USB Sound Card: X-Fi Go! Pro vs Steelseries Siberia

Hello,
I'm looking to get a decent sound card for my Alienware M11x to use with a good pair of headphones. I haven't decided what headphones I want yet. I'm looking for something in the $200 range, but still want it to be portable and not break in transit. A headset could work too, but there's an onboard mic so I'm not too worried about it. I'm planning to use it mostly for gaming and also movies (music I can leave to my mp3 player, although it would be nice to use the good pair of headphones for this too). I'd rather have something optimized for better quality for everything rather than something like gaming headsets optimized for FPS sounds.

I've narrowed the two cards down to Creative USB Sound Card: X-Fi Go! Pro or Steelseries Siberia. I plan to just get stereo headphones so i don't really need 5.1 or 7.1 support. The M11x cpu isn't powerful as is, so a sound card that uses the least cpu would be ideal. Any information/feedback would be appreciated.

edit: wanted to also note, I travel a lot, so things that are easy to travel with are always preferred. Like I see so many nice headphones/headsets, but I'd be scared for them to not be solid enough and break in transit.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

If your spending $200 on headphones, then spend $100 on a DAC

 

Between those two, I would recommend the Sound Blaster X-Fi Go card.

The reason is because Creative Labs does the best job with virtual surround sound, using what they call X-Fi CMSS3D Headphone Mode. It takes a 5.1 source audio signal, calculates the delays / echos that your two ears SHOULD hear in a true surround sound speaker setup, and pumps that calculated signal into 2.0 stereo headphones. There are a lot of different companies using different algorithms and implementations of this concept (virtual surround downmixing 5.1 --> 2.0). But Creative Labs does it the best, based on the products that I've tried.

If you are looking for highly portable headphones, I would recommend going with canalphones. There are a lot of different options out there. But my personal choice for bang-for-your-buck is a pair of Klipsch Image S4 headphones for about $50 used. Incredible performance for the price you pay.

As for CPU utilization... don't worry about it. Today's multicore CPUs are so powerful that handling the traffic over a USB interface is negligible (less than 1% CPU utilization). On top of that, just about every game you play will not be dependent on the CPU, so your gaming framerates will not be affected by any USB device you use.

 

Thanks for your responses.

I was under the impression that a sound card would be better for gaming than a DAC, but a DAC would be better for music.

The Creative does sound like the better option. I was kind of hoping to get noncanalphones just because I figured the over the ear ones would sound better. If I could find a could pair that fold up, I'd be content.

 

This is correct. A DAC will have advantages when it comes to pure sound quality, which is why audiophiles and audio purists like them.

A sound card will have advantages when it comes to audio processing features (like that 5.1 --> 2.0 surround down-mixing capability I mentioned), which would benefit gamers.

I can't help you much here, with full-size headphones that fold up.

I can say, that if you are willing to go with headphones that do not fold up, you couldn't go wrong with Audio Technica ATH-A700. Costs around $120 new, gives an amazing price-to-performance ratio, and does not require a lot of power / amplification to drive sound.

 

The games engine itself will process 3D sound, no need to have it done via hardware on a soundcard.

I have not found a game yet that I cant have positional sound with a regular 2 speaker set of headphones using a DAC.

I have a pair of 7.1 headphones that I have used all of 1 hour before I decided to go back to 2.0

Audio quality matters in all situations and IMO when I saw your spending $200 that was an immediate prompt that your going for quality.

Else just get some surround usb headphones, they use there own DSP and soundcard.

 

There is a difference between being able to generate a 5.1 source audio signal, and being able to properly downmix that into 2.0 channel audio.

Any sound coming from a true surround 5.1 speaker setup will reach one ear slightly before it reaches the other. There will also be subtle audio queues, like echo and sound reflections off of the shape of your ear lobes. The human brain interprets these slight differences in timing + echo, and reconstructs all of that information into directional sound. This is called head-related transfer function. With 2.0 headphones, sound is played almost directly into your ear. Because of that, the human brain does not have the advantage of timing + echo that it would have with a true 5.1 surround speaker setup.

