X-bit labs

Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS Notebook: Serious Audio for Portable Systems (page 7)

Category: Multimedia

by Vasily Melnik

[ 08/31/2005 | 03:20 PM ]

THD and IMD spectrograms taken in Standard Feature Mode, 16-bit/44kHz

THD and IMD spectrograms taken in Standard Feature Mode, 16-bit/48kHz

THD and IMD spectrograms taken in Standard Feature Mode, 24-bit/48kHz

For comparison:
THD and IMD spectrograms taken from Realtek AC’97 (ALC850) codec, 16-bit/48kHz

The most interesting thing is that the card sounds differently in its two operational modes. This is confirmed by the measurements and can also be heard by the ear: the results for the Standard Feature mode are much worse than for the Advanced Feature mode, even though they are still better than the results of the integrated audio codec. I am really perplexed at this fact. The same digital-to-analog converter must be used in both modes, so where could this discrepancy come from?

Anyway, the card is at its best in the Advanced mode and reproducing 16bit/48kHz audio: a record 101.2dB signal-to-noise ratio and minimal THD (total harmonic distortion) and IMD (intermodulation distortion) values. So I recommend you to use this format for the most accurate reproduction of musical compositions. You can find appropriate plug-ins for all popular media players.