Which Audigy 2 to get?

[cremator]

I've narrowed my selection down to the Audigy 2, but there are a few models that have different specs, any suggestions?

My main concern is with a few models that have a different "Hardware Polyphony", and some just say "Polyphony". I'd prefer to have the best possible model, but I don't plan to have speakers, just headphones.

 

[NoSpeed]

Don't you want to consider the Audigy4 Pro? There is only one model to choose from. Audigy4 Pro

 

[w00t]

dude with headphones you wont need that good of a card. not even with the new surround sound ones.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: w00t
dude with headphones you wont need that good of a card. not even with the new surround sound ones.

lol say hi to my modded EMU-1212M and hd-650.

OP, i would go for chaintech AV-710 or that maddog card if you dont need multichannel EAX is known to be good for multichannel only (i never use it anyway) and audigies are subpar for music. if you got enough $$$ to blow, get EMU-0404 - the best bargain in a while in the audiophile world.

 

[chilled]

Originally posted by: VanillaH
audigies are subpar for music.

That could be the case compared to the AV-710, but remember that the audigy 2 is still better than the other bog standard card out there (excluding the audiophile ones).

Oh yeah, sound is pretty subjective as well, so for most of this it is a general consensus.

 

[konakona]

so whats the point of getting audigies then? they arent exactly cheap, you could get much better 2channel quality for the same price if you go with emu-0404. before someone mentions the capability of playing DVDA, let me tell you power dvd 6 plays DVDAs on non creative cards as long as the card is capable of handling the format from what i heard.

OP clearly stated he will be using headphones exclusively (2 channel), in which case audigies do not offer much over the competition.

 

[flamingspinach]

... better MIDI?

/me puts on flamesuit

-fs

 

[pelikan]

I don't know whether you are a gamer or not. The audigy will process the sound instead of burdening the cpu right? So that would be better for a gamer than a card like the Chaintech.

 

[konakona]

again, other cards are fine unless you use eax.

 

[cremator]

I decided to go with the Audigy 2 ZS Gamer Limited Edition. Also purchased the Zalman "ZM-RS6F Real Surround Sound Headphone". Thanks for the suggestions