Auzentech X-Fi Forte Low Profile 7.1 PCI-E Sound Card
Introduction and Specifications
Published: 6th July 2009 | Source: Auzentech | Price: £122 |
Introduction
Auzentech are a company well known for making excellent sound cards. Recently they have made a deal with Creative to produce cards based on Creative's X-Fi technology, such as the OC3D favourite X-Fi Prelude. This time they are back at it and we're taking a long look at the Auzentech X-Fi Forte.
The sound card we are looking at today is a low-profile version that isn't aimed at one market at all. In fact, Auzentech boast that the X-Fi Forte is aimed at: Music, HTPC and Gaming. A big boast indeed and one that strikes me as a brave one.
Having said that, the specs are top-notch with a mix of components not seen on one card before. Op-amps and decent quality DACs are mixed with 'X-RAM' chips and a Creative X-Fi chip. This could make the card an interesting proposition for those not wanting to compromise in one area or the other. Before we check to see if Auzentech have bitten off more than they can chew, let's hit up their website for some specifications...
Specifications
Dimensions | |||
Board |
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Interface Core | |||
Audio Processor |
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PC Interface |
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Supported audio resolution and sampling rate |
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API Supports |
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Supported Operating Systems |
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Analog Audio | |||
Level |
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Dynamic Range |
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Total Harmonic Distortion+ Noise |
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Frequency Response |
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Impedance |
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Microphone |
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Connectivity | |||
Analog Multi I/O Cable (D-SUB) |
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Headphone |
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Front Audio |
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Digital I/O |
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Extension |
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Rear Panel
Rear Panel Brackets
The X-Fi™ Forte includes two rear panel brackets, a Standard bracket and a Low Profile bracket. Use the appropriate bracket for your PC.
Digital Output
RCA/TOSLINK Combo Jack: Can connect to external DAC, AV Receiver, and Decoder through a 75Ω Coaxial cable or optical mini cable. Can play S/PDIF Stereo PCM and Dolby Digital AC-3, DTS bit-stream content.
Headphone Output
3.5mm(1/8 ”) stereo mini-phone jack: Includes an independent Headphone amp and can activate an impedance 16Ω ~ 600Ω headphone or earphone. Also, can be used, when configuring a Stereo system, not using the Analog I/O cable, as an Front Line Output.
Note If you connect a Passive Speaker (with lower than 16Ω) to this Headphone output, it can cause this audio card to not function correctly.
Note If you connect a Passive Speaker (with lower than 16Ω) to this Headphone output, it can cause this audio card to not function correctly.
Analog I/O Multi Connector
D-SUB 15 pin connector: Connect the Analog I/O cable bundled in this package and use for Mic input, Line input and 8-channel line output Jack.
Analog I/O Cable
MIC input connector
3.5mm(1/8”) mini phone jack (Pink color label: ‘MIC IN’): Connect Stereo/mono unbalanced condenser microphone and input, record audio from the MIC through the audio card. Also, connect to Balanced Dynamic Microphone through the jumper setting of this audio board.
3.5mm(1/8”) mini phone jack (Pink color label: ‘MIC IN’): Connect Stereo/mono unbalanced condenser microphone and input, record audio from the MIC through the audio card. Also, connect to Balanced Dynamic Microphone through the jumper setting of this audio board.
Line input connector
3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Blue color label: ‘LINE IN’): Connect CD player, MP3 player from their headphone output or line output, and input/record audio through this audio card.
3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Blue color label: ‘LINE IN’): Connect CD player, MP3 player from their headphone output or line output, and input/record audio through this audio card.
Front Line output connector
3.5mm (1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Lime color label: ‘FRONT’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s “Front”.
3.5mm (1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Lime color label: ‘FRONT’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s “Front”.
Rear output connector
3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Black color label: ‘REAR’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s Rear. Connectiowheabove 4-channel system is needed.
3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Black color label: ‘REAR’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s Rear. Connectiowheabove 4-channel system is needed.
Center/Woofer output connector
3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Orange color label: ‘C/SW’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s Center/Woofer. Connectiowheabove 5.1 channel system is needed.
3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Orange color label: ‘C/SW’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s Center/Woofer. Connectiowheabove 5.1 channel system is needed.
Side output connector
3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Gray color label: ‘SIDE’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’ Side. Connection to 7.1 channel system is needed.
3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Gray color label: ‘SIDE’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’ Side. Connection to 7.1 channel system is needed.
Package Contents
| Product |
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| Documentation |
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| Accessories |
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| Software |
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Specificatons subject to change without notice.
Before we move on to looking at the card in all it's glory, it's worth noting that there is no mention in the specification of the new high definition formats of Dolby True HD or DTS-HD Master Audio which is a little disappointing as this is aimed at the HTPC market, in which Blu Ray is fast becoming the king.
Most Recent Comments
This sounds like a great card coming from the great review.
I'd have to limit my own conclusion to that of the Auzen Prelude. The card is great, but the Creative software on it is a real pita imo.
If u keep in touch with the Auzen site, they're upd8ing RCx of the drivers time after time. The initial ones ~werent too bad~, the following RC(s) seem to gain in some respects whilst taking away in others - and still u have the freaking Creative control console lurking over everything.
Seeing nothing to suggest otherwize, I'd view this card in the same way, if ur going to set it up to a single or perhaps one additional input, ur likely to do well with it.
Fancy being a bit "creative" - forget it. And I don't think Vista helps. Alchemy also being a bit hit and miss.
For whatever reason they decided to screw up the sound options that the pc had when going from xp->vista, even tho the theory in the vista control is a good idea imo, I would love them to try and get it mostly correct in Windows 7.
