Droc
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The ACm on the phobus looks like it was designed by and for a 10 year old.
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Creative Sound Blaster Z Initial Impression
- Thread starter Nielo TM
- Start date
The ACm on the phobus looks like it was designed by and for a 10 year old.
I second this idea.
i think you can create a hotkey on the keyboard to mute the microphone, im not 100% certain though.
why is this?
Trying to decide between a Zx and a ZxR ... lucky enough to have a Zx on the way for about $115 shipped, but thinking I may want the higher end.
Usage is mostly gaming and music through a pair of Sennheiser HD650s, and output to my Denon 3312CI home theater amp.
Probably won't notice a difference worth more than double the price, but tempted ...
Usage is mostly gaming and music through a pair of Sennheiser HD650s, and output to my Denon 3312CI home theater amp.
Probably won't notice a difference worth more than double the price, but tempted ...
BababooeyHTJ
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I just got my ZX and I'll be honest at the moment I don't find myself missing my STX. This thing does a good job driving a 250ohm DT990. Sound quality seems very good so far.
I haven't tried any gaming just yet.
I haven't tried any gaming just yet.
I could be crazy but I think headphones sound slightly different on the ACM, although i'm pretty sure it's due to the impedance of the particular headphones i've been using. The actual headphone out on the card itself sounds pretty amazing with the 600ohm AMP, i've found myself favoring a direct connection.
Again, this is just subjective on my part - i could be entirely wrong.
I'm actually quite glad they put an amp on the Z series, that was the single most annoying thing with the Titanium HD - you needed an external headphone amp to make it sound at it's best.
Droc
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Is it possible to disable the mic on the ACM to use a headset mic? or can you use all 3 at the same time?
you wont notice much of a difference in gaming between the two sound cards but for music and movies you will with the ZxR.
I have the Z, I have it since the end of October. I changed from a Xonar DG, but have a creative X-fi fatality as well and have compared the Z to both.
Not sure anything will impress you software wise. It's a very simple install with no frills. I am sure you know all the features already. Sbx Pro studio, crystal voice, scout mode, DTS and Dolby Digital encoding. All the menus are logical and easy to use. In fact I really like the menu and how it works. And that's the thing, everything just works.
Now for directional impressions. Better than both the Creative X-fi and the Xonar DG. No problem picking out sounds from any direction in any game that I have tried.
I am not a good enough writer to put into words how good the Z card is and how simple it is compared to creative cards of the past. You spend less time messing about with settings and more time playing games and listening to music.
yeah it's very good. I didn't game for 2 or 3 days after getting mine. I spent hours listening to my music collection.
I agree, I don't know how to explain the technicality of SBX surround but I think its very good. Definitely better than the bare bones THX surround used in the recon3d line.
I wish there were an objective way to quantify the quality of surround sound, it does seem very subjective - but coming from a titanium HD I have to say that I don't notice a bit of difference in games, even with CMSS 3D taken into account. The best part is that surround doesn't cause sound or bass distortion, so you can basically fiddle with all of the settings to hearts delight and it won't cause any issue with sound fidelity; that has been a major issue with prior soundcards i've owned.
there is an order of priorities regarding the microphone, first 1/4inch, then 3.5mm and then the acm itself. that what would happen if you plug all 3 and then start unplugging one by one
Tup3x
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Yes.
Has anyone setup surround sound for headphones via optical output into a receiver yet? Not sure it will work that way or not yet. I am ok if I have to jack straight out of the sound card but prefer the headphone amp on my receiver as it is much beefier.
I did, but moved it back to the card because it sounded much better straight from the card. My receiver is a pioneer elite sc-07.
All Z series cards support both Dobly Digital Live and DTS Connect, so it should work as long as your receiver can decode one of those formats.
Yeah. I get that. My Xonar DX sounded best for gaming that way too. Cool. Must be something about the transfer and reprocessing from card to receiver.
Well it made a big difference to my RX900's.
