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Hardware Review: SB Audigy2 NX External USB Sound Card
Just purchased this a while ago and I must say I am quite impressed with the results. Used it on a P4 1.6Ghz machine, 512mb ram. I definitely noticed an increase in sound quality and depth. There is a CMSS effect that allows you to apply a more 3d effect to your sound, and it seemed to do the job well. I only have a 2 speaker system, so I can't vouch for the quality on 5.1 or 7.1.
PROS:
-Great Sound
-Easy to setup
-Cool 3D options
-Noise and Hiss reduction (if you use their mediasource software)
-96khz, 24-bit audio.
-Options for 2-speakers all the way to 7.1, great options for bass boost as well as bass redirection (meaning bass will be sent to sub channel rather than fronts)
-Allows you to customize crossover frequencies
-Small form factor
-Hardware controls for volume
-Optical Out
CONS:
-Requires external power source
-CPU Hungry - tried it on a PIII 850mhz, 256mb ram and got lots of popping, hissing, and clicking at higher sampling quality, indicating that the processor was not fast enough
-No option for 2.1 sound, although there is a way around this
Overall, I would highly recommend this card if your processor is above 1Ghz, so you can take full advantage of the SQ.
P.S. I've got one for sale if anyone is interested, my carPC won't be fast enough to use this, so I'm getting the PCMCIA version instead.
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