Some Sound Questions

[ikickpigeons]

Hey im getting closer and closer to getting my final specs down for my new rig and im wondering if my speakers will be bottlenecked. Also i have some questions with sound card features and such. My speakers are the Logitech Z-680. Now ive read many reviews on these speakers but i dont really know what all these features are. Please tell me what they are and do.

Here are the features that come with it:
Built-in Dolby Digital and DTS hardware decoding, Dolby Pro Logic II decoding creates a 5.1 soundfield from two-channel sound sources, THX-certified theater quality digital sound, Digital SoundTouch Control Center

If i use my onboard audio from my mobo will i not be able to fully use these speakers and all of its features?MOBO

Ive seen on Creative's sound cards that they have a feature called EAX advance HD. Is this important? Is this needed? Does it imprive sound quality?

Lastly, are there any features that i should use or buy for this speakers so there pushed to their limit?

 

[wfbberzerker]

Built-in Dolby Digital and DTS hardware decoding, Dolby Pro Logic II decoding creates a 5.1 soundfield from two-channel sound sources, THX-certified theater quality digital sound, Digital SoundTouch Control Center

all that jazz you don't really need to be concerned with, its mainly for watching dvds and whatnot.

If i use my onboard audio from my mobo will i not be able to fully use these speakers and all of its features?MOBO

im not too sure about that particular mobo, chances are it wont support 5.1 sound, but that isn't really a huge problem unless you want it for things like dvds, again.

Ive seen on Creative's sound cards that they have a feature called EAX advance HD. Is this important? Is this needed? Does it imprive sound quality?

EAX (which i believe is currently in its 3rd generation) is technology made for games, basically, it allows game developers to add more realistic environmental sounds (like echoing caves, etc), but most games now support this type of thing without EAX, so i wouldn't be concerned.

Lastly, are there any features that i should use or buy for this speakers so there pushed to their limit?

well, if you're concerned about being able to push your speakers "to the limit," you should probably opt for a sound card instead of onboard sound. especially if youre shelling out the cash for z-680s. that way you can get 5.1 sound and really make use of your speakers.

edit: if you do decide to get a sound card, you should probably go for the sound blaster audigy 2, as it is the current 'standard' for sound cards.

edit 2: remember though, im not sure about that mobo, if its a relatively new motherboard, it will probably support at least 4.1 (if not 5.1) sound, so i'd wait for some other members to put in some input.

 

[ikickpigeons]

well on my motherboard it has an 8 channel audio support. so i guess i could plug in a 7.1 system?