And if you listen to a lot of music through your external speakers, I really recommend that you try connecting the Z to your receiver using the analog connections. You will be very surprised at how good this card plays music.
Droc
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dont know about scout mode. Playing ARMA2 and although it made sounds louder, its positing was more full left or full right and not enough in between.
Does that count for all Zx owners ? In computer and driver details "Z" is depicted as sound driver.if it goes the same with all Zx drivers, it is not a problem
Do you have same situation ?chineseman
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Just installed mine a few weeks ago and haven't changed any setting. Is there any option that should be turned on or off in either headphone mode or stereo?
Is it a bad thing that you can't select the amount of amplification with the Z series? Like this: http://www.guru3d.com/miraserver/images/2009/stx/mainhp.jpg
It always gives 100% amplification?
What does the daughterboard on ZxR actually do..? I know it adds some extra jackets.. but if i only use headphones (3.5 mm) should i use the daughterboard?
It always gives 100% amplification?
What does the daughterboard on ZxR actually do..? I know it adds some extra jackets.. but if i only use headphones (3.5 mm) should i use the daughterboard?
BababooeyHTJ
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From what I hear the Z and Recon 3d have some sort of auto ranging gain.
The sound card itself is the same exact thing as the standard Z. The difference is that it comes with the ACM.
Does that count for all Zx owners ? In computer and driver details "Z" is depicted as sound driver.if it goes the same with all Zx drivers, it is not a problem
The sound card itself is the same exact thing as the standard Z. The difference is that it comes with the ACM.
Droc
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Sort of. The ZX has gold Japanese capacitors while the Z does not.
Actually this has changed, all the Z's seems to come with gold caps now.
The one I just ordered better. Or else it is going back. Must have my bling!
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Tup3x
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It looks like to does it automatically. I can't say that I notice much if any difference between headphone out volume and line-out. Both are loud as hell.
This could use headphone mode for line-out, though.Yes, it shows Sound Blaster Z and Sound Blaster Z Audio Controller.Does that count for all Zx owners ? In computer and driver details "Z" is depicted as sound driver.if it goes the same with all Zx drivers, it is not a problem
Although... Now that you mentioned I gave closer look to it and it looks like this driver has Zx listed in it too...... And Recon3D too. If I tick that show compatible hardware it shows High Definition Audio Device and Sound Blaster Z. I do a small test and force Zx.
I couldn't select Sound Blaster Zx Audio Controller since it was just not an option for that device.
Go figure... The cards are identical, I still wonder why why there's Zx in the drivers yet Zx defaults to Z. I wonder if it would be good to ask @ Creative forums (as useless as they are but still).
By the way, these are somewhat interesting keys from driver:
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It looks like to does it automatically. I can't say that I notice much if any difference between headphone out volume and line-out. Both are loud as hell.
Yes, it shows Sound Blaster Z and Sound Blaster Z Audio Controller.
Although... Now that you mentioned I gave closer look to it and it looks like this driver has Zx listed in it too...... And Recon3D too. If I tick that show compatible hardware it shows High Definition Audio Device and Sound Blaster Z. I do a small test and force Zx.
I couldn't select Sound Blaster Zx Audio Controller since it was just not an option for that device.
Go figure... The cards are identical, I still wonder why why there's Zx in the drivers yet Zx defaults to Z. I wonder if it would be good to ask @ Creative forums (as useless as they are but still).
By the way, these are somewhat interesting keys from driver:
Good Point
We must ask it to Creative . I'll follow your post.
Droc
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Having issues with sound stopping. I have had to reboot 3 times in the past 24h as the audio just stops working. Everything seems normal, even the windows volume shows sound, but nothing is output.
maverick0817
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Excuse my ignorance, do you have to plugs headphone into the back of the card to take advantage of the headphone amp? Or will plugging them into the ACM work?
Ocellaris
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It works with the acm
Tup3x
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ACM is just a volume controller knob with beam forming microphone, nothing magical about it. It all depends about the source you plug it in. If you plug it in headphone out, you get amplification. If you plug it in line-out, you don't.