I wasn't origonaly going to go nuts with my speakers, but since I am saving $180 by using a free OS I figured I may as well buy something nice. But I don't know shit about sound systems. Could I get something nice for around $200 for my pc? I am thinking 5.1 surround. Will I need to install some kind of sound card in it?

Sennheiser 280 - Excellent Headphones (probably the best affordable)

This sound card was suggested to me. (I already have a sound card though) Just make sure you have a PCI slot.

If you want good sound, you have to get a sound card.

http://www.steelseries.com/int/products/audio/siberia-full-usb/information

Have a look at those, it's a cheap option for quality sound and also a good USB sound card. Bear in mind that it's no substitute for a real quality PCI card but it's still way above and beyond anything onboard, plus if you take it to lan you'll experience the same sound as you do at home.

I have Harman Kardon Soundsticks  II they are great, before them i had JBL creature 2's they were also good. I also have wireless headphones linked up to my system.
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?cat=MME&prod=SOUNDSTICKSII&sType=C

I don't need a sound card for these, do I? I think they will hook right up into the speaker jack in the back but I'm not sure.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014

Ok, it looks like thge 2 speakers plug into the woofer, whish has 2 plugs. There is like an array of jacks in the back, they look like 6 different colors ranging from black to blue to green to pink. The 2 plugs from the woofer are one green and one pink. Will these work without a sound card?

sound card

Quote from: AstronautClock;1611141sound card

Be more specific.