Audigy 2 ZS or Audigy 4 SE?

[Avalon]

Hey guys, was looking to raise the bar on my audio quality. Right now I've got a set of Logitech X-530's, which seem to get the job done alright for my budget.

However, I'm concerned with upgrading my sound card. Currently, I'm using the basic onboard Realtek audio with my DFI Ultra-D. I'm basically wondering what the difference is between a few models of Audigy cards, primarily the Audigy 2 ZS and the Audigy 4 SE. I can pick up a ZS for $65, or an SE for $45. Being big in the video field, I know higher numbers aren't always better, so I wanted to check with you audio gurus first. My budget is about $75, and I'm looking for the best I can get in that price range for 5.1 gaming, DVD watching, and music listening. Thanks!

 

[orangat]

Go with the ZS. I haven't heard of an A4 se but an A2 se which doesn't have d3d acceleration. Theres an A4np for $80. Features for both cards A2zs/A4np are very similar.

You should have snagged an A2ZS for $50 when they had rebates, how the prices are back up because of x-fi.

Edit: The reason why I would choose an A2zs is because the A2value seems to have more driver issues and its not compatible with the drivers for the A2 series. Equally fringe cards like the A4np might have the same driver issues.

 

[Cawchy87]

I upgraded from a SB Live to a SB Audigy 2 ZS and the differance was like a 9600pro to a 9800pro (I know, I'm a little behind in vid cards ). Make sure to fiddle with the sound settings after you get the new sound card to make sure the hardware sound decoding is on (depending on the game it will be called something else). I would assume you would see a similar step up in sound from your onboard. I can't comment on the A4SE because I've never heard what it sounds like.

 

[boyRacer]

The Audgy SE seems to be nothing more than an Audigy 4 OEM. They have the same product number. The Audigy 4 is supposedly just a rebadged ZS, with slightly better DACs. Don't quote me on that as this stuff I just read in the past hour or so since I just literally upgraded from an Audigy to an Audigy 4 15 minutes ago. I had a gift card laying around so I might as well use it and went to the store. So far I can't tell a freaking difference. Maybe I need to play more noisy games. The gift card wasn't enough for an Audigy 4 Pro or an X-Fi.

 

[Avalon]

Hmm...all signs are pointing to ZS 2 > 4 SE. I will probably pull the trigger tomorrow.

 

[shortylickens]

Since you're using onboard audio, it would be best to get the cheapest card that will tide you over. Then upgrade to an X-Fi when you feel like spedning the money.

I have an Audigy 1 right now. Am watching prices and will strike when the iron is hot.

 

[Avalon]

So, can anyone confirm/deny a difference between the A4 SE and A4 non pro? Or do you think they are the same item?

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: Avalon
So, can anyone confirm/deny a difference between the A4 SE and A4 non pro? Or do you think they are the same item?

Do you have a link to the A4 SE? Its not on the US creative website.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: Avalon
So, can anyone confirm/deny a difference between the A4 SE and A4 non pro? Or do you think they are the same item?

Do you have a link to the A4 SE? Its not on the US creative website.

Linky

 

[WileCoyote]

The biggest difference I find:

The Audigy 4 has a remote control and the Audigy 4 OEM does not.

 

[orangat]

I'd say go with the A2ZS. I doubt the cut down cheaper A4 has better components and you might have driver issues for such an obscure model.

 

[boyRacer]

It's not really an obscure model. It's just an OEM Audigy 4, without the retail package and remote.

I've been looking around the Sound Blaster forums and it's basically a rebadged Audigy 2 Value, that supports DTS:NEO 6 Decoding. I'm glad I didn't pay the full $79 for this thing.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: bR
It's not really an obscure model. It's just an OEM Audigy 4, without the retail package and remote.

I've been looking around the Sound Blaster forums and it's basically a rebadged Audigy 2 Value, that supports DTS:NEO 6 Decoding. I'm glad I didn't pay the full $79 for this thing.

Its not an OEM A4. There is no A4 SE on the creative website. There is only the normal A4pro which is $250ish and the A4np for $80 at bb - well at least in US since I can't seem to access the Asia creative website

The A4np has inferior dacs compared to the pro but has the same A4 DSP CA10300 instead of the A2 (CA10200).

So it seems that the SE is some weird oddball. Since the A2value already has driver issues, I'm even more leery of the SE.

 

[WileCoyote]

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: bR
It's not really an obscure model. It's just an OEM Audigy 4, without the retail package and remote.

I've been looking around the Sound Blaster forums and it's basically a rebadged Audigy 2 Value, that supports DTS:NEO 6 Decoding. I'm glad I didn't pay the full $79 for this thing.

Its not an OEM A4. There is no A4 SE on the creative website. There is only the normal A4pro which is $250ish and the A4np for $80 at bb - well at least in US since I can't seem to access the Asia creative website

The A4np has inferior dacs compared to the pro but has the same A4 DSP CA10300 instead of the A2 (CA10200).

So it seems that the SE is some weird oddball. Since the A2value already has driver issues, I'm even more leery of the SE.

I think we've already established that the SE = OEM. Find a difference and you get a gold star.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: WileCoyote

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: bR
It's not really an obscure model. It's just an OEM Audigy 4, without the retail package and remote.

