X-Fi and the Elite Pro: SoundBlaster's Return to Greatness
by Derek Wilson on August 30, 2005 11:59 AM EST- Posted in
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SoundBlaster X-Fi Elite Pro
The major aspect of the SoundBlaster X-Fi Elite Pro that separates it in price from the cheaper cards in the X-Fi series is sound quality. The utmost care was taken in selecting components and building a very clean and clear sounding product. To that end, 4 Cirrus Logic CS4398 stereo 24bit / 192kHz DACs are used on the board.The CS4398 DAC is capable of 120dB dynamic range, -107dB THD+N, and even direct decode of SACD data. An NJM2114 and 3 NJM2068 dual LNAs provide good gain characteristics with very little distortion and noise. High quality components are also used in the breakout box with more Cirrus Logic components and a few Burr Brown parts. It all comes together to bring excellent sound to the listener. When we get our hands on one of the more mainstream SoundBlaster X-Fi parts, we will be able to talk better about the differences in components used and what we can expect on the quality front.
Supporting 127 hardware accelerated voices and the latest in Creative's EAX Advanced HD spec, all the features mentioned that are part of X-Fi, including one heck of a hefty price tag, make the SoundBlaster X- Fi Elite Pro. But is the latest (and greatest) from Creative worth the $400 premium? The best way to find out is to listen. And listen, we did.
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Reflex - Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - link
Derek, please read the following http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/audio/uaa.msp...">article on Universal Audio Architecture. Between that and Intel's HD Audio spec, all the supposed benefits of the X-Fi driver architecture are achieved already, and in a standard fashion that other sound card manufacturers can follow. There is nothing unique about what Creative is offering, only the marketing surrounding it, and in fact its been on the market since Intel's HD Audio first came out.Multiple source/multiple channel audio is definatly a major application in the future, but Creative is not the company leading the charge on this, only following suit.
Once again I feel that your article in its present state serves as an advertisement rather than an objective analysis. I am certain that was not the intention, however due to the lack of research it came out that way anyways.
HardwareD00d - Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - link
Thanks for your post. I was thinking I'd upgrade from my Audigy2 to an X-Fi, but now I think I'll pass.PenGun - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - link
Could not have put it better, thanks.PenGun
monsoon - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - link
guys, i'm looking for an HTPC config with dual-core AMD where i can use the opticl drive without turning on the PC......i know, seems a bit out of context; but if this card or any lesser ( ? ) can be used in such context, what product would you recommend ?
i like the HP DEC form factor, but i'll take anything proven worthy WITH AMD DUAL CORE and and an optical drive independent from PC.
thanks for feedback,
cordially,
a.
Calin - Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - link
The ASUS boards have the capability to play audio CDs from BIOS (I remember something like that, I don't have the ASUS board/manual to check). Maybe if you start the CD it will play while your computer is stopped?whymeintrouble - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - link
I believe HP has a media center pc that can run a dvd drive, but not need to be in windows to use it. I don't know if it has the option of the Dual Core X2s though.I want to see a few more reviews go up before I make my judgements on these cards.
RussG - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - link
This still won't make myself, and a lot of people, upgrade from onboard sound. What I would like to see is more comparisons of how this is going to affect my FPS in more then 1 game, and how it stacks up to common on board solutions. They bring out all of this marketing because realities are not many people care about sound greater then onboard, and with no game support or evidence of existing game improvement there is little reason to pick this up.NeonFlak - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - link
I bought the $130 X-Fi last night at bestbuy. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere but compared to all my other sound cards, including onboard sound, when listening to MP3s or any other sound format it is very muffled unless the crystalizer is turned on. But, just as the review says the crystalizer doesn't really work well with everything.Games sound fine though. I haven't tested any movies since I don't watch movies on my pc.
DerekWilson - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - link
Are you sure you don't have CMSS-3D turned on? I find that sound can get very muffled and muddied when playing music using CMSS-3D ... That could be your problem.Our experience is that the sound quality with no filtering is better on the X-Fi than most other solutions. Of course, we do still need to look at the XtremeMusic card.
knitecrow - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - link
Ok, SoundBlaster is the only game when it comes to games... but what about listening to music or watching DVDs?Does it sound any better than my $30 chaintech VIA ENVY24 card or M-audio Revolution? I would like to see some blind listening tests.
You have many many software based solutions that claim to make mp3s and other lossy formats sound better, for example SRS WOW effects that come bundled with Windows Media Player or Qsound. Is the creative crystallizer any better when compared to such software solutions?