• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Audigy 2

T

the gamer

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
1,426
is this soundcard still good for gaming is the audigy4 any better and what one is with the 5.25 drive (so u can run things from front panel)

anyway thanks for you answers.
 
Yeah for gaming the EAX support can't be beat. I think the ones with the front panel are a ripoff but to each his own.

The Audigy 4 is IMO overpriced, it has a very nice DAC but it isn't worth $300.

If you want higher quality music it is more economical to get an Audigy 2 and an EMU 0404, run them both at the same time with the Audigy 2s digital out going to the Emu. That way you enjoy the benefit of the higher quality DAC and still get EAX.

Now as for the quality of EMU in music vs the Audigy, it does sound a lot better, I noticed a difference in my favorite songs right away.

Not sure if you needed all that info but my 2cents.
 
You must be talking about running a stereo setup. The Audigy doesn't output digital surround sound. But then, I don't think the 0404 handles any type of surround. Isn't it stereo only? For us headphone fans, this is fine... but he didn't tell us what other equipment he has on hand.

Also, what if he is running a SFF system? Then his choice becomes which ONE sound card he wants.

* * *

The Audigy 2 is still a fine choice for gaming. While it doesn't have the audio fidelity of some of it's newer brethren, it does support all of current types of EAX.

As near as I can tell with what I've read about the Audigy 4, it's just a Audigy 2 ZS Pro with upgraded DACs. Not an entirely bad idea, but I always thought the Audigy line's problems had little to do with the quality of the DACs, but with the way they mangle sound by resampling it.

I'd say hang off upgrading your sound card until your next system build. But that's just me...

-dB
 
Decibel said:
You must be talking about running a stereo setup. The Audigy doesn't output digital surround sound. But then, I don't think the 0404 handles any type of surround. Isn't it stereo only? For us headphone fans, this is fine... but he didn't tell us what other equipment he has on hand.

Also, what if he is running a SFF system? Then his choice becomes which ONE sound card he wants.

* * *

The Audigy 2 is still a fine choice for gaming. While it doesn't have the audio fidelity of some of it's newer brethren, it does support all of current types of EAX.

As near as I can tell with what I've read about the Audigy 4, it's just a Audigy 2 ZS Pro with upgraded DACs. Not an entirely bad idea, but I always thought the Audigy line's problems had little to do with the quality of the DACs, but with the way they mangle sound by resampling it.

I'd say hang off upgrading your sound card until your next system build. But that's just me...

-dB
Click to expand...

My Audigy2/ 2 ZS does in fact output Surround Sound via Digital out. The problem is that it is Neo6 or Prologic II type and not real AC3-5.1. This is Blocked by DRM for Copyright Laws, not hardware limits as some have mistakenly written.

I have a cheap VSX-711 Pioneer Receiver in my computer room with the Audigy 2 ZS connected via COAX digital and Six inputs for Analog. It sounds very good and has shut up many naysayers. Yet I still get idiots who like to argue who will not even take the time to visit, "we ready know it is not that good", sheesh! I had one guys tell me Half Life 2 didn't do real Discrete 5.1! Another complain about bugs and problems when I could have shown him flawless performance!

Headphones? They nice while the Baby is asleep. GIve me 5.1 speakers and a sub and friggen day of the week! Talking about how something mangles sound LOL!

Donnie27
 
the gamer said:
is this soundcard still good for gaming is the audigy4 any better and what one is with the 5.25 drive (so u can run things from front panel)

anyway thanks for you answers.
Click to expand...

None of the other cards even come close for games. The Audigy 2 OEM or Audigy 2 ZS OEM for Newegg for about $68 will fill your gaming needs. The Budget SBLive 5.1 does nicely as well but it uses more CPU cycles. Audigy 2 OEM or better have MLP chips to process 5.1 in Hardware, the ONLY consumer cards that can. But it can be Bypassed for other sources in many cases.

