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What is "HERCULES GAMING THEATER XP"
- Thread starter Zebo
- Start date
yes,don't know,yes, search on google or www.neoseeker.com
you might also want to consider turtle beach st. cruz since it has better driver for win2k (if you use win2k).
you might also want to consider turtle beach st. cruz since it has better driver for win2k (if you use win2k).
wfbberzerker
Lifer
its a sound card
damn good one too, it has better sound quality than sound blaster live (the reigning sound card king)
if you couple it with some klipsch's, you will have dream-like sound quality
go for it
damn good one too, it has better sound quality than sound blaster live (the reigning sound card king)
if you couple it with some klipsch's, you will have dream-like sound quality
go for it
NelsonMuntz
Golden Member
IT is a sound card. It is rather expensive, but according to what I've read it might be the best sound card available.
It's a combo soundcard/breakout box, and it's gotten glowing reviews from all corners of the net. In particular, the headphone output is supposed to be second to none, for those who take headphone usage seriously.
Like someone else said, the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz has by far the best Win2K *AND* Windows XP support. It's one of the very few sound cards that works perfectly in WinXP. The Soundblaster Live, in particular, can be a pain to set up, and has harsh clipping and buzzing effects at times. Granted, I'm running 2526 (RC2), not the newest build (2535), but these problems have been around since Win2K was released, and I doubt Creative is gonna get off its ass and fix them before WinXP launches.
I haven't closely followed the discussion on the private WinXP newsgroups, but apparently the Hercules card has a problem where it screeches horribly on any WinXP system with over 256 megs of RAM. Search on Hercule's support boards for more info on that if it's a concern to you--apparently, though, Hercules *IS* officially developing official WinXP drivers for a "fall release."
Like someone else said, the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz has by far the best Win2K *AND* Windows XP support. It's one of the very few sound cards that works perfectly in WinXP. The Soundblaster Live, in particular, can be a pain to set up, and has harsh clipping and buzzing effects at times. Granted, I'm running 2526 (RC2), not the newest build (2535), but these problems have been around since Win2K was released, and I doubt Creative is gonna get off its ass and fix them before WinXP launches.
I haven't closely followed the discussion on the private WinXP newsgroups, but apparently the Hercules card has a problem where it screeches horribly on any WinXP system with over 256 megs of RAM. Search on Hercule's support boards for more info on that if it's a concern to you--apparently, though, Hercules *IS* officially developing official WinXP drivers for a "fall release."
Zebo
Elite Member
Sounds like a good card but is it worth $130? I would like to be able to hear movies in THX like at the movies you know. And I thought thats what they meant by the word "theater" in the product name. But according toSoundcentral it does not support a center channel and suuround?
<< Sounds like a good card but is it worth $130? I would like to be able to hear movies in THX like at the movies you know. And I thought thats what they meant by the word "theater" in the product name. But according toSoundcentral it does not support a center channel and suuround? >>
It has analog 5.1 outputs, so yes it supports a center channel and surrounds.
Regarding the Gametheater XP in WinXP, it's true it has problems. I had to limit XP to use only 256MB of ram to get it to work (and it did work perfectly...). It seems some people can now get it to work with more ram in XP RC2. Hercules knows about this, and they said they would release new drivers for the winXP launch. (they currently don't have any, people using XP use the Win2K drivers)
Like Marvill said, THX is only a label specifying a certain audio part has been tested and has been approved for the THX standard. It's not a sound format like Dolby Digital or DTS. You shouldn't base your purchase on THX, because there are better speakers that are not THX certified simply because the company making them didn't want to pay to get them approved. (THX is owned by George Lucas)
The Klipsch 4.1 speakers are good, but if you want "sound like at the theater", get true 5.1 speakers. Midiland makes a good speaker package that has a Dolby Digital decoder and doesn't cost too much. If you also want DTS, I think only Videologic Digitheatres have that.
The Klipsch 4.1 speakers are good, but if you want "sound like at the theater", get true 5.1 speakers. Midiland makes a good speaker package that has a Dolby Digital decoder and doesn't cost too much. If you also want DTS, I think only Videologic Digitheatres have that.
Zebo
Elite Member
<<
The Klipsch 4.1 speakers are good, but if you want "sound like at the theater", get true 5.1 speakers. Midiland makes a good speaker package that has a Dolby Digital decoder and doesn't cost too much. If you also want DTS, I think only Videologic Digitheatres have that. >>
This is getting expensive! I got my whole system for less than $600 [plus another $500 for monitor. And now you guys are telling me, in order to listen to movies with theater like sound, I will have to spend another $500+...? Is that correct?
