If you can't find what you are looking for here we might have something in our Initial Reviews section. You can also check out our old review section  if you are looking for a product that's not produced anymore (e.g. Vortex1 and Vortex2 soundcards, all retail Live cards before the new Live 5.1). While they are not produced they may still be available in the retail chain.

• Soundcards
• Speakers (including systems with build in Dolby Digital and dts decoders)
• Daughter cards and other accessories
• Decoders (dts, Dolby Digital), MPEG2 decoders, Virtual surround processors, DVD drives and some other sound related products.
• Games/Software
• MP3

Soundcards

Explanation of the table below:

Chip/3D sound engine/API:  The 3D sound engine determines the quality of the 3D positioning and the reverb quality. When we say A3D we refer to the 3D audio engine developed by Aureal. LiveWare means the card will use the 3D sound engine available in the last LiveWare driver release from Creative Labs. Sensaura and QSound are the two other 3D sound egnines on the market.

When it comes to API support we only count cards that really take advantage of the API. This means we don't list the Live as a card supporting A3D 2.0 just because some A3D 2.0 games can automatically take advantage of DS3D cards if you install the A2D files. We don't list Vortex1 cards as supporting A3D 2.0 either since they only offer limited functionality. If a card supports EAX 2.0 it also supports EAX 1.0  and a card that supports A3D 3.0 also supports A3D 1.0. All cards supports DS3D.

in/out:
2-analog/digital out: The soundcard has one stereo output. If we list 2-analog/digital more than once it means the card has 2 identical outputs that send the same info, that is it's not offer 4-speaker 3D sound.
4-analog/digital out: The soundcard has one stereo output for the front speakers and a second stereo output for the rear speakers.
4.1-analog/digital out: The soundcard in addition to the front and stereo output also offers a subwoofer output.
5.1-analog/digital: The soundcard has an output for the subwoofer/center channel in addition to the front and rear speaker stereo output.
AC3/dts pass-thru: The soundcard offers ac3/dts pass-thru with some software DVD players. If not mentioned the card doesn't support it.

SRP: Suggested Retail Price.

Date: When the review was last updated

Name	Chip/3D sound engine/API	in/out	SRP	Date
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro	CA10200 ICT DSP/CreativeWare/A3D 1.0, EAX Advanced HD 4	7.1-analog out 5.1-digital out (DIN) 2-digital in/out (Coaxial) 2-digital in/out optical ac3/dts pass-thru	$299	January 6, 2005
NVIDIA nForce APU	nForce APU/ Sensaura/nVIDIA	5.1 analog out digital (coaxial) out ac3/dts pass-thru Dolby Live	n/a	February 19, 2003
Analog Devices SoundMAX SPX (AD1885)	AD1885/Sensaura	6 channel analog out Optical output only on optional CNR card	n/a	February 14, 2003
Philips Acoustic Edge	ThunderBird Avenger/QSound/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1-analog out 2-digital in/out (Coaxial) ac3/dts pass-thru	$100	January 31, 2001
SoundBlaster Audigy! detailed impressions	Audigy/CreativeWare/A3D 1.0, EAX HD	5.1-analog out 5.1-digital out (DIN) 2-digital in/out (Coaxial) 2-digital in/out optical ac3/dts pass-thru	n/a	September 10, 2001
SoundBlaster Live! reference review	Emu10k1/LiveWare/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1-analog out 5.1-digital out (DIN) 2-digital in/out (Coaxial) 2-digital in/out optical ac3/dts pass-thru	n/a	January 9, 2001
SoundBlaster Live! Platinum 5.1 European Edition	Emu10k1/LiveWare/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1-analog out 5.1-digital out (DIN) 2-digital in/out (Coaxial) 2-digital in/out optical ac3/dts pass-thru	£179/EUR288	January 9, 2001
SoundBlaster Live! Platinum 5.1 America's Edition	Emu10k1/LiveWare/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1-analog out 5.1-digital out (DIN) 2-digital in/out (Coaxial) 2-digital in/out optical ac3/dts pass-thru	$200	January 9, 2001
Sound Blaster Live! Player 5.1	Emu10k1/LiveWare/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1-analog out 5.1-digital out (DIN) ac3/dts pass-thru	£79/EUR129	January 22, 2001
SoundBlaster Live! MP3+ 5.1	Emu10k1/LiveWare/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1-analog out 5.1-digital out (DIN) ac3/dts pass-thru	$100	February 27, 2001
Sound Blaster Live! X-Gamer 5.1	Emu10k1/LiveWare/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1-analog out 5.1-digital out (DIN) ac3/dts pass-thru	$100	February 27, 2001
Hootech SoundTrack Digital-XG	YMF744 or YMF754/Sensaura/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	4-analog out 2-digital in/out (coaxial) 2-digital in/out (optical) AC3/dts pass-thru	$49 $71 with Digital i/o	Janaury 10, 2000
FM801 reference review	FM801/QSound/A3D 1.0, EAX 1.0	5.1-anlog out 2-digital out (coaxial) 2-digital out (optical) AC3/dts pass-thru	n/a	Janaury 11, 2001
Mushroom Siren Audio I/Siren Audio I Plus	FM801/QSound/A3D 1.0, EAX 1.0	5.1-anlog out 2-digital out (coaxial) 2-digital out (optical) AC3/dts pass-thru	$58 $76 with Digital outputs	Janaury 11, 2001
Abit AU10	FM801/QSound/A3D 1.0, EAX 1.0	5.1-anlog out	$50	February 7, 2001
Best Data Theatrix Dolby 5.1	FM801/QSound/A3D 1.0, EAX 1.0	5.1 analog. 2-Digital out (coaxial)	$70	April 14, 2000
Hercules GameTheater XP	CS4630/Sensaura/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1 analog. 2-digital in/out (coaxial) 2-digital in/out (optical) AC3/dts pass-thru	$149	July 19, 2001
Turtle Beach  SantaCruz	CS4630/Sensaura/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1 analog. 2-Digital out (coaxial) AC3/dts pass-thru	$100	October 27, 2000
VideoLogic SonicFury	CS4630/Sensaura/A3D 1.0, EAX 2.0	5.1 analog. 2-Digital out (coaxial) AC3/dts pass-thru	79.99 (inc. VAT) / 269 DM	November 1, 2000

