Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio for Notebook Review

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by Gautam Jagannath

Creative is one of the oldest computer sound card companies, and the introduction of their Audigy 2 ZS series sound card for PCMCIA allowed mainstream notebook users to tack on a 5.1/7.1 surround sound system to their portable. The much anticipated follow up for the new Expresscard port takes their higher end, X-Fi name, while preserving the same features. The X-Fi Xtreme Audio retails for around $80, while it is available online for considerably less.

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In the Box

• X-Fi Expresscard/54 Soundcard
• White Earbuds with In-Line Microphone
• Travel Case (Faux Leather)
• Driver CD &amp; Manual

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Design

The X-Fi for notebooks is small and silver. When inserted into the Expresscard/54 slot, a small portion  protrudes out. The ports are located here for audio in/out connections as well as for a proprietary speaker dock. The silver color will clash with all dark colored notebooks.

Many new notebooks have audio out ports on the front. This is inconvenient for a home theater/jukebox setup. This alone may be a reason to get a sound card – this one, for example - as it places the audio port on the side, making the cord situation less obtrusive.

Creative includes a sturdy, black false-leather travel case for the sound card. The usefulness of this item is however questionable. Users of the X-Fi sound card will probably never remove it from the port. More confusing is Creative's inclusion of “iPod” white ear-buds, which is not aesthetically paired with anything included at all. Case, card and headphones are all color mismatched. 

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Specifications 

	Creative X-Fi Expresscard	Creative Audigy 2ZS PCMCIA	Intel HD Audio (Post-2005 Notebooks)	Intel AC'97 (Pre-2005)
Stero/Surround	24-bit/96kHz	24-bit/96kHz	24-bit/96kHz	16-bit/48kHz
SPDIF	24-bit/96kHz (48kHz in Vista)	24-bit/96kHz	N/A	N/A
Recording	24-bit/96kHz	24-bit/96kHz	24-bit/96kHz	16-bit/48kHz

The big leap in numbers comes from AC'97 users. How many AC'97 users have ExpressCard? Probably very few, or none, since Intel HD Audio arrived with the Sonoma platform in 2005.

Vista is shunned by Creative, dealing only 48 kHz to its SPDIF out. The end result is poorer home theater support in Vista. It is hard to say why Creative gave reduced Vista support, but considering that the X-Fi Xtreme Audio is just a re-branded Soundblaster Audigy SE, it seems that a driver workaround may appear in the modding community.

Features

Unlike its predecessor, the X-Fi for notebooks does not include the 5.1/7.1 speaker dock. This is unfortunately a separate purchase – undoubtedly a disappointment for those who would like a true surround sound set-up out of the box. The speaker dock is mysteriously not available online or in stores, but will provide true 4.1/5.1/7.1 support. There has been no word on the pricing of this module.

The X-Fi features support for 2.0/2.1 speakers and headphones without need for additional equipment. Included is a pair of headphones with an in-line mic. This is useful for VOIP and online conferencing, but the provided microphone  is not meant for high-fidelity applications.

The optical/line in jack can accept synthesizers, electric guitars, pre-amps, and of course microphones. Creative provides bloatware software, but the audio console is soothing blue. The volume dial is a treat to use – a round dial similar to amplifier volume controls. Creative has a provided soft red light illuminating the line out port for easy jacking in of headphones in the dark.

X-Fi Crystallizer

Is Creative's proprietary 24-bit digital signal processor that acts as a dynamic equalizer, enhancing the low and high ends of the audio spectrum.

CMSS 3D

CMSS is a virtual 3D surround sound effect. It provides a virtual surround sound feel in a dual speaker environment, such as on a 2.1 setup or for headphones.

EAX

EAX takes advantage of in-game effects by utilizing audio presets that simulate the gaming environment. EAX also allows the emulation of certain environments, such as an Opera Hall or Amphitheater. This is most probably achieved through reverb control.

EQ

This is a standard graphical Equalizer, with ten music presets.

The features on the X-Fi Xtreme Audio are software driven.

Sound Quality

Tests were performed using OGG files encoded at 256 kBps.

