Why cards over onboard sound

[Scougar]

It is amazing. The Matrix and Transformers were the two I tried. To say it brings the film alive is an understatement. I have set mine for 64 ohms as well...

64 ohms????? You sure that is what you mean? I would have thought you wouldn't be able to drive the speaker like that?

 

[MOOGLEYS]

64 ohms????? You sure that is what you mean? I would have thought you wouldn't be able to drive the speaker like that?

No idea, It says "Exciter mode for >64ohms headsets" It sounds stunning when you enable this and the Dolby Headphone mode in the control centre.

 

[MonkeyWrench9]

I do love the difference a separate Sound Card makes and best of all they never cost an arm and a leg. Always a nice cheap but effective upgrade.

 

[Cliste]

Just received my Xonar DG and Turtle Beach Z6A.

Gotta wait a couple of weeks to use them. Looking forward to it.

 

[Scougar]

I do love the difference a separate Sound Card makes and best of all they never cost an arm and a leg. Always a nice cheap but effective upgrade.

Yup. For example.. an X-FI Xtreme Music in the members market is averaging about £15 at the moment. That is so ridiculously cheap for the sound quality you get, and also a real shame when I come to sell mine lol. (D'oh).

Some of the newer cards on the market are seriously impressive, and if you want the quality are definitely worth buying.

 

[MOOGLEYS]

I have never had a dedicated sound card before and I will never not have one again. To me the difference is almost as impressive as when you first use an SSD as your boot drive.....

 

[arknor]

Yup. For example.. an X-FI Xtreme Music in the members market is averaging about £15 at the moment. That is so ridiculously cheap for the sound quality you get, and also a real shame when I come to sell mine lol. (D'oh).

Some of the newer cards on the market are seriously impressive, and if you want the quality are definitely worth buying.

isnt the extreme music version the **** rebranded sblive one? and not a proper x-fi card

 

[Marsman]

That's the Audigy SE, that is a rebranded SB Live!

The X-Fi Xtreme Audio is an updated version of it or similar. Certainly doesn't have an X-Fi chip. Xtreme Music is definitely a proper X-Fi.

 

[craarc]

But why do you spank fairly reasonable amounts of money on headphones etc whilst not investing in the hardware to drive them?

The best speakers in the world will sound like **** being driven by an inferior hi fi. Good audio is an absolute must in gaming, especially games with great audio, like BF3. It pulls you into the game.

*edit*

Scougar was typing his reply whilst I was doing mine and his explains what I am trying to say perfectly!

ok not caught up on the whole thread yet but...

head phones i have are Bang & olufsen , sony, razer megaladons , and speakers i have are packard bell with a sub, and a dell soundbar.

i use different ones depending on what i am doing

tbh most of the time i use my megaladons cause most of the time i game and with the on board sound they sound fine. in fact awesome.

if i want good quality music or hifi or movie THX etc i dont use a pc for that i use my main movie system ( wont go into the details of that right now)

so what i find is with my onboard sound and my megaladons i really dont see the need to spend 1 or 2 hundred quid on a top sound card that i wont really be able to tell a diference in quality with ..

diferent with main audio sytem but tbh a pc wont compete with that anyway ...


ASUS Xonar Essence STX Sound Card worth it or not if u all say yes i will buy one but i cant see it tbh

 

[MOOGLEYS]

I can hear a huge difference to onboard sound with an £18 xonar dg let alone one for two hundred quid..

 

[MOOGLEYS]

Double post.....

 

[jellofund]

ok not caught up on the whole thread yet but...

head phones i have are Bang & olufsen , sony, razer megaladons , and speakers i have are packard bell with a sub, and a dell soundbar.

i use different ones depending on what i am doing

tbh most of the time i use my megaladons cause most of the time i game and with the on board sound they sound fine. in fact awesome.

if i want good quality music or hifi or movie THX etc i dont use a pc for that i use my main movie system ( wont go into the details of that right now)

so what i find is with my onboard sound and my megaladons i really dont see the need to spend 1 or 2 hundred quid on a top sound card that i wont really be able to tell a diference in quality with ..

diferent with main audio sytem but tbh a pc wont compete with that anyway ...


ASUS Xonar Essence STX Sound Card worth it or not if u all say yes i will buy one but i cant see it tbh

Judging by your usage and the kit you have I'd say an STX would probably be overkill for your needs. Its strengths are really music and movies but it sounds like you use your stereo for these things anyway, so you'd be missing out on the main benefits of such a card. Gaming wise it's a decent enough peformer but not anything special.

To be honest I went from an Xonar Essence DG to the STX and unless I'm using my headphones (Denon D2000) with good quality audio files the difference in sound quality isn't huge. Pound for pound the DG is probably the best card I've owned and I'd say if you're toying with the idea of a dedicated sound card start with something like that and if you're happy with the results then go from there.

I also think your Razers have a built in soundcard (?) and are usb, so couldn't be paired with the STX.

 

[V F]

How does the Auzen X-Fi Prelude compare to other cards today? I'm still using one from 2007. For me it's been a flawless card. Luckily that I only have 1 PCI slot.

No idea, It says "Exciter mode for >64ohms headsets" It sounds stunning when you enable this and the Dolby Headphone mode in the control centre.

Is that why moogleys is all giddy?