Creative X-FI
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[sYn]
[Moderator] Elitist



Posts: 8374

PostPosted: Sat, 15th Apr 2006 16:54    Post subject: Creative X-FI
Well seen as my last thread about this is now gone due to the TAR issues, I'll post a new one.

I installed the card last night, initially had some issues, but I found out that was due to me breaking one of my speakers in the move from my parents house back to my own (easter break.. Razz). I opened it up today, done a little bit of circuit work and now all is well Smile!

The sound.. is.. truely amazing. I remember moving from a 16bit Realtek soundcard to my first Audigy, finding the difference huge and suddenly noticing big differences in the songs I was listening to. I just listened to Antheme by Less Than Jake only to find that there are hundereds of cords, little things that I just couldnt hear before, an entire bass solo in the middle of a song that was just inaudiable on my previous card. The CMSS-3D is also amazing, well, with headphones that is! I cant wait to get this badboy into a newer game and test out the headphone surround sound for real, with simple music its enough to make you wet yourself.

If you love your music you shouldnt be without this card! Simple as that,
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kosmiq




Posts: 2304
Location: Somewhere
PostPosted: Sat, 15th Apr 2006 18:44    Post subject:
I have one aswell, absolutely loving it. CMSS-3D is as you say indeed lovely, and the music boost is awesome. Best soundcard I've ever bought!



Behold his GLORY! Bow for the technical master!
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sabalasa




Posts: 369
Location: EST
PostPosted: Sun, 16th Apr 2006 00:43    Post subject:
I have a X-FI XtremeMusic card and i love it. Live and audigy were utter crap compared to this sound quality.

Hell, it plays better than my Sony deck stereo with 600W speakers !!!

Worth every penny!


rgds
Sabalasa
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[sYn]
[Moderator] Elitist



Posts: 8374

PostPosted: Sun, 16th Apr 2006 01:59    Post subject:
How do you guys use the CMSS-3D? I find it good for some stuff, but for none surround movies/TV it just kinda muffles things? Also, anyone having issues with the drivers causing skipping?
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kosmiq




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PostPosted: Sun, 16th Apr 2006 02:52    Post subject:
No problem with skipping at all. Using the latest ones from Creative website. I have CMSS-3D on at all times and I keep the card in Game mode since I always forget switching to it and that will fuck up BF2 sound settings... Razz



Behold his GLORY! Bow for the technical master!
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[sYn]
[Moderator] Elitist



Posts: 8374

PostPosted: Sun, 16th Apr 2006 03:13    Post subject:
The skipping only happened in Oblivion and an episode of scrubs.. so Im guessing its not the card Razz!

Im still messing around with the settings here to get it right, CMSS-3D works great on some stuff, not so great on others.

Scrubs = Not to good
Smallville = Amazing

Im trying to get it to mimic 5.1 on DVD's using headphones, Ill have to test it further tommorrow when the missus is awake Razz

I dont suppose you use VLC? On some of my video's when I right click goto "AUDIO DEVICE" I get a A/52 over S/PDIF option.. if I tick it a little "dobly digital" symbol appears near the system tray but the audio pretty much dies.. thoughts?

-Edit-

*notices VLC's 5.1 option* - OMG..
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kosmiq




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Location: Somewhere
PostPosted: Sun, 16th Apr 2006 04:09    Post subject:
Haha good work there on VLC.... Wink

Make sure to use the crystalizer too, that one is what really makes the card worth it... Very Happy
I have it set at about 25%. Makes the sound perfect IMO.



Behold his GLORY! Bow for the technical master!
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Photish




Posts: 1238

PostPosted: Sun, 16th Apr 2006 17:02    Post subject:
I so envy you guys Sad

Im as poor as they get(well maybe not, but still pretty poor) and cant afford this card, but sound/music is like the best drug.
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CaptainCox
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Posts: 6823
Location: A Swede in Germany (FaM)
PostPosted: Mon, 17th Apr 2006 00:43    Post subject:
I would realy like to buy one (have a Audigy 2 now Sad ) Problem is my wife, she will start screaming and yelling as soon as I swith to my speakers. Although I migh get it anyway Wink....and a new wife with it Razz


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sabalasa




Posts: 369
Location: EST
PostPosted: Mon, 17th Apr 2006 11:50    Post subject:
I don't have any problems with my card aswell. I have CMSS-3D on all the time plus crystalizer and I haven't countered any game, movie or soundtrack so far that causes skipping, stuttering or noise or whatever. Although I have mid end headphones (2 yrs old) the surround and 3d effects that the card gives are amazing.

