Is the X-Fi Surround 5.1 any good in 2021?

[@skinscalp222]

Bought mine all the way back in 2010 in Singapore when I was studying there for my degree, still going strong despite me spilling hot coffee on half of the thing. Pretty amazing gotta say.

[@robm7488]

Thanks! Got this card laying down for many many years, I was wondering is it worth anything :D Thanks again bro!

[@jess2690]

Very detailed and in depth! Been on a binge on ur videos and they are all fantastic! Really excellent work!

[@rygar74nl]

Great review, with an excellent conclusion/ recommendation.

[@AntonsHardware]

Thank you kindly!

[@G3PWP]

This sound card does support DTS Audio and Dolby Digital format when using the SPDIF optical (tosh) output it works perfectly with my external AV amplifier and indicates which mode selected when tested on Windows 10

[@AntonsHardware]

Didn't know this! Thanks! :D

[@Trikipum]

Indeed, i had this card connected to a home cinema using dts back them... until i realized it was pointless since games just worked better with headphones and the home cinema literally used more power than my whole computer together..

[@n3rdpl0w]

I still use it in 2024. I love it. I used it back in 2006 or whatever bcz my headset volume was too low but I like still use it for high volume. I like my gaming loud.

[@fansteori]

RMAA!!!!!!!!!!! Ты просто спас меня. На ютуб нету ни одного нормального обзора. Люди распаковывают коробку по 5 минут. У тебя всё четко красиво детально. ТЫ ДАЛ МНЕ ГРАФИКИ RMAA. Спасибо тебе человек. Очень благодарен

[@fansteori]

Я хотел купить эту карту, чтобы заменить свою cm6206 за 9$, но я откажусь от этой идеи. Моя CM6206 имеет: freq response -0.04|-0.6 noise -85 THD 0.009 crosstalk -81.7 Понимаешь? CM6206 за 9$ лучше чем Creative. Возможно ты допустил ошибки при измерениях, они очень плохие.

[@fansteori]

Необходимо смотреть в сторону asus xonar u5 , правда она имеет другие проблемы. Это брак

[@AntonsHardware]

My cyrillic isn't that good, so thank Google for the translation! Не упоминай об этом! Да, это была именно та проблема, с которой я столкнулась с другими видео, и именно поэтому я создал этот канал. Тесты нельзя сравнивать. Может быть, моя установка отличается и есть так много переменных. Но я должен сказать, что мне не очень нравится CM6206. Это дешевый кодек, который дает мало качества. Вот почему это так дешево. Но если тебе это нравится, кто я такой, чтобы мешать тебе! :D Я посмотрю, что я могу сделать для вас для Xonar U5. Тот выглядит интересно!

[@fansteori]

@@AntonsHardware I thought that the translator would help you understand me. I looked at other creative measurements, so everything is fine. For some reason you have problems in measurements. I would be glad if you compare xonar u5 with creative.

[@meh78336]

I have this version and pro V3, though I was mainly after this version for windows XP support beyond basic USB audio that you get with the pro (or at least the v3) as I wanted full EAX support and to be able to use the remote. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at the top of them. This version has x-fi and Creative on the top, the pro has SoundBlaster and SBX prostudio on the top. You can of course look at the bottom for the model number, but at a glance i can tell which is which just on if there is a creative logo in the middle.

[@AntonsHardware]

Now that is something I really did not know! Thank you for that! I checked the model number :D If you want to get rid of the pro v3, let me know. I'd love to make a video about that one!

[@AllboroLCD]

I love the card in 2021! USB DACs trump onboard sound any day! I use mine with a set of 64ohm JVC HARX-900 cans, the sound is satisfying enough to me! Works great for streaming movies in 5.1, and few realize this... BUT the surround cmss3d / SBX feature actually works seamlessly with Dolby Pro Logic encoded content. Tested and proven myself. I also find the software much more appealing than the current incarnation of creatives "super x-fi" app. The faux audio equip look is awesome.

[@AntonsHardware]

Now that is something I didn't know! Thanks for the tip!

[@viva7642]

Oh yea, this piece of work is really really good. Good thing i keep it! :) My collection: Xfi Audigy, Xfi Extreme & Xfi S5.1 :)

[@warmage247]

I picked up the pro version today sb1095 for $6 haha will be interesting to test agaisnt my Asus on board audio

[@ApocalypsFI]

Thanks for these soundcard reviews. Would it be possible to have Sound Blaster AE5 plus and AE7 and AE9 review / comparison in the future?

