which sound card for pc

shrivz · 15th April 2008, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/759595-post12.html
shrivz, do read this. And i think you should get better stuff than the inspires

Yup.. the inspires just gave way yesterday.. I'm looking for a good set of 2.1 speakers.

Shortlisted these:
Altec Lansing MX5021 (approx Rs. 7000)
Klipsch ProMedia GMX A-2.1 (Rs. 9500)
Logitech Z3 (no idea)

I liked the MX5021s, but somehow, the hi's were just a little tinny.
Just auditioned the Klipsch ProMedia GMX A-2.1 today. The mid and hi range definition was simply fantastic. The bass was very vague and a let down. Moreover they're pretty expensive.

As per what reviews I've read, The Logitech Z3s seem to be a good option. Any idea with regards to their pricing in India?

and sorry for going OT..

greenhorn · 15th April 2008, 23:07

another option
Audioengine A2 Desktop Speakers

The review
Stereophile: Audioengine 2 powered loudspeaker

available in india for 10k

shrivz · 15th April 2008, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

another option
Audioengine A2 Desktop Speakers

The review
Stereophile: Audioengine 2 powered loudspeaker

available in india for 10k

I'm going to call the distributor in bombay and get a quote tomororw!
Thanks!

Thad E Ginathom · 16th April 2008, 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

Was that a LynxTWO? Heard it and its kinda overrated.

Ha, yes! That's the one!

I never got to hear one myself, and I'll certainly never afford one.

Minardi · 16th April 2008, 10:20

Currently i am using Terratec EWX which is a very good soundcard though dated. Right now, one of the best is E-MU 0404. But i guess it is not available in India (or too expensive, twice the US cost)

One question to greehorn (and other too!)I have an old SBlive card. Any idea whether it is better than the onboard Soundmax? This is for a friend of mine.

BMWlover · 22nd April 2008, 10:53

guys Ive been thinking about getting a new soundcard as well, but I am using a laptop. Is it possible to get my soundcard replaced??
Budget is no issue, as I am playing my B&O Beolab 3s from this...

..

greenhorn · 22nd April 2008, 11:10

if it is a 16 bit card , and the soundmax is HD audio, the sound quality should be better for the soundmax. the sb live card might give you a few fps more in games.
BMWlover- you cant get your laptops onboard sound replaced, but you can get some very nice USB audio stuff

BMWlover · 22nd April 2008, 11:13

Then please suggest something great. I have just got these new beauties delivered 2 weeks ago for my home theater, but Im not going to India anytime soon.
I just use the speakers for music purposes btw.

BMWlover · 22nd April 2008, 11:37

P.S I hate the post approval system, it just serves to hinder the discussion.

reignofchaos · 22nd April 2008, 12:10

BMWlover the best for your requirements is the Benchmark DAC-1 USB.

The DAC1 - Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.

Anything more would probably not be worth it on those speakers.

BMWlover · 22nd April 2008, 14:22

Ty reignofchaos, ill definitely check them out.

Quote:

Anything more would probably not be worth it on those speakers.

why do you say that?because its just a 2.1 config?

Thad E Ginathom · 22nd April 2008, 18:00

For a laptop you can a sound card for the damn-I've-forgotten-the-abbreviation external slots. That should be much better than USB.

reignofchaos · 22nd April 2008, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWlover

Ty reignofchaos, ill definitely check them out.

why do you say that?because its just a 2.1 config?

Overkill for the quality of those speakers. They are aesthetically pleasing but sonically you can get way better stuff.

BMWlover · 22nd April 2008, 20:41

Then you are simply going by what google has to say...I have heard almost everything high-end home audio has to offer and B&O dont even compare to the rest of the tuff in the market. These speakers beat the hell out of the top end Bose lifestyles/Denon/Entry level B&W/Nakamichis
Granted there is better stuff acoustically, but thats either wayyy too expensive, or big and bulky, for their size and prize bracket, i havent heard anything better.

reignofchaos · 23rd April 2008, 14:03

All the ones you talk about are lifestyle systems where form dominates function (maybe other than B&W). None of them actually come from a real speaker maker (again other than B&W but then B&W is only interesting from the 800 series which are huge).

