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Thread ID: 79663	2007-05-28 03:00:00	Altec Lansing PC Speakers?	John H (8)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
553776	2007-05-29 01:56:00	I'll how my complete ignorance here, but isn't that a Graphics card? No Nigel, you were showing MY complete ignorance :blush: You are right - it is my graphics card. Judging by an Everest report, sound appears to be managed on board the mobo. Maybe I need to re-look at that. Thanks.	John H (8)
553777	2007-05-29 02:46:00	Yep, that's a graphics card. The onboard sound on your mobo should be fine, but if you are unhappy with the sound quality produced, post back here saying why. I listen to music fine on my onboard sound from a pretty old system, and apparantly onboard sound has improved a lot over the years. If you do come to it, a dedicated souncard will coste you around $80 - $150, depending on the type. The annoying thing for me is that when I install a soundcard, I can no longer use my front audio ports, and must plug the speakers/headphones into the soundcard at the back of the pc.	mejobloggs (264)
553778	2007-05-29 03:38:00	Yep, that's a graphics card. (snip) The annoying thing for me is that when I install a soundcard, I can no longer use my front audio ports, and must plug the speakers/headphones into the soundcard at the back of the pc. Thanks mejobloggs. I hope you are right - I will find out when I get the new speakers I guess. My mobo is relatively new - it is a Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-9. I would miss the front ports if that is the case, because I use them for Skype for some overseas calls that last an hour or so to a remote location. That is where the headset plugs in. :-( I will just wait and see what happens. The sound quality from the current speakers wasn't too bad until recent deterioration (aka planned obsolescence) set in... Thanks again. John.	John H (8)
553779	2007-05-29 04:18:00	Heheh, yeah, but I figured I hardly EVER use my dvd drive, so I turned my pc around. Front audio ports... voila! :p	mejobloggs (264)
553780	2007-05-29 04:25:00	:D	John H (8)
553781	2007-05-29 07:15:00	I use Creative speakers myself. I have a friend who uses Altec. He and I can hear the difference. We agree that mine sound better in his rig with on board sound. We put his altec speakers in my system and they sound better than they do at his place. I have a PCI sound card. Neither of us are audiophiles and geography as to speaker placement and room acoustics does make a difference as well. Hard to tell and I think it is subjective. Also I have a 5.1. For the test though I just plugged in the sub and 2 speakers. I'm certainly not anti Altec anyway and I believe good brand as well. Never heard anything bad about them. Recently bought a Logitec 2.1 for another friend and they were not bad either. If you get the chance to try speakers out then I suggest you grab a favourite CD that you listen to on a regular basis. Then suck it and see. No point in my listening to your music and comparing. Like go to an art gallery and compare two paintings by two different artists. Or off to the same gallery and compare a painting with a sculpture. Compare Apples with Oranges. Compare prices as budgets do come into it. If I live in Wellington and want some Apples (that being fruit as oppossed to Apple Macs)and I then find that Apples are 2 cents cheaper per Kilo in Auckland would I drive from Wellington to Auckland? Not unless I wanted heaps of apples.	Sweep (90)
553782	2007-05-29 07:46:00	I use TDK Speakers which have two tweaters and a subwoofer for the bass. I used to use them in my old job when I was in charge of the music, not they are attached to my iMac (they were previously attached to my PC) and sit under my desk. For what they are they sound pretty good and have plenty of volume in a normal bedroom when needed. I think they retail for around $200. They are the better looking of the TDK speakers ( I have seen 3 different models available in Noel Leeming stores).	winmacguy (3367)
553783	2007-06-01 01:15:00	Just thought I would report back. I decided to go Altec Lansing but I also decided to up my sights a bit. I chose the MX5021 3 piece Concert set because it was said to be designed more for music than gaming, and the set looked a bit higher quality (according to my feeble research). They cost $226 from Ascent. I am very happy with them, no doubt through comparison with the previous speakers and the mini stereo system in my office. All sorts of sounds are audible with MP3s/CDs that I didn't know were there before, or that were muddy and obscure. The speakers produce a crisp, clear sound with depth; and considerable stereo separation (I don't know what I am talking about so bear with me here) by which I mean a clear distinction between the left and right hand channels. Good bass from the woofer (too much for me so I have had to crank it down a bit). Good control over volume, bass and treble, using the desktop control box (which has lots of blue lights) or the remote. It is interesting how much better some music sounds, and how other music sounds much the same. Thankfully it is my fav music that has improved enormously. This doesn't seem to be linked to the type of music, so I guess it has to do with the quality of the original recording, and these speakers are bringing that out. I don't think I need to add a sound card, but who knows until you try? Thanks to all of you for your ideas and assistance. :) :thumbs:	John H (8)
553784	2007-06-01 02:17:00	Yes crap recordings sound like crap on a good system while good recordings well sound good. Trevor :)	Trev (427)
553785	2007-06-01 03:04:00	I don't think I need to add a sound card, but who knows until you try? I was running a set of Altec lansing 5.1 speakers (and was more then happy with them) and I could easily distinguish the difference when switching between my Soundblaster Live and my integrated audio chipset. So I would say there will definitely be a noticeable difference, whether or not thats worth spending moire money on is the 99 dollar question. My Soundblaster died so I am back to the onboard audio.....(for the last year or so)	Metla (12)
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