Digital or analog speakers ?

[yohan]

Which is the best? Altec lansing 4100, Altec lansing ATP 5 Digital, or Creative 5300?

What's the big difference between digital and analog speakers?

Is it a waste if I use analog speakers with my Audigy D.E 5.1?

I'm totally lost here.

thank ya all

 

[Sukhoi]

One thing I've always wondered is why are cheap digital speakers even made? Isn't a good sound card going to have a much better DAC than a cheap set of speakers??

 

[Hakeem]

Dear Yohan

We are at same level of Seniority on this forum. Good Luck.

About digital vs Analog speakers... as you have a nice and expensive sound card... go for a nice and digital speakers system, as far as i beleive.

Digital system's sound is far better... reason is that the sound signals are not altered during conversion process. The process to change the PC sound card's digital signals into Analogue one over the speakers. Also some noise is inserted in that transformation.

Anyway I am not sure about these Altec Lansing models.
While I am sure Altec Lansing is one of the best speaker producers.

Good Luck!

 

[Blurry]

Digital sounds much cleaner, bass is more accurate, and it removes of any tiny hisses that you encounter when using analog. Even though I own a set of Altec Lansing ADA890 Dolby Digital THX speakers, I still think that the price difference for analong and digital is not worth it. I recommend you to get a good set of analog speakers (like the Logitech 4.1's) I suggest you wait til Digital becomes much more common. A good set of analog speakers would gurantee you good sound for several years.

 

[Blurry]

Whoops, forgot to mention this but both the Altec lansing 4100 and the ATP 5 are both analog. Only the Creative 5300 is Digital, however it is underpowered. The digital logo on the Altecs are just to attract people.

 

[pac1085]

I highly suggest the ATP 5's

 

[jcmkk]

There is no difference in quality between digital and analog in PC speakers. The biggest advantage of digital is easier setup. I've never heard any of those speakers so I can't coment. If you notice, all of the top PC speakers are analog (Klipsch, Logitech z560, Altec Lansing 641)

 

[Tallgeese]

<< Only the Creative 5300 is Digital >>

FYI: 5300 is NOT digital. The 5700 is.

 

[yohan]

Thanks to all
I agree with Blurry, I can't seem to find any decent digital speakers that are less than $150

Anyhow, i do believe my own ears , I did listen to the Altec Lansing 621 and 4100 a month ago at an exhibition, and in the middle of all those crowd, THEY REALLY BANG!

I never did listen to any digital speakers though, so i don't know if it's really worth it with that BIG difference on the price between analog and digital speakers!

Anyone knows any digital speakers that's not expensive but still beat the analog ones?

 

[Piano Man]

The thing about digital is this. If you have a sweet sound card with a better DAC than that of the speakers, then why would you use the digital ins? Example. Terratec's DMX 6Fire 24/96 sound card and the new Creative 510D speakers. I would definately use the analog in because the Terratec has a much better DAC.

 

[Sukhoi]

<< The thing about digital is this. If you have a sweet sound card with a better DAC than that of the speakers, then why would you use the digital ins? Example. Terratec's DMX 6Fire 24/96 sound card and the new Creative 510D speakers. I would definately use the analog in because the Terratec has a much better DAC. >>



Yep, that's what I mentioned above, though nobody seemed to pay attention to it.

 

[yohan]

I'm sorry, Sukhoi, but i'm new at this.What is DAC?
And if I'm using Altec Lansing 4100 (analog) with My Audigy, will I get a surround?
or in order to get surround I should have a Surround sound card with Surround speakers like ADA 890?
thanks

 

[Sukhoi]

DAC is digital to analog converter. If you have digital speakers you're going to have a DAC both on the sound card and in the speakers, so you need to decide which one is better to use. Just test it out and see what sounds best. I don't know anything about those speakers, but you can certainly get surround sound using analog connections. That's why sound cards have front and back speaker outputs...each output is stereo so you can use four speakers along with a sub. The 5.1 capable soundcards may also send a center signal through the front output too, but I really have no idea. Maybe you need to use digital to get a 5.1 connection, I just don't know.

 

[pcmodem]

Yohan,
Yo. A salient question would also be: how much are you willing to spend for speakers?

I made the transition from Creative DTT2500 5.1 speakers, which at the time were the best available in 1999, to Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 speakers. The Creative speakers were digital capable, but the digital connector had problems so I connected using the analog lines. The Klipsch are analog as well and sound terrific.

A good place for speaker reviews is GamePC... for more technical reviews, 3Dsoundsurge.

Good luck,
PCM

 

[Hakeem]

Dear Sukhoi, Digital is not required for 5.1 speaker options. As there are analogue 5.1 speakers too. But yes the digital connection is much easier with digital speaker system for 5.1.

For PCModem ... freind you have slogan >> Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!

If it was not Japan who bombed Pearl Harbor.

Anyway nothing realy matters...

Good Luck.

 

[yohan]

Dear all,
I think I've got it. I've been searching to creative's website too. So for the front speakers you connect 1 cable and rear speakers you connect another cable, then you get yourself the surround, right?
Well, for pcmodem, I think Klipsch speakers is way too expensive for me.
Anyway, yesterday my friend bought Altec 2100, I tried them in my friend's computer, and undoubtly they have a huge sub and a very powerful bass,we tried it to the maximum, and the entire house were shakin' down
So no doubtly I'm gonna get my "long awaited" 4100, and maybe I could shaken some houses around the neighbourhood.

Thanks guys!

 

[Blurry]

Keep this in note that surround sound has nothing to do with Digital. You can have both surround sound digital and analog. However, the Bass on analog is far more noticeable than on digital.

 

[Sukhoi]

<< Dear Sukhoi, Digital is not required for 5.1 speaker options. As there are analogue 5.1 speakers too. But yes the digital connection is much easier with digital speaker system for 5.1.

For PCModem ... freind you have slogan >> Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!

If it was not Japan who bombed Pearl Harbor.

Anyway nothing realy matters...

Good Luck. >>



Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[Hakeem]

If you have only these two options for any reason you should give Creative inspire 5300 a try. They are analog too, but with a favour of true 5.1 standard. It is better to watch your dvd movies over 5.1

While no doubt Altec Lansing quality is amazing and also always on a budget ...

If you are eager to purchase A.L. then buy their latest offering of AVS500 Multimedia 5 Piece Speaker System for Gaming that is 4.1 surround. Anyway the best 4.1 in that price. Or if you can wait a while then their 5.1 solution is also on their map soon.

check their web site at http://www.altecmm.com