Re: Speaker Opinions....Which kind to Buy??

Cambridge Soundworks 2500, they are awesome, amazing sound when hooked up to a Soundblaster live. Mark Stevens <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 18:55:56 GMT, [email hidden] (Don > Scurlock) wrote: > > > After trying a few computer specific speaker systems over the years, > > I have concluded that you get way more bang for your buck by using > > regular home audio equipment. > > I second this. Speaker sets designed specifically for use with a PC > sound card are, on the whole, overpriced and bad quality. They're > usually aimed at the relatively inexperienced/casual PC user who just > wants to hear stuff and doesn't really have a clue that things could > be a lot better. > > If you're a gamer (or someone who primarily uses their PC for audio > applications), then investing in a decent amplifier and speakers from > a dedicated audio hifi manufacturer is essential. > > > -- > Mark Stevens > > http://www.headspin.clara.net/ > http://pressx.cjb.net/

I would like to have some opinions on which speakers to purchase for my computer. I've just ordered the SoundBlaster Live! X-Gamer soundcard, and figured while I'm spending some money, I might as well upgrade my speakers. I currently have SonLab's CS-SW2 dual satellite speakers w/ subwoofer, and while I don't mind these speakers, I would like to upgrade specifically for my gaming needs. Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of their 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front and rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited experience with speakers. Lastly, aside from gamecenter.com, where is another good site for hardware reviews?? Once again, and information is greatly appreciated..... Dave

[email hidden] (Dave St.Onge) wrote in <%pHM4.2262$[email hidden]>: >I would like to have some opinions on which speakers to purchase for >my computer. I've just ordered the SoundBlaster Live! X-Gamer >soundcard, and figured while I'm spending some money, I might as >well upgrade my speakers. Hi Dave, After trying a few computer specific speaker systems over the years, I have concluded that you get way more bang for your buck by using regular home audio equipment. There is NOTHING special about computer speakers except that they are shielded, which isn't much of a factor unless the speakers are within inchs of the monitor. Look for an inexspensive surround sound system, there pretty cheap these days. -- Don Scurlock Vancouver,B.C.

IIRC, the X-Gamer card has a digital out port, and the FPS2000s are digital speakers. Put two and two together and that way you won't get any annoying hissing sounds when you turn up the volume. Believe me, if I had an SBLive w/ digital out I would have gotten the FPS2ks as well, because my regular CSW 4 speaker/1 sub setup (the generation before the FPS2k) has _the most annoying_ buzzing sound coming out of the front left speaker. Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote > > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because oftheir > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the frontand > rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > experience with speakers. >

I've got Altec-Lansings (4 + sub), and I love them... great sound "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:%pHM4.2262$[email hidden]... > I would like to have some opinions on which speakers to purchase for my > computer. I've just ordered the SoundBlaster Live! X-Gamer soundcard, and > figured while I'm spending some money, I might as well upgrade myspeakers. > I currently have SonLab's CS-SW2 dual satellite speakers w/ subwoofer, and > while I don't mind these speakers, I would like to upgrade specificallyfor > my gaming needs. > > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because oftheir > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the frontand

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> rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > experience with speakers. > > Lastly, aside from gamecenter.com, where is another good site for hardware > reviews?? > > Once again, and information is greatly appreciated..... > > Dave > >

On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 18:55:56 GMT, [email hidden] (Don Scurlock) wrote: > After trying a few computer specific speaker systems over the years, > I have concluded that you get way more bang for your buck by using > regular home audio equipment. I second this. Speaker sets designed specifically for use with a PC sound card are, on the whole, overpriced and bad quality. They're usually aimed at the relatively inexperienced/casual PC user who just wants to hear stuff and doesn't really have a clue that things could be a lot better. If you're a gamer (or someone who primarily uses their PC for audio applications), then investing in a decent amplifier and speakers from a dedicated audio hifi manufacturer is essential. -- Mark Stevens http://www.headspin.clara.net/ http://pressx.cjb.net/

I have considered a surround system, but wonder if the sub-woofing comes through as powerful. ????? -- Jim "Mark Stevens" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 18:55:56 GMT, [email hidden] (Don > Scurlock) wrote: > > > After trying a few computer specific speaker systems over the years, > > I have concluded that you get way more bang for your buck by using > > regular home audio equipment. > > I second this. Speaker sets designed specifically for use with a PC > sound card are, on the whole, overpriced and bad quality. They're > usually aimed at the relatively inexperienced/casual PC user who just > wants to hear stuff and doesn't really have a clue that things could > be a lot better. > > If you're a gamer (or someone who primarily uses their PC for audio > applications), then investing in a decent amplifier and speakers from > a dedicated audio hifi manufacturer is essential. > > > -- > Mark Stevens > > http://www.headspin.clara.net/ > http://pressx.cjb.net/

Guys....thanks alot for all the info. It seems I forgot to mention that cost is a factor, and since I live in Canada, speakers such as the Klipsch, and I would assume, many hi-fi speaker systems are out of my budget. The Klipsch and the FPS 2500's would run me around $400 with taxes, whereas I can get the 2000's for around $200 including taxes and shipping. Dave "mjones53" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:eV6TsnWr$GA.304@cpmsnbbsa04... > Cambridge Soundworks 2500, they are awesome, amazing sound when hooked upto

