Review: SteelSeries Siberia V2 Gaming Headset
Posted by Donster on: 2009-10-20 17:30:59 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Henry Butt @ DriverHeaven
Today we are going to look at the SteelSeries latest full-size gaming headset, the Siberia V2. This is essentially a refresh of the popular "Siberia" headset which has proved to be one of the best gaming headsets around for a very decent price.
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Review: Eagle Arion ET-AR504LR-BK 2.1 Soundstage Speakers
Posted by Donster on: 2009-07-23 15:12:21 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Author: James Vozar @ TweakTown
Eagle Tech has been a trusted supplier of OEM based external memory solutions as well as other PC based component solutions for some time now. With many years experience in OEM manufacturing Eagle Tech were able to start thinking outside the box and have expanded their product range through the use of several subsidiary companies such as 'Arion', who's name adorns the box I have just received.
Although I cannot seem to find any company ethos’ relating to audio, I'm going to go ahead and assume they know what they are doing; for arguments sake, at least until I discover otherwise.
Right then troops, let’s move out and look a little deeper.
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Review: Razer Megalodon USB Gaming Headset
Posted by Donster on: 2009-07-23 15:00:13 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Author: Frederik S @ techPowerUp!
The newest addition to the Razer headset lineup is the USB powered Megalodon headset. Featuring an all new USB sound card developed by Razer called the Maelstrom sound engine. Depending on user preference you can run in either 2.0 or 7.1 mode.
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Review: ASUS Xonar Essence STX
Posted by Donster on: 2009-03-13 15:07:39 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Steven ROBSCIX Wall @ GURU3D
The recent addition of the HDAV 1.3 and Essence STX have targeted two new markets for the ever moving Xonar sound machine landing impressive contributions to the high end HTPC audio and high end stereo/headphone markets. This review will encompass the new Xonar Essence STX and we will examine what this card has to offer new users who are interested in this product. This new card has been highlighted as the pinnacle of the Xonar soundcards at least as far as 2.0 and headphone audio are concerned.
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Preview: ASUS Xonar Essence ST
Posted by Donster on: 2009-03-13 14:58:09 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Steven ROBSCIX Wall @ GURU3D
You read it right, ST .. not to confuse with STX.
The PC audio market has been churning out some great new high fidelity soundcards lately. A good example here is the recent release of the new "Essence STX" headphone card, which stirred up the audio community and caught the attention of people who usually look for external headphone amplifiers. Some of you may know there were rumors of ASUS expanding the Essence Line-up with possibly a PCI model.
Guru3D has the prototype the engineering sample of the Essence ST in our audio lab today, and will bring you a sneak preview on it to show you what ASUS is working on inside that chocolate factory of theirs.
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Review: Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1 PCI Express Sound Card
Posted by Donster on: 2009-02-26 16:05:27 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Written by Hanners @ Elite Bastards
At first glance, the X-Fi Forte only has three outputs. On the far left we have a digital out, which will accept both full and mini TOSlink cables (the latter via a provided adapter). In the middle we have the card's dedicated headphone output, provided via a normal 3.5mm jack. On the right however, we find a proprietary 15-pin connector (not a VGA connector despite its looks), which is where the "magic" starts...
Provided with the X-Fi Forte is a breakout cable which attaches to this 15-pin connector, giving you the usual wealth of analogue inputs and outputs, complete with support for up to 7.1 audio as well as microphone and line-in inputs, all via 3.5mm jacks.
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Creative Releases Version 2.18.0008 Sound Blaster X-Fi Driver
Posted by Donster on: 2008-12-18 15:41:18 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Creative updated drivers for its Sound Blaster X-Fi series sound cards to version 2.18.0008. The driver covers all X-Fi series sound cards based on the CA-20K series audio processors, that includes the X-Fi Titanium Series, Xtreme Gamer Series, Xtreme Music, Platinum and Elite Pro. The new drivers add to the capabilities of the sound card in a Windows Vista environment, notably Dolby Digital and DTS decode for certain models, a feature that was lost in the transit between Windows XP and Vista. DVD-Audio playback for models which included the MediaSource DVD-Audio Player application has been re-established as a feature in 32-bit Windows Vista. 66 MB
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Review: Sennheiser PC350 Pro Gaming Headphones
Posted by Donster on: 2008-11-24 15:34:24 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Author: Archer @ Xtreme Computing
With the Gaming industry getting bigger and bigger every year most gamers out there want to get the very best out of there equipment to even have the slightest advantage over there emery’s and that is where Sennheiser's new headset makes its appearance. The PC 350 brings a new dimension to the gaming headset technology, a never before experience of sound and quality available in the market, so let’s see what the global leader in electro-acoustics experts have put together in this headset.
