ASUS Releases ROG Xonar Phoebus Gaming Soundcard Set

[Cristian_25H]

Entry by the Republic of Gamers into the dedicated sound product arena brings PC enthusiasts ROG Xonar Phoebus, a high fidelity audio component that directly addresses the needs and concerns of contemporary gamers. The Xonar Phoebus features the exclusive ROG Command technology which reduces up to 50% of ambient noise thus providing authoritative voice quality during online multiplayer gaming sessions. And with its clear 118 dB SNR, and a powerful 600 ohm headphone amplifier, the Xonar Phoebus delivers precise positioning and lifelike immersion audio for a distinctly impactful gaming environment. Its dedicated control box extends convenience and puts more intuitive functions within easy reach for a more ergonomic desktop gaming environment.





Exclusive ROG Command technology for clean, seamless in-game communication

Gamers often face noisy conditions that drown out voices during online multiplayer gaming. This creates lack of clarity and confusion within squads, leading to lower win ratios. Exclusive ROG Command technology offers the world's first design to specifically bring noise cancellation to a gaming soundcard set, as designed by the Xonar team. Intelligent sound detection algorithms and array microphones (two on the dedicated control box) enable up to 50% ambient noise reduction, effectively turning loud locations such as LAN parties into something as quiet as a lab. The technology works equally well whether using an external microphone or the microphones embedded into the ROG Xonar Phoebus control box. Gamers benefit from being able to communicate and coordinate with team members clearly and with greater precision, adding to enjoyment and win ratios.

Finest components and design for superior sound

ROG Xonar Phoebus utilizes a stylish and effective EMI shield and ASUS exclusive Hyper Grounding technology to ensure reduced electromagnetic interference. Based on the experience of Xonar professionals, Hyper Grounding technology brings ASUS motherboard expertise to audio products with a multi-layer PCB that helps block noise from nearby components and the power supply to render more lifelike and extra clear sound. The PCM1796 digital-to-analog converter on ROG Xonar Phoebus delivers clear and crisp 118 dB SNR high fidelity audio. The new soundcard's SNR profile therefore outperforms competing gaming audio products by a factor of four, and onboard audio by an impressive 32 times. It excels in total harmonic distortion (THD) performance, with a miniscule 0.00039% of sound output experiencing distortion.

Power for headphone users

Since many gamers choose headphones to refrain from disturbing others while insisting on the best sound quality and privacy, ROG and Xonar teams integrated the top-flight TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier on ROG Xonar Phoebus, driving up to 600 ohm impedance for genuinely impactful headphone output.

Dedicated control box

Clad in the trademark ROG red and black color scheme, the ROG Xonar Phoebus control box offers gamers improved response and convenience. Connected to the card via the back I/O, the control box can be placed on the desk so it remains within easy reach. Gamers can then adjust volume and mute quickly without bringing up game or operating system menus, or having to hunt around for display remote controls. The control box further offers microphone and headphone connectors, making connections easier.

The latest audio technologies

ROG Xonar Phoebus includes one-click activation of Dolby Home Theater V4, helping enhance audio through complete compatibility with new sound processing technologies. The latest standard offers greatly improved surround, with smart sound enhancement and a more user-friendly approach to high end audio. The exclusive ASUS GX 3.0 game audio engine has also been integrated, offering EAX compatibility to ensure boosted game sound, a wider range of simultaneous sound effects, and overall clearer sonic performance in every PC game.

Product crossover benefits consumers

ROG Xonar Phoebus presents the first soundcard set from ROG, the ASUS division entirely devoted to gaming as a lifestyle and branch of pioneering technology. This launch coincides with ROG's fifth anniversary, and delivers the results of cooperation between ROG gaming philosophy and innovative Xonar PC audio experts. As such, ROG Xonar Phoebus offers gamers enhanced sound custom-tailored to improving in-game experiences.

[FreedomEclipse]

I dont mind Asus's soundcards, Ive owned two and recommended many to friends.

what i do mind however is when they dont bother to support them and release a buggy driver once every bluemoon that leaves us waitin a few million years for the next one thats gonna have some bugs.

thank god for people like Daniel K and the dude at brainbit tweaking drivers for Asus cards,

[Dj-ElectriC]

Brace yourselves, A 6PIN PCIE power connector on a sound card.