You can easily get bookshelves speakers from someone like Dynaudio or Proac or a thousand other brands that'll sound much better for less money. Sure they are not exquisite to look at, they look like normal bookshelf speakers but then the philosophy is different - function over form. Also they'll need external amplification.

Thats exactly the reason why I said a benchmark DAC1 should be more than enough.

15th April 2008, 23:07	#32
greenhorn BANNED Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,878 Thanked: 4,910 Times View My Garage	another option Audioengine A2 Desktop Speakers The review Stereophile: Audioengine 2 powered loudspeaker available in india for 10k Last edited by greenhorn : 15th April 2008 at 23:14.
	() Thanks

16th April 2008, 10:20	#35
Minardi BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 413 Thanked: 15 Times	Currently i am using Terratec EWX which is a very good soundcard though dated. Right now, one of the best is E-MU 0404. But i guess it is not available in India (or too expensive, twice the US cost) One question to greehorn (and other too!)I have an old SBlive card. Any idea whether it is better than the onboard Soundmax? This is for a friend of mine.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2008, 10:53	#36
BMWlover BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 34 Thanked: 0 Times	guys Ive been thinking about getting a new soundcard as well, but I am using a laptop. Is it possible to get my soundcard replaced?? Budget is no issue, as I am playing my B&O Beolab 3s from this.....
	() Thanks

22nd April 2008, 11:10	#37
greenhorn BANNED Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,878 Thanked: 4,910 Times View My Garage	if it is a 16 bit card , and the soundmax is HD audio, the sound quality should be better for the soundmax. the sb live card might give you a few fps more in games. BMWlover- you cant get your laptops onboard sound replaced, but you can get some very nice USB audio stuff
	() Thanks

22nd April 2008, 11:13	#38
BMWlover BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 34 Thanked: 0 Times	Then please suggest something great. I have just got these new beauties delivered 2 weeks ago for my home theater, but Im not going to India anytime soon. I just use the speakers for music purposes btw.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2008, 11:37	#39
BMWlover BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 34 Thanked: 0 Times	P.S I hate the post approval system, it just serves to hinder the discussion.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2008, 12:10	#40
reignofchaos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,558 Thanked: 2,527 Times View My Garage	BMWlover the best for your requirements is the Benchmark DAC-1 USB. The DAC1 - Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. Anything more would probably not be worth it on those speakers. Last edited by reignofchaos : 22nd April 2008 at 12:12.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2008, 18:00	#42
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,460 Thanked: 30,114 Times	For a laptop you can a sound card for the damn-I've-forgotten-the-abbreviation external slots. That should be much better than USB.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2008, 20:41	#44
BMWlover BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 34 Thanked: 0 Times	Then you are simply going by what google has to say...I have heard almost everything high-end home audio has to offer and B&O dont even compare to the rest of the tuff in the market. These speakers beat the hell out of the top end Bose lifestyles/Denon/Entry level B&W/Nakamichis Granted there is better stuff acoustically, but thats either wayyy too expensive, or big and bulky, for their size and prize bracket, i havent heard anything better.
	() Thanks

23rd April 2008, 14:03	#45
reignofchaos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,558 Thanked: 2,527 Times View My Garage	All the ones you talk about are lifestyle systems where form dominates function (maybe other than B&W). None of them actually come from a real speaker maker (again other than B&W but then B&W is only interesting from the 800 series which are huge). You can easily get bookshelves speakers from someone like Dynaudio or Proac or a thousand other brands that'll sound much better for less money. Sure they are not exquisite to look at, they look like normal bookshelf speakers but then the philosophy is different - function over form. Also they'll need external amplification. Thats exactly the reason why I said a benchmark DAC1 should be more than enough.
	() Thanks