Music Analysis

Perhaps the most significant improvement is in the bass – which is far more “punchier” as Creative advertises. This aspect is a direct result of the X-Fi crystallizer feature offered in the  Overall, sound is clearer and vibrant when compared to on-board audio. Without the X-Fi DSP processing, the usefulness of the card becomes less on headphones. The software features on the X-Fi tend to color the sound, so critical listeners would choose not to use them.

Home Theater

This unit is great for a watching Hollywood movies, due to the bass boost it provides. Bass is crucial for action-adventure sequences. Along with gaming, it is with movies that a surround sound 5.1/7.1 system is useful. The Creative audio console allows one to adjust the virtual environment of the room. Some options include Theater and Recital Hall. The blue indicator light that shines brightly is a minor annoyance when the room is dark for home theater purposes.

Video Game Performance

The Creative Audigy2 ZS soundcard for PCMCIA touted improved video game performance, while the X-Fi for Expresscard does not. Let's see if any game performance improvements can be seen with the X-Fi by using FRAPS in Vista.

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Frames per Second (FPS)	Creative X-Fi Xtreme	Intel HD Audio
Minimum	9	9
Maximum	34	30
Average	21	19

Tests are the result of an average of three one minute, combined indoor and outdoor frame rates. Oblivon patched to v.1.2.0416 and modded NVIDIA ForceWare 158 drivers on an Asus F3sv-A1 with 2GB of RAM.

These test were certainly surprising. I had previously balked at the idea that on-board sound could actually be detrimental for frame-rates. I was certainly quite wrong. It seems that driving sound is at least processing intensive enough to reduce frame rates, even if minimally so. In the case of Oblivion, using the X-Fi Xtreme Audio could mean gaining a few frames per second for identical gaming conditions.

Ubuntu Linux Test-Run

Ubuntu 7.04 does not recognize the sound card instantly. However, lspci detects the presence of an Unknown Creative Labs device.

The ALSA Project states that the Xtreme Audio is “just a SB Live 24bit with a new name.” This means that using the ALSA drivers for the Audigy 2 or SE should work well for the Xtreme Audio.

System Requirements

• Windows Vista or XP SP2, x64, or MCE
• 512MB of RAM for Vista, 256MB RAM for XP
• 600MB of free space
• Expresscard/54 Slot

Note that Vista is given a cold shoulder from the start – you need more ram, not to mention that it would anyway be appallingly slow to have less than a gig of RAM in Vista. Another nuisance is that the 'driver' is massive – at six-hundred megabytes. Most of this space is taken up by bloatware software that Creative provides. Keep in mind that all Expresscard slots will not work with this unit – you must have the larger, Expresscard/54 port that is sometimes not present on smaller notebooks.

Creative has stated on their support pages that there are compatibility issues with the Fujitsu Lifebook E8210 and Fujitsu Siemens Amilo A1667G notebooks for various unknown reasons.

For those wondering, the 5.1/7.1 cable dock that came with the Audigy 2ZS is not compatible with the X-Fi's docking port.

Conclusion

For those people who really need a surround sound setup, the X-Fi Xtreme audio is a boon and a disappointment at once. While providing support for high end gaming and movie watching, the docking  module is a separate purchase. For those who intend to just use their headphones, the X-Fi will provide only a moderate improvement over built-in sound. The X-Fi is mostly intended for use with a speaker setup. On the whole, however, the benefits of an external sound card are numerous, and this is where the X-Fi Xtreme Audio for notebooks shines.

Pros

• Expands notebook audio support
• Gaming performance improvement

Cons

• Speaker dock sold separately
• Expensive
• Compatibility issues

 

Noice! Though ExpressCard 54 only = :-(

 

you didnt mention very much on the quality of sound other than the bass. how does the sound compare to that of the Audigy 2 ZS??

 

Sweet. Might get one of these. There was one thing in the chart I didn't understan, however. You said that Intel onboard audio doesn't have S/PDIF. I thought it had. Or do you mean vista?

 

Very nice review - glad to see that Creative finally came out with this.

Now, if only they made a PCi-Express version...

 

They have one...

Or was that sarcasm? I suck at understanding written sarcasm.

 

It was probably sarcasm. I just do not know if he was referring to PCI-Express for desktop or notebook.

 

I dont think they have a *Desktop* PCI-Express version of the X-Fi... pretty sure about that.

