Audigy 2 -> X-Fi . . . Worth it?

J

jnick

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I know the question has been asked before, however I realize it really depends on the speakers you're running.

Right now I have an Audigy 2 ZS and am wondering if the X-Fi gives NOTICABLE difference in sound quality, performance, etc. mainly for gaming, especially BF2.

I do NOT have a 5.1 setup. I do, however, have good to decent speakers, at least I think so. I'm running Logitech Z-2200, which is a 2.1 setup, supporting THX. I also have a pair of Senn's EH-150s, but the majority of the time I use my speakers.

Here's a link to the speakers:

Z-2200

What do you guys think? Worth the money?
 
I upgraded from Audigy 2 zs to the X-Fi Extreme Music
and I can say that there is a difference in sound quality

I have the klipsch 2.1 thx speakers and music sounds more roubst and more detailed

I have moslty hear music though
cant answer your other questions
 
jcll2002 said:
for $66 is it worth going to the xfi xtrememusic from onboard?
Click to expand...

Definetly! It depends on what you have onboard but most onboard is not that great, especially in gaming.
 
If you are happy w/ what you have stop thinking about the X-Fi. You have a good THX setup.

Have heard that the high end X-Fi might be worth it, with the "X-Ram", if you are a audiophile. I'd probably hold off, until you can take advantage of games written for the x-ram. You'll have to spend around $200 bucks right now to get a x-ram version.

My Audigy 2 ZS Plat. did fine hooked up to my home theatre.
Denon AVR-2105
KEF Q7 (sell for $600 ea)
KEF Q9c ($350)
KEF Qcompact ($160)
I was happy with the sound. If this give you any indication.

http://anandtech.com/multimedia/showdoc.aspx?i=2518&p=5

Anything would almost have to better than on-board.
 
benamaster said:
Definetly! It depends on what you have onboard but most onboard is not that great, especially in gaming.
Click to expand...

Definitely depends on *what* you have.

Realtek ALC880 = surprisingly capable. On most consumer headphone/speaker systems, you probably won't hear much of a difference. It does lack the advanced (3+) EAX modes, though - but so many games support none at all, it may or may not matter ('Oblivion' - coming out next month, for example - doesn't support EAX at all).

Envy 24 = as good quality...sometimes...depending on implementation...but TERRIBLE gaming support.

Anything earlier than that, though? ESPECIALLY AC'97? Ditch it!
 
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