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Xonar Review
Xonar Review
Their site says EAX 2.0 so No, no EAX 5 on this card.
There was one posted somewhere on here for the DX rather than the D2 or D2X, it's the one in the middle of the 2 and just recently released, had full listening test and all sorts, basically shat on equivelant X-Fis from a great height for some things and matched them on the rest.
sigh, I'll find the review later, it explains it's EAX 5.0 replication abilities in great detail..Sup wrote:
Their site says EAX 2.0 so No, no EAX 5 on this card.
This is the DX not the older D2X BTW.
Last edited by TheEternalPessimist (2008-04-15 07:37:21)
CL drivers are the major suck. That $100 Asus card performed nearly as well as its more expensive counterpart. Until CL can get their shit together, stay as far away from them as possible.
DX is crap. its made for people with empty pockets. D2 is the best of the Xonar series.TheEternalPessimist wrote:
sigh, I'll find the review later, it explains it's EAX 5.0 replication abilities in great detail..Sup wrote:
Their site says EAX 2.0 so No, no EAX 5 on this card.
This is the DX not the older D2X BTW.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500 wrote:
but there's still a big gap between EAX 2.0 and 5.0. Asus bridges that gap with a software feature it calls DirectSound 3D GX 2.0, which is capable of emulating EAX 5.0 functionality that had previously only been available with Creative's X-Fi cards.
Aha thanks saves me looking lol.Nessie09 wrote:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500 wrote:
but there's still a big gap between EAX 2.0 and 5.0. Asus bridges that gap with a software feature it calls DirectSound 3D GX 2.0, which is capable of emulating EAX 5.0 functionality that had previously only been available with Creative's X-Fi cards.
It's not far short of the top end D2X quality wise, it's better than the D2 as it has the above mentioned EAX5 emulation (which is also on the D2X) which I don't think the D2 does..Sup wrote:
DX is crap. its made for people with empty pockets. D2 is the best of the Xonar series.TheEternalPessimist wrote:
sigh, I'll find the review later, it explains it's EAX 5.0 replication abilities in great detail..Sup wrote:
Their site says EAX 2.0 so No, no EAX 5 on this card.
This is the DX not the older D2X BTW.
Last edited by TheEternalPessimist (2008-04-15 08:11:40)
...It's a damn sound card.
You'll notice a difference from the $30 SBLive card that can still run a surround sound system and has worked on everything since the beginning of time compared to whatever xFi or Asus you choose. I say that out of fairness, but the nitpicking you guys are doing over paper performance is ridiculous.
In games, the difference won't bother you. If you really care about movies and music, alright do as you please but it won't be a problem like a subpar videocard would.. But if this is for a gaming machine and you really want to bother with sorting of the EAX/Dolby specs then waste your time as you please.
You'll notice a difference from the $30 SBLive card that can still run a surround sound system and has worked on everything since the beginning of time compared to whatever xFi or Asus you choose. I say that out of fairness, but the nitpicking you guys are doing over paper performance is ridiculous.
In games, the difference won't bother you. If you really care about movies and music, alright do as you please but it won't be a problem like a subpar videocard would.. But if this is for a gaming machine and you really want to bother with sorting of the EAX/Dolby specs then waste your time as you please.
"Looking", lol, it was the first result on Google. Was gonna post it, but nessie beat me to it.TheEternalPessimist wrote:
Aha thanks saves me looking lol.Nessie09 wrote:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500 wrote:
but there's still a big gap between EAX 2.0 and 5.0. Asus bridges that gap with a software feature it calls DirectSound 3D GX 2.0, which is capable of emulating EAX 5.0 functionality that had previously only been available with Creative's X-Fi cards.It's not far short of the top end D2X quality wise, it's better than the D2 as it has the above mentioned EAX5 emulation (which is also on the D2X) which I don't think the D2 does..Sup wrote:
DX is crap. its made for people with empty pockets. D2 is the best of the Xonar series.TheEternalPessimist wrote:
sigh, I'll find the review later, it explains it's EAX 5.0 replication abilities in great detail.
This is the DX not the older D2X BTW.
True, but going ASUS right now might have a great impact on the Creative monolpoy, and could have a great effect on the market. If enough people go for this card, the sound card market will become better.Defiance wrote:
...It's a damn sound card.
You'll notice a difference from the $30 SBLive card that can still run a surround sound system and has worked on everything since the beginning of time compared to whatever xFi or Asus you choose. I say that out of fairness, but the nitpicking you guys are doing over paper performance is ridiculous.
In games, the difference won't bother you. If you really care about movies and music, alright do as you please but it won't be a problem like a subpar videocard would.. But if this is for a gaming machine and you really want to bother with sorting of the EAX/Dolby specs then waste your time as you please.
Last edited by Freezer7Pro (2008-04-15 08:23:18)
The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
I agree on getting the Asus Xonar.
It is better than the XFi, and if you want Optical sound, I'm pretty sure it comes with TOSLINK and Coxial adapters for the SPDIF ports. I know I'd much rather have my cables behind the PC than connected to the front panel.
I'm not sure, but I think the DTS and Dolby Digital encoding is better on the Xonar as well. (Does the XFi encode it in real-time at all?)