Let's pretty much hope that Creative born examples continue to work fine and without hackage in Windows 7 - they "should".
Great review. I do have reservations tho, especially when paying £122!Quote
I'd have to limit my own conclusion to that of the Auzen Prelude. The card is great, but the Creative software on it is a real pita imo.
If u keep in touch with the Auzen site, they're upd8ing RCx of the drivers time after time. The initial ones ~werent too bad~, the following RC(s) seem to gain in some respects whilst taking away in others - and still u have the freaking Creative control console lurking over everything.
Seeing nothing to suggest otherwize, I'd view this card in the same way, if ur going to set it up to a single or perhaps one additional input, ur likely to do well with it.
Fancy being a bit "creative" - forget it. And I don't think Vista helps. Alchemy also being a bit hit and miss.
For whatever reason they decided to screw up the sound options that the pc had when going from xp->vista, even tho the theory in the vista control is a good idea imo, I would love them to try and get it mostly correct in Windows 7.
Let's pretty much hope that Creative born examples continue to work fine and without hackage in Windows 7 - they "should".
Great review. I do have reservations tho, especially when paying £122!Quote
PCI-e is becoming the standard nowaday, so whilst it is a plus - it's not a huge plus over the competitionQuote
Just an FYI I got in the mail, sorry about the layout:
----------------
7.10.2009
X-Fi Forte Driver for Windows 7
Auzentech Releases X-Fi Forte 7.1 Multi-Driver for Windows 7, XP, and Vista
Santa Clara, CA: Auzentech, Inc (www.auzentech.com) announced today the immediate availability of the Multi-Driver for the X-Fi Forte 7.1 sound card. The multi-Driver is compatible with Windows® 7, XP, and Vista 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
The new driver must be a fresh install on a 32-bit or 64-bit edition of Windows® 7, XP or Vista. For details and downloads, visit the driver download page.
Download Driver:
http://www.auzentech.com/site/download/updates.php#xfiforte
Product Page:
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_forte.php
About X-Fi Forte
Officially released on January 19, 2009, the Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 is the first Low Profile native PCI Express® audio card that Auzentech has designed especially for gamers and audiophiles. Compared to the X-Fi chipset reference design, the Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 has improved circuitry and components. The Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 marks the first time the Creative X-Fi Native PCI Express® chipset has been available in a low-profile board, as well as the first time it has been available in a a third-party soundcard. X-Fi Forte ships with Dolby Digital Live. DTS Connect will be available as a driver download for Windows Vista®.
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_forte.php
About Auzentech, Inc.
AUZENTECH, Inc. is a provider of quality consumer electronics products, which is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. AUZENTECH developed the World's first Dolby Digital Live Sound card (X-Mystique 7.1 Gold) and the World's first DTS Connect Sound Card (X-Plosion 7.1 DTS Connect) and continues to bring the most innovative audio products to the market.
http://www.auzentech.com/
Contact:
[email protected]Quote
----------------
7.10.2009
X-Fi Forte Driver for Windows 7
Auzentech Releases X-Fi Forte 7.1 Multi-Driver for Windows 7, XP, and Vista
Santa Clara, CA: Auzentech, Inc (www.auzentech.com) announced today the immediate availability of the Multi-Driver for the X-Fi Forte 7.1 sound card. The multi-Driver is compatible with Windows® 7, XP, and Vista 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
The new driver must be a fresh install on a 32-bit or 64-bit edition of Windows® 7, XP or Vista. For details and downloads, visit the driver download page.
Download Driver:
http://www.auzentech.com/site/download/updates.php#xfiforte
Product Page:
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_forte.php
About X-Fi Forte
Officially released on January 19, 2009, the Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 is the first Low Profile native PCI Express® audio card that Auzentech has designed especially for gamers and audiophiles. Compared to the X-Fi chipset reference design, the Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 has improved circuitry and components. The Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 marks the first time the Creative X-Fi Native PCI Express® chipset has been available in a low-profile board, as well as the first time it has been available in a a third-party soundcard. X-Fi Forte ships with Dolby Digital Live. DTS Connect will be available as a driver download for Windows Vista®.
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_forte.php
About Auzentech, Inc.
AUZENTECH, Inc. is a provider of quality consumer electronics products, which is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. AUZENTECH developed the World's first Dolby Digital Live Sound card (X-Mystique 7.1 Gold) and the World's first DTS Connect Sound Card (X-Plosion 7.1 DTS Connect) and continues to bring the most innovative audio products to the market.
http://www.auzentech.com/
Contact:
[email protected]Quote
I just purchased one of these card and will receive it in a couple of days....
The reason I am curious about the mic boost is I have Vista 64 bit OS and have a Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Sound Blaster Pro 7.1ch Gaming Official PCI Express Sound Card in it at the moment and There is no mic boost!!! Card sounds great, it's just a shame my team mates can not hear me... They can hear me but the volume is to low during game play.
I tried everything I can think of and then went to Creative forums to find out creative did not add a mic boost to this cards software for Vista!!!
Well thought I would check here to see if anyone has a problem not being heard with this card during gameing with their mates.Quote
The reason I am curious about the mic boost is I have Vista 64 bit OS and have a Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Sound Blaster Pro 7.1ch Gaming Official PCI Express Sound Card in it at the moment and There is no mic boost!!! Card sounds great, it's just a shame my team mates can not hear me... They can hear me but the volume is to low during game play.
I tried everything I can think of and then went to Creative forums to find out creative did not add a mic boost to this cards software for Vista!!!
Well thought I would check here to see if anyone has a problem not being heard with this card during gameing with their mates.Quote
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At a 75% discount
What about putting PCI-e x1 as good in the conclusion? Most people have too many of those slots anyway and it has more future than the PCI standard.Quote