i'm getting a x-fi card along with a new set of speakers. will the altec lansing be a better choice or the creative speakers when paired with a x-fi card? any suggestions are welcomed

Altec 5021 are THX certified, dunno about Creative?

I have Logitech Z-5450 with my X-Fi Platinum, not least because of the wireless rear speakers. I am very happy with them.

Altec Lansing 5021's

I don't think there's really too much competion here, however, taking our advice on something as important as speakers presents some risk. Try hard to listen to both if at all possible as it'll depend on your usage and audio prefs.

hey thanks guys, both sets of speakers are THX certified. the altec lansing is 2.1 and the creative is 5.1 . however i'm into gaming and 2.1 doesn't quite cut it. why doesn't altec lansing release 5.1 systems anymore?

Altec Lansing tends to be more 2-channel stereo oriented while Creative speakers are marketed more for games. As a gamer, Logitech or Creative will get the speaker count you want and should let you hear that EAX candy just fine.

hmm i guess i could use my bose triports for music and get the g500 for gaming, they should sound pretty sweet when paired with the x-fi

I auditioned the Bose Triports+X-Fi last week before opting for the Senn HD595's. The TriPort+X-Fi pair is indeed a nice combination.

will be getting my x-fi tomorrow. can't wait to experince cmss3d

CMSS3D. It's hit or miss. For stereo, I think it's more of a miss. If you have good headphones or speakers you like the sound of already...you may not like it so much. ...I think you'll really like the straight sound of the X-Fi, especially compared to pre-Audigy SoundBlasters. It's a very clean sounding card.

the altec's will give out an annoying hiss, this is a wide known issue but so will the G500. If you can't stand that then don't get both of them

Depending on your preferences at a specific price point, you'll generally get better sound quality from a 2.1 channel setup than you will from a 5.1+ channel setup. In other words if you have ...say $150 and sound quality is more mportant to you (for music) you'd likely be happier with the Creative iTrigue L3800's than you will with Logitech Z5300's. Now, if you just want more bass and really don't care if it's accurate or controlled...then the Z5300's might be your choice.

When gaming, it seems logical that sound quality isn't the most paramount aspect...you'll jut want to hear who's sneaking up behind you and the F-16 fly over for the airstrike.

...but for music you'll likely hear more accurate music reproduction (notice I ddin't say *accurate*) from better 2.1's.

can't agree more

my creative i-trigue l3500 sounds amazing which can be had for ~100 and from the setup of the tweeters, they look like the same as the L3800.
These don't omit annoying static noise like the altecs

perfect. i just blew my altec 5100. so i guess im getting the creative g500 and the altec mx5021 now, creatives first and maybe look at some other 2.1 systems. thanks guys for your suggestions. btw the x-fi sounds awesome.

Told ya so. ...but for $100 it damn well should!