[dj5jhdt]

i want to buy best sound quality sound card for my stereo earphones. i play video games, watch videos.
Asus Xonar Essence STX vs X-Fi Titanium
i read old threads but i want to know recent opinions.
which one has best sound quality?

 

[Magiv9]

I've had the STX for a year and a half and still running strong

 

[NamelessPFG]

The X-Fi has an advantage wherever DirectSound3D and OpenAL support are concerned.
 
Other than that, it's mostly whether you favor CMSS-3D Headphone or Dolby Headphone.

 

[dj5jhdt]

Quote:

The X-Fi has an advantage wherever DirectSound3D and OpenAL support are concerned.
 
Other than that, it's mostly whether you favor CMSS-3D Headphone or Dolby Headphone.

X-Fi is better?

 

[duncan1]

I have the creative  x-fi titanium hd and yes IMO it is a better card you can change the audio chips as well .
             The price of them has "dropped through the floor" mine cost  only half-price from PC world and at least until recently could be had even cheaper .Because it was more aimed at Hi-Fi enthusiasts  than gamers. not because of inferior fidelity 
                           OR  you can if you have the money go for creatives latest card -just out its ZR--something got an email from them last week. It has the additional ability to be switchable for head phones--124DB -noise/dist.
                                look up their website.

 

[Swolenator]

 Not to steal the thread but I had the same question kind of.  I currently have an xfi-titanium non hd and ath-a900 headphones and I was wondering if I would get any benefit for gaming going to a newer creative z or asus essence stx or st since they have built in headphone amps? It mostly would be used for fps gaming with some music streaming but gaming is the main thing.

 

[proton007]

The Xonar has a built in amp which may work well for some headphones. It will work best with headphones > 80 Ohms, seeing that it has an output impedance of ~10 Ohms.

 

[duncan1]

Creatives new card is certainly aimed at gamers have a look on their website.
     They learned their lesson that the majority of PC users want a game card not  a top fidelity card.
        Having said that it is a very good audio card too.Some say drivers are bad in creative 
          not now I have had NO problem with drivers.