Our measurements demonstrate meager artifacts, which cannot be heard after processing. If you need to enable audio processing in the playback mode (e.g., an equalizer), X-Fi cards perform resampling extremely well. Fortunately, X-Fi cards guarantee there is no frequency resampling in the Bit-Matched Playback mode. That may be the explanation for timbre tint that make the HDA codec different from the reference device. Resampling 44 kHz into 48 kHz gives a forest of subharmonics at high frequencies. We could have recommended this solution, if it wasn't for problems in the most important 44 kHz mode. The integrated audio puts up surprising performance. There are no signs of stifled sounding typical of inexpensive audio devices. The attack and stereo panorama are fine, the sound has drive. Owners of such speakers have no reasons to want better audio quality than X-Fi can provide. The SOLO 6 speakers apparently act as the bottleneck for the CS4398-based device. But differences in this audio path are not very important. Out of doubt, E-MU1212M demonstrated the best quality here. A thorough audition gives similar sound quality of cards with CS4382 and CS4398 DACs, the codec sounding a tad different. This codec sounds surprisingly well, with no apparent problems audible. The integrated audio ALC889A is practically no worse than X-Fi in terms of audio quality. Our Microlab SOLO 6 speakers did not reveal much of a difference between these three devices. The sound cards were compared by switching signals by means of a passive switcher with resistive attenuation for accurate volume adjustments (within 0.1 dB). They cannot boast of Creative cards' great advantage over integrated audio in terms of SNR anymore. They have been using the same CS4382 converters since Audigy 2, which allowed the integrated audio systems to catch up with the latest X-Fi models in their characteristics. It's hard not to gloat over Creative in this respect. Cirrus Logic CS4382, the DAC used in X-Fi cards, has the SNR of 108-114 dBA and distortions of -94 to -100 dB. The SNR of ALC889A equals 108 dBA, distortions are -90 dB. It can boast of very good specifications that come close to those of X-Fi cards. Our testbed is based on the ALC889A chip, the top HDA codec from Realtek. #Sb0880 sound blaster x fi titanium specs freeThe integrated audio is free of charge, but it's difficult to choose a codec for this test. We decided to compare X-Fi Titanium with integrated audio and with the E-MU 1212M sound card. Many people will use their X-Fi cards with speakers of this level, so our tests will be more authentic. According to our tests, this model is one of the best in its class (it shares the title with SVEN Royal 2) and also affordable (about $120). So we decided to perform our tests with the Microlab SOLO 6 active speakers. But when we deal with an inexpensive sound card for common users, such results will be only of abstract interest. We usually use ADAM S2.5A active monitors as the reference point. Auditions must include listening to several sound devices at once. Ideally, audio quality must be evaluated with various-grade equipment. #Sb0880 sound blaster x fi titanium specs PcMany enthusiasts spend money on expensive audio devices and then get disenchanted, because of not getting the expected quality boost (e.g., from plugging an E-MU card to a $100 PC speakers). For what class of speakers is integrated audio enough? What sound cards are optimal for what speakers, so that you don't waste too much money? These are important questions. Even if we cut off the extremes, it still leaves us with many questions. If examination indicates a difference between devices tested with Hi-End speakers, this result cannot be automatically applied to all possible speakers. A typical user may own a wide range of speakers, from inexpensive PC speakers to a consumer amplifier with Hi-Fi speakers. Examination must be correlated with real usage conditions. The choice of an audio path for audition is a much more serious problem. It mostly agrees with official recommendations, and it produces easily verifiable and applicable results. Our sound card testing method has been honed in the past ten years. The main audition problems are to choose a correct method and an audio path and interpret the results right. Audition is primary, no technical specifications or measurements will ever replace it. In order to understand how good a sound card is, you should listen how it sounds comparing to other devices.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |