Any1 compared kX Audio vs Xonar Essence STX ?

RPGWiZaRD · Jan 19, 2011, 08:04 PM

I'm somewhat interested in trying a newer soundcard after having used Audigy cards for so long and I'm sure it would bring a sound quality upgrade due to superior hardware but I'm unsure if the software part is up-to-task compared to kX Audio drivers.

What I do enjoy with kX Audio drivers is how great the Surrounder+ plugin works while gaming, giving VERY accurate positional sound that's a huge help for online gaming and provides better immersion while playing single player as well. I'm worried that Dolby Headphone that's supported by Essence STX won't give as accurate positional sound. Also I like the way I can tweak reverb within kX Audio drivers and I'm unsure if I'm able to tweak reverb volume and how quickly it fades away etc. with Essence STX. Last but not least I simply adore the 10-band EQ in kX Audio drivers and have yet to try any better working EQ and wondering if the one found in Essence STX is comparable at all (does it actually allow up to 20dB boost without introducing clipping/distortion? With kX Audio drivers that's no prob using 2 EQs and give a 20dB boost if desired).

Any feedback of those who have tried it would be greatly appriciated as I'm not quite willing to buy such an expensive card and hope for the best.

brainless_beginner · Jan 20, 2011, 10:14 AM

You say you like tweaking? AFAIK no other than kX driver gives you so much control over your card, except for truly professional audio hardware. But, it is not suitable for gaming I'm afraid. Personally, I've never tried Essence STX. Just bear in mind, though a card may have better signal parameters, it may not give you better sound. It's best to go and listen first. Once again: gaming cards' drivers are not capable of what kX driver is. But they are good at gaming. It's all up to your preferations. Hope that was useful. Sorry for no direct examples.

RPGWiZaRD · Jan 20, 2011, 07:08 PM

kX Audio is excellent for gaming even if it wasn't created for that, Surrounder+ plugin provides really great positional sound and works better than even a X-Fi chip in my experience. I always use headphones (I am a headphone enthusiast), not interested in 5.1 speaker setups etc. I play lots of online gaming and playing/played for some of europeans best Unreal Tournament 3 warfare clans. I don't get it why people say it's not working great for gaming, that's one of kX major advantages IMO. CMSS sounds crap compared to what Surrounder+ provides. I'm actually worried that choosing a more "gaming" soundcard will still have a hardtime beating kX Audio's emulated surround sound for stereo/headphone setups.

The biggest advantage I found in Left 4 Dead where I was able to kill zombies hiding behind trees or on another side of the wall based on the direction the noise the zombies make comes from or in Unreal Tournament 3 I constantly keep listening to the sound of enemy footsteps or incoming vehicles etc. before I'm able to see them. I've even been accused of cheating (wallhacking) a couple of times.

brainless_beginner · Jan 20, 2011, 08:57 PM

So why are you to change the card you love so much? I must have missed something.

Russ · Jan 20, 2011, 08:58 PM

Sometimes simpler is better (in reference to Surrounder+). I remember back when I used to do gaming with headphones using the Creative driver (with my Live! 5.1), that the plain 2 speaker stereo setting (with no effects) worked best. The headphone setting actually made it more difficult to locate sounds (probably because it tried to emulate not using headphones, etc, and did not get it quite right for me (my headphones/head/ears/whatever)). Also EAX (I guess it was EAX1) just made everything echo too much, which also made it more difficult to locate sounds (though it did make some things sound nice)).

I used to get accused of cheating as well, but my only secret was using headphones and turning up the volume so that I could hear faint sounds (at the risk of damaging my hearing, as loud sounds were very loud).

RPGWiZaRD · Jan 20, 2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainless_beginner

So why are you to change the card you love so much? I must have missed something.

What if there's something better?

I'm sorta an audiophile as well just wanting the best possible sound quality as well which is where I have good faith in Essence STX card, however the software part is what worries me and that's an important part as well to be able to tweak using different features for the best possible result.

kX Audio drivers have amazing software implementation but they are running on rather limited hardware from today's perspective, to the point I'm starting to believe there might be solutions by today that would outperform an Audigy 2 ZS with kX Audio drivers. I'd just hate to pick up the Essence STX to find out it doesn't have good enough working EQ or tweakable reverb effect or surround sound for gaming for example. The card isn't cheap, like 170 EUR here and I'd hate to blindly buy it and hope for the best which is why I first came here to ask for opinions.

Since ASUS Essence ST/X cards are like really popular choices today I thought it would be fairly huge chance at least some1 would have given them a try that also have used kX Audio drivers in the past.

brainless_beginner · Jan 21, 2011, 09:48 AM

If I were you I'd go to a computer retailer store, find a demo system with Essence and try some games out.

OFFTopic

BTW,

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD

What if there's something better?

