Speakers - Analog or Digital?

[benbrown]

What's the positives and negatives of each? I currently have a 5.1-channel MidiLand S4 8200 system running off a Hercules Game Theater XP sound card and output box via an optical digital cable... but in three years, I've never properly configured the rear satellites or optical/digital connection with regards to being able to control speaker volume from software.

I'm moving to college soon and I'm simplifying to a high-quality 2.1-channel setup. I wouldn't mind simplifying my sound card to a newer technology that doesn't have the unneccessary-for-my-use external input/output box.

Highly-rated speakers like the Klipsch ProMedia GMX A-2.1 are analog... others like the Creative MegaWorks 250D have analog and digital input. What's the dilly?

 

[CSMR]

Digital speakers have an integrated DAC (and amplifier); analogue ones don't. Depends if you want your digital-analog conversion inside or outside. May as well use analog so you don't pay extra for the extra dac. If you want it for games, get an audigy; music go to head-fi for info.