Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme

[Patrick Wolf]

Damn, no CC's in my area, North Dakota sucks. :frown:

 

[skyeclad]

I have an SB Live running a quad-Klipsch THX analog set of speakers. I have never complained about my sound from games or music. There's plenty of deep bass and it seems fine for me. Is it really worth upgrading sound cards? Are the speakers going to be a weak point reducing any benefit?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: skyeclad
I have an SB Live running a quad-Klipsch THX analog set of speakers. I have never complained about my sound from games or music. There's plenty of deep bass and it seems fine for me. Is it really worth upgrading video cards? Are the speakers going to be a weak point reducing any benefit?

You meant sound card, right?

 

[annihilator3001]

i heard this sound card has problems with bf2 is that true? or has that been fixed

 

[skyeclad]

Oops, I meant sound. Thanks.

 

[Beiruty]

I need to pick up a sound card for my pro. He's building a server that does not have on-board sound card. It seems a good deal. h\Howevr, my bro wants a Fireport with it. And, SPDIF Input will not hurt either. Any deals on the break-away box? or better sound card?

Thanks.

 

[BigBadMunky]

Originally posted by: annihilator3001
i heard this sound card has problems with bf2 is that true? or has that been fixed

BF2 was one of the reasons I ended up picking this card up and it works great. Not sure of the issue you have read about but I know this game was built for this card since there is a option in audio settings that lets you pick software, hardware, or creative x-fi.

Basically, my turtle beach santa cruz card could only run in software mode and I didn't really care for my on board sound much..even though it is supposed to be decent. I'm happy with the card so far, while there are some other darn good cards if you less interested in gaming.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: skyeclad
Oops, I meant sound. Thanks.

Are your speakers the 4.1 Klipsch promedias?
http://www.clubic.com/photo/00029992.jpg

Those are pretty up there for computer speaker still.
An X-Fi for $75 might be a good buy for you.

Some people say it makes a huge difference even on really basic speaker sets (x-530s etc)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Beiruty
I need to pick up a sound card for my pro. He's building a server that does not have on-board sound card. It seems a good deal. h\Howevr, my bro wants a Fireport with it. And, SPDIF Input will not hurt either. Any deals on the break-away box? or better sound card?

Thanks.

A2 Plat has firefire and SPDIF-IN I believe.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290226

At $70 AR, that's quite a good price on it. Might be overkill for a server application though.

 

[annihilator3001]

Originally posted by: BigBadMunky

Originally posted by: annihilator3001
i heard this sound card has problems with bf2 is that true? or has that been fixed

BF2 was one of the reasons I ended up picking this card up and it works great. Not sure of the issue you have read about but I know this game was built for this card since there is a option in audio settings that lets you pick software, hardware, or creative x-fi.

Basically, my turtle beach santa cruz card could only run in software mode and I didn't really care for my on board sound much..even though it is supposed to be decent. I'm happy with the card so far, while there are some other darn good cards if you less interested in gaming.

big thread about it on the creative forums
Here
doesnt look like its been fixed but it may be a isolated problem

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf
Damn, no CC's in my area, North Dakota sucks. :frown:

hahahaha! move! (j/k!)
i am holding off now. i dont think the upgrade from 2 ZS to X-Fi is worth it. i don't know how much my oem 2ZS is worth if i ebay it...

 

[Finns14]

Just got myself 2Z's for 40 I hope this is a better deal than this

 

[LED]

Review on the Card

 

[czech09]

How does this compare to the Audigy ZS 2 Platinum?

Thanks.

 

[Beiruty]

Wow Thanks this is what I was looking for! Rebate is still valid till tomorrow!

BTW, how do you get the $15 coupon code for the Xo-Fi Card?

Thanks,

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Beiruty
I need to pick up a sound card for my pro. He's building a server that does not have on-board sound card. It seems a good deal. h\Howevr, my bro wants a Fireport with it. And, SPDIF Input will not hurt either. Any deals on the break-away box? or better sound card?

Thanks.

