Soundcard and Speakers?

[jimbofoxman]

Going to be building a PC here shortly. Last computer setup I got was back in 2000 and it was a SB Live Value and the 5 speaker (4 satellites and 1 sub) Cambridge Works.

The PC will be used mainly for photography, websites, photoshop and listening to music while in the room and some occasional gaming. I don't think I will need anything like 7.1 as I will have surround sound in my family room where the TV is and already have some awesome Klipsch bookshelf speakers and woofer.

So at first I was thinking the Creative A2 ZS Platinum, but only cause it had the $100 rebate. But then I said, that's overkill for what it will be doing.

So, what recommendations do you have for a card and speakers to crank up the tunes on?

THANKS.........

 

[Trippytiger]

For a cheap soundcard, the Chaintech AV-710 is worth a look. It's inexpensive but reportedly has a very good DAC, although I've heard tales of driver problems and the need for some tweaking to get the best sound out of it. If you're not after anything special, though, then you may well be satisfied with the onboard sound.

For speakers, the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 (or 2.1, if you're after more bass) get very good reviews, and I don't believe they're too pricey.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Yeah, for music a 2.0 / 2.1 set would be where to put your money. The Chaintech card would be a good choice for music and would let you spend the majority of your budget where it really matters, the speakers.

What's your budget?

 

[cr0ssfire]

As far as the sound card goes, I'd look around for a good deal on a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS or an X-Fi Xtrememusic. The ZS has been priced pretty well recently, and the Xtrememusic is being discontinued, and I think there have been some pretty nice rebate deals on them lately. I don't know if they're still around or not. Either card should do very nicely for both music and gaming.

And in regards to the speaker, I bought myself a set of the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 after hearing them in Best Buy, but ended up taking them back because I thought the bass was a bit muddy and the highs were too harsh. But of course, you may think of them differently than I would, so I recommend going to Best Buy and listening to them yourself. If you like them, buy them; they're a good cut above the stuff the usual suspects - Logitech, Creative, Altec Lansing, etc. - put out. But if you're looking for a really nice setup for some music listening, I highly suggest taking a look at the Diva Swan M200 studio monitors currently available only through Newegg. They're what I ordered to replace my Klipsch Promedia 2.1's. They're more on the size of bookshelf speakers, but they're supposed to sound downright heavenly compared even to the Promedias. Look them up in Google and you'll see what I mean...

If you're interested, I'll be doing a full-length review of the Swans once I get them and posting it here, so look for that on these boards by, say, this coming Monday.

 

[43st]

This maybe depends on if you're a radio listener or not but... I'd recommend the Tivoli Model 2 for your PC speakers. It has a stereo mini "mix-in" so you can listen to the radio with PC sounds still playing, or radio only with the PC off, or as PC speakers only. They also look better than any PC speakers you'll find.

For a sound card I'd probably look for a cheap Creative Audigy 2 or similar, on-board sound if you're less picky would probably work also.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: 43st
They also look better than any PC speakers you'll find.

I dunno... the M200s are pretty hot

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836136102