Just ordered an Auzentech Prelude and Z-5500

906 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Zulli85, Mar 10, 2009

Lumi

Discussion Starter · Mar 4, 2009

Can't wait until they get here. I've been dying to get better sound for the longest time, as I've been using on board sound and some $20 logitech speakers for almost a year now.

I'll probably use the Z-5500 with on board sound for a day before I install the sound card so I can hear the difference with that, instead of it just being with such far superior speakers.

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GoneTomorrow

· #2 · Mar 4, 2009

Awesome, it'll be like a whole new world

Environmental audio is awesome for games, particularly games like COD:WAW where it can give you an edge.
I have the sound card in my sig plus a set of Klipsch ProMedia Ultra's (six years old and still sound great) myself.

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.Sup

· #3 · Mar 4, 2009

Gratz buddy, enjoy your new setup

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The_Rocker

· #4 · Mar 4, 2009

Thats exactly the set up I had before I sold my prelude

You won't be dissapointed!

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noname

· #5 · Mar 4, 2009

Sweet, you'll fall in love.

Boyboyd

· #6 · Mar 4, 2009

Jealous, i'm still on 2.1

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Lumi

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 4, 2009

I can't wait until everything gets here. I've really never messed with more extensive speakers than "green plug goes in green hole, sound comes out"

Am I to understand that these higher end speakers have multiple ways to be connected? Are there advantages to using a certain way over another?

Whyifide

· #8 · Mar 4, 2009

3

Quote:

Originally Posted by boydyboyd

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Jealous, i'm still on 2.1

I went from 5.1 to 2.1

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pvp309rcp

· #9 · Mar 4, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumi

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I can't wait until everything gets here. I've really never messed with more extensive speakers than "green plug goes in green hole, sound comes out"

Am I to understand that these higher end speakers have multiple ways to be connected? Are there advantages to using a certain way over another?

I heard that using CoAx/Optical is better on getting the most out of it...but I switch off as my PS3 is connected via optical while my PC is connected via 6-ch-direct. When your z-5500 and prelude arrive...could you let me know how much of a difference in quality you get cause I'm actually pretty satisfied with onboard sound after some tweaking/equalizer modifications.

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The_Rocker

· #10 · Mar 4, 2009

As you are getting the prelude, enable Dolby Digital Live or DTS and use Coax / Optical.

I didn't notice a difference when using the mini jack analogue back when I had my Prelude.

noname

· #11 · Mar 5, 2009

3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whyifide

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I went from 5.1 to 2.1

Same

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rock3ralex

· #12 · Mar 5, 2009

congrats you'll love the change. I went from 2.1 gateway speakers and integrated to sound blaster 2 audigy platinum and 5.1 logitechs and plantronics headphones.

Lumi

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 5, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvp309rcp

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I heard that using CoAx/Optical is better on getting the most out of it...but I switch off as my PS3 is connected via optical while my PC is connected via 6-ch-direct. When your z-5500 and prelude arrive...could you let me know how much of a difference in quality you get cause I'm actually pretty satisfied with onboard sound after some tweaking/equalizer modifications.

Sure thing. I've been a bit skeptical about sound cards for awhile myself, but I've finally taken the dive after hearing so much from both sides. I've got some high quality music and a game or two ready to go to test them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Rocker

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As you are getting the prelude, enable Dolby Digital Live or DTS and use Coax / Optical.

I didn't notice a difference when using the mini jack analogue back when I had my Prelude.

This may be a stupid question, but will those hurt my gameplay experiences at all?

Honestly don't know much, so I have to ask.

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The_Rocker

· #14 · Mar 5, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumi

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Sure thing. I've been a bit skeptical about sound cards for awhile myself, but I've finally taken the dive after hearing so much from both sides. I've got some high quality music and a game or two ready to go to test them out.

This may be a stupid question, but will those hurt my gameplay experiences at all?

Honestly don't know much, so I have to ask.

No it won't

Basically, sound wil be playing through your headphones all the time. Just turn your speakers on or off depending on when you want to use them.

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Lumi

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 5, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Rocker

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No it won't

Basically, sound wil be playing through your headphones all the time. Just turn your speakers on or off depending on when you want to use them.

That is GREAT! I had wanted a soundcard with an external box just for the reason that using my headphones would be that much easier, but if I can leave it plugged in the back, even better.

Hope you guys don't mind if I ask another question, though. The audio ports on the case, the ones in the front, will they provide lesser sound quality even with them plugged into the sound card?

I've heard they were actually pretty bad.

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The_Rocker

· #16 · Mar 5, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumi

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That is GREAT! I had wanted a soundcard with an external box just for the reason that using my headphones would be that much easier, but if I can leave it plugged in the back, even better.

Hope you guys don't mind if I ask another question, though. The audio ports on the case, the ones in the front, will they provide lesser sound quality even with them plugged into the sound card?

I've heard they were actually pretty bad.

Don't even plug the front audio ports in. They have crappy quality cables which will be running through a PC case full of electric devices, that = A lot of electrical noise.

So yes, front panel will be lesser quality.

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Lumi

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 9, 2009

Just got everything today. Did a few comparisons on a few different levels of quality of music I have, and I enjoy the change.

But I cannot get alchemy to work and my two rear speakers, as a result, just refuse to play sound unless I'm running them in Stereo x2, which is pretty pointless in games.

If I try to launch alchemy, it says I don't have the device installed, but I clearly do. Switching the sound to 5.1 in the sound settings doesn't help at all, still no sound from those buggers.

What can I do?

Zulli85

· #18 · Mar 10, 2009

Sigh, another typical driver issue via Creative. May need to uninstall, run a driver cleaning program such as CCleaner and reinstall.

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