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> a Soundblaster live. > Mark Stevens <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 18:55:56 GMT, [email hidden] (Don > > Scurlock) wrote: > > > > > After trying a few computer specific speaker systems over the years, > > > I have concluded that you get way more bang for your buck by using > > > regular home audio equipment. > > > > I second this. Speaker sets designed specifically for use with a PC > > sound card are, on the whole, overpriced and bad quality. They're > > usually aimed at the relatively inexperienced/casual PC user who just > > wants to hear stuff and doesn't really have a clue that things could > > be a lot better. > > > > If you're a gamer (or someone who primarily uses their PC for audio > > applications), then investing in a decent amplifier and speakers from > > a dedicated audio hifi manufacturer is essential. > > > > > > -- > > Mark Stevens > > > > http://www.headspin.clara.net/ > > http://pressx.cjb.net/ > >

The only high-end speakers that I've ever owned are the FPS 2000's and they are well worth the price tag IMO. Like I said, I really don't have any experiences with other speaker combos but mine sound great with a SBLive card. FWIW. -- Tony Wyss GameSpy Industries [email hidden] Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:%pHM4.2262$[email hidden]... > I would like to have some opinions on which speakers to purchase for my > computer. I've just ordered the SoundBlaster Live! X-Gamer soundcard, and > figured while I'm spending some money, I might as well upgrade my speakers. > I currently have SonLab's CS-SW2 dual satellite speakers w/ subwoofer, and > while I don't mind these speakers, I would like to upgrade specifically for > my gaming needs. > > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of their > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front and > rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > experience with speakers. > > Lastly, aside from gamecenter.com, where is another good site for hardware > reviews?? > > Once again, and information is greatly appreciated..... > > Dave > >

If you want good, loud, quality sound, but don't require the ULTRA SUPER PERFECT BEST EVER, then there are plenty of PC speakers that will fit the bill. It isn't necessary to hook up an amp and home stereo speakers to your PC. Personally, I think that's overkill. Unless you already have good stereo equipment in the same room as your PC, I would suggest checking out reviews of PC speakers online and making the best purchase within your budget. Some good places to look for speaker reviews: www.sharkyextreme.com and www.anandtech.com. Also, any game sites that review hardware will surely have speaker reviews. Things to look for in the reviews - low noise (static), high volume without distortion, subwoofer & four satellites for surround sound and an accessible headphones jack on the speakers if you think you might need it (sleeping spouse/parents/children/roommate/neighbor/etc). -T On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 14:41:35 -0400, "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>I would like to have some opinions on which speakers to purchase for my >computer. I've just ordered the SoundBlaster Live! X-Gamer soundcard, and >figured while I'm spending some money, I might as well upgrade my speakers. >I currently have SonLab's CS-SW2 dual satellite speakers w/ subwoofer, and >while I don't mind these speakers, I would like to upgrade specifically for >my gaming needs. > >Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of their >4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front and >rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited >experience with speakers. > >Lastly, aside from gamecenter.com, where is another good site for hardware >reviews?? > >Once again, and information is greatly appreciated..... > >Dave > >

It is pretty much the consensus on most review sites and in the general community that the best speakers that you can get for your computer (for the money) are the Klipsch ProMedias. They are $250 and supposedly rival many home theater speakers. You get the sub and 4 satellites and they are supposed to be great with the SBLive card. I will be getting a set of the Promedias very soon. They are worth checking into. TW On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 14:41:35 -0400, "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>I would like to have some opinions on which speakers to purchase for my >computer. I've just ordered the SoundBlaster Live! X-Gamer soundcard, and >figured while I'm spending some money, I might as well upgrade my speakers. >I currently have SonLab's CS-SW2 dual satellite speakers w/ subwoofer, and >while I don't mind these speakers, I would like to upgrade specifically for >my gaming needs. > >Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of their >4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front and >rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited >experience with speakers. > >Lastly, aside from gamecenter.com, where is another good site for hardware >reviews?? > >Once again, and information is greatly appreciated..... > >Dave >

Todd Walker twalker294 at earthlink.net

I have them on one of my computers and I don't think you can go wrong with the choice. While I generally might agree with others that home audio speakers are often a better deal, the FPS 2000s outperform anything in their price range (in my opinion and the opinions of several reviews). Also, besides shielding, computer speakers are often more effecient than home audio speakers, which is something to consider when using a low powered amplifier such as a sound card. Slot > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because oftheir > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the frontand > rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > experience with speakers.

In rec.autos.simulators Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote: % Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of their % 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front and % rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited % experience with speakers. % Lastly, aside from gamecenter.com, where is another good site for hardware % reviews?? % Once again, and information is greatly appreciated..... I would highly recommend the Klipsch ProMedia v.2 -400. They are great for everything and the sub-woofer kicks some real ass.... http://www.klipsch.com/ -- **************************** Michael E. Carver ************************* Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town. [email hidden] http://www.teleport.com/~mcarver =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./. [- < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

In rec.autos.simulators Todd Walker <[email hidden]> wrote: % It is pretty much the consensus on most review sites and in the % general community that the best speakers that you can get for your % computer (for the money) are the Klipsch ProMedias. They are $250 and % supposedly rival many home theater speakers. You get the sub and 4 % satellites and they are supposed to be great with the SBLive card. I % will be getting a set of the Promedias very soon. They are worth % checking into. You won't regret getting these speakers.... they are fine for games, movies (DVD) and music.... -- **************************** Michael E. Carver ************************* Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town. [email hidden] http://www.teleport.com/~mcarver =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./. [- < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

This is silly... sound quality is only as good as the input - and you are fooling yourselves if you think the quality of a SB Live is good as say, a NAD amp - or even a SONY. You will kill a good pair of speakers sending garbage signal to them. Get a pair of Midiland S260s and be happy. They are only about $90 on outpost.com. Jeff On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 18:55:56 GMT, [email hidden] (Don Scurlock) wrote:

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> >Hi Dave, > > After trying a few computer specific speaker systems over the years, > I have concluded that you get way more bang for your buck by using > regular home audio equipment. There is NOTHING special about > computer speakers except that they are shielded, which isn't much of > a factor unless the speakers are within inchs of the monitor. Look > for an inexspensive surround sound system, there pretty cheap these > days.

