Should I keep my Fortissimo II?

[navalaviator]

I picked up a Hercules Fortissimo II last weekend, and while I am extremely impressed with the quality compared to the onboard sound of my motherboard, I don't know if I should keep the card. The reason is I paid $60 for the retail version at Best Buy, knowing that I can get an audigy or santa cruz oem for the same price from newegg. Should I return the fortissimo and order an audigy or santa cruz? I only have a two speaker setup w/ sub so 5.1 sound is not really an issue. Are there any other compelling reasons to get a different card?

 

[Sniper82]

Well if it was me I would just to say I had one. But you prob won't see and difference in sound quality going from it to the SC or Audigy. You have to ask yourself is it worth the effort just so you can tell your friends you have a SC or Audigy.

In a way it wouldnt be that big of a deal. Just order the card from newegg and take that one back there won't be much effort involved. I recommend the Santa Cruz over the Audigy though because there is alot of issues going on with the Audigy

 

[navalaviator]

One thing I really like about the fortissimo II is the ability to switch between headphones and speakers using the taskbar, is this option available on the audigy or santa cruz?

 

[Sniper82]

I really don't know I am a owner of a Phillips Acoutic Edge which I like alot because it has a option to hook 3 sets of 2.1 speakers(6 speaker 3 subs) giving great surround sound. Or you could hook a 4.1 setup for surround and use a 2.1 setup for your center speakers. Also the AE has the headphone option you refer to in the taskbar also. It has output mode headphones,2.1,4.1,5.0 and 5.1. I have never owned a Santa Cruz or Audigy but have heard nothing but good things about SC but have heard the Audigy has conflict issues like the SB Live had but once you got it going right it was also good.

 

[navalaviator]

Thanks for the info, I just ordered a Santa Cruz from newegg. You are right, it's not that much of a hassle to return the fortissimo and get a better card for the same price.

 

[RanDum72]

Another option would have been to get the OEM Fortissimo II at Newegg for $32. But since you already have the SC, then just have fun!