Punit Lodaya, Apr 06, 2006 1823 hrs IST
If you want the ultimate sound quality, and price is not a factor, the X-Fi series is what you are looking for.
Excellent sound output, Zero THD, Good bundled software, Feature rich.
Expensive.
Creative is a name that is synonymous with PC audio. In recent years, the 'Sound Blaster' range of cards has become the de facto standard for add-in boards enabling high quality sound and entertainment on the PC. Creative enjoys a near monopoly in the sound card field. But, success hasn't deterred them from innovation. They continuously keep on churning out new sound cards on regular basis, each of them having something innovative over the predecessor.
Today, we take a look at one of their latest sound blaster reincarnation called the X-Fi series. The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor packs in over 51 million transistors that deliver over 10,000 MIPS of power. That is 24 times more powerful than its predecessor, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS.
The X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor delivers an "Active Modal Architecture" that allows you, the user, to switch between one of three modes (Gaming, Entertainment & Audio Creation). Each mode dynamically dedicates the processor's power to deliver the features, quality and capabilities that you require for that usage. You can adjust the modes yourself to satisfy your ear. The Creative X-Fi audio processor features an SRC engine which can deliver a processing quality of 136 dB SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio). The X-Fi also incorporates CMSS-3D virtual surround sound technology. With an ability to RIP music from Audio CD and play back at 24 bit quality ensures, that you have a very high fidelity audio experience.
Hey, i have only sound blaster Live!, but since i use SPDIF out from this card to connect to Onkyo AMP which plays movie in DTS/Dolby Digital . I have connected my friends XFI once but when u use SPDIF out to external amp the other features of the card like bass,equilzer,surround stops working. So does it makes sense for me to go for XFI if i use the SPDIF out and not the onboard 5.1 or 6.1?
by Krishna, Chennai, on Sep 19, 2007 10:57 AM, Report abuse Reply
have a peek at this link. http://techreport.com/articles.x/11759 if these cards come out, i would definitely prefer them over the x-fi. By the way krishna, i too own the x-fi. As to your query, here is the answer. i think the reason is that both Dolby and DTS streams are supposed to be virgin, that is untouched by any other filter, be it the crystallizer function or the the CMSS 3D surround. If the bass eq, CMSS surround and other stuff are used, then the Dolby or DTS stream characteristics wouldn't be the same, that is each bit of the source audio stream will differ from each bit of the output stream. If the source and output stream characteristics differ, obviously the output stream is non dolby or non dts. If you want to use other features in the soundcard, then set the dolby and dts settings to the built in decoder setting. the output will still be 5.1. Of course theamp will decode it as Dolby prologic or dts neo, though due to the large amount of information in the output streamfrom the card, the channel separation seems to be even better. It is a subjective opinion of course. Your own may differ. As to the last question, you should be punished to compare the x-fi with onboard audio. It is like comparing a Maruti to a Mercedes. The quality and features are worlds apart. Just buy it.
by rajesh, mumbai, on Sep 21, 2007 10:40 PM, Report abuse
HAI , RAJESH & EVERY ONE You people who own a receiver ht system, I want to let the comments from you on my opinion If you are using digital out may be dolby or dts , its only the pass through , to the external decoder and it will not be effected any thing by the soundcard?s dsp effects ( analogue part ). In other words the quality you get is from the external decoder and not from the soundcard If this is true then there should not be any difference in audio quality if you use X-FI or ONBOARD sound , if you use digital out.Here what are your comments RAJESH High end sound cards are particularly useful if you use only the analogue out , because they boast a very high quality DAC?s [ many creative cards including live 24 , audigy 2 zs , and entire X-FI range except ELITE PRO uses the same DAC?s CIRROUS LOGIC 4382 .] I own live 24bit, CREATIVE IS name for excellent bass To compare with the onboard vs creative My onboard is REALTEK ALC 889A which has 106 db SNR Live 24 has 100 db SNR My onboard has a better mid range sounds but a weaker bass But still live 24 sounds better and impressive. And I want to let know from you ,how you are using digital out from creative cards because they require special module to get coaxial or optical outs Does it available in India ?
by HAI, MBN, on Nov 13, 2007 08:12 PM, Report abuse
To Connect from Sound cards Digital out to the receiver is simple. I am not using any high quality cable though. i simply have the rca cable that has sterio pin in one side which i connect to the sound cards spdif out/digital out and the other end has a red and yellow(L/R), i just connect one of the end to the recievers Coax in. Even i am in search of sterio to optical cable.