Personally, I prefer headphones to speakers any day. I am using a pair Sennheisers with my MX300 and the surround effects are awesome! It also lets me play into the wee hours without waking the wife ;).

On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 20:47:29 -0400, "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote: >Guys....thanks alot for all the info. It seems I forgot to mention that >cost is a factor, and since I live in Canada, speakers such as the Klipsch, >and I would assume, many hi-fi speaker systems are out of my budget. The >Klipsch and the FPS 2500's would run me around $400 with taxes, whereas I >can get the 2000's for around $200 including taxes and shipping. I use a pair of those diecast aluminum speakers from Radio Shack with the 4" long-throw drivers and the small domed tweeters (mine are the original Minimus 7's, but they still offer an equivalent). I drive them with an old 20 watt RMS amp comprised of a monolithic Sanken power amp chip. Sounds wonderful and I occasionally get complaints from the airport about the noise. <g> The speakers come up on sale two or three times a year at around $39.95 each USD. They're remarkably decent speakers. I use another pair for my main living room stereo, but I live in a condo and have modest SPL demands. Still sound great, though, in that application. Regards, Brett C. Cammack That's Racing! Motorsports Pompano Beach, FL

I have the Labtec 4 sattelite speaker + subwoofer system and the surround effects are marvelous and the bass is very powerfull. When you take a look at the subwoofer it looks really small (appr. 20x20x20cm case and appr. 10cm woofer), at first I didn't expect a lot of it, but it is powerfull enough to make my pedals shake (it's great to *feel* the engine roll in N3) (only downside of the system is that the cables are quite a mess.) Thundercok <[email hidden]> schreef in berichtnieuws ypLM4.1758$[email hidden]... > I have considered a surround system, but wonder if the sub-woofing comes > through as powerful. ????? > > -- > Jim

On Mon, 24 Apr 2000 09:22:43 -0400, ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> wrote: >This is silly... sound quality is only as good as the input - and you >are fooling yourselves if you think the quality of a SB Live is good >as say, a NAD amp - or even a SONY. You will kill a good pair of >speakers sending garbage signal to them. This is precisely the reason why you *should* get a more dedicated hifi system. Myself, family and friends have gone through *dozens* of pairs of speakers built exclusively for use with a computer. They simply don't hold up for long, being pretty much the cheapest audio output devices you'll ever encounter. A decent hifi system *will* hold up to the rigours of a PC sound card. Much better to splash out a bit more for a single decent system that'll last you years than to splash out for three or four cheap systems that'll last you five minutes. -- Mark Stevens http://www.headspin.clara.net/ http://pressx.cjb.net/

I have the below mentioned setup (X-Gamer and FPS 2000's) and it rocks! Although I would have loved to go the Klipsch route...a bit too pricey. Anyway I am VERY happy with this setup and have tried many cards/speakers over the years.. The X-Gamer replaced my Monster Sound MX300 (Vortex 2) and I am hearing games in a whole new way. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mahmood" <[email hidden]> Newsgroups: rec.autos.simulators,comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.spor ts Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2000 3:17 PM Subject: Re: Speaker Opinions....Which kind to Buy?? > IIRC, the X-Gamer card has a digital out port, and the FPS2000s aredigital > speakers. Put two and two together and that way you won't get anyannoying > hissing sounds when you turn up the volume. Believe me, if I had anSBLive

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> w/ digital out I would have gotten the FPS2ks as well, because my regular > CSW 4 speaker/1 sub setup (the generation before the FPS2k) has _the most > annoying_ buzzing sound coming out of the front left speaker. > > Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote > > > > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of > their > > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front > and > > rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > > experience with speakers. > > > >

"Mahmood" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:TTIM4.62367$[email hidden]... > IIRC, the X-Gamer card has a digital out port, and the FPS2000s aredigital > speakers. Put two and two together and that way you won't get anyannoying > hissing sounds when you turn up the volume. Believe me, if I had anSBLive

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> w/ digital out I would have gotten the FPS2ks as well, because my regular > CSW 4 speaker/1 sub setup (the generation before the FPS2k) has _the most > annoying_ buzzing sound coming out of the front left speaker. > > Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote > > > > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of > their > > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front > and > > rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > > experience with speakers. > > > >

[email hidden] wrote in <2HYM4.3869$[email hidden]>: >I would highly recommend the Klipsch ProMedia v.2 -400. They are great >for everything and the sub-woofer kicks some real ass.... > >http://www.klipsch.com/ Very nice looking bit of gear, and from the specs and your recommendation I don't doubt they would sound pretty good. It's about bloody time they stopped selling us the Mickey Mouse crap that has been computer audio. I'd love to find a clean version of that THX sound bite on the Klipsch site to use as my computer start up sound. Anyone know where to find it ? -- Don Scurlock Vancouver,B.C.

