Audigy $45 vs. Audigy2 $70

[BomberBear]

Both prices are shipped and they are OEM. Any difference in the two that would be noticable on a 2.1 system and headphones? Anything that would make the 2nd gen last better than the 1st in the future.
If this has been asked (assumed it had), sorry, I searched.
Audigy is the "gamer" addition. No difference in that and the normal right?

[JupiterSSJ4]

you may notice a difference if you encode sound because the audigy2 has true 24-bit sound encoding, is THX certified too. If your speakers aren't that good, you won't notice a difference.

The big difference between the two of them is the audigy2 has 6.1 and the audigy has only 5.1. I would go with the audigy1 or even a soundblaster live 5.1 as it is good too!

[BomberBear]

I have the Logitech 2.1 z240 (decent for 2.1). I do encode, and that encoding goes to my car in MP3 (or MP3Pro) format. I have the SB Live Value.

[emericanchaos]

you'll definetly want the audigy2 if these 2 are your only choices. the audigy1 isn't truely 24bit and the SNR is lower.

the new audigy is basically a complete redesign. creative pulled a mulligan.

[BomberBear]

I got ya... I think I need to get a new card anyway. When I play my music it tends to act like a skipping cd in parts. What other choices do I have? The TB Santa Cruize? Would the Audigy 2 still beat that out or would it be a difference that I could not notice?

[emericanchaos]

right now for playback it doesn't get better than the audigy2 or m-audio revolution. you can get better cards but the sound quality won't be alot better, cards above these two will be focused on recording and that's where the extra money and extra hardware comes into play.

[BomberBear]

I've heard the m-audio is more for straight up music and not gaming due to the lack of options. Ok, thanks for the help, I guess I'll plan on going for the Audigy 2.
Edit: All Audigy 2 Cards are created equal right? Wheter it's platinum, gamer, or normal?

[emericanchaos]

yes as far as sound quality they're all equal. the difference is the addon 5 1/4. they all come with the same sound card, higher models come with more stuff not necessarily different stuff.

[JupiterSSJ4]

the oem version of audigy2 doesnt have the gold plated jacks in the back, the retail version does... i dont know how much that affects performance

[timmyqwest]

Originally posted by JupiterSSJ4


The big difference between the two of them is the audigy2 has 6.1 and the audigy has only 5.1. I would go with the audigy1 or even a soundblaster live 5.1 as it is good too!

*sigh*

the list is much bigger then that, sadly i'm not in the mood