new speakers + sound card

What are you looking to spend $$$?

I really don't want to spend more than $150 at the most, but I'd prefer closer to $100. I'm definitely also leaning toward getting 2.1 speakers the more I think about it, because I don't have the space for 5.1s, and don't want to really spend the money required for nice 5.1s.

Then save some $$ and get somthing with two-way loudspeaker! Much better for the ears 8)

The way I see it, if your going to buy a sweet soundcard, might as well get some sweet speakers. I would not waste my money on anything less than klipsch 8)

I would save and get these http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=103

Better extension in the low and high range than the creative set. Also if you so desire you can buy another pair in the future and make it a 4.2 system for some added punch! Or double up on the stereo! But for the price of both of those, you can get the Ultras! I just like to ramble.

Look at it this way, If you will be satisfied with cheap speakers, then why do you want an expensive soundcard? IMO: If I was to get cheap speakers, I would get somthing like the Audigy2 value or somthing.

Also you are kind-of wasting the cards potential with its good music upmixing and stuff like that! Also, unless you have some nice headphones, those EAX features wont be that beneficial either with just a 2.1 system.

You will however pick up a couple of FPS

I'd love to see the Impulse Response graph on that Creative Inspire set : P