I'm very much impressed with the Event PS 5's. Or is it PS 6? Either way, they are superb. Accurate. -- Mark Jeangerard www.soundchaserweb.com New Mexico, USA Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:%pHM4.2262$[email hidden]... > I would like to have some opinions on which speakers to purchase for my > computer. I've just ordered the SoundBlaster Live! X-Gamer soundcard, and > figured while I'm spending some money, I might as well upgrade my speakers. > I currently have SonLab's CS-SW2 dual satellite speakers w/ subwoofer, and > while I don't mind these speakers, I would like to upgrade specifically for > my gaming needs. > > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of their > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front and > rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > experience with speakers. > > Lastly, aside from gamecenter.com, where is another good site for hardware > reviews?? > > Once again, and information is greatly appreciated..... > > Dave > >

I'd rather than send the nasty distorted output of a soundcard to my Polks. Thanks, though. Jeff On Mon, 24 Apr 2000 23:21:10 +0100, Mark Stevens <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>This is precisely the reason why you *should* get a more dedicated >hifi system. Myself, family and friends have gone through *dozens* of >pairs of speakers built exclusively for use with a computer. They >simply don't hold up for long, being pretty much the cheapest audio >output devices you'll ever encounter. A decent hifi system *will* hold >up to the rigours of a PC sound card. Much better to splash out a bit >more for a single decent system that'll last you years than to splash >out for three or four cheap systems that'll last you five minutes.

On Mon, 24 Apr 2000 09:22:43 -0400, ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> scribbled:

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>This is silly... sound quality is only as good as the input - and you >are fooling yourselves if you think the quality of a SB Live is good >as say, a NAD amp - or even a SONY. You will kill a good pair of >speakers sending garbage signal to them. Get a pair of Midiland S260s >and be happy. They are only about $90 on outpost.com. > >Jeff

Some people actually do use their S/PDIF outputs, and as such the quality ain't bad at all. You could certainly do much worse with standard audio components. -Slash "The people on the internet know more about what I am doing than I do. Like, they will say that I am going to be in this mall on this day and sure enough I am there." - Tori Amos, Dew Drop Inn Tour, 17-June-1996

On Tue, 25 Apr 2000 05:13:43 -0800, Slash <[email hidden]> wrote: >Some people actually do use their S/PDIF outputs, and as such the >quality ain't bad at all. > >You could certainly do much worse with standard audio components. With a S/PDIF, maybe - but I don't have that. My point is - the sound quality of a SB Live, as superior as it may be to other sound cards - is still garbage. And garbage signals destroy speakers. No way would I sent the analog output to my NAD and Polks --- the Midiland speakers do the job. I used to run the audio out from my DVD decoder to my system -- and big explosions, etc were distorted... speach was harsh... it was bad. With a read DVD set-up, and not *integrating* my computer audio with my real system - my speakers and ears thank me. Question - how many of you are using your DVD-ROM as your CD player also? LOL.

On Tue, 25 Apr 2000 08:10:58 -0400, ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> scribbled: >I'd rather than send the nasty distorted output of a soundcard to my >Polks. Thanks, though. > >Jeff You know, there have been leaps and bounds recently in the area of computer audio add-on cards (commonly abbreviated to 'soundcards'). Research advancements have led to the advent of higher bit sound processing and output capabilities, with some soundcards achieving fully 16 bits of resolution (!). They have also made the natural step to dual channel (stereo) sound. No longer are you limited to 8, 11 or even 22KHz output, as the leading brands are now able to realize bandwidth up to 44KHz, or in some cases, 48KHz (wow!). There has also ben rumor of an upcoming prototype card that combines all three of these phenomenal advancements into a single plug-in board, although no price has yet to be announced. What *will* they think of next? :) <disclaimer, this is meant as humor and is not intended to be derogatory or insulting> Seriously, if you're getting noticeably distorted audio from any computer soundcard made in the last two years or so, you're most likely doing something horribly wrong. :) -Slash "The people on the internet know more about what I am doing than I do. Like, they will say that I am going to be in this mall on this day and sure enough I am there." - Tori Amos, Dew Drop Inn Tour, 17-June-1996

When thinking of what... crap?

Quite an audiophile you are....

Speakers..... Cerwin Vega comes to mind.. I personally have a pair of $15 tin cans hooked up to the speaker out of my soundcard. The line out however is hooked to a home reciever which powers my cerwin vega D3's. Only downside is I don't live alone, so the headphones get used the most, though the D3's come close to matching the headphones +) Md "Paul S." wrote:

