One thing worth noting is that any multi-channel product, either speakers or audio hardware, is almost certainly compatible with any version of x.1 with a smaller "x": in other words, an audio card rated for 7.1 output typically handles 6.1, 5.1, 4.1, and 2.1 configurations without any trouble. (You may have to reposition your rear speakers, though.)

For more information on digital audio and speaker configurations, Dolby Laboratories has an extensive information archive online at http://www.dolby.com/.

Here are a few of the newest multi-channel add-in cards available.

AOpen Cobra AW-850 Deluxe

• 5.1 positional audio.
• C-Media 8738-MX processor supports 48 kHz signal.
• Card features joystick/MIDI.
• Second bracket features coaxial SPDIF in/out and optical in/out (one optical cable included in box).
• AudioRack (CD/MIDI player), InterVideo WinDVD (DVD player) and WinRip (MP3 encoder/playback) software included.

What's deluxe about this version? It comes with a second bracket featuring coaxial and optical SPDIF inputs and outputs in addition to the six-channel outputs and MIDI/joystick port found on the main card. The inclusion of an optical cable in the box is another really nice touch, as it can be almost as expensive as this whole bundle when purchased separately.

The sound on the card is quite good, considering the price point; it certainly doesn't rival the higher end cards in terms of sound quality, but for users who aren't as concerned with audiophile sound quality, it's perfectly fine. During our tests, the quality of both DVD and gaming playback was very good.

The Cobra AW-850 Deluxe is compatible with Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000, and XP.

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX

• 6.1 positional audio.
• Audigy 2 processor provides 24-bit, 96 kHz signal, 106 dBA signal-to-noise ratio.
• Connected to breakout box via cable attached directly to rear of card (no additional bracket required, as with previous Audigy Platinum eX).
• Breakout box features two FireWire ports, optical SPDIF in/out, two 0.25-inch stereo input jacks and a 0.25-inch headphone jack on the front; rear has MIDI in/out, RCA in/out and coaxial SPDIF in/out, and an 1/8-inch digital out.
• Comes with remote control.
• One floppy-sized power connector is required.
• THX certified.
• DVD audio player included in software bundle.
• Platinum eX features MIDI/joystick port on separate bracket.

There are two new versions of the Audigy 2 Platinum. The regular version of the Platinum ($330) comes with a component that mounts on the front of your computer, in one of the full-size bays--make sure you have a space free (next to your DVD or CD-RW drive) or you may have to sacrifice one of your drives. If you don't have room inside your PC for this component, you can opt for the Platinum eX, which features an external breakaway box instead of the internally mounted component.

Either way, this component features a number of audio connectors (optical connectors, coaxial SPDIF, MIDI, RCA and headphone/microphone jacks) and you'll need one spare floppy-sized power cable inside your PC case in order to power the extra circuitry required for operation (an adapter is included in the box, if you only have full-sized power connectors available).

With the Platinum eX, Creative has given the plastic breakout box a facelift--the first since the Audigy debuted. This time out it's more reminiscent of the Extigy, with a plastic shell rather than a blocky metallic box; consequently, it's less dangerous (you always got the feeling that you could break something if that metal box fell), but feels more flimsy. The good news is that the breakout box comes with protective rubber feet so it can stand vertically or horizontally, depending on your space or taste.

It's worth noting that the two versions of the Audigy 2 Platinum differ in a couple of other key ways. While the first version of the Audigy used a second rear-mounted bracket for connecting the breakaway box, the Audigy 2 Platinum eX connects to the breakaway box on the back of the card; this means the card itself is different from the one in the Audigy 2 Platinum package. The most notable difference is that in order to accommodate the connector, the Platinum eX card omits the input connectors altogether, forcing you to use the breakaway box for audio input--unfortunately, there are no 1/8-inch jacks on this, which means you have to use a 1/8-to-1/4-inch adapter or 1/8-inch-to-RCA adapter.

Both of the cards come with an extensive software bundle, including Creative Wave Studio for editing your MP3 or WAV files (or converting between the two), MiniDisc Centre for work with your portable MD recorder, DVD Audio Player software for listening to DVD Audio discs, and Audio Stream Recorder for capturing live streams.

As you'd expect for a card with these specs, the sound quality is amazing, whether you're playing back a DVD movie or DVD Audio. In fact, DVD Audio decoding may take you aback at first: it's so clear it almost sounds wrong, especially if you're listening to an album in 5.1 remix. (The first time we heard DVD audio coming out of the speakers in 5.1, it was almost hyper-real and even disorienting; it's pretty easy to get used to, however.)

Whichever version of the Audigy 2 Platinum you choose, you'll be getting a heck of an audio card with a lot of capabilities that even pro audio fans will love. Unfortunately, it comes at a price: neither $330 nor $400 is particularly cheap. If you're willing to sacrifice all of the connectors and the remote control, you can get the base model Audigy 2 for under $200.

Hercules Gamesurround Fortissimo III 7.1

• 7.1 positional audio.
• Cirrus Logic SoundFusion CS4624 digital sound processor unit provides 48 kHz output.
• Optical output.
• Internal connectors for two CD inputs, auxiliary in and SPDIF in.
• Joystick/MIDI on second bracket.
• PowerDVD Pro EX, Yamaha XG, Hercules Media Station II, and Acid Xpress software included

It seems there are a lot fewer players in the audio card space, but one company that's still going strong is Hercules, with its line of 7.1 cards. The Gamesurround Fortissimo III 7.1 (there's a mouthful) is the company's entry-level 7.1 card, and despite the powerful sound decoding capabilities, it's very inexpensive, all things considered.

The sound is excellent, which is definitely an important consideration if you're going to be using your sound card for surround sound gaming or movie playback. The audio connectors on the rear of the card are colour-coded to facilitate easy setup of your speakers, which is a must if you're hooking up a 7.1 set.

The biggest problem with a card like this is the lack of reasonably priced 7.1 speakers. If you're willing to fudge the configuration, you can simulate 7.1 with a pair of 5.1 speakers complemented by a pair of speakers plugged in as the rear channel. That'll mean two separate volume controls and more sound balancing, but if you really need 7.1 audio, it's easy enough to do. Don't worry, though: even though the card is ready for 7.1 audio, you can still set it up for two-speaker output, 4.1, 5.1, or 6.1 sound.

Hercules Digifire 7.1

• 7.1 positional audio.
• Cirrus Logic SoundFusion CS4624 digital sound processor unit provides 48 kHz output.
• Optical output.
• Two FireWire ports on back of card plus header for additional port on the card.
• Joystick/MIDI on second bracket.
• PowerDVD Pro EX, Power Director (movie editing), Yamaha XG, Hercules Media Station II, and Acid Xpress software included.

The included mixer software makes it very easy to set up your speaker levels; it even give you a diagram to indicate optimum positioning, if you don't already know how a 5.1 or 7.1 layout is set up.

These extras more than justify the extra cost of the DigiFire 7.1 package; even though it costs more than the Gamesurround Fortissimo III 7.1, it still offers better bang for the buck than any of the competitors.

By Sean Carruthers

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