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?

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.

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.