All Audio Components

The Bottom Line: As an entry-level digital DJ package, the Hercules DJ Console Rmx offers high-quality hardware at an outstanding value, but you'll want to spend a little more for better software.

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

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: Plugged into a USB port, the ultracompact Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro affordably adds a shared headphone jack/optical digital-audio output to your PC or laptop.

Specs: USB, Apple MacOS X or later, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition / Windows ME, Stereo

The Bottom Line: If you don't mind sacrificing a few convenient features for truly portable design, Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook turns your laptop into a bona fide sound system.

Specs: PC Card, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, 7.1 channel surround, PC Card

The Bottom Line: The Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum eX boasts a huge selection of multichannel sound-processing capabilities, I/O options, and bundled software and accessories. The inclusion of IEEE 1394 connections makes this a nearly perfect product.

Specs: PCI, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 5.1 channel surround, PCI