Sound Blaster Live Value vs The More Expensive Cards?

[Maezr]

How much of a difference is there, really?

I'm a tad strapped for cash at the moment, but I REALLY need a soundcard. I really can't see anything justifying spending more than 100$ on a sound card, but eh. Anyway, any recommendations for a card?

 

[Oyeve]

Well, I have said many times here that I can barely hear the dif from my Sb live platinum 5.1 and my SB Audigy. And I have excellent hearing, been tested near perfect. You can get either card for well under a hundred bucks so there really is no problem in choosing. My best card was the SB Awe64 Gold. I loved that puppy! Anyway, go for the audigy OEM. I see them around all over for like 60 bucks or so. If you can find a used SB live 5.1 here for under 40 bucks, its a good deal.

 

[Electric Amish]

It doesn't matter, it's still a soundblaster.


Get a Santa Cruz and leave the SB crap behind. 🙂

amish

 

[Mem]

<< Well, I have said many times here that I can barely hear the dif from my Sb live platinum 5.1 and my SB Audigy >>



I have both SBlive & Audigy and CAN hear the difference between the two,background hiss is way lower,the sound is more detailed(like in CS) and you can pick up more sound info around you,btw mine is connected to 4 hi-fi speakers and amp.






<< I really can't see anything justifying spending more than 100$ >>



why not go for OEM Audigy or Santa Cruz?

Both are excellent cards and you will get lots of different opinions on which is better but the bottom line is they are both great sound cards,the Santa Cruz has excellent drivers while the SB Audigy has lower CPU usage during gaming.
My opinion of the SB Audigy on drivers is they never gave me any problems & are simple enough to install(my cat could do it 😉) however Santa Cruz drivers are updated quicker and are excellent with great stability.

 

[Biggs]

Strapped for cash you say? Then the CMI8738 is a perfect alternative!

 

[Rhapsody]

On Unreal, my two Audigy's have crackle; the SB Live don't. Anyone know why?

 

[mikable]

<< Well, I have said many times here that I can barely hear the dif from my Sb live platinum 5.1 and my SB Audigy. And I have excellent hearing, been tested near perfect. >>





What kind of speakers do you have? Excellent Hearing medeocre speakers maybe? The Audigy has a nice increase in sound quality, but your speakers might be the limiting factor.

 

[Ausm]

<< Strapped for cash you say? Then the CMI8738 is a perfect alternative! >>



I Agree I have that same chipset on my Asus P4S333 mobo and it rocks nusing my Klipsch 5.1's!! The best part of it is the cost !!


Ausm

 

[Oyeve]

<< What kind of speakers do you have? Excellent Hearing medeocre speakers maybe? The Audigy has a nice increase in sound quality, but your speakers might be the limiting factor. >>



My 4 speakers are Infinity reference, my center is an infinity entracenter, my sub is a 400watt pinnacle. My receiver that this is all connected to is an Onkyo TX-DS696. Pretty decent stuff I think. For headphone I use a set of denons HD-750 I think. I never said I couldnt hear any difference, I just dont hear a substancial difference. Its a good card but I went from the Sound blaster 5.1 platinum to the audigy, it wasnt as big a diffrence as I expected like say, going from an SBPro to a live platinum.

 

[mikable]

<< My 4 speakers are Infinity reference... >>



heh, ok good setup I guess 😀 Duno, I went from a live platinum to the audigy on a comparable setup. I noticed a nice increase in quality. The sound is (to me) noticably warmer and cleaner, and I like that! I thought the Live was to dry, and digital sounding with a slight hiss.

Anyhow Maezr, this is a VERY subjective area. you have to listen and determine whats best based on your ears! Maybe the local comp. shop will let you listen to a few setups?

 

[yg17]

if you look on ebay you can find an SB Live for under 50 bucks if you're really low on cash and desperatley need a sound card