Which Sound Card is Best?

Hi, I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or A3D card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work best? I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not sure that I want an EAX card. Thanks for any advice, Ryan

firstly i think the sblive value is a brilliant card for the money if you want eax if not then the diamond a3d card is also a damn fine card another thing to say dont whatever you doi buy the cambridge speakers they really are rubbish, two pairs of good quality speakers one with a sub will be much better although more costly, everyone i know who has either had a set of cambridge soundworks 4 point speakers has sent them back even though creative seem to think they are the best in the world, alteclansing are by far the best alrounders although the prices mirror this. as ive said the live and diamond watsit cards are the best but sb awe64 is still a fine card for the cash (the sb128 is a slightly up graded version of the awe64) jay

btw which Cambridge 4 piints you guys are talking about? There are two models, the big distiction is the price tag, one is 99.99 ands the other is in the 200's, I wouldn't expect the 99 dollar ones to be that great, but who has tried the 200-300 buck ones? (US dollars btw,)

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>firstly i think the sblive value is a brilliant card for the money if you >want eax if not then the diamond a3d card is also a damn fine card >another thing to say dont whatever you doi buy the cambridge speakers they >really are rubbish, two pairs of good quality speakers one with a sub will >be much better although more costly, everyone i know who has either had a >set of cambridge soundworks 4 point speakers has sent them back even though >creative seem to think they are the best in the world, alteclansing are by >far the best alrounders although the prices mirror this. >as ive said the live and diamond watsit cards are the best but sb awe64 is >still a fine card for the cash (the sb128 is a slightly up graded version

of

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>the awe64) >jay >> Hi, >> I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to >> buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or >A3D >> card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work

best? >> I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker >> system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not >> sure that I want an EAX card. >> Thanks for any advice, >> Ryan

Why are the speakers junk? I don't mean to contest your opinion, but I have read very good things about the 4 Point Speakers. Ryan

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>firstly i think the sblive value is a brilliant card for the money if you >want eax if not then the diamond a3d card is also a damn fine card >another thing to say dont whatever you doi buy the cambridge speakers they >really are rubbish, two pairs of good quality speakers one with a sub will >be much better although more costly, everyone i know who has either had a >set of cambridge soundworks 4 point speakers has sent them back even though >creative seem to think they are the best in the world, alteclansing are by >far the best alrounders although the prices mirror this. >as ive said the live and diamond watsit cards are the best but sb awe64 is >still a fine card for the cash (the sb128 is a slightly up graded version

of

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>the awe64) >jay >> Hi, >> I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to >> buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or >A3D >> card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work

best? >> I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker >> system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not >> sure that I want an EAX card. >> Thanks for any advice, >> Ryan

The spendy ones are digital and use a usb port I believe. JM

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> btw which Cambridge 4 piints you guys are talking about? There are two > models, the big distiction is the price tag, one is 99.99 ands the other is > in the 200's, I wouldn't expect the 99 dollar ones to be that great, but who > has tried the 200-300 buck ones? (US dollars btw,) > >firstly i think the sblive value is a brilliant card for the money if you > >want eax if not then the diamond a3d card is also a damn fine card > >another thing to say dont whatever you doi buy the cambridge speakers they > >really are rubbish, two pairs of good quality speakers one with a sub will > >be much better although more costly, everyone i know who has either had a > >set of cambridge soundworks 4 point speakers has sent them back even though > >creative seem to think they are the best in the world, alteclansing are by > >far the best alrounders although the prices mirror this. > >as ive said the live and diamond watsit cards are the best but sb awe64 is > >still a fine card for the cash (the sb128 is a slightly up graded version > of > >the awe64) > >jay > >> Hi, > >> I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to > >> buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or > >A3D > >> card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work > best? > >> I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker > >> system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not > >> sure that I want an EAX card. > >> Thanks for any advice, > >> Ryan