[@AntonsHardware]

Ohh I would love to! Its on top of my to do list! So I asked Creative for some review samples, but they don't respond at all. So that means I have to buy them myself. And they are pretty expensive!

[@John-McAfee]

I actually really like this card with my studio monitor speakers. Works natively in macOS and GNU/Linux. Just have to indtall drivers for Win 10.

[@blindpackrat9882]

i wonder if this can drive 250 ohm Dt770 that i got as a gift

[@meganomix6634]

Unfortunately will not work with Windows 11 except V3 - this is what support from Creative told me. Had to change for another card.

[@AntonsHardware]

Windows 11 will kill of a lot of other cards as well. Check out this site! support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=200667

[@gladiatorarrives]

Please clarify my doubt: Will this card not at all be recognized in windows 11 or only the associated software(eAX effects,eqalizer etc) will stop working ? Will the usb audio work for 5.1 speaker system in windows 11. I have the 1095 pro version with SBX PROSTUDIO written(bought in 2014) and Creative LX 520 PCworks 5.1 speaker system(bought in 2004) .its not v3 version. Plz reply.

[@urfhorf]

It's a good product but due to some weird changes in how windows handles audio it is now unable to change the audio into Dolby Live which makes the spdif output useless if you want 5.1 from Netflix for example.

[@AntonsHardware]

Yes indeed. So sad that a lot of functionalities have been taken away. Still, this X-fi will never be my favorite!

[@Mark_BLN]

Does that also apply to the pro? I wanted to get it to give me DTS 5.1 over spdif. Currently I have an onboard realtek card that I had modded drivers on and it gave me DTS outout, but I wasn't getting the rear speakers working in most games. After trying many different modded drivers and hacks I finally got it working, but must have picked up something from one of the modded drivers and had to wipe my pc. Since then I haven't been able to get it to work again. So I'm looking for a solution to give me DTS 5.1 over spdif and play all games in full 5.1. Any recommendations?

[@R.James.]

A friend of mine gave this one to me a few years ago. It was a major upgrade to my onboard laptop audio. I use it in combo with a 50 ish Sony headphone and everything, especially the bass, just sounds alot better. But I decided to invest in something new taking from Aartjan's blog (check it out if you're not familiar with him) and went on to order a KZ PR1 Balanced (which are wired planar IEM's). Now my question to you is, should I order one of those affordable (max ~50euro) DAC's to replace this Creative Surround one or perhaps even a tubeamp like Aartjan recommend? Like how much better are those modern small DAC's compared to the Creative Surround? What would you recommend?

[@AntonsHardware]

I haven't heard about Aartjan before, but he seems to have a nice blog! IEM's isn't my field of expertise, because I just don't like to have those things stuck into my ear. I do a thing or two about dac's and I do like those a lot. Check out the Audioquest Dragonfly. The red is the one I have, but the Black (a bit cheaper) is also great.

[@fotovandenatuur]

hello Anton, can you show or explain how to open it? One of the cinch connectors got stuck. Thanks so much.

[@wahuuuwahuu1245]

the very important detail is that it gets the job done isnt it?

[@tulungagungberdendang]

Is the item still available, and how much does it cost?

[@matesowski]

What about Nvidia Shield TV 2019. Does anyone use this card for the optical or RCA stereo output? Does it have a good DAC?

[@thegreenknight1971]

Heya Anton,, can you recommend please a TRUE 5.1 USB sound card please,, all the ones i look at are virtual 5.1 :( any help would be great, you seem to know your stuff.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Even with its relatively poor performance, and fairly bad price:performance, you can just imagine what a leap in magnitude the quality of this DAC would be compared to standard onboard laptop audio. Too bad crosstalk is so terrible, because other than that it's not too bad. As far as I am concerned, Creative products are best used inside a PC, not outside of one for one reason: as soon as you go into external DAC territory, the playing field for competition opens up exponentially! It makes the Creative external DACs a "do not buy." Even their software isn't great. Thanks for a look inside this X-Fi external box. I've always been curious about it, and I have to say, it lived up (or down) to my expectations! Low quality stuff that's suitable for an upgrade to hideously bad laptop on-board audio, haha. Cheers Anton!

