Hello.
I want to upgrade my soundcard Creative SB X-FI Xtreme Gamer and i don't if it's worth.
For now i use my headphones Sennheiser 429 HD + Logitech 5.1 x530 but soon i'll have Behringer MS40 instead Logitech 5.1 x530
What would you advice me ? Should i go for Asus Xonar ? Should i go again for some better Creative soundcard ?
I do hear music as well, gaming and movies.
Any ideas / suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance
Upgrading and whether its worth it is very subjective. Depends on your specific case and if you think you need it.
I have a recording studio (using Sonar X2) and very attuned to sound and use high end studio monitors, but for my own PC use the RealTek built in sound card is acceptable to me.
The Xonar's are popular. There is another sound card company that uses the same chip as the Asus, HT Omega, you may want to check them out. I used one of their cards in an older PC, to replace a SoundBlaster and was very happy with it. HT Omega - The Next Generation in Audio.
What do you think about ESI MAYA ?
ESI - Products
I went from the Xtreme Gamer to a Titanium HD.
Works just as it should with no issues. Very happy with the upgrade and it had a big sound quality improvement as well. Especially with Music/Movies.
There are also newer version of the HD of their Fatality variety now. Not sure about those, but I can't see them being a step backwards.
Id recommend the Titanium HDs.
FWI, I most use it for Music, Movies, Gaming and its great.
No recording or anything along that line so I can not comment on that type of use.
Thanks, Wishmaster
What speakers / headphones do you use ?
I do use it for Music, Movies, Gaming as well
Some users say " you won't see a big sound quality improvement "
Because of the DAC speakers, maybe ?
Anyway, i think there should be a quality improvement, with or without the Behringer MS40 speakers.
I have a Klipch 2.1 THX set, and it made a difference with those.
And for HPs I have Sennheiser 558s.
Im not sure about the x530s though. I used to have some, but that was with my old Xtreme gamer. Never tried them with the new Titanium HD as I had already moved to the Klipsch when I got it.
But, the speaker change made a difference on the Xtreme gamer, then improved again with the Titanium HD change for the Klipsch set.
I would imagine you'd see at least some change with the 530s+Titanium, and even more detail with higher quality speakers.
The Titanium HD is a all-round better quality Sound card than the Xtreme gamer. The software also works much better.
Also, I do not know much about the Behringer MS40 other than they are stereo correct?
If anything like the Klipsch Pro Media you may experience what I did.
With music they should sound so much better theres just no contest.
But with games that you have been playing and used to the 5.1 sound, or movies, it will be odd at first. Sort of like something is missing. The sound quality itself should be much better but the change of 5.1 to 2.1 will seem odd.
Still, better quality over surround is worth the trade IMHO.
When i play i use the headphones, and for music and movies the speakers.
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