sound cards and speakers

[deedogz]

i wanna get a sound card. i was thinking about getting
the Hi-Live 6 Channel PCI Pro Sound Card. Then I was going
to get this speaker system the Logitech Z-640 5.1 Speaker System.
Please let me know if this is a good idea or not, or if anyone have a better pick please
tell me. Thanks for reading

[flaninacupboard]

For gaming? for watching films? for SACD? for audio production?

[deedogz]

playing music just for good surround sound

[flaninacupboard]

if it's for multi channel audio i think you want to steer clear of your PC as much as possible. hifi stereo will give you far more enjoyment than lofi surround.

decent surround sound is expensive. look at £500 for an amp, £350 for a source and probably £800 on a speaker package. if you're not prepared to spend that much then stick with decent stereo sound.

[Cobra]

On the other hand, some of us can't afford all that even though we'd love to have it! How about these speakers:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3...duct_uid=52729

I have read outstanding reviews everywhere about them, they are apparently good for stereo music and surround applications.

I have also heard good things about this soundcard, although some of the eBuyer reviews aren't so good:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3...duct_uid=55775

If you're on a budget, this system should be pretty cool and give you full 7.1 surround so you'll not be left needing to upgrade for a while.

Cobra

[flaninacupboard]

oh i realise plenty of people can't stretch that far, but for quality of sound (and enjoyment) if you're spending a third of that, then get two speakers instead. if you're spending less than that get some headphones

[Cobra]

I agree, which is why I spent my money on a real big amp, two speakers and a sub to give me damn nice stereo sound. One of the biggest boosts to my hifi was when I sold my Dell PC and built my own. nForce SoundStorm is way better than Dell's standard stuff - I could hear the music was more stereoscopic if that makes sense, and it was clearer. Like a higher resolution video, so much more detail that I'd never heard before. My source files are Q4.00 Vorbis (VBR nominal 128kbps) so CD-quality. 8)

The University of Bath shoeboxes... Erm, I mean rooms wouldn't hold any more than two speakers anyway. Even then, I'm leaning over one speaker to brush my teeth in the morning!

So, as Flan says, if you're after quality then go for a decent stereo setup. If you're desparate for surround on a budget, then the system I proposed should be as good as you can get for about £140.

Cobra

[jeex]

for SACD?

what optical drives will play SACD? what about programs that will read SACD?

i assume you're talking about sony's super audio CD.

[flaninacupboard]

or if anyone have a better pick please
tell me.

He just wasn't too clear what he wanted the setup for. the DVD rom drive in my DVD player reads SACD discs, but i take it there's no software out there then. can't say i really care either way, not interested in SACD or DVD-A personally, too much focus on flashy surround and not enough on HQ.