Donnie27
 
Donnie27 said:
Headphones? They nice while the Baby is asleep. GIve me 5.1 speakers and a sub and friggen day of the week! Talking about how something mangles sound LOL!
Click to expand...

Compared to even a midrange pair of headphones ($150-$250) 5.1 speakers don't sound nearly as good. Especially the Logitech/Klispch/Creative speakers 99% of gamers have.

Unless you spent several thousand dollars on your 5.1 setup I will take my Sennheiser 595s any day of the week over any computer speakers.

As for "mangling the sound" I have hear more clairty and details from these headphones on my EMU0404 paired with my Gilmore Amp then I have any speakers.

Once you listen you can't go back.
 
not everybody is by themselves or uses the comp for just gameing.

I like listing to music while i do other things in my room so speakers would be better for that i think most people are like that. So i would pay 100-200 on speakers then 100-200 on headphones.
 
andrew911tt said:
not everybody is by themselves or uses the comp for just gameing.
Click to expand...

True I still have my Logitech 400w speakers here for when I am cleaning or whatever, but the quality differences I was talking about are for music, not just gaming, music sounds better on my Senn 595s/Gilmore Lite amp then on any pair of computer speakers I have ever heard.
 
I don't have the money to get $400 worth of sound equipment.

it took me time to get my $150 speakers

BUT the quality of onboard sound and good speakers is more then good enough for me.

We are definitly in different ballparks
to each his own
 
I'd rather have $150 speakers and onboard sound than $75 speakers and a $75 soundcard. If you/'ve only got 2.1 speakers, you might be interested in the AV-710.
 
Just to chime in to andrew911tt, there is that HotDeal for the 6.1 Creative Labs going on right now. So you wont have to spend $400 depending on the card you get and the shipping it could be around $200 - $250.

Just throwing that out there, I read this thread just to see what kind of Audigy 2 I should get to match those speakers.
 
Bump for HD595s! I got mine for 140$ and it was the best purchase ever, now just to mod them so they include a mic.
 
Svperstar said:
Compared to even a midrange pair of headphones ($150-$250) 5.1 speakers don't sound nearly as good. Especially the Logitech/Klispch/Creative speakers 99% of gamers have.

Unless you spent several thousand dollars on your 5.1 setup I will take my Sennheiser 595s any day of the week over any computer speakers.

As for "mangling the sound" I have hear more clairty and details from these headphones on my EMU0404 paired with my Gilmore Amp then I have any speakers.

Once you listen you can't go back.
Click to expand...

Nope, I think my ears are shot then. I listened to 560, 680 Logitechs, have 650 Creative Megaworks, now sitting in the closet. My computer is connected to a cheap Pioneer D711, it plays back bypassed un-mangled 24-96 Stereo. I have old 1980's speakers, Roland 12s and Advent 8"s 1008 (not sure what the old Rolands are, hehehe) Sony Center Custom built sub that started life as a cheap KLH LOL! I've not used computer speakers since Dec-04. I have a great room for my computer but much rather listen to Music on my Main Rig down stairs.

Unlike a many of my bud's I like speakers better than headphones. My computer is connected via 6 RCA and One Digital so I don't miss anything.

I listen to Music and on my computer but my main use for that sound system is 5.1 Games, Some DVD Audio and etc..


Donnie27
 
im going to thread jack this for a sec

i have an Audigy 1 and was thinking og upgrading now do i go with the 2 ZS OEM, look for a good deal on the 4, wait for an OEM 4 with just the card
i realy dont need the breakout box
id like to stay under $100 if i can but if the 4 is worth it over the 2 ZS i am willing to spend $200ish :confused:
 
Going a little off topic to keep from making a new thread:

I've got Logitech Z680s and the Augdigy 2 ZS. Right now I'm using the 3 analog wires that connect to the speaker console and the audigy... what's the option for me to use the single digital out and can anyone show me a picture of what I'd be look for at some place like Radio Shack?

Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top