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> > I have the below mentioned setup (X-Gamer and FPS 2000's) and it rocks! > Although I would have loved to go the Klipsch route...a bit too pricey. > Anyway I am VERY happy with this setup and have tried many cards/speakers > over the years.. The X-Gamer replaced my Monster Sound MX300 (Vortex 2) and > I am hearing games in a whole new way. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mahmood" <[email hidden]> > Newsgroups: > rec.autos.simulators,comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.spor > ts > Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2000 3:17 PM > Subject: Re: Speaker Opinions....Which kind to Buy?? > > > IIRC, the X-Gamer card has a digital out port, and the FPS2000s are > digital > > speakers. Put two and two together and that way you won't get any > annoying > > hissing sounds when you turn up the volume. Believe me, if I had an > SBLive > > w/ digital out I would have gotten the FPS2ks as well, because my regular > > CSW 4 speaker/1 sub setup (the generation before the FPS2k) has _the most > > annoying_ buzzing sound coming out of the front left speaker. > > > > Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote > > > > > > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of > > their > > > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front > > and > > > rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > > > experience with speakers. > > > > > > > > > "Mahmood" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:TTIM4.62367$[email hidden]... > > IIRC, the X-Gamer card has a digital out port, and the FPS2000s are > digital > > speakers. Put two and two together and that way you won't get any > annoying > > hissing sounds when you turn up the volume. Believe me, if I had an > SBLive > > w/ digital out I would have gotten the FPS2ks as well, because my regular > > CSW 4 speaker/1 sub setup (the generation before the FPS2k) has _the most > > annoying_ buzzing sound coming out of the front left speaker. > > > > Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote > > > > > > Currently, I am considering the Cambridge FPS 2000 speakers because of > > their > > > 4 speakers, with the benefit of hearing different sounds from the front > > and > > > rear speakers, and surround sound. As you can tell, I have very limited > > > experience with speakers. > > > > > > >

In rec.autos.simulators Don Scurlock <[email hidden]> wrote: % Very nice looking bit of gear, and from the specs and your recommendation I % don't doubt they would sound pretty good. It's about bloody time they stopped % selling us the Mickey Mouse crap that has been computer audio. I'd love to find % a clean version of that THX sound bite on the Klipsch site to use as my % computer start up sound. Anyone know where to find it ? There are various "compressed" versions I found using http://www.fast-search.com However, the one I have is a 2 meg wav file... You can find an mp3 version at http://www.iocon.com/das/sounds_o.shtml You can find uncompressed wav verions at http://www.neurotoxin.net/~jsbehr/WAVS_VIDS/Movies/BeforeTheMovie/THX/ -- **************************** Michael E. Carver ************************* Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town. [email hidden] http://www.teleport.com/~mcarver =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./. [- < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

When thinking of what... crap? On Wed, 26 Apr 2000 14:57:25 GMT, Martyn Danby <[email hidden]> wrote: >Cerwin Vega comes to mind..

Quite an audiophile you are.... On Tue, 25 Apr 2000 20:59:35 -0800, Slash <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>You know, there have been leaps and bounds recently in the area of >computer audio add-on cards (commonly abbreviated to 'soundcards'). >Research advancements have led to the advent of higher bit sound >processing and output capabilities, with some soundcards achieving >fully 16 bits of resolution (!). They have also made the natural step >to dual channel (stereo) sound. No longer are you limited to 8, 11 or >even 22KHz output, as the leading brands are now able to realize >bandwidth up to 44KHz, or in some cases, 48KHz (wow!). There has also >ben rumor of an upcoming prototype card that combines all three of >these phenomenal advancements into a single plug-in board, although no >price has yet to be announced. What *will* they think of next? :)

Martyn Danby <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Cerwin Vega comes to mind.. Do you have some sort of vendetta against your ears? C'mon, tell the group. Maybe talking about it will help... :-) -- Mark Jeangerard www.soundchaserweb.com New Mexico, USA

They push them at Circuit City - so many people think CVs are great speakers. On Thu, 27 Apr 2000 13:31:12 -0600, "Mark Jeangerard" <[email hidden]> wrote: >Martyn Danby <[email hidden]> wrote in message >news:[email hidden]... >> Cerwin Vega comes to mind.. > >Do you have some sort of vendetta against your ears? C'mon, tell the group. >Maybe talking about it will help... :-)

Well... actually I don't get to run the bigguns as much as i'd like, but if i didn't have others livin here i most certainly would +) Md Mark Jeangerard wrote:

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> > Martyn Danby <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > Cerwin Vega comes to mind.. > > Do you have some sort of vendetta against your ears? C'mon, tell the group. > Maybe talking about it will help... :-) > > -- > Mark Jeangerard > www.soundchaserweb.com > New Mexico, USA

Hmm well I bought mine used along time ago, i can't vouch for the quality of the product these days. Md ELVIS2001 wrote:

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> > They push them at Circuit City - so many people think CVs are great > speakers. > > On Thu, 27 Apr 2000 13:31:12 -0600, "Mark Jeangerard" > <[email hidden]> wrote: > > >Martyn Danby <[email hidden]> wrote in message > >news:[email hidden]... > >> Cerwin Vega comes to mind.. > > > >Do you have some sort of vendetta against your ears? C'mon, tell the group. > >Maybe talking about it will help... :-)

i have found that with my current system that SB live platinum and Klipsch pro-media 400 speakers in a 12x12 room conveys a certain ambiance that can be felt as well as heard 20 cars on a starting grid is somewhere in the neighborhood of AWESOME :) Michael E. Carver <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:K0FN4.437$[email hidden]... > In rec.autos.simulators Don Scurlock <[email hidden]> wrote: > > % Very nice looking bit of gear, and from the specs and yourrecommendation I > % don't doubt they would sound pretty good. It's about bloody time theystopped > % selling us the Mickey Mouse crap that has been computer audio. I'd loveto find

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> % a clean version of that THX sound bite on the Klipsch site to use as my > % computer start up sound. Anyone know where to find it ? > > There are various "compressed" versions I found using > http://www.fast-search.com > > However, the one I have is a 2 meg wav file... > > You can find an mp3 version at > http://www.iocon.com/das/sounds_o.shtml > > You can find uncompressed wav verions at > http://www.neurotoxin.net/~jsbehr/WAVS_VIDS/Movies/BeforeTheMovie/THX/ > > > -- > **************************** Michael E. Carver ************************* > Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town. > [email hidden] http://www.teleport.com/~mcarver > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./. [- < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >

