Buyer's Guide: High End System - July 2004

Sound Card

Recommendation: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS (7.1) retail
Price: $83

If you're a big gamer, then the top choice for a video card is the Audigy 2. The Audigy 2 ZS is also a good card for those who love watching Dolby Digital DVD movies, or for someone who just wants decent quality sound. This version of the Audigy 2 supports 8 channels of sound and will deliver a great listening experience in any game, especially ones that support the Audigy 2's special features, like EAX. Simply pair the Audigy 2 with the right set of speakers and you'll have the necessary tools for an exceptional listening experience. Other special Audigy 2 features include 24/96 analog playback and recording, and "add-ons" like FireWire.

The Audigy 2 ZS differs from the regular OEM Audigy 2 mainly in its support of 7.1 channels of sound instead of 6.1. The benefit of going to 7.1 isn't really all that huge, as there's a point that you reach where continually adding more channels yields diminishing returns; that is, your surround sound experience doesn't get a whole lot better going from 6.1 to 7.1 channels, or for that matter, 5.1 to 7.1 channels, depending on how sensitive your ears are. The Audigy 2 ZS is also a retail package instead of OEM, meaning you get additional bundled features, such as video games and a FireWire header.


Alternative: M-Audio Revolution 7.1
Price: $89

While the Audigy 2 series may not be the best performing audio cards that you can buy, it is hard to argue with their universal compatibility as the standard for sound in computer gaming. However, some tastes run more to sound quality than gaming on the PC and we would recommend the M-Audio Revolution 7.1 for those buyers.

At about the same price as a retail Audigy 2 ZS, the M-Audio brings you the superb Envy 24HT chipset. This is the same family chipset that powers other well-regarded audio cards like the more expensive Terratec, and this is the full-blown 24/192 version. With a S/N ratio of more than 107db, and 24-bit/192kHz payback on all channels, the Revolution 7.1 is a card that will compare well to the best from anyone. The IO capabilities are also stellar, with both 7.1 speaker outputs and coaxial SPDIF. Even the microphone and analog inputs have a very respectable recording specification of 24-bit/96 kHz, and the Analog to Digital S/N, which most cards won't even quote, is a silent 100db.

If your audio goals are even more ambitious in a high end system, M-Audio specializes in cards to satisfy a home studio user. Recommended cards included the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 with pro-grade A/D converters and a 4-in/4-out gold-plated IO cable for about $150, and the whole Delta line with expanded inputs and outputs up to 10 in and 10 out - and still under $300.

As we've said before, there are, inevitably, going to be people who don't need this kind of audio processing power. For those users, we simply suggest that you use your motherboard's onboard sound controller. On-board audio solutions are becoming increasingly capable, with recent on-board chips capable of 7.1 audio and high-definition audio. Some people could care less about their system's sound as long as it supports their applications and there isn't any interference or crackling. If that description fits you to a tee, then use the onboard sound controller and forget about adding an audio card.

Speakers

Recommendation: Klipsch Pro Media Ultra 5.1 speakers
Price: $349 shipped

There will probably be some flak with recommending 5.1 speakers with a 7.1 audio card. If you are looking for 7.1 speakers, then neither our recommended speakers or our alternate recommendation will provide that feature. However, our recommended audio cards will do a wonderful job in powering either of our recommended speaker systems. The Klipsch Pro Media Ultra 5.1 speakers are recommended for one simple reason - they sound better than any other speakers that we have listened to on a computer. When we find 7.1 speakers that sound just as good, they will get our recommendation.

Some computer components become almost legendary, and if you will check out any Forum discussions of speakers, you will find the Klipsch mentioned with reverence. Klipsch is a well-known audiophile speaker manufacturer, but that does not always translate into great performance with powered speakers. The Pro Media 5.1 system works very well, and typically Klipsch, they even quote honest Total Harmonic Distortion in their specifications. Those accustomed to reading specs from a typical set of Asian speakers will not be impressed with 25-20000 +/- 5db for frequency response, or THD specifications of "per Satellite: 60watts/ channel@=‹1% THD,100Hz - 1,000Hz; Subwoofer: 170watts@=‹3% THD, 40Hz - 100Hz". However, audio enthusiasts will likely find the honest ratings and superb sound a refreshing change from the usual hype that goes with computer speakers. The Klipsch also includes a remote control for the speaker system "power box".


Alternative: Creative Labs Megaworks THX Certified 6.1 speakers
Price: $248 shipped

This speaker system provides 6.1 output and is an excellent value at a delivered price of $248. The sound is quite outstanding, but not quite the equal of the more expensive Klipsch Pro Media, in our opinion. If you do decide to buy the Creative Megaworks, however, you will not be disappointed, with features and specifications of:

1. 6.1 surround sound
2. 99 dB signal to noise ratio
3. 150W subwoofer
4. 70W per satellite and 75W for the center
5. Positional audio support.

Essentially, what you're getting here is an excellent High End speaker system, 6.1 out-of-the-box support and a price of about $100 lower.

If you absolutely have to have 7.1 support, then the Creative Gigaworks 7.1 speakers at about $420 (delivered) is available. We haven't auditioned the Gigaworks yet, but it will have to provide something that we not seen in other 7.1 systems in order to beat the pure performance of the Klipsch Pro Media, which even costs less. No one would believe there are speakers more expensive than Klipsch, but in this case, there really are more expensive computer speaker systems.

If you cannot find the lowest prices on the products that we've recommended on this page, it's because we don't list some of them in our RealTime pricing engine. Until we do, we suggest that you do an independent search online at the various vendors' web sites. Just pick and choose where you want to buy your products by looking for a vendor located under the "Vendor" heading.