You should actually try several different brands sometime, I did and did not like the cambridge 4 point at all. There was no midrange and even when you turned the subwoofer all the way down it was still working when the honda engine hit 12,000 rpm. With my yamaha speakers the subwoofer has a good crossover point and the midrange is excellent. The 4 point is pushed by magazines who are paid by suits that apparently never use the product. JM

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> Why are the speakers junk? I don't mean to contest your opinion, but I have > read very good things about the 4 Point Speakers. > Ryan > >firstly i think the sblive value is a brilliant card for the money if you > >want eax if not then the diamond a3d card is also a damn fine card > >another thing to say dont whatever you doi buy the cambridge speakers they > >really are rubbish, two pairs of good quality speakers one with a sub will > >be much better although more costly, everyone i know who has either had a > >set of cambridge soundworks 4 point speakers has sent them back even though > >creative seem to think they are the best in the world, alteclansing are by > >far the best alrounders although the prices mirror this. > >as ive said the live and diamond watsit cards are the best but sb awe64 is > >still a fine card for the cash (the sb128 is a slightly up graded version > of > >the awe64) > >jay > >> Hi, > >> I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to > >> buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or > >A3D > >> card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work > best? > >> I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker > >> system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not > >> sure that I want an EAX card. > >> Thanks for any advice, > >> Ryan

I just got a set of the $100 cambridge 4 point speakers to compliment my Soundblaster live card, and for $100 I think they're great. I've heard better, but not at a better cost for a four point system!

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> You should actually try several different brands sometime, I did and did not > like the cambridge 4 point at all. There was no midrange and even when you > turned the subwoofer all the way down it was still working when the honda engine > hit 12,000 rpm. With my yamaha speakers the subwoofer has a good crossover point > and the midrange is excellent. The 4 point is pushed by magazines who are paid > by suits that apparently never use the product. > JM > > Why are the speakers junk? I don't mean to contest your opinion, but I have > > read very good things about the 4 Point Speakers. > > Ryan > > >firstly i think the sblive value is a brilliant card for the money if you > > >want eax if not then the diamond a3d card is also a damn fine card > > >another thing to say dont whatever you doi buy the cambridge speakers they > > >really are rubbish, two pairs of good quality speakers one with a sub will > > >be much better although more costly, everyone i know who has either had a > > >set of cambridge soundworks 4 point speakers has sent them back even though > > >creative seem to think they are the best in the world, alteclansing are by > > >far the best alrounders although the prices mirror this. > > >as ive said the live and diamond watsit cards are the best but sb awe64 is > > >still a fine card for the cash (the sb128 is a slightly up graded version > > of > > >the awe64) > > >jay > > >> Hi, > > >> I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to > > >> buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or > > >A3D > > >> card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work > > best? > > >> I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker > > >> system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not > > >> sure that I want an EAX card. > > >> Thanks for any advice, > > >> Ryan

Got me there, I spent $160. I tried the cambridge but think the extra $60 was money well spent. JM

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> I just got a set of the $100 cambridge 4 point speakers to compliment my > Soundblaster live card, and for $100 I think they're great. I've heard better, but > not at a better cost for a four point system! > > You should actually try several different brands sometime, I did and did not > > like the cambridge 4 point at all. There was no midrange and even when you > > turned the subwoofer all the way down it was still working when the honda engine > > hit 12,000 rpm. With my yamaha speakers the subwoofer has a good crossover point > > and the midrange is excellent. The 4 point is pushed by magazines who are paid > > by suits that apparently never use the product. > > JM > > > Why are the speakers junk? I don't mean to contest your opinion, but I have > > > read very good things about the 4 Point Speakers. > > > Ryan > > > >firstly i think the sblive value is a brilliant card for the money if you > > > >want eax if not then the diamond a3d card is also a damn fine card > > > >another thing to say dont whatever you doi buy the cambridge speakers they > > > >really are rubbish, two pairs of good quality speakers one with a sub will > > > >be much better although more costly, everyone i know who has either had a > > > >set of cambridge soundworks 4 point speakers has sent them back even though > > > >creative seem to think they are the best in the world, alteclansing are by > > > >far the best alrounders although the prices mirror this. > > > >as ive said the live and diamond watsit cards are the best but sb awe64 is > > > >still a fine card for the cash (the sb128 is a slightly up graded version > > > of > > > >the awe64) > > > >jay > > > >> Hi, > > > >> I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to > > > >> buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or > > > >A3D > > > >> card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work > > > best? > > > >> I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker > > > >> system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not > > > >> sure that I want an EAX card. > > > >> Thanks for any advice, > > > >> Ryan

