SoundBlaster Audigy...

[studtrooper]

I was just wondering if there was a significant difference between the original Audigy and those super expensive Audigy 2 ZS (or whatever)? I might be able to find an original 5.1 Audigy Gamer edition for cheap, which is the basis for this question. Thanks.

[thecoalman]

Well for one the ZS will play DVD audio and I'm not referring to the kind found on DVD's if that makes any sense.

[ViRaL1]

Audigy = 5.1
Audigy 2 = 6.1
Audigy 2 ZS = 7.1

The Audigy 2 will play DVD-Audio as well.

[rallynavvie]

Don't the ZS versions have later versions of EAX hardware on them as well? I'd only get the one with the breakout box though, I love those things

[thecoalman]

EAX, DTS & THX, I got the plane Jane one but I think they are all the same except for the accessories.

Edit: THX certified..... Guess it's an award

[ViRaL1]

The Audigy 2 (non ZS) has EAX DTS (-ES I believe) and THX.

[studtrooper]

Well for one the ZS will play DVD audio and I'm not referring to the kind found on DVD's if that makes any sense.

Highly aware of DVD Audio (and the fact that it is a format that doesn't seem to be catching on). I think I'm just gonna go with a regular Audigy for now since I don't have enough room for 7 freakin' speakers in my PC area. Thanks for the input!

[thecoalman]

Highly aware of DVD Audio (and the fact that it is a format that doesn't seem to be catching on).

Yes, the masses are more than happy with CD quality or even MP3

[shoozleboy]

Either that or they are like me and just tired of the same old crap that the bands are putting out these days - so why would I want to have even MORE of that crap on my player??

(DVD audio can hold more music - at a higher bitrate too...)

[ViRaL1]

There's a lot out there on DVD-Audio that's good, the only problem is that it usually doesn't come out until AFTER the CD is released. Unless you're just dying to hear in in 5.1, it's not worth buying it twice. I'd probably buy more if the release dates were the same. I have a Dual-Disc (CD/DVD-Audio) of The Downward Spiral and I can definitely hear the difference between the two sides. DVD-Audio won't survive if their marketing is as lackluster as it has been, which would be a shame.

[ofbarea]

With the Audigy (1) you can also use Live Drive I or Live Drive IR. These older models are not compatible with the following Audigy cards and sometimes you can buy them very cheap on-line.