|  | | Beware of Onboard Sound Blaster X-Fi | 
 A box shot of ASUS Crosshair IV
It looks like consumers aren't being treated fairly once again. It has come to our attention that a few popular vendors are now offering motherboards with a built-in X-Fi advertised as part of the features. Now you would expect to see an X-Fi audio chip on those motherboards - well, this is not the case. What you are going to get is a regular onboard audio chip (VIA, Realtek, AD) with additional limited Sound Blaster X-Fi software. It seems that Creative Labs is now licensing its X-Fi software to OEMs:
"The Sound Blaster X-Fi MB solution provides premium audio quality, effects and features for PC systems equipped with only basic onboard audio.
For gamers, the EAX ADVANCED HD 4.0, with its state-of-the-art Multi-Environment rendering and reverb modelling, delivers a much more realistic and immersive 3D gaming experience than your motherboard audio ever will.
In addition, X-Fi Crystalizer adds dynamics and punch to every gunshot, explosion and music track while X-Fi CMSS-3D provides an incredibly realistic surround sound experience from just a pair of stereo headphones.
Due to changes in Windows Vista's DirectSound3D implementation, certain legacy DirectSound3D games will have its audio compromised, resulting in only stereo output without any effects.
Creative ALchemy is a powerful tool that restores the EAX effects and full surround sound when running these DirectSound3D games in Windows Vista so that you can enjoy true 3D interactive gaming again.
Native OpenAL support is a cross-platform 3D Audio API used by many games and music applications developers to deliver superb 3D audio simulation. Since the Sound Blaster MB includes native OpenAL support, you can be assured of an incredible 3D audio experience on many PC game titles.
For music lovers, the X-Fi Crystalizer can restore the details and vibrance, (lost during the compression process) back to your mp3/wma. Also, X-Fi CMSS-3D gives a whole new, 3D-surround sound dimension to your existing stereo music. Other audio effects such as EAX reverbs, Smart Volume Management and a 10-band graphic equalizer allows you to enhance your music even more. All essential audio effects and controls are conveniently placed in a central and intuitive console."
Last edited by Regeneration; June 2nd, 2010 at 10:09 AM..
| | | | 23 Comments | | | The article needs to be edited like this: well, this is not the case, What you are going to get is a large penis in your ass. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. | | | | | | ROFL. I can't write stuff like this - even if its true. | | | | its ADI Soundmax actually. | | | | Not necessarily, its VIA Azalia on ASUS Crosshair IV. | | | | There's nothing unfair or wrong about this. Creative sells software called "X-Fi MB" that enables X-Fi features on any motherboard audio codec, companies like ASUS are just bundling them. The SupremeFX X-Fi is an audio riser with Analog Devices Inc (ADI) codec with X-Fi software.
The contention that this is an "unfair treatment" is baseless.
Remember, X-Fi is the name of a technology, not a sound-card. | | | | Using slogans like "X-Fi built-in" is misleading. Software isn't hardware. | | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by btarunr  There's nothing unfair or wrong about this. Creative sells software called "X-Fi MB" that enables X-Fi features on any motherboard audio codec, companies like ASUS are just bundling them. The SupremeFX X-Fi is an audio riser with Analog Devices Inc (ADI) codec with X-Fi software.
The contention that this is an "unfair treatment" is baseless.
Remember, X-Fi is the name of a technology, not a sound-card. | If you look at the picture in the top of the post, you will see it even has an inset of the motherboard with a "Supreme FX X-Fi" looking chip thing....implying hardware. If it was just trying to sell it as a bonus software, why have the hardware picture. | | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by lyla If you look at the picture in the top of the post, you will see it even has an inset of the motherboard with a "Supreme FX X-Fi" looking chip thing....implying hardware. If it was just trying to sell it as a bonus software, why have the hardware picture. | Because they're selling a motherboard with an audio that has X-Fi technology, and advertising an audio solution that comes with that technology in the product.
It's not a "bonus software", but a software which comes as a component of the product. | | | | It is not even a part of the audio driver. You have to install it separately. So I have to agree with lyla, its just a bonus software. Users get the same onboard solution (with the same CPU usage) plus some X-Fi MB software. | | | | Yep its definitely misleading and one could claim this as false advertising, it would be like calling a Honda a ford because you threw on some ford seat covers.
You cant advertise something as being one thing when its really something else with a skirt, this is just another dick move by the hardware industry. | | | | More shit like this... do hardware developers think people are stupid? maybe they belive so... | | | | Thanks for this Regeneration.
