ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card
The Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card from ASUS is a PCI Express sound card, intended for use with Windows PCs. The sound card provides much cleaner audio quality, up to 116db SNR, than most motherboard sound cards can produce. It is loaded with Dolby Home Theater technologies, and supports games that use DS3D GX 2.0 in Windows XP and Vista. Gamers who play online will appreciate the card's VocalFX voice processing function, which helps to improve the quality of voice communication when playing online.
- Rife with Dolby Home Theater technologies for enhanced audio output, the sound card supports Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Pro-Logic IIx, Dolby Headphone, and Dolby Virtual Speaker technologies
- Supports DS3D GX 2.0 sound technology, uses by many games in Windows Vista and XP
- VocalFX processing ensures that your voice is heard over the sound effects and music that are present in many online games, allowing you to effectively communicate with teammates. You can even disguise your voice when playing
- Provides much cleaner audio (116dB SNR) than most motherboards (85db SNR), as well as less total harmonics distortion (-105dB) than motherboard audio (-75dB)
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 116dB |
| Crosstalk | None |
| THD + Noise |
Output: 0.00056% (-105dB) for Front-out Input: 0.0004% (-108dB) for Line-in |
| Frequency Response | < 10Hz to 48kHz |
| Channel Playback | 7.1 |
| Conversion | 24-bit |
| Recording | 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz at 16/24-bit with very low latency |
| S/PDIF Output | 1x Optical shared with Line-in/Mic-in jack |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Audio |
5x 1/8" (3.5mm) 1x Optical shared with Line-in/Mic-in jack |
| MIDI | None |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Compliant Standards | None |
| System Requirements |
Windows XP (32/64-bit), MCE 2005, Vista (32/64-bit) PCI Express slot |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 14 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
93%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (12)
- Easy to install (10)
- Quality output (6)
- Reliable (6)
- Good audio quality (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday (9)
- Gaming (9)
- Multimedia (8)
- Music (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Power user (7), Casual user (4)
- Primary use:
- Personal (7)
Most Liked Positive Review
Phenomenal Sound, Buggy Drivers
Goods: Phenomenal sound quality. Little to no difference between the Xonar DX and the D2X, the much-higher priced older brother of the DX. 7.1 quality support, optical input (I doubt I'll ever ...Read complete review
Goods: Phenomenal sound quality. Little to no difference between the Xonar DX and the D2X, the much-higher priced older brother of the DX. 7.1 quality support, optical input (I doubt I'll ever use it though).
Bads: Lack of all the bells and whistles of the D2X, though, this is what drives the price down but preserves 95% of the sound quality of the D2X. Drivers are buggy and the Audio Center is confusing and some features are rather useless.
For speakers, I use the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 system and I think this thing really gives them the strength they need to perform at their best. However, as I use a 5.1 system, I ran into some difficulties.
I initially had the card hooked up to Logitech Z-2300's, a 2.1 system, but, after getting my Klipsch's and selling the Z-2300's, I had an issue with getting the surround sound to work on the Xonar. For Firefox/the web, it would only play 2.1 at first, then sometimes randomly the center channel would work too (but not the rear still).
Continue reading on to read the rest of my problem. Although the cons section is much bigger than the pros, that is simply because this is a complicated issue. This sound card is definitely worth the buy.
5.1 would work in iTunes though. Then, it would only be 2.1 in iTunes AND the web. I had to re-seat the sound card, uninstall and re-install the drivers before I got 5.1 in all applications. It's working now, though, I'm a little nervous if it'll randomly go out again.
This card is exceptionally priced. I had an older M-Audio Revolution 7.1, and upgraded to this. What a difference. The M-Audio sounded fantastic and completely destroyed my on-board audio in terms of performance, but, this opened up another notch of computer-audio fidelity. Along with the fact that the Xonar DX is compatible with Windows 7, it was a worthy successor.
Anyway, like I said, I had a bit of a problem with the drivers. But, the sound quality of this card is great. Games sound amazing, it has a high SNR, the Cirrus Logic DAC's are very high quality and music is extremely well defined.
Great sound card. With all of my ranting and raving, it's still amazing. Just buy it. Be wary of the drivers though.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Xonar DX PCIe Monitoring Delay
The Xonar DX has very good sound quality but is not useful for multitrack recording. While recording vocals or instruments, it is not possible to eliminate a perceptible delay in the performance and the ...Read complete review
The Xonar DX has very good sound quality but is not useful for multitrack recording. While recording vocals or instruments, it is not possible to eliminate a perceptible delay in the performance and the monitored playback.
With its audio interface features, gamers will have a ball with the card's effects and flexibility of signal routing. But recording musicians should not buy this card.
Reviewed by 14 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-14
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Music
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
The sound was muffled until I tweaked the settings. Too much bass with my speakers on most of the settings. If you are using Windows 7 don't use the cd that comes with the soundcard. Download the latest drivers from Asus.
Pros
- Good Audio Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Gaming
- Multimedia
- Music
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
The sound will definitely improve over onboard audio. However, ASUS support is very lazy and they are very slow to fix the bugs that are present and well-known to the community. And the software is kind of horrible.
Note: You should hear a clicking noise every time the card powers on/off. This is normal and should not worry anyone. Every card makes this noise.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Audio Quality
- Good control interface
Cons
- None as yet
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Music
- Recording old LP's
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
I started with a four star rating because I have not fully utilized the card. I like the clean audio from CD's and look forward to the same when I begin recording my old LP's. Card installation was a little tight in a new Gateway SX2803 and I had to obtain a power cord adapter (from Sata to Molex but once completed everything is fine.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Audio Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Music
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
Would buy this card again in a heartbeat.