Here where I live we say: <<"Better" is the enemy to "Good">> (that's my translation

)

RPGWiZaRD · Jan 21, 2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainless_beginner

If I were you I'd go to a computer retailer store, find a demo system with Essence and try some games out.

Well every retailer around here is very small and only have a few comps you can browse around with at best. Chances to then find one with Essence STX would be even smaller.

Well I guess I should just grab one and stop worrying, can always sell it if it's not satisfying.

Jan 19, 2011, 08:04 PM	#1
RPGWiZaRD HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 132 Rep Power: 0	Any1 compared kX Audio vs Xonar Essence STX ? I'm somewhat interested in trying a newer soundcard after having used Audigy cards for so long and I'm sure it would bring a sound quality upgrade due to superior hardware but I'm unsure if the software part is up-to-task compared to kX Audio drivers. What I do enjoy with kX Audio drivers is how great the Surrounder+ plugin works while gaming, giving VERY accurate positional sound that's a huge help for online gaming and provides better immersion while playing single player as well. I'm worried that Dolby Headphone that's supported by Essence STX won't give as accurate positional sound. Also I like the way I can tweak reverb within kX Audio drivers and I'm unsure if I'm able to tweak reverb volume and how quickly it fades away etc. with Essence STX. Last but not least I simply adore the 10-band EQ in kX Audio drivers and have yet to try any better working EQ and wondering if the one found in Essence STX is comparable at all (does it actually allow up to 20dB boost without introducing clipping/distortion? With kX Audio drivers that's no prob using 2 EQs and give a 20dB boost if desired). Any feedback of those who have tried it would be greatly appriciated as I'm not quite willing to buy such an expensive card and hope for the best.

Jan 20, 2011, 10:14 AM	#2
brainless_beginner is so brainless.. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KAZAN Posts: 464 Rep Power: 44 System Specs	Re: Any1 compared kX Audio vs Xonar Essence STX ? You say you like tweaking? AFAIK no other than kX driver gives you so much control over your card, except for truly professional audio hardware. But, it is not suitable for gaming I'm afraid. Personally, I've never tried Essence STX. Just bear in mind, though a card may have better signal parameters, it may not give you better sound. It's best to go and listen first. Once again: gaming cards' drivers are not capable of what kX driver is. But they are good at gaming. It's all up to your preferations. Hope that was useful. Sorry for no direct examples. __________________

Jan 20, 2011, 07:08 PM	Thread Starter #3
RPGWiZaRD HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 132 Rep Power: 0	Re: Any1 compared kX Audio vs Xonar Essence STX ? kX Audio is excellent for gaming even if it wasn't created for that, Surrounder+ plugin provides really great positional sound and works better than even a X-Fi chip in my experience. I always use headphones (I am a headphone enthusiast), not interested in 5.1 speaker setups etc. I play lots of online gaming and playing/played for some of europeans best Unreal Tournament 3 warfare clans. I don't get it why people say it's not working great for gaming, that's one of kX major advantages IMO. CMSS sounds crap compared to what Surrounder+ provides. I'm actually worried that choosing a more "gaming" soundcard will still have a hardtime beating kX Audio's emulated surround sound for stereo/headphone setups. The biggest advantage I found in Left 4 Dead where I was able to kill zombies hiding behind trees or on another side of the wall based on the direction the noise the zombies make comes from or in Unreal Tournament 3 I constantly keep listening to the sound of enemy footsteps or incoming vehicles etc. before I'm able to see them. I've even been accused of cheating (wallhacking) a couple of times. Last edited by RPGWiZaRD; Jan 20, 2011 at 07:16 PM.

Jan 20, 2011, 08:57 PM	#4
brainless_beginner is so brainless.. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KAZAN Posts: 464 Rep Power: 44 System Specs	Re: Any1 compared kX Audio vs Xonar Essence STX ? So why are you to change the card you love so much? I must have missed something. __________________

Jan 20, 2011, 08:58 PM	#5
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: Any1 compared kX Audio vs Xonar Essence STX ? Sometimes simpler is better (in reference to Surrounder+). I remember back when I used to do gaming with headphones using the Creative driver (with my Live! 5.1), that the plain 2 speaker stereo setting (with no effects) worked best. The headphone setting actually made it more difficult to locate sounds (probably because it tried to emulate not using headphones, etc, and did not get it quite right for me (my headphones/head/ears/whatever)). Also EAX (I guess it was EAX1) just made everything echo too much, which also made it more difficult to locate sounds (though it did make some things sound nice)). I used to get accused of cheating as well, but my only secret was using headphones and turning up the volume so that I could hear faint sounds (at the risk of damaging my hearing, as loud sounds were very loud). Last edited by Russ; Jan 20, 2011 at 09:06 PM.