Sound card- Theater XP or SB Live Pl. $130-170
Speakers- Klipsch 5.1 is $400 and I dont know about the midilands.
Also, is this right?
Surround sound is four channels ( left, right, center and mono rears) + sub
DTS is five channels + sub
Awesome sound is priceless! I think the $$$ i spent on my klipsch's was the best money ive ever spent in years. I've been been home for 3 weeks now and the first thing im going to do when i get back up to school is crank up that baby for about 4-5 hours straight.
Keep in mind. It's all about whats important to you. My friends ask me to reccommend different speakers and sound cards for them but its hard, cause when i say i spend $300 on my speakers, they ask if im crazy...
Now that ive said all of that 🙂 I was actually wondering if anyone knew which card would be best suited for pure music purposes (got a DVD player and a 35" tv in the living room now, so i dont think i'll be needin to watch movies on my comp).
I currently have a SB Live.
The ones i were lookin at were:
1)Hercules Gameing Theater XP
2)Acoustic Edge
I just want the best pure audio quality. Was wondering if anyone here has upgraded from the SB LIVE to something else and what the biggest differences you noticed were? Thanks... 🙂
Keep in mind. It's all about whats important to you. My friends ask me to reccommend different speakers and sound cards for them but its hard, cause when i say i spend $300 on my speakers, they ask if im crazy...
Now that ive said all of that 🙂 I was actually wondering if anyone knew which card would be best suited for pure music purposes (got a DVD player and a 35" tv in the living room now, so i dont think i'll be needin to watch movies on my comp).
I currently have a SB Live.
The ones i were lookin at were:
1)Hercules Gameing Theater XP
2)Acoustic Edge
I just want the best pure audio quality. Was wondering if anyone here has upgraded from the SB LIVE to something else and what the biggest differences you noticed were? Thanks... 🙂
Carbonyl, you can get a good 5.1 setup for less money than the Klipsch 4.1's.
First, "surround" would be 4.1 sound, which is 2 front speakers, 2 rears and a sub. Dolby Digital or DTS are 5.1 (same but add a center channel). Say you get the Klipsch 4.1, since they don't have a center channel, you would get the same sound as with a 5.1 setup (the DVD software decodes Dolby Digital, no DTS) from your 4 speakers and sub, but the software would emulate a center channel by using your 2 front speakers. This is what I have, and it's actually very good since you don't sit too far away from your computer and you don't notice that the sound for the center channel is coming from both sides.
If you want true Dolby Digital, forget the Klipsch and get a 5.1 speaker setup (which includes an external hardware Dolby Digital decoder). With this, you'll have a true center channel, and the decoding won't be done through software, but by the decoder. (you just hook up the decoder to the digital output on your soundcard and let it do the job...) Here are the Midilands I was talking about, the Midiland site seems to be down right now... They cost 199$. They won't play as loud as the Klipsch, but if your main goal is to get good sound for DVDs, then 5.1 is the way to go. There are also better 5.1 speaker sets, for example these ones have DTS decoding as well as Dolby Digital.
A few tips:
If you want speakers for gaming, music, and an occasional movie, get 4.1 speakers.
If you want the best sound possible for movies, get a 5.1 speaker set.
You don't NEED to get a Gametheater XP. I have one and I love it, but it is more expensive. A Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or Philips Accoustic Edge would also work just as good, you just won't have as many inputs/outputs. However, you'll need the Gametheater XP if you get speakers that support DTS, because as far as I know, it's the only card with DTS passthrough.
My recommendation:
You seem like you don't want to spend too much on this. I'd get a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz for the sound card, and Boston Accoustics BA4800 for speakers. They are almost as good as the Klipsch, and cost a fraction of the price. (around 120$ I think). If you want to go 5.1, then those Midilands 7100 are a good deal. The Klipsch are nice, but they're a little too pricey for computer speakers IMO, and they don't offer the versatility of a 5.1 setup.
First, "surround" would be 4.1 sound, which is 2 front speakers, 2 rears and a sub. Dolby Digital or DTS are 5.1 (same but add a center channel). Say you get the Klipsch 4.1, since they don't have a center channel, you would get the same sound as with a 5.1 setup (the DVD software decodes Dolby Digital, no DTS) from your 4 speakers and sub, but the software would emulate a center channel by using your 2 front speakers. This is what I have, and it's actually very good since you don't sit too far away from your computer and you don't notice that the sound for the center channel is coming from both sides.
