Auzentech Forte 7.1 thread

[Johnny87au]

I liked the X-Fi Prelude better (than the Forte for pure Analog Output). But I've not heard the Bravura yet.

Im yet to try the prelude dude, How is it compare to the forte, like eax effects when gaming etc?

[Shalamay]

Where can I get the Daniel K X-Fi drivers and what one should I get(if there are different ones). Also, what settings are you guys using when gaming?

[Donnie27]

Im yet to try the prelude dude, How is it compare to the forte, like eax effects when gaming etc?

Unless they're connected to a sensitive system you can't hear that much of a difference. Better isn't always consistent either. They each have an advantage. The PCI-E isn't hogging the PCI-E lane like it does the PCI bus.

Music playback IMHO, the Prelude (modded) sounded slightly better than the Forte but I didn't have a modded Forte. Games actually sounded better on the Forte because it didn't seem to be forcing pauses or stressing the PCI Bus.

I'd not dump a Prelude for a Forte but if given a choice to buy either, I'd get the Forte.

[Donnie27]

Where can I get the Daniel K X-Fi drivers and what one should I get(if there are different ones). Also, what settings are you guys using when gaming?

http://nomoregoatsoup.wordpress.com/x-fi-drivers/

They have info on the best for whatever you're using.

[Shalamay]

Thank you, I have a Forte and I have the drives from the CD installed. Any recommendations on what driver set I should install? I mainly game and that is it. I have Ultrasone HFI-780 headphones plugged into the headphone amp on the card. Thanks.

http://nomoregoatsoup.wordpress.com/x-fi-drivers/

They have info on the best for whatever you're using.

[Chickenfeed]

I just went from a Prelude to a Forte.

Out of the box the prelude works better. The Fortes back panel isn't grounded so I had to tape it and use paper washer to rid the card of some EMI noise during gpu loading. Also the current DDL / DTS Connect driver is bugged and causes the system to hang indefineatly when used. The only solution for now is to not use it or manually disabled DDL / DTS Connect on every shutdown / restart. So far the cards been a pain in my butt but now that I have it working and am using it for headphones only, I'm liking it.

[Johnny87au]

Unless they're connected to a sensitive system you can't tell the much difference much. Better isn't always consistent either. They each have an advantage. The PCI-E isn't hogging the PCI-E lane like it does the PCI bus.

Music playback IMHO, the Prelude (modded) sounded slightly better than the Forte but I didn't have a modded Forte. Games actually sounded better on the Forte because it didn't seem to be forcing pauses or stressing the PCI Bus.

I'd not dump a Prelude for a Forte but if given a choice to buy either, I'd get the Forte.

Kinda figures that the prelude would be more suitable for music/entertainment use whilst the forte is better for gaming..

[Shalamay]

So, can someone link me to some drivers that would work for me? I only have the ones on the install CD. I did download the drives on Auzentechs site, but if there is something better I'd rather just install once.

[jamz1155]

So, can someone link me to some drivers that would work for me? I only have the ones on the install CD. I did download the drives on Auzentechs site, but if there is something better I'd rather just install once.

Download link in first post.
http://forums.creative.com/t5/Sound-...-0/td-p/557866

[Donnie27]

Kinda figures that the prelude would be more suitable for music/entertainment use whilst the forte is better for gaming..

IMHO, it is just a matter of the PCI-E BUS being better than the PCI BUS. The Prelude has slightly better Sound Hardware. Compare all of the DAC's and etc.....

Yes, I've tried the official and Daniel-K drivers, didn't matter much with either IMHO! But I wasn't having any kinds of problems. I did clean up and fix someone else systems so I know some of the problems/complaints are legit.

Guys, run your cleaning apps in Safe Mode. It will not leave any active drivers while the sound is disabled.