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Review: ASUS Xonar HDAV 1.3 Deluxe Sound Card
Posted by Donster on: 2008-09-15 15:42:42 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Written by Hanners @ Elite Bastards
The newest discrete soundcard from ASUS is the Xonar HDAV 1.3 Deluxe, still based on the AV200 HD audio processor but with added support for formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. This card goes far beyond what is required for an immersive gaming experience and heads deep into audiophile territory.
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Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Series Driver 2.18.0004 for Windows Vista Released
Posted by Donster on: 2008-07-31 15:44:00 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Thanks techPowerUp!
A long time has passed since Creative last released any new Vista drivers for its X-Fi audio cards. Usually new drivers are being published every single day, and they don't concern us much, but in Creative's case a new driver release can be considered a break-through. It goes even worse, because when we talk about new Creative drivers for Windows Vista drivers we expect something new to be added, but in reward we receive only features that are supposed to work by default with this concrete product. A perfect example for my words is the brand new Windows Vista 2.18.0004 driver for Creative X-Fi cards released today. It is now here to re-establish the hardware Dolby Digital, DTS decode and DVD-Audio playback functions, that were available in Windows XP for more than two years. If you own a Creative X-Fi card just like me and you use it under Windows Vista 32/64-bit, please follow this link to download Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series Driver 2.18.0004. 58.6 MB
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Review: TekNmotion Pulsar SX Gaming Headset
Posted by Donster on: 2008-07-15 15:07:23 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Author: Frederik S @ techPowerUp!
TekNmotion Pulsar SX is the name of a brand new headset aimed at gamers. The Pulsar SX features a USB sound card, vibration feature, and blue lights. This headset has a lot of unique features and costs a mere $59.99 which is cheap considering the integrated USB sound card.
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Review: Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty
Posted by Donster on: 2008-06-05 14:46:03 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Joel Durham Jr. @ ExtremeTech
The Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty "professional" series sound card is not Creative's first PC Express audio part. Of course, the half-hearted effort that was the 'Xtreme Audio' has mostly been overlooked. Now Creative can hold its proud head high, thanks to the new PCI Express-based Titanium; it's everything we've come to expect from a Sound Blaster product, with very little to complain about.
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Review: Razer/THX Mako 2.1-Channel Speaker System
Posted by Donster on: 2008-05-13 16:57:56 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Author: Rory Buszka @ Techgage
Razer is well-known for producing high-quality peripherals, but audio can be an entirely different bag. Our concerns over their new found venture can be set aside though, as the tag team effort between them and THX helped build an amazing 2.1 system that's actually worth its $400 price tag.
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Review: Computer Speaker Roundup
Posted by Donster on: 2008-04-30 15:54:56 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
5 Computer Speaker Systems To Listen To
By Tim Gideon @ ExtremeTech
Crank up the volume to 11 on your games, videos, and music. We check out five new speaker systems, including surround sound and one set that doesn't even need a sound card. Which is right for you?
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Daniel_K Reaches Out to Supporters, Creative Responds To Backlash
Posted by Donster on: 2008-04-02 15:43:07 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Jason Mick @ DailyTech
In a show of flexibility, Creative did an about face this week, posting on its forums that it did, in fact, support third-party drivers. After previously having said that the implementation of unintended IP functionality through third party drivers was tantamount to "stealing," Creative faced a massive public outcry.
Many people came to the support of the drivers' programmer, Daniel_K, whom Creative's original post lashed out at. In response, Creative has reevaluated its opinion slightly.
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Creative Says Custom Drivers Are "Stealing" - Gets Rocked by Protests
Posted by Donster on: 2008-03-31 15:22:52 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Jason Mick @ DailyTech
Many Creative soundcard users are enraged by the company's latest corporate tactics. In the past, many high-end PC components have been almost synonymous with custom drivers. Whether it be NVIDIA, ATI, or Creative; graphics and sound chip makers have large fan bases who write custom mods both out of a desire for performance and out of necessity.
However while most hardware manufacturers have cast a blind eye on the driver modding community or even encouraged it, Creative has taken a hard-line stance that has many users crying foul. Creative on Friday posted a notice on its message board, threatening driver maker "Daniel_K" with legal action.
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Preview: PC Sound - Creative Labs Evolves Beyond Hardware
Posted by Donster on: 2008-03-28 15:36:20 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Loyd Case @ ExtremeTech
The leading supplier of PC sound cards goes beyond audio hardware. We take an early peek at Creative's X-Fi MB, a software version of Creative's venerable X-Fi.
