Ideas for good speakers, and good sound card for good price

[bthizle1]

Well, all i need now for my system i put together is a good sound card, and some nice speakers, for a good price...also i need a modem but thats another story.

[Hi Ho]

How much do you want to spend on the speakers and sound card? There are different price ranges. The best of the best are the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1's. In the midrange I would recommend the Logitech Z-5300's. In the "lower end" there are the Logitech Z-640's. The Z-640's are by no means bad speakers but there is a definite difference in performance (and price) between those and high end speakers like the Klipsch's. As for a sound card, it's the same kind of deal. A low end card would not be any better than the onboard sound on the motherboard. I generally recommend trying the onboard sound first to see if it satisfies you. If it doesn't you can get a sound card. However, if you want to get a sound card from the start I would recommend going with at least an Audigy LS and if you want the best, and Audigy 2 ZS. There is also the Audigy 2 ZS Gamer Edition which includes several full games such as Halo, Rainbow 6, and Splinter Cell.

[bthizle1]

heres what im looking at right now for the sound card

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 PCI Sound Card -RETAIL

Model# 70SB006003007 Item # N82E16829102173
Specifications:
Channels: 5.1
DSP: EMU10K1
Max Sampling Rate: 48kHz
Hardware Decode: Dolby Digital
Hardware Polyphony: 64 Voices
Digital Audio: 16-bit
PC Interface: PCI
Connectors: Analog/Digital Out (Analog Center & Subwoofer/6-channel S-PDIF Output),Line In,Microphone In,Line Level Out (front) / Headphone Out,Line Level Out (rear),MIDI / Joystick port,Telephone Answering Device In,MPC-3 Analog CD Audio In,Digital CD Audio In
Special Features: EAX, DirectSound 3D
$29.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-173&depa=0

[bthizle1]

and for the speakers, those ones you recommended i like...I guess theyl do, low end or not.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...121-104&DEPA=0

[bthizle1]

And how about this sound card with those speakers?

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy ES PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0162" -OEM
Model# 70SB016200000 Item # N82E16829102166
Specifications:
Channels: 5.1
Max Sampling Rate: 96KHz
Signal-Noise Ratio: 100dB(SNR)
Digital Audio: 24-bit
Polyphony: 1024 Voices
PC Interface: PCI
Connectors: Analog Out, Line-in, Line-out, Mic-in, GAME/MIDI(See Details)
Package Contents: See pics
Special Features: EAX Advanced HD, DirectSound 3D, Dolby Digital®

$43.99

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-166&depa=0

[Hi Ho]

The Sound Blaster Live is old technology and would not offer any improvement over the onboard sound. In fact, if might even be a downgrade. You would need to get at least an Audigy LS to justify the cost of a sound card. With rebate, the Audigy LS is the same price as the SB Live right now anyway. The Z-640's aren't low end speakers. They are low priced speakers. They perform very well. If they didn't I wouldn't be using them. (I'm an audiophile )

EDIT: You posted while I was typing. The Audigy ES is the OEM version of the LS. There are no differences other than the fact that you can't download updated drivers for the ES. I learned this after purchasing an Audigy ES. I am very happy with it and the drivers from the CD work fine but the fact that I can't download updates in the future bothers me a bit.

[bthizle1]

how about these speakers...these are a little nicer then the others, and only a lil more pricey.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...121-115&DEPA=0

[Hi Ho]

I have never heard those in person but my guess is the drivers in the satellites are the same as those in the Z-640's which would mean they would sound about the same. The only difference seems to be an extra speaker which I don't think is really necassary.

[bthizle1]

Ok, here is was I have right now for the Sound card, and the speakers:

Sound Card:
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy LS PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0312" -RETAIL
Model# 70SB031200007 Item # N82E16829102160
Specifications:
Channels: 5.1
Max Sampling Rate: 96KHz
Signal-Noise Ratio: 100dB
Digital Audio: 24-bit
Polyphony: 1024 Voices
PC Interface: PCI
Connectors: Analog Out, Line-in, Line-out, Mic-in, GAME/MIDI(See Details)
Package Contents: See pics
Special Features: EAX Advanced HD, DirectSound 3D, Dolby Digital

Price: $44.99 Mail-In Rebate: -$15.00
Final Price: $29.99

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-160&depa=0


Speakers:
Logitech Z640 5.1 Speakers -RETAIL
Model# 970073-0403 Item # N82E16836121104
Specifications:
Configuration: 5.1
Power Output: 71.2 watts RMS(Satellite speakers power output: 45.5 watts RMS;Subwoofer power output: 25.7 watts RMS)
Frequency Response: 35Hz - 20,000Hz
Signal To Noise Ratio: >75dB
Remote: Remote via center speaker
Features: Experience Dolby Digital sound for music, movies and games, Innovative, dual-chamber subwoofer delivers twice the bass energy of similar subwoofers, Magnetic shielding in speakers protects your equipment

$49.99

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...121-104&DEPA=0

[Hi Ho]

Looks good to me. I have the same sound card (OEM version) and speakers and I am very happy with them.

[kram 2.0]

That's the combo I have - they sound awesome.

kram

[bthizle1]

Alright, thanks ALOT guys..I really appreciate it.

[Tin]

you made a great purchase. i have an LS along with Z-640s and couldnt be happier. the LS sounds far better than my onboard sound.