Xonar DX or D2X or ?

broo

broo

broo

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Appears my old X-Fi PCI is not very compatible with my new pc (z77 mobo) so looking to replace it as the onboard is pants.

I've gone through the past 6 pages here and read most the posts regarding sound cards but still can't decide which one to get. Looking at an Asus card and basically trying not to overspend for my needs.

Primary use: Gaming and Music.
I currently have a pair of Sennheiser PC350 headphones but I also have some stereo speakers that I could never get working at the same time as my headphones with the x-fi. Not a biggy but would be nice to get both working without cable swapping.

So would the Xonar DX be enough or should I spend extra for the D2X? It feels weird buying a card that's over 4 years old also...is there a newer card I should look at?

Help!
 
Audio doesn't move as fast as graphics/video does. A four year old graphics card is going to be really outdated now, whereas a four year old sound card, is just as good as it ever was.

Graphics will always be improved, whereas sound cards have pretty much got to the point where they are as good as they can be. For sound cards to move on, the cost of such things would be more than the majority of people would be willing to pay. The Xonar Essence and Titanium HD are two of the most expensive sound cards, yet many consider them too expensive. There are people who will pay £500 for a graphics card. How many will pay £300 say, for a sound card in order to get a jump in sound quality? Anybody looking for such audio quality, would be much better off looking at external gear.

If you look at Creative's latest sound card, the Recon3D, it would seem to have gone backwards. Many feel the X-Fi range is better, and yet that is years old now.

Xonar DX and D2X are both great cards. When it comes to sound quality, the difference is minimal. Most people who have compared, could not tell between them. The DX does have a front audio header, which you could connect to any front case audio you may have. Although front case audio can be prone to interference. It depends on the case. Many use cheap cables, which doesn't help. The D2X, does not have a front audio header, so you would need an audio switch in order to connect both speaker and headset. Splitters are not a good idea, as they degrade sound quality. Audio switchers with 3.5mm connections are rare though. Only Plantronics and Konig make them, to my knowledge, and both look rather flimsy.

Not many sound cards offer connection for both headset and speakers. Of the sub £100 cards, only the Recon3D does. Not sure I'd want to pay £80 for such a card, just to have that feature, when there are better cards available.
 
Good advice ^^

I'd go with the DX (Biased I know lol)

Funny how you mentioned the interference, I have a headset connected to the front audio header in a corsair 700d case and get bad interference, Ask some of the lads on CQ247 TS lol. :D Buzzzzzzzzzzz

I dont want to split it at the rear of the sound card either :(
 
I don't get why no one makes a decent switcher with 3.5mm connections. They are as common as mud when it comes to RCA. You could use one, but you would need a few adaptor cables.

Front audio is great and useful when there is no interference, but more often than not it is likely that someone will get that issue. Surely there are enough people who want to connect speakers and headset/phones without having to physically having to remove one or the other all the time, for some company to make a fairly decent switcher.

Some people make their own, but not everyone wants to, or can. Yes it is fairly simple, but there are some people who can't even boil and egg! Let alone make an audio switcher. :p
 
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Marsman said:
... Only Plantronics and Konig make them, to my knowledge, and both look rather flimsy.
Click to expand...

I have a Plantronics switcher and I would be lost with out it, had it for around 3 years and never had a problem with it... essential kit...

broo your thread is similar to mine... see here


So i'd be interested to know what u decide on getting...
 
From reading posts i came to the conclusion that x-fi with cmss-3d has "better" positional audio than dolby headphone (using a stereo headset) in first person shooters.


Would this be a correct assessment or completely wrong?

Like Broo my old x-fi pci card is having incompatability issues with my Z77 UD5H so i am thinking about getting the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium 7.1

For some reason i have it in my head that the x-fi will give me a better advantage in BF3 than an Asus card with positional audio.
 
It's a preference thing. Some people prefer CMSS 3D, some prefer DH. It also depends on the headphones or headset. CMSS 3D works best with drivers (speakers in the headphones) that are angled, so not in line with your ears. DH on the other hand, works best with drivers that are non angled. Experiences people have will vary though.

There is also the sound signature to consider. Some people prefer the X-Fi sound, and don't like the Xonar sound. Some prefer the Xonar sound, and some like both. Until you've heard both, it's impossible to say whether you would prefer one over the other.

The Xonar D1/X is a great sound card. Some people get fed up with Creative, and want a change. A D1/X is a great alternative. For anyone who has no problem at all with Creative cards, maybe best to stick with what you know. The Titanium is a still a very good card.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I took onboard what you said, did some further research then spotted the x-fi titanium hd was on offer this week and based on most of what I found (good vs bad for all the options) I opted to gamble on another creative card rather than gamble on an Asus card :)

Might be slightly overkill for me in the end but I'm a sucker for week only deals and I liked how it doesn't need additional power (true pci-e?)

Anyway, fitted last night and install went fine. So far so good and glad to get rid of my whiney onboard.

Thanks again guys
 
Marsman said:
It's a preference thing. Some people prefer CMSS 3D, some prefer DH. It also depends on the headphones or headset. CMSS 3D works best with drivers (speakers in the headphones) that are angled, so not in line with your ears. DH on the other hand, works best with drivers that are non angled.
Click to expand...

i Have the Sennheiser 360's marsman.

Would you know if they are angled or non-angled?



Sorrry to jump in on your thread Broo.

The HD looks like a beauty of a card! Your ears will thank you i am sure ;)
 
I have the Asus Xonar D2X 7.1 after a Creative xfi, I thought meh whatever sound is sound, but the D2X is fantastic the sound is amazing playing Space Marines, I love it!

Stelly
 
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