Soundcard and Speakers for home cinema?

[markbrown83]

Hi guys,

I have another question. I am looking to get a new set of 5.1 speakers and a new soundcard for the ultimate home cinema experience. I already have a soundblaster audigy 2 ZS. I don't know if this would do or whether I should get an x-fi.

I have seen these speakers and the output is 505W.

Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Speakers - LN12004.

They are £200 but iam sure they are worth it.

I also saw this soundcard but i may not need the retail version - LN11688

Can anyone suggest good speakers as well as a new soundcard (if my current one needs upgrading).

thanks,

Mark

[markbrown83]

What about the Razer Barracuda AC1 Gaming Sound Card as a new soundcard?

[dave87]

I personally would suggest one of the Azuntech offerings, some of the best cards for Home Cinema.

[markbrown83]

I personally would suggest one of the Azuntech offerings, some of the best cards for Home Cinema.

Hmmm ok, I haven't heard much about them. I will look into it... thanks for your reply...

-----Edit-----

It also has to be good for gaming etc.

[dave87]

It really depends on where your priorities lie. If you are going to do more gaming than movie watching, go for the X-Fi, if you are going to watch more movies then go for the Azuntech. Both are capable cards, the only reason the X-Fi pips it to the post in games is because creative designed some of the systems used in games, EAX for example.

Ask Clunk this, and you should get the same suggestion from him - it may cost you 1fps in a game compared with the X-Fi, but the sound will be better for it.

Dave

[markbrown83]

It really depends on where your priorities lie. If you are going to do more gaming than movie watching, go for the X-Fi, if you are going to watch more movies then go for the Azuntech. Both are capable cards, the only reason the X-Fi pips it to the post in games is because creative designed some of the systems used in games, EAX for example.

Ask Clunk this, and you should get the same suggestion from him - it may cost you 1fps in a game compared with the X-Fi, but the sound will be better for it.

Dave

The razor sound card supports everything the x-fi does if not more - so would it not do the job?

[markbrown83]

Anyone have any other suggestions or advice on the hardware I suggested?

[dave87]

I haven't seen any tests on the Razer Sound Card, but it would probably do the job. I would just suggest if you are seriously using the PC to watch movies, then the Azuntech would be a better buy.

[markbrown83]

I haven't seen any tests on the Razer Sound Card, but it would probably do the job. I would just suggest if you are seriously using the PC to watch movies, then the Azuntech would be a better buy.

I couldn't find one on Scan - do they sell the Azuntech?

[dave87]

Not sure, do you have to buy it all from Scan?

Scan are great, but some of their product ranges are slightly limited

[markbrown83]

not I suppose I don't... might buy the speakers first then the new soundcard.

Can you recommend any speakers?

[Lee H]

Give us a link to the azuntech soundcards then and I'll whack off a mail to the guru in purchasing and a nice note to see if he could get them in

[markbrown83]

not I suppose I don't... might buy the speakers first then the new soundcard.

Can you recommend any speakers?

These are the one I had my eye on:

LN6343 - or these if my sound card supports 7.1
LN14932
LN12004 - I like these especially!
LN11820

[toolsong]

http://www.auzentech.com/site/index.php

One advantage these have over the X-Fi is Dolby Digital Live ie encoding any signal to the digital output.

With the X-Fi you only get surround gaming over the analog outputs. Gaming digital output is only 2 channels.

On speakers like the Logitech 5500s this would mean switching between the analog and digital inputs (for DVD) and having 7 cables instead of one.

[markbrown83]

http://www.auzentech.com/site/index.php

One advantage these have over the X-Fi is Dolby Digital Live ie encoding any signal to the digital output.

With the X-Fi you only get surround gaming over the analog outputs. Gaming digital output is only 2 channels.

On speakers like the Logitech 5500s this would mean switching between the analog and digital inputs (for DVD) and having 7 cables instead of one.

do the 5500s need a soundcard that takes digital input?

What if I bought the razer and the 5500s? Would that be compatible for gaming, dvd and music. Would I get the full 5.1 experience.

[toolsong]

do the 5500s need a soundcard that takes digital input?

No the speakers also have a 6 channel analog input. Read the specs...
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...Specifications

What if I bought the razer and the 5500s? Would that be compatible for gaming, dvd and music. Would I get the full 5.1 experience.

Yes but I'd still look at the Auzentech's, they share the same audio processor.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11...ch_x-meridian/