Creative Announces Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD and USB Sound Blaster X-Fi HD Audio

[btarunr]

Creative Technology Ltd. today announced the PCI-E Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD and USB Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD, setting the gold standard for PC audio with the first discrete audio card and USB digital audio system to include THX TruStudio PC audio technology.

"The Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD and Sound Blaster X-Fi HD provide the highest quality audio playback of any sound products we have ever introduced, over a period of time where we have sold more than 400 million Sound Blaster cards," said Steve Erickson, Vice President and General Manager of Audio and Video at Creative. "We are thrilled to announce that our newest additions to the Sound Blaster line include THX TruStudio PC audio technology, bringing together two of the most respected names in sound quality to provide an unparalleled audio experience on the PC."



Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD is powered by the second-generation Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor for PCI Express slots. The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD combines captivating industrial design with audiophile grade Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) and components to produce a 122dB signal-to-noise ratio, the highest SNR ever produced by a Creative sound card. A replaceable Op-amp is also a distinguishing feature allowing users to customise audio output with colouration that is refined to their personal tastes.

Additional product specifications include:

• RCA Line Out for audio playback up to 122dB, 24-bit/96kHz Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC)
• RCA Line Input for recording up to 118dB, 24-bit 96kHZ Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC)
• 0.001% Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N)
• Headphone output for audio listening up to 115dB 33 Ohms, and 117dB, 330 Ohms, at 24bit/96kHz
• Replaceable Op-amps
• Hardware-accelerated 3D positional audio and EAX 5.0 effects that provide a truly immersive experience with headphones and speakers
• Dolby Digital and DTS encoding enables one-step single-cable connection to home entertainment systems
• TOS-link optical-in/out
• 1/8" microphone-in
• 1/8" headphone jack
• Creative ALchemy to restore EAX and surround sound that is otherwise lost in DirectSound game titles running under Windows Vista and Windows 7
• ASIO recording support with latency as low as one millisecond with minimal CPU load
• Works with Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD
Designed as a high definition USB audio solution for notebooks and desktops, the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB digital audio system features audiophile-grade recording and playback. It is the only USB digital audio system that includes an analogue phono input, as well as standard audio inputs, enabling users to effortlessly convert analogue audio from their record albums or cassette tapes into MP3, AAC, FLAC and other digital formats. The systems comes with Media Toolbox, a comprehensive software package, including an advanced noise reduction programme that easily remove unwanted clicks, crackles, hums, pops, rumble and other sound imperfections from the tracks after they have been recorded, substantially improving the audio quality for playback.

The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB digital audio system also features THX TruStudio PC, bringing the same great audio experience found in live performances, films, and recording studios to laptop and desktop PCs.

Additional product specifications include:

• RCA Line Out for audio playback up to 114dB, 24-bit/96kHz Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC)
• RCA/Phono Line Input for recording up to 108dB, 24-bit 96kHZ Analog-to-Digital Converters
• TOS-link optical-in/out
• Gold-plated 1/4" microphone-in
• Gold-plated 1/4" headphone jack
• USB-bus powered, no external power supply required
• Creative ALchemy to restore EAX and surround sound that is otherwise lost in DirectSound game titles running under Windows Vista and Windows 7
• Works with Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems

THX TruStudio PC
THX TruStudio PC is specially designed to bring the same great audio experience found in live performances, films, and recording studios to the PC. THX TruStudio PC provides groundbreaking PC audio technologies, the result of collaborative research and development from Creative and THX. Together, these technologies deliver the fullest audio experience for music, movies and games, while remaining true to the source and intention of the artistes who created it. THX TruStudio PC includes:

THX TruStudio PC Surround
THX TruStudio PC Surround provides immersion control to enhance the natural sense of audio depth and spaciousness by creating virtual surround sound channels. Stereo content or multichannel content played over stereo speakers and headphones will sound as if it is coming from all sides while voices remain centred in front and original balance and timbre is preserved.

THX TruStudio PC Crystalizer
THX TruStudio PC Crystalizer restores the natural dynamic range that is lost when iTunes and MP3 music get compressed. This makes the music sound as good as the artiste originally intended, and adds an enhanced level of realism for movies and games.

