spec me speakers + soundcard please?

[new boy]

hi there.

ive finally got my desktop pc working , and am now considering an audio upgrade as ive been listening to a lot of music as of late.

currently im on some awfull onboard realtek sound, and sum very only tiny 2.1 speakers that i obtained for free (dont have specs but they dont sound gd to me). im looking for a budget concious upgrade, but am unsure of the best way to go

the prioritys for the sound card will be equally gaming and music. the speakers are mainly for music, becuase when im taking games seriously i use a headset. the speakers are just for the wall shaking bass when using the awp on css

im sumwhat flexable on price, although if i spent more on the sound card i wouldnt wanna spend more on the speakers n vice versa, but if i was going to get a lot more for a little more £, then i could be convinced . i was looking in the £50ish price range for the speakers. n under £40 for the sound card.

oh and id also like to know weather you guys think a sumwhat budget sound card is a worthwhile upgrade from my onboard sound? perhaps i would be better off just chucking it all in for some speakers :S

thanks for the help in advance

[Hicks12]

Buy some logitech z4's for £40 at pcworld/currys, great 2.1 speakers and will serve you well.

Sound card im not so sure but looking the asus ones and creative.

[nibbler]

x-fi is around £65 and is recommended.

[new boy]

Buy some logitech z4's for £40 at pcworld/currys, great 2.1 speakers and will serve you well.

Sound card im not so sure but looking the asus ones and creative.

ye dats the speakers i was lookin @

[new boy]

x-fi is around £65 and is recommended.

possibly...... a fair bit of £££ though :S am i going to feel the differnce on some £40 speakers and £25 headphones?

[Uriel]

Either X-Fi Xtreme Music, Xtreme Gamer or Titanium, Xonar DX or D1.

I would recommend the Xonars with Dolby Headphone (included on the DX and D1 but not DS hence the recommendation) for source engined games like CSS. Absolutely astounding positioning. CMSS-3D headphone on X-Fi just isn't as convincing for me.

The X-Fis may suit you more if you play many games with EAX, as X-Fi EAX support is a bit better.

[funke_munke]

+1 for the Xonar DX, it's quite a bit cheaper at Scan than most other places and has been this way for a while. Using a pair of HD595's with mine though so can't really comment on how they run with relatively cheap speakers atmo!

[howareu]

just dont get too powerfull speakers because they damaged the sound on my p5k

[peterb]

just dont get too powerfull speakers because they damaged the sound on my p5k

How exactly? The speakers are driven from a low level output from the sound card - the amplification factor (if that is what you mean by powerful) is irrelevant. (Unless the speakers were so vclose that they vibrated the card to bits )

[new boy]

+1 for the Xonar DX, it's quite a bit cheaper at Scan than most other places and has been this way for a while. Using a pair of HD595's with mine though so can't really comment on how they run with relatively cheap speakers atmo!

hmmmmm. ebuyer has them @ £48.89 atm. delivery brings it to £56.12

looks like a decent deal to me.

[joel_spencer]

The low end x-fi is mostly rebadged audigy value ranges, an audigy 2 or 4 (not value or se or any other letters apart from OEM) is all I can think of that's worth it under £40. Maybe try ebay for one second hand.

[Infinite]

Get a mid range X-Fi. The Crystalizer feature for music is so crisp.

[Uriel]

Get a mid range X-Fi. The Crystalizer feature for music is so crisp.

Even if you have a mid range X-Fi you would be better off keeping to CDs / lossless and leaving the Crystallizer off. It does abominable things to music IMO. There may be a case for having it on for some game audio though.