Audigy 2 ZS Question...

[merkinofbaphomet]

So, does the Audigy 2 ZS provide for cases that have microphone and headphone jacks on the front panel? Is the cable included in the package? My Audidy 2 (non-ZS) had them, but that was a DEll OEM part and i have noticed differences in the features and function of Dell OEM parts in the past.

Do all Audigy card sport this feature? If not, I may upgrade to the Platinum.

I have looked at several reviews and the Creative site, but this feature is not specifically mentioned. Or I am just blind?

Thanks!

-Merkin

 

[Cerb]

http://www.bih.net.ba/~info.com/ad_ext.jpg
That might help if you are willing to connect the pins directly (remove from the header for the front connector). Otherwise, one of them with the bay or break-out box would be in order.
I'm not sure on much more, as Creative chose to be very quiet about this for the Audigy 2.

 

[Nebor]

Basically no. Creative wants you to use one of their Audigy Drives to get inputs on the front of your computer.

 

[merkinofbaphomet]

Basically no? Please explain. Is there an easy mod?

Thanks for the speedy answer. I was afraid that was the case. Looks like I was right about the OEM thing.

BTW, the only reason I liked the front mounted audio was that it sensed when the headphone jack was being used, and switched from surround mode to stereo headphone mode. I assume the Audigy ZS will do the same?

 

[Cerb]

I don't know if doing it is as easy as plugging something into the right pin and ground, just that that is the pinout. But yes, they want you to buy an Audigy Drive, which basically makes it a Platinum, IIRC. You can try it with the Audigy2 OEM, but no real garuntees of success that I know of.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: merkinofbaphomet
Basically no? Please explain. Is there an easy mod?

Thanks for the speedy answer. I was afraid that was the case. Looks like I was right about the OEM thing.

BTW, the only reason I liked the front mounted audio was that it sensed when the headphone jack was being used, and switched from surround mode to stereo headphone mode. I assume the Audigy ZS will do the same?

You assume incorrectly. The Audigy doesn't have Soundmax style connection detection. You have to manually change the speaker config panel. It's a pain in the ass, really.

 

[merkinofbaphomet]

I was refering to the Dell OEM version that came with my old XPS. It is slightly different than all others, it would appear. Not like I can buy one anyway.

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by: merkinofbaphomet
Basically no? Please explain. Is there an easy mod?

Thanks for the speedy answer. I was afraid that was the case. Looks like I was right about the OEM thing.

BTW, the only reason I liked the front mounted audio was that it sensed when the headphone jack was being used, and switched from surround mode to stereo headphone mode. I assume the Audigy ZS will do the same?

You can set the speakers to automatically mute when the headphones are plugged in, but it will not change the speaker configuration automatically. I wouldn't recommend using the headphone profile anyway. It assumes your headphones can't produce any bass so it removes a lot of the lowend. Quality headphones should sound better using a speaker profile.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Pariah

Originally posted by: merkinofbaphomet
Basically no? Please explain. Is there an easy mod?

Thanks for the speedy answer. I was afraid that was the case. Looks like I was right about the OEM thing.

BTW, the only reason I liked the front mounted audio was that it sensed when the headphone jack was being used, and switched from surround mode to stereo headphone mode. I assume the Audigy ZS will do the same?

You can set the speakers to automatically mute when the headphones are plugged in, but it will not change the speaker configuration automatically. I wouldn't recommend using the headphone profile anyway. It assumes your headphones can't produce any bass so it removes a lot of the lowend. Quality headphones should sound better using a speaker profile.

I agree, for music, BUT it should be noted that the only way to get proper positional audio w/ headphones is to set the headphone profile and enable CMSS. So do that for games.

 

[Davegod]

it's never simple with creative