Like the Xonar D2,
the
Xonar D2X has 7.1 channels, a signal-to-noise ratio rating of 118dB, and
Dolby Digital Live functionality to encode PC audio into Dolby Digital format on
the fly. However, the Xonar D2X trades the Xonar D2's 32-bit PCI connector for a
PCIe x1 interface. Asustek has also outfitted the new card with an Acoustics
Echo Cancellation feature, which it says improves voice communication by
eliminating speaker echo as high as 40dB. The company doesn't say how much the
D2X will cost, but the D2 is currently priced in the $180-190 range according to
our price search engine.
Asustek's other new offering, the Xonar U1, is an external USB sound card
designed to work with both desktop PCs and notebooks. The device has a lower
96dB signal-to-noise ratio, but it features S/PDIF digital output and Dolby
Digital Live encoding. Asustek also says the Xonar U1 supports EAX audio effects
and DirectSound hardware audio acceleration in games.
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