5.1 --> 2.0 Surround downmixing takes a 5.1 source audio signal, calculates the timing + echo that the human brain *should* hear in a true 5.1 surround speaker setup, and inserts that calculated timing + echo into the audio stream. The end result is that you get a surround effect, even when you are outputting to 2.0 stereo headphones.

Most game engines will just take whatever speaker configuration you have set in Windows Sound Settings (mono, stereo, quadrophonic, 5.1, 7.1, etc) and just use that. Just about every game engine can:
* (1.0 --> 1.0) Generate a mono source audio signal, and output a mono output signal.
* (2.0 --> 2.0) Generate a 2.0 source audio signal, and output to 2.0 stereo speakers / headphones.
* (4.0 --> 4.0) Generate a 4-channel audio signal, and output to 4-channel speakers.
* (5.1 --> 5.1) Generate a 5.1 source audio signal, and output it to a 5.1 speaker system
* (7.1 --> 7.1) Generate a 5.1 source audio signal, and output it to a 5.1 speaker system

The ability to perform 5.1 --> 2.0 surround downmixing actually is not commonly built in to game engines, because the digital sound processing algorithms used for this kind of sound processing usually needs to be licensed from a 3rd party company that focuses on this kind of audio technology (Dolby Labs, SRS Labs, Arkamys, etc). The added cost of this licensing means that most games do not include it in their own game engines.

The one notable exception that comes to mind is the Valve Source engine. That is one of the few game engines that does this 5.1 --> 2.0 downmixing natively (which they call "Headphone Mode" in their audio settings).

Well, there are good implementations of surround downmixing, and there are bad ones.

I've tried Dolby Headphone implementations in the Turtle Beach EarForce products, in the Astro MixAmp products, Pioneer Audio's implementation, and Creative Labs' implementation in their X-Fi CMSS3D Headphone mode. Out of all of these, I liked the Creative Labs X-Fi CMSS3D implementation the best. All of the other implementations I've tried make the sound seem very hollow and distant. Creative Labs' implementation makes the sound rich, vibrant, full, and impactful.

That is why I believe that the best combination for gamers looking for headphone-based surround sound is a Creative Labs X-Fi sound card, and a good pair of 2.0 stereo headphones with high clarity and detail. In a game like Left 4 Dead, having those audio cues lets you determine that there is a:

a) Boomer;
b) At your 2 o'clock;
c) Hiding behind a wall;
d) Above you.

You get so much information from the audio, that you might as well be wallhacking.

 

Um, I have the X-Fi 5.1 and a FiiO E7 which I use as a DAC. I use the HiFiMan RE-ZERO and the AiAiAi TMA-1.

I have yet to find a situation where the X-Fi sound superior to the E7. If anything, the X-Fi makes things sound pretty unnatural, if you're using the sound enhancers in the Creative Console.

 

I also have a Creative X-Fi the full blown high end desktop version and even in games like BFBC2 or BF2 that were almost made to work with 3DCMSS I would prefer my DACs.

Plus the DAC is good for EVERYTHING ELSE as well, while the 3DCMSS is pretty much limited to games.

I dont even have my XFI installed anymore now that I have my NuForce HDP

As for downmix I have the Logitech G930 pretty sure they are supposed to be one of the best, and to me they are crap. Give me my real headphones and a DAC please.

 

I have the USB Sound Card: X-Fi Go! Pro and haven't regretted it at all!! This thing's performance is OUTSTANDING! At first I couldn't believe that much performance was coming out that little piece of equipment! I have mine on an HP desktop and am loving it!!
If all goes well, you'll love it too.

Sly

 

Wow that was not helpful at all. At least explain exactly why you like it. I've used the Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro and it does not deliver sound nearly as good as even my cheaper Fiio E5, IMO barely better than integrated audio, especially on my Alessandro MS-1 headphones. In general, Creative has had a poor history of making "good" sound cards, suffering many issues such as poor driver development and using subpar audio components. Only with its recent X-Fi HD technology and use of better components, have I heard good reviews. Not sure what technology is in the X-Fi Go! Pro but I can't imagine it having better sound than any DAC at the same price point.

