Sonic Edge 5.1 review

Zardon · Dec 23, 2002, 10:05 PM

Insideproject reports that for most hardcore enthusiasts, the sound coming from their PC is just as important as the quality of graphics on their screen or how high they can clock their newest CPU. Even though new motherboards come with onboard sound with 5.1 speaker capabilities, most don't rival a stand alone sound cards quality.

With the exception of the audio available with new nForce2 rigs that have an Audio Processing Unit (APU) built into the south bridge, most of the onboard audio setups are typically poor in quality and lack a nice feature set. This makes purchasing a dedicated sound card a desire for the power users who want the best sounding games and music. Sound card prices can range from a dirt cheap $20 all the way up to $200+ for the most feature rich setup complete with breakout boxes and remote controls.

Philips produces a line of audio cards that fall into this range, with no price higher than $100. The Sonic Edge 5.1 reviewed here costs a mere $39.99, and comes with a variety of features and sound quality that rivals the best sound cards on the market.

check out the review here

Furious · Dec 24, 2002, 12:47 AM

How does it compare to the Santa Cruz? Would it be a worthwhile upgrade?

amdking · Dec 24, 2002, 07:22 PM

There isnt ANY way I am giving up my santa cruz!
its the best sound card I have ever had and the drivers work flawlessly!

SANTA CRUZ RULEZ!

Furious · Dec 24, 2002, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by amdking
There isnt ANY way I am giving up my santa cruz!
its the best sound card I have ever had and the drivers work flawlessly!

SANTA CRUZ RULEZ!

I know what you mean. I like to upgrade because it's fun but I can't find anything that makes it worthwhile to give up my 'Cruz.

amdking · Dec 24, 2002, 07:39 PM

EXACTLY!!!!
I love upgrading too for fun and tryin stuff out, but my santa cruz one thing that wont happen too unless Tbeach comes out with another card =)

Necrosis · Dec 25, 2002, 03:08 AM

Which is a good question.

When is TB going to release a new card?

Furious · Dec 25, 2002, 04:42 AM

Yeah a really nice 6.1 card from TB would be sweet.

Necrosis · Dec 25, 2002, 03:05 PM

Well M-Audio has their Revolution 7.1. If you don't know who they are...well you must not know audio (Audiophile & Delta series) then.

J/K

Here is some linkage.

M-Audio: Revolution 7.1

Furious · Dec 25, 2002, 03:22 PM

I've said it many times and admit it openly, I'm no audiophile by any means.

I just want my games and music to sound the best they can and, so far, the TBSC has proven hard to beat from what I've been able to gather from sources more knowledgable than myself on the issue.

That M-audio looks really nice though. Will it make enough of a difference to make it worthwhile without buying an (another) expensive set of speakers?

Necrosis · Dec 25, 2002, 03:42 PM

Just look at the specs on it, so I would say yes it would make a difference. From what it looks to me it would be like combining an Audigy 2 w/ a Santa Cruz. You would get the best sound, plus real drivers that work.

Necrosis · Dec 25, 2002, 04:14 PM

I've put up some info. (same as linked site) in the audio forum w/ a picture.

http://driverheaven.net/showthread.p...9619#post69619

Dec 23, 2002, 10:05 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Sonic Edge 5.1 review Insideproject reports that for most hardcore enthusiasts, the sound coming from their PC is just as important as the quality of graphics on their screen or how high they can clock their newest CPU. Even though new motherboards come with onboard sound with 5.1 speaker capabilities, most don't rival a stand alone sound cards quality. With the exception of the audio available with new nForce2 rigs that have an Audio Processing Unit (APU) built into the south bridge, most of the onboard audio setups are typically poor in quality and lack a nice feature set. This makes purchasing a dedicated sound card a desire for the power users who want the best sounding games and music. Sound card prices can range from a dirt cheap $20 all the way up to $200+ for the most feature rich setup complete with breakout boxes and remote controls. Philips produces a line of audio cards that fall into this range, with no price higher than $100. The Sonic Edge 5.1 reviewed here costs a mere $39.99, and comes with a variety of features and sound quality that rivals the best sound cards on the market. check out the review here

Dec 24, 2002, 12:47 AM	#2
Furious I'm blind not deaf!! Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 260 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	How does it compare to the Santa Cruz? Would it be a worthwhile upgrade? __________________

Dec 25, 2002, 04:42 AM	#7
Furious I'm blind not deaf!! Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 260 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Yeah a really nice 6.1 card from TB would be sweet. __________________

Dec 25, 2002, 03:22 PM	#9
Furious I'm blind not deaf!! Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 260 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I've said it many times and admit it openly, I'm no audiophile by any means. I just want my games and music to sound the best they can and, so far, the TBSC has proven hard to beat from what I've been able to gather from sources more knowledgable than myself on the issue. That M-audio looks really nice though. Will it make enough of a difference to make it worthwhile without buying an (another) expensive set of speakers? __________________ Last edited by Furious; Dec 25, 2002 at 03:35 PM.

Dec 24, 2002, 07:22 PM	#3
amdking DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	There isnt ANY way I am giving up my santa cruz! its the best sound card I have ever had and the drivers work flawlessly! SANTA CRUZ RULEZ!

Dec 24, 2002, 07:39 PM	#5
amdking DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	EXACTLY!!!! I love upgrading too for fun and tryin stuff out, but my santa cruz one thing that wont happen too unless Tbeach comes out with another card =)

Dec 25, 2002, 03:08 AM	#6
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Which is a good question. When is TB going to release a new card?

Dec 25, 2002, 03:05 PM	#8
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Well M-Audio has their Revolution 7.1. If you don't know who they are...well you must not know audio (Audiophile & Delta series) then. J/K Here is some linkage. M-Audio: Revolution 7.1

Dec 25, 2002, 03:42 PM	#10
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Just look at the specs on it, so I would say yes it would make a difference. From what it looks to me it would be like combining an Audigy 2 w/ a Santa Cruz. You would get the best sound, plus real drivers that work.

Dec 25, 2002, 04:14 PM	#11
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	I've put up some info. (same as linked site) in the audio forum w/ a picture. http://driverheaven.net/showthread.p...9619#post69619