XI-Fi FPS Edition vs Soundblaster ZXR

ICEx21

ICEx21

ICEx21

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Morning folks,

I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience making the move from an old X-FI Fatality FPS edition to the SoundBlaster ZXR, did you notice much of an improvement or was the difference negligible?
The reason I'm asking is that I've got the option of getting ZXR for £140 and would just like to know if it's worth the jump.
I've already got a pair of Sennheiser PC350se so hopefully that's good enough.

Any help much appreciated as always!

EDIT: I forgot to mention my XI-FI is the first generation PCI version from 2005 if that makes a difference.
 
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I moved from the X-Fi Fatality Champion edition to the ZXR and I would say the difference is negligible but highly dependent on the type of headphone or speakers.

Due to the ZXR's relatively high output impedance (38 Ohms) you would get the best performance out of 300+ Ohm headphones.

Your Sennheiser PC350se's are 150 Ohm so would match better with the Z but at £140 for the ZXR it looks like a great deal, id go for it.
 
X-Fi Fatal1ty Champion to X-Fi Fatal1ty Titanium (only due to no PCI slots in that build) to current ZxR.

Yes sound is better but a lot of work, did a ton of reading, support is poor as you should know but then so is Asus support if you went with them.

Both get better supported by peeps modding drivers.

I do not use headphones but you are right you ideally need higher ohms, 600 is supported.
 
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I've got the old x-fi fps pci card with front panel, from what I can tell their should be a big different between the x-fi fps and the zxr. first thing is that the zxr has a headphone amp so you pc350 should sound better, as I know that the x-fi fps has problem using the pc350 at their best unless you hook up an external headphone amp to them.
 
Thank you for the replies folks.
The main reason that I'm getting the ZXR is mainly because ever since moving to Windows 8.1 I've had nothing but driver issues and the headphone amp really appeals to me.
I also wanted something a bit more up to date as I've had this for almost 10 years now.
Anyway my card comes through tomorrow so I'll be back here to give results!
 
Annoying the lower cards get perspex window and leds.

I am getting backplates made for both card and daughter card.

BTW, the drivers build ending in 16 are better sound and less glitches than the newer build 22 and repacked Win 8/8.1 build 22 driver (claiming to be newer but is 100% the same).

You will read the daughter board is only need for recording and digital out etc. but that is wrong, you need it to get 2 missing Tabs in the Control Console for Cinematic (Dolby/DTS) and Advanced Features.
 
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ICEx21 said:
Thank you for the replies folks.
The main reason that I'm getting the ZXR is mainly because ever since moving to Windows 8.1 I've had nothing but driver issues and the headphone amp really appeals to me.
I also wanted something a bit more up to date as I've had this for almost 10 years now.
Anyway my card comes through tomorrow so I'll be back here to give results!
Click to expand...

let me know how does, as I've forgot to mention was that I've only just upgrade my pc, so my new mobo doesn't have a pci slot on it so I can't use my x-fi fps card, I've been made to use the on-board soundcard but have been looking at the zxr as another upgrade.
 
Ah brilliant thanks for the heads up jh30uk, I just got home and found the sound card had been delivered a day early so I'm about to install it now.
Can I just ask if you removed previous drivers before installing the new sound card?

Pec should hopefully be able to tell you later tonight if all things go to plan!
 
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Right ok I've installed it, I've had a bottle or 2 of red wine and I've been playing some BF4.
The sound card is pretty good.
I'm hearing a lot of things that I didn't with the Xi-Fi but I would be interested in the settings other people have it running at.
Definitely an upgrade from my last sound card but people say my voice isn't as clear as before and it can sometimes sound a bit tinny.
I'm really drunk and when I pee it burns.
 
IMO if you are on 5.1 the settings a X-Fi had by default are best when it changed to Game Mode.

So to try mimic them disable SB Pro as it will ruin the real 5.1 by mixing it, and the FPS profile makes games sound bad so ignore it and the Scout mode is crap (a cheat for MP games basically).

Eq off or flat for 5.1 games (whatever gives it more bass if its tinny like defaults), once you get it to sound to your liking save as a profile.

You will find in music all the Default Eq's are poor and sound near same apart from Classical which is a bit loud and Rock like for Classic Music IMO (picked up by a few review sites).


30ufh1g.jpg


Same for movies that are 5.1.

Only use the SB Pro etc. for upmixing stereo music and movies.
 
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Ok can't actually remember making that post last night but meh, anyway thanks for your driver and setup advice mate. I think I've found my sweet spot and that's suiting me just fine now.
The difference in quality between the 2 sound cards is night and day, if anyone had a similar setup to mine before and are considering this option I would highly recommend it.
 
Right I've been refreshing my screen for over 12 hours now waiting for you to finish that meal :(

Seriously though any info is good :D
 
Was waiting on you getting sober and those photos of your wife you promised me the other night (if you remember). :p
 
If you used 5.1 with Live/Audigy/X-Fi Series then you will hear its not as good as them by default at up-mixing Stereo to 5.1 as no Stereo Xpand or Stereo Surround Modes in the software.

Many complain about this on Creative forum as they could simply write an App to add it but I got my sound to be good.

I adjusted my rear speakers using the balance sliders till they were the same as the fronts, then lowered the centre as it was louder than the fronts.

Problem is it will revert as soon as you move the Master Volume so I then installed the Speaker Set Up App (many had issue with it mixing up speakers but I have not so far).

I then used it to adjust the speakers permanently.

I actually found its better to raise them not lower them, its more adjustments if only 1 is too loud but sound better IMO.


2uzw9l0.jpg


I can tell you I was sick of the card when new last month, the "out the box" sound was poor and can take a lot of work (but those Corsair SP2500's were deff faulty).
 
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