• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Sound Cards

N

Nauseous

Junior Member
Whats a good sound card, im looking to buy one. Price range 50-100, i've heard good and bad things about creative. I'm stuck, could use a little help.
 
audigy 2 zs platinum is ARGUABLY the best sound card out right now. Notice I put "arguably" in big pretty looking capital letters. Some ppl have differing opinions as to which sound card is better for which purpose, but for overall usage, I believe the audigy 2 is tops.
 
Originally posted by: Connoisseur
audigy 2 zs platinum is ARGUABLY the best sound card out right now. Notice I put "arguably" in big pretty looking capital letters. Some ppl have differing opinions as to which sound card is better for which purpose, but for overall usage, I believe the audigy 2 is tops.
Click to expand...

I would agree, minus the platinum. Most people don't need an ugly box and the extra connectivity provided by the platinum.

But as far as general use (music, movies, games) the Audigy 2 ZS is an all around good performer for the money.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Connoisseur
audigy 2 zs platinum is ARGUABLY the best sound card out right now. Notice I put "arguably" in big pretty looking capital letters. Some ppl have differing opinions as to which sound card is better for which purpose, but for overall usage, I believe the audigy 2 is tops.
Click to expand...

I would agree, minus the platinum. Most people don't need an ugly box and the extra connectivity provided by the platinum.

But as far as general use (music, movies, games) the Audigy 2 ZS is an all around good performer for the money.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call it ugly by a long shot, and the remote is very handy... Headphone users are hardly rare, and the front-panel phono jack is worth it alone. All the same, many people claim that the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or the M-Audio card are better for music, and the Audigy 2 ZS is a bit out of your $50-$100 price range anyway.
 
Originally posted by: Gurck
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Connoisseur
audigy 2 zs platinum is ARGUABLY the best sound card out right now. Notice I put "arguably" in big pretty looking capital letters. Some ppl have differing opinions as to which sound card is better for which purpose, but for overall usage, I believe the audigy 2 is tops.
Click to expand...

I would agree, minus the platinum. Most people don't need an ugly box and the extra connectivity provided by the platinum.

But as far as general use (music, movies, games) the Audigy 2 ZS is an all around good performer for the money.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call it ugly by a long shot, and the remote is very handy... Headphone users are hardly rare, and the front-panel phono jack is worth it alone. All the same, many people claim that the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or the M-Audio card are better for music, and the Audigy 2 ZS is a bit out of your $50-$100 price range anyway.
Click to expand...

I would definitely call that ugly. I mean, it's a bunch of random freakin' holes in the front of your case. The ZS can be had for $80 off some hot deals and in the FS\FT forums.

And Gurk, it's the first port on the right of your control pod. 😉
 
Heheh yeah, seems like the breakout box provides it with a bit more power though.. .they (senn 280s) sound quiet and a bit clipped on my gw control pod. I guess it's a matter of opinion, if I could go back I'd buy it again.

As far as sound quality, I think the card's great, but haven't heard other high quality sound cards and likely wouldn't know the difference. Many audiophiles shun the Audigy cards though, there's a particularly vehement hatred for them among forum users at head-fi.org. Audigy 2 ZS reviewer at guru3d felt much the same.
 
I have a Audigy Gamer, bought some time ago. It works great under Windows, but not at all so great under Linux. And somehow I felt that the SoundBlaster 16 was "more musical". Comparation is wrong however, as the speakers were different for the two (passive for the SB16 and some crappy Genius 2.1 flat speakers for the Audigy).

Calin
 
I noticed some funniness in the sound from my GW control pod too, I thought it was just me...

Personally I think everything in the GW set aside from the satellites is crap. The sub is decent. The amp is awful, and the control pod is also awful. I need out.
 
I'll agree with you on the control pod, it's very non-ergonomic... I think the sub is pretty good, what are you comparing it to? A more expensive sub isn't a fair comparison; if we could afford it we'd all have uber audiophile systems, I think for the price it's fairly good. It's a bit of a mismatch for the sats, though you can just turn it down... If you've heard the Klipsch pm-u sub, how does it sound in comparison? I was sort of caught up between the two, finally settling on gw because I'd read many opinions that 7.1 >>> 5.1 for eax gaming (which I agree with).
 
Hrm, for the OP - what are you going to be using it for? Even those who knock the Audigy 2 admit, for the most part (and grudgingly), that it's one of the best cards for gaming. For music M-Audio seems to be the more favored card, though I think everything sounds great on the A2ZS.
 
Originally posted by: Gurck
I'll agree with you on the control pod, it's very non-ergonomic... I think the sub is pretty good, what are you comparing it to? A more expensive sub isn't a fair comparison; if we could afford it we'd all have uber audiophile systems, I think for the price it's fairly good. It's a bit of a mismatch for the sats, though you can just turn it down... If you've heard the Klipsch pm-u sub, how does it sound in comparison? I was sort of caught up between the two, finally settling on gw because I'd read many opinions that 7.1 >>> 5.1 for eax gaming (which I agree with).
Click to expand...

I was also caught between the Ultra's and the Giga's. I listened to the Ultras in person at a friends house and I was thinking, well, the Gigas have to be better than this. I think they are, but not by a lot. PC Audio offerings are just kind of underpowered for my taste.

I'm looking to move from the gigas up to maybe some active monitors in the $1000 range.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top