by Krishna, Chennai, on Jan 08, 2008 11:18 AM, Report abuse
By Plugging the Stereo jack into the Digital out jack of the sound card and the other end {RCA} in to the co-axial jack of the AV Reciever, does it send digital [unedited sound to the AV Reciver?]. Would greatly appreciate your input on this, as I am racking my brains from the last month trying to figure out the best & inexpensive way to connect my Creative Sound Blaster to my Onkyo AV Reciever. And is the any software setting needed to be done on the PC? Thanks in advance
by ZAK, Chennai, on Sep 09, 2008 12:36 AM, Report abuse
Beside the online shopping portals, from where to buy Audigy 2 NX external (USB) sound card? Probably a direct selling agent or dealer as I feel online shopping is not safe sometimes. What is the price?
by Hemen Kalita, Shillong, on Sep 02, 2008 09:50 PM, Report abuse Reply
I need one dts & dolby digital software to convert old movies into original 7.1 surround sound tracks on dts & DDSS, kindly send ur suggestions 919425208372 G.V.Narayan Raipur
by G.V.Narayan, Raipur, on Jul 22, 2008 01:18 PM, Report abuse Reply
by P. K. Naroo, Delhi, on Jul 07, 2008 11:03 PM, Report abuse Reply
we are parvati enterprises from mumbai, vasai road, we want best deals in creative products & other computer products if u have so plz mail ur price list of all products u deal in
by swapnil nar, mumbai, on Apr 11, 2008 04:05 PM, Report abuse Reply
Cost is around 7500 but it doesnt seem to be available right now. XtremeAudio is not the card you're looking for, it does not have hardware acceleration and will not take any load off your processor. It doesnt have EAX either. Check out the creative site for more info... XtremeAudio - http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=15855 At 7k thats a ripoff. The XtremeMusic has the same price and that's the card you're looking for... http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=14066 If anyone finds a vendor selling the XtremeMusic in Bangalore, post a message.
by Khagen, Bangalore, on Sep 12, 2007 07:05 PM, Report abuse Reply
I have this Sound Card ...it's amazing it's so WOW ...there u have control bass until u will reach 200Hz ..but u will need a powerful audio system to rezist :) I have a Phillips MMS460 Audio system and work's great on this sound card...I love-it...In my country i pay for this sound card 2.000.000 lei...it's like 74 dollars...:)))) sry for my bad english
by Lithium, IASI, on Sep 11, 2007 08:42 PM, Report abuse Reply
I have this Sound Card ...it's amazing it's so WOW ...there u have control bass until u wull reach 200Hz ..but u will need a powerfull audio system to rezist :) I have a Philips MMS 560 Audio system and work's great on this sound caed...I love-it...In my country i pay for this sound card 2.000.000 lei...it's like 74 dollars...:)))) sry for my bad english
by Lithium, IASI, on Sep 11, 2007 08:40 PM, Report abuse Reply
Can anyone please tell me the current street price of Audigy 2 Value sound card?
by Bir, Gurgaon, on Aug 01, 2007 08:27 AM, Report abuse Reply
its some where around 700 bucks
by aman, hyderabad, on Aug 29, 2007 10:25 PM, Report abuse
need a 5.1 external sound card....budget around 7000.....ne advice...??
by Raian, kolkata, on Aug 29, 2007 12:50 AM, Report abuse Reply
I want to know the price of creative XFi Xtream Audio and vender nearest in kolkata
by Subhasis Maity, Kolkata, on Aug 22, 2007 10:08 AM, Report abuse Reply
XTREME MUSIC IS THE CHEAPEST 0NE AROUND 6500 CAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE XRAM REST ARE COSTLY AROUND 15000 TO 19000
by ADITYA, DELHI, on Aug 20, 2007 10:04 AM, Report abuse Reply
I want to purchase used X-Fi Xtream Music or X-Fi Xtream Audio any one interested?
by Subhasis Maity, Kolkata, on Aug 18, 2007 09:10 AM, Report abuse Reply
any one know the current price of X-Fi Xtream Music and S-Fi Xtream Audio
by Subhasis Maity, Kolkata, on Aug 18, 2007 09:05 AM, Report abuse Reply
Any one know current price of X-Fi Elite Pro On 15/07/2007
by ferro, Delhi, on Jul 15, 2007 10:09 PM, Report abuse Reply
OK nice, but what about CPU Utilisation in various modes? Was the gaming 'performance' affected compared to, say, Audigy 2 ZS? Someone was trying to kill you from behind...ouch!
