A new sound-setup for my computer.

[Skaldraig]

Hello!

First of all, I am unsure whether this is the right place to post, sorry if it isn't

My computer is rather modern, but I've an ancient sound card and lackluster speakers. I'm listening to the music when I can (I'm a CD collector) so this has been bothering me. I'm also a gamer - music is the priority, however.
I've been saving money in order to improve this and I'll be making purchases soon. The problem is, I'm a beginner and don't really know what to pick. So here's what is on my mind :

- Logitech Z-5500 Digital
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/224&cl=gb,en

As for the soundcards :
-Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ XtremeGamer http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=15853
-Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=15854
Is the Fatal1ty version worth the money?

Additional info :
The room, where my computer is, is very small (about 9 square meters).
I have no wireless peripherals.

I would really appreciate any help as I'll be making the purchases very soon. The choices I've made are temporary and probably very bad I'd wager

 

[Adam]

Skaldraig, hello and welcome to the forum!

I'd suggest looking at online reviews of those products. I tend to check out newegg.com because (a) I like to shop there for computer equipment and (b) they tend to have a lot of customer reviews. Those Logitech speakers, for example, have 802 customer reviews (mostly positive). Both of those sound cards have over 200 reviews apiece, too.

I have a Creative Audigy 2ZS sound card and love it. I haven't tried the new X-Fi models.

 

[satish536]

If your a cd collector im guessing your looking for good speakers to reproduce all that music.

Klipsch and swan speakers systems both offer good higher end multimedia speakers you could look at.

I personally own the promedia 2.1 . Consider the ultra 5.1's if you want 5.1.

NHT i think makes a pair of really expensive pair of monitors with a sub for computer systems.

I heard axiom was coming out soon with a high end 2.1 computer system. Read up on the forums about that.

just my opinion that any of these options would give you more SQ than the logitechs. It defiantely does depend how much your into audio for my options to really have any effect on your decision. But i think if you go with any of these options you would be much happier in the long run.

http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_16&products_id=41
Razer Barracuda. They claim its the ideal gaming sound card. Do some research on this one too. It seems to be kinda expensive though.

As far as soundcards go. I think M-audio makes the best sound cards for the money.

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=pciinterfaces

I own a creative Audigy 2 ZS Notebook and i think its more the name then the performance in creative products.

 

[Skaldraig]

Well, I'm not exactly an audiophile, at least not yet But I'd certainly appreciate good sound quality. The Razer card is available at my shop and I'd be willing to spend money on it, provided it's really worth it. Customer reviews are mostly positive.
Anyway, I can spend up to 450 dollars for the speakers and wouldn't mind having 5.1 sound
One more thing : I use Windows Vista.

 

[sholling]

Klipsch and swan speakers systems both offer good higher end multimedia speakers you could look at.

I personally own the promedia 2.1 . Consider the ultra 5.1's if you want 5.1.

The ProMedia 2.1 (non-GMX) are good speakers rock like no other 2.1 computer speaker that I have heard.

Unfortunately Klipsch had big problems with the BASH amplifiers in the very early 5.1 Ultra speakers and sales got so bad that they dropped the line. I've never had a problem with mine but they are only a few months old. In my opinion they are more musical than the Logitechs.

Skaldraig,

CDs are stereo so the only reasons to invest in 5.1 are movies and games. If you are going to watch movies on your PC then I would look for a sound card that does Dolby and DTS decoding in hardware.

 

[MDS]

I had major problems with the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 (or whatever they were called). The amp would just shut off, the volume would scratch and pop when you turned it up or down and nothing I did could eliminate the problem.

They sounded good when they were actually on but I finally decided to buy another pair of speakers and got the Creative Gigaworks T20. Other than the stupid blue light that bothers me, they are made well and sound very good. If you only need 2.0, I'd take a look at the Gigaworks.

 

[Skaldraig]

Here's what the Razer card has :
Razer Fidelity™ gaming audio engine
S/PDIF receiver/transmitter
Dolby® Prologic IIx surround processor
Dolby® Digital Live 5.1 hardware encoder
Dolby® Headphone technology
Dolby® Virtual Speaker
DTS® NeoPC
DTS® Interactive real-time hardware encoder
7.1-channel digital audio playback
Supports EAX™ 2.0, Aureal3D™ 1.0 and DirectSound

 

[Skaldraig]

Allow me to recapitulate :

1. I need to pick a soundcard, here are the options :

- Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ XtremeGamer http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=15853
- Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=15854
- Razer Barracuda™ AC-1 Gaming Audio Card http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_16&products_id=41

2. I need to pick speakers. This will be the most problematic choice.

- Logitech Z-5500 Digital
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/224&cl=gb,en

I've about 450 $ to spend and to be frank I've no idea which speakers should I pick. I wouldn't mind having 5.1 sound.

3. What do I need these for?

- Music (I'm a CD collector)
- Gaming

4. Additional information.

- The room, where the speakers will be placed, is very small (about 9 square meters).

 

[Skaldraig]

Sorry to bring this topic yet again, but I really need your help here

 

[zhimbo]

The Creative cards do a really good job of simulating surround sound using headphones. Personally I'd recommend 2.1 speakers for music (Logitech z-2300? Klipsch Promedia? - right now I'm making due with some crappy ones on my computer) and use headphones for surround sound in gaming.

The "Fatal1ty" version of the Creative card doesn't give you much extra for your money - a bit extra audio-devoted RAM on-board is the major difference (dramatically called XRAM!!!!!1!). Unless you're really going all-out to get the last bit of gaming performance (extra voices, maybe an extra frame here and there), skip it, save a few bucks, and get the more basic model.

