[Proxymanity]

Hello guys. I wanted to ask if any of you have any expericence with the Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB Audio System with THX SB1095 
 

Spoiler: Amazon%20Link

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Soundblaster-Surround-System-SB1095/dp/B0044DEDCA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 
[size=11.818181991577148px]or the [/size]Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Go! Pro USB Audio System with THX SB1290
 

Spoiler: Amazon%20Link

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Soundblaster-Audio-System-SB1290/dp/B0044DEDC0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1350527074&sr=8-4&keywords=Creative+Sound+blaster+X-Fi+Surround+5.1+USB

As far as I can tell, the first is the a full sized version while the second is aUSB plug and play version. I want the surround sound for gaming, but also better sound quality than my onboard realtek soundcard. Any help or advice is appreciated!

 

[Eric_C]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/593050/the-nameless-guide-to-pc-gaming-audio-with-binaural-headphone-surround-sound
Folks there ought to sort you out real good.

 

[Proxymanity]

We should have stickies so we can sticky these kind of threads... Unless we do and I'm just an idiot

 

[Roller]

If you want 5.1 output, you need to get the X-Fi Surround 5.1, the X-Fi Go! only has 2.0/2.1 output.
 
Also, do try to find a X-Fi Surround 5.1 non-Pro version (SB1090), as "Pro" versions come with a software package that does noticeably worse processing, and is to be avoided. This affects both the X-Fi Surround 5.1 and the X-Fi Go!.

 

[Proxymanity]

 Really? Funny how the pros are worse, and about 40% less than the 'older, non-pro versions'
I was wondering what the difference between the 1090s and 1095s were.

 

[Roller]

There is a reason for that price difference, although most of that related to the X-Fi Go!, where the Pro version (SB1290) has a hardware glitch, a bad audio processing software package and 24/44.1 output while the regular version (SB1100) has an adequate software package, no glitches whatsoever and 24/48 output. Haven't heard of a revised Pro model to fix the glitch at this time.
 
The X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro (SB1095) differs mainly on the software package. Unfortunately, the packages aren't interchangeable by default.

 

[Proxymanity]

Quote:

There is a reason for that price difference, although most of that related to the X-Fi Go!, where the Pro version (SB1290) has a hardware glitch, a bad audio processing software package and 24/44.1 output while the regular version (SB1100) has an adequate software package, no glitches whatsoever and 24/48 output. Haven't heard of a revised Pro model to fix the glitch at this time.
 
The X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro (SB1095) differs mainly on the software package. Unfortunately, the packages aren't interchangeable by default.

Wait, I thought the SB1095 was the 'pro' version while the SB1290 was the regular version?
And I'm mostly in it for the surround sound so the USB (No 5.1) would be a second choice.
Unless you could recommend another thats around the same price.

 

[Roller]

The SB 1290 and SB1100 are the Pro and regular versions of the X-Fi Go!, not the X-Fi Surround 5.1.

Considering you're looking for a 5.1 unit for gaming, then the X-Fi Surround 5.1 (SB1090) is my recommendation. If you can't find the regular model, the Pro model (SB1095) will also work.

 

[Proxymanity]

Hmmmm, I'll see if I can find a used one anywhere...