Upgrade your PC to 7.1 sound

The market for 7.1 sound cards is dominated by Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy 4 and Audigy 2 ZS product lines, which include Platinum and Pro versions that ship with advanced breakout boxes. We chose the Audigy 4 Pro solution, which, in addition to the breakout box, has a wireless remote.

If you're planning a relatively simple setup, save a few bucks by selecting a less robust 7.1 board from another vendor, such as M-Audio's Revolution 7 or the Catalina from Voyetra Turtle Beach.

Your choice of 7.1 computer speakers will be limited. Two popular models are Creative's top-of-the-line 700-watt GigaWorks S750, which we chose, and the more affordable Inspire P7800. Both offer auxiliary input jacks, wall-mounting options, and the ability to automatically upmix 5.1 and 6.1 sources to 7.1.

Although no match for the best sound cards, some motherboards now offer cost-effective integrated 7.1-channel audio.