- Aug 29, 2004
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There are a lot options. I would like to be able to use this with a 5.1 PC soundcard, game console, and
home theater. USB audio device is not an option as it bypasses the soundcard and may have trouble with
EAX, etc. Does anyone have any comments on the following products?
1) Gainward Sound Xplosion 5.1: $26
Front, Rear, Center mini-jacks for 5.1 soundcard connection. Does not appear to have inline amp.
2) Zalman 5.1 Surround Ultimate Gaming Headphones: $45
Similar to above. I saw a review compairing these to the Gainward which said Zalman is better for bass
and Gainward is better for high freq.
3) LTB-AC97-M (Sunnytech/Mentor): $59
Looks interesting. 3 mini-jacks for soundcard connection. Also comes with adapter-like device - not sure
if its an amp or something else. Comes with a detachable mic which is nice for gaming and Skype. Only
reviews I could find were for the USB audio device version and the reviewer mostly just complained
about not being able to use his Audigy 2. Any reviews for the AC97 version out there? There is also an
AC3 version but I'm not sure if they can be used for PC audio. Check out www.listentobelieve.com. Also
claims to have special SafeBass feature that protects the ears from bass.
4) I/O Magic Sound Assault 5.1: $73
Says its 8 speakers, but still only 5.1 (the other products here a 6 speakers). Perhaps the extra
speakers are dedicated sub? Comes with a nice amp setup and a whole array of cables and adapters.
Basically, it looks like you can hook it up to PC, console, home theater, etc. Includes separate volume
control on the amp. I like the look of this one, but I can't find too many reviews, esp. comparing to
Zalman, Gainward, etc.
5) Kinyo KY-100 5.1 $39
Looks VERY simlar to I/O Magic in terms of feature set. Comes with an amp and adapters and cables
for hooking up to PC, console, home theater, etc. Only difference seems to be that I/O magic has aux
audio connectors for a second headset. I'm a little confused as to how this package is the second
cheapest when it has the second largest collection of features and extras. Can't find any reviews
comparing to other products. Maybe the quality is lower than the I/O Magic product?
I am leaning towards I/O Magic or Kinyo because I like the idea of hooking it up to my console as well as
PC. Not entirely sure if this can't be done with other products though, esp. the Sunnytech/Mentor set. They
have a bunch of different versions at www.listentobelieve.com and I'm not sure if any one of them can do
PC AND console AND home theater.
Anyone own any of these?
Opinions?
home theater. USB audio device is not an option as it bypasses the soundcard and may have trouble with
EAX, etc. Does anyone have any comments on the following products?
1) Gainward Sound Xplosion 5.1: $26
Front, Rear, Center mini-jacks for 5.1 soundcard connection. Does not appear to have inline amp.
2) Zalman 5.1 Surround Ultimate Gaming Headphones: $45
Similar to above. I saw a review compairing these to the Gainward which said Zalman is better for bass
and Gainward is better for high freq.
3) LTB-AC97-M (Sunnytech/Mentor): $59
Looks interesting. 3 mini-jacks for soundcard connection. Also comes with adapter-like device - not sure
if its an amp or something else. Comes with a detachable mic which is nice for gaming and Skype. Only
reviews I could find were for the USB audio device version and the reviewer mostly just complained
about not being able to use his Audigy 2. Any reviews for the AC97 version out there? There is also an
AC3 version but I'm not sure if they can be used for PC audio. Check out www.listentobelieve.com. Also
claims to have special SafeBass feature that protects the ears from bass.
4) I/O Magic Sound Assault 5.1: $73
Says its 8 speakers, but still only 5.1 (the other products here a 6 speakers). Perhaps the extra
speakers are dedicated sub? Comes with a nice amp setup and a whole array of cables and adapters.
Basically, it looks like you can hook it up to PC, console, home theater, etc. Includes separate volume
control on the amp. I like the look of this one, but I can't find too many reviews, esp. comparing to
Zalman, Gainward, etc.
5) Kinyo KY-100 5.1 $39
Looks VERY simlar to I/O Magic in terms of feature set. Comes with an amp and adapters and cables
for hooking up to PC, console, home theater, etc. Only difference seems to be that I/O magic has aux
audio connectors for a second headset. I'm a little confused as to how this package is the second
cheapest when it has the second largest collection of features and extras. Can't find any reviews
comparing to other products. Maybe the quality is lower than the I/O Magic product?
I am leaning towards I/O Magic or Kinyo because I like the idea of hooking it up to my console as well as
PC. Not entirely sure if this can't be done with other products though, esp. the Sunnytech/Mentor set. They
have a bunch of different versions at www.listentobelieve.com and I'm not sure if any one of them can do
PC AND console AND home theater.
Anyone own any of these?
Opinions?