Shop for audio components

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 24 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

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. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 21 reviews

The Bottom Line: Creative's new Sound Blaster X-Fi cards impress with their audio quality and feature sets, but they don't come cheap. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 72 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 11 reviews

Specs: USB, Microsoft Windows XP SP1, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, 5.1 channel surround, None

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 9 reviews

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

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: ExpressCard/54, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, 7.1 channel surround, ExpressCard/54

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 22 reviews

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

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Creative's new Sound Blaster X-Fi cards impress with their audio quality and feature sets, but they don't come cheap. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 10 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: PCI Express x1, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, 7.1 channel surround, PCI Express x1

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: USB, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, 5.1 channel surround, None

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: ExpressCard, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, Stereo, ExpressCard

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 7 reviews

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

Specs: PCI, Microsoft Windows XP SP1, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, 7.1 channel surround, PCI

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: PCI, Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP, 5.1 channel surround, PCI

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: PCI Express x1, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2, 7.1 channel surround, PCI Express x1

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Creative's new Sound Blaster X-Fi cards impress with their audio quality and feature sets, but they don't come cheap. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: PCI Express x1, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2, 7.1 channel surround, PCI Express x1