THX TruStudio PC Speaker
THX TruStudio PC Speaker fills in the missing low frequency tones and gives the extra impact for a better entertainment experience. Consumers no longer have to tolerate lack of bass in speakers built into notebook PCs, 2.0 speakers or headphones, as THX TruStudio PC Speaker technology dramatically improves the sound experience without a subwoofer.

THX TruStudio PC Dialog Plus
THX TruStudio PC Dialog Plus enhances the voices in movies for clearer dialogue, allowing the listener to hear the dialogue over the rest of the soundtrack and over ambient noise in the listening environment.

THX TruStudio PC Smart Volume
THX TruStudio PC Smart Volume addresses the problem of abrupt volume level changes during playback and between songs by automatically and continuously measuring volume, and intelligently applying gain and attenuation to compensate for those changes.

Pricing and Availability
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD and Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD will be available at The CREATIVE Stores at International Business Park and Marina Square, the online store at sg.store.creative.com and authorised dealers in Singapore from March 2010 onwards at the suggested retail prices of S$299.00 and S$149.00 respectively.

[jasper1605]

yay for good sound. I wonder how my p7p55d deluxe onboard compares against the titanium? I think it does a pretty darn good job and I for sure have the speakers to test it lol

[btarunr]

Those are Singapore Dollars (SGD). USD prices are $199.99, and $99.99, respectively.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by jasper1605

yay for good sound. I wonder how my p7p55d deluxe onboard compares against the titanium? I think it does a pretty darn good job and I for sure have the speakers to test it lol

Quite simply, it doesn't.

[happita]

Curious to see more benchmarks from sound cards, you don't see too often the sound cards or other unpopular parts of the computer besides the CPU, graphics card, motherboard, and memory. But then again visual is always the more easily stimulated sense vs hearing. I wonder since EAX is no longer going to be used in future games, what are they going to market now to appeal their image to the sheep? baaaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa joking

Drivers were always rumored to be horrible on Creative's X-Fi line. Not to mention one of my sound cards would once in a while emit a crazy sound that forced me to turn down my speaker volume, but I switched it out and now no more problems but we'll see.

[Meizuman]

It's just plain sad that the majority are sticking with their on-board noise producers...
And there isn't much competition on the sound card front.

Those THX "technologies" are just pure marketing.

PC Surround? Multiple channels mixed in two channels with some added delay and weird echo, WOO look at me I got surround sound! NOT

PC Speaker? Bass without a subwoofer? Some virtual bass enhancement gimmick that distorts
the lower frequencies so some cardboard-eared vice guy can brag about his tremendous bass output

PC Crystalizer? YAY for the loudness! Add some bass and treble to give the false feeling that it sounds better! Everyone falls for that...
Maybe it even smooths some distortion (and flattens the dynamics)

PC Dialog Plus? OOH, lets boost some mid freqs and call it a day

PC Smart Volume? Hey, this actually sounds good... If you're player software doesn't already have replay gain


Oh please, just give me a flat frequency response curve and DECENT EQ, parametric one.
And maybe an option to switch on compression to lower dynamics for night time, adjustable that is.

[Animalpak]

Very nice design too.

I prefer Xonar.

[Meizuman]

^ Its sad that I prefer the things that don't and won't exist. Damn I'm too demanding...

[freaksavior]

They needed HDMI out also for bitstreaming hd audio

[pr0n Inspector]

LOL @ Creative trying to be Auzentech.

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by pr0n Inspector

LOL @ Creative trying to be Auzentech.

Creative supplies audio processors to Auzentech, you knowv

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auzentech

[Frick]

Originally Posted by Meizuman

It's just plain sad that the majority are sticking with their on-board noise producers...
And there isn't much competition on the sound card front.

Totally do not agree. If you're not into sound, that is quite enough. Most people will only yawn if you show them you're way cool Linn speakers and whatever soundcard makes them justice. They might notice if you play some songs, but they still don't care. Onboard Realtech is more than enough for your avarage joe.

I'm a bit of musician, so I can notice, but I still don't care. If I ever get me those awesome spekers I want (but will never buy, I rather buy a decent amp or a new bass or something) I might look into something more, but I'm fine with my onboard.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by Frick

Totally do not agree. If you're not into sound, that is quite enough. Most people will only yawn if you show them you're way cool Linn speakers and whatever soundcard makes them justice. They might notice if you play some songs, but they still don't care. Onboard Realtech is more than enough for your avarage joe.