If you want true Dolby Digital, forget the Klipsch and get a 5.1 speaker setup (which includes an external hardware Dolby Digital decoder). With this, you'll have a true center channel, and the decoding won't be done through software, but by the decoder. (you just hook up the decoder to the digital output on your soundcard and let it do the job...) Here are the Midilands I was talking about, the Midiland site seems to be down right now... They cost 199$. They won't play as loud as the Klipsch, but if your main goal is to get good sound for DVDs, then 5.1 is the way to go. There are also better 5.1 speaker sets, for example these ones have DTS decoding as well as Dolby Digital.
A few tips:
If you want speakers for gaming, music, and an occasional movie, get 4.1 speakers.
If you want the best sound possible for movies, get a 5.1 speaker set.
You don't NEED to get a Gametheater XP. I have one and I love it, but it is more expensive. A Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or Philips Accoustic Edge would also work just as good, you just won't have as many inputs/outputs. However, you'll need the Gametheater XP if you get speakers that support DTS, because as far as I know, it's the only card with DTS passthrough.
My recommendation:
You seem like you don't want to spend too much on this. I'd get a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz for the sound card, and Boston Accoustics BA4800 for speakers. They are almost as good as the Klipsch, and cost a fraction of the price. (around 120$ I think). If you want to go 5.1, then those Midilands 7100 are a good deal. The Klipsch are nice, but they're a little too pricey for computer speakers IMO, and they don't offer the versatility of a 5.1 setup.
Just one of the best damn sound cards I've owned. I used to have an awe64 back in the day and when I was looking for an upgrade the sb live just didn't handle it for me so I got an Aureal SQ2400, and that baby was nice. Unfortuneatly we all know what happened to Aureal so I was forced to get a new sound card because of support, but I'm sure glad cause I love my GTXP. It's gonna be even nicer when my klipsch promedia 5.1s come in on monday... damn you airborne express you tak too long!
Zebo
Elite Member
>>>
If you want true Dolby Digital, forget the Klipsch and get a 5.1 speaker setup (which includes an external hardware Dolby Digital decoder). With this, you'll have a true center channel, and the decoding won't be done through software, but by the decoder. (you just hook up the decoder to the digital output on your soundcard and let it do the job...) Here are the Midilands I was talking about, the Midiland site seems to be down right now... They cost 199$. They won't play as loud as the Klipsch, but if your main goal is to get good sound for DVDs, then 5.1 is the way to go. There are also better 5.1 speaker sets, for example these ones have DTS decoding as well as Dolby Digital.>>>>
How about the 5.1 Klipschses vs. Midilands? Do they include the external hardware decoder? Or will it be done by the sound card assuming I get the Santa Cruz? I not really sure what DTS is but all I really want is right, left, center, right rear, left rear and a subwoffer on all different channels...
>>>>You don't NEED to get a Gametheater XP. I have one and I love it, but it is more expensive. A Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or Philips Accoustic Edge would also work just as good, you just won't have as many inputs/outputs. However, you'll need the Gametheater XP if you get speakers that support DTS, because as far as I know, it's the only card with DTS passthrough. >>>>>>>>
How does the Gametheater XP compare with the Santa Cruz/Edge besides DTS (which I still dont understand) passthrough? I am getting more confused about this the more I read. 😉
>>>>>>My recommendation:
You seem like you don't want to spend too much on this. I'd get a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz for the sound card, and Boston Accoustics BA4800 for speakers. They are almost as good as the Klipsch, and cost a fraction of the price. (around 120$ I think). If you want to go 5.1, then those Midilands 7100 are a good deal. The Klipsch are nice, but they're a little too pricey for computer speakers IMO, and they don't offer the versatility of a 5.1 setup.>>>>>>>
Your almost right about not wanting to spend too much. I try and buy the best for the least in all my purchases. You know Price/Performance. But with monitors and speakers this is impossible since it's so subjective and every person will percieve the value diffently. With that said. I will go for the Santa Cruz if it ever comes in stock again at newegg. Thanks.
I am still leaning twards the Klipsch. But not the 4.1's the 5.1's. They have a center for around $400. I love Klipsch home speakers. I have a few sets. But $400 vs. $200...???
One thing though, I am sure that the original surround was 1 left, 1 right, 1 center, 2 rears mono, and a subwoffer???... My "old" (8 years) Onkyo "dolby surround sound"amplifier is like this?
