Hmm that's weird. My Pioneer unit processes audio through the HDMI inputs. Can't you use toslink or coax instead for audio, with HDMI just for video, and still get surround?
True, but aren't power supplies more efficient when drawing close to their rated wattage? Haven't had any experience with SLI personally, as I haven't built a computer since switching back to Apple like 10 years ago, just thought 850 sounded massive.
while i'd vouch for these as well, they don't isolate worth a damn, so instead of hearing some music and some wind, in my experience, it'd be all wind.