What's a good sound card and a good speaker?

[Dj-Icer]

I'm thinking of changing my sound card. Its 2 years old. For me, the sound was okay but I don't know whether there are differences quality performance sound card available in stores. So what's a good sound card brand? And what does it actually delivers, other than sound?
Another, I might want to change my speaker too. I've seen and known altec lansing and all of them stuff, but I want a very good one. I want a cheap one but I don't mind if I had to get costly ones.
So what's a good speaker brand?

I say stick with Altec-Lansing. They've always been the best in my opinion. You will find other people that swear by Klipsch and Logitech as well. I've never heard a Logitech system, and the Klipsches I've heard weren't very impressive to me.

As for sound cards, I'd suggest and Audigy 2. Again, opinions will differ on that. I've had good luck with the Audigies for all sorts of things, from gaming to audio recording.

Good luck with your search.

BTW, is that Shinji, or the kid from Oh My Goddess? Been a while since I've seen them, but it's gotta be one or the other. Or it could be the kid from Video Girl Ai too.

[Dj-Icer]

That is what I thought about, Altec-Lansing. Lots of people using'em, so I was like, you know, wanting to have a bit of taste of something different here at my office Nevermind.
To me, all sound cards are merely have the same quality performance. I'll have a good look at it here.

You know it? He is Shinji from Evangelion movie, one of those robots alien-alike. I've always love watching the anime. To me, its an incredible movie. Yet, there a lot more to come in Japan
Oh My Goddess and Video Girl Ai are It's alright.
The goat on your avatar, is that some kinda 'Slipknot'?

Hah, no the goat is from The Smashing Pumpkins.

I was pretty sure that was Shinji (Eva rocks), but wasn't positive.

Honestly, if you just need a soundcard to play music with, I've got an AOpen I paid $20 for brand new and it works perfectly. I don't notice any sound quality differences between it and my Audigy. It's An AOpen AW-850.

On that note, you'll notice sound quality in your speaker investment long before you'll notice it in your soundcards.

It doesn't sound like you are looking for a big surround sound system. I'd recommend getting one of the ATP3 systems from Altec. They're not too pricey, they look good, and true to Altec, they get stunning reviews. I think I've seen on bad one, but it was more about the looks than the sound.

Hope this helps.

-Whir

Some food for thought.

[311Sam]

This is a good deal right here:

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...mid=&pfp=srch1

No, it certainly isn't for a card like that. But if you're not going to be using surround sound, why drop the money on a good surround sound card?

This is what I have, and it works pretty well in all my surround capable games (I have the Altec 641 4.1 system). It supports 2, 2.1, 4.1, and 5.1 modes.

However, if you need something that supports EAX natively, get the Santa Cruz.

[Dj-Icer]

Surround sound? That would blow up my room I'd like to have it and that would be at home. I can't put it in here

I'm thinking of just like what you said, getting the surround sound card. A good speaker like you said, altec. Currently, I'm using original/normal speaker. Which is quite good. It doesn't have a woofer, so when a drum comes to action, I don't feel much of the power out of it Sometimes the sound beat burst. Except for my car, well its a cheap action. I don't really care that much about my car audio, just for my computer that I care.

I've spend a lot of while from you guys send me those weblinks. Thanks people, i'm observing and surveying, which is good Arigato guzaimashita.

[shrae]

I'd definitely go for the 621s if you've decided on Altec Lansing and don't want a surround system. Very impressive build - mylar drivers. Very rare for computer systems to use "acceptable" materials for drivers... Decent midrange size and differing treble/midrange drivers, which are very important criteria for good sound reproduction.

I'd have to agree, Shrae. The only downside of the 6xx series is the subwoofer. The thing is a monster. It's the size of a normal mid-tower ATX case. For me, it's not a problem, but a lot of people don't have that kind of space lying around.

I'd like to pick up a set of the ATP3 to see how well they do. Possibly for a portable sound system for audio mixing, etc. If you get the ATP3, DJ, let me know how they sound.

[dr_roberts49]

The CompUSA in my area (Columbia, Maryland) is selling the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz with a $40 instant rebate, which brings it to $39.99. It's great card, even at the full pop price.

Robert