The next buy for me would be high end headphones and then I'm happy puppy Razz


rgds
Sabalasa
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Kamikaze666




Posts: 3550

PostPosted: Mon, 17th Apr 2006 18:20    Post subject:
ok it has better sound with headphones, but what about speakers, I still have an old audigy gamer but I do have an pretty high end speaker set, logitech z5500...


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kosmiq




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PostPosted: Mon, 17th Apr 2006 19:16    Post subject:
Kamikaze666 wrote:
ok it has better sound with headphones, but what about speakers, I still have an old audigy gamer but I do have an pretty high end speaker set, logitech z5500...


It will sound better as it is a better soundcard with a much more powerful SPU. The Crystalizer is very good for general sound quality too IMO.



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mvvl1




Posts: 58

PostPosted: Mon, 24th Apr 2006 10:42    Post subject:
Any of the X-Fi owners has a Nforce4-based motherboard? I know that X-Fi and Nforce4 do not mix...
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kosmiq




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PostPosted: Mon, 24th Apr 2006 12:53    Post subject:
mvvl1 wrote:
Any of the X-Fi owners has a Nforce4-based motherboard? I know that X-Fi and Nforce4 do not mix...


I have an nForce 4 based motherboard and I have no problems whatsoever. People have reported the strangest things but for me it works excellent. Using Asus A8N32-SLi Deluxe with X-Fi XtremeMusic in the lowest PCI port (even though some site recommends the PCI one step up I have never moved it as I have never encountered problems).

No crackling sound, popping, crashes or whatever. 100% stable 24/7 and no performance loss anywhere either so.... Well I like it... Very Happy



Behold his GLORY! Bow for the technical master!
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mvvl1




Posts: 58

PostPosted: Mon, 24th Apr 2006 16:52    Post subject:
Hmmm, I might be persuaded in buying one myself......
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Serben
Banned



Posts: 1428
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Fri, 28th Apr 2006 14:38    Post subject:
Holy fucking shit on a stick!!!!!!!!!! I just got my X-fi Fatal1ty today, and tried listening to the freedom fighters main theme by Jesper Kyd... And fuck me in the mouth was that good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111!!!!!11111 When the choir came on for the first time i fucking bust a nut right away!!! It's like sYn said, you can hear all kinds of details in the background that you could never hear before! I could even hear the conductor changing pages in his music notes in the background!!!! Man this thing was worth every cent of the €210 i spent!!! Fuck me! Everyone needs to buy one of these things! The only thing i regret is that i only have a shitty 70 watt surround system by logitech, so i can't turn the volume up to enjoy the music too much or i'll get lots of static Sad I'm seriously considering shelling out another €200 to buy some fat ass 500 watt surround speakers so i can fully enjoy the sound this baby provides Smile
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mvvl1




Posts: 58

PostPosted: Tue, 9th May 2006 15:23    Post subject:
Ok, ok, I bought one too.
This post was a good reminder for me to bump it up on my wishlist Smile. Found a guy who needed the money and sold me his X-Fi Fata1ty for EUR 110.- (around $180.-)

I have to say it sounds super!! Haven't done any games yet but music is excellent.

@kosmiq
No problems with this card on my Asus A832N-SLI Del. indeed!
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Ispep
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PostPosted: Sun, 14th May 2006 16:15    Post subject:
Any difference if moving from an audigy 2 zs platinum?


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[sYn]
[Moderator] Elitist



Posts: 8374

PostPosted: Sun, 14th May 2006 22:06    Post subject:
Its new technology, the Audigy cards (reguardless of version/type) are using 10 year old technology.. the sound industry isnt as fast moving as anything else..
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mvvl1




Posts: 58

PostPosted: Mon, 15th May 2006 11:06    Post subject:
Ispep wrote:
Any difference if moving from an audigy 2 zs platinum?


