RETAIL Audigy2 vs OEM audigy2

[DarkKnight]

I need to buy a sound card for my aunt and I've decided on an audigy2, but on newegg.com, there are two different versions, the Retail and Oem versions. The Retail version costs $112 and the OEM is $78. Is there a difference in quality between the two. I want the card to be of the highest quality because I don't want my aunt to have problems in the future and come running to me for help. Which version of the card will be the most reliable?

 

[newbiepcuser]

The only difference btw the two is the software. Retail has games/Creative Labs driver package and the OEM should only come with Creative Labs driver package.


The retail also has gold plated connectors which doesn't errode as easily. If you live near a Fry's Electronic, the retail goes for $99 plus 20 or 30 dollar rebate.

Your aunt is getting an Audigy 2. Is she an hardcore gamer? Most regular computer users would be happy with the Sb Live 5.1.

 

[Mem]

Quality will be the same,OEM hardware normally comes in a plain box with no extra software except drivers,this keeps cost down.

So only go retail if you need any of the extra software that they throw in,I normally buy OEM to save cost.I`ve OEM hardware that is over 4 years old and is still working.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i always get OEM, it's cheaper and does the same thing

 

[LED]

Only differences in Aud2 cards will be found with the Ex vs Retail/OEM's

 

[Sid59]

you're aunt really need an audigy2 ?

 

[beatle]

Get they OEM. Only difference would be the software and the box.

Make sure your aunt uses devices with gold plated jacks, as chrome will corrode faster when plugged into a gold port rather than a chrome port.

 

[LED]

That reminds me... difference between the OEM vs the Retail cards would be the input jacks =plastic vs Gold Platerd

 

[PliotronX]

They aren't plastic but they aren't gold either, right 🙂 They are colored tin and I doubt one would hear any difference between the two, but if bling's your thing...

The other difference is that some driver packs recognize the OEM as the original Audigy rather than the A2 so installing can be a bit tricky, but whether it's worth saving that cash is up to you.

 

[Mem]

That reminds me... difference between the OEM vs the Retail cards would be the input jacks =plastic vs Gold Platerd

It makes no difference to the sound quality only the cost.

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: LED
That reminds me... difference between the OEM vs the Retail cards would be the input jacks =plastic vs Gold Platerd

Sorta true. The Retail ones have gold plated connectors, the OEM ones have just normal metal ones (aluminum, steel, not quite sure of the exact), but despite what alot of audiophiles will have you belive, gold plated connectors do not mean better quality.

 

[gramboh]

Does an Audigy 2 even put out good enough sound for the type of metal used in the connector to matter? I doubt it.

 

[BoomAM]

Yes it does.
Yet again, despite what audiophiles say, the Audigy2 is a great card for everything. Even for sound editing. Only true professional audiophiles who work with Yamaha Sound Cards would be able to tell the difference between a Audigy2 and another supposidly better sound card.

 

[gf4200isdabest]

Off course only true audiophiles can tell the difference between the cheapest soundcard available and the audigy2 so I'm still not sure why you would get one for your aunt

Well, if you have all this money how about sending me some...

 

[fullerton]

There is actually another difference between OEM and Retail versions of the Audigy 2 card. I had the opportunity to compare both side by side.

On the OEM card there is an additional white 10 pin connector labeled "J1". Next to it there are also about 5 additional resistors and a capacitor in the C23 location.

Does anyone know what this connector is for?

 

[RanDum72]

If you buy OEM, make sure to buy it from a reputable dealer like Newegg. Creative doesn't RMA OEM cards. If you buy an OEM card second hand and it dies on you, you maybe out of luck.

 

[Hanpan]

Originally posted by: fullerton
There is actually another difference between OEM and Retail versions of the Audigy 2 card. I had the opportunity to compare both side by side.

On the OEM card there is an additional white 10 pin connector labeled "J1". Next to it there are also about 5 additional resistors and a capacitor in the C23 location.

Does anyone know what this connector is for?

that is a proprietary 10pin dell connector for front panel audio. The TBSC also comes with this.

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: gf4200isdabest
Off course only true audiophiles can tell the difference between the cheapest soundcard available and the audigy2 so I'm still not sure why you would get one for your aunt

Well, if you have all this money how about sending me some...

Some sound cards may get identical sound quality, but don't perform as well in games 🙂

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: wetcat007

Originally posted by: gf4200isdabest
Off course only true audiophiles can tell the difference between the cheapest soundcard available and the audigy2 so I'm still not sure why you would get one for your aunt

Well, if you have all this money how about sending me some...

Some sound cards may get identical sound quality, but don't perform as well in games 🙂

I remember upgrading from a SoundBlaster 16 (ISA, not the PCI ripoff, lol), to a Guillemot Maxi Sound Fortissimo, and i thought, wow, what a improvment, everything sounds lots more vibrent. Then after a speaker upgrade (from 120W stereo speakers, to Creative 4-Point Surround), i got a Live5.1, it didnt sound any better whatsoever, but in games, the 3d effect in them was more apparent. Then i upgraded to a set of Creative Inspire5300, to get the full surround effect, but only noticed it in films. Then i upgraded to a Audigy1, and yet again i thought that it didnt sound any different, but yet again in games and music, it sounded phenominal with all of the speakers working at the same time. And i dont plan on upgrading my sound system till something far better comes along. Say a Audigy3 and 8.1 speakers. lol. And yes i know 8.1 sound cards are available, but they arnt true 8.1 cards.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: gramboh
Does an Audigy 2 even put out good enough sound for the type of metal used in the connector to matter? I doubt it.

MHO:

I upgraded to an Audigy 2 from a SB Live 5.1 mostly for some software compatibility and performance issues. I'd heard the sound quality was better but wasn't using that as a purchase decision.

When I got it I was blown away. The normal noise I would hear on my speakers I just attributed to having a sound system in a room full of electronic noise but apparently it was the sound card. The difference in quality between the 5.1 and the Audigy2 is not subtle at all, it's noticably better. I wish I had made the upgrade sooner.

I'm using an OEM from newegg btw. I already have better software and/or don't need the software that comes with the retail.

 

[fullerton]

Originally posted by: Hanpan


that is a proprietary 10pin dell connector for front panel audio. The TBSC also comes with this.

I could use to connect to my Antec Sonata front panal audio ports. I've got 6 wires with connectrs coming out from the front mounted speakers (headphones) and microphone. They are labeled:

MIC-PWR
MIC-IN
MIC GND
R SPK
L SPK
SPK GND

Does anyone happen to know the pinouts? I haven't been able to dig up any info on the Dell and Creative Labs sites.