Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Sound Card Review @ [H]

dgingeri said:
So, it sucks for music and movies, but great for gaming. I got that. Their software still sounds as bloated and malfunctional as it has always been.

So, what card is good for music, movies, and gaming at the same time? I game with my PC, but I also watch BluRay movies, Netflix, and Hulu. (I don't even bother with the TV anymore.) This obviously isn't the card I'm looking for, so what is?
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I use my computer for everything also and have had a HT | OMEGA CLARO for a while now and couldn't be happier. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up ;)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271007
 
I so miss my original Live card.

I miss the I/O of the Live bay compared to these POS's.

Hay Creative! Put 1/4in ports on the damned bay again!
 
Why can't they just make one soundcard that does all of the above.

Not sell a musical/gamer/movie specific edition.

I'm assuming the platinum line does all?
 
Review said:
Maybe we need to take the "non-gaming" Creative SB Recon3D for a test drive and see how it compares?
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No, don't do that, it's a waste of time. The vanilla Recon3D is the same sound card minus the fancy microphone and the I/O bay. With a relatively small review team that only has one audio reviewer, your time would be much better spent reviewing other gear. If you would like some suggestions, think about reviewing the HTOmega eClaro, or the Claro II, or the Xonar Phoebus (when it comes out).

But anyway, thanks for the review. I haven't read the whole thing yet, but I did read the RMAA section and the conclusion. All in all I think you guys are right, and Creative really didn't aim for sound quality this time. People who want audiophile-status sound should get the Titanium HD.
 
fdiaz78 said:
I was one of those people who skipped to the end because of my expectations of Creative. Time and time again they release terrible drivers than cause problems. The whole Vista driver fiasco cemented my disdain for this company and honestly I could not care less if they went under.


Shady and dishonest so they will never get another dime from me.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/04/daniel_k-who-fi/#disqus_thread

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/03/creative-fixing/
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And speaking with your wallet is a totally respectable position as they have had some shady practices and they owe DanielK a lot, thankfully the users show Daniel the appreciation he deserves.

However, the Recon software is a 180 for Creative, this software shouldn't be lumped in with the past crap. I grabbed the new software download when it was released and seen windows update pull 2 more updates since. I never, ever would of thought I'd buy a creative sound card until I researched this one, it locked in on exactly what I wanted and didn't have the baggage. Thankfully it worked the way it was researched. It's just too damn expensive, but it is coming down.
 
You guys the Creative driver problems are a thing of the past. I've owned the Audigy, Audigy2 ZS, X-Fi Xtrememusic, and Titanium HD, and the drivers have no extra software or anything. I used the minimal install package every time, and right now with the Titanium HD I am getting ~15MB of RAM usage. If that's excessive in your opinion you're entitled to that opinion, but really, get off that stereotype.

The one problem I've had with the minimalist Creative drivers is that when you change certain settings, such as the audio mode, or the headphone/speaker selection, it hangs for about 2-3 seconds for the software to update. Yes, it can be annoying when you want to quickly change a few settings, but anyway, that's my experience.
 
Creative still on the Fatality kick? :rolleyes:
The kids still think he is cool? They all grew up no?
Could they not come up with a better marketing scheme..this is not 2003

I have not bought anything from Creative in years. Swore off them after the Daniel_K thing
 
For $150-200, you could buy an Onkyo receiver and run spdif out to it. That will sound way better than any creative card, and you won't have to deal with their terrible drivers.
 
I just hope I will never see the day that I have no choice but to replace my auzentech forté. I can tell it's the best card I'll ever own.
 
Cmdrmonkey said:
For $150-200, you could buy an Onkyo receiver and run spdif out to it. That will sound way better than any creative card, and you won't have to deal with their terrible drivers.
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Exactly. For almost the same price as one of these cards with the expansion bay and "PC" surround sound speakers you could just grab a lower end receiver and some satellite/bookshelf speakers and get significantly better sound plus have the option for HDMI out with DD-HD and DTS - Master Audio. I know space is an issue for some but if it's not and you want te best all round experience I would definitely go the receiver rout and just use your video cards HDMI out... if it has one.

Of course I'm not sure if that same holds true for those that prefer to use headphones as I never do.
 