[jamz1155]

Download link in first post.
http://forums.creative.com/t5/Sound-...-0/td-p/557866

Don't mean to spam, but Auzentech just (July 3) released a new updated driver pack (finally) that works great!

http://www.auzensupport.com/data/20K...tech_Forte.zip

[Jodiuh]

thx, maybe this will help my mic problems

[eSp!s0]

I have the "20K2_Auzentech_Forte_RefCD2_RC1" from a link out of this thread. Are these the same new drivers? The "20K2_Auzentech_Forte.rar" from the official site has 207.554KB (the link two posts above), the "20K2_Auzentech_Forte_RefCD2_RC1.rar" out of a link a few sites of this topic before has 207.765KB.

[jamz1155]

I have the "20K2_Auzentech_Forte_RefCD2_RC1" from a link out of this thread. Are these the same new drivers? The "20K2_Auzentech_Forte.rar" from the official site has 207.554KB (the link two posts above), the "20K2_Auzentech_Forte_RefCD2_RC1.rar" out of a link a few sites of this topic before has 207.765KB.

No, the package from Auzentech (the most recent link I posted) has a newer driver version than the "RC1" beta release.

[Hell Hound]

Okay,Console is much faster and highs are slightly clearer and bass is slightly softer,but much cleaner.

[Jodiuh]

I don't suppose anyone has this card paired w/ that cheap Zalman mic? I sound ok in L4D, but there's a constant vibrator/buzzing in L4D2. And BC2 is worst of all w/ tons of static. I'm just wondering if it's the mic, the game, or the card. FWIW, I sound fine in Vent and Voicechatter.

Thanks!

[Shalamay]

Thank you!

Download link in first post.
http://forums.creative.com/t5/Sound-...-0/td-p/557866

[Lu(ky]

I also own Prelude and Forte and I think the Prelude sounds way better on music, movies, and specially gaming to me. But not by much both cards sound way way better then any SB card ever used. A+ for Prelude A for Forte..

[Rattle]

I don't suppose anyone has this card paired w/ that cheap Zalman mic? I sound ok in L4D, but there's a constant vibrator/buzzing in L4D2. And BC2 is worst of all w/ tons of static. I'm just wondering if it's the mic, the game, or the card. FWIW, I sound fine in Vent and Voicechatter.

Thanks!

I use that mic, l4d is fine, l4d2 is fine (but the game sucks ass)

BC2 the ingame mic is HORRIBLE FOR MOST PEOPLE, good game (garbage as far as voice chat is conerned)

[Jodiuh]

Maybe that's why there's absolutely NO communication in that game. No one talks, it's annoying as hell. When I play w/ my LAN group we use Voicechatter and the game takes on a whole new level of awesomeness. But when I'm pubbin', it's just...suck. I'm just really, really surprised that one of the best sound engines in gaming today gets the mic shaft.

I wouldn't be concerned about it, but I have a friend that uses his macbook, an external X-Fi, and some pos headset mic and he sounds crystal clear in BC2.

[Rumpus01]

I'm using an HDMI output to a TV, so I haven't been using my forte, but is there anyway to make it work with SPDIF and hdmi?

[eSp!s0]

No, the package from Auzentech (the most recent link I posted) has a newer driver version than the "RC1" beta release.

Ok, thank you!

[jamz1155]

Thank you!

Careful, that link you quoted from me is no longer the latest driver version. I suggest you try the July 3rd Auzentech release instead, the driver is rather newer.

Okay,Console is much faster and highs are slightly clearer and bass is slightly softer,but much cleaner.

Nothing in driver releases should affect sound quality, unless it was a problem with application compatibility. Check EQ and Crystallizer settings, which may have been reset to defaults when installing the new driver. But hey -- if it sounds better, that's good right?

[Hell Hound]

My xtreme music sound improved with driver updates as well.All electrical equipment has a firmware/driver that controls what the hardware does and that can affect the output.

Example you have a software EQ,and if that wasn't there you would not be able to manually adjust sound yourself you would have to do in the driver or another hardware based solution.

[Shalamay]

Ok, I got the drivers from Auzentech's website and downloaded them. When I try to intall, it wants a CD? Do I need the CD to install or am I doing something wrong? Is there a way around it if so?