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Asus Xonar Essence vs Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD

post #1 of 33
12/7/10 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 

Has anyone owned both?

 

I've owned the STX version of the Essence, and I was blown away by the card's musicality (considering the price), but then I sold it to my brother in favor of the Auzentech X-Fi Forte (I wanted EAX). The Forte caused me all sorts of problems, and never lived up to the Essence in terms of listening experience.

 

Now I'm looking to build a new system, and I need some help in choosing between another Essence (probably I'd go for the ST over the STX this time) and the newly released X-Fi Titanium HD.

 

Now I'd completely given up on Creative. The Audigy 2 ZS was a great card, but I've been consistantly underwhelmed by everything since. Sound and build quality, and especially driver support has been pathetic.

 

But this Titanium HD has me interested. I would really like a EAX capable card, without having to sacrifice sound quality. I'm somewhat put off by the tacky plastic faux EMI shield, and the fact that they ditched the dedicated PSU input.

 

Thoughts?

 

EDIT: What is up with image tags on this site?


Edited by Sauntache - 12/7/10 at 2:00pm
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post #2 of 33
12/7/10 at 5:33pm

So apparently, that faux plastic emi shield does work, and that the metal ones we're all expecting was just a successful past marketing ploy.
At least that's what somebody told me.  I never really thought that much more into it.

I too am interested in a shootout between these 2 cards.
For gaming
For headphones
For home theater quality, setup and connectivity.

I hope somebody would be able to fill me in?

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post #3 of 33
12/7/10 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 

Link?

 

I don't know about the metal 'EMI shields' used on past Creative cards (ie. that Fatality rubbish), but I have no doubt that the one on the Essence was functional. That card was so quiet compared to my Forte, ZS, X-Fi Extreme Music etc. - even at high volumes with the headphone amp. Using the front panel line, that was quite another story.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Culverin View Post

So apparently, that faux plastic emi shield does work, and that the metal ones we're all expecting was just a successful past marketing ploy.
At least that's what somebody told me.  I never really thought that much more into it. 


Edited by Sauntache - 12/7/10 at 6:02pm
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post #4 of 33
12/7/10 at 6:15pm
I would also like to know the difference in gaming, especially in CSS. I have the Titanium HD atm but I can't get it working on Linux so might try to take it back and get the ST/X.
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post #5 of 33
12/7/10 at 8:58pm
Thread Starter 

Seriously, what is wrong with this forum? Image tags are screwed, the insert image -> upload method has absolutely no effect, quote always puts the quoted text under the message body, and half the time when I use the edit button it just gives me an empty box instead of taking me to my message for editing... Is it just me, or is there site maintenance going on?

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post #6 of 33
12/10/10 at 4:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RambJoe View Post

I would also like to know the difference in gaming, especially in CSS. I have the Titanium HD atm but I can't get it working on Linux so might try to take it back and get the ST/X.


Has anyone tried both? My times ticking and I don't want to leave it too late because I won't be able to get a refund.

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post #7 of 33
12/11/10 at 1:30pm

I own both cards and the Xonar Essense ST(STX) would be my choice if I had to own only one...of these budget cards.The Titanium HD is surprisingly competent for a Creative  product and deserves better press than what it gets from the disenchanted Creative owners of previous products.

 

They should have a 1/4" headphone jack in place of the cheapie 1/8" , durability mostly. SQ they are close , I have not had the time to do extended A/B tests. Maybe in a week from now, using headphones ranging from budget to upscale and difficult to drive.

 

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post #8 of 33
12/11/10 at 7:58pm

I have auditioned Titanium HD for about 2 weeks. It sounds pretty much similar to Beresford TC-7520, but the latter sounds richer and louder. I also listened Xonar Essence before, but Titanium HD gives better soundstage with better depth and pinpoint. Xonar Essence sounds sweet though. My plan is to go for the Xonar Essence swapping opamps to LME49720. Hope this will bring HD's soundstage and Essence's sweetness.

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post #9 of 33
2/12/11 at 6:21pm



Do you have the ST or STX? If you compare them with the X-Fi Titanium HD, which one sounds the most harsh and which one has the deepest bass? Is the Titanium HD better for Trance music (deep bass, smooth mids, clear highs). I found the Xonar STX to loud, harsh and spikey to listen too for long periods. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadCaseSupreme View Post

I own both cards and the Xonar Essense ST(STX) would be my choice if I had to own only one...of these budget cards.The Titanium HD is surprisingly competent for a Creative  product and deserves better press than what it gets from the disenchanted Creative owners of previous products.

 

They should have a 1/4" headphone jack in place of the cheapie 1/8" , durability mostly. SQ they are close , I have not had the time to do extended A/B tests. Maybe in a week from now, using headphones ranging from budget to upscale and difficult to drive.

 

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post #10 of 33
2/18/11 at 1:18pm

I too own both cards, and tbh i prefere the Titan HD. But dont get me wronge BOTH are fantasic. I feel that the STX is more suited to music and the Titan for games and movies. But then its all subjective ...... issnt it?

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post #11 of 33
2/19/11 at 2:07am

im very interested in this. i use my computer for m2ts movies, gaming and then some music. what i wish to know is would the titanium HD card be the best card for me.

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post #12 of 33
2/27/11 at 9:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by th3r3turn View Post

im very interested in this. i use my computer for m2ts movies, gaming and then some music. what i wish to know is would the titanium HD card be the best card for me.


Yeah get the Titan then. You wont be dissapointed. ................. If you have hard to drive cans then i would go for the STX as it has a built in amp.

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post #13 of 33
2/28/11 at 1:53pm

I'm at a similar point. I need a card for gaming first, and music a close second. I'll be running the card through my PA2V2 to my Denon AHD2000.

 

Currently debating between:

 

  • Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD 
  • Asus Xonar Essence STX 
  • Asus Xonar D2X 
  • Asus Xonar DX
 
I've got a good deal pending on the Titanium, but don't want to end up regretting the purchase. Haven't seen very much at all about it on the forums here. What do you think between these options?
 
Thanks!
 
 
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post #14 of 33
3/3/11 at 12:16am
Since you game first and music second, Then the X-FI HD for its gaming features. Other wise the STX if you dont care about EAX and yes it still used in openal.
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post #15 of 33
3/3/11 at 8:20am

Gaming? X-Fi biggrin.gif

 

Anyway jhanz, you already had posts on other threads about it, and the recommendation stays.

 

On a side note, OpenAL performance differs from device to device, and Xonar soundcards don't reach so far on that specific matter.

 

The Titanium HD is not a bad purchase, and you having a nice deal on it makes it an even better purchase.

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