Greetings Audio Guru's,
I'm a newbie here, so go easy on me.. I'm not stupid, just starting my research
I'm currently in the process of spec'ing out a new system/upgrade that I'll be looking to buy in the next couple of months (hoping for a few more price drops in the meantime).
In the sound department, I've currently got an old analog Sound Blaster Live sound card, with an old set of Cambridge 4.1 speakers. AFAIK, they're the first 4.1 speakers that were released by Cambridge, even before they were acquired by Creative (I think) - I bought them in 1999 and as such, I have no idea what their marketing name was.
Now, I use my PC 95% of the time for gaming. Throw in a bit of Divx/DVD watching to make up the other 5%. I do have a set-top DVD player as well, which is connected only to a Stereo Amp upstairs (I make note of this since I could conceivably move my new speakers around as required).
I'm not an audio-phile who get's majorly disappointed by the quality of MP3s vs CD audio, although I do prefer to listen to 192bps encoded versions than to 128bps versions. I can certainly hear the difference between DVD audio, and Divx/mp3 encoded audio of the same track.
Now to the point of my post..
In your opinions, would there be any significant difference in my audio experience if I upgraded to an Audigy 2, and upgraded my speakers?
If you <b>do</b> think there's a difference, which speakers would you recommend?
Creative Inspire 6600 6.1 speakers (AUS$245)
Altec Lansing 5100 (AUS$342)
Logitech Z-680 (AUS$650)
Creative Inspire 5700 5.1 Speakers (AUS$674)
Creative Megaworks 550 5.1 (~AUS$690).
From my research, it sounds like the Inspire 6600 (or 6700 when they become available here in Australia) might underperform/be underpowered for the Audigy 2..
It seems to me that the Logitech Z-680 may not be worth the price if I primarily play games.. Although if I did decide to pay that much, I might move them upstairs when I watch DVD's instead of using the stereo my DVD is currently connected to. <i>The reported hiss also makes me wonder if this would be a good buy.</i> The external decoding functions sound like this is one of the best, but I have to admit ignorance to DTS/ProLogic/PrologicII/DD EX/DD etc etc. Maybe if I use some decent speakers with my DVD player I might start caring about such things?
The Altec Lansing 5100 got fairly decent scores from THG.. I don't think they have any external decoding features to enhance the Audigy 2 though..
The Creative Inspire 5700 5.1 has an external decoder I believe, but I don't know how it compares to the Z-680, nor how it performs vs it's considerable cost.
The MegaWorks 550 sound like a very impressive set of speakers, but they have no external decoding features to pick up where the Audigy 2 lacks.. dts etc.
I'm very interested in the responses.
I do appologise if this is something that's been asked before, but I couldn't find any recent hits that asked this question of upgrading.
Thanks in advance,
-Auldar
I'm a newbie here, so go easy on me.. I'm not stupid, just starting my research
I'm currently in the process of spec'ing out a new system/upgrade that I'll be looking to buy in the next couple of months (hoping for a few more price drops in the meantime).
In the sound department, I've currently got an old analog Sound Blaster Live sound card, with an old set of Cambridge 4.1 speakers. AFAIK, they're the first 4.1 speakers that were released by Cambridge, even before they were acquired by Creative (I think) - I bought them in 1999 and as such, I have no idea what their marketing name was.
Now, I use my PC 95% of the time for gaming. Throw in a bit of Divx/DVD watching to make up the other 5%. I do have a set-top DVD player as well, which is connected only to a Stereo Amp upstairs (I make note of this since I could conceivably move my new speakers around as required).
I'm not an audio-phile who get's majorly disappointed by the quality of MP3s vs CD audio, although I do prefer to listen to 192bps encoded versions than to 128bps versions. I can certainly hear the difference between DVD audio, and Divx/mp3 encoded audio of the same track.
Now to the point of my post..
In your opinions, would there be any significant difference in my audio experience if I upgraded to an Audigy 2, and upgraded my speakers?
If you <b>do</b> think there's a difference, which speakers would you recommend?
Creative Inspire 6600 6.1 speakers (AUS$245)
Altec Lansing 5100 (AUS$342)
Logitech Z-680 (AUS$650)
Creative Inspire 5700 5.1 Speakers (AUS$674)
Creative Megaworks 550 5.1 (~AUS$690).
From my research, it sounds like the Inspire 6600 (or 6700 when they become available here in Australia) might underperform/be underpowered for the Audigy 2..
It seems to me that the Logitech Z-680 may not be worth the price if I primarily play games.. Although if I did decide to pay that much, I might move them upstairs when I watch DVD's instead of using the stereo my DVD is currently connected to. <i>The reported hiss also makes me wonder if this would be a good buy.</i> The external decoding functions sound like this is one of the best, but I have to admit ignorance to DTS/ProLogic/PrologicII/DD EX/DD etc etc. Maybe if I use some decent speakers with my DVD player I might start caring about such things?
The Altec Lansing 5100 got fairly decent scores from THG.. I don't think they have any external decoding features to enhance the Audigy 2 though..
The Creative Inspire 5700 5.1 has an external decoder I believe, but I don't know how it compares to the Z-680, nor how it performs vs it's considerable cost.
The MegaWorks 550 sound like a very impressive set of speakers, but they have no external decoding features to pick up where the Audigy 2 lacks.. dts etc.
I'm very interested in the responses.
I do appologise if this is something that's been asked before, but I couldn't find any recent hits that asked this question of upgrading.
Thanks in advance,
-Auldar