by da_hellfire, Hell, on Apr 07, 2006 02:24 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Fatu, Datu, on Apr 07, 2006 08:35 PM, Report abuse
Its got its own memory and processor so I takes off the load on the CPU ...Gaming experience just gets better :-)
by Rock, Bangalore, on Jun 19, 2007 04:14 PM, Report abuse
But What Would be the cost of X-fi Xtreme Gamer FATAL1ty PRO Series and Elite Pro
by Anshuman, Lucknow, on Jun 02, 2007 08:47 PM, Report abuse Reply
what is exact price of x-fi xtreme music
by Ajay, Mumbai, on Apr 23, 2007 11:06 AM, Report abuse Reply
The price should now be be Rs. 6500
by Rock, gurgoan, on May 09, 2007 04:01 AM, Report abuse
WOW. This is cheap. I paid a good Rs. 16000 5 years ago when i bought the flagship Creative Sb Live Platinum for my desktop PC but after 5 years its still worth and whips all the onboard based and some of the PCI card based sound cards
by Sandeep Mohan, Mumbai, on Apr 06, 2006 10:24 PM, Report abuse Reply
Yes. Creative is the best. My SBLive!5.1 XGammer's is still rocking hard with my "Onkyo/Accoustics Reserch" setup. That 5 yrs. old 5.1 card is far better than the onboard 7.1 sound (cards???). Keep it up Creative.
by Ashish, Lucknow, on Apr 10, 2006 10:53 PM, Report abuse
well you paid a lot for amateur stuff.....while you can actualy get pro audio quality cards like M-audio at half the price of creative cards. Cant see how you say they rock!!! they are quite a rip off really.Any pr user will tell you that
by sudhin, chennai, on Mar 11, 2007 09:57 PM, Report abuse
I still think its the best buy if someone wants to make a full fledged high end HTPC. For an HTPC this card has no second thoughts! A must buy for a HTPC.
by Vivek sood, Gurgoan, on Mar 05, 2007 02:24 AM, Report abuse Reply
Well this card is now for Rs. 7000/- Still not worth buying man despite its extremely high end sound solution.
by Vivek sood, Gurgoan, on Mar 05, 2007 02:20 AM, Report abuse Reply
How much is the basic card now as on 20th jan 2007?
by Vivek sood, gurgoan, on Jan 20, 2007 06:33 PM, Report abuse Reply
You can source from distributors of Creative Labs COMPUAGE S42, Okhala Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi ? 110020 011-26387897 INSPAN Ground Floor, Shop. T-29, Okhla Industrial Area Phase-I I, New Delhi ? 110020 011-329597929 CYBERSTAR -56, Ground Floor Kalkaji New Delhi ? 110019 011 5162 9979 011 5162 9997 011 3245 7670 011 3246 3444
by vijayshimla, Shimla 171001, on Feb 04, 2007 10:02 AM, Report abuse
Hey friends whats the cost of this card now..? i am talking about the basic card without the fancie boxes. The X-Fi Xtreme Music...????
by Vivek Sood, Gurgoan, on Jan 20, 2007 06:35 PM, Report abuse Reply
i'm selling this card for 7000 Rs. - brand new - box packed .. contact me at sunnykanwar@gmail.com
by Sunny, Chandigarh, on Apr 15, 2006 01:11 PM, Report abuse Reply
Hey how much is the cost of this card now Sunny?
by Vivek Sood, Gurgoan, on Jan 11, 2007 06:36 PM, Report abuse
What is the price of this card now.. as on 11/01/07. Thanks!
by Vivek Sood, Gurgoan, on Jan 11, 2007 06:32 PM, Report abuse Reply
Whats is th eprice of his card now? Why does the Dell E520 adevrtises Sound Blaster with 5.1 when this card is actually 7.1 too.....?
by Vivek Sood, Gurgoan, on Jan 11, 2007 06:31 PM, Report abuse Reply
Is there a brand called M Audio in soundcards; i need dealers in mumbai for the same..
