Poll

X-fi or Supreme FXII

Xtremegamer 7.1 soundcard81%81% - 39
Supreme FXII 8ch soundcard18%18% - 9
Total: 48
GC_PaNzerFIN
Work and study @ Technical Uni
+528|6892|Finland

Lucien wrote:

Fucking vista audigy drivers.

also, I have a creative t6100 set of speakers, and quite frankly they are shit. No bass at all, or so much I have to dive for the mute button to not anger my family/pets/neighbors.
You should get the custom drivers for the audigy. You'll get some X-Fi settings for audigy with them. And lots of other stuff too that isn't in official drivers.
3930K | H100i | RIVF | 16GB DDR3 | GTX 480 | AX750 | 800D | 512GB SSD | 3TB HDD | Xonar DX | W8
.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6931|The Twilight Zone

GC_PaNzerFIN wrote:

I have supreme FX2 and Audigy. Audigy sounds a lot better. And with all the equalizers/stuff it is even better. I have Icemat Siberia headset...
i had audigy 2 before then i bought x-fi. and x-fi is a lot better than audigy 2. why do people say the sound quality of supreme fx is comparable to x-fi??
https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
Lucien
Fantasma Parastasie
+1,451|7131

GC_PaNzerFIN wrote:

Lucien wrote:

Fucking vista audigy drivers.

also, I have a creative t6100 set of speakers, and quite frankly they are shit. No bass at all, or so much I have to dive for the mute button to not anger my family/pets/neighbors.
You should get the custom drivers for the audigy. You'll get some X-Fi settings for audigy with them. And lots of other stuff too that isn't in official drivers.
Got a link? I'd like to get the right ones on my first guess this time
https://i.imgur.com/HTmoH.jpg
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7059|SE London

.Sup wrote:

GC_PaNzerFIN wrote:

I have supreme FX2 and Audigy. Audigy sounds a lot better. And with all the equalizers/stuff it is even better. I have Icemat Siberia headset...
i had audigy 2 before then i bought x-fi. and x-fi is a lot better than audigy 2. why do people say the sound quality of supreme fx is comparable to x-fi??
The quality of the X-Fi and the Supreme FX are identical, as is the quality of the X-Fi and Audigy - provided you use the proper interconnects. The Icemat Siberia headset utilises a 3.5mm analog jack, so of course the X-Fi will sound far, far better on them - because it is an analog connection. Decent digital speakers connected to a Supreme FX would sound much, much better than an X-Fi hooked up to such a headset, or analog speakers.

Sup, what speakers do you use? Since you've noticed improvement in audio quality since getting an X-Fi, I'm going to assume your speakers are connected using analog interconnects - rather than a SPDIF connection over either an optical cable or RCA coax cable. You are talking about your audio quality being less rubbish rather than being a lot better. With a digital connection your signal stays in perfect condition until it is decoded by the amp - rather than losing quality during a hardware conversion done by the soundcard (which is ignored by a digital signal - think of it as a fibre optic network link, because that's what it is, which passes the raw audio signal to your external hardware for decoding) and constant degradation over the cables.


So, why do people (like me) say the sound quality of the Supreme FX is comparable to the X-Fi?

Because it is. If you have proper speakers and have set your audio system up properly.

If, as you appear to, you have lower end speakers then you will have poor quality sound anyway
max
Vela Incident
+1,652|7045|NYC / Hamburg

Bertster7 wrote:

max wrote:

let me just add that I have the Z-5500. It sounds great (especially when connected digitally). So far I haven't been able to notice any real difference between my xtrememusic and the asus onboard on my P5N32-E sli (asus premium supreme FX thingy?).

Obviously bigger speakers will give you better quality at high volumes, but for their size they are great
Does the onboard on that have DTS connect? If so, how does stuff sound through that?

I've been wanting to have a play with that but haven't had an opportunity yet. I love DTS.
indeed it does. Sound really good, like on my parents home theater (big speakers, good amp, blah blah) just not as loud. But then again I only have to fill my small room near university and not the ballroom that is their living room. So far my new speakers are pure win
once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot  xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.
PspRpg-7
-
+961|7176

ears are usually good for sounds.
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7059|SE London

PspRpg-7 wrote:

ears are usually good for sounds.
Not when they're made of electricity.
.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6931|The Twilight Zone
Bertster my speakers are Logitech z-2300 (analog connection), headphones are Sennheiser HD555. Sound difference between audigy2 and xfi fatality pro was very noticable. Xfi's sound is a lot more crispier.
https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
max
Vela Incident
+1,652|7045|NYC / Hamburg

.Sup wrote:

Bertster my speakers are Logitech z-2300 (analog connection), headphones are Sennheiser HD555. Sound difference between audigy2 and xfi fatality pro was very noticable. Xfi's sound is a lot more crispier.
which is exactly what he says
analog = xfi wins
digital = no difference
once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot  xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.
GC_PaNzerFIN
Work and study @ Technical Uni
+528|6892|Finland

the most difference between audigy/xfi and supreme fx2 is the software support. Supreme fx2 software sucked bad compared to audigy. (hardly any bass etc.) but with my audigy software I get the bass BOOOMING again with EAX and other stuff.
3930K | H100i | RIVF | 16GB DDR3 | GTX 480 | AX750 | 800D | 512GB SSD | 3TB HDD | Xonar DX | W8
.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6931|The Twilight Zone
i think this is a very good debate here Bertster. im very interested in improving my sound quality and would like to hear more from you.
https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7059|SE London

.Sup wrote:

Bertster my speakers are Logitech z-2300 (analog connection), headphones are Sennheiser HD555. Sound difference between audigy2 and xfi fatality pro was very noticable. Xfi's sound is a lot more crispier.
Of course it is (with those speakers). Higher quality DAC, better postprocessing on the signal - obviously that will sound better.