Daughter cards and other accessories

Speaker systems

Explanation of the table below

Inputs/outputs:
2-analog/digital: The system has one stereo input. If it has a decoder it can also be used to accept Dolby Prologic, Dolby Digital and/or dts. If we list 2-analog/digital more than once it refers to a second analog/digital input that are also just sent to the front speakers.
4-analog/digital: The system has one stereo input for the front speakers and a second stereo input for the rear speakers.
4.1-analog/digital: The system in addition to the front and stereo input also offers a subwoofer input.
5.1-analog/digital: The system has an input for the subwoofer/center channel in addition to the front and rear speaker stereo input.
Headphone output: If not mentioned it lacks it.

SRP: Suggested Retail Price

Date: When the review was last updated

Decoder: Dolby Prologic, Dolby Digital and/or dts decoder. All Dolby Digital decoders also offers Dolby Prologic decoding. If a 4-speaker system has a Decoder it's of course creating  a virtual center channel.

2.0 speaker systems, 2.1 speaker systems, 4.1 speaker systems, 5.1 speaker systems

2-Speaker system without subwoofer

2-Speaker system with subwoofer

Name	Inputs/output	SRP	Date
Altec Lansing ATP3	2-analog	$100	April 12, 2001
AVB Sonix S-2000 Flat Panel	2-analog.	$85/$40	March 6, 2000
Benwin BW2000 Flat Panel	2-analog	$25	May 30, 1999
Cambridge SoundWorks Digital	2-analog 2-digital (coaxial)	$100	March 23, 2000
Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 210D Preview	2-analog 2-digital (coaxial)	$299	October 8, 2001
Diamond Audio Technology ProMedia 3205	2-analog	$80	May 18, 2000
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1	2-analog	$180	April 20, 2001
Labtec APX 4620	2-analog	$150/$100 (web special)	January 20,  99
Labtec Edge-418 Flat Panel	2-analog	$80	March 27, 2001
VideoLogic Sirocco Pro	2-analog 2-analog 2-digital (coaxial) 2-digital (optical) Amplified headphone output	£550 (incl. Tax)/$900	April 12, 2000
Monsoon MM1000	2-analog	$200	July 5, 2000
Videologic Sirocco	2-analog	£200	May 20, 99