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Creative: ASUS Misleading Customers on EAX Drivers
Posted by Donster on: 2008-03-26 16:06:02 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Aaron Linde @ ShackNews
PC sound card maker Creative Labs said today that rival hardware manufacturer ASUS is misleading its customers by claiming that new drivers for ASUS sound cards support EAX, a set of environmental enhancements for sound in games.
Responding to an announcement by ASUS that newly released drivers for its Xonar line of sound cards support EAX, Creative communications VP Phil O'Shaughnessy said that the drivers effectively trick games into outputting EAX-capable sound.
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Review: Logitech Z Cinema Surround Sound Speaker System
Posted by Donster on: 2008-03-19 16:01:12 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Justin Wombwell @ Overclockers Club
Have you been looking for a new speaker setup for your computer? Do you play a lot of computer games? How about watch DVDs on your computer or listen to music while you surf the Internet? If you answered yes to any of those questions, Logitech may have an answer for you; its new speaker system, the Z Cinema Surround Sound speaker system. This speaker system has everything that you would love, from a massive subwoofer to a remote control. Let's take a closer look at these speakers.
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Review: Razer Piranha Gaming Communicator
Posted by Donster on: 2008-03-12 15:25:56 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Paul Lilly @ HardwareLogic
Conventional wisdom says you'd be crazy to put a piranha on your head, but Razer's never been one to walk the line. Today HardwareLogic dons Razer's new Piranha Gaming Communicator, and we'll tell you if these headphones pack enough bite for the competitive gamer.
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Review: Zalman ZM-RS6F USB 5.1 Surround SoundHeadphones
Posted by Donster on: 2008-03-12 14:45:48 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Article by: Jackie Mueller @ TweakNews
Despite a couple minor shortcomings, the ZM-RS6F remains a decent contender for those in the market for a set of surround sound headphones. The USB connector and sound card allow for a convenient setup especially for laptop gaming. The surround sound quality is good and after gaming with these, it will be difficult to go back to a pair of standard headphones.
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Review: Saitek Cyborg 5.1 Gaming Headset
Posted by Donster on: 2008-03-07 14:23:08 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Author: Frank Stroupe @ ThinkComputers
I have a great appreciation for high quality cover-the-ear headphones. I've used ones that cost under $20, and others that cost over $200. I prefer cover-the-ear, as I'm easily distracted by outside noise. And in gaming, distractions often mean the difference between getting a clean headshot and getting pwned. Saitek has been around for nearly 30 years, and has grown to be the world's second largest manufacturer of gaming peripherals. They design and build a huge array of PC peripherals and speakers, to enhance the overall PC experience. Will the Cyborg Headset prove to be as innovative and effective as Saitek's other products?
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Review: Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCIe
Posted by Donster on: 2008-03-04 15:43:41 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Brann Mitchell @ GURU3D
Bordering on false advertisement, Creative's latest X-Fi isn't an X-Fi at all, it's a new rev of the Audigy series using the X-Fi drivers and gliding on the PCI Express bus. The EAX gaming enhancements are gone, however, in favor of the more usable Crystallizer and CMSS3D functions. The X-Audio does provide a good value with decent performance, stability, and last but not least, is does sound good.
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Review: Sound Card Shootout - ASUS vs. Auzentech
Posted by Donster on: 2008-02-25 15:04:02 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
By Joel Durham Jr. @ ExtremeTech
Well, here is a pair of PCI audio adapters for your consideration. One comes from the familiar ASUS brand: the Xonar D2. The other comes from a lesser-known manufacturer called Auzentech: the X-Fi Prelude 7.1. The audio logic it licensed for this particular card will ring a bell: it's Creative Labs' EAX-happy X-Fi. But would you want to pay the high price for either of them?
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Auzentech Now Offers Swappable OPAMPs
Posted by Donster on: 2008-02-14 14:19:59 in category: Sound Cards and Speakers [ Print ]
Source: techPowerUp!
Operational Amplifier (OPAMP) influences analog sound quality, because OPAMPs amplify the analog signal in your soundcard. With a higher quality OPAMP, the signal is transferred with less loss and distortion. Now all Auzentech PCI soundcards support swappable OPAMPs to provide the highest-quality audio to Auzen customers. Buyers are now offered to order the desired sound devices directly from Auzentech with the custom OPAMPs installed, or choose the amplifiers they need and install them manually. Auzentech has even prepared special OPAMP sockets in order to improve the compatibility for each product.
OPAMP PRODUCT PAGE
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