New Sound Card/Speakers

[williams22]

Hey, I've got a pretty good computer right now that im looking to upgrade even more. I have downloaded a few thousand songs and I owuld like a nice sound system to play them. What card should I get and what speakers do you reccommend?

[tonyromen]

I got an audigy 2 platinum and a set of logitech 540s. Alot of guys here will bash on the audigy, but i chose it because I do some home recording and it came with cubase vst...and i play video games, and it came with hitman2, and soldier of fortune2, and that live drive cant be beat.

I also picked up a set of $100 sony headphones for the real precise stuff (and because they are real comfy)

-t

the question is how much are you willing to spend?

sound cards and speakers can range up to 300+ bucks

[tonyromen]

oh yeah...forgot to ask that...

-t

[EndobioticChaos]

If you can afford it, and want some real kick-ass sound get the Logitech Z-680s. They'll sound good even with a poor sound card.

For a sound card I'd recommend the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. Not as new as the Audigy, and not quite as many features perhaps, but it's incredibly easy to install and plays nice with your other hardware. It's also got very nice pure sound.

[goldenbuddha]

I'd go for the Klipsch 5.1s if you really want to blow the cash, or the 4.1s and 2.1s if you don't want to spend all that much.

As for sound card, I use to use Creative stuff, but recent years they have gotten bloated and so I have switched over to Turtle Beach. No regrets there, the cards are great, and they do just what they need to do, play clean great audio.

[Redwolf]

Sound cards=Depends on what you want it for. The AC97 integrated sound on motherboards is usually more than enough, unless you want MIDI. If you want GOOD MIDI support, get either a Roland card or a Soundblaster card w/Soundfont Support (the Lives and Audiologies have that).

Speakers - Logitech and Klispch make the best speakers, by far. I suggest going down to Best Buy and listening to the difference to see which you like the best.

[jerrygarcia]

I had that question back in December. I went with the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz and Klipsch ProMedia 4.1

I love the sound!

If you watch Circuit City, you can pick up the Klipsch for $150.00 like I did. The TBSC will run you around $60.00.