Winter Audio Reference: On-Board, Consumer, and Pro Solutions
by Derek Wilson on February 3, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Mobile
Audio Quality: RightMark Audio Analyzer 16/44.1
Here, we really need to look at the swept IMD test at the bottom of the page to see the problems with Creative's implementation. Note, also, that the Gina3G maintains a very flat frequency response. And though the Gina3G's noise and dynamic range numbers are "not as good" as the Creative cards, the behavior is more consistent across the audible spectrum.
| Test | Echo Audio Gina3G | SB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro | SB Audigy 4 Pro | Intel HD Audio |
| Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: | +0.04, -0.09 | +0.13, -0.36 | +0.13, -0.36 | +0.25, -0.32 |
| Noise level, dB (A): | -94.3 | -95.6 | -94.5 | -87.8 |
| Dynamic range, dB (A): | 94.1 | 94.3 | 94.1 | 87.1 |
| THD, %: | 0.0057 | 0.0028 | 0.0033 | 0.0061 |
| IMD, %: | 0.0079 | 0.0076 | 0.0081 | 0.018 |
| Stereo crosstalk, dB: | -94.9 | -95.2 | -93.3 | -87.6 |
Frequency response
Noise level
Dynamic range
THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)
Intermodulation distortion
Stereo crosstalk
IMD Sweep comparison
Note the flatness of the IMD sweep test on the Gina3G and the sharp contrast of the Intel and especially the Creative solutions. The range of frequencies graphed isn't very clearly labeled, but the graph starts at 2kHz and goes to 20kHz on the x-axis. As the value plotted on this graph represents the dB level of intermodulation distortion present in the signal when those frequencies are swept, and the signals are 1kHz apart, a large part of the distortion will be in the form of a 1kHz tone (F2 - F1). This is obviously bad and can indicate that even in audible high frequency data could cause problems right in prime listening space.
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sxr7171 - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
Chapbass - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
I remember hearing a while ago about the M-audio revolution 7.1 card, but its been a while since ive heard anything. Those seemed pretty good for music listening, if i remember the review right. Could be some good competition for the other cards in this review.Either way, I'm really excited that anandtech might be making more updates in the audio market. I'm a big fan of audio, but it just seems like that category gets overlooked alot compared to some of the other ones. Maybe theres a place where im not looking (if there is, let me know please : ) ), but it'd still be nice to have more audio reviews.
lol, as i think about this post i guess it doesnt totally have a meaning, but its late and im rambling...just thought id try to raise a little discussion :).
ksherman - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
especially the soudstorm nforce 2 variants... kind of a confusing review, but ill try again when im awake ;-)MAME - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
on board nvidia audio would be interesting as well as an older sb live 5.1 card for referenceProviaFan - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
BTW, good choice on the DT DVD! :DProviaFan - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
I was just kidding about the MOTU, as I'm sure it wouldn't be too practical for you to review their higher end stuff - it's not what most people here would be concerned about. However, I would be interested in how these cards work in real life in a professional multitrack recording application. What kind of latency, do you experience dropouts? Practical stuff like that would be my only suggestion, but that might be kind of hard to implement.DerekWilson - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
Feel free to make your audio review requests here, we are open for business ;-)I'm not saying we'll get to them all, but we'll certainly consider them.
Also, we welcome your feedback. This is the first audio review we've done in a long time, and we really want to know what we can do to make our audio reviews the best they can be. Tell us what you want and we'll do our best to deliver. :-)
Derek Wilson
ProviaFan - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
Where was the MOTU? ;)http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/HD192/body....
raju - Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - link
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