If you want true Dolby Digital, forget the Klipsch and get a 5.1 speaker setup (which includes an external hardware Dolby Digital decoder). With this, you'll have a true center channel, and the decoding won't be done through software, but by the decoder. (you just hook up the decoder to the digital output on your soundcard and let it do the job...) Here are the Midilands I was talking about, the Midiland site seems to be down right now... They cost 199$. They won't play as loud as the Klipsch, but if your main goal is to get good sound for DVDs, then 5.1 is the way to go. There are also better 5.1 speaker sets, for example these ones have DTS decoding as well as Dolby Digital.>>>>
How about the 5.1 Klipschses vs. Midilands? Do they include the external hardware decoder? Or will it be done by the sound card assuming I get the Santa Cruz? I not really sure what DTS is but all I really want is right, left, center, right rear, left rear and a subwoffer on all different channels...
>>>>You don't NEED to get a Gametheater XP. I have one and I love it, but it is more expensive. A Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or Philips Accoustic Edge would also work just as good, you just won't have as many inputs/outputs. However, you'll need the Gametheater XP if you get speakers that support DTS, because as far as I know, it's the only card with DTS passthrough. >>>>>>>>
How does the Gametheater XP compare with the Santa Cruz/Edge besides DTS (which I still dont understand) passthrough? I am getting more confused about this the more I read. 😉
>>>>>>My recommendation:
You seem like you don't want to spend too much on this. I'd get a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz for the sound card, and Boston Accoustics BA4800 for speakers. They are almost as good as the Klipsch, and cost a fraction of the price. (around 120$ I think). If you want to go 5.1, then those Midilands 7100 are a good deal. The Klipsch are nice, but they're a little too pricey for computer speakers IMO, and they don't offer the versatility of a 5.1 setup.>>>>>>>
Your almost right about not wanting to spend too much. I try and buy the best for the least in all my purchases. You know Price/Performance. But with monitors and speakers this is impossible since it's so subjective and every person will percieve the value diffently. With that said. I will go for the Santa Cruz if it ever comes in stock again at newegg. Thanks.
I am still leaning twards the Klipsch. But not the 4.1's the 5.1's. They have a center for around $400. I love Klipsch home speakers. I have a few sets. But $400 vs. $200...???
One thing though, I am sure that the original surround was 1 left, 1 right, 1 center, 2 rears mono, and a subwoffer???... My "old" (8 years) Onkyo "dolby surround sound"amplifier is like this?
<< How about the 5.1 Klipschses vs. Midilands? Do they include the external hardware decoder? Or will it be done by the sound card assuming I get the Santa Cruz? I not really sure what DTS is but all I really want is right, left, center, right rear, left rear and a subwoffer on all different channels... >>
The Klipsch 5.1 are good, but they're a waste of money IMO. They DON'T have a hardware decoder, they use analog 5.1 inputs, so your software will do the decoding. You need a card with 5.1 analog output like the SC, GTXP, Accoustic Edge or a Live 5.1 to use them properly. They're better speakers than the midilands (well, they're louder for sure, but sound quality is kind of a personal thing), but I'd settle for the 4.1's if you want Klipsch because the 5.1 are not a very good buy from a price/performance standpoint.
DTS is a sound format like Dolby Digital. It's also 5.1, but has less compression than Dolby Digital. Some movies have a DTS track, but Dolby Digital is more common...
<< How does the Gametheater XP compare with the Santa Cruz/Edge besides DTS (which I still dont understand) passthrough? I am getting more confused about this the more I read. >>
The GTXP and SantaCruz use the same chip, so sound quality is the same. The difference comes in the features, outputs, inputs, etc... I've never heard the Accoustic Edge, so I can't really comment on it, but people say it's also very good. (they all kick SB Live booty, that I can tell you 🙂)
Passthrough is passing the undecoded sound stream (whether it be Dolby Digital or DTS) to an external decoder via the digital out (or SPDIF out) on your sound card.
<< I am still leaning twards the Klipsch. But not the 4.1's the 5.1's. They have a center for around $400. I love Klipsch home speakers. I have a few sets. But $400 vs. $200...???
One thing though, I am sure that the original surround was 1 left, 1 right, 1 center, 2 rears mono, and a subwoffer???... My "old" (8 years) Onkyo "dolby surround sound"amplifier is like this? >>
Like I said, I think you can do much better than the Klipsch 5.1 for 400$. The premium you pay over the 4.1's simply for a center channel is too much, and for that price, you still don't have "true" Dolby Digital.(that last part doesn't really matter I guess since software decoding is very good now, but I'd want a hardware decoder if I was paying that much) The Klipsch won't sound any better than another set of decent speakers, it's just they are very LOUD. You can almost get a Home Theater in a box for that price. I know JVC and Kenwood make good ones. Also, here's a site with a few reviews of computer speakers.
Since you want 5.1 sound, I'd get a Santa Cruz with a decent set of 5.1 speakers that have an external Dolby Digital decoder. These look like a good buy if you want a little more power.
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