I've been looking around the Sound Blaster forums and it's basically a rebadged Audigy 2 Value, that supports DTS:NEO 6 Decoding. I'm glad I didn't pay the full $79 for this thing.

Its not an OEM A4. There is no A4 SE on the creative website. There is only the normal A4pro which is $250ish and the A4np for $80 at bb - well at least in US since I can't seem to access the Asia creative website

The A4np has inferior dacs compared to the pro but has the same A4 DSP CA10300 instead of the A2 (CA10200).

So it seems that the SE is some weird oddball. Since the A2value already has driver issues, I'm even more leery of the SE.

I think we've already established that the SE = OEM. Find a difference and you get a gold star.

Read the thread.
It says the A4se is supposed to be a rebadged A2value with dts-neo6.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: bR
It's not really an obscure model. It's just an OEM Audigy 4, without the retail package and remote.

I've been looking around the Sound Blaster forums and it's basically a rebadged Audigy 2 Value, that supports DTS:NEO 6 Decoding. I'm glad I didn't pay the full $79 for this thing.

Its not an OEM A4. There is no A4 SE on the creative website. There is only the normal A4pro which is $250ish and the A4np for $80 at bb - well at least in US since I can't seem to access the Asia creative website

The A4np has inferior dacs compared to the pro but has the same A4 DSP CA10300 instead of the A2 (CA10200).

So it seems that the SE is some weird oddball. Since the A2value already has driver issues, I'm even more leery of the SE.

Plug in the product number in google and you get results for the Audigy 4 NON-PRO OEM. When I said Audigy 4 I meant the non-pro.

 

[orangat]

There are 3 A4 cards - A4pro, A4np, A4se
The A4np and se share the same sku - sb0610. excaliburpc has both cards for sale.

I think the A4np and SE are identical except the se does not have the remote.
The US creative website does not have the SE version but it does have a page for the A4np. BB sells the A4np but not the SE.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: bR
It's not really an obscure model. It's just an OEM Audigy 4, without the retail package and remote.

I've been looking around the Sound Blaster forums and it's basically a rebadged Audigy 2 Value, that supports DTS:NEO 6 Decoding. I'm glad I didn't pay the full $79 for this thing.

I tried looking around the forum as well, but nothing could be found explicitly regarding the A4 SE. So, I did some searching for the plain old A4. There doesn't seem to be much of a consensus over what it is, although one guy seems to insist that it's an Audigy 2 value and not an Audigy 2 ZS. If that's the case, wouldn't that make the A4 SE or non pro, junk?

 

[dtracy]

Ok, since everyone has their own ideas, Creative Labs has some information on their site about the A4SE. It seems from the specs that it is slightly less than an A2ZS. Also, the SE only has 4 jacks on the card, vs the 6 that the A2's have.

For the real info, Check out: http://www.soundblaster.com/products/pr...=1&subcategory=205&product=14257&nav=0

Computer Rick

 

[dtracy]

Apparently, the link I put is not for the A4SE, just SE. And based on the specs, I would have to say it's not. Sorry guys. I got too excited and posted prematurely.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: dtracy
Ok, since everyone has their own ideas, Creative Labs has some information on their site about the A4SE. It seems from the specs that it is slightly less than an A2ZS. Also, the SE only has 4 jacks on the card, vs the 6 that the A2's have.

For the real info, Check out: http://www.soundblaster.com/products/pr...=1&subcategory=205&product=14257&nav=0

Computer Rick

That's the Audigy SE, a different card from the A4 SE that we're talking about.

 

[orangat]

I made a mistake posting the dsp revisions previously because it was off the top of my head.
The A4np which is sold retail at BB for $80 has the dsp labelled CA10300. The A4pro is CA010400, A2ZS is CA0102 and A2value is CA0108.

The A4np and A2value do not have firewire and less aux connectors. The A2value also does not have dts-neo6 and its incompatible with A2(incl ZS) drivers. the A4se is probably an A4np without the remote

Bottom line is the A4se is a fringe oddball which is probably best avoided like the A2value which has driver issues.

 

[Hav0k99]

I have both the Audigy 2 ZS and Audigy 4 NP (Retail) I play battlefield 2, Counter-strike Source and Call of Duty 2. They both sound the same to me but the ZS has more pluggins. I would go with Audigy 2 ZS

 

[indocanadian]

*** GUY I figured it out. ***

Audigy 4 Se is only available is Asia(Creative website).
(See Asia Soundblaster site not English Version but foreign char language version only).
Some Computer Companies have imported these here and sold them.
That's why they are on Creative asian(asian language only)site not on Creative USA or Europe site.
They know with the exchange rate there is a market for them here.

REGARDING DIFFERENCES (Get someone to read foreign language at asian site.)

Thanks I hope to find creative asian link in foreign language soon. Will then post ASAP.
Check these 2 links below in the mean while.
http://www.maxgroup.com/Products/details.asp?item=CE34SB0610B
http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs...board.id=soundblaster&message.id=63666

Conclusion: Seems like Audigy 4 SE does not have THX support. PS I'm picking up Audigy 2ZS tomorrow. Its better.