Dolby Digital EX 7.1 soundcards

Let's be honest - a 7.1 soundcard is currently pretty pointless, as there are no multimedia speakers that can output all eight Dolby EX-compliant channels.

However, as eight-channel speaker sets are on their way, the manufacturers of these cards are calling them 'future proof'. Whether they are right remains to be seen. But there are plenty of other interesting features on the cards.

Both these cards use the same Via chip, the ICEnsemble Envy 24HT. This is a 7.1-enhanced version of the Envy 24 chip used in Terratec's incredible 6Fire card, but with nifty features such as the hardware mixer removed to cut down the cost. As you might guess by its name, it's a true 24bit chip.

Terratec was the first to release cards of this quality for PCs with the 6Fire; Creative followed about a year later. The difference in quality from 16bit/48KHz cards is immense, though you won't notice much difference when playing a CD, as CDs run at 16/48.

The chip can also handle 192KHz audio, as well as the more common 96KHz and 44.1KHz. 192KHz is currently rare (as file sizes are immense) and found only in DVD-Audio discs, but audio quality at this rate is truly superb.

As they use the same chip these two cards are very similar, with only cost and a few features separating them. Neither, however, have a Midi/joystick port.

The reasons for losing it are clear: there's very little space on the card; the need has diminished among most users, as joypads and sticks are primarily USB-based; and Midi users are unlikely to want a 7.1 soundcard.

But the cost of an extra bracket is minimal. There isn't an option to expand on either card, which is a bit of a shame, particularly considering Asio 2.0 is fully supported.

Both cards have mic and line inputs as well as the required four minijack outputs for 7.1 sound. Terratec has rather wisely opted to use optical S/PDIF, as this has become far more common in external devices (such as minidisc) than its coaxial partner, despite the fact that the signal degrades after less than a metre.

Both an input and output are included, while M-Audio has gone for a single coaxial out and no input.

Both cards installed quickly and without a hitch. M-Audio makes life far simpler than Terratec, first by colour-coding the minijack outs with the traditional green, orange and black, with silver used for the fourth jack.

Each jack also has its own little diagram indicating which port is for which speaker set - very handy. At the opposite end of the ease of use-o-meter, all Terratec's outputs are green and the only way you know what goes where is by the engraved letters on the bracket; for example 'F' for the front stereo speakers. Not user-friendly.

As mentioned, the Terratec has an internal connector that could house a bracket that looks like it's for a Midi/joystick port. Disappointingly, though, there will be no bracket sold.

The Aureon also has two inputs for the optical drives, an auxiliary in and a CD-digital port. These hark back to the days when the transfer of data between optical drive and soundcard via the southbridge could be interrupted if other data was passing through at the same time.

Nowadays, these aren't necessary, and you're unlikely to put this into a system that old.

Despite the extra optical input and internal inputs on the Terratec, the M-Audio wins hands down, as it is easier to install and far cheaper. The Hercules Fortissimo 3 7.1 is only £50 but the sound quality is far inferior, at 16bit, 48KHz.

M-AUDIO REVOLUTION 7.1

Price: £79 (£67.23 ex VAT)
Contact: M-Audio 0871 717 7100
www.midiman.co.uk

Specifications:

• Via Envy24HT chip
• 24bit, 192KHz recording and output
• Speaker support 2.0 up to 7.1
• Coaxial S/PDIF output
• Dolby Digital EX & 5.1

TERRATEC AUREON 7.1 SPACE

Price: £129.99 (£110.63 ex VAT)
Contact: Terratec 0118 982 1612
www.terratec.co.uk

Specifications:

• Via Envy24HT chip
• 24bit, 192KHz recording and output
• Speaker support 2.0 up to 7.1
• Optical S/PDIF in and out
• Dolby Digital EX & 5.1

See also:

Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX

Creative's top-of-the-range soundcard.  14 Aug 2003

Terratec Aureon 7.1 Space

Fancy eight speakers in your living room? For this kind of sound, you might ...  09 May 2003

Terratec Aureon 5.1 Fun

An impressive soundcard at a bargain price.  04 Apr 2003

M-audio Sonica

Audiophiles will be thrilled with the quality playback of this soundcard.  06 Feb 2003

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