I'm a bit of musician, so I can notice, but I still don't care. If I ever get me those awesome spekers I want (but will never buy, I rather buy a decent amp or a new bass or something) I might look into something more, but I'm fine with my onboard.

It doesn't take an uber set of speakers to hear the difference. Any half decent set of headphones can take advantage of a sound card, and show the shortcomings of on-board sound. You can spend as little as $40 on headphones that make it obvious.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by Wile E

It doesn't take an uber set of speakers to hear the difference. Any half decent set of headphones can take advantage of a sound card, and show the shortcomings of on-board sound. You can spend as little as $40 on headphones that make it obvious.

Maybe so, but I still maintain onboard sound is enough.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by Frick

Maybe so, but I still maintain onboard sound is enough.

Yeah, but then again, most people think 128Kb/s MP3's sound fine.

[pr0n Inspector]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Creative supplies audio processors to Auzentech, you knowv

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auzentech

Oh wow I didn't know that!

And do you know why many people prefer Auzentech over Creative? Because their cards have Creative chips AND good analog output AND tweaked, less shitty Creative drivers.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by pr0n Inspector

Oh wow I didn't know that!

And do you know why many people prefer Auzentech over Creative? Because their cards have Creative chips AND good analog output AND tweaked, less shitty Creative drivers.

I actually have to agree there. Tried a X-Fi Titanium, but the Forte is leagues better.

[pr0n Inspector]

Originally Posted by Wile E

Yeah, but then again, most people think 128Kb/s MP3's sound fine.

I tried my HD555 and DT990 on ALC889, it's not THAT bad. Yes there is an obvious difference between onboard and my Essence ST but it's mostly due to the lack of power. I didn't notice any obvious noise. I don't see how average people would be horrified by the difference.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by pr0n Inspector

I tried my HD555 and DT990 on ALC889, it's not THAT bad. Yes there is an obvious difference between onboard and my Essence ST but it's mostly due to the lack of power. I didn't notice any obvious noise. I don't see how average people would be horrified by the difference.

Average people generally don't look into buying sound cards either.

And I have a headphone amp, so power isn't an issue. On board just can't do good recordings any justice. Even my Audigy 2 ZS sounds better.

[tonyd223]

I have an X-Fi XtremeMusic I don't use anymore - I know the sound quality is far better than my on-board; I just got annoyed with

1. the cost of a cable to connect to my front panel audio
2. not working with ubuntu
3. not of any use on my media pc (which has an Audigy in it anyway) as I use the HD4550 HDMI audio to the TV (this will change when I get a receiver sorted)
4. blocking my video card air intake on my motherboard (TA790GX 128M - if you have one you'll know the gfx card needs to go in the lower slot leaving only one PCI slot available and too close...)

So it's sat on my shelf until I decide to put in in again, and try and make up my own cable... anyone got a cable they're not using?

[Initialised]

Originally Posted by btarunr

Those are Singapore Dollars (SGD). USD prices are $199.99, and $99.99, respectively.

$99 USD (£66)? Seriously? The Vanilla Titanium is £90 here.

[H82LUZ73]

Why no one has said this so here it goes

WHO CARES!!!

I hate Creative bad drivers and bad all around support,Why have this when there is far better sound cards on the market

1,ASUS Xonar 1.3HDMI
2,Forte
3,The Vanilla Xonar
4,Christ the built in sound on most ATI cards will sound better..

This is just my opinion.

[EarlZ]

They renamed all the "features" with THX on it [laugh]

[Tannhäuser]

Originally Posted by Meizuman

It's just plain sad that the majority are sticking with their on-board noise producers...
And there isn't much competition on the sound card front.

Those THX "technologies" are just pure marketing.

So, Meizuman, what else do you recommend then? What kind of soundcard do you have in use?

BTW: There are some benchmarks, showing that a PCI-Soundcard reduces the involved work of the CPU for soundprocessing up to 3%. In comparism with Onboard-Soundchips ...

[Zubasa]

Originally Posted by Tannhäuser

So, Meizuman, what else do you recommend then? What kind of soundcard do you have in use?

BTW: There are some benchmarks, showing that a PCI-Soundcard reduces the involved work of the CPU for soundprocessing up to 3%. In comparism with Onboard-Soundchips...

That is 3% on a P4/PD system