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Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 & surround speakers (questions from a noob)

post #1 of 15
11/18/09 at 10:45pm
Thread Starter 
I'm looking for a 5.1 setup for my computer. The first step is getting a sound card, I think. Currently, I'm using on-board sound with my headset (Sennheiser HD 555).

Is the Forte a good choice?

I will use it for the following, listed in order of importance and frequency:

1) gaming
2) music
3) watching movies/tv shows

I still plan on using my headset, so ideally I want a card that's good for my headset as well as a 5.1 speaker setup. On that note, any recommendations for speaker setups? I am unsure about getting a 5.1 speaker set thats labeled "computer speakers" because of bad experiences in the past (logitceh, altec lansing, etc.).

Should I get a 5.1 speaker set with a receiver, or just a speaker set, or buy speakers individually...? There seem to be so many options, I don't know where to start (which is also why I don't have a price range yet).

One final question I have: Does the Forte require any processes to be running in the background in order for me to experience all of its features (EAX, dts, etc.)? I really hate this, one of my pet peeves...

I'd appreciate suggestions, recommendations and advice.
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post #2 of 15
11/19/09 at 12:09am
Considering your requirments, the Forte is probably a very good match for you.
I would suggest that if your looking for speakers get a good receiver and build a decent 5.1 system yourself. Some may have some suggestions for you as to brand or models but many around here use headphones most of the time.
You would also need to post some type of budget to give people an idea of what to reccommend.
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post #3 of 15
11/19/09 at 2:21am
Thread Starter 
Alright, thanks for the reply.

My total budget = $500 CDN + cost of sound card

That means (for now) I have $500 CDN to spend, including shipping, taxes, and so on. I guess that means $450 CDN assuming shipping/taxes end up being around $50 CDN.

If I have the option of actually hearing something (either in-store, or free return), and it blows me away, I might be willing to spend more. Similarly, if I don't like my options, I probably will spend less than $500 CDN.
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post #4 of 15
11/19/09 at 10:30am
If you want to hear them before buying you will need to find models you like in local shops.
Some companies have return policies, try for 90 days, if your not satisfied return them.
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post #5 of 15
11/19/09 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
I'd prefer to hear them, yes. 90 day return policy would be fine with me, gives me enough time to listen and return. Just nervous about buying blind not having experience in this area.
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post #6 of 15
11/20/09 at 7:39pm
Thread Starter 
so can anyone help me?

I've seen other threads here but they dealt with 2.0/2.1 setups. I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to mixing and matching speakers and receiver. Also, not sure what characteristics to look for in centre/front/rear etc.
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post #7 of 15
12/22/09 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 
sorry to dig this up but...

I've decided to use my old receiver for my desktop system.
Is it worth it, buying a forte, if my receiver will be an old Pioneer VSX-05?
My mobo is Asus P6T. Just wondering if the sound card would be any better for hooking up my desktop to the receiver or for my headset.
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post #8 of 15
12/22/09 at 8:17pm
Sure. If your using the recevier for an amplifier for analog connection. Chances are the Forte would have a better DAC then the Receivers S/Pdif input section so digital connection would probably give you lower grade sound but I would try anyway. If your receiver has a digital input. Hope this helps.
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post #9 of 15
12/25/09 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your reply.

My receiver does not have multi-channel analog inputs. It only has AC-3/PCM inputs. Will it be possible to get surround sound from games AND dvds/blu rays?
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post #10 of 15
12/25/09 at 8:02pm
Pc games use multichannel pcm. SPDIF is only capable of 2ch pcm. You would need a sound card with Dolby Digital Live or DTS interactive, this will convert multichannel pcm audio to AC3 or DTS. AC3/DTS can then be passed to the receiver through toslink or coaxial.
DVD's and Blu-ray will work fine through SPDIF.
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post #11 of 15
12/25/09 at 8:32pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks!

This is what I saw on the official site:
"RCA/TOSLINK Combo Jack: Can connect to external DAC, AV Receiver, and Decoder through a 75Ω Coaxial cable or optical mini cable. Can play S/PDIF Stereo PCM and Dolby Digital AC-3, DTS bit-stream content."

Does that mean it will decode AC-3 and send it as multi PCM, or it will send the signal as AC-3 and let my receiver decode?
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post #12 of 15
12/25/09 at 10:23pm
It will bitstream(send as-is) AC3 and DTS through toslink/coaxial to the receiver. The receiver will then decode this.
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post #13 of 15
12/26/09 at 12:14am
Thread Starter 
Awesome, thanks for your help!

So if I understand correctly, the card has Dolby Digital Live, which means it will take multi PCM from games, make it AC-3. Then, from its description, it will bitstream AC-3 over the cable to the receiver, and then the receiver decodes the AC-3.

Cool.
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post #14 of 15
12/26/09 at 12:40am
Blurays will work through this connection but you will not get the high resolution formats available on many such as Dolby True HD or DTS-HDMA.

As for your other question, yes the Dolby Digital live encoder will encode the gaming audio to AC-3 and the card sends it over the S/Pdif to be decoded by the receiver.
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post #15 of 15
12/26/09 at 5:38pm
Thread Starter 
Right, I figured the newer dolby formats won't work.

Thanks!
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