Venerable PC component player Diamond Multimedia has thrown its hat into the sound card ring with the launch of two low-cost cards boasting 7.1-channel surround sound and more.

The company's two new PCI-based Xtreme Sound 7.1 cards include a base model and an enhanced version that supports Dolby Digital Live connections. (The technology converts and transports audio in Dolby Digital over a single digital connection.)

Both the base model and the DDL-enhanced version include 10-band equalization, preset audio environments, S/PDIF in/out, microphone input, headphone and eight-channel speaker/subwoofer support, and a multi-track sound recording/editing application called Audacity. To further sweeten the deal, Diamond also offers 100 free MP3 downloads from eMusic with either card.

Both cards support Dolby EX and DTS formats, 7.1 and earlier; 48K/16-bit playback; 7.1 virtual speaker shifter; and EAX 2.0 and A3D sound support. The DDL model also adds 96k/24-bit playback.

The Diamond Multimedia Xtreme Sound 7.1 (or the XS71, as it's also known) will retail for $29.95, while the Xtreme Sound 7.1 DDL (also known as the XS71DDL) will carry a suggested price tag of $59.95.

"With the addition of sound cards to our product line, we are further realizing our vision as a complete multimedia company," said Diamond President Bruce Zaman. "This is a logical next-step product to complement our existing graphics, communications and [personal video recorder] product offerings."

It's unclear how the new products will stack up against entrenched competitors. For one thing, the launch comes just months after PC and digital audio giant Creative unveiled its new line of Sound Blaster X-Fi sound cards. Those products start at well over the price of the Diamond XS71DDL, but Creative and Sound Blaster are both well-recognized named in PC audio; Diamond Multimedia, meanwhile, is perhaps best known for its pioneering work in add-on graphics cards.