 

[GlocksRock]

I have both the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 and Pro Media GMX-A 2.1 setups and love them both. They both sound awesome, look good, and rock like hell.

I got the Pro Media's from here http://www.fortunaliquidations.com/catalog.aspx?srchSearchCriteria=klipsch
for really cheap, they were store returns but arrived in perfect condition in factory packaging, and packaged very well I might add. I would highly reccomend getting those if you are looking to save money and want a killer sound system for your pc.

 

[Audiacc]

The "Fatal1ty" version of the Creative card doesn't give you much extra for your money - a bit extra audio-devoted RAM on-board is the major difference (dramatically called XRAM!!!!!1!). Unless you're really going all-out to get the last bit of gaming performance (extra voices, maybe an extra frame here and there), skip it, save a few bucks, and get the more basic model.

I have old Fatality card, the one with the front panel:
X-Fi Platinum Fatality I do not care much about XRAM but I tested it in Quake 4 and there was audible difference between 64 and 128 voices in the game. Not essential but if price difference is small I would go for the better one. Mine has the connections that I sometimes use for recording guitar and keyboard as well.

 

[Skaldraig]

The Creative cards do a really good job of simulating surround sound using headphones. Personally I'd recommend 2.1 speakers for music (Logitech z-2300? Klipsch Promedia? - right now I'm making due with some crappy ones on my computer) and use headphones for surround sound in gaming.

The "Fatal1ty" version of the Creative card doesn't give you much extra for your money - a bit extra audio-devoted RAM on-board is the major difference (dramatically called XRAM!!!!!1!). Unless you're really going all-out to get the last bit of gaming performance (extra voices, maybe an extra frame here and there), skip it, save a few bucks, and get the more basic model.

What about the Razer card? To be frank I'd gladly save the cash Unless it's really worth it.
And what do you guys think about those speakers : www.alteclansing.com/product_details_intl_update.asp?pID=MX5021&lid=english"

 

[Audiacc]

these altecs look nice, they have what many mutlimedia speakers have - midrange drive.

If you are serious about critical music listening get a pair of good bookshelves, or even near field studio monitors.

For games I'd say Logitech, Z5500 or Creative gigaworks have the best oomph. Logitechs have both digital and anlog interface which might mater for you. I do not overestimate digital myself, not for this type of audio, but people like to have it, even though it may have no impact on sound... Altecs might be a nice compromise, but I have not auditioned them.

Razer = hype. Not worth it IMO. Proprietary connectors make it even more no-go. Or is it for the kicks and the green flashing logo? Then go for it

 

[Skaldraig]

these altecs look nice, they have what many mutlimedia speakers have - midrange drive.

If you are serious about critical music listening get a pair of good bookshelves, or even near field studio monitors.

For games I'd say Logitech, Z5500 or Creative gigaworks have the best oomph. Logitechs have both digital and anlog interface which might mater for you. I do not overestimate digital myself, not for this type of audio, but people like to have it, even though it may have no impact on sound... Altecs might be a nice compromise, but I have not auditioned them.

Razer = hype. Not worth it IMO. Proprietary connectors make it even more no-go. Or is it for the kicks and the green flashing logo? Then go for it

I'm serious about music listening, but I'm also a beginner and poor student at that
I'll pass on the Razer then, I'll buy the regular X-Fi extreme gamer.
So you say those Altecs are good compromise between gaming and music needs? That's what I'm looking for.

 

[Skaldraig]

What about those :
http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details_intl_update.asp?pID=FX5051&lid=english

The price is very reasonable.

 

[Skaldraig]

I hate to do this again, but I really need your help - I've got the funds and I'm ready to buy
Altec Lansing MX 5021 - http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details_intl_update.asp?pID=MX5021&lid=english. Those are the ones I'm currently considering. Did anyone had a chance to audtion them? I've read some good reviews of them.

 

[renegade87]

Too Late?

Skaldraig, have you made your purchases yet? If not, as an owner of the Logitech Z5500s for well over a year, I cannot stress enough that these are the speakers you want for your PC!!

We all know about the Klipsch reputation, and I too was seriously considering them before I bought the Z5500's. But the Klipsch systems (ProMedia Ultra 5.1 System ... if you can still find them) are good but the Logitech Z5500's give you so much flexibility and control options for les$. The Z5500's sub will rattle the windows easily with either a movie soundtrack or music without breaking a sweat. And with both optical and coaxial digital inputs you can connect any two common digital sources including a standalone DVD player, CD player, HD Cable Box, or PC Soundcard. And at around $325 delivered (newegg) you really can't beat them. (sorry, apparently they won't let me post with linkage yet)

Also, Creative isn't the only game in town anymore (in realation to soundcards). Look into this (if you really want to keep the budget reasonable) bluegears b-Enspirer 7.1 (also newegg).

Or, if you're willing to wait another week or so, look into the Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 soundcard (auzentech.com)
X-Fi with Dolby Digital Live capabilities and optical/coaxial in/out !

I currently have the AuzenTech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS Connect and have owned the AuzenTech HDA X-Mystique 7.1 Gold and have absolutely no reservations recommending anything built (or sold) by AuzenTech whatsoever!!

Good luck and good hunting.

 

[Skaldraig]

I've bought the soundcard - Xi-fi extreme gamer. As for the speakers - I've ordered the Altec Lansing MX5021 but no shops in my country seem to have them in stock - the distributor can't even tell when they'll be back. So I've a little problem - what now? The FX5051 are available, but not so sure about those.

 

[Skaldraig]

I can't get MX5021, but FX6021 have been recommended to me :
http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details_intl_update.asp?pID=FX6021&lid=english

From the reviews, I've read they are very good.