For 100% gaming only, I would say a high-end XFi card is better, but if you plan on using this for anything else (music, movies, home theatre), I would reccomend a Xonar.
It is better than the XFi, and if you want Optical sound, I'm pretty sure it comes with TOSLINK and Coxial adapters for the SPDIF ports. I know I'd much rather have my cables behind the PC than connected to the front panel.
I'm not sure, but I think the DTS and Dolby Digital encoding is better on the Xonar as well. (Does the XFi encode it in real-time at all?)
For 100% gaming only, I would say a high-end XFi card is better, but if you plan on using this for anything else (music, movies, home theatre), I would reccomend a Xonar.
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
Not a huge difference. The DX is 114dB. Combined with the better drivers, minority support and Vista support, I'd go for the DX any day..Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP
How huge difference....Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
main battle tank karthus medikopter 117 megamegapowershot gg
Indeed massive, and it still falls behind in 90% of listening testsDeathUnlimited wrote:
How huge difference....Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
The couple of times I've used Google it's not really found anything relevant so I don't bother with it nowFreezer7Pro wrote:
"Looking", lol, it was the first result on Google. Was gonna post it, but nessie beat me to it.
Last edited by TheEternalPessimist (2008-04-15 10:39:32)
Auzentech has very good driver support. Auzen is not Creative.Freezer7Pro wrote:
Not a huge difference. The DX is 114dB. Combined with the better drivers, minority support and Vista support, I'd go for the DX any day..Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
For you it isn't since you're no audiophile. Its the same in video rendering-some people would do anything for couple more FPS.DeathUnlimited wrote:
How huge difference....Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
The test don't tell the real status. Its like 3d mark. You get a lot of points but you fail on higher resolutions.TheEternalPessimist wrote:
Indeed massive, and it still falls behind in 90% of listening testsDeathUnlimited wrote:
How huge difference....Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
Now i don't know on what FM is aiming but i have the X-FI fps (buying EMU 0404USB tomorrow) and its a good card overall. Audigy 2 ZS with Kx drivers is still better for music listening but it beats all other cards in gaming and movie enjoyment.
the DX2 is 118dB.Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
I was describing the D2 which is supposed to be the best among the Xonar series not the DX2. :wink:Jenspm wrote:
the DX2 is 118dB.Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
Last edited by .Sup (2008-04-15 13:34:35)
Oh?.Sup wrote:
I was describing the D2 which is supposed to be the best among the Xonar series not the DX2. :wink:Jenspm wrote:
the DX2 is 118dB.Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
I was under the impession that the PCI-E version, D2X, was better
edit - the D2 is 118dB as well, anyway.
Last edited by Jenspm (2008-04-15 13:46:32)
I don't have nothing against ASUS Xonar, i think its a great card. I just don't like it when people are saying its 10 times better than X-Fi. Better in what way? Certainly not for gaming thats for sure. Please read X-Fi Prelude's review and then comment X-Fi. If you are into serious music listening, none of the above cards will satisfy you. Even though Xonar is supposed to be shielded no card is safe from magnetic interferences. There are just to many components in a PC that interfere with audio signal that audiophiles will notice for sure. So for music listening and good sound without distortions get a USB/Firwewire external device with DAC and possibly amp if you are not using self powered speakers.
I fail to see when FM said he is the audio enthusiast. To a normal gamer that will not make a difference. This is a thread about getting _him_ a soundcard anyways....Sup wrote:
For you it isn't since you're no audiophile. Its the same in video rendering-some people would do anything for couple more FPS.DeathUnlimited wrote:
How huge difference....Sup wrote:
SNR: XonarD2-117dB X-Fi prelude-120dB .
Oh, and if I were you I'd get this on mail-in rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6829102006
Nowhere near your budget, yet a good gaming card. Works with a home theater too.
That's my opinion, anyways.
Last edited by DeathUnlimited (2008-04-15 14:08:16)
main battle tank karthus medikopter 117 megamegapowershot gg
Neither did he say for what is he going to use it. i didn't say go for a high end card i said go for a high end card if you're really into high quality audio. See the difference? Hes budget is from 100-200 dollars and I offered him Auzen's Prelude which is about 150 dollars i think. Get a good sound card and have it forever.DeathUnlimited wrote:
I fail to see when FM said he is the audio enthusiast. To a normal gamer that will not make a difference. This is a thread about getting _him_ a soundcard anyways....Sup wrote:
For you it isn't since you're no audiophile. Its the same in video rendering-some people would do anything for couple more FPS.DeathUnlimited wrote:
How huge difference...
Oh, and if I were you I'd get this on mail-in rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6829102006
Nowhere near your budget, yet a good gaming card. Works with a home theater too.
That's my opinion, anyways.
Ah, I was waiting for the ASUS debate.
I was looking at the DX, but I was having a hard time believing it was better than the X-Fi. It did a good job making me believe it was equal, but I don't know about better.
Ah well, as stated I don't think it will make that much of a difference. Thanks for the help and opinions everyone.
I was looking at the DX, but I was having a hard time believing it was better than the X-Fi. It did a good job making me believe it was equal, but I don't know about better.
Ah well, as stated I don't think it will make that much of a difference. Thanks for the help and opinions everyone.
ASUS could make my day by coming up with a front panel for their sound card.