Following our look at ASUS' Xonar DG, we have a new ASUS product specifically targeted toward the professional gaming and the audiophile crowd, the Xonar Xense. What's special about it is that it's not only an audio card; it comes with a headset as well. Since both parts are specifically made to work with each other, one would expect optimized sound quality, even before considering the fact that ASUS has teamed up with Sennheiser to power up this bundle. ASUS has shown its experience in audio with many devices lately, and Seinheiser has been an outstanding player in this field for a long time. Will the Xonar Xense impress or disappoint?
|
Soundcard Specifications |
|
Audio Performance |
Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
118 dB
Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
118 dB
Output THD N at 1kHz:
0.00039% (-108dB) for Front Channel of Line-out
Input THD N at 1kHz:
0.0003% (-110dB) for Line-in
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input):
<10Hz to 46kHz
Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage
2Vrms (5.65Vp-p) |
|
Bus Compatibility |
PCI Express:
PCI Express Rev.1.0a specification compatible.
Maximum full 2.5Gbps bandwidth per direction and optimized latency for high-definition audio processing.
Compatible with X1, X4, X8, X1 6 PCI Express slots. |
|
Main Chipset |
Audio Processor:
ASUS AV100 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192kHz/24bit))
24-bit D-A Converter of Digital Sources:
Texas Instruments PCM1796*1 for Front-Out (123dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit); Cirrus-Logic CS4362A*1 for other 6 channels (114dB SNR, Max.192kHz/24bit)
24-bit A-D Converter for Analog Inputs:
Cirrus-Logic CS5381 x 1 (120dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)
High Fidelity Headphone Amplifier:
Texas Instruments 6120A2*1 (120dB SNR, -117dB THD+N @ Vcc+-12V, RL=600Ω, f=1kHz) |
|
Sample Rate and Resolution |
Analog Playback Sample Rate and Resolution:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit
Analog Recording Sample Rate and Resolution:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit
S/PDIF Digital Output:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit, Dolby Digital
ASIO 2.0 Driver Support:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @16/24bit with very low latency |
|
I/O Ports |
Analog Output Jack:
6.30mm jack*1 (Headphone out); 7.1ch analog output (via bundled audio splitter cable)
Analog Input Jack:
6.30mm jack *1 (Shared by Line-In/Mic-In)
Other line-level analog input (for CD-IN/TV Tuner):
Aux-In (4-pin header on the card)
Digital S/PDIF Output:
High-bandwidth Coaxial/TOS-Link combo port supports 192KHz/24bit
Front-Panel Header:
Shared by Headphone out / 2 channels out / Microphone in |
|
Driver Features |
Operation System:
Windows 7/Vista/XP/MCE2005
Dolby® Technologies:
Dolby® Digital Live, Dolby® Headphone, Dolby® Virtual Speaker, Dolby® Pro-Logic II
Smart Volume Normalizer™:
Normalizes the volume of all audio sources into a constant level and also enhances your 3D sound listening range and advantages in gaming
Xear 3D™ Virtual Speaker Shifter:
Virtual 7.1 speaker positioning
FlexBass™:
Professional Bass Management/Enhancement system
Other Effects:
10-band Equalizer/27 Environment Effects
3D Sound Engines/APIs:
DirectSound3D® GX 2.0 & 1.0, EAX®2.0&1.0, DirectSound® HW, DirectSound SW, OpenAL generic modes, 128 3D sounds processing capability
DS3D GX2.5:
GX 2.5 supports EAX gaming sound effects and Di rectSound 3D hardware enhanced functions for more games on Windows XP/Vista/7. (DirectX/DirectSound 3D compatible) |
|
Accessories |
1 x S/PDIF optical adaptors
1 x 6.3mm to 3.5mm stereo adapter
1 x 7.1 channel audio splitter cable
1 x Driver CD
1 x Quick Start Guide |
|
Size(Width x Height) |
111.15mm x 178.06mm |
|
Headphones Specifications |
|
Cable Length |
3m (9.8 feet) |
|
Connector Plugs |
2 x 6.3mm |
|
Speaker Type |
Dynamic, 38mm, Nd magnet |
|
Frequency Response |
10 – 26,000Hz |
|
Impedance |
150Ω |
|
Distortion |
Less than 0.1% |
|
Microphone Specifications |
|
Frequency Response |
50 – 16,000Hz |
|
Pick-up Pattern |
Noise Canceling |
|
Sensitivity |
-38dBV at 94dBSPL |
Specifications are courtesy of ASUS @ http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=fuwaPxZqjAhgplCB
Included in the package is the audio card and headset, a TRS adapter, and one TOSLINK. We also find the usual driver CD and user's guide.