Sound blaster has lost the edge and Asus Xonar now has the crown.
I've owned four Sound Blaster cards in years past, but none have matched the sound quality and or distortion free specifications that the Xonar DX PCI Express gives me.
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Value
- Good Audio Quality
- Reliable Performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Gaming
- Multimedia
- Music
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
Bought this card to finally bring an end to the snap crackle and pop of my Creative X-Fi. The install was cake and the audio is crystal clear. Huge improvement over my X-Fi.
I haven't tried recording any audio with it. I only use it for listening to music and gaming.
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Good Audio Quality
- Reliable Performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Gaming
- Multimedia
- Music
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
I am using this card connected to a 5.1 Surround Sound system . The mids are clean and the bass is true with punch. The Xonar Sound Card really shows off its muster when i play Blu Ray movies or games.You will not be disappointed with this product-in fact you will be quite impressed.Great value for the buck.
Pros
- Bloat-free software
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Quality Output
Cons
- Crashed when DX enabled
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Gaming
- Multimedia
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
Configuring the mixer correctly is an absolute MUST. After setting my preset to Jazz & maxing the external bass output on my Logitech Z-4 2.1 speakers, I finally got the crisp clean full-range home theater audio quality I was looking for. Also, do NOT enable DX on the mixer config unless you enjoy crashes. It does directional audio just fine without it.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Quality Output
- Reliable Performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Multimedia
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
Installation of Xonar drivers was quick.
(way faster then those "other guys" cards.
Having Dolby has improved the sounds of my videos and music.
The Xonar DX really makes my headphones sing
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Gaming
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
The Xonar DX has very good sound quality but is not useful for multitrack recording. While recording vocals or instruments, it is not possible to eliminate a perceptible delay in the performance and the monitored playback.
With its audio interface features, gamers will have a ball with the card's effects and flexibility of signal routing. But recording musicians should not buy this card.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Quality Output
Cons
Best Uses
- Listening to music
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
I didn't realize that it needed an additional power and I had no extra power socket available in my computer, so I had to buy a different connector. Otherwize, it was easy to install. Now I can hear more details. Good product!
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Poor Output Quality
- Unreliable Performance
Best Uses
- Gaming
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
The Xonar DX has very good sound quality but is not useful for multitrack recording. While recording vocals or instruments, it is not possible to eliminate a perceptible delay in the performance and the monitored playback.
With its audio interface features, gamers will have a ball with the card's effects and flexibility of signal routing. But recording musicians should not buy this card.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Quality Output
- Reliable Performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Gaming
- Multimedia
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
Goods: Phenomenal sound quality. Little to no difference between the Xonar DX and the D2X, the much-higher priced older brother of the DX. 7.1 quality support, optical input (I doubt I'll ever use it though).
Bads: Lack of all the bells and whistles of the D2X, though, this is what drives the price down but preserves 95% of the sound quality of the D2X. Drivers are buggy and the Audio Center is confusing and some features are rather useless.
For speakers, I use the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 system and I think this thing really gives them the strength they need to perform at their best. However, as I use a 5.1 system, I ran into some difficulties.
I initially had the card hooked up to Logitech Z-2300's, a 2.1 system, but, after getting my Klipsch's and selling the Z-2300's, I had an issue with getting the surround sound to work on the Xonar. For Firefox/the web, it would only play 2.1 at first, then sometimes randomly the center channel would work too (but not the rear still).
Continue reading on to read the rest of my problem. Although the cons section is much bigger than the pros, that is simply because this is a complicated issue. This sound card is definitely worth the buy.
5.1 would work in iTunes though. Then, it would only be 2.1 in iTunes AND the web. I had to re-seat the sound card, uninstall and re-install the drivers before I got 5.1 in all applications. It's working now, though, I'm a little nervous if it'll randomly go out again.
This card is exceptionally priced. I had an older M-Audio Revolution 7.1, and upgraded to this. What a difference. The M-Audio sounded fantastic and completely destroyed my on-board audio in terms of performance, but, this opened up another notch of computer-audio fidelity. Along with the fact that the Xonar DX is compatible with Windows 7, it was a worthy successor.
Anyway, like I said, I had a bit of a problem with the drivers. But, the sound quality of this card is great. Games sound amazing, it has a high SNR, the Cirrus Logic DAC's are very high quality and music is extremely well defined.
Great sound card. With all of my ranting and raving, it's still amazing. Just buy it. Be wary of the drivers though.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Clean Clear Output
- Dolby Labs Technologies
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Lots of EQ DSP options
- Quality Output
- Reliable Performance
Cons
- Not being given away free
Best Uses
- Gaming
- Multimedia
- Music in 51 or 71 Dolby
- Music w DolbyHeadphone
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
Very easy install and driver upgrade. Very clean, natural sound with nice-looking, easy-to-use user interface. Hi-Fi mode with no DSP is awesome with even the cheapest headphones. Sounds better in gaming than ANY card from C..e Labs, and cheaper too.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Quality Output
- Reliable Performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Gaming
- Graphic Design
- Multimedia
Comments about ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express Sound Card:
I loved this sound car for one because it sounds great and their are so many things you can do with it like changing the sound effects. And i also loved this card because it is low profile. I have a dell slim design desktop and installation was very simple. It was as if it were made for my computer. I dont really have anything bad to say about this card because i got it for around [$] due to the rebate offer. And let me tell you their is probably not a better sound card in the 80 dollar price range.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Displaying reviews 1-14
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Anti-Static Protection
- Price: $4.95
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What's in the Box
- Low-Profile Bracket
- Screws
- Software CD-ROM
- Quick Start Guide
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
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