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Differences - Basic Sound Blaster Z v. Recon3D

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PGHammer

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Oct 8, 2002
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From what I can see, the differences between the basic Sound Blaster Z and the basic Recon3D are minimal to nil (both, in fact, use the same SoundCore 3D audio processor) - what exactly *are* the differences between the two in typical gaming (or even PC audio) use?

I'm posting the question here (and not in [H]ot Deals Discussion, where it would seem to make more sense) because it is likely not the last time I'll see a similar dead as the one that prompted the question in the first place - http://www.microcenter.com/product/415689/Sound_Blaster_Recon3D_Sound_Card_-_Refurbished

As the link indicates, it's less than half the price of even an OEM/white box Z; the planned uses (and purchases) are for systems with PCI Express x1 slots that currently have either onboard audio or even no audio at all, in addition to crossgrades from PCI sound cards. (Except for onboard audio, I don't consider these cards upgrades per se.)
 
They have very different DACs.
Get the Z.
Even better, get the ZXR.
 
Nenu said:
They have very different DACs.
Get the Z.
Even better, get the ZXR.
Click to expand...

ZxR = overkill for most PC audio usage; however, the same can be said for the other audio cards in the price range (both from Creative and everyone else) - I'm not beating up on the ZxR.

The Z and Zx are decidedly more suitable for the average desktop PC user (gaming, audio, etc.) - the primary reason I'm looking at the refurb Recon3D is NOT for my own PC (I'm leaning more toward the Z in OEM/white box trim for me), but for the reasons I stated in my original post - as a step-up from onboard sound or bottom-end audio for those that have no sound support whatever due to component failure.

In my case, like my existing X-Fi XtremeGamer, the replacement will be used with more ordinary/"plebian" 5.1 speakers (or headphones) for a mix of gaming and music (not really movies any more, due to there now being a more suitable home-theater setup elsewhere in the basement with 65" OLED HDTV, BD/DVD player, BOSE CineMate 1SR speaker setup, etc. - both TV and BD player are connected wirelessly to the household router, so they can receive streaming and (in the BD player's case) send streaming to the other connected hardware (two Windows desktops, one other HDTV, and an Android tablet) - if I can find decent headphones that can support virtualized 5.1, I'd actually prefer headphones to speakers for peace-of-mind).

I would think that the DAC would be a major difference from the price alone - however, I have no idea what DAC the Recon3D uses.
 
Newegg was just selling OEM Sound Blaster Z's for $58 after coupon code. The cards were brand new, in the white box. I actually picked one up myself.

From the reviews I have read (I only have first hand experience with the Z), I would wait for either another sale on the OEM Z or a much lower price on that refurbished card.
 
PGHammer said:
ZxR = overkill for most PC audio usage; however, the same can be said for the other audio cards in the price range (both from Creative and everyone else) - I'm not beating up on the ZxR.
Click to expand...

Imo the ZxR is not overkill since if you can afford it then you can very likely afford a good pair of cans (e.g. senn 650) for the same ballpark price

many users on this forum will even argue that it is not good enough for such headphones
 
Neutrino said:
Imo the ZxR is not overkill since if you can afford it then you can very likely afford a good pair of cans (e.g. senn 650) for the same ballpark price

many users on this forum will even argue that it is not good enough for such headphones
Click to expand...

Well I'd hope if you could spend $500 on headphones you'd also pick up a high quality sound card!

I'm pretty happy with my Sennheiser 598's and Z. I've seen the headphones for $150 at Fry's and you can get a Z for $60 bucks on sale. Makes a decent combo.

We've totally got off track of the OP being able to add a simple sound card to systems with just onboard or no sound at all, though! :D
 
I had a Recon 3D and it was picking up feedback from my GPU no matter what slot it was in. Got rid of the card and picked up a Z which does not pickup feedback in any slots. No idea if it was a design change or the EMI shield on the Z, but it definitely works much better for me.
 
ocellaris said:
I had a Recon 3D and it was picking up feedback from my GPU no matter what slot it was in. Got rid of the card and picked up a Z which does not pickup feedback in any slots. No idea if it was a design change or the EMI shield on the Z, but it definitely works much better for me.
Click to expand...

Likely the shielding - EMI is problematical for audio period, and especially in computer usage. (One thing we seem to have forgotten - until the Recon3D, basic Creative sound cards were sold without any shielding at all, and in the case of the PCI sound cards, that also included their midrange. The Recon3D was the first basic Creative sound card for internal usage to include EMI shielding as standard fare - even the X-Fi XtremeMusic and XtremeGamer - which the Recon3D replaced - lacked shielding of any sort from EMI.)

