Creative Announces Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 Card

[Uskompuf]

Creative Technology today announced the release of Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2, the latest addition to its well-established series of Sound Blaster sound cards. A compelling facelift over its predecessor Sound Blaster Audigy Fx, which was already a bestseller in its own right, this sound card features improvements in audio quality (including an upgrade option via a daughter board) and the versatile SmartComms Kit for seamless online calls. The Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 is quite simply the choice pick amongst cost-effective audio upgrade options for PCs.

The Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 is powered by the heralded Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine technology that delivers high-quality, 5.1 cinematic surround sound, 24Bit 192khz high-resolution audio. Coupled with its high-fidelity DAC which is capable of up to 120dB dynamic range, this sound card offers pure ear candy for users looking to improve their motherboard audio for movies, gaming and music. Scout Mode, a Sound Blaster staple, enhances in-game audio cues so that users get a 'ear-start' in nailing down opponent locations while in battle.





This sound card supports 5.1 discrete channels on speakers, as well as 5.1 virtual surround on headphones (up to 600 Ω). For users who want even more, the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 DBPro daughter board is available separately as an upgrade option - users get to enjoy full 7.1 surround sound, DSD256 high-quality playback and an optical-out port for even more connectivity.

With a half-height and compact form factor, the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 is 16% smaller than the preceding model. It also comes with interchangeable full-height and half-height brackets in the box; making it easier than ever to fit a sound card into a PC.

The Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 performs beyond a typical sound card; the SmartComms Kit is a suite of smart communication features to help simplify the way users communicate during conference calls and online chats. With features such as VoiceDetect, NoiseClean-in, and NoiseClean-out, users can skip the unnecessary fiddling of microphone controls and ensure constant clarity while talking to others without the disturbance of annoying background noises.

Pricing and Availability

Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 is priced at S$79; Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 DBPro is priced at S$25. Both are available at Creative.com.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[kiddagoat]

I spy a Realtek chip on that board. This might not be an in-house design. Just modified from an existing Realtek IC.

Kinda sad to see from Creative. I love my AE-5. Though my Nu Audio Pro is working wonders at the moment.

 

[eidairaman1]

Akin to a SB PCI 512 (Budget LIVE!)?

 

[TheLostSwede]

I spy a Realtek chip on that board. This might not be an in-house design. Just modified from an existing Realtek IC.

Kinda sad to see from Creative. I love my AE-5. Though my Nu Audio Pro is working wonders at the moment.

It clearly has a Creative chip as well, but still, very odd to see a Realtek chip on a Creative card.

Looks like it's an ALC1220, so quite an old chip. The other chip is even older and just Creative's bog standard PCIe audio controller chip.

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX V2 & DBPRO Review - Page 3

There are many great audio solutions on the market these days, and actually, many modern motherboards have extremely competent solutions built into them. For most people…

www.eteknix.com

Not quite sure how this would be an upgrade over most onboard audio these days though, unless you got a cheaper board that had something like an ALC888 or something similar.

 

[Chaitanya]

It clearly has a Creative chip as well, but still, very odd to see a Realtek chip on a Creative card.

Looks like it's an ALC1220, so quite an old chip. The other chip is even older and just Creative's bog standard PCIe audio controller chip.

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX V2 & DBPRO Review - Page 3

There are many great audio solutions on the market these days, and actually, many modern motherboards have extremely competent solutions built into them. For most people…

www.eteknix.com

Not quite sure how this would be an upgrade over most onboard audio these days though, unless you got a cheaper board that had something like an ALC888 or something similar.

It's possible Creative being a small customer is unable to get access to fabs and they decided to get what's readily available. Also it might also mean less driver programing for their driver team.

 

[OneMoar]

how is this odd creative has been rebadging realtek chips since DirectSound Died and rendered EAX defunct
Also a entire daughter board for two one 3.5MM and a optial Out
JUST WHY JUST WHY

somebody needs to inform creative the sound cards of this low caliber are irrelevant in this market and have been for years

 

[TheLostSwede]

It's possible Creative being a small customer is unable to get access to fabs and they decided to get what's readily available. Also it might also mean less driver programing for their driver team.

I think Creative, being a Singaporean company, is making their chips in Singapore and have contracts with chip makers in Singapore, so that's unlikely to be the issue.
I would think it's more about saving cost so they can charge you $60 for onboard audio with slightly better DACs. (article currency is singdollars)

how is this odd creative has been rebadging realtek chips since DirectSound Died and rendered EAX defunct
Also a entire daughter board for two one 3.5MM and a optial Out
JUST WHY JUST WHY

somebody needs to inform creative the sound cards of this low caliber are irrelevant in this market and have been for years

But it does DSD output if you get the daughter card...

 

[Ferrum Master]

Judging from PCB design language it is indeed an inhouse Creative product.

They made one of few Realtek assets they have irrelevant ie putting a PCIE HDA bridge creates latency unlike connecting directly to the south bridge.