I moved from an Audigy 2 (non-ZS) and the difference was huge (quality, clarity). Esp. in games; I have played GRAW for a few days now and that is really a big difference in sound detail.
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feyenoord4ever




Posts: 924

PostPosted: Mon, 15th May 2006 15:57    Post subject:
Guess there's only a difference when u use a stereo/surround set? I've been using headphones (USB Logitech) for a while and I can't imagine sound getting better than that Razz
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mvvl1




Posts: 58

PostPosted: Tue, 16th May 2006 10:36    Post subject:
feyenoord4ever wrote:
Guess there's only a difference when u use a stereo/surround set? I've been using headphones (USB Logitech) for a while and I can't imagine sound getting better than that Razz


You'll especially notice the difference when using headphones. Much more sound detail than with Audigy 2 & 4..........
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poullou




Posts: 1746
Location: Internet Express
PostPosted: Tue, 16th May 2006 13:10    Post subject:
But...its expensive Sad
Maybe on my next computer. Smile


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feyenoord4ever




Posts: 924

PostPosted: Wed, 17th May 2006 00:34    Post subject:
mvvl1 wrote:
feyenoord4ever wrote:
Guess there's only a difference when u use a stereo/surround set? I've been using headphones (USB Logitech) for a while and I can't imagine sound getting better than that Razz


You'll especially notice the difference when using headphones. Much more sound detail than with Audigy 2 & 4..........


I have an Logitech USB headset so i think it doesn't even use the Audigy.

Correct me if im wrong though Very Happy
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kosmiq




Posts: 2304
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PostPosted: Wed, 17th May 2006 01:01    Post subject:
Correct with a USB headset/headphones you don't use the soundcard. Instead you utilize CPU power to create the sound... I have never experienced any USB headset that can match the quality of a good soundcard with a pair of good headphones. Never!
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[sYn]
[Moderator] Elitist



Posts: 8374

PostPosted: Wed, 17th May 2006 01:06    Post subject:
kosmiq wrote:
Correct with a USB headset/headphones you don't use the soundcard. Instead you utilize CPU power to create the sound... I have never experienced any USB headset that can match the quality of a good soundcard with a pair of good headphones. Never!


I have a set of USB logitech headphones and they suck Razz
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feyenoord4ever




Posts: 924

PostPosted: Wed, 17th May 2006 02:13    Post subject:
[sYn] wrote:
kosmiq wrote:
Correct with a USB headset/headphones you don't use the soundcard. Instead you utilize CPU power to create the sound... I have never experienced any USB headset that can match the quality of a good soundcard with a pair of good headphones. Never!


I have a set of USB logitech headphones and they suck Razz


I'm not a sound freak, but if this headset is supposed to suck I'm REALLY curious what quality X-FI really is.
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kosmiq




Posts: 2304
Location: Somewhere
PostPosted: Wed, 17th May 2006 02:27    Post subject:
I guess its all about what you've heard before. IMO an USB headset can't even be compared to a good soundcard. Its like compairing an old SoundBlaster 32 PCI with the X-Fi. The difference is so big you'll find yourself hearing noices in games you never noticed before. Music feels richer, "Real" 3d sound with headphones (yeah I know its not real, but it sounds pretty damn good Very Happy).

My X-Fi sounds so much better than the SoundStorm did on my nForce 2 motherboard and that SoundStorm kicks all USB headphones quality. Atleast all I have tried.

Perhaps you should try to test the X-Fi somehow with a pair of real good headphones sometime. I promise you that you'll notice a big difference.
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[sYn]
[Moderator] Elitist



Posts: 8374

PostPosted: Wed, 17th May 2006 02:40    Post subject:
Indeed, its about comparison.. I used to use a Rockwell modem/sound card.. I used to be amazed by it until I got my Audigy.. and again, with the XFI, amazing how different it is!
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Photish




Posts: 1238

PostPosted: Mon, 7th Aug 2006 22:07    Post subject:
So, I just got the X-FI Fatal1ty FPS card...... AND HOLY GOAT! This card is fucking awsome!

One thing though, if you dont rly care about music, and your not a gamer, then this card is prolly not for you.

Other than that it fucking awesome! I had NO fucking idea it would have such a difference on music, gaming and even crappy divX movies. DAMN!

Btw im currently using a Sennheiser PC 150 headset for gaming/computer use

Im a DJ(so I hear alot of music... go figure Razz ) and holly shit, I want this card between my amplifier and mixer DDDAAAAMN!

Anyway, could you guys share you opinions about the crystalizer, what settings is best for what. SVM what is that? and so on... Im currently running entertainment mode, even in games(I think game mode has a little too much bass)

Im still waiting for my speakers to arive so that I can fully test the optical out with my NAD T 751 Surround Sound amplifier(PDF file), OHHH HOLY DTS HERE WE COME Very Happy

(Ill have to eat pasta for 3 months now, but fuck it, this card is worth it)
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