X-Fi over Audigy 2 ZS(KX driver)?

Mihail_2001

After trying the Creative drivers yesterday on my audigy 2ZS I found myself dissapointed with the sound.
I've been for a long time a KX user, and I really love it, not less I'm tempted by the new X-fi card. But the fear is pushing me away now, you think it is worth paying 100 dollars for an X-fi upgrade? How good the drivers are?

I am using Etymotic ER4S earphones, the creative driver lacks the air and neutrality of the KX, and I find the sound hard on my ears. KX is much better for me.

As much as I love the sound of my audigy 2 soundcard I want it to get better, for the love of sound of course. So will, the new card, be a good step forward over my audigy 2(KX 3538j)?

dj_stick

the X-fi's sound quality will surpass any audigy series card, as it's hardware is much better. But you'll lose the control you have with kX if you upgrade

RejZoR

Audigy 2 cards with original drivers need some fine tunning with Graphic Equalizer. Otherwise they sound dull and unimpressive. Boosting lower and higher frequencies gives incredible results.

My EQ preset:
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/4969/cteq0ac.png

You may want to fine-tune 1k slider. I prefer it up there but you may not.
Move 125 slider higher if your subwoofer allows that. Mine doesnt hehe.
Move 8k slider higher if your satelittes can output higher freq. without distrotion (mine again can't).
Also sound is pretty subjective thing, but it sounds the best on my Cambridge SoundWorks 4.1 speakers (with CMSS1) with some resampling on WinAMP's end (Shibatch decoder and SSRC). Excellent sound.
Good thing is also that Creative EQ boosts the ingame sound. I'm playing old Rune game at the moment and sound is really breathtaking. Same for Quake 3 Arena and CounterStrike:Source (blasts are stronger and ejected shells sound more metal like when they hit the concrete ground). It's worth a try. I simply can't live without this thing

But sure, X-Fi is one hell of a beast. Though still a bit too expensive. Price should fall for 1/3 and then it will be worth considering it (Audigy 2 -> X-Fi transition).
If you run some onboard crap you probably can't miss much with X-Fi either way regardless of price. Soundcards don't change often anyway.

Mihail_2001

thanks for the tips, I may want to wait a little more for the X-fi, for now I'm actually happy with the way Audigy 2 sounds.
Anyways I'm very excited to know how my Etymotics would sound on X-fi, hopefully I'll find out one day.