Sound balsters cards

[bwatson283]

I have two sound cards that im trying to figure out witch is better.

XFI Platinum
Model SB0460
or
Audigy 2 ZS
model number SB0350

I thought the audigy's were newer and better?

It seems like the Audigy is newer but cheaper, by browsing the website for a few minutes. I have had the XFI longer I think. They look Identical, so i cant remember.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

X-Fi is the new line.

The X-Fi Platinum is the overall better card if you have them identified correctly.

 

[zerogear]

IMO, there isn't that much improvement over Audigy 2 vs X-Fi if you're listening to them purely for the sake of mp3s/movies. While I believe there is improvement if you're talking about gaming though.

 

[bigsnyder]

If you are running cheap speakers, the difference will also be negligible.

 

[conlan]

Install them one at a time and decide which sounds better to you

We're still running an Audigy2 ZS and see no reason to upgrade, yet.

 

[jjyiz28]

im running an audigy1 with hacked audigy2 drivers. fkin creative. same card, but better drivers with the A2, and they call it a new card.

 

[VashHT]

The audigy 2 ZS is a lot older than the X Fi card. Personally I think my X-fi sounds a lot better than the audigy 2, especially in music.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

what speakers are you using?

 

[Pwnbroker]

I've seen mention of an Audigy 4 card, but I haven't had the pleasure of using one. They pretty much quit making the Audigy 2 cards, or at least, I haven't found any in stock at the vendors I use.

 

[Boyo]

The X-Fi is the better version of the sound card, but unless you have a great set of speakers, you won't notice much difference between that and the Audigy 2 ZS.

 

[ScrewFace]

I have an Audigy4 with LT's 5300e 5.1s and, man, games, movies everything sounds wonderful.

 

[bigsnyder]

Slightly OT, but is the Audigy 4 remote MCE compatible?

Edit: Appears to come with bean bag style receiver.

C Snyder

 

[ryan256]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
X-Fi is the new line.

The X-Fi Platinum is the overall better card if you have them identified correctly.

I thought the same. But just how much of an improvement is the X-fi?? I have an Audigy 2ZS and have been thinking about getting an X-fi. But is the X-fi that much better to justify the expense?? I mainly use my system for games & movies btw.

 

[Brian48]

I have both. Using my Klipsch 4.1, the X-FI is only slightly better than the A2 when it comes to gaming. Music playback and to a lesser extent, DVD playback is where the X-FI really separates itself from the A2.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: ryan256

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
X-Fi is the new line.

The X-Fi Platinum is the overall better card if you have them identified correctly.

I thought the same. But just how much of an improvement is the X-fi?? I have an Audigy 2ZS and have been thinking about getting an X-fi. But is the X-fi that much better to justify the expense?? I mainly use my system for games & movies btw.

Unless you have really good speakers/headphones already, upgrading those would probably be a bigger difference than changing out the soundcard.

 

[ryan256]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: ryan256

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
X-Fi is the new line.

The X-Fi Platinum is the overall better card if you have them identified correctly.

I thought the same. But just how much of an improvement is the X-fi?? I have an Audigy 2ZS and have been thinking about getting an X-fi. But is the X-fi that much better to justify the expense?? I mainly use my system for games & movies btw.

Unless you have really good speakers/headphones already, upgrading those would probably be a bigger difference than changing out the soundcard.

I'm using the Altec Landsing ADA995 system and Speedlink Medusa headset. Both have pretty good sound imho. Not sure if they would qualify as "really good" though since I've never heard a really premium system before.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well that's better than most.

I just have a hard time seeing people upgrade from an A2 to an X-Fi when they have $40 speakers and $30 headphones.

 

[zerogear]

Im using Klipsch 5.1 ultras

 

[bwatson283]

Im using Logitech e3500 I believe. THX certified.

 

[bwatson283]

So, i might put the Audigy 2 ZS in my Test/linux box.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: bwatson283
Im using Logitech e3500 I believe. THX certified.

You probably mean 5300?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

btw, http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=42&threadid=1715668&enterthread=y

 

[Captante]

The X-Fi will sound better then the Audigy in both games & music especially with quality headphones, however I would only bother with the upgrade since you already have both cards in hand ... the biggest advantage Creative soundcards offer for most people is lower CPU-usage which will usually result in more consistant framerates in games.