USB speakers

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05-10-2003, 08:04 PM
sourdaisy

USB speakers

Could someone, please, tell me what the point is of using USB speakers? Seriously, I'm sincere in my question. I just don't understand how USB speakers can be anywhere as good as standard speakers that plug into your sound card. Am I missing something?

:confused: :confused:
05-10-2003, 08:59 PM
knuckles644

That's exactly the point of USB speakers, so that you don't have to buy and mess around with a sound card. For lazy ppl.

EDIT: Also, USB speakers are supposed to have clearer sound but that's bu11$hit:)
05-10-2003, 11:17 PM
russ_watters

USB speakers are digital (with digital to analog conversion in the speaker itself). Regular speakers are analog. The sound quality is better with digital.
05-10-2003, 11:23 PM
gateways_rule

IMHO, I think USB speakers are utterly useless. Wouldn't they use more CPU resources? And slow down gaming?
05-11-2003, 01:49 AM
phat boy

Useful when you're using your laptop as a desktop machine.
05-11-2003, 11:14 PM
sourdaisy

I can understand their usefulness with a laptop. However, speakers still output analog signal. Why should it matter if the digital -> analog conversion is performed in the sound card or the speakers themselves?

I guess I still don't get it. . perhaps I enver will. Like I also don't get USB keyboards and mice. When there's plenty good PS/2 ports, why go USB?

Guess it's something I'm not meant to understand. And that's ok. :)
05-12-2003, 12:00 AM
a ronin

I like the versatility of USB peripherals not to mention their hot swappable. I won't do USB sound unless it's absolutely a must, but those Yamaha CAVEAT are damn sweet.
05-12-2003, 03:08 AM
Big_Mac

Quote:

Originally posted by sourdaisy
I can understand their usefulness with a laptop. However, speakers still output analog signal. Why should it matter if the digital -> analog conversion is performed in the sound card or the speakers themselves?

I guess I still don't get it. . perhaps I enver will. Like I also don't get USB keyboards and mice. When there's plenty good PS/2 ports, why go USB?

Guess it's something I'm not meant to understand. And that's ok. :)

the inside of a PC is a rather dirty place as far as electronic interference is concerned, and if you have the DACs inside the PC, there will be more interference generally than if you hve them outside. This is why high-end audiophile and studiophile soundcards have the DAC located in an exterior breakout box. It helps with producing broadcast-quality clarity.

As far as USB KB/mouse, I agree on the KB, but high end optical mice are precise and fast enough to saturate the PS2 ports, and you'll get better performance on the USB bus.