Is an X-Fi really worth it?

TooNice · 1 Apr 2006 at 14:58

Paa` said:
If you have some ***** pc speakers like AE / Harmon Kardon / Logitech / Even creative speakers, you wont notice any difference.

But if you have decent hifi speakers/amp you will notice quality and noise a lot

You do realise that that the entire X-Fi series minus the Elite Pro uses DAC and opamp that is more MM level than Hi-Fi level right? To say that you won't notice it on multimedia speakers as about as true as saying that it'll improve the sound 10 folds: that is, not really true IMO.

My take: unless you are using some generic multimedia speakers, it is true that the benefit will be fairly minimal. You will definitely notice a difference using decent multimedia speakers. I have the A8R-32, which I suspect uses similar onboard sound card as the A8N series. I am confident that I will pass a blind test comparising that, and my Elite Pro. I am not saying my Gigaworks get the most out of the sound card, I picked this sound card as opposed to a lower end X-Fi to drive my Grado and upcoming AKG 701 (pretty demanding can from what I gathered).. but I am sure that I could pass tell appart the X-Fi and the onboard sound. 10x better? No. Not even my Grado sounds "10x" better on them. Will see whether it is any different with the AKG.

But in any case, I still think that the Extreme Music is a good buy for most people. And if that is still too expensive.. The OEM version can be bought for less if you hunt about.

Tommy B · 1 Apr 2006 at 17:00

Paa` said:
I had 2 75w tanoys plugged into ac97 onboard sound with a marantz amp.

Turn everything up max but no music and u can hear noise coming out of the speakers well before you max out the amp/speakers.

The noise was quite loud and annoying.

The xfi i bought cured the problem completely and improved sound quality noticebly.

If you have some read me pc speakers like AE / Harmon Kardon / Logitech / Even creative speakers, you wont notice any difference.

But if you have decent hifi speakers/amp you will notice quality and noise a lot

Paul

I have a similar AMP/speakers setup to you and I have that exact problem with the noise.

I'm going to wire a CD player to the amp and listen to the sound quality, as surely the X-fi wouldn't be able to beat that.

Paa` · 1 Apr 2006 at 18:43

ermm?

The xfi cures the noise problem over ac97 audio.

With my amp plugged into the xfi card i get zero noise or any problems turning it up loud.

AC97 from my dfi nf4 board produced terrible noise which my creative megaworks 2.1 system never picked up.

I thought at first the speakers/amp were causing the problem but plugging them into a cd system i had perfect sound. I then decided to buy a xfi sound card.

Ive had no problems since i changed to decent hifi speakers and a xfi sound card.

hr18 · 1 Apr 2006 at 19:03

might want to checkout the m-audio revolution 5.1, produces better sound than the x-fi for music.

TooNice · 1 Apr 2006 at 19:33

Except the Elite Pro

Although if you are only concerned with music, you could also look at the EMU1212, which is virtually the same as the Elite Pro minus X-RAM/gaming features. And cost over £50 less I believe.

Tommy B · 1 Apr 2006 at 20:14

TooNice said:
Except the Elite Pro

Although if you are only concerned with music, you could also look at the EMU1212, which is virtually the same as the Elite Pro minus X-RAM/gaming features. And cost over £50 less I believe.

The sound quality beteen the Music and Elite are same, it even says so on Creative's site. You're paying for features.

1) I don't understand the X-fi Extreme Music. It only has 4 jack outs, so can someone explain htf that connects to a 7.1 system?

2) If I have an optical lead or a co-axial cable coming from my home-cinema system, how do I get them connected to "jack" sockets? Let me guess, this is where the con of buying the "Platinum" version comes in.

TooNice · 1 Apr 2006 at 20:21

Actually, it's not.

Different DAC, different op-amp (this has been pulled appart discussed to death in audio oriented forums). The Elite Pro is pretty much an EMU1212 with X-Fi feature. This also applies to the Audigy 4 Pro, which has better DAC than the whole X-Fi line minus the Elite Pro.. although it lack the features in the X-Fis.

As for the Platinum, it is up to you to decide whether you need the front bay (I probably wouldn't have bothered but many seem to like it).

I am not sure if it is the case with all 7.1 speakers, but with the Gigaworks, you only need 3 cables to connect the speakers to the sound card (well, technically it is 4 cables, with an adapter to 3 cables which goes to the sound card). I forgot exactly what each cable control though.

Tommy B · 1 Apr 2006 at 20:37

OK. Someone answer this one question.

At the moment, I just have an AMP/2 floor standing speakers, and of course I'd have them wired to an X-fi Extreme Music.

HOWEVER. In a few months, I'm buying an HDTV with home cinema system. I'll get one where all the speakers are wired to a box, which has Optical/Coaxial inputs for connection to DVD players etc. Will my X-fi Extreme Music support full 5.1/7.1 output to this, via Optical or Coaxial?

