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Step-By-Step: Surround Yourself With PC Sound

Stan Miastkowski

Shopping List: Some High-End Options

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum

Photograph: Kevin Candland

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum ($200)

This Creative card comes with a full selection of advanced audio features and software; its connection box, which you install in an external drive bay, lets you hook up practically any kind of audio accessories.

Philips PCS805 Aurilium Sound Processor ($100)

External sound cards like the Philips PCS805 Aurilium Sound Processor are an easy-to-install alternative to internal upgrades. This unit plugs into a USB port and can upgrade the sound on your laptop, too.

Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 Speakers ($400)

The best sound card in the world won't do you much good without top-notch speakers. A high-quality 5.1 surround set such as this one is a better choice than some of the midrange 6.1 and 7.1 systems.

Sennheiser RS 65 Wireless Headphones ($190)

Listen to PC audio without being tethered by a cord. Some headphones, like the Sennheiser RS 65, include circuitry for synthesizing surround sound from a standard stereo source.

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