Sound cards...

[gox1201]

So many moons ago, all my PC's tended to have Creative Sound Blaster xxxx or whatever in them, and the last two-three I have been using on board sound due mostly at that time to being broke as hell.

Times have changed, and money isn't the big scary troll anymore.

So, I thought perhaps it is time to get rid of the tin-can sound, and get some decent sound for my new pc.

Right, let me browse on over to my favourite online shop and quickly pick up said soundcard....


Ya right. There seems to be give or take, one bazillion sound cards out there, with more brands than I care to remember.

And of course, every brand has a Zz Zx Zx1 Zxx1 Zx1 SE etc.

So please, shed some light on little old me

Perhaps someone thats an audiophile can give a sort of midlevel explanation?

Assuming I
- Game
- Listen to music & the occasional movie
- I'm not an artist, not going to be remixing, discovering the next big band or release any singles ever.

Also, currently have some so so logitech speakers, and my headphones came with a phone ;P

So should probably also recommend some good headphones and speakers

Budget isn't really an issue, but the investment sort of has to be worth the expenditure.


Regards
Me

 

[crackOlicious]

Got the same problem, willing to spend about a grand but don't think my on board is bad. But haven't tried a dedicated card in years so I can't compare. *waits for same advice.

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[Oj0]

Sound card - Sound Blaster ZxR if you're definitely not going to be looking at any recording or producing. You felt the need to specify that you won't be doing any recording, I'm thinking it's something you've considered. If you want to (even just a tiny bit) I can't recommend any Creative or ASUS sound card to you, you'd be looking more along the lines of Turtle Beach.

Anyway, what's your budget for headphones? You say you don't have a budget, so I'm going to recommend the Sennheiser Orpheus which can be found from time to time for around $30,000 - you should be able to have them landed in South Africa for around R390,000. I'm going to carry on recommending them until you realise that you actually DO have a budget and tell me what it is

 

[Oj0]

You might also want to jump on this http://www.carbonite.co.za/f10/soundblaster-z-sound-card-64115/

 

[VPII]

Sound card - Sound Blaster ZxR if you're definitely not going to be looking at any recording or producing. You felt the need to specify that you won't be doing any recording, I'm thinking it's something you've considered. If you want to (even just a tiny bit) I can't recommend any Creative or ASUS sound card to you, you'd be looking more along the lines of Turtle Beach.

Anyway, what's your budget for headphones? You say you don't have a budget, so I'm going to recommend the Sennheiser Orpheus which can be found from time to time for around $30,000 - you should be able to have them landed in South Africa for around R390,000. I'm going to carry on recommending them until you realise that you actually DO have a budget and tell me what it is

You just had to..... I almost spilled my coffee over my lap when I read what you told poor gox

 

[gox1201]

Ya ya funny

Ok so I do have a budget (thanks @OjO), although I would love to see the look on my wife's face if I told her I spent that on a soundcard....

Anyways, lets say for arguments' sake I'm willing to spend R2500-R3000 for a combination of speakers/headphones? Is that unrealistic?

Ps. I was specifically eyeing that Sound Blaster Z of [MENTION=237]Random_Sheep[/MENTION] , but as I said got completely confused by all the soundcards out there. Hence the fishing post =-)

Also, internal or external sound card?

 

[RandomSheepZA]

[MENTION=23192]gox1201[/MENTION] - we both know you want this. Honestly its amazing. I'm just selling it as my current setup doesn't allow for me to use it and i don't have cud funds to get another board and proc.
If you were in jozi would have offered to come round and let you test it.

 

[Oj0]

Sound Blaster Z(x(R)) plus Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or M-Audio Studiophile Q40 (very VERY sub-bass heavy, if you crank the bass WILL make your eyes water. Heed my warning, keep that equalizer flat!). I have both sets of cans, I freaking LOVE the M-Audios although for 6+ hours of constant use the Audio Technicas are more comfortable.

 

[darkestdays13]

I have a question too. Would a Logitech Z623 need a dedicated sound card? would you hear like a R800 worth difference in getting one? Or would on board be okay? Currently running on board and sounds pretty good, but never had a dedicated sound card before.

Ps. Sorry for hi jacking your thread Gox.
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[Oj0]

Logitech makes OK speakers, but they make better speakers than your board has onboard sound. You should notice a difference, although it won't be as great as if you had better speakers. The better your speakers, the more pronounced the difference will be.

 

[gox1201]

Sound Blaster Z(x(R)) plus Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or M-Audio Studiophile Q40 (very VERY sub-bass heavy, if you crank the bass WILL make your eyes water. Heed my warning, keep that equalizer flat!). I have both sets of cans, I freaking LOVE the M-Audios although for 6+ hours of constant use the Audio Technicas are more comfortable.

Thanks @OjO

Both the headphones you listed are not available locally, or at least I can't find them via google. Any idea where to shop em?
Ok so whats the difference between the Z, the Zx and the ZXR?

As far as I can see its R1300-R1900-R3300 in price
And that the Zx has an an extra audio volume control module thingy, not much else?

The ZxR seems to be in a different league all together - so I can kinda figure out why its more expensive.


So 2 more questions:
Creative or Asus, and why?
Internal or external, and why?

 

[xplodinfart]

[MENTION=23192]gox1201[/MENTION]

Here you go

Multimedia :: Sound Cards -

 

[gox1201]

I'm confused at the link [MENTION=371]xplodinfart[/MENTION] ? I mean I can see its the link to a reseller store, but doesn't tell me much? Unless I'm missing something?

 

[Oj0]

I'll just quote myself here quickly:

Asus is not necessarily light years ahead of Creative regarding sound quality. I've owned high end from both camps (Creative X-Fi Platinum and ASUS Xonar D2X) and always maintained that if you're using speakers, go Creative; if you're using headphones, go ASUS. This changed when I got my current Sound Blaster Zx, which is better than either card for speakers or headphones. I found that the ASUS needed you to fiddle around a fair amount with the equalizer, whereas the Creative(s) give very accurate sound with a flat equalizer.

That should help.

Oh, and both companies make seriously **** drivers, but nothing can be done about that.

 

[gox1201]

Thanks and shot.

I think I'll give RandomSheep a bit of business

Thanks again Ojo, really appreciated

Ps. The camera fell through since the insurance scammed me. So busy saving up for one, hopefully early next year.

 

[xplodinfart]

[MENTION=23192]gox1201[/MENTION] sory my bad,just skimed through the thread and saw something that you could find locally,figured was the soundcards lol....only saw now you where refering too the headies

 

[gox1201]

Heh no problemo