Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 Platinum eX

Soundcards and Speakers 106 Page 8 of 9 Published by

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Benchmarks Cont'd

The 16 bit/44.1kHz graphs are below.  The 16 bit/48kHz graphs are generally in between the 24/96 and 16/44.1 and are not included.  In an effort not to have a 20+ page review, you can just interpolate those results.  Please note that the eX measurements for 16/44.1 are in green for these tests.

DMX 6fire WaveSB Audigy2 eX Audio [9000]

RightMark Audio Analyzer test

 

Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)Sampling mode: 16-bit, 44 kHz

Summary

Test DMX 6fire Wave SB Audigy2 eX Audio [9000]
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: +0.02, -0.06 +0.11, -0.34
Noise level, dB (A): -93.5 -95.1
Dynamic range, dB (A): 92.8 93.7
THD, %: 0.0009 0.0036
IMD, %: 0.012 1.242
Stereo crosstalk, dB: -88.5 -95.7

Frequency response

 16 bit/44.1kHz frequency response

While still measuring well, the eX exhibits a little feedback in the frequency response graph.  This is from some input that I didn't mute somewhere.  I've also noticed that if you play with the effects engine (reverb, chorus, etc.), there will still be residual audible effects when you turn the effect off.  Only a complete reboot will turn the effects completely off.

Noise level

 16 bit/44.1 noise

The eX still measures exceptionally well in 16 bit/44.1kHz mode at -95.1dB.  That is very low, indeed.

Dynamic range

 16 bit/44.1 dynamic range

93.7dB for the eX and 92.8dB for the DMX 6-fire.  The DMX 6-fire sounds a little 'punchier' and more dynamic than the eX, despite what the measurements say, which is probably due to the high IMD of the eX.

THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)

 16 bit/44.1 THD+Noise

At 0.0009%, the DMX 6-fire has a THD that is unbelievably low.  The eX is an order of magnitude higher, and then some, at 0.0036%. 

Intermodulation distortion

16 bit/44.1 IMD 

Finally, a weak spot for the eX.  At 1.242% IMD, a fairly high ammount, it would appear that Creative still needs to work out its 44.1kHz to 48kHz upsampling.  I might suggest they give the EMU10K2 some concrete shoes and a long walk off a short pier.

Stereo crosstalk

 16 bit/44.1 crosstalk

The eX still wows with extraordinary results, however.  With an astounding -95.7dB of stereo crosstalk, the eX continues to perform like a champ.

So there you have it: the eX is the best measuring sound card we've ever tested.  It is miles (kilometers?) above any other Creative product and it sits comfortably above high-end products like Terratec's DMX 6-fire, which was the previous benchmark winner.  The eX doesn't come close to Creative's claimed (and highly touted) 106dB signal-noise-ratio.  It is possible, however, to have a product that measures well but still sounds bad.  Fortunately, the eX also sounds quite good. 

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