Benchmarks
Benchmarks
For testing the audio output of the eX, we used the RMAA 5.0 program and Audio WinBench99. I would love to include some game-related benchmarks, like UT2K3, but they just aren't very repeatable.
Yikes. I hope ya'll can read that! The eX is second from left. It does very well, hovering around 4-5% CPU usage, with no spikes of utilization. The regular Audigy2 is around 1-4% with spikes up to 11% CPU utilization and the DMX 6-fire is averaging 3-6% with spikes as high 13% CPU utilization.
For audio performance measurements we used the outstanding RightMark Audio Analyzer 5.0, the bane of sound card marketing departments everywhere. Suffice it to say the eX measures exceptionally well, being excellent in almost all tests, save for intermodulation distortion which was merely 'very good'. The eX measurements are in white, DMX 6-fire in green.
SB Audigy2 eX Audio [9000]DMX 6fire Wave
RightMark Audio Analyzer test
Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)Sampling mode: 24-bit, 96 kHz
Summary
Test | SB Audigy2 eX Audio [9000] | DMX 6fire Wave |
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: | +0.00, -0.01 | +0.01, -0.05 |
Noise level, dB (A): | -99.2 | -97.8 |
Dynamic range, dB (A): | 98.9 | 97.7 |
THD, %: | 0.0022 | 0.0010 |
IMD, %: | 0.027 | 0.0082 |
Stereo crosstalk, dB: | -98.4 | -88.3 |
Frequency response
As you can see both the eX and the DMX 6-fire are nearly identical in frequency response, with the eX dropping off sharply at 20kHz. The DMX 6-fire goes well up into the 40kHz range (-1.0dB at ~42kHz).
Noise level
Both are silent as the grave, and at -99.5dB, the eX has the lowest noise we've ever measured.
Dynamic range
Dynamic range is the difference between a 1kHz signal and noise. The eX provided another record at 98.9dB. The eX did not sound like it had superior numbers, so that is why we include subjective listening tests.
THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)
THD + Noise is a very telling graph. You can see lots of spikes (the overtones of the 1kHz signal) with the eX, which can affect the overall sound.
Intermodulation distortion
IMD is probably the most brutal of all RMAA's tests. Reproducing a 19+20kHz test tone (music is made up of lots and lots of additive tones) is quite punishing, and it is the only weakness of the eX.
Stereo crosstalk
Crosstalk on the eX is magnificently low, at -98.4dB, and is another record for us. The eX has a very stable and lucid 3D sound, and this is the main reason.
On to the 16 bit/44.1 tests!