Sound Blaster SBX vs Asus SupremeFX Virtual Surround

IT Troll

IT Troll

IT Troll

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I currently have a Sound Blaster ZxR but I have a new motherboard on the way which features Asus SupremeFX 2015 (based on Realtek ALC1150).

I was wondering if I could do away with my ZxR to save some case space and perhaps offset some of the cost of the new parts. I am mostly interested in how the virtual surround sound performs with headphones for positional audio in games.

Would there be any perceivable difference between the following options:

1. Using on-board ALC1150 with the Asus Sonic Studio II software (included)

2. Using on-board ALC1150 with the X-Fi MB3 software (extra cost)

3. Disable the on-board and use the Sound Blaster ZxR

I have seen and heard some comparisons on Youtube but they are using quite old/basic Realtek audio.
 
IT Troll said:
I currently have a Sound Blaster ZxR but I have a new motherboard on the way which features Asus SupremeFX 2015 (based on Realtek ALC1150).

I was wondering if I could do away with my ZxR to save some case space and perhaps offset some of the cost of the new parts. I am mostly interested in how the virtual surround sound performs with headphones for positional audio in games.

Would there be any perceivable difference between the following options:

1. Using on-board ALC1150 with the Asus Sonic Studio II software (included)

2. Using on-board ALC1150 with the X-Fi MB3 software (extra cost)

3. Disable the on-board and use the Sound Blaster ZxR

I have seen and heard some comparisons on Youtube but they are using quite old/basic Realtek audio.
Click to expand...

From what i can gather the mb3 software should be identical
 
OK thanks. I guess I will try the Asus software and if it is lacking buy the MB3 software from Creative. Would be nice if they offered a limited period trial.
 
Back to answer my own question in case anyone else is interested.

First I tried option 1; using the standard Asus software suite with the SupremeFX 2015 (ALC1150). The sound was good, as was the feature set, however I didn't like the software. Sonic Studio II, which applies the audio enhancements, is now a separate application. Previously it was built into the main audio control panel. Sonic Radar II is also another separate application. So you have to make changes in multiple places. The profiles that you can create in Sonic Studio II only include the settings within that app. So if you frequently switch between speakers/headphones/stereo/virtual/content/etc it all gets a bit clunky.

I am now trying option 2; using the X-Fi MB3 software with the ALC1150 and standard Realtek drivers. Thankfully this is a single control panel for all the settings, all of which are included within your saved profiles. It works by creating a second virtual sound card in your system. This means that you do not get things like automatic headphone detection, but then a single click sets things up according to your profile.

Testing continues...
 
Do You get any interference? I tried downgrading from ZxR to on-board gigabyte z97x g1-bk creative chip but headphones are not silent when nothing is playing. There is a bit of noise that I can hear on Phidelio x1. Was similar with ZxR if closer to PSU but having it in between CPU & GPU was much better
 
I am away at the moment and didn't really get chance to do listening tests. But I will do when I am back. I have the Fidelio X2.
 
OK I have now done some listening tests and cannot detect any interference when using my Fidelio X2. I haven't directly compared the ZxR to my current setup but I think it is probably just as good as it was.

I will still keep my ZxR in the cupboard though. Just in case.
 
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