Sound Card ~ what's a good one?

[Thor.]

I got A Pioneer HD receiver with Composite and component upscaling. http://forums.nexusmods.com/public/style_emoticons/dark/teehee.gif Edited November 2, 2012 by Thor.

[kalikka]

OCN's Most Recommended Audio Products

 

I am using Xonar DG with Beyerdynamic DT-770Pro/80ohm headphones, and Xonar D1/DX with Behringer MS40 Speakers.

Never get an expensive coundcard if your speakers/headphones arent hifi/semi-hifi. Xonar DGX is more than enough for logitech cans.

Edited November 2, 2012 by kalikka

[Thor.]

I really suggest High end headphones like Sennheiser

 

http://www.sennheiser.ca/live/

 

Best headphones on the market today

 

the model i have

 

http://www.sennheiser.ca/live/senn/produit/en/1331/57

Edited November 3, 2012 by Thor.

[FMod]

Ehr... Why don't we wait for the OP first to tell us what he needs specifically?

 

P.S. What, these are better than Grado GS1000? :teehee:

Edited November 3, 2012 by FMod

[Korodic]

Well O.o I was looking for a decent 2.1 since I dont have the time or space for a 5.1 in my room.

[FMod]

2.0 is usually better than 2.1. Almost always. Although not as compact, but cheap subs tend to do more harm than good.

 

1) How much space do you have on your table?

2) Do you have somewhere to place an amplifier or a receiver?

3) Does your display have HDMI, what size is it?

4) What's your total budget? Both card and speakers. Presuming it's more than $200.

[Korodic]

my display is 24" and has hdmi. I have PLENTY of desk space, but prefer to keep it as compact as necessary (if possible). Depends how big of a receiver you're talking about.

 

I dont really have a particular budget, but would prefer to keep it around 200-ish for the speakers. The sound card is something I was considering asking for at christmas since my parents are always asking me to come up with a gift idea (when I already have more than I need - first world problems lol).

[Thor.]

You could just get a receiver and go 2.1 that way, depends on how big the amp is, but you don't need a amp if your just going with 2 speakers. Of course if you want bass that is.

 

Always the receiver way is the best way, because in the future if you ever want to upgrade its the best way. or have room. http://forums.nexusmods.com/public/style_emoticons/dark/thumbsup.gif

 

My Office isn't all that big, but i have my tv and receiver in the same room, with a sweet glass console table that matches the size of a 42 inch tvhttp://forums.nexusmods.com/public/style_emoticons/dark/teehee.gif thats wall mounted. Good way to save space that way.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2012 by Thor.

[FMod]

my display is 24" and has hdmi. I have PLENTY of desk space, but prefer to keep it as compact as necessary (if possible). Depends how big of a receiver you're talking about.

They are all pretty large. Usually you put them somewhere other than on the table. They're designed to be placed on a shelf, part of a stand or rack.

A receiver I can recommend is this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120194

 

If you have HDMI, you can connect your receiver to the video card via HDMI and plug both the monitor and the speakers into it. Unfortunately I'm not sure if this receiver can be operated in lag-free bypass mode. I know Denons and some Onkyo models (not sure about this one) can. It will matter if you play competitive multiplayer games (Counter-Strike etc).

 

No matter, though, because if there is lag, you can connect the receiver to your onboard digital instead or maybe do a trick with two HDMI outputs. Onboard digital might introduce sound glitches. It also might be completely bug-free, and most time is, you just never know in advance. Video card's HDMI sound is reliable.

 

With a receiver you can skip buying a sound card altogether and just use receiver's own DAC. It's convenient, higher quality than most sound cards, and it's one less analog cable, which is one less thing to go wrong. Two if you count the sound card. It will also add flexibility if you ever decide to connect a game console, a player or something else to it, or extend your system to have more speakers. 5.1 is gimmicky, but 4.0 makes a big difference in games.

 

 

I dont really have a particular budget, but would prefer to keep it around 200-ish for the speakers. The sound card is something I was considering asking for at christmas since my parents are always asking me to come up with a gift idea (when I already have more than I need - first world problems lol).

Well then. Can you then just buy a pair of speakers, tell them you are looking for a second-hand amplifier to drive them, and ask them for a receiver, particularly that receiver?

 

Don't skimp on size too much. With speakers, size matters - having a solid pair (6.5" single bass driver or 5" dual driver) means you can have deep bass without need for a subwoofer. Cheap subs can really ruin the sound and you don't want to know the prices for ones that don't. Stereo with good drivers is better.

 

How much bass a driver can put out is determined by its displacement (diameter^2*pi/4*throw, just like an engine cylinder), and, much like with cars, "there's no replacement for displacement". Almost all modern speakers max out gains through cabinet construction and travel length already, so it comes down to driver diameter or multiple drivers.

 

 

 

Back to practice, I can recommend this pair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290269

It only has as much footprint as the smaller pair you picked initially, but it's taller, and it's a newer model. Its layout should put the tweeter (the small dome playing higher frequencies) closer to your ear level, which is where it should be. Added height reduces the interference with table surface, the lowermost speaker should mostly handle bass extension.

 

There are also alternatives from audio brands that aren't on newegg: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mission-MX1-Bookshelf-Speakers-Cherry-50-Off-/140688368589?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item20c1ae23cd

Versus Polk 45, it's a matter of preference, these look cooler. However you can't put them right on the table, they need something to stand on. So if you put them right on the table, the former pair (Polk 45) will do better.

 

For something better further, you could search for a pair of used Monitor Audio Bronze or Silver speakers. This is a solid step up, but they're mostly found in UK and Europe, not US. Ebay and other online sites are one of the better places to look, e.g. this query: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_kw=Monitor+Audio

This way will take more effort, but it will pay off. Don't worry about being second-hand, speakers readily last for decades without degrading, especially from this brand (they don't use relatively short-lived materials like paper). However, again, it's best for these not to stand right on the table due to acoustic reflections from its surface.

Edited November 4, 2012 by FMod

[Thor.]

My Speakers put out good bass, and the amp is Awesome actually the deep lows and quality is astounding for the size.

 

Funny the price they are asking for mine is dirt cheap compared to what i paid for them

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/...=item3f1c0f2f45

 

Highly recommend them

 

I bought two more seperately, came with a basic receiver that i took back for an upgrade.

 

http://www.audioholi...n-dht-1312ba-fl

 

Around 900 watts

good thing i took it back the receiver was under powered for the speakers, the speakers alone where 114'ish watt per channel, the receiver i have is a little overpowered but still acceptable 140 watt. It doesn't mean anything much for the speakers, you can overpower them a little bit, by 40 watts. Over that then your risking something.

 

The specs of the site is wrong http://forums.nexusmods.com/public/style_emoticons/dark/teehee.gif

Edited November 4, 2012 by Thor.