[RejZoR]

I used to have Xonar Essence STX and while it had good raw sound quality it was nearly useless for gaming. GX mode was useless at best because i got BSOD's nearly all the time and 3D sound positioning was rubbish. Proper X-Fi soundcard (not Recon3D thingie) still beats anyhting for gaming. Still have the X-Fi Forte and its just superb. I just wish Creative would upgrade old X-Fi technology instead of turning everything into a cheap audio codec on a dedicated board.

[Octopuss]

Originally Posted by FreedomEclipse

I dont mind Asus's soundcards, Ive owned two and recommended many to friends.

what i do mind however is when they dont bother to support them and release a buggy driver once every bluemoon that leaves us waitin a few million years for the next one thats gonna have some bugs.

Have you EVER touched anything Auzentech-related? You would love Asus then


Anyway, I am curious about this. Was about to buy Creative Ti-HD but found out it doesn't have mic boost the last second. That killed it for me. The Forte I currently have is pissing me of big time. I wish I never wasted money on it back in 2008/9.

[ZoneDymo]

Wait so do all soundcard companies have shitty driver support?
Asus, Auzentech, Creative, my gawd :S

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by Octopuss

Have you EVER touched anything Auzentech-related

Nope, the only way to get one in Is if I import one either from Germany or the U.S

[ZentiX]

Hope the pricetag will be nice Have been using Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro since it came out, but want to test someting else. Creative is also lazy on drivers.

[Octopuss]

Originally Posted by FreedomEclipse

Nope, the only way to get one in Is if I import one either from Germany or the U.S

Don't even try then.

Originally Posted by ZoneDymo

Wait so do all soundcard companies have shitty driver support?
Asus, Auzentech, Creative, my gawd :S

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING comes even remotely close to Auzentech. I haven't seen anything SO shitty support-wise. It took them over a year to release a new version of the drivers. It also took them about six months to reply to my fucking support ticket with "your warranty is over, you gotta pay $20", LOL. Of course my card was still under warranty when I submitted it :P
Absolutely fail company. Having good hardware engineers is useless when the rest is shit.


I am curious about comparison of this Asus with Titanium HD. Will be interesting...

[lZKoce]

I like the jokes about the 6 pin connector. They don't get old for me. I know the engineers wanted to prevent the card from drawing power from the MB in order to eliminate the noise from the electricity moving. ( like Gigabyte's "silent" cards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsuYc...rPdk6Zc1QSeSI= ) , but the 6 pin - axaxaxa . Next time 2x8 :P

[avatar_raq]

Does it have a front panel connector?
We need a full review.

Edit: nvm, I saw the connector

[FreedomEclipse]

Heres a little hands on preview of the Phoebus from someone at CES 2012 for whoevers interested

[ZoneDymo]

Originally Posted by Octopuss

Don't even try then.

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING comes even remotely close to Auzentech. I haven't seen anything SO shitty support-wise. It took them over a year to release a new version of the drivers. It also took them about six months to reply to my fucking support ticket with "your warranty is over, you gotta pay $20", LOL. Of course my card was still under warranty when I submitted it :P
Absolutely fail company. Having good hardware engineers is useless when the rest is shit.


I am curious about comparison of this Asus with Titanium HD. Will be interesting...

Well actually.....
I have one that not only comes close but potentially surpasses it.
E-MU
A company that is now part of Creative.
No support whatsoever and there is one driver which supports Windows 7 which is still in beta, this is one driver that game out YEARS ago and that is it.
Meanwhile Im sitting here with a POS soundcard that has all kinds of hardware issues to boot.

[hhumas]

i like creative only

[arterius2]

not sure if all the comments here are just trolls, but to be perfectly honest, ASUS driver support are probably one of the better ones out there. I ve been using asus essence stx, essence one, xonar U3, none of them had any sort of driver issues, ever. if you are having issues you should probably go back and take a look at your settings.

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by arterius2

if you are having issues you should probably go back and take a look at your settings.

I had issues - then i started using 3rd party drivers and the problems went away. my main complaint is their implementation of the DS3D GX engine as I am a gamer. There are loads of games out there that have problems with the DS3DGX engine. some games dont even let you select the EAX option

DS3DGX would make quite a lot of my EAX titles CTD randomly.

however this all went away when i started using brainbit drivers.

