Nforce2 SoundStorm or Audigy?

[ziscwg]

How does the Nforce2 sound? Is it just cheap on board sound? Or, did Nvidia put some effort into it?

I have an Audigy card in my "soon to be upgraded" system. I ordered a Abit NF7-S mobo

I listen to music and play games on my PC. I do like good, clean sound.

What is a better choice the Nforce2 sound or the Audigy.

 

[Ionizer86]

I liked my buddy's NF7-S sound quite a bit, actually. What I'd do is use that and listen first while comparing it to the Audigy sound. If you like the Soundstorm a lot, you could even sell your Audigy to recover some funds

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Audigy, unless you can find an actual soundstorm board.

 

[Schadenfroh]

if you use the SPDIF then its at or above audigy, if you use the realtek, it sucks

 

[Rukkian]

I have the same board and it is awesome, I would not buy an Audigy, but if you already have 1, you can either sell it, or use it, depends on how much you can get for it. Most people will tell you there isnt much difference. (other than the audigy or soundstorm fanboys).

 

[beatle]

If you don't have a receiver or speakers that accept spdif, I'd go with the audigy.

 

[EeyoreX]

Without a doubt in my mind, if you are comparing an Audigy I vs nForce2 audio, I would go nForce2. I did and find it to be a bit better than my Audigy. I can not compare nForce audio to the Audigy II however. All nForce2 boards technically are soundstorm boards. nVidia only certifies certain boards that meet specific specifications to have the name "Soundstorm" used.

\Dan

 

[boyRacer]

Realtek DAC sucks compared to Audigy... if you do have digital speakers like previously mentioned... then use the soundstorm.

 

[ViRGE]

If you're going to do gaming with it, then definately an Audigy. Do a search on the forums, and there are several good threads on the rationale behind this.

 

[OverVolt]

Definatly Soundstorm, i have this POS Aud2 with doesn;t do me a damn good because it keeps making my system reboot and Creative says its not the card, so... yea go with Soundstorm.

 

[Neyd3400]

I've only heard good things about the soundstorm, but I decide to use my old pci soundcard from my last system. I am using abit fm801 5.1 soundcard, because there was significantly less cpu utilization with the card vs. the onboard.

 

[Pilsnerpete]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
if you use the SPDIF then its at or above audigy, if you use the realtek, it sucks

 

[Corporate Thug]

audigy < soundstorm < audigy II IMHO

 

[PliotronX]

You can use both simultaneously to help make up your mind if you wish. Though I would create a system restore point if possible before installing the Audigy because the drivers can be a PITA to remove

As far as SQ, analog output is comparable between the two, but the 4-layer motherboard is a hostile environment for a pure analog signal so if you are primarily using analog output, I would opt for the Audigy, and also if you're playing games a lot because EAX:HD is an interesting feature (when implemented properly). Also personally I've actually had more problems with the nForce APU drivers than with either the Audigy or Audigy 2 ZS (my current card). But this is just my experience and I've read about as many testimonies for just the opposite (more Audigy probs than nForce2 etc.) so you could very well have a different opinion on it. My advice is to experiment

 

[Pilsnerpete]

Originally posted by: shady06
audigy < soundstorm < audigy II IMHO

Do you use the analog outputs from the onboard sound? I used them for a while, and then switched to an Audigy I had in another board. Whoa. Huge difference in quality, especially in the clarity of bass. With the realtek, when there should have been a big explosion, there was only muddy, nasty distortion.

 

[nitromullet]

They both sound really good, but they have slightly different qualities. I used to have an Asus A7N8X Deluxe with SoundStorm, and I also have an Audigy 1, so I have compared them directly to each other (using the analog out). Since you already have the Audigy, I suggest you do the same. To me, the SoundStorm had a warmer sound than the Audigy, almost like comparing a tube amp to solid state (but not nearly as drastic). On the otherhand, the Audigy was slightly more crisp and brought the highs out a little bit more. Either way you go you will get excellent sound, but since you have the option, try both see which one you prefer.

 

[Elcs]

I use the analogue ports playing through my stereo (surround sound speakers) and use Soundstorm on my ABIT NF7-S Rev 2.0 and Im very happy. I need to do some research on this SPDIF thing it seems..... maybe I can make my sound sound better (no pun intended)

 

[yhelothar]

I doubt you would hear a sound quality difference between realtek and audigy 2 unless you are using pretty nice headphones. I would spend the money from getting an audigy 2 to getting a better set of speakers.

 

[First]

Originally posted by: Pilsnerpete

Originally posted by: shady06
audigy < soundstorm < audigy II IMHO

Do you use the analog outputs from the onboard sound? I used them for a while, and then switched to an Audigy I had in another board. Whoa. Huge difference in quality, especially in the clarity of bass. With the realtek, when there should have been a big explosion, there was only muddy, nasty distortion.

That's why you don't use the analog outputs with a MCP-T (SoundStorm) nForce2 board. Motherboard manufacturers don't want to invest R&D in people who know how to bolt on a good DAC, so they just use their old engineers who are only experienced with a limited set of cheap DACs, like an ALC6xx from Realtek, etc. Luckily, if your board has SPDIF or if you just buy it, you simply need speakers with the proper receiver and you bypass the "crappy" DAC. Still not as good as Audigy 2, but damn good. Mostly, I'm referring to gaming. Music listening isn't going be that different, assuming you don't try and blow out your ears.

 

[kyparrish]

a few days ago, i dropped in an audigy ls ($39 AR from BB), and I must say, I personally think it sounds a lot better with my 2.1 speakers than my MSI onboard Soundstorm audio did...

Call of Duty sounds much crisper, as do my mp3's

 

[zodder]

if you do have digital speakers like previously mentioned... then use the soundstorm

I agree. My set of of digital BA7500s sounded absolutely awesome on my A7N8X Deluxe.

 

[RollWave]

SSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUNNNDDDDSTORM hehe...yeah..thats what i think

 

[bluemax]

I've played with both and I can honestly say they're both good. Not perfect, but good enough for just about anyone!
I preferred MPC-T SoundStorm audio for one special reason - the price of an Audigy2 got me a motherboard with great onboard audio and a free GF4MX to boot!

No doubt about it, if you pick a good board with the "-T" designation (meaning it has true SoundStorm) and free video (why not, right?) you can't beat the value!!