I really don't know why this product even exists in such configuration. They should have put at least some DAC's at the front and proper headphone amp section... at least something... but this? Don't know. It almost feels like put together from scrap parts they had in shed for peanuts.

 

[TheDeeGee]

The only replacement for my ZXR would be the AE-9, but that thing requires the ACM on your desk as it has no headphone jack on the card itself, not a fan of extra desk clutter.

 

[R-T-B]

Yeah, this confuses me on so many levels...

 

[FreedomEclipse]

What even is the point of this soundcard?

Hardware acceleration/directsound has long been dead and most motherboards can come with pretty decent audio onboard depending on the budget.

Also if youre looking for an audio card for a HTPC then surely the optical out should have been on the main card rather than a daughter board?

Hopefully @W1zzard can get both these in for review so we can dunk on them?

 

[las]

What even is the point of this soundcard?

Hardware acceleration/directsound has long been dead and most motherboards can come with pretty decent audio onboard depending on the budget.

Also if youre looking for an audio card for a HTPC then surely the optical out should have been on the main card rather than a daughter board?

Hopefully @W1zzard can get both these in for review so we can dunk on them?

Most onboard solutions are still trash on low to mid-end boards. Atleast if you use quality headphones.

 

[W1zzard]

Hopefully @W1zzard can get both these in for review so we can dunk on them?

Not something I know how to review. @Inle?

 

[tehehe]

Most onboard solutions are still trash on low to mid-end boards. Atleast if you use quality headphones.

They are good enough. I doubt you would hear any difference between onboard soundcard and anything more expensive in level-matched blind test.

 

[Inle]

Not something I know how to review. @Inle?

 

[las]

They are good enough. I doubt you would hear any difference between onboard soundcard and anything more expensive in level-matched blind test.

I easily can. Tested and tried several boards, mid to high-end vs dedicated sound cards and DAC's. It's pretty much day and night using quality headphones.

Most people that settle with onboard sound (and lack of features) are almost always using cheap headphones. They sound like trash regardless.

 

[Chaitanya]

Most onboard solutions are still trash on low to mid-end boards. Atleast if you use quality headphones.

Also there is a chance of onboard sound cards(even on high end boards) picking up interference from other devices plugged into motherboard directly. Most notorious being graphics cards causing hissing to audio output.

 

[las]

Also there is a chance of onboard sound cards(even on high end boards) picking up interference from other devices plugged into motherboard directly. Most notorious being graphics cards causing hissing to audio output.

That is 100% true, however some boards has more than others. Typically cheaper boards have alot of interference. When you move the mouse, it will even sometimes affect the audio. This happends alot on laptops for example.

 

[TheDeeGee]

Most people that settle with onboard sound (and lack of features) are almost always using cheap headphones. They sound like trash regardless.

Man, i tried the onboard on my Z590 Steel Legend the other day, just to see how things had improved. It sounded like time stood still to be honest, it sounded so shallow and flat, not even tweaking EQ could make it sound anywhere near my dedicated soundcard.

My Sound Blaster ZXR will last me another 10 years no doubt, was well worth the investment as well. I payed 175 Euros for it in 2013, while MSRP was 250, it was a complete steal.

 

[las]

Man, i tried the onboard on my Z590 Steel Legend the other day, just to see how things had improved. It sounded like time stood still to be honest, it sounded so shallow and flat, not even tweaking EQ could make it sound anywhere near my dedicated soundcard.

My Sound Blaster ZXR will last me another 10 years no doubt, was well worth the investment as well. I payed 175 Euros for it in 2013, while MSRP was 250, it was a complete steal.

Shallow and flat can easily describe most onboard solutions! Especially if you have heard the same headphones using a higher end dedicated sound card or DAC before.

Even a REALLY OLD sound card will destroy most onboard solutions, if not all.

 

[droopyRO]

Shallow and flat can easily describe most onboard solutions! Especially if you have heard the same headphones using a higher end dedicated sound card or DAC before.

Even a REALLY OLD sound card will destroy most onboard solutions, if not all.

What about desktop speakers, like Edifier R1700, would a dedicated soundcard make a difference ?

 

[Skylinestar]

Phono jacks as input? Is this the quality from the marketing team?

Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 DBPro

Enjoy next-level audio sensation with the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 DBPro. It is an optional daughterboard expansion card with DSD256 playback, 7.1 surround sound, and optical-out port.

en.creative.com

 

[INSTG8R]

Phono jacks as input? Is this the quality from the marketing team?

Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 DBPro

Enjoy next-level audio sensation with the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx V2 DBPro. It is an optional daughterboard expansion card with DSD256 playback, 7.1 surround sound, and optical-out port.

en.creative.com

View attachment 219832

Do you know of another way to plug in analogue speakers?….

 

[Prima.Vera]

But what's the point of this card?? Especially to that ridiculous price

 

[HammerOn1024]

I wish they had just made a -B model with the daughter card on the main board and two additional ports on the header.