Update/Correction: The basic Recon3D also lacked EMI shielding; the Fatality Professional iteration fixed that lack. The two are different in one other area in terms of hardware - the famous (or infamous for the haters) red LED from the original Sound Blaster X-Fi is present in the Fatality Professional (and Sound Blaster Z). Yes - it's bright. Yes - it's also rather obvious (more so than was the case with the X-Fi XtremeGamer). However, because I was aware of it (remember, the same LED was present on the XtremeGamer) I refuse to quibble over it - besides (as was the case with the XtremeGamer), red = ready to rock.
 
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I believe the Recon3D used software rendering for effects (for the limited games that still use OpenAL and EFX). It also doesn't support ASIO. It seemed inferior to the X-Fi.

The Z series is a direct upgrade of the X-Fi. Better components, stable drivers, permanent ASIO (it only has one mode), the beam forming mic, hardware OpenAL and EFX.
 
I have a zxr with beyerdynamic dt 880s @ 600ohm and it sounds amazing. I do a lot of music recording, voiceovers, intro/ outros with my workstation and I must say, creative finally got their act together on this sound card. Couldn't be happier. The other Z models should be fine if you don't need the headphone amp or other digital functions provided by the daughter board.
 
KurianOfBorg said:
I believe the Recon3D used software rendering for effects (for the limited games that still use OpenAL and EFX). It also doesn't support ASIO. It seemed inferior to the X-Fi.

The Z series is a direct upgrade of the X-Fi. Better components, stable drivers, permanent ASIO (it only has one mode), the beam forming mic, hardware OpenAL and EFX.
Click to expand...

The beamforming mic used by the Z is also used by the Fatality Professional (and Titanium HD) - just not by the basic Recon3D. The entire SoundCore 3D DSP is a direct replacement of the X-Fi DSP. The software rendering is for EAX, not OpenAL, and came about due to the rewrite of the audio stack in Vista and later, and began with the X-Fi (the Environmental Audio presets in what is now SBX TruSurround were originally in Creative MediaSource - which dates back to the original Sound Blaster Audigy and Audigy 2). While it's possible that the Recon3D Fatality Pro COULD support ASIO, that's not the reason it exists - even I get that much. OpenAL, unlike EAX, is NOT Windows-only - in fact, the reason for OpenAL in the first place is that it isn't Windows-only.

Lastly, the SoundCore DSP does not have that address flaw the X-Fi DSP has (which is critical for any x64 OS - that is, in fact, why my own X-Fi is now shelfware).
 
Do the Z series have an equivalent to CMSS-3D? I make extensive use of CMSS-3D in battlefield and it's one of the reasons I'm hesitant to stop using my X-Fi titanium HD.
 
OFaceSIG said:
Do the Z series have an equivalent to CMSS-3D? I make extensive use of CMSS-3D in battlefield and it's one of the reasons I'm hesitant to stop using my X-Fi titanium HD.
Click to expand...

Yes, for headphones it's the same as the old CMSS3D Headphone. For 5.1 speakers there is only upmix mode where it creates fake centre and rear channels. There is no more stereo surround. For stereo speakers it's the same as the old CMSS3D.
 
OFaceSIG said:
Do the Z series have an equivalent to CMSS-3D? I make extensive use of CMSS-3D in battlefield and it's one of the reasons I'm hesitant to stop using my X-Fi titanium HD.
Click to expand...

OFaceSIG: Is correct. Just do the Creative SB Z. I picked-up the retail version on Amazon 6 months ago for $62.99. It's a great card in all respects. Good solid drivers for games & music (although I use my NAD D3020 internal DAC via USB for music)
 
Thread bump...Google hasn't helped.

My dad has an Auzentech X-Meridian in his PC which he uses with Alpha PS1's and I have an extra SBZ and was wondering if there would be any point in switching them?
 
NCX said:
Thread bump...Google hasn't helped.

My dad has an Auzentech X-Meridian in his PC which he uses with Alpha PS1's and I have an extra SBZ and was wondering if there would be any point in switching them?
Click to expand...

The Z would only sound better for gaming. Even then, only for directional sound.
 
The superior and bug-free drivers alone are worth it. My PC boots way faster and if you change the settings frequently the bug-free drivers are such a relief.
 
The nice thing about the ZX is that it has the little volume adjuster that you can plug your headphones into. The ZXR is to be used if you really want some great sounds in gaming and such. I still think the X-Fi Titanium HD (which I had before and is now sitting in my little AMD box) sounds better with movies and music.
 
The Cobra said:
The nice thing about the ZX is that it has the little volume adjuster that you can plug your headphones into. The ZXR is to be used if you really want some great sounds in gaming and such. I still think the X-Fi Titanium HD (which I had before and is now sitting in my little AMD box) sounds better with movies and music.
Click to expand...

Eh that little volume adjuster sucks as a headphone amp. Best to avoid.
 
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