Speakers for Audigy 2 ZS

I just got my new notebook a few days ago. I also ordered an Audigy 2 ZS card with it without really knowing what I was getting. I was under the impression that I could just plug a couple of speakers into it and get much better sound. After reading the documentation, however, I am very confused. It seems to cover instructions only for plugging into big powered sound systems and home theaters. Can anyone recommend a relatively small, portable speaker system without a 20 pound subwoofer that would work with this card? I looked at some of the threads here on related subjects and the speakers discussed looked like more (bulk) than I wanted. The ear pieces that came with the card work OK, but I would also like to use speakers. I'm not an audiophile but would like to have a little better sound when watching movies and playing games when on the road (in my RV). Thanks for any advice.

 

How much can you spend?

If you want a good bang for your buck speaker system, check out Logitech's X-series, awesome speakers for a low price.

 

I'd rather go for Creative Inspire-T series over Logitech's X series. They may be a bit more expensive (still in the same range), but are (subjectively) a bit better, have a proper volume-controlled headphone jack and the bass knob is located at the control pod, not at the back of the freaking subwoofer.

Actually, scratch what I said. It only applies to surround systems. Not sure how it is with basic stereo sets.

 

Thanks for suggestions. I went down to Fry's to look over the vast array of speakers and it look's like there's a price for everybody. I saw many Creatives but no Logitechs. Most of them seem to have big bulky subwoofers which I could do without really.

 

Take a look at Klipsch. It's worth it

 

Any pair of PC stereo speakers will work with this card. If you don't want a subwoofer, get a 2.0 set instead of a 2.1 set.

 

I have Altec Lansing VS4121's and they were reasonably priced and sound great. However, if you want better sound and more power, you can get it for a hefty price. Klipsch and Logitech make some of the best speakers I've ever heard.
For a notebook, though, I'd spend big on headphones.

 

Logitech Z-2300 cannot be beat for a 2.1 system, but if you have the scrilla I would go for the Logitech 5.1 5500 system.

 

Klipsch makes these speakers: http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=876. Haven't heard them, so you might want to read some reviews on them. If you want a nice 2.1 (2 satellites + sub), take a look at the Klipsch 2.1 Promedias. Great high/mids and bass for it's size. The sub isn't bulky either, at least to me it isn't: http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=103

 

A guy asks for something small and portable and you recommend surround sets? LOL.

 

A 2.0 or 2.1 set isn't surround. Besides he did say he was carrying it in his RV

 

Oh, my post wasn't directed to you, drak0n, but to circa86. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Thanks guys for all your advice. I've been looking at links you have provided and still trying to decide. I was originally looking a two speakers, 2.0, I guess, but could also go for a 2.1 if it was reasonably compact.

 

No offense taken

 

Hey guys, I didn't want to create another thread so I'm posting here, since the title has to do with the Audigy 2 ZS Notebook.

As some of you know I got mine a couple weeks ago, but my notebook was getting a major overhaul in the shop.

I installed it today and WOW it worked~! Even though my PCMCIA controller is blacklisted, it worked just like drak0n said it would.

So pleased. Things aren't as snappy as I had expected with certain windows sounds/functions, like the beep that comes on to alert you when you raise or lower the volume in the volume controls. Creative supplies their own software to replace this windows icon. Why? I dunno, and I don't think they should have messed with it, but oh well.

Other than a couple bugs in their software like the sound icon in the taskbar provided by them as a replacement to the windows one, displaying the MUTE icon when plugging in headphones and unplugging them from the unit itself. No big deal because it doesn't really mute the sound, but it's still annoying.

The sound is GREAT, no distortion at all, that I can detect. After you setup the EAX special effects' Advanced EQ and the Equalizer everything sounds amazing. Oh yeah don't forget to adjust the bass and treble separately. Yes I thought both Advanced EQ and Equalizer were the same thing, but they're not. So just set them up yourself. I prefer Advanced EQ set at Techno and Equalizer to Jazz. Sounds great.

This thing produces some of the clearest and richest bass I have heard from a computer. Yes I'm only listening through my Sony ear canal type earbudgs, but these things are great~! It's too late for me to play with my speakers right now, so I will try that out later.

I'm thinking about writing up a review for this product since I don't think there is one up here.

Cheers,
Mike