Would the X3 Work?

DampCat · 22 Apr 2020 at 11:55

Hey all

I've been using onboard sound in my new build for a while and it's fine, it's caused a bit of damage.

I mostly use speakers, I used an old Logitech 5.1 powered setup which works fine. Atm I'm not using the rears so it's just LR, Centre and Sub. These all plug in to the sound ports using 3.5mm jacks of varying colours.

My headset which I use for discord/voice Comms plugs into the front ports on my pc but these are on the top, and it's causing stress on the cables and I think some damage to the jacks.

I'd like to move to a dedicated sound card but also want to move the headset ports to a more convenient location.

The X3 looks like what I need, but will I be able to plug in my speaker set with 3.5mm jacks at the back? Also, does it come with a card or is it a USB job?

Cheers

Edit: also I'm not bothered about Super XFI and certainly not interested in taking pictures of my face for their app to set things up. Can it be used without the app and setup?

Marsman · 22 Apr 2020 at 12:30

X3 has separate connections for speakers and headphones/headset. It has connections for 5.1 speakers.

It's an external USB device and will require the software to work. All sound cards will require the software to be installed in order to work, unless maybe using some generic Microsoft ones, but then they often cause more trouble than they are worth.

You don't have to use the Super X-Fi stuff though. You should be able to turn that off.

If you want an internal card, then either an AE-5 or Soundblaster Z, depending on what you want to spend. Both have separate connections for speakers and headphones/headset.

DampCat · 22 Apr 2020 at 15:50

I don't mind having the software installed as I can see you can do it on PC not on phone. But apparently the SuperXFI stuff requires taking pictures of your face and head, so I'm hoping it can be set up without going through those steps of I'm not going to use SXFI.

Thanks for the help

EsaT · 22 Apr 2020 at 17:22

Only setting up that Super X-Fi processing needs phone app.
Standard SBX Surround HRTF doesn't need any special customizing.

Mick-1965 · 28 Apr 2020 at 12:17

S-xfi works fine with out using any app or having to sign in.
But if you are only interested in using speakers then sx-fi is not a concern as it's only used for headphones and won't be switched on.

You can use the X3 without the command software if you want, does make life easier though.
The only thing that you need to install are the drivers.