On Wed, 26 Apr 2000 18:03:40 -0400, ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> scribbled: >Quite an audiophile you are.... Indeed. Although I'm still wondering what it is, specifically, about computer setups that you find so grating (excuse the unintended pun). I'm aware that when it all comes down to it, discrete components rule the roost, but I can hardly envision a properly set up computer/amp system damaging any speakers from excessive clipping. Clipping, from what I understand, usually results from a signal imbalance (improper line-level voltage matching, etc.), so it would seem that to be experiencing such obvious clipping, you would have to have done something such as set the SB Live's equalizer way out of whack, which would then naturally screw everything up when passed through the amplifier. Anyways, I'm open to intelligent discussion about the detriments of using a PC as an audio source. -Slash "The people on the internet know more about what I am doing than I do. Like, they will say that I am going to be in this mall on this day and sure enough I am there." - Tori Amos, Dew Drop Inn Tour, 17-June-1996

If you were to set your EQ improperly on a SB Live, you wouldn't want to do it into a pair of good speakers - that's for sure. A decent amp / receiver setup won't clip as easily, and is more forgiving. My receiver has a "soft clipping" feature - which is nice since the amp is relatively low power (40 watt NAD). However - I wasn't speaking of clipping - I was speaking of signal quality. Speakers love a CLEAN signal.... less work on the cones -- less movement. An SB Live still produces dirty sound, compared to say - a good or ever half decent amp/receiver. Not such a factor on a small set of desktop speakers, with their little 3" drivers, they can take the dirty signal (and most likely, can't even reproduce the real nasty stuff in the lower and higher frequencies). I just think you guys are nuts -- unless you like replacing your audio components frequently. I've had the same set of Polk 7Cs for 10 years --- won't replace them for another 10, probably. On Thu, 27 Apr 2000 16:32:13 -0800, Slash <[email hidden]> wrote: >Although I'm still wondering what it is, specifically, about computer >setups that you find so grating (excuse the unintended pun). I'm aware >that when it all comes down to it, discrete components rule the roost, >but I can hardly envision a properly set up computer/amp system >damaging any speakers from excessive clipping. Clipping, from what I >understand, usually results from a signal imbalance (improper

In article <[email hidden]>, ELVIS2001 wrote: >frequently. I've had the same set of Polk 7Cs for 10 years --- won't >replace them for another 10, probably. If the material holding your cones in place lasts that long...

Its mostly *** - and appears to be in good shape.

Not really - I'm comparing pre-amps.

Hello, You are comparing an amplifier to a sound-card. Surely a more appropriate comparison would be to compare a sound-card to a CD deck or other source material. The sound-card is of course an audio source (or maybe pre-amp) rather than an amplifier. A good quality sound-card (i.e.. soundblaster live) feeding into a good quality amplifier and played through high quality speakers will by far outperform a good (amplified) PC speaker set. Most people will find it more than satisfactory, however it will not be up to the standards of an audiophile. I use a set of Cambridge FPS 1000 speakers on my PC along with a Soundblaster Live 1024, this is in a small room and sounds fine for my requirements of a PC game, I wouldn't use them for playing music though, at least not seriously. If I want to listen to music or watch movies I do so on my AV system (TEAC Dolby Digital receiver, DVD player etc.) I'm not prepared to pay the extra for the absolute best AV equipment as in most instances what I have more than satisfies my requirements. I like listening to good quality music, but at the same time I am not too concerned about slight nuances that are added by the equipment. -- Ian Parker == ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > If you were to set your EQ improperly on a SB Live, you wouldn't want > to do it into a pair of good speakers - that's for sure. A decent amp > / receiver setup won't clip as easily, and is more forgiving. My > receiver has a "soft clipping" feature - which is nice since the amp > is relatively low power (40 watt NAD). > > However - I wasn't speaking of clipping - I was speaking of signal > quality. Speakers love a CLEAN signal.... less work on the cones -- > less movement. An SB Live still produces dirty sound, compared to say > - a good or ever half decent amp/receiver. Not such a factor on a > small set of desktop speakers, with their little 3" drivers, they can > take the dirty signal (and most likely, can't even reproduce the real > nasty stuff in the lower and higher frequencies). I just think you > guys are nuts -- unless you like replacing your audio components > frequently. I've had the same set of Polk 7Cs for 10 years --- won't > replace them for another 10, probably. > > >

Its mostly rubber - and appears to be in good shape. On Sat, 29 Apr 2000 22:48:47 GMT, [email hidden] (Joseph Huesmann) wrote: >>frequently. I've had the same set of Polk 7Cs for 10 years --- won't >>replace them for another 10, probably. > >If the material holding your cones in place lasts that long...

Not really - I'm comparing pre-amps. On Sun, 30 Apr 2000 19:34:37 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote: > You are comparing an amplifier to a sound-card.

Yes - definitely. However - my entire point is that it is not *good* for the speakers. That's all. On Sun, 30 Apr 2000 19:34:37 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote: >A good quality sound-card (i.e.. soundblaster live) feeding into a good >quality amplifier and played through high quality speakers will by far >outperform a good (amplified) PC speaker set.

