soundblaster live or hercules game theater xp?

[revil]

So, which one is better? I have no clue.

http://us.hercules.com/products/audio/gametheaterxp/index.php3
http://www.creativelabs.com/sound/live-platinum-51/

[ironchef]

Can't speak for the SB, but I've got the XP. It's perty damn nice. Install was a piece o' cake (I have an Asus A7M266 which seems troublesome to the Live! cards) and that box is comes with is just wonderful.

I'm no audiophile and coming up from a laptop, I can't comment much on the sound quality. But, I like it quite a bit. It's a splendid thing the be able to play sounds from two different programs at once! (only one program could use the silly craptop audio)

The price is decent too. I got it from Amazon with the 10% coupon and I I believe free shipping. Price came down to like $120-something (this was a few weeks ago).

Software bundle leaves a bit to be desired, but game demos aren't much fun regardless. It does come with PowerDVD though. As far as cables etc, don't expect a whole lot (which is probably the norm). It comes with one 1/4" -> mini-plug converter to use on the headphone/mic jack on the box.

Hope that helps.

[hapoo]

Originally posted by ironchef

It's a splendid thing the be able to play sounds from two different programs at once! (only one program could use the silly craptop audio)


Thats possible with a Live card, or with any sound card if your using windows 2000

[ironchef]

Originally posted by hapoo

Thats possible with a Live card, or with any sound card if your using windows 2000 [/B]

Pretty much figured that. I was just pointing out my absurd happiness at such a simple thing.

[hapoo]

Originally posted by ironchef

Originally posted by hapoo

Thats possible with a Live card, or with any sound card if your using windows 2000

Pretty much figured that. I was just pointing out my absurd happiness at such a simple thing.

[/B]


I know what you mean, when i first installed win2k i was so happy cause i could hear my icq messages while playing games!! then it got really annoying so i turned the icq sounds off hehe

[spigidygak]

If you want just really good all around sound go with the sb live!. For better gaming get the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. And supposedly for music and movies, the phillips accoustic edge sound card is really good. I just put one of the phillips in a friends computer I built for him. Very nice sounding and he has a reciever he can hook up the digital coaxial output to.

[sbp]

You basically got 4 soundcards to consider Rev.

Philips Acoustic Edge.
Hercules Game Theatre XP.
Turtle Beach's Santa Cruz.
Or a SB Live soundcard.

Philips (http://www.pcsound.philips.com/index2.html) is doing a great job of support and driver updates.
The Hercules Game Theatre XP comes with that nice hub in which you can connect mucho things.
SBLive soundcards come with a good software bundle.

The reviews I've seen linked on 3d Sound Surge (http://www.3dss.com/) and neoseeker (http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Audio/Sound_Cards/) are giving the nod to one of the non-SBlive soundcards. They say those soundcards have the edge in 3d sound and features over the now aging EMU10K1 chipset. Thats why Creative is going to release soundcards with their new chipset in the fall.

[Edited by sbp on 04-03-2001 at 06:30 AM]