Sound Card ~ what's a good one?

[Korodic]

Well after I read a review where creative was having this issue with SLI it has me scared, since I eventually plan to use SLI... So can someone point me to one or more good sound cards for under the $200 (preferably)?

 

I just want something that can do my new rig more justice ;D

 

I also am thinking of replacing my speakers too. They sound like a helicopter blade spinning when no sound is playing and it's annoying.

[FMod]

What's the point of spending more than around $0 on a sound card if you don't have decent speakers?

It all sounds the same on cheap speakers.

 

I've had SB 16, Audigy 2 ZS, X-Fi EP, never caused any issues with CF and SLI, don't put too much stock into one review.

[Korodic]

my speakers: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/home-pc-speakers/speaker-system-z523

 

that low crackle thing is fairly newish. not as noticeable if there at all when sound is present.

[Thor.]

Speaking of speakers, if ya have the Money invest in the z5500 speaker system, full 5.1, 1000watt.

 

http://reviews.cnet....7-31115626.html

 

Of course i upgraded sense then to a true HD reciever and speakers. can't beat HDMI when it comes to quality http://forums.nexusmods.com/public/style_emoticons/dark/teehee.gif

 

Also can't go wrong with creative.

Edited November 2, 2012 by Thor.

[FMod]

Any plastic multimedia speakers (that includes anything ever from Creative, Logitech, or other computer brands) are worthless as far as sound quality is concerned. If you feel fine with them, that's fine, but there's no point spending money on a discrete sound card.

 

And there are far better options for $400 anyway, even for less. Unfortunately it's all heavily locale-dependent if you want it cheap. Look for anything with wood or more precisely MDF cabinets that you're comfortable with in terms of price.

[Thor.]

Larger isn't always better, Logitech is a good make, the only thx certified speakers i have ever come across, even thx certified receivers are hard to come by.

[FMod]

"THX certified" doesn't mean sound quality, it's really mostly just a way for Lucas to make some cash on the side. You'll find plenty of studio grade components that are not THX certified.

 

When speakers are concerned, none of the computer brands is even close to decent. There's sound coming out, but it barely reminds of the recording that was sent in. Visit a home audio store and hear for yourself, it's day and night.

 

You know good equipment, so let me provide an analogy... Buying Creative or Logitech speakers just because they make good sound cards and peripherals is like saying "Well, Intel makes the best CPU, so I'll go with Intel graphics, who needs these Nvidia and ATi upstarts". You must realize how mistaken such a reasoning would be. It applies to sound even more.

 

Even a cheap pair like this should sound better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405

 

 

But seriously speaking, this would be a good starting set to build 5.1: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290205

Four of these and a amplifier will set you right up. Add a center and a sub later, a center is optional and you probably won't even need a sub.

 

Polk is a good make, right on the lower edge of hi-fi audio, and Newegg seems to have some ridiculously undercut prices on this model for a few days.

 

If you want something smaller, look at other speakers in the "home audio" category. Make sure these are two-way speakers, wood (MDF) cabinets, usually boxy. A subwoofer is very optional, once you get proper speakers, you'll have a chance to reevaluate whether it's still needed for your system.

 

 

If you post your maximum total sound budget, for both sound card and new speakers, locale if not North America (Europe and Asia have different brands), space availability (how large you want to go) and whether you prefer stereo, 4.0 or really need 5.1 (stereo will have best music quality, 4.0 is good for everything, 5.1 will either cost more or sound worse), I should be able to suggest or put together a complete set.

Edited November 2, 2012 by FMod

[Korodic]

The polk speakers are looking pretty good. especially with the price cut. Though the polk speakers here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=82-290-200) are said to not come with cables... where would i get the needed cables? How exactly does that plug into a sound card...? Also, remember in the OP I pointed out creative's supposed issue with SLI, can anyone else here confirm it?

 

Sorry for so many questions, trying to master a new field of info here :)

[Thor.]

I suggest Boston Acoustic, they ave zero rattling. in some bookshelf speakers you have to be cautious of the plastic rattling do to the speaker amp causing vibration in the casing itself. You have to be aware that price does matter-and quality. you can't just pick up any bookshelf speakers and not have issues..

 

Boston acoustic has really good sound quality reproduction to.

 

coming from me i own 7 of them http://forums.nexusmods.com/public/style_emoticons/dark/biggrin.gif

 

nearly 200$ a piece

 

Depends on the model. what it looks like without the casing

 

http://www.bestbuy.c...dc4801501c4en02

 

They are not the model i have, but close enough to what they look like.

Edited November 2, 2012 by Thor.

[FMod]

Boston Acoustics is another decent home audio brand... surprised that you'd be promoting plastic products while having a proper setup yourself. As for Polk vs Boston, they're comparable, it comes down to price.

 

 

SLI: I use SLI (2x680) and a Creative card (X-Fi Elite Pro), no issues noticed. Nor were there any with older setups.

The polk speakers are looking pretty good. especially with the price cut. Though the polk speakers here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=82-290-200) are said to not come with cables... where would i get the needed cables?

These are home audio speakers, they don't come with cables or a built-in amplifier. So you plug an amplifier or a receiver (~same thing, a receiver has built-in DAC) into your sound card, then connect speakers to the amplifier. Cables are bought separately, don't need expensive ones, it's a pretty small-ticket item.

 

For receivers, if you are going to build a 4.0 or 5.1 system eventually, get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120194

If you are content with stereo, a two-channel amp will do: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882177020

The Onkyo is a pretty good unit and it's better, but not necessary to spend extra if not doing a multichannel build.

 

Do you have room for a receiver? If not, you'll need speakers with integrated amps. If 5.1 is planned, better try and find room for a receiver, for stereo there's plenty of decent integrated options.

 

For sound card I'd suggest X-Fi Titanium, it has all that you need, there's very little competition to it.

 

edit: Also, if you're buying a receiver, you might not need a sound card at all and use the HDMI connection on your video card. The receiver will do the job. X-Fi Titanium will still give slightly better quality, but games are increasingly moving down to software sound. So quality difference becomes too small to bother and you can save some money that way.

Edited November 2, 2012 by FMod