Advice for this tone deaf fool

Biggilus

Biggilus

Biggilus

Associate
Joined
14 Aug 2009
Posts
197
Well not really tone deaf but you'd think I am based on my current (and older) setups. What I'm about to say may very well invoke the wrath of regulars here but it's due to pure ignorance:

I'm using the logitech Z906 speaker system with onboard sound on an old cheap motherboard (Z97-k).

What annoyed me the most about this but I never researched or investigated was that I went from a £50 logitech 5.1 setup to the Z906 setup thinking "x6 the price must be so much better" but my experience was identical. Seriously don't even think volume was louder when pushing it. Last time I bought a sound card was a creative sound blaster audigy I think just for 5.1 sound.. And since then as motherboards have 5.1 onboard sound that was all I needed.

Anyhow I'm building a new system imminently and definitely wish to redeem myself with the sounds. I'll be sticking with the Z906 setup in the first instance but the board I'm looking at I'm advised doesn't have great, potentially crappy sound quality (oh but it says 7.1, must be good I think...). I had a brief look at USB DACs which got me thinking - buy one of those or get a dedicated sound card. Or does that amount to the same thing? Will have a PCIe slot spare but also multiple fast USB slots. Already spec'd most of my new setup so wouldn't want to spend more than £100 on a card/DAC but I could stretch that if needed.

Help for a misguided fool please!

ETA: will be used for surround sound gaming and occasional Spotify.
 
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I doubt you'd notice a huge difference with those speakers going from onboard sound to a dedicated sound card / DAC.

I'd recommend sticking it to the side for if/when you fancy upgrading the speakers in the future... or save it / put towards something else... dedicated card would be a waste IMO.
 
Fair enough, was just a prayer that I may be able to get better performance out of them. I'll come back for advice once I've got everything else set up and ready to spend on a decent system.

Cheers
 
Biggilus said:
Fair enough, was just a prayer that I may be able to get better performance out of them. I'll come back for advice once I've got everything else set up and ready to spend on a decent system.

Cheers
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£100 will get you something like Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 and a T-amp. That'll be a upgrade in sound quality over Logitech speakers for stereo. It won't be surround sound though.
 
Sweet thanks. If I started with that could I add other bits to get surround? Don't mind investing more for a quality system, but it won't be until I've finished buying and building my new system
 
Biggilus said:
Sweet thanks. If I started with that could I add other bits to get surround? Don't mind investing more for a quality system, but it won't be until I've finished buying and building my new system
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No, that is stereo amp only. If you want surround you're looking at AVR. These starts around £200 second hand and go upto £6000

A 5.1 speaker system starts around £450 and goes upto £35,000 or more.

Examples system search

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 HCP 5.1 Speaker Package, Black​

 
Bargain at £50 including stands, even with the (minor) damage)

www.avforums.com

For Sale - Wharfedale diamond 9.1 speakers + atacama stands

A pair of used working diamond 9.1s with silver atacama stands, I’ve included pics of the 2 marks on one of the speaker cases, the stands also have various marks on the legs, I reckon they could be painted if desired. The grills also have some of the pegs missing These were part of a 5.1 setup...
www.avforums.com www.avforums.com
 
Biggilus said:
Fair enough, was just a prayer that I may be able to get better performance out of them. I'll come back for advice once I've got everything else set up and ready to spend on a decent system.

Cheers
Click to expand...
You will get much better sound out of your Z906 with a sound card around £50, I did from Z5500 which are the earlier version of yours, went with a creative x-fi pci sound card.

Don't be pushed into new speakers as you already have decent speakers .
 
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JollyJamma said:
This.

Buy proper speakers secondhand rather than “gaming” speakers which are pretty generic and overpriced for the quality.
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Definitely on my radar now. Didn't factor sound into my new system budget but it'll be the next thing I see to once it's up and running.
melmac said:
Would you consider getting headphones?
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I will need a pair for when the wife is WFH.. Again happy to spend on a decent pair but not just yet. Also I definitely prefer speakers over headphones for general use.
mickyflinn said:
You will get much better sound out of your Z906 with a sound card around £50, I did from Z5500 which are the earlier version of yours, went with a creative x-fi pci sound card.

Don't be pushed into new speakers as you already have decent speakers .
Click to expand...
This is encouraging! Part of me wants to get a soundcard right now and plug that into my current system to see if I do notice anything.

Thanks all
 
Biggilus said:
Definitely on my radar now. Didn't factor sound into my new system budget but it'll be the next thing I see to once it's up and running.

I will need a pair for when the wife is WFH.. Again happy to spend on a decent pair but not just yet. Also I definitely prefer speakers over headphones for general use.

This is encouraging! Part of me wants to get a soundcard right now and plug that into my current system to see if I do notice anything.

Thanks all
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If you connect your new speakers and PC via hdmi, coaxial or usb your expensive soundcard is useless.
 
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JollyJamma said:
Yeah, this.

That’s why all the pro esports players use headphones and not overrated surround sound setups.
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It's because headphones are slightly more portable than a 9.2.4 system ;) also I don't think the person next to me in gaming convention would be to happy if I brought in a 7000w 7.2.4 system hahahaha

headphones do not have the positioning of surround sound system.

Headphones have to use delay, reverb and processing what a dedicated system natively has.
 
headphones do not have the positioning of surround sound system.

Headphones have to use delay, reverb and processing what a dedicated system natively has.
Click to expand...

As digital signal processors have become cheaper and less power-hungry, virtual spatial audio headphones have made the hardware surround sound approach basically obsolete. As is the case with new technologies, there are many competing implementations of virtual spatial audio in headphones.
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www.soundguys.com

Everything you need to know about spatial audio in headphones

What is surround sound? Here's the lowdown on spatial audio - and how you can achieve a 3D audio experience with your headphones.
www.soundguys.com

Yeah i think most people are more than happy with virtual special audio.

Go listen to a pair of Apple AirPod max headphones next time your near an Apple Store and try the spacial audio the offer. Amazing.
 
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