Which sound card to get?

[iv4n]

I'm deciding between the Soundblaster LIve!24 bit and the Audigy Value ( not the Audigy 2 ZS). I'm getting it for gaming and listening to some music...the hardware accelerated EAX interests me particularly. Could you guys give me some advice on what to choose? I'm kinda on a budget too....

 

[KoolDrew]

Since it is for gaming...Audigy Value.

 

[Ghouler]

what's your budget like?
About $80 can get you X-Fi from circuit city (with mail-in rebate).
Defenitely worth it.

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Since it is for gaming...Audigy Value.

I concur

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Since it is for gaming...Audigy Value.

 

[iv4n]

Well lol thx guys for the advice...

 

[dman918]

Sent you a PM.
Mike

 

[raystorm]

..I hope you don't mind a thread jack of sorts but I'd rather not start another thread on a similar subject.

Everyone here seems to recommend the Audigy series (whether is Value, ZS..etc). Occasionally I see a recommendation for the X-Fi series.


For the past 5 years I've used a good ol' Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. I know its been discontinued but its always worked great. I intend on upgrading my entire pc by March and thought about my sound options. Any particular reason why I should jettison my Santa Cruz in favor of a Audigy2/X-Fi card??

Again, I apologize for the thread-jack but I figure the OP won't mind.

 

[orangat]

The advantage of A2/x-fi would be for EAX3/4 since all non-creative cards only have EAX2 like the Live series.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Could you swing this?
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290223

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Could you swing this?
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290223

Thats a sweet deal! I paid 100 for mine a coupla yrs ago. Went X-FI a coupla months ago and actually miss my Audigy 2 ZS. The EAX SW was so much better than the audio creation mode on the X-FI. I miss the echo-two tap from the previous lines. The X-Fi's Digital Delay just sucks.

 

[galbicake]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Could you swing this?
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290223

Thats a sweet deal! I paid 100 for mine a coupla yrs ago. Went X-FI a coupla months ago and actually miss my Audigy 2 ZS. The EAX SW was so much better than the audio creation mode on the X-FI. I miss the echo-two tap from the previous lines. The X-Fi's Digital Delay just sucks.

So...which one are you really trying to endorse? The X-fi or the ZS?

I plan on gaming and music stuff.

Can I have both a mic & headset inputted in these cards?

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: galbicake

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Could you swing this?
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290223

Thats a sweet deal! I paid 100 for mine a coupla yrs ago. Went X-FI a coupla months ago and actually miss my Audigy 2 ZS. The EAX SW was so much better than the audio creation mode on the X-FI. I miss the echo-two tap from the previous lines. The X-Fi's Digital Delay just sucks.

So...which one are you really trying to endorse? The X-fi or the ZS?

I plan on gaming and music stuff.

Can I have both a mic & headset inputted in these cards?

IMO, I think the ZS was a better designed card. The X-FI has a lot of options to play with and neat features that really dont add much to the sound experience. If you just want to play games and do minor music I would opt for the ZS and save up for when Creative gets their next gen of cards right.

And the ZS will let you have a mic and headset. As for the X-FI, it depends on what model you get and what headset you get. The cheaper X-FI model will only allow you to either have a mic or digital out. So if you use a mic you cant use digital out and will have to use the analog outputs. If you get the higher X-FI cards then they have the breakout box which you can use both at the same time.

 

[galbicake]

Thanks,

I think will just get the Retail ZS since it's $40 AR right now.

I am new to the whole computer building so I might as well just start simple.

I do plan on doing some sound recording and music producing when I become more savy in know my hardware. But right now, the only x-fi I see is the Xtreme Music which seems to be the lowest end. The Fatal1ty seems to fetch for almost $200 which is out of my price range.

Thanks again!

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Could you swing this?
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290223

wow thats not a bad price at all! i got an audigy 2 ZS platinum for about $140 with MIR at newegg a few months back... not a bad deal. i have the creative z5500 speakers and there is a bit of a difference over the stock integrated sound card but what will really make the difference in the audio quality is your speakers or headphones not as much your sound card. i was almost let down because there wasn't much of a change between stock and an orig. $200 card. i would suggest going for that one above and getting some good speakers.

 

[videogames101]

Not trying to hijack but if i do have the money should i go with the xtreme music x-fi or the audigy 2 zs?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: acole1

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Could you swing this?
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290223

wow thats not a bad price at all! i got an audigy 2 ZS platinum for about $140 with MIR at newegg a few months back... not a bad deal. i have the creative z5500 speakers and there is a bit of a difference over the stock integrated sound card but what will really make the difference in the audio quality is your speakers or headphones not as much your sound card. i was almost let down because there wasn't much of a change between stock and an orig. $200 card. i would suggest going for that one above and getting some good speakers.

There's a good deal on the A2zs Plat right now too
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290226
If anyone is interested in that.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: videogames101
Not trying to hijack but if i do have the money should i go with the xtreme music x-fi or the audigy 2 zs?

The major benefit to the X-Fi seems to be the enhanced headphone features. With the other features it seems that some people like them and some people don't. Overall the X-Fi when left alone without the special settings on is a more capable card for music and most people that have went from A2 to X-Fi describe at least a bit of improvement, some really loving the change that came with it.

If you're using decent headphones or a nice computer speaker set, then it's probably a good bet to go with the $75 X-Fi right now.

BTW, it's "dual" not "duel"

 

[iv4n]

olol guys don't worry about hijacking because its meant to be a sound card thread...so long as we dont stray off topic all of us can gain something from this!

anw the x-fi series is filthy expensive..and its the recommended sound card for F.E.A.R

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: iv4n
olol guys don't worry about hijacking because its meant to be a sound card thread...so long as we dont stray off topic all of us can gain something from this!

anw the x-fi series is filthy expensive..and its the recommended sound card for F.E.A.R

$75 AR isn't too bad

 

[iv4n]

Hmm btw theres a creative sale to be held over here in SIngapore ^^! Soundblaster Audigy2 ZS going for 99SGD! Whee