Perhaps a loud signal with heavy DC offset or wild transients can damage speakers, but I think this has more to do with the first link in the chain - the data the game is sending, than with the soundcard. I don't think cheap soundcards are THAT bad. Jari Jokinen ELVIS2001 wrote in message ...

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>Yes - definitely. However - my entire point is that it is not *good* >for the speakers. That's all. > >On Sun, 30 Apr 2000 19:34:37 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> >wrote: > >>A good quality sound-card (i.e.. soundblaster live) feeding into a good >>quality amplifier and played through high quality speakers will by far >>outperform a good (amplified) PC speaker set. >

I disagree with that, unless the amplifier is clipping the signal or you are overdriving the speakers, feeding a dirty signal into speakers will not damage them. Speakers hate Direct Current which is what clipping the signal does. They also hate hitting the travel limit of the voice coil. No other signal will cause them damage other than maybe wearing a bit faster. -- Ian Parker == ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Yes - definitely. However - my entire point is that it is not *good* > for the speakers. That's all. > > On Sun, 30 Apr 2000 19:34:37 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> > wrote: > > >A good quality sound-card (i.e.. soundblaster live) feeding into a good > >quality amplifier and played through high quality speakers will by far > >outperform a good (amplified) PC speaker set. >

Not really, a sound-card is both a source and pre-amp. I did mention that it could also be classed as a pre-amp in my original post though. -- Ian Parker == ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Not really - I'm comparing pre-amps. > > On Sun, 30 Apr 2000 19:34:37 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> > wrote: > > > You are comparing an amplifier to a sound-card. >

The source is the computer, if you want to split hairs about it. On Mon, 1 May 2000 10:15:28 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote: >Not really, a sound-card is both a source and pre-amp. > >I did mention that it could also be classed as a pre-amp in my original post >though.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL. I suggest you speak with *any* technical expect on this issue. On Mon, 1 May 2000 10:13:35 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote: >I disagree with that, unless the amplifier is clipping the signal or you are >overdriving the speakers, feeding a dirty signal into speakers will not >damage them.

I do..., but probably from overdriving them with her tunes... Md Ian P wrote:

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> > I was in the automotive hifi industry for a good few years and never had any > problems with damaging speakers from poor sound sources, only from over > driving or clipping. > I don't know of anyone who ever damaged a speaker from using a soundcard > either, do you ? > > -- > Ian Parker > > == > ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > LOLOLOLOLOLOL. I suggest you speak with *any* technical expect on > > this issue. > > > > On Mon, 1 May 2000 10:13:35 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> > > wrote: > > > > >I disagree with that, unless the amplifier is clipping the signal or you > are > > >overdriving the speakers, feeding a dirty signal into speakers will not > > >damage them. > >

I was in the automotive hifi industry for a good few years and never had any problems with damaging speakers from poor sound sources, only from over driving or clipping. I don't know of anyone who ever damaged a speaker from using a soundcard either, do you ? -- Ian Parker == ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > LOLOLOLOLOLOL. I suggest you speak with *any* technical expect on > this issue. > > On Mon, 1 May 2000 10:13:35 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> > wrote: > > >I disagree with that, unless the amplifier is clipping the signal or you are > >overdriving the speakers, feeding a dirty signal into speakers will not > >damage them. >

Are you speaking of quality damage or "blowing" speakers? You may not blow them, but you will certainly compromise them. And being in the automotive HIFi industy hardly qualifies you an expert. Car audio *also* sucks. On Tue, 2 May 2000 10:23:14 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> wrote: >I was in the automotive hifi industry for a good few years and never had any >problems with damaging speakers from poor sound sources, only from over >driving or clipping. > I don't know of anyone who ever damaged a speaker from using a soundcard >either, do you ?

On Mon, 08 May 2000 18:24:45 -0400, ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> scribbled: >Are you speaking of quality damage or "blowing" speakers? You may not >blow them, but you will certainly compromise them. And being in the >automotive HIFi industy hardly qualifies you an expert. Car audio >*also* sucks. Car audio doesn't suck, it's the cars that create the design problems. A car isn't exactly a great acoustic chamber. -Slash "The people on the internet know more about what I am doing than I do. Like, they will say that I am going to be in this mall on this day and sure enough I am there." - Tori Amos, Dew Drop Inn Tour, 17-June-1996

True, a car is a terrible place to reproduce audio, but it is possible to get a very good sound by strategic positioning of the equipment, and of course using quality equipment selected accordingly :) -- Ian Parker == Slash <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > On Mon, 08 May 2000 18:24:45 -0400, ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> > scribbled: > > > Car audio doesn't suck, it's the cars that create the design problems. > A car isn't exactly a great acoustic chamber. > > -Slash

I have seen (heard) car hifi systems which will put many home systems to shame. How exactly are you involved in hifi, an end user ? What exactly do know about hifi, what you read in a magazine ? I have run my speakers at home for several years using all sorts of sources, they still sound / run as they did a few days after I bought them. (Remembering that the cones take a few days use to wear in and will gradually decay with use) Being in the car hifi business, I met a lot of manufacturers of car and home hifi equipment, they are all of the same opinion as me. Your last comment has just confirmed to me how little you actually know about hi-fi. -- Ian Parker == ELVIS2001 <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Are you speaking of quality damage or "blowing" speakers? You may not > blow them, but you will certainly compromise them. And being in the > automotive HIFi industy hardly qualifies you an expert. Car audio > *also* sucks. > > On Tue, 2 May 2000 10:23:14 +0100, "Ian P" <[email hidden]> > wrote: > > >I was in the automotive hifi industry for a good few years and never had any > >problems with damaging speakers from poor sound sources, only from over > >driving or clipping. > > I don't know of anyone who ever damaged a speaker from using a soundcard > >either, do you ? >

