XiFi soundcards

[zmaster]

Im considering buying one to replace my sound blaster 5.1dig. What are your opinions on it?

 

[Bobthelost]

What speakers are you using?

 

[zmaster]

I used to have cheap desktop stuff, cos i never cared for the sound, but now that ive taken care of my other hardware parts, im in the market for sound

Logitech®X-530
is what im considering buying. Unless other suggestions are given.

 

[BDawg]

I enjoy my X-Fi Platinum. I have it hooked up to my Klipsch Promedias, but usually use headphones.

 

[Ghouler]

Have X-Fi Fatal1ty and like it a lot.
I hope not to have to upgrade sound for next 5 years.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Is there any real sound quality improvement from an Audigy2 to a X-Fi?

 

[cbns]

yeah that's what i'm wondering too.
i have an audigy 2 ZS, which is also 24-bit, but then again nothing we listen to is 24-bit so it can't take advantage of that capability

 

[Ghouler]

I had Audigy 2 ZS before X-Fi. There is not a huge improvement in sound quality but the difference is clearly audible, especially for music with its bit-perfect playback. Audigy 2 ZS does not have bit-perfect playback.
For games X-Fi supports latest EAX and has surround virtualization for headphones which I use a lot. I'd say if your budget allows that get X-Fi.

 

[Geomagick]

I moved from an Audigy 2 ZS to an X-fi fatality and the difference in sound quality was slight for normal use. However when using it for games and films it made an enormous difference when using only 2 speakers. I don't have a 5.1 on my PC.

 

[houndawg]

since u currently have SB 5.1 digital, then i would say yeah..go ahead n get the X-fi. but remember to get top end speakers to go with it, like klipsch promedia ultra or logitech z-5500 if your budget permits. else you're just wasting the card on the x-530.

 

[Yeormom]

The first released verisons of X-Fi sound cards have general issues with crackling in some instances. If you get one as such, be sure to get a factory replacement. Also, be prepared to switch "modes" to get full functionality when desiring to listen to music and game shortly there after.

 

[joanknn]

I have my platinium hooked to Bose Lifestyle 2.1 and I love it

I am thinking of going further, I want to be able to listen to good quality music on my Hi Fi (AMP + CD player + 2.0 speakers), how do I hook up to the Amp suitably?

Make it a 2.0 output from X-Fi to amp or get a DTS 610 to take full advantage of 5.1/ 7.1?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: joanknn
I have my platinium hooked to Bose Lifestyle 2.1 and I love it

I am thinking of going further, I want to be able to listen to good quality music on my Hi Fi (AMP + CD player + 2.0 speakers), how do I hook up to the Amp suitably?

Make it a 2.0 output from X-Fi to amp or get a DTS 610 to take full advantage of 5.1/ 7.1?

don't brag about that here...

Music is stereo just use the 2.0 output

 

[alcoholbob]

You would most likely lose sound quality if you added DTS-610 to the mix. The best you can do are stereo-to-RCA converters.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: Ghouler
I had Audigy 2 ZS before X-Fi. There is not a huge improvement in sound quality but the difference is clearly audible, especially for music with its bit-perfect playback. Audigy 2 ZS does not have bit-perfect playback.
For games X-Fi supports latest EAX and has surround virtualization for headphones which I use a lot. I'd say if your budget allows that get X-Fi.

I was thinking that I read that they still don't do it bit-perfect, but that because of the power of the new chip that their resampling is basically un-noticeable, so its a moot point.

Hmm, what is your main use of your computer? If its for gaming, then I'd say an X-Fi would be a good purchase. If its music, I'd go with something else. If its a balance, then an X-Fi would be good I think.

Also, since Creative isn't exactly known for innovating much over time, I think you could keep an X-Fi for a good while.

Also, if you used headphones much, then I'd say the X-Fi would be a pretty good choice, as that seemed to be the area they improved the most on.

 

[BFG10K]

My X-Fi review (with Audigy comparison)

 

[BFG10K]

I was thinking that I read that they still don't do it bit-perfect, but that because of the power of the new chip that their resampling is basically un-noticeable, so its a moot point.

My understanding is that the Audigy 2 ZS, Audigy 4 and X-Fi can all do bit-perfect output.

 

[joanknn]

Originally posted by: Yeormom
The first released verisons of X-Fi sound cards have general issues with crackling in some instances. If you get one as such, be sure to get a factory replacement. Also, be prepared to switch "modes" to get full functionality when desiring to listen to music and game shortly there after.

Crackling issues with first released versions? I haven't got any issues with mine (bought early). I only had some nForce related issues which was rectified by a motherboard bios upgrade.

 

[GamerExpress]

Originally posted by: Ghouler
Have X-Fi Fatal1ty and like it a lot.
I hope not to have to upgrade sound for next 5 years.

Ouch, the platinum is all you really need, the Fatal1ty is just a waste of money.

 

[videogames101]

DO NOT GET THE X-530!!!!!! They are CRAP!!! Just grab some z-5300's and get on your way, just don't nuke your sound by getting the x-530's!

 

[Doctorweir]

The X-Fi is worth every penny...
I came from onboard and there was of course big improvement in music / games, but I also use it for semi-professional studio purposes and I was finally able to ditch my old studio rig with the ISA soundcard, lol...

 

[Yreka]

I almost always used onboard sound. I had an SBlive at one time, but couldnt tell a real difference so its shoved in a drawer somewhere. I recently purchased an X-fi, and at first was like. hmm neat, ok.. Music sounds good, but I dont listen to alot of music on my PC when I have such a nice HT/Sound system in the living room.

Shortly after, I loaded up COD2, and started playing. I was crouched behind the edge of a ragged concrete window, the battle was a low rumble / hum in the background. Just as I started edging around the corner to formulate my next plan of attack a bullet deflected off the concrete 3 inches above my head at a screetching 100+DB. I nearly sharted and pi$$ed down the front of my pants at the same time as I dove back behind the concrete embankment..

So yeah..

I am pretty sold on the thing now

 

[orangat]

The first x-fi's had issues with the nf4 chipset. There was a long thread about it.

Originally posted by: BFG10K

I was thinking that I read that they still don't do it bit-perfect, but that because of the power of the new chip that their resampling is basically un-noticeable, so its a moot point.

My understanding is that the Audigy 2 ZS, Audigy 4 and X-Fi can all do bit-perfect output.

I heard that the A2value can output 44.1 in one of the control panels but not the A2ZS or the A4pro.

The x-fi still resamples, its uses 44.1khz only in 'creation mode'. 70% of its processing power is dedicated to src.

 

[fire400]

Originally posted by: StrangerGuy
Is there any real sound quality improvement from an Audigy2 to a X-Fi?

as far as framerates go, you will get 0% loss in performance in software with everything turned on for sound quality.

sounds better, the Audigy series software interface seems to be a bit more easy to navigate than the X-fi, personally.

best sound quality, but better? if you're on a budget, not worth the upgrade, but if you have the money, it's the next generation of sound technology, so you will be quite impressed if you like to keep up to date with the latest.

 

[pcmodem]

Speakers: Klipsch Promedia 5.1
Sound: Audigy 2ZS --> XFi


Upgraded and noticed a difference in sound imaging right away. The X-Fi produced a better 3-D sound.

Additionally, when using headphones, I thought the X-Fi also produced a clearer signals.

Don't get me wrong, the Audigy produced good sound, it's just that the X-Fi was better.



Cheers,
PCM