 

Assuming a good set of cans, how would the little USB Asus Xonar U1 (Supports Dolby Digital Live and Dolby Headphones) and the TOSLink Astro MixAmp (Supports Dolby Digital Live and Dolby Headphones) compare with the USB X-Fi HD (CMSS3D Headphone Mode) for positional accuracy in both:

1. modern games and
2. Blu-ray videos

Thanks!

 

What cans are you talking about?

Regardless, the Xonar is going to win easily. I've always found the X-Fi sound enhancements to be unnatural.

 

I am going to compare the X-Fi HD and the X-Fi 5.1 Pro tomorrow when I get the 5.1 in hand, but it sounds like what you say the 5.1 Pro isn't going to cut out to be better than the HD. Most likely I am going to say the HD out of the three X-Fi offerings to be the only one that is good to be a good sound card.

I think the X-Fi Go is all in all seriousness is a chip that does software emulation of the things that actual X-Fi chips operate on the hardware level. The X-Fi HD though is a true (but mid-end) DAC that has above acceptable DAC-level hardware to render hardware X-Fi and such.

According to some reviews from Hi-Fi and [H]ardOCP, the X-Fi is pretty good for the money and it is more versatile in input features as a DAC than the other two you talked about. It also has a studio input jack for serious studio cans like the 280 Pro and the M50. It is not a bad choice for $82 USD.

Not sure mate, I got the X-Fi HD and so far it is really good for the money on generic Windows 7 drivers. The Xonar (I checked) looks like it is like the X-Fi Go, an emulator. It is too small to deliver DAC power. The X-Fi he is referring to (the HD) is considered a mid-end DAC with a serious sound card board inside.

EDIT: Unless he is meaning the X-Fi Go! Pro or HD (the flash drive one) then I guess the Xonar U1 wins. However, if he is talking about the actual X-Fi USB HD, than none of the three he mentions is good against it.

 

Yeah, i guess I'm in need of clarification, as to which devices we're comparing. I'm only speaking as an owner of the X-Fi GO and the X-Fi 5.1 products.

All of that said, I'll recommend the new FiiO E10 over all of the devices mentioned in this topic. At $80, it's already reviewed as blowing away the FiiO E7, and in areas it even competes evenly with the E7 + E9 combo.

 

Yes I will agree with you the FiiO's are better than any Creative X-Fi product. However to make it work as a desktop sound card setup, you will be seeing over $150 USD to make it work with your cans, speakers and microphone all in one connection. The X-Fi HD can do all that without any additional hardware, albeit it is not going to be as good as the FiiO (which I have experienced with the E7 in particular).

 

If you are using it for gaming, make sure it doesn't suffer from the Lag issues described here which are apparent for the X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro

 

I've never had any lag issues with mine, but that's definitely something I'll keep in mind when recommending it.

 

I would absolutely NOT get the Steel Series Siberia. I bought it for the same reason you are considering it and it was terrible. Steel Series headphones are decent but the sound card is total junk. Creative's CMSS 3D is much better than Steel Series version of it. The best virtual surround software is Dolby Headphone, the Logitech G35, Gamcom 777, and the Corsair headset use it.

I use ATH-AD700 headphones and when I have the cash to spare I will probably get a DAC like Vicious talks about all the time (his persistent posts have sold me over many months).

 

that E10 looks awesome and under $80 via pre-order at mp4nation.

 

Yeah it is totally not bad for the price. I still like my Creative X-Fi HD though...

 

I will be receiving an E10 in the next couple of days. Micca Store has them and is shipping the same day you order, while mp4 under ordered and won't have new stock until November.

 

I searched about this thing from Sound card to DAC/AMP and the result was DAC > Sound card. It can handle most of the things regarding musics and games. You can even check the price some DACs will be $99 - $xxx but you won't regret it. And if you are going to use it with your new headphone I suggest get the DAC it will make your sound more crisp and clear

( I didn't read the whole thread )

 

I just got the Xonar U3 and love it. This little USB dongle gives true Dolby Headphone and a decent DAC and Head Amp. I have Senn 598s on backorder.
Really this USB card with even cheap headphone with a big soundstage should blow away any headset for games, movies, or even music in HF mode.

 

Any suggestions for Steel Series 7H? Are there any synergistic combos for this headphone? I bought this especially without their proprietary sound card, because I know there are better options than the USB sound card offered by Steel Series.