All Audio Components

The Bottom Line: For the aspiring digital DJ, the M-Audio Torq Mixlab is an unmatched value.

The Bottom Line: The ability to twist, manipulate, and interact with music appeals to the kid or DJ in us all. This is a fun music gadget, period.

The Bottom Line: The reasonably priced Creative Xmod does a remarkable job of making audio sound brighter, deeper, and more vibrant.

Specs: USB, Apple MacOS X 10.3.4, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, None

Editors' Take: Creative's new Sound Blaster X-Fi cards impress with their audio quality and feature sets, but they don't come cheap.

Specs: PCI, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, 7.1 channel surround, PCI

Editors' Take: Creative's new Sound Blaster X-Fi cards impress with their audio quality and feature sets, but they don't come cheap.

Specs: PCI, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, 7.1 channel surround, PCI

Editors' Take: Creative's new Sound Blaster X-Fi cards impress with their audio quality and feature sets, but they don't come cheap.

Specs: PCI, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, 7.1 channel surround, PCI

The Bottom Line: Creative's new X-Fi processor makes the X-Fi Elite Pro the most advanced and priciest Sound Blaster ever.

Specs: PCI, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, 7.1 channel surround, PCI

The Bottom Line: Budding laptop DJs will appreciate the way this compact portable device turns any laptop into a DJ rig, but for pros, it doesn't come close to the sound quality and tactile nature of vinyl.

Specs: USB, Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP, 5.1 channel surround, None

The Bottom Line: Budding laptop DJs will appreciate the way this compact portable device turns any laptop into a DJ rig, but for pros, it doesn't come close to the sound quality and tactile nature of vinyl.

Specs: USB, Apple MacOS X 10.2.6 or later, 5.1 channel surround, None

The Bottom Line: Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro is the must-have sound card for hard-core gamers, PC-theater aficionados, and audiophiles.

Specs: PCI, Microsoft Windows XP SP1, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP2, 7.1 channel surround, PCI