I think you answered your question yourself. The upcomming N2000 is an A3d product. Not EAX. (at least not yet) While the SB Live may be better(even if it is, not by much) You probably should consider what sims you'll be driving in the future. I'm guessing the GPL 1.1 patch "may" have EAX included, but it sounds like the Nascar sims will be dx or A3d. So I'd be thinking the diamond Monster3d. dave henrie -- On May 17, 1999 A Whale was killed off the coast of Washington State. The Whale was killed in the name of Tradition.....I say.... %&#& Tradition! >Hi, >I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to >buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or A3D >card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work best? >I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker >system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not >sure that I want an EAX card. >Thanks for any advice, >Ryan

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> I think you answered your question yourself. The upcomming > N2000 is an A3d product. Not EAX. (at least not yet) > While the SB Live may be better(even if it is, not by much) > You probably should consider what sims you'll be driving in > the future. I'm guessing the GPL 1.1 patch "may" have > EAX included, but it sounds like the Nascar sims will be > dx or A3d. > So I'd be thinking the diamond Monster3d.

Again, Papy supporting the underdog...Rendition, A3D. What's next? Sound support for Gravis Ultrasound? ;^) l8er ronny -- How to get rid of censorship in German game releases <http://www.gamesmania.com/german/maniac/freedom/freedom.htm> |\ _,,,---,,_ I want to die like my Grandfather, ZZZzz /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ in his sleep. |,4- ) )-,_. ,\ ( `'-' Not like the people in his car, '---''(_/--' `-'\_) screaming their heads off!

>Again, Papy supporting the underdog...Rendition, A3D. What's next? >Sound support for Gravis Ultrasound? ;^) They're also taking the suggestion from r.a.s. that GPL come bundled with a copy of Grand Prix the movie. Unfortunately, it will be on Beta videotape. Don McCorkle Libertarian Motorsports

The sblive will support N2000 sound using dx.

>Again, Papy supporting the underdog...Rendition, A3D. What's next? >Sound support for Gravis Ultrasound? ;^) Is the GUS still available? Chris

> >Again, Papy supporting the underdog...Rendition, A3D. What's next? > >Sound support for Gravis Ultrasound? ;^) > Is the GUS still available? Well, I have one sitting on my shelf, but I don't think you can find them on a store shelf today. l8er ronny -- How to get rid of censorship in German game releases <http://www.gamesmania.com/german/maniac/freedom/freedom.htm> |\ _,,,---,,_ I want to die like my Grandfather, ZZZzz /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ in his sleep. |,4- ) )-,_. ,\ ( `'-' Not like the people in his car, '---''(_/--' `-'\_) screaming their heads off!

MX300 for game play. SB Live full version for music. MX300 does both A3D and EAX. SB Live can't do A3D. Amything Vortex 2 based would probably do but the MX300 has excellent driver support. As for speakers....personal choice!

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> Hi, > I am really interested in upgrading my SB16. I am not sure which card to > buy, however, as there are many choices. I would like either an EAX or A3D > card. Which type of each would you recommend and what speakers work best? > I saw at Best Buy the other day a SB128 with the Cambridge four-speaker > system and subwoofer for $150, but since N2000 is supporting A3D, I'm not > sure that I want an EAX card. > Thanks for any advice, > Ryan