 

After breaking one part (the headphone connector) of my audigy 2 zs, creative wanted $45 + shipping just to look it at (non-refundable) and then they would determine repair costs from there.

So basically my audigy 2 zs is now sitting in my desk at only 3 months old -.-

Just be wary with Creative you will get zero customer support, they lost my business already I just wanted to let you guys know of my experience with them.

 

Sorry, didn't think that through. The desktop soundcards use PCI, of course.

 

So let me get this straight: This doesn't use Creative's X-Fi processor that they have in the desktop cards? What a bunch of crap then.

 

It still seems better then the onboard, integrated audio. Think of it as a low end GPU compared to a integrated one. While not as good as desktop models, it's better than integrated.

 

Thanks for your comments!

They are pretty much the same, except that this card does a lot more software DSP than the Audigy 2ZS. The fact that the sound quality is really the same is to be expected since the chipset is nearly identical.

What I meant was that I was unable to dig up the statistics for it, whenever you see an N/A.

The X-Fi Xtreme Audio comes with a 1 year limited warranty, just to let you know. I believe the Audigy 2ZS did/does as well.

The chipset on this card is NOT the traditional X-Fi one that you see on desktop PCI cards.

 

If you live in the United States, call Creative's phone number (1-800-998-1000) and tell them you want to buy the module for the X-Fi mobile. It cost me 49 dollars with 2 day shipping, the module itself was something like 37 dollars.

I'm not sure what the deal is if you don't live in the United States, and I'm really confused why they're trying to keep its avilability/price a secret.

 

ARGH! I hate prices of elctronics in sweden. The card itself is about $100 and the module $50, excluding shipping. While technically in line with all computer related pricing, it's still bothers me that it's cheaper elsewhere.

 

limited was more like non-existent -.-

 

could someone explain why this is worth buying if it doesn't even have real X-fi hardware in it?

 

Did you expect it to? Look at the size of a normal desktop soundcard vs. the size of a 54 slot. No room. And like mentioned previously, the sound is better, just not by as much as you would notice going to a desktop version. It's better than integrated, but still low end in the spectrum of stand-alone's.

 

hm, i got pretty good support when advanced mode wasn't working with my laptop. they told me to send it in and gave me a replacement free of charge. i guess the difference is it wasn't 'broken', just wasn't working for my pcmcia port

 

Ok, I've done some research, and the X-Fi Xtreme Audio for Notebook is, from what I can understand, worse than the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCMCIA:

The Audigy is Based on the desktop Audigy 2 ZS, the highest end Audigy 2, and retains nearly all it's features.

The X-fi, like it's desktop brother, X-Fi Xtreme Audio, is based upon Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit. And that one seems to be identical (it uses the same sound chip) with the Soundblaster Audigy SE, a stripped down version of the original Audigy. It's got software based EAX, no advanced resolution DVD-Audio Playback, and no Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital EX 6.1 playback.

The thing that the X-fi's got going for it is the added Sound Improvements inherent in all (present) X-fi models, like the crystalizer and the CMSS-3D. You know, driver improvements.

 

they need to make $30 soundcards for notebooks like they have with the desktops. Even they immensely improve sound quality in music. The bass on my dimension 8200 is better than on my notebook (and the dell doesn't have a soundcard). Just feels like it could be more powerful and more clear.

 

my thinkpad's built in sound pretty good over spdif

 

Something interesting to note:

"The 'dock' for the expresscard, unlike the pcmcia unit, contains actual electronics rather than being just an adapter. All the DAC chips are in it, to make room for the extra hardware in the card itself. Hence, it costs alot more than the old docking cable did, and was not included since it would add to the price of the card for people who are not going to actually use it for analog surround. That is why it costs more and is separate from the unit, rather than coming with it.

-Dale"

http://forums.creative.com/creative...message.id=2998&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

Basically, to get the "full" features of the card, you need the module. I haven't had too much chance to test the differences between having my module plugged in and not, but from what I can tell, there is definetly something going on when you have the two connected (hence the addition of a status light on the module and the soundcard itself).

I just wish the damn connection cable wasn't 2 feet long...

