a low-end amp, but the speakers are being driven harder, so when you crank it up, you get clipping.

so If I want to get better sound, I need to get standalone speakers and then it would be beneficial to get a sound card?

No. Get an amp that has HDMI inputs and outputs, and get decent speakers. I've been using the onboard SigmaTel on my Bad Axe II for over two years now, and it's connected via toslink to a Z-680 system: sounds great, just as good or better than my old Audigy 2 in my secondary machine.

Considering the quality of today's onboard chips, the primary benefit for a standalone sound card is EAX65 or whatever...you won't be using that for an HT unless you plan to play a lot of games.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: starfireone
High end motherboards will normally give you a pretty decent embeded sound card. And for that matter even some mid range motherboards too. Digital sound can be greatly improved via an amp system...but you need to invest in an upper end 5.1 computer speaker system with surround sound to get the best HD audio. Always look at the RMS and Watts on a surround sound speaker system too...the higher the better and louder sound you will hear. Bottom line....look at buying better speaker system and not another sound card.

I'd like to know how digital sound can be improved via an "amp system"...

Also your claims about power are occasionally true but are no guarantee of sound quality or overall volume.

think he just means a separate amp/speaker system, not cheap computer speakers.

 

[Siddhartha]

I built a low ball system about six years ago with the plan of using the mb onboard sound card. I noticed a difference in sound quality and started using a stand alone card. I have a medium quality system using the onboard sound card and the sound quality is acceptable.

Try the onboard system and get a sound card if the sound does not meet your expectations.

 

[z0mb13]

Hmm ok if I decide to get decent amp and speakers, how much cost outlay am I looking at?

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
Hmm ok if I decide to get decent amp and speakers, how much cost outlay am I looking at?

That depends on your definition of decent. It's like choosing between a Q9550 and an i7-920...what do you need, what is nice to have, and do you think about the future?

After that, prices vary greatly. Nobody can really give you an estimate. For example, it took me almost ten years total to piece together my HT system, primarily cuz I bought when the price was right for the gear I wanted. Probably my best purchase was the BP AIW speakers for the insane clearance price of $260 after tax...for a pair. Most people who paid around $550 thought they were getting a good deal.

I haven't paid retail on any component in my system, so giving you an estimate...especially without knowing your tastes...is wild-ball figures. You probably want to spend some time at a place like Magnolia Hi-Fi comparing stuff, and hang out at AVS for awhile.

 

[feraltoad]

If money isn't a problem get a sound card. Like others I don't think you'll notice a difference, but I have a sound card and I like having it. I had an old mobo and my sound card did make a noticeable difference. Haven't tried the onboard audio on newer mobo since I have the soundcard, but I'm sure it wouldn't suck like the old value board. I would definitely get a surround sound system before getting a sound card. Even a home theater in a box from Onkyo will be kick ass and you will NEVER NEVER watch a movie without it. Seriously. Just spend to your budget and you'll be happy no matter what since it will be miles better than the TV speakers. Check out Crutchfield and Amazon to see what people have to say about the products in your price range and it will give you a good idea of what to expect.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Slugbait

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Also your claims about power are occasionally true but are no guarantee of sound quality or overall volume.

If using crap speakers like Sony, that is correct. If using decent speakers such as DefTech or Klipsch, that is not correct.

Decent RMS and clean power produces more volume without driving the speakers nearly as hard. You can get the same volume from a low-end amp, but the speakers are being driven harder, so when you crank it up, you get clipping.

My point is that just because a speaker is capable of handling more power, whether from an excellent speaker company or a crap one, does not guarantee it will sound better than one capable of much less power handling.

Same with amplifiers, having a amplifier that can put out a clean 500W is no guarantee of sound quality of the overall system.

This is why I was stressing not taking power as the standard of quality of a sound system.

 

[Slugbait]

nm...waste of keystrokes

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Slugbait

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Also your claims about power are occasionally true but are no guarantee of sound quality or overall volume.

If using crap speakers like Sony, that is correct. If using decent speakers such as DefTech or Klipsch, that is not correct.

Decent RMS and clean power produces more volume without driving the speakers nearly as hard. You can get the same volume from a low-end amp, but the speakers are being driven harder, so when you crank it up, you get clipping.

My point is that just because a speaker is capable of handling more power, whether from an excellent speaker company or a crap one, does not guarantee it will sound better than one capable of much less power handling.

Same with amplifiers, having a amplifier that can put out a clean 500W is no guarantee of sound quality of the overall system.

This is why I was stressing not taking power as the standard of quality of a sound system.

specs lie
http://www.dansdata.com/speakersets.htm
scroll down to the z560 review/tear down. old but still applies as ever.