A2 Plat has firefire and SPDIF-IN I believe.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290226

At $70 AR, that's quite a good price on it. Might be overkill for a server application though.

 

[skyeclad]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
[
Are your speakers the 4.1 Klipsch promedias?
http://www.clubic.com/photo/00029992.jpg

I have the Kilpsch Promedia 4.0 set. They are very powerful but always emit a slight hiss which I assume is due to the analog nature of the product.

 

[skyeclad]

After reading some reviews I almost decided to buy this and then I change my mind. Personally, I don't like buying from Circuit City. I hate their return policy with restocking fee and I have had a few bad experiences with them. I prefer not to reward a company that has such a bad return policy as theirs. If I read it correctly if the product doesn't work well in my computer and I decide to return it, I have to pay a 15% restocking fee. No thank you. I've returned several hardware items to Compusa that just didn't live up to my expectations without a problem. When it comes to a choice between two evils, I will choose Compusa.

 

[route66]

The Circuit City page isn't clear - is this the one that comes with the 5.25 panel?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: skyeclad

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
[
Are your speakers the 4.1 Klipsch promedias?
http://www.clubic.com/photo/00029992.jpg

I have the Kilpsch Promedia 4.0 set. They are very powerful but always emit a slight hiss which I assume is due to the analog nature of the product.

Sorry, could you give a link to the 4.0 promedias? I'm drawing a blank for what you're talking about.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: route66
The Circuit City page isn't clear - is this the one that comes with the 5.25 panel?

This is just the Xtreme Music, no front panel.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Beiruty
Wow Thanks this is what I was looking for! Rebate is still valid till tomorrow!

BTW, how do you get the $15 coupon code for the Xo-Fi Card?

Thanks,

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Beiruty
I need to pick up a sound card for my pro. He's building a server that does not have on-board sound card. It seems a good deal. h\Howevr, my bro wants a Fireport with it. And, SPDIF Input will not hurt either. Any deals on the break-away box? or better sound card?

Thanks.

A2 Plat has firefire and SPDIF-IN I believe.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290226

At $70 AR, that's quite a good price on it. Might be overkill for a server application though.

Coupon Codes aren't allowed on anantech, but if you search around at other hot deals sites, or PM one of these guys above, I'm sure you could find it.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: skyeclad
After reading some reviews I almost decided to buy this and then I change my mind. Personally, I don't like buying from Circuit City. I hate their return policy with restocking fee and I have had a few bad experiences with them. I prefer not to reward a company that has such a bad return policy as theirs. If I read it correctly if the product doesn't work well in my computer and I decide to return it, I have to pay a 15% restocking fee. No thank you. I've returned several hardware items to Compusa that just didn't live up to my expectations without a problem. When it comes to a choice between two evils, I will choose Compusa.

I'm not sure what you mean.
This is their return policy.
According to that, a sound card is not subject to a restocking fee if returned in 30 days.

Digital cameras, camcorders, desktop PCs, notebook PCs, monitors, printers, scanners, projectors, PDAs, mobile video, GPS and radar detectors must be returned within 14 days of the sale date, and (except where prohibited by law) are subject to a 15% restocking fee if returned opened or in a non-factory sealed box.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: route66
The Circuit City page isn't clear - is this the one that comes with the 5.25 panel?

No, it is not. This is the basic model.
http://www.creative.com/products/produc...=1&subcategory=208&product=14066&nav=4

 

[cooliodealio]

Originally posted by: skyeclad
After reading some reviews I almost decided to buy this and then I change my mind. Personally, I don't like buying from Circuit City. I hate their return policy with restocking fee and I have had a few bad experiences with them. I prefer not to reward a company that has such a bad return policy as theirs. If I read it correctly if the product doesn't work well in my computer and I decide to return it, I have to pay a 15% restocking fee. No thank you. I've returned several hardware items to Compusa that just didn't live up to my expectations without a problem. When it comes to a choice between two evils, I will choose Compusa.

Too bad for you. You missed out. There is no restocking fee on soundcards.

 

[imported_cosmotic]

Too bad Creative and SoundBlaster sucks.