Personally, given Creatives past history of being honest with their customers I surprised that anyone would see a motherboard with X-Fi & EAD built in as a good thing! You'd just be paying extra to cover the OEMs licencing to Creative. Sod that! | | | | Yup, this is sleazy. Why would anyone defend this? Creative has always been known for pairing good hardware (best case) with abysmal software (all cases). The poor people who fall for this particular scam are getting just the software end of it... nasty. Well, I guess if the X-Fi brand wasn't thoroughly ruined already, it will be soon enough. | | | | No, it's not abysmal software. I love the X-Fi "features" on my Foxconn Bloodrage "riser audio card". It's still Realtek audio, but having the ability to control bass redirection to the subwoofer, the Crystallizer feature that enhances loud percussions, the CMSS3D function that works so great for headphones in both WinXP and Vista/Win7, etc.. I'm pretty happy. It's actually good enough that I do not have to bother plunging for Xonar Essence STX that I've been eyeing for a while.
If people are stupid enough to believe that it's hardware solely based on the ad, then they deserve it. Motherboards are not so cheap nowadays, and with a high percentage of motherboards that get such low ratings on Newegg due to being DOA, etc.. I would advise them to do some research before buying. Usually, reading just one review would cover 80+% of the details and features of the motherboard. | | | | "Hey everyone, it's Dr. corporate defense! Welcome! We're glad you're here representing the saintly companies against the evil consumer!" | | | | lol creative must have people running damage control or osmething because I dont see how anyone could defend this.
besides most of these "great features" are already present in most good onboard card drivers, and I can do way better for music with DSP's in foobar | | | | well this has been going on for a long time. this is not something new. in fact creative has already moved on to another software solution that offers THX and has EAX 5.0 support. That is the main thing that these motherboard solutions offer. they offer EAX using onboard audio solutions. I am interested to know if these knew solutions that are being offered will include the onboard soltution for creative software for free because in the past they where compatible with the creative software but you had to pay something like $50 for the software. If its included for free then who cares. You can use the realtek software or use the creative software if you want extra functionality. I am ok with that. Its not as if the cheap X-fi sound cards creative sells are actually X-fi's either. They are using software to be X-fi's as well. So I don't think this is a bad route to go if you don't want to spend a couple hundred dollars on a separate sound card. Most people that use this aren't concerned about oamps or anything like that. I think this is a smart way for creative to make some extra money and also somewhat surprising considering the death grip they have kept on EAX in the past. | | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by blindartist lol creative must have people running damage control or osmething because I dont see how anyone could defend this.
besides most of these "great features" are already present in most good onboard card drivers, and I can do way better for music with DSP's in foobar | Wrong. The awesome Crystallizer function is not present with most onboard audio solutions. Foobar might be great for music and "some" videos, but does not apply for games. I've already been using stuff like foobar for a long time in addition to Realtek audio drivers that left so much to be desired (especially in WinXP and earlier Vista/Win7 versions). | | | | Foobar doesnt play videos.
I perfer my sound natural no gimicky effects distorting it, only thing I need to modify the sound is a little equalizing, plug it into a good amp with some good speakers and thats all you need. I hate over processed fake sound | | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by blindartist Foobar doesnt play videos.
I perfer my sound natural no gimicky effects distorting it, only thing I need to modify the sound is a little equalizing, plug it into a good amp with some good speakers and thats all you need. I hate over processed fake sound | You're right about foobar and video support but I've used it with a plug-in: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/...howtopic=52068
Anyways, yeah same here.. natural audio is great if the speaker volumes are perfectly set up but with some music and games, I like to tweak it a lot. The Crystallizer function gets rid of the clipping by allowing sharp percussions to go beyond the limited range of the volume if set too high, so it's almost like having an amp, without actually needing one or having to turn it too high with the inevitable clipping. |
Last edited by Bo_Fox; June 3rd, 2010 at 02:24 AM..
| Quote | | | | | I own an X-Fi myself (Auzentech X-Fi Prelude) and I will say the "crystallizer" is complete shit. All it does is it distorts the fuck out of the sound, especially the bass spectrum - best case scenario, it sounds like a poor remastering job. I don't think it has any effect on clipping, either. Nice try. |
Last edited by Arklon; June 3rd, 2010 at 03:38 AM..
| Quote | | | | | my motherboard came with one of those little x-fi cards and i've got to say it's a shitty audio card. i don't use it at all... | |
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