If no, which model do I need?

Cheers

shrek2 · 1 Apr 2006 at 20:52

I dont really know how I have tolerated onboard sound forthis long now. Upgrading from the basic motherboard sound on my lanparty nforce4 board to the audigy 4 had been a massive boost. I wish I could sample the xtrememusic to see if it would be worth it.

valerian · 2 Apr 2006 at 12:53

TooNice said:
If you are talking about the regular (non-pro) Audigy 4, then yes.

There is a problem with that methodology though. Chances are, the two systems are different in ways other than the sound card. From hardware to software.

I'd say that the difference in what software two system use in the background is going to have significantly more influence in system performance than moving from an Audigy to an X-Fi. If you really want to test whether there is an improvement there, it is best to use the same system.

goes without saying
i didnt think i'd have to explain 'all' the variables

valerian · 2 Apr 2006 at 12:55

TooNice said:
Actually, it's not.

Different DAC, different op-amp (this has been pulled appart discussed to death in audio oriented forums). The Elite Pro is pretty much an EMU1212 with X-Fi feature. This also applies to the Audigy 4 Pro, which has better DAC than the whole X-Fi line minus the Elite Pro.. although it lack the features in the X-Fis.

As for the Platinum, it is up to you to decide whether you need the front bay (I probably wouldn't have bothered but many seem to like it).

I am not sure if it is the case with all 7.1 speakers, but with the Gigaworks, you only need 3 cables to connect the speakers to the sound card (well, technically it is 4 cables, with an adapter to 3 cables which goes to the sound card). I forgot exactly what each cable control though.

we get it you've got an audigy 4

TooNice · 2 Apr 2006 at 15:09

Strange conclusion.. And nope.

Leporello · 4 Apr 2006 at 14:21

Tommy B said:
2) If I have an optical lead or a co-axial cable coming from my home-cinema system, how do I get them connected to "jack" sockets? Let me guess, this is where the con of buying the "Platinum" version comes in.

There's no problem you need either, a 3.5mm stereo minijack to phono adaptor and a digital coaxial cable, or a stereo minijack to coaxial digital cable. One of the minijack outputs on the X fi doubles up as a coaxial digital connection.

I have my Audigy 2zs connected to my Denon Home Cinema in this manner which gives me fairly decent 5.1 sound with TV, radio, CDs and DVDs. The only thing I don't get in 5.1 sound is the Creative testing and setting up software which I don't use anyway.

!n$oMniA · 4 Apr 2006 at 15:36

Paa` said:
If you have some crap pc speakers like AE / Harmon Kardon / Logitech / Even creative speakers, you wont notice any difference.

But if you have decent hifi speakers/amp you will notice quality and noise a lot

Paul

LOL, i love comments like this - grow up. I can tell you now ive noticed a huge difference in my z-2300's. Ive also tried my hi-fi system plugged into it and yes there is a difference. Ill agree that hi-fi is better audio quality, but quite frankly, the majority of people who purchase a x-fi are going to be running off STEREO headphones/speakers. Of course creative are going to create a sound card thats pointless to the majority of pc users :confused:

. Keep kidding yourself.

The problem with some people in this forum is that they hear somebody say "hi-fi is like totally better by a million times dude, argh all pc speakers are useless." which thyre not (look at the aego's). and theyll adopt this attitude. This spreads throughout the entire forum and sends any pc speakers's reputation down the drain. Please think before you say pointless comments.

OT. Id highly reccomend the X-Fi

Tommy B · 4 Apr 2006 at 16:09

!n$oMniA said:
LOL, i love comments like this - grow up. I can tell you now ive noticed a huge difference in my z-2300's. Ive also tried my hi-fi system plugged into it and yes there is a difference. Ill agree that hi-fi is better audio quality, but quite frankly, the majority of people who purchase a x-fi are going to be running off STEREO headphones/speakers. Of course creative are going to create a sound card thats pointless to the majority of pc users . Keep kidding yourself.

The problem with some people in this forum is that they hear somebody say "hi-fi is like totally better by a million times dude, argh all pc speakers are useless." which thyre not (look at the aego's). and theyll adopt this attitude. This spreads throughout the entire forum and sends any pc speakers's reputation down the drain. Please think before you say pointless comments.

OT. Id highly reccomend the X-Fi

The X-fi is crammed full of "enhancing" features to make PC speakers sound better! A truly good Hi-Fi wouldn't need any features to sound amazing.

Zorin · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:28

Tommy B said:
The X-fi is crammed full of "enhancing" features to make PC speakers sound better! A truly good Hi-Fi wouldn't need any features to sound amazing.

I Agree its a fantastic soundcard and games sound so much better i think with this card !!

valerian · 5 Apr 2006 at 00:26

TooNice said:
Strange conclusion.. And nope.

yes i noticed further down