Just bought a