4.1-Speaker system

Name	Decoder	Inputs	SRP	Date
Altec Lansing ACS54 - Power Play Plus	No	4-analog	$80	November 15, 1999
Altec Lansing ACS56	No	4-analog 2-digital	$150	February 19, 2000
Altec Lansing ADA880 Dolby Digital	Dolby Digital 5.1	2-analog 2-digital (coaxial)	$300	May 8, 2000
Boston Acoustics BA4800	No	4-analog	$200	April 27, 2000
Boston Acoustics BA7500	Dolby Digital 5.1	4-analog 2-digital (coaxial)	$300	April 6, 2001
Cambridge SoundWorks 4-Point Surround FPS1000	No	4-analog	$75	January 4, 99
Cambridge SoundWorks FPS2000 digital	No	4-analog 4-digital (DIN)	$150	June 21, 1999
Klipsch ProMedia v.2-400	No	4-analog	$250	September 7, 1999
Klipsch ProMedia 4.1	No	4-analog	$300	July 30, 2001
Labtec's LCS-2514	No	4-analog	$80	March 9, 2001
Logitech's Xtrusio DSR-100	PowerDVD	4-analog 4-digital (DIN)	$180	June 7, 2001
MidiLand MLi-490	No	4.1-analog	$100	January 25, 2000
Monsoon MM2000	No	4.1-analog	$300	August 6, 2001
Polk Audio AMR-150	No	4-analog 4-digital (DIN)	$160	September 29, 2001
VideoLogic Sirocco Crossfire	No	4.1-analog 2-analog 2-analog Amplified headphone output	£200/$449 SRP	December 22, 1999
VideoLogic Sirocco Crossfire vs Klipsch ProMedia v.2-400	No	4-analog	$250 vs $450	April 4, 2001

5.1-Speaker system

	Decoder	Inputs	SRP	Date
Abit SP50	Software Dolby Digtal 5.1	5.1 analog 2 analog	$250	February 13, 2001
Cambridge SoundWorks DeskTop Theater 5.1 DTT3500	Dolby Digital 5.1	4-analog 5.1-digitital (DIN) 2-digital (coaxial) 2-digital (optical)	$300	January 15, 2001
Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D	No	5.1-analog 2-analog 5.1-digitital (DIN)	€430/£275	January 31, 2002
Cambridge SoundWorks DeskTop Theater 5.1 DTT2500	Dolby Digital 5.1	4-analog 4-digitital (DIN) 2-digital (coaxial)	$250	November 99
MidiLand S4-7100	No	5.1 analog	$200	August 16, 2000
MidiLand S4-7100 Plus	Dolby Digital 5.1	5.1 analog 2-digitial (optical) 2-digitial (coaxial)	$300	May 14, 2001
VideoLogic DigiTheatre	Dolby Digital 5.1	5.1 analog 2-digitial (optical) 2-digitial (coaxial)	£249  incl. VAT/$400	October 20, 1999
VideoLogic DigiTheatre DTS	Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS	2-analog 2-digital (optical) 2-digital (coaxial)	£400 incl. VAT/$600	August 1, 2000
Yamaha TSS1 Dolby Digital / DTS 5.1	Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS	4-analog 2-digital (optical) 2-digital (coaxial)	$250	June 21, 2001

Decoders (dts, Dolby Digital), MPEG2 decoders, Virtual surround processors, DVD drives and other sound related products.

Name	Description	SRP	SRP
Evergreen RumbleFX force feedback headphones	Force Feeback headphones	$60	April 3, 2001
Jazz Speakers DE-005/DE-006 Digital Audio Decoders	Dolby Digital/DTS decoder	$139/$145	March 19, 2001
MidiLand ADS-2000	Dolby Digital Decoder	$100	May 4, 2000
QSound UltraQ	Stereo expansion device	$70	August 1, 1999
Spectrum Research Theater 2000	Virtual Surround Processor	$169 (now $230)	October 8, 1999

MP3
Type: If it's a portable or stationary and if it uses Click, flash or CD-ROM for storing the MP3s

Games/Software

Looking for more reviews?  Check out our Early Impressions or Old reviews section

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