DJINFERNO806
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That's a common complaint with the z and flash content. I thought they had fixed it.
Creative Sound Blaster new series Z, Zx & ZxR
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Crystalizer doesn't seem to be that bad if SBX is on.
I do think that these headphones sound better through line out though. It's a shame that it's not possible to select headphone mode for line out.
I do think that these headphones sound better through line out though. It's a shame that it's not possible to select headphone mode for line out.
motorwayne
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I am waiting for a new pair of X1's to arrive so that I can test the Titanium HD and ZxR out. I'm sort of suspicious the TiHD is more pinpoint accurate.
When I switched between SBX and Scout mode on the ZxR, Scout Mode seemed too loud in terms of range to target, so it (Gun fire) sounded closer than it actually was and the SBX felt better in terms of volume to target, but sort of mushy vague.
Clear as mud, it's going to be interesting.
Wayne
When I switched between SBX and Scout mode on the ZxR, Scout Mode seemed too loud in terms of range to target, so it (Gun fire) sounded closer than it actually was and the SBX felt better in terms of volume to target, but sort of mushy vague.
Clear as mud, it's going to be interesting.
Wayne
bizkid
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I bought the Soundblaster Z today, great little card for 60$. Headphone output sounds surprisingly good so far with my Audio-Technicas. I will use the SBZ as a source for the Vali.
DJINFERNO806
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Let us know how the headphone out to vali chain sounds. I'm curious as to how loud it gets.
DJINFERNO806
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So I did some in depth testing with optical out to my reciever.
These conclusions are valid for both the z and zxr as I owned both.
Some info for some of you first.
Dolby live only supports 16/48 max and DTS connect supports 24/48 max.
So setting it higher(in both speaker or spdif devices) may result in the sbz downmixing to DTS or DD specs anyways when it sends the bitstream.
This is where I did my testing. My reciever displays the stream frequency and bit rate on my TV as an OSD.
As it turns out, when in DD or DTS encoding mode, the frequency and bitrate in windows don't matter. The
Encoder specifies its own max rates and frequencies as per the dolby and DTS max specs I listed above. So as long as your receiver supports DTS or DD, it should receive the signal and it gets decoded as usual.
The frequency and rate on windows only matters in stereo regular mode. Meaning without encoding on. When using either the speaker or spdif devices.
What also matters is whether you set headphone or 5.1 speaker mode. To get all 5 channels you need to set 5.1 speaker mode in the sbz panel. This one seems obvious however you wouldn't believe the amount of people I hear complain and then it turns out this was the reason.
Also there is quite a bit of delay for both encoding methods. I estimate roughly 100ms of delay which is bad for gaming and very unimmersive. Effectively making the z terrible for 5.1 gaming through optical to speakers.
Basically unusable. Stereo with sbx surround on is the only way to go realistically.
These conclusions are valid for both the z and zxr as I owned both.
Some info for some of you first.
Dolby live only supports 16/48 max and DTS connect supports 24/48 max.
So setting it higher(in both speaker or spdif devices) may result in the sbz downmixing to DTS or DD specs anyways when it sends the bitstream.
This is where I did my testing. My reciever displays the stream frequency and bit rate on my TV as an OSD.
As it turns out, when in DD or DTS encoding mode, the frequency and bitrate in windows don't matter. The
Encoder specifies its own max rates and frequencies as per the dolby and DTS max specs I listed above. So as long as your receiver supports DTS or DD, it should receive the signal and it gets decoded as usual.
The frequency and rate on windows only matters in stereo regular mode. Meaning without encoding on. When using either the speaker or spdif devices.
What also matters is whether you set headphone or 5.1 speaker mode. To get all 5 channels you need to set 5.1 speaker mode in the sbz panel. This one seems obvious however you wouldn't believe the amount of people I hear complain and then it turns out this was the reason.
Also there is quite a bit of delay for both encoding methods. I estimate roughly 100ms of delay which is bad for gaming and very unimmersive. Effectively making the z terrible for 5.1 gaming through optical to speakers.
Basically unusable. Stereo with sbx surround on is the only way to go realistically.
SaLX
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TY for doing that test DJ. That's pretty disappointing. Did you conduct the same test with your old ZxR?
DJINFERNO806
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Ya exact same testing with the same results.
Only thing is I wanted to wait to put these results out until I had both. But i wasn't expecting a change in results since they both use the same DSP chip.
From what I am hearing DD live and DTS algorithms are responsible for the delay and no matter what spu you have it will be the same delay. Creative reps confirmed this over on their support forums years ago apparently.
I would like to hear from x-fi owners too if they get a delay as well? It seems 50/50 of owners experience this. Might just be some people aren't very perceptive to this delay similar to them not noticing above 60 fps. Lag can be subjective depending on how your brain processes what it sees and hears.
Only thing is I wanted to wait to put these results out until I had both. But i wasn't expecting a change in results since they both use the same DSP chip.
From what I am hearing DD live and DTS algorithms are responsible for the delay and no matter what spu you have it will be the same delay. Creative reps confirmed this over on their support forums years ago apparently.
I would like to hear from x-fi owners too if they get a delay as well? It seems 50/50 of owners experience this. Might just be some people aren't very perceptive to this delay similar to them not noticing above 60 fps. Lag can be subjective depending on how your brain processes what it sees and hears.
DJINFERNO806
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Double post.
I ended up reinstalling windows 8.1 pro from scratch directly from 8.1 pro iso, I don't have that issue any more (I had corrupted W8 pro install before upgrading to W8.1 pro thanks to faulty memory so it was about time to do the reinstall).
DJINFERNO806
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I never did however a lot of people did apparently.
Glad your z is behaving itself now.
SaLX
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Ooops.. wasn't wearing my spectacles - you mentioned the ZxR as well - sorry.
DJINFERNO806
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Lol no no I edited that later because you mentioned it. I figured that it would be best to mention that lol.
Your eyesight is still fine
bizkid
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After more time with my headphones i can only recommend the SBZ. It's headphone output is punchy with strong bass and lively. Very nice for the price.
SaLX
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@DJ - do Xonar's exhibit the same kind of delay?
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