by riya, mumbai, on May 06, 2006 04:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
YES , THERE IS ONE SOUNDCARD M-AUDIO REVOLUTION 7.1 A 24BIT/192 KHZ CARD I WANT TO SELL. PURCHASED 4 MONTHS BACK FOR RS.6800
by CHALAM, MAHABUBNAGAR, on Aug 15, 2006 07:54 PM, Report abuse
INTERESTED ONES IN M-AUDIO CAN CONTACT ME < chalam_mail@yahoo.com >
by CHALAM, MBNR, on Aug 31, 2006 05:49 PM, Report abuse
please contact sudeepaudio.com who is a dealer of m-audio products including sound cards in Mumbai
by chellakumar, chennai, on Dec 28, 2006 06:19 PM, Report abuse
Hi, I want to purchase branded amplifier of 7.1 at my room. may be of creative or even yamahaa. Do any one have it new or used & at what price would he like to sell. call me on 09422581875
by sunil chougule, gadhingla, kolhapur., on Oct 23, 2006 04:36 PM, Report abuse Reply
hello friends pls suggest me 5.1 sound card within 2000 rupees
by ashok87, Coimbatore, on Aug 13, 2006 01:12 PM, Report abuse Reply
by mhp, baroda, on Aug 09, 2006 01:23 PM, Report abuse Reply
Can anyone suggest me which sound card would be the best of Altec Lansing MX 5021 (2.1-THX) speakers.
by Abi, Chennai, on Jul 18, 2006 03:08 PM, Report abuse Reply
anyone in chennai willing to sell this card for 7000 call me at 9840690058
by vijay, chennai, on Jul 11, 2006 05:12 AM, Report abuse Reply
i need prices approx n pls send all details of this unit n whr i can get this unit in andhra pradesh present iam using creative t7700 but it damaged totaly bcos of light strom
by sudhavineelkuma, hyd, on May 21, 2006 05:35 PM, Report abuse Reply
Good investment in a high quality Speakers woud help and not sound card.
by James Bond, Bombay, on Apr 17, 2006 11:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
Chorus , Music and Orchestra ... be silent james bond speaketh
by RPM, Delhi, on Apr 21, 2006 04:36 AM, Report abuse
Excellent piece of sound system
by Rajeev Verma, Mumbai, on Apr 20, 2006 08:33 PM, Report abuse Reply
This is a total rip off... I got the xfi platinum for 175$ i.e. <8000 rupees from zipzoomfly. The card rocks but the indian pricing is pathetic!
by chaos, bangalore, on Apr 07, 2006 04:32 AM, Report abuse Reply
Any dealers for X Fi series in Mumbai?
by Mathu, Mumbai, on Apr 20, 2006 10:28 AM, Report abuse
by Anonymous, , on Apr 19, 2006 12:43 PM, Report abuse Reply
9k for a sound card is too expensive.
by Nil, Mumbai, on Apr 06, 2006 08:06 PM, Report abuse Reply
targeted only at serious sound buffs or hardcore gamers with dough to spare.
by read, things, on Apr 06, 2006 08:09 PM, Report abuse
Nil, this sound card is obviously not for you!!! There are people who are interested in perfect sound, like me who think it is a good buy considering the fact that one or two years back something like this would cost above Rs.16000.
by aks, bangalore, on Apr 07, 2006 01:37 PM, Report abuse
aks u doing BCA (Baap.ke Cash.pe Aish) kya?
by BCA.d00d, BCA, on Apr 15, 2006 12:55 PM, Report abuse
You did not check its sound quality.........its tremendous.... worth paying for.....coupled with a creative inspire 5.1 speaker system..
by Ravitej, Hyderabad, on Apr 17, 2006 07:59 PM, Report abuse
hahaha :) no copy editor as well hahaha :D
by Diablo, Mumbai, on Apr 17, 2006 05:09 PM, Report abuse Reply
Could you somebody explain the concept of sound cards? Can I combine this with speakers for a home theater experience(music/ movies) or is it only for the computer?
by Rajesh, Bangalore, on Apr 11, 2006 08:57 PM, Report abuse Reply
Well Rajesh you might need all the three a)a computer, b)a good 5.1/7.1 soundcard (like creative)c)amplified 5.1/7.1 multimedia speakers / HomeTheater speakers with a seperate 5.1/7.1 amplifier. All this is required to set up a computer centric home theater used not only for music and movies but also for games and rich multimedia experiance.
