Which is better: Audigy 2 ZS or Realtek ALC883 onboard audio?

[aceO07]

I recently put together a new computer with an Asus P5k-VM motherboard, which has Realtek ALC883 onboard audio. On my old computer I have an Audigy2 ZS SB0350.

Both computers are in different states, so it won't be easy to test and I'm not interested in opening up my system if the Audigy isn't better.

Seems silly to compare onboard audio vs a dedicate card, but one is new and the other old. I don't know if things have improved that much.

Which is better? Provides better sound quality. I'll be using it with Klipsch promedia 2.1 speakers.

 

[PurdueRy]

The Audigy 2 ZS is better. However, you may or may not notice the difference with those speakers.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The Audigy 2 ZS is better. However, you may or may not notice the difference with those speakers.

I wish I could get nicer speakers, but space limitations.

I was leaning towards the card a few minutes after I posted since I realized that I would be able to use the audio jacks in the front of my case with the card.

Why is it better? Is there a specific reason?

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The Audigy 2 ZS is better. However, you may or may not notice the difference with those speakers.

I wish I could get nicer speakers, but space limitations.

Wow...well, I always thought those were damn-fine sounding speakers. Anyway...

The onboard Realtek 883 was one of the better ones when first released, and is still well regarded against current competition. Against an X-Fi, maybe no...but against an Audigy 2 ZS, they're pretty close to equal.

I'm currently using the onboard SigmaTel that came on my Bad Axe 2. It's hooked up to a Z680 via toslink, and I was quite surprised how good it sounds compared to my Audigy 2 ZS Platinum in my other machine. And it was stupid-proof switching between movie audio, pro-logic for TV, etc.

Regardless, just give both a whirl...plug in the Audigy, pick out some sources, and switch back and forth for an hour or so. Your ears should tell you if there's a difference. And the mobo should have headers for your case jacks (my Bad Axe does, anyway...)

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The Audigy 2 ZS is better. However, you may or may not notice the difference with those speakers.

I wish I could get nicer speakers, but space limitations.

I was leaning towards the card a few minutes after I posted since I realized that I would be able to use the audio jacks in the front of my case with the card.

Why is it better? Is there a specific reason?

I believe it has better EAX support. That would be the biggy. However, I also believe it bests the onboard sound in THD, SNR etc.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: Slugbait

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The Audigy 2 ZS is better. However, you may or may not notice the difference with those speakers.

I wish I could get nicer speakers, but space limitations.

Wow...well, I always thought those were damn-fine sounding speakers. Anyway...

...

LOL. I do like my speakers. They're about 2 months old. It was really in response to the statement that I might notice the difference with the speakers. Who wouldn't love to get better.. then better speakers.

Thanks guys. I guess I'll lug my Audigy to the new computer and try it there. I just hate the idea of opening up the micro case and going through the process of fitting the card in. I think I have to slide the mobo out first, after unplugging all the wires from it.. It's a long process....

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: Slugbait

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The Audigy 2 ZS is better. However, you may or may not notice the difference with those speakers.

I wish I could get nicer speakers, but space limitations.

Wow...well, I always thought those were damn-fine sounding speakers. Anyway...

...

LOL. I do like my speakers. They're about 2 months old. It was really in response to the statement that I might notice the difference with the speakers. Who wouldn't love to get better.. then better speakers.

Thanks guys. I guess I'll lug my Audigy to the new computer and try it there. I just hate the idea of opening up the micro case and going through the process of fitting the card in. I think I have to slide the mobo out first, after unplugging all the wires from it.. It's a long process....

If its that much effort I think you might as well just stick with onboard. You didn't specify that it was gonna be a PITA

 

[aceO07]

Though a PITA, it may save my klipsch speakers since I do use the headphone jack on it often. I'd prefer to use the case headphone jacks instead to avoid any hardware failures on the klipsch. Might be worth the 30 minutes of annoyance and give me a chance to tidy up my wiring..

 

[AmdInside]

I have an Audigy 2ZS as well but decided to remove it and go with the Sigmatel that came with my Badaxe2. My Klipsch sub get's hot when turned on and just hate the thought of paying extra for electricity when using the headphone jack. With my Sigmatel, I run the audio cable to the audio ports on the front of my case and then plug my earphones to the front audio jacks when I need to keep the noise down and use the Klipsch that is plugged into the back when it is ok to be noisy as I want to be