Also, and this really pissed me off, the module uses a new speaker connection format, which deviates from the regular creative one (3-to-4 pin connection cable for 6.1/7.1 systems), and uses the more standard connection found on most Intel HD equipped PCs (4-to-4 pin), and this cable is not included with the module. So if you have a 6.1/7.1 system (for example, a GigaWorks S750), and the original X-Fi ExpressCard, you have to spend an additional $50 some odd dollars on a Speaker Module and a 4-to-4 pin cable.

 

Regarding the speaker module, there is still no word as far as I can tell. Here is an image of how it is supposed to look, scanned from the box.


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Wow, that is quite a steal! I should have done that. Great work.

Yes, the marketing people aren't doing a good job at all.

Exactly, the driver improvements are there, but the Xtreme Audio is still relegated to SB 24bit! status.

 

Yeah, I had to do some serious digging on Creative's forum to even find out about how to purchase the module.

 

does the speaker module give a true line level signal? I'm thinking i may be able to use my headphones amp with it to get better sound than the standard headphones jack on the X-fi?


How powerful is the headphones socket on the x-fi anyway? Better than then onboard I'd hope

 

In dell notebooks you can buy an accessory module for the notebook that provides an rca surround output and component jacks.(i mean it connects to the yellow port on the side of the comp .

What makes this notebook better then that + my onboard card ?

 

i have a x-fi audio notebook myself and want to point a few things out.

Before i bought it, i thought the speaker dock is shipped with it and it advertises with vista support... as you all know no speaker dock and the vista support is a joke (no EAX/Alchemy, no OpenAL, no notebook speaker output).

I would have better choosen a audigy 2 zs i think ... my notebook has both slots. Or nothing instead, as my docking station has a coax sp-dif output.

The only pro i see is the good headphone output quality, probably because of that x-fi crystalizer stuff)

ps: if anyone knows how to get the speaker dock in germany, please pm me.
edit: ah. looks like the european store takes pre-orders for the module. 45 € incl. shipping. the card only costs 65.

 

From where did you got it with that price?

 

Almost all stores sell it for 65-70 €, even Amazon.
see http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a262193.html

 

Do let us know if you find any way to order or pre-order the speaker dock.

Yes, it is arguably better than most on-board audio setups.

The software-driver enhancements, the ability to quickly set-up and effectively drive 5.1/7.1 sound systems (if the dock is available! ) and to shift sound processing away from the mobo and get back a bit of performance in sound intensive applications.

 

Would any of these things (higher fps, improved sound) affect somebody running a usb headset instead of one plugged into the card?

 

Usb headsets usually have their own 'soundcard' devices built into them so they wouldn't work with any other soundcards unless they had some kind of passthrough. I'm not aware of any that have such a passthrough mode. Therefore I would say no since you have to use the usb headphone's usb 'sound card' device as the default sound in order to hear anything through the usb headset.
My altec lansing usb headset has 3.5mm analog pins for mic and headphones that plug into its own usb 'dongle' sound card, so I can unplug the pins and use the headset in any sound device's 3.5mm output if I don't want to use the usb sound device. This makes them an analog headset without the usb module.
There are several high quality headset manufacturers with similar models that can be used both ways. You could also just pick up an analog headset somewhere.

I've been looking at this headset which has both the usb and analog plugs.
http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/akr8/home.aspx

 

Call this number and you can buy the speaker docking module $34. It's creative customer support. 1-800-998-1000

I still cant decide between this or the Audigy 2 NX USB unit....

 

here is the linke for the speaker module, excuse me creative a "surround sound upgrade kit"

Anyone having any good luck with this card, any distortion issues similar to usb sound card (the snap, crackle & pop)

I am thinking about getting this card, the speaker module and use them with the Turtle Beach HPA2 headphones or the Razer set.

Both headphones have a amplifier for each channel and no built in sound card.

 

Very nice review - glad to see that Creative finally came out with this.

Now, if only they made a PCi-Express version...

 

It's probably too late to get a reply, but since there's an optical in port, could I use the device as a passthrough to get 5.1 on my PlayStation2? Provided I have that stupid dock, that is. I need to get rid of my Extigy since it's not supported anymore

 

Can it drive HD595 like Xtreme Music ?
In Xtreme Music, I should set the Bass to 100% and the Bass Boost to 10db/20KHz

I think it's better to buy EMU 0404 USB %-)

 

Please dont revive old threads. Make a new thread to ask your question.

Thx
Kdawgca
NBR Mod