Ian P wrote: > I have seen (heard) car hifi systems which will put many home systems to > shame. > Provided, of course, that these "home" systems are from Circuit City/Tweeter/ Bose Cambridge Soundworks et al. For the most part not a defensible standard. Compare your car system to a pair of well placed Sonus Faber Concertino's with a comparable source/ amplifier, and sitting in a Lazy Boy (triangulated for optimal soundstage) I really doubt that there is any contest!! Your car system will generate a lot more (distorted) mid bass (and may even be able to find the automobile's resonant frequency thereby letting the entire street know you've got bass) but won't score on accuracy, soundstage, timbre etc... A car is just too noisy. > I have run my speakers at home for several years using all sorts of sources, > they still sound / run as they did a few days after I bought them. > (Remembering that the cones take a few days use to wear in and will > gradually decay with use) The break in period for new speakers is usually measured in listening hours of often more than a few days. Speaker cones are made of a variety of different materials, and their "gradual decay" is on a lot slower scale than mine ;-) That is the 2nd law's effects aren't an issue during the lifetime of the speaker. > Your last comment has just confirmed to me how little you actually know > about hi-fi. From the horses mouth? johng -- ------------------------------- Cracking toast, Grommit! -------------------------------

John Gwynn <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> > > Ian P wrote: > > > I have seen (heard) car hifi systems which will put many home systems to > > shame. > > > > Provided, of course, that these "home" systems are from Circuit

City/Tweeter/ > Bose Cambridge Soundworks et al. > > For the most part not a defensible standard. > I'm talking about equipment that the average enthusiast could afford. I haven't heard equipment from the manufacturers you mention as they are not widely available in this country. Circuit City means absolutely nothing to me as we don't have those either, but I'll assume they are equivalent to Richer Sounds ie.bargain basement ;) > Compare your car system to a pair of well placed Sonus Faber Concertino'swith a > comparable source/ amplifier, and sitting in a Lazy Boy (triangulated for > optimal soundstage) I really doubt that there is any contest!! > See above... but I never said there would be...... > Your car system will generate a lot more (distorted) mid bass (and mayeven be > able to find the automobile's resonant frequency thereby letting theentire > street know you've got bass) but won't score on accuracy, soundstage,timbre > etc... A car is just too noisy. My car isn't even comparable because I don't have a very high quality system in my car anymore. (reason as below) Have you been to an IASCA (SCA in Europe) sanctioned sound- off ? I can guarantee you that some of the systems you hear there will impress all but the most hardened audiophile. The owners or fitters spend long days ensuring that there are little resonances and deadening as much road noise as possible, the resonant frequency of the car is measured with a RTA and the speaker crossover frequencies are adapted to help overcome this and reduce the amount of bass at this frequency at the drivers seat (As an aside, if you move from your selected listening position for your home hifi your frequency response will be different). > > > I have run my speakers at home for several years using all sorts ofsources, > > they still sound / run as they did a few days after I bought them. > > (Remembering that the cones take a few days use to wear in and will > > gradually decay with use) > > The break in period for new speakers is usually measured in listeninghours of > often more than a few days. > Speaker cones are made of a variety of different materials, and their"gradual > decay" is on a lot slower scale than mine ;-) I've no doubt as I bet mine were far cheaper than yours, I'm afraid I have other things that require my earnings (Mortgage , Wife etc.. :) ) but most speakers start to sound correct after a few days worth of use.

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> > That is the 2nd law's effects aren't an issue during the lifetime of the > speaker. > > > Your last comment has just confirmed to me how little you actually know > > about hi-fi. > > From the horses mouth? >

I didn't claim to be an expert on home hi-fi. I also don't claim to be an expert on car hifi, many people know far more than I do and I will listen to what they say if they put it in a well written statement such as you did possibly until the final comment <G> The part I referred to was him saying they *also* suck which implied to me that he thought I did also. I'm now actually sorry I wrote that as it came out more in anger than anything else due to a difficult day at work, it was unnecessary and I apologise for it. Post in haste repent at leisure. > johng To end, will you make an attempt at answering the original question? Will a decent soundcard feeding into a decent amplifier and driving decent speakers cause damage to the speakers ? (assuming there is no clipping of the signal or overdriving of the speakers or other equipment.) . Ian Parker

Ian P wrote: > To end, will you make an attempt at answering the original question? > Will a decent soundcard feeding into a decent amplifier and driving decent > speakers cause damage to the speakers ? (assuming there is no clipping of > the signal or overdriving of the speakers or other equipment.) AFAIK: My guess would be yes there is a greater possibility of damage from a sound card as most amplifiers are designed to work with predictable source components i.e. CD, DVD, tape, phono, VHS. I suspect that sound cards are capable of generating sustained (non musical) input signals that can cause damage. Most amplifiers have protective circutry that will stop when the input signal reaches a particular threshold. If there is no clipping then the signal is within tolerable limits. If there is a mismatch between the speakers tolerable range and the amps then you could have problems. it takes a lot to damage a quality amp/speaker combo. ymmv johng -- ------------------------------- Cracking toast, Grommit! -------------------------------