The headphones used to be plugged into the headphone jack.

Speakers are currently plugged in directly to the soundcard, the speaker out jack.  The speakers are self-powered indeed.

Uh oh!  I got the new soundcard and all is not well.  It's making the exact same sounds as the old one did.  The same medium-loud pop/clicks from the speakers on computer power on or power off.  3 of them.  I guess that means it's not the soundcard then, but something else.   I'll have to get...

Nah, it wasn't under warranty anymore.

Nevermind, I didn't want to risk it.  Trying the card in the other slot yielded the same sorts of noises at computer power up and shutdown. So, I ended up ordering a new SoundBlaster Z after I found one on sale.   Case closed.   Thanks all the help.  :)

Upon listening further and adjusting the volume controls on my Microworks, it seems that it is making about 3 medium volume pop/click's upon power up and power down.  They're not so loud that i'd call them a thud sound.  What does a soundcard relaying sound like?

So, what's the next order of business? A new soundcard? Onboard just isnt doing it for me. I don't necessarily have the money for it ATM, but I will splurge if I must. Is there any harm in trying it in the other slot?

Ohhh yeah.  I just remembered, I was having an issue with a fried graphics card.  It was running fine for a while and then it died.  It had artifacts and strange coloring on the post screen.  Anyways, it was around the same time that the soundcard started making that weird thudding sound.  I...

I never used any excessive listening volumes with either the speakerout or headphone jack.   I am using a Nexxtech switcher.  It's a little dealie with a button on top to switch between headphones and speakers.  Or two sets of whatever you plugged in.  It also supports a mic.   The damaged...

Plugged into the amplified headphone jack - $170 Shure IEMs to the point where they no longer produce sound at all, a pair of Sony Headphones that have lost one channel, and now I think my Cambridge Soundworks Microworks on the right speaker seems to be going (flapping noises).  For the...

Nevermind! I just bought a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 75th Anniversary edition from http://www.tsto.com. Last pair they had too. Woot!

Because it doesn't have a hardware DSP. The only reason to go x-fi is pretty much the hardware DSP, without that it doesn't hold much appeal.

Ok, I've decided to go for Bookshelfs. Trying to decide between the Wharfedale Diamond 9.2's and the B&W DM602 S2's. Any advice?

I e-mailed Audiotrak and they said the processor is the CA0110 which (i believe) is the same processor in the Extreme Audio. So this card is pretty much out of the question.

Thanks guys, Ok. Here's the situation. I conviced my Dad to purchase the Athena 5.1's (we got them at a great deal - 9 year extended warranty). My opinion of them so far is sorta meh. Not sure if we're going to keep them or not. But anyways, this means I can get another set of computer...