If you had good speakers, it would make no difference whatsoever. It is often a better idea to put the money that would've been spent on a soundcard towards getting better speakers when considering the best way to get an affordable high quality audio setup. That is the point I am trying to convey.

If you think the difference between the Audigy and X-Fi was noticeable, just try some digital speakers with properly configured HD digital audio sources (DTS-HD/Dolby TrueHD - or even DTS/AC3). You'll be amazed.

Last edited by Bertster7 (2007-12-18 16:26:12)

.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6931|The Twilight Zone
what are the best 2.1 digital speakers for a PC?
https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
rub
Member
+3|6595
I“have got a x-fi(good card). But if you dont have good speakers(or headset) it doesnt make any sence to buy a soundcard.The sound quality can be awesome when getting out of the Pc, but when it is coming out of your 5$ Headset it will still suck!

Last edited by rub (2007-12-19 01:52:49)

Lucien
Fantasma Parastasie
+1,451|7131

Bertster7 wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Bertster my speakers are Logitech z-2300 (analog connection), headphones are Sennheiser HD555. Sound difference between audigy2 and xfi fatality pro was very noticable. Xfi's sound is a lot more crispier.
Of course it is (with those speakers). Higher quality DAC, better postprocessing on the signal - obviously that will sound better.

If you had good speakers, it would make no difference whatsoever. It is often a better idea to put the money that would've been spent on a soundcard towards getting better speakers when considering the best way to get an affordable high quality audio setup. That is the point I am trying to convey.

If you think the difference between the Audigy and X-Fi was noticeable, just try some digital speakers with properly configured HD digital audio sources (DTS-HD/Dolby TrueHD - or even DTS/AC3). You'll be amazed.
I'm confused now - all speakers/headphones i've ever seen have used the same plug (3,5 or whatever it's called), and I don't see any other outputs on the x-fi or other soundcards compared to my audigy 4. What is this digital/analogue you speak of?
https://i.imgur.com/HTmoH.jpg
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6675|Winland

That's also a thing people will think about, Bertster: Headphones. I doubt there are many digital headphones out there, and not all of the digital speaker setups have headphone jacks.

BTW, not all good speakers have to be digital. I wouldn't consider the sound I get from my speakers (Analogue, 12" and 3 8" woofers and leet tweeters, configured to a 4.2 system with three amplifiers) crap. Far from it. Very clear sound indeed, apart from a little fizzing caused by all amps being hooked up in a chain. WHen it comes to power, this system outperforms most.
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
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7059|SE London

Freezer7Pro wrote:

That's also a thing people will think about, Bertster: Headphones. I doubt there are many digital headphones out there, and not all of the digital speaker setups have headphone jacks.

BTW, not all good speakers have to be digital. I wouldn't consider the sound I get from my speakers (Analogue, 12" and 3 8" woofers and leet tweeters, configured to a 4.2 system with three amplifiers) crap. Far from it. Very clear sound indeed, apart from a little fizzing caused by all amps being hooked up in a chain. WHen it comes to power, this system outperforms most.
They don't have to be digital, but the sound is much, much cleaner. If you're thinking of using the speakers for home cinema type stuff, they need to be digital. Using analog connectors for digital audio is just rubbish.

LOL @ running 3 amps. Daisy chaining amps is one of the best ways to lose quality. What power is your system (RMS)? Unless it's >1KW then it sounds poorly set up to me. Your SNR must be very poor indeed doing that - which is precisely what using digital interconnects is great for improving.


Regarding headphones, they are crap and do not concern me. All digital speaker hookups I've ever seen do have headphone jacks though.
Agent_Dung_Bomb
Member
+302|7214|Salt Lake City

I like my X-Fi, but I still think Creative's drivers have got to be some of the shittiest around.  They used to be the best, then they got complacent and sloppy.
Freezer7Pro
I don't come here a lot anymore.
+1,447|6675|Winland

Bertster7 wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

That's also a thing people will think about, Bertster: Headphones. I doubt there are many digital headphones out there, and not all of the digital speaker setups have headphone jacks.

BTW, not all good speakers have to be digital. I wouldn't consider the sound I get from my speakers (Analogue, 12" and 3 8" woofers and leet tweeters, configured to a 4.2 system with three amplifiers) crap. Far from it. Very clear sound indeed, apart from a little fizzing caused by all amps being hooked up in a chain. WHen it comes to power, this system outperforms most.
They don't have to be digital, but the sound is much, much cleaner. If you're thinking of using the speakers for home cinema type stuff, they need to be digital. Using analog connectors for digital audio is just rubbish.

LOL @ running 3 amps. Daisy chaining amps is one of the best ways to lose quality. What power is your system (RMS)? Unless it's >1KW then it sounds poorly set up to me. Your SNR must be very poor indeed doing that - which is precisely what using digital interconnects is great for improving.


Regarding headphones, they are crap and do not concern me. All digital speaker hookups I've ever seen do have headphone jacks though.
Let's see, gotta check all the speakers.

2x8" are 200w RMS/piece. That's 400. One 8" IS 150, that's 550. And the 12" was 300w (Just checked). That makes 850. The tweeters are 15/piece. 880w.

I'm sure that's not how you're supposed to calculate it, but what matters to me is that it sounds good and is LOUD. And I mean LOUD-LOUD. Can clearly be heard two blocks away with the windows closed. This is more PARTY HARD equipment than cinema equipment tbh. Hell, I don't even own a screen larger than 21" - and that one's from '82...
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

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