Page 11 - Audio and DVD
Subjective Critical Listening
I played a selection of MP3s and high-resolution wave files, A-B comparing between the X-Fi Prelude and X-Meridian. Some limited testing was done with an X-Fi XtremeMusic. A pair of Grado SR-125 headphones were used as the reference output device. The verdict is that the X-Fi Prelude produces very clean and detailed sound, with a laid back sound stage. The X-Fi in this regard sounds a bit harsh, especially in the upper frequencies. However, compared to the X-Meridian, the X-Fi Prelude comes up just a little bit short.
I realize that most people are not concerned how a sound card sounds. With the rise of the iPod and all this mobile audio, the desire for neutral and dynamic music just isnt that much of a concern. It is my opinion that music is not just played on crap music players, it is also being re-masterd and produced to be played on crap music players. Furthermore, we now have a generation of tin-eared kids, if not partially deaf, emotionally disconnected to the music theyre listening to. Louder is not better, my friends. Louder is making you deaf!
So, I'm going to kick this one off with, uh... Rush.
Rush, The Trees, from Hemispheres, 320kbps VBR, LAME 3.96
At about 1:46 into the song theres the quiet part of the song with just guitar, synthesizer, and Neils wood blocks. Its here when you realize that there is no better drummer than Neil Peart. Its very close, the Prelude provides superb detail, and an outstanding soundstage. But, I am surprised with the X-Meridian with its separation of the layers of the sound. The wood blocks actually pop out of the texture just a little more than the Prelude. At 2:53 the song picks up into a straight jam with the guitar solo. The timbre of the ride cymbal is what Im listening for, and theres a bit more sweetness to the ringing, and stick strikes stick out just a tad more with the X-Meridian than the Prelude. It sounds like the Prelude is just little polite.
Rush, La Villa Strangiato, from Hemispheres, 320kbps VBR, LAME 3.96
At 5:14 is where another quiet part of the songs starts, which its Neil again on the ride cymbal. I hear not just more timbre in the sound, but theres more stick in the strikes with the X-Meridian, and the layers of the mix are laid bare.
Scorpions, Hes a womanShes a man, from Best of, 320kbps VBR, LAME 3.96
If I ever get a band together, were covering this one. Written about 8 years after The Kinks famous song, Lola, this one isn't so much about transvestitism but more about hermaphroditism. The question posed is what if you knew and somehow still went for it? Ok, so I didnt really do any critical listening uh caught me. However, this is music, challenging you and daring you. Right, moving along.
Run-D.M.C, Dumb Girl, Raising Hell, 320kbps VBR, LAME 3.96
This is the standard bass test. If youre speakers are big enough, and loud enough, the bass will render you infertile. I found the X-Fi Prelude is just too polite. That is, the X-Meridian had a certain POW! associated with the bass kicks. The Prelude certainly has bass, but didnt give so much slam-bam-thank-you maam like the X-Meridian did. Both Prelude and X-Meridian gave a palpable sense of presence with the voice, with a nod to the X-Prelude for providing just a little bit cleaner sibilants and vocals. I don't think I've ever heard cleaner vocals, actually.
J.S. Bach, Prelude No. 10 in E Minor, BWV 855, Glenn Gould, Well Tempered Clavier Book I, 320kbps, LAME 3.96
Proving that there is actually dynamic range in music, and even high drama in music, Glenn Gould runs you through one of mankinds greatest works of music. Back in the day, when the system of music we use today was worked out, 12-tone equal temper, Bach set out to write a complete set of preludes and fugues in all the available keys, both major and minor. This works out to 48 songs. Bach actually wrote two books of songs, but the first one is most often played. Back then, composers were just pissing out songs. None of this new album every couple of years crap, Bach was putting out hours of new music every week. But, I digress. This is about how the X-Fi Prelude sounds it sounds very clean, detailed, and with it's laid back presentation, creates a sense of space.
I had noticed it in the first audition music of Rush, that while the Prelude sounds a little polite, it has an ability to draw you into the recording. You get more involved with the recording. The Prelude's sound, while seemingly not quite as detailed, is more clean and (dare I say it!) transparent. However don't think much about a lack of detail with the Prelude, like there is between an X-Fi versus the X-Meridian, though. In the 8 hours of A-B listening tests, I don't think you'll be missing anything. It strikes me as a different style in sound.
