Soundblaster X-Fi XtremeMusic

The RMAA suite is designed for testing quality of analog and digital paths of any audio devices, be it a sound card, an MP3 player, a consumer CD/DVD player or an acoustic set. The results are obtained by playing and recording test signals passed through the tested audio path by means of frequency analysis algorithms.

Rightmark Audio Analyzer 5.5 Audio Testing

For these tests, we compared the Soundblaster X-Fi XtremeMusic to our test system's onboard Intel High-Definition audio. Here, a high-quality loopback audio cable was used to connect the inputs and outputs so we could measure the effective quality of the audio signal each card produced.

Unfortunately, we were forced to limit testing to a maximum of 24bit / 96kHz instead of 24bit / 192kHz. Although the card can effectively output at these levels, the X-Fi XtremeMusic is unable to record signals beyond 24bit / 96kHz.  This is because the Audigy 2 is unable to record signals beyond 24bit / 96kHz. 

General Summary:

This section covers a general summary of the entire testing process that we preformed on both of the soundcards. The in-depth coverage of specific tests, with available graphs, is located in further sections.

Comparing the results, we find the X-Fi XtremeMusic performing extremely well as it scores an "Excellent" mark for general performance. The card received top marks across the board with the exception of a single test. Scoring a "Good" for Stereo Crosstalk was a bit surprising though it is entirely likely that a higher quality patch cable would have benefited the test. Similarly surprising, the integrated audio solution earned a "good" mark for general performance. Granted, it was no match for the discrete audio card but it did fair well as a free addition versus the X-Fi hefty price tag.

Frequency Response:

Frequency response is defined as "a measure of the effectiveness of an instrument to transmit signals applied to it in terms of their incidence."  To simplify the definition, it is the ability of the soundcard to process signals without changing the relative loudness or adding distortion. Consequently, the smaller the difference between the lowest and highest value, the better the sound quality.

The X-Fi XtremeMusic has a fine showing in this test turning in some very respectable scores. The slight variances on the plots is likely due to the standard quality audio patch cable used for testing. This serves as a blatant case for spending extra money on high quality cables to obtain the highest possible performance from your sound card.

The Intel onboard audio performs fairly well here, though it clearly has trouble keeping pace with the X-Fi XtremeMusic. One step into testing and Creative's new chipset is already flexing its muscles.