Sound card choice and speaker question

[Spike]

Ok, I recently got the Logitech Z-560 speakers and I must say, I am very impressed. they sound awesome and deliver lots of bass. now I am looking at upgrading my sound card. I am currently running a Sound Blaster Live value. Everyone I talk to says they are ok cards, but defintly not the best. I have been watching newegg and I now see that the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz and the Sound Blaster Audigy are both about the same price $61 Which one should I go for? I don't have any firewire devices, so I don't need the port. I do a ton of gaming and DVD watching, so maybe that will help.

Now for my second question. Due to my desk and room, I cannot setup a true 4.1 system. I have my 2 front speakers and either side of my monitor, and then my other 2 speakers just a bit farther out to the side of those, so basically I have all 4 in front of me. When I listen to MP3's it almost sounds better to use M3D and adjust the fade so that only the 2 front speakers are really used, when I go to all 4 the music sounds kinda hollow. Is this because MP3's are only 2 channel? What do you other z-560 users reccomend for setup? If you can, I would love to hear what your fade levels are at both on the control center and in your software. Thanks

-Spike

 

[dpk777]

I had to do a little rearranging to accomodate for my 560's...
the rear speakers are pretty close to my back, but as long as i adjust the fade properly it sounds fine.
is there really no way to get those rear speakers behind you?

I'd say just play with the fade and see what sounds best.

 

[ojai00]

I'd say go with the Santa Cruz because they have better driver support. I saw a previous post where a member ask a question about the Santa Cruz and Logitech Z560 setup. Santa Cruz and z-560 killer or what? Hope this helps.