X-FI & 2.1 or on-board & 7.1

firstborn · 8 Sep 2007 at 14:04

I'm completely out of touch with audio hardware at the moment. But the other half wants suggestions for birthday pressies. There's a few games I want play and think it's about time I got some decent audio going.

My budget suggests either a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker package relying on my mobo's on board audio, or, an X-FI card and a 2.1 speaker package.

Other than occasional gaming and a bit of music the only audio I listen to are the system sounds!

My question is, would the X-FI's 3D jiggery pokery & a 2.1 setup be sufficient for an occasional evenings gaming or am I going to miss out out loads compared with a 7.1 system?

Psypher5 · 8 Sep 2007 at 14:27

for gaming i find headphones are the way.

I suggest 2.1 and xfi, unless you watch a lot of films?

Mansize_tissue · 8 Sep 2007 at 18:00

What sort of budget are we looking at here, roughly? To be honest, since I got some descent headphones, I don't really use my 5.1 speakers for gaming.

firstborn · 8 Sep 2007 at 18:15

Around £150

firstborn · 10 Sep 2007 at 17:17

Any more thoughts before I commit myself in writing?

What are decent headphones around the £80/90 mark.

Tripnologist · 10 Sep 2007 at 17:28

I'm quite happy with my X-fi Music and Aego 2.1's.
I use Sennheiser HD555's as well which are great but only around £50. I think the HD595's are closer to your price range.

mk17 · 10 Sep 2007 at 23:28

have a look at the Sennheiser PXC250 for about £60, comes with noise-cancelling, plug 'em into your mp3 player, they're the mutts, and also add a good 10 years to your hearing

Street · 11 Sep 2007 at 13:50

Could try the Creative 7.1 speaker system.. I've got an XFI and those and they work perfectly for game/film/music use.

Think I got the speakers for £70ish and the card for around the same. So it should be within your budget!

Edit:
Creative Inspire T7900 Speakers @ £58.74

Creative X Fi Xtreme Gamer @ £58.74

= £117.48

firstborn · 11 Sep 2007 at 23:34

Cheers all. I think I've decided on the X-Fi Fatality card and Sennheiser HD555. If I don't think the headphones provide the right experience in games I'll get a 7.1 setup and still have a decent set of headphones for music. Also chucked Bioshock on the list for good measure

Thanks again.

Cupra · 11 Sep 2007 at 23:42

i just sold my xfi on the latest tests it comes last in soiund quality

Psypher5 · 12 Sep 2007 at 00:16

paul_64l said:
i just sold my xfi on the latest tests it comes last in soiund quality

link?

kosch · 12 Sep 2007 at 00:26

I recently bought a pair of Senheiser 595's for about £89 new. I usually use those inner ear ones so there is a big gap in quality but I really love these plus they keep my ears warm and come with a nice headphone holder

helmutcheese · 12 Sep 2007 at 02:50

Psypher5 said:
link?

He says in other thread he sold as of Vista issues. :rolleyes:

Ive had more than bellyfull of crap from Creative support since Live 5.1 days till now but no real issues in Vista nowdays, I got rid my 4GB of Ram on last faulty build anyhow so I wont have that issue at least.

Psypher5 · 12 Sep 2007 at 12:02

mine works perfect on vista.

lesz42 · 12 Sep 2007 at 23:40

got X-fi ( one with the memory) and vista 64bit (2gb) runs fine, css, farcry and a fair few other games, no probs what so ever,

rest of pc, A8N sli pre, 7900gs, 3800X2,