Ive also heard complaints about the STX ASIO support. but i dont use ASIO so i cant really comment. but all the writing on the wall is there.

[azzonie]

A sound card with a gimmick attached. How much for the card without the gimmick? I have a box full of gimmick and do not need additional gimmick at this time.

[TheGuruStud]

I still have a PCI xonar D2 with no real issues. Gaming works just fine...

The only bug is that if an app crashes the wrong way the audio goes into a loop.

[sanadanosa]

I'm waiting for DirectCU II version.

[JMccovery]

Originally Posted by sanadanosa

I'm waiting for DirectCU II version.

That would be if it was a plain Xonar, not a 'ROG Xonar'. No, what you are waiting for is the ROG Xonar Phoebus 2 Matrix (with dual 8pin PCI-E connectors); triple slot HSF, and supports ROG Connect.

[sanadanosa]

Originally Posted by JMccovery

That would be if it was a plain Xonar, not a 'ROG Xonar'. No, what you are waiting for is the ROG Xonar Phoebus 2 Matrix (with dual 8pin PCI-E connectors); triple slot HSF, and supports ROG Connect.

Maybe we should wait for Asus ROG Xonar Mars Edition, dual core soundcard, triple slot, dual 120mm fans, triple 8-pin PCI-E connectors

[Octopuss]

Originally Posted by arterius2

not sure if all the comments here are just trolls, but to be perfectly honest, ASUS driver support are probably one of the better ones out there. I ve been using asus essence stx, essence one, xonar U3, none of them had any sort of driver issues, ever. if you are having issues you should probably go back and take a look at your settings.

IMO, as long as drivers are relased at least twice a year (provided there's a reason to do so, of course, like bugfixes or whatever), I don't see a problem.

Originally Posted by FreedomEclipse

I had issues - then i started using 3rd party drivers and the problems went away. my main complaint is their implementation of the DS3D GX engine as I am a gamer. There are loads of games out there that have problems with the DS3DGX engine. some games dont even let you select the EAX option

DS3DGX would make quite a lot of my EAX titles CTD randomly.

however this all went away when i started using brainbit drivers.

Ive also heard complaints about the STX ASIO support. but i dont use ASIO so i cant really comment. but all the writing on the wall is there.

Well, is EAX that needed? I mean, not all games support that, right? Maybe mostly those FPS shooters out there?

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by Octopuss

Well, is EAX that needed? I mean, not all games support that, right? Maybe mostly those FPS shooters out there?

Not really with newer titles since game support for EAX is long gone partly down to Microsoft killing off DirectSound with Vista & W7.

But I still play a few older games which do support EAX that really dont like the DS3D GX at all and even when it does work, it just sounds really off.... Like being able to hear battles that are happening across the map in guild wars before you can even see it.

Older games steam games like:

Killing Floor - results in a lot of audio clipping

CS:S - same problem as guild wars but its an advantage because i can REALLY hear enemys through 5 walls.

TF2 - a few clipping issues but it works well enough.

Call Of Duty 1/CoD:UO - REALLY hates DS3D and i mean REALLY. you fire 1 shot from your rifle and it would just echo and echo and echo till the game crashes with some error about a buffer overflow. the fact that it even lets you select EAX in the options alone is another story. most of the time it wont let you do it.

Another thing i fail to mention is to stop games crashing on me, I had to use a hacked version of creative Alchemy and enable DS3D at the same time. I shouldnt have to do that.

had EAX still been popluar today as it was back in 2000-2004 you can bet that these Xonars would be nowhere to be seen.


I have an Asus soundcard, and while i complain, bitch and seeth through my teeth about it, its just a temporary stop over until i save up enough for an AV reciever

[RejZoR]

For EAX 4.0 HD and EAX 5.0 you still need OpenAL so WinVista/Win7 is irrelevant to this matter.

[grammaton_feather]

Originally Posted by FreedomEclipse

Nope, the only way to get one in Is if I import one either from Germany or the U.S

I have Auzentech X-Meridian 2g. Best soundcard I have ever owned. No bloated drivers, no BSODS when I change sound mode (there is no changing sound mode). The soundcard just works and u can upgrade the 4 x opamps.

I live in the UK.

My previous soundcard was XFI Titanium and it was the worst soundcard I ever owned.