Audigy 2 Value VS. Audigy 2 ZS

ljch

Hello I'm from Argentina and I'm new in this forum and i'm going to buy one of these 2 soundcads The Audigy 2 Value or The Audigy2 ZS and my question is What's the diference in performance and quality in the Audigy2ZS against the Audigy2 Value

Another question if I use the modded drivers of the ZS I will get better performance than the Value edition

Thanks In advance guys

Thanks

jiiteepee

http://www.soundblaster.com/products...uct=4915&nav=3

Modded Creative drivers are not affecting positively on performance (In some cases mod may get performance and quality worse, like I've measured). ZS will perform as much better as table shows when compared to Value.

Mods (based on Creative drivers) introduced here are so called software mods
--> you be able to install newer software for your old card. Creative cards (Live's (WDM), Audigy's, Audigy 2's, Audigy 4's and X-Fi's (external cards excluded) are all using the same drivers (only functions differs).
- or another type of mod extends the above with 3 different pre-EQ settings --> you can do EQing by yourself with an equalizer application, included in Creative software package.

If you plan to make music with the card --> kX drivers are said to be a valuable driver "mod" but more complicated in use (it's developement seems somehow stopped but the "support" seems function well (here on this forum))


Youre welcome.


jiitee

Shakey_Jake33

The price difference between the different types of Audigy2 are so small that you may as well go with the ZS.

In fact, dunno about Argentina, but in the UK the Audigy4 now goes for about the same price.

dj_stick

iirc the A2 ZS has slightly better output quality, and probably a better software bundle

oh and btw, kX development has not stopped, it's just slowed down a little

ljch

Thanks for the fast repply guys, the price in argentina are approx U$S 45 (Live 7.1) U$S 60 (Audigy2Value) and U$S 103 (audigy2ZS)

I can go now for the Audigy2Value instead of The live 7.1 because it's a little difference but thinking in the Audigy2ZS there's a big diffrenence in price and I want to know if it worth the difference in price

Another Thing, the differences between these 2 cards are


Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
PC-to-PC Gaming with FireWire®
Speaker Calibration for Optimal 3D Positional Audio
THX® Certification
THX Setup Console
DTS-ES 6.1 Playback
Front-Panel Audio Connectivity
GamePort/Joystick Port
High Speed FireWire® port

I think that using the Audigy2ZS modded drivers in the Audigy2Value I can Activate the Speaker Calibration for Optimal 3D Positional Audio , the THX Setup Console and DTS-ES 6.1 Playback
And (in my case) I don't need the Firewire Or The Game Port

So my question is: There's an difference in FPS or a big sound quality difference that makes me buy the Audigy 2ZS

THANKS A LOT

Shakey_Jake33

I don't think the modded drivers will enable DTS-ES decoding. Not that it's totally necessary as you can get codecs for that. It's just 'nice' to have.

I can't believe the cards are so expensive over there though... prices have crashed over here since the X-Fi came out.

Either way, I think with the modded drivers, there will be little difference in sound quality, if any.

dj_stick

as for the difference in FPS in games, it will be minimal, as both soundcards are hardware accelerated

ljch

thanks and for your help, and the last thing that's the best drivers for the Audigy2Value, the Audigy2ZS or The AUdigy4? and what's the bennefits of install the KX drivers in Games or In listen to mp3 or DVD Movies??

THANKS A LOT

Shakey_Jake33

I would personally stick to the newest Youp PAX modded driver set for any Audigy card.