Hercules GTXP or Phillips Acoustic Edge?

[DisinfectedDuck]

I'm looking for a 5.1 sound card, and after removing SB Live! from the list (too many problems!) I can't decide on a card. I'm looking for the highest quality output on DVD and music, as I listen to alot of music on my pc. Regardless of price, which is best?

 

[MrBond]

Definatly the GTXP. It comes with that breakout box, which I'm told is the next best thing to sliced cheese. And the acoustic edge is more of a resources hog.

 

[nortexoid]

apparently the accoustic edge had win2k problems, though i've heard romor of them being alleviated...moreover, accoustic edge uses Qsound and different 3d positional sound algorithms (the thunderbird DSP) than the CS based one found on the GTXP (which uses the sensaura and FX engine)..from what i've read, the sensaura engine/fx engine is superior - thus, the GTXP will have better 3d-positional audio for gaming.

other than that, the accoustic edge is a good card, but i'd still take the santa cruz over it.

 

[clarkmo]

Defintely the Acoustic Edge, The Qsound algorithms do wonders for your dvds and music. You will hear noises from the dvds that make you think something else is happening in the room you're in, doors creaking,voices, footsteps, car sounds ,etc.. Qsound expands on Dolby. Dolby was designed for theaters where everyone would hear the same thing no matter where they sit and thus the sounds are limited. Who would want to sit in the rear left when the train comes roaring through from the rear left and not be able to hear the dialogue. Also the number of sound effects is limited for this reason. It is difficult to get proper spacing of different kinds of sound..birds chirping is used as an example, with Qsound if the birds are on the left, the sound would come from the left. It applies these affects to my tv card as well. What a difference! For music, I suppose it's a personal taste. The sound is separated very cleanly and you can adjust the effects.
As far as gaming, in Alice I have used options for EAX, EAX 2.0, Dolby, Aureal and Aureal 2.0, all with different effects.

 

[vash]

Bump for Philips Acoustic Edge. Good card, I have no problems under Win2k and its quite stable with all my games (CS, Quake3, UT, etc).

vash

 

[Jimbd]

Some feedback on the Acoustic Edge:

I am using the Acoutic edge on Win 2k and I occsionaly get BSODs and it is a pain sometimes because i am used to running a very very stble system for years. But the AE sound and other performance is superb. only problem is the BSODs in Win 2K. Hope newer drivers help completley remove the BSODs. I am not sure if the problem is with VIA mobos (686B) still checking. If you have other mobo then chances are that it should work fine. I like the card so much that I intend to keep it despite the BSODs. hope the newer drivers do the needful soon.

I am also using the card on Win98se. No problems at all here. The sound is superb but get very good speakers. I chose the AE over the Santa Cruz. I believe AE is currently the only card do to 5.1 effects in gaming.

 

[Maverick]

Just sold my Acoustic Edge for a Hercules.

I run Win2k and I just got fed up with the BSODs. Some people may be able to put up with them until Philips gets its act together, but not me.

As for its 5.1 gaming sound...I honestly didn't find it to be that accurate. It gives you a performance hit and if the reverb is too high (in the game) the sounds are just all over the place. I play a lot of Counter-strike and I would get confused as hell trying to figure out if someone was behind me or in front of me.

None the less, its still a much better choice than any of the Live! cards out there. If you want 5.1 sound and you're not running win2k, consider it.

 

[mchammer187]

herc all the way but also the santa cruz from turtle beach is a good choice to consider