by mukand, New Delhi, on Apr 12, 2006 11:59 PM, Report abuse
I have 5.1 ch. 4000 watts speaker which sound card is suitable for me
by Dinesh, New Delhi, on Apr 12, 2006 07:26 PM, Report abuse Reply
it is US $ 110 incl. shipping in USA- page comp- so app 5k indian
by vijayshimla, Shimla 171001, on Apr 11, 2006 03:13 PM, Report abuse Reply
Why 4 star rating? Expensive took off one star? I would buy this if the price was one zero less (900 bucks) :)
by badvt, Chennai, on Apr 06, 2006 09:04 PM, Report abuse Reply
Price pays a very important role in India.
by Ricardo, Bimhbado, on Apr 06, 2006 10:58 PM, Report abuse
Remove first digit(ie 9) and you will get the price for onboard sound. Hurry... Go for it.....
by Ashish, Lucknow, on Apr 10, 2006 10:55 PM, Report abuse
If you're an audiophile, and purity of your music mattered to you, another soundcard, with better DAC's maybe would be the thing.creative soundcards for gamers... PERIOD. they have better DSP capablities, but the DAC's tho impressively specced, SUCK.SNR isnt the be all and end-all of soundcards.Hasn't anyone heard of, say, burr brown?
by auster, trivandrum, on Apr 10, 2006 12:50 AM, Report abuse Reply
the xtreme music card is currently available for 7500Rs at ebay.in....so i think it will be 7000 i grey market..this is just n estimate
by syncro, Surat, on Apr 07, 2006 04:04 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Anonymous, delhi, on Apr 07, 2006 07:25 PM, Report abuse
The price difference between India and US is really huge. In Best Buy, one of the very common hardware stores in US, the price of SB Live 24 bit was 29$ and that of X-Fi Xtreme Music was 129$. I bought SB Live 24 bit and creative inspire 5200 (from india for rs 4750). The combination rocks. Cant think of anythign better than this at this price. Creative really rocks!
by eUpendra, Indore, on Apr 07, 2006 10:53 AM, Report abuse Reply
For a hardcore gamer/audiophile product,9K seems reasonable,though one can get it in foreign shores for practically HALF that.Those who expect a working PC with everything bundled in for 20K need not even read and then react negatively.Quality is always expensive.If only nVidia would re-introduce SoundStorm(see Nforce2) in their nforce chipsets,thousands of integrated audio users can enjoy superb sound rather than the pathetic AC-97..or even Azalia
by Karthik Kumar, New Delhi, on Apr 07, 2006 10:41 AM, Report abuse Reply
The prices given on Creative online shop for Xtreme Music card is 129.99 USD / 998.00 HKD. Bytoday's exchange rate it comes to around 5781.00/5720.00 INR. Applying 60% customs duty, the price would be about 9249.60/9152.00 INR. So I guess, the OFFICIAL price will not get lower until Creative makes it so. Looks like a wait period of 3 - 6 months for "value of money" minded people! Well, I was hoping to replace my 3 year old SB Live card with the new one. Lets see when that happens ...
by stalukdar, Pune, on Apr 07, 2006 10:23 AM, Report abuse Reply
Better sound in old games without losing performance? http://xfi.blogspot.com/2006/03/x-fi-crystalizer-and-framerates.html I'll take it
by Jebaka, Goleniow, on Apr 07, 2006 07:56 AM, Report abuse Reply
by kr_ishan, Samana(Punjab), on Apr 07, 2006 07:21 AM, Report abuse Reply
I expected a X-wireless...kind of setup for sound...but this seems only low tech hardware.....nah.....very low tech. technology from Creative.. 128 voices....who needs to process 128 sound stream/files simultaneously...even in a game !
by Neo, Cubicle, on Apr 06, 2006 11:59 PM, Report abuse Reply
News > Gadgets , December 02, 2008 1848 hrs IST
Speeds up multimedia tasks ...
News > Internet , December 02, 2008 1808 hrs IST
A statistical enigma ...
News > Gaming , December 02, 2008 1805 hrs IST
Trailer to debut during the VGA awards on December 14th ...
News > Consumer Electronics , December 02, 2008 1751 hrs IST
Another looker from the fashion brand in collaboration with Samsung ...
News > Telecom , December 02, 2008 1728 hrs IST
Thanks to cheap mobile handsets and low tariff ...
I want price list of Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music
by Hem Joshi, Delhi, on Oct 04, 2008 11:08 AM, Report abuse Reply