[@AntonsHardware]

Ohh absolutly! It was a huge leap and I understand why it had such a huge following. Creative's G6 is rather good! One of the best I've heard! But the Omni is extremely bad, as was the G5 (for the price performance)

[@JohnSmith-qn1me]

Thank you for doing a great job on this video, I love listening to people who actually know what they're talking about

[@AntonsHardware]

Thank you for your compliment!

[@ProgrammingWithOsku]

Is there is new card version which have same mic feature like echo reverbe

[@AntonsHardware]

You might want to try the older Asus Xonar cards. The ones with a CMedia chip in there. They have those options.

[@stevanbatinic6733]

My card Saundblaster 5.1 pro is no support driver W10.

[@AntonsHardware]

You can check the DanielK version of the drivers. They may work on Windows 10, as it did on my verision.

[@stevanbatinic6733]

@@AntonsHardware I have tried all versions of the driver, but in vain. Can you send me the link of that driver?

[@AntonsHardware]

danielkawakami.blogspot.com/ Hope this helps!

[@mangostain]

The solution is install the driver on safe mode, it will install withput problem the reboot and it will work fine

[@wardmattia4783]

Does the software of this model offer theater echo mode for your mic!

[@AntonsHardware]

Yes it does!

[@giangholland]

tell me pls where can i buy in ndderland

[@AntonsHardware]

I checked, but it isn't being sold in the Netherlands anymore. Maybe Amazon?

[@cesarestigarribia3987]

I have the Pro version in my current setup, I got off ebay an x7, I'm wondering if the sound quality will be better, would you be able to tell a difference?

[@AntonsHardware]

I couldnt say. The pro is kinda good but i dont know anything about the x7. Sorry!

[@mixedup5858]

where do you get it?

[@AntonsHardware]

Sorry for the late reply! I get nearly all my sound cards either new, or in this case, I got it second hand!

[@Rastapapulus]

Thanks for the video. did anyone tried to connect this sound card to android phone via USB and use it as Phone sound card?? İ am seaقching for a sound card to use with my phone and get RCA output. any recommendation will be appreciated.

[@AntonsHardware]

As a matter of fact, I'm currently working on that subject! Expect the video to launch in a couple of weeks!

[@Rastapapulus]

@@AntonsHardware Lucky me! Thank you. Waiting for good news.

[@MikeleKonstantyFiedorowiczIV]

Wow ty man i type big commend after realesing video but i gived link to screenshot and i see youtube block my comment. I got thx version (sb1095) for 17euro with shiping as used. With those prices you show its not worthy to buy it. But still i like this card, no one expect insane quality but its ok but like they said its very good solution for laptop, old laptops(maybe they add better dacs in newer ones) Ty for test

[@MikeleKonstantyFiedorowiczIV]

btw its not only program you can use with this card, you can use some program who look like virtual amplifier called "Creative entertainment console" its most of option like in your program but looks much cooler even in 2021 i like this design.

[@giangholland]

where can i buy? in nederland.... pls

[@MikeleKonstantyFiedorowiczIV]

@@giangholland only as used only, it worth but if you find it in about 30-40$ remote controller is a big adventage and is helpfull even when you wantch music on youtube tidal etc. But i dont recommend this card for all cost, you can find better sounding options

[@motofingo]

ı have one.. ı use still on win 10

[@lamtruong8658]

Hi, can i use it on win 11? About to buy sb 1090 but no idea whether it works on win11 any drivers?

[@motofingo]

sorry ı not idea @@lamtruong8658

[@jaimedelatorreaguirre3761]

drivers?

[@AntonsHardware]

There are still drivers for the X-Fi surround, but are from 2015, so they aren't new! And I don't think they will update the drivers.

[@endrizo]

i have one of these the SB 1095 PRO. (the non pro is the SB1090) and creative drivers [Bennu]XFXA3_PCDRV_L11_1_00_09.exe for win 10 downloaded from creative page does NOT work in win 10. just downloaded it and no luck, will try in another pc.

[@endrizo]

i have one of these the SB 1095 PRO and creative drivers [Bennu]XFXA3_PCDRV_L11_1_00_09.exe for win 10 downloaded from creative page does NOT work in win 10. just downloaded it and no luck

[@AntonsHardware]

Sorry to hear that! In the video that I made the drivers worked, but I always use a clean install of windows.

[@milomilitary]

I am running a 3 years old W10 (no reinstalations and cheaps of old drivers and stuff) and the pro version, with the exact same driver is working just fine on my laptop.