Sipster said:
I'm with you man. I have been thinking about upgrading to z77 but no PCI slots.
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i think in this case if you have the room a SPDIF optical out to a receiver is the best plan
maybe a nice set of USB headphones if you take your pc to LANs
 
The replies in this thread always make me feel content with my onboard audio, even though I know it is inferior. At least I do not have to deal with the wonky headaches induced by audio cards.
 
Elios said:
i have a Gen 1 X-fi Xtreammusic card and its still kick ass 6 years later
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same! love my x-fi. might do some of the mods out there one day just for fun. replace opamps, upgrade capacitors, etc.
 
Anisotonic said:
I just hope I will never see the day that I have no choice but to replace my auzentech forté. I can tell it's the best card I'll ever own.
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Just wait until it starts doing the headphone popping thing. You know it's coming.
 
I have to agree that overall this appears to be a step backwards from the X-Fi line--serviceable, certainly, but not great. If/when my current card burns out or otherwise dies, then this becomes an option...
 
I wish Asus would drop the release date for the Phoebus...I'd like to give it a try and see how it stacks up.
 
My ASUS Essence STX is amazing, I see no reason to upgrade. Amazing headphone amplifier, sounds fantastic for music, AND sounds great in games.

Can I buy that microphone standalone? That's the only thing I'm interested in.
 
I did not find the microphone available on Creative's accessory page as a standalone purchase. If it does become available in this capacity, I will post the link here in this thread.
 
EPOQ said:
I wish Asus would drop the release date for the Phoebus...I'd like to give it a try and see how it stacks up.
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The ASUS Xonar Phoebus is a must buy for me. Should be out any day now. I am still rocking an original Creative X-FI Elite Pro that is 6 years old. I have moved it from computer to computer since nothing really better was available.... until shortly. I looked at the Creative Recon 3D when it came out and was really excited at first until I saw that the thing was a complete joke. They were originally charging $250 for it.
 
Technikal said:
Creative still on the Fatality kick? :rolleyes:
The kids still think he is cool? They all grew up no?
Could they not come up with a better marketing scheme..this is not 2003

I have not bought anything from Creative in years. Swore off them after the Daniel_K thing
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You should have seen what Daniel_K said about this sound card when it came out. He pretty much raked it through the coals as he well should have. I think you can probably dig up his post on the Creative forums if they didn't delete it. It was pretty funny.
 
txfeinbergs said:
You should have seen what Daniel_K said about this sound card when it came out. He pretty much raked it through the coals as he well should have. I think you can probably dig up his post on the Creative forums if they didn't delete it. It was pretty funny.
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Right here :D
 
I'm not looking forward to the next upgraded, as I'm sure PCI will be gone and I wont be able to use my Audigy Xplosion anymore :(

Love my DTS digital out. A LOT.
 
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Cmdrmonkey said:
For $150-200, you could buy an Onkyo receiver and run spdif out to it. That will sound way better than any creative card, and you won't have to deal with their terrible drivers.
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heh, just bought an ONKYO TX-NR609 but it's in the other room, I can play music from here though, VIA the LAN, works perfectly!!...sheriously though, if your opinion of Creative products comes from reading, you need a listen to the difference working x-fi cards make before judging. Sure the s/ware is a bit:rolleyes::rolleyes: bloated - anyone buy a Dell laptop? Now that's bloated!! If you install Creative s/ware with just the things you use, it can be pretty painless...for a while..then it will either crash your system or just not work. Till you re-seat the card or re-install the drivers. there, the truth..:eek::):):):)
 
@ Earl Keim or Kyle Bennett

I understand the card underperforms when it comes to non gaming playback.

For the card's digital output, we used an optical cable connected to an Onkyo "home theater in a box" receiver. For either 2.1 or 5.1 analog output, we used standard stereo mini-jack cables plugged into the Recon3D's back plate and the corresponding inputs on the back of the Onkyo receiver.
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But how can it under perform on the S/PDIF ???

Is digital playback not digital, dose the card change the data stream?
 
It does not underperform, as you say, using digital or SPDIF out. Your motherboard or most motherboards have free onboard sound with digital output. So unless you need Dolby Digital encoding, the card's gaming effects or a strong headphone amplifier, this card will not be of much benefit to you.

Creative has its X-FI MB 2 software which is similar to the Recon3D's software suite for its hardware DSPs. The software package's processing though is done by your CPU and the interface sits on top of your onboard audio.

We tested Recon3D card in analog modes for its analog sound signature.




player-x said:
@ Earl Keim or Kyle Bennett

I understand the card underperforms when it comes to non gaming playback.



But how can it under perform on the S/PDIF ???

Is digital playback not digital, dose the card change the data stream?
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Yes, but when you go to the sound settings in Windows is there a Mic Boost?

The craptacular Titanium HD doesn't have it, so I had to switch back to my X-Fi. Otherwise I was super quiet in anything voice related.
 
There is a microphone boost in the Recon3D software. I do not have the X-Fi MB software installed, so I can not check that for you.

The Titanium HD was certainly not craptacular. It may had a few shortcomings, but the Titanium HD and Essence ST are two of the best consumer grade sound cards I have ever used.

If you have not tried one of those and swapped their operational amplifiers, then you are in for something special.




Troz said:
Yes, but when you go to the sound settings in Windows is there a Mic Boost?

The craptacular Titanium HD doesn't have it, so I had to switch back to my X-Fi. Otherwise I was super quiet in anything voice related.
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It was long since creative held any meaning. Bad drivers and quality.

Last time I bought a sound card was a couple of years ago, asus. I'm glad to be rid of my old creative and auzentech products.
 
cortexodus said:
Right here :D
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Thanks for the link! Proves my earlier point. This is shitty motherboard class audio. Not a real soundcard, just a software emulation of one.

I can't get over just how much money Creative are asking for this crap.

Our only hope is that the rumours are true about hardware accelerated audio coming back in Windows 8, this might bring us back to the golden age, maybe.
 
The only thing good about these cards is they look bad ass. I think all cards should be wrapped in metal like a plug in module and look like its from the fucking far future as seen from the eyes of people back in 1991 when the V.R cyber craze took off. Im serious about that it looks fucking bad ass I almost bought one because it looks so bad ass.

I am keeping the xi-fi sound cards i got.


I rather buy an old one these again than get one of these cards and no midi or open al supports in hardware sucks. OH and it does not have any ram at least nobody says it has 64 MB of ram like the other good cards they dont mention it having any LAME>



94%7c376814%7c9419_9510-fatal1typro.jpg


creative_gallery_shot.jpg



these are the only sound cards i need do not want these wake me when sound blaster brings back the good stuff.
 
Yeah I think that era is over, sorry. Since EAX died with Windows Vista, having fancy things like X-RAM and EAX have become pointless (for newer games at least). Since we got dual core processors in the mid 2000s, the sound card has not been a burden to the computer. My point is, these things are fine for this day and age.

But speaking of X-Fi 20K2, EAX, X-RAM, hardware effects, and a plastic cover...

Creative_Sound_Blaster_X-Fi_Titanium_HD_and_X-Fi_HD.jpg


:cool:

:D
 
EarlKeim said:
It does not underperform, as you say, using digital or SPDIF out. Your motherboard or most motherboards have free onboard sound with digital output. So unless you need Dolby Digital encoding, the card's gaming effects or a strong headphone amplifier, this card will not be of much benefit to you.
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Yeah i need DD-Life encoding as i use a HTP-SL100 Home Cinema Receiver System

We tested Recon3D card in analog modes for its analog sound signature.
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So if you use lets say a Logitech Z906 or Z-5500 DD set or like me, a 5.1 DD receiver/amp and use only the DD-Life function of the card.
Then it preforms like any other DD-Life card?

Like with the Xonar DX that i have now, would there be any differences?

Other then the better head phone amp?

Not that i am jumping to change, i am pretty happy with my Xonar DX and HTP-SL100 DD-Life set, it gives me good sound.

But i would consider the card for two reasons, first the mic, as i love to play using speakers, if it works as nice as you say it dose i would just for that, consider the card, next to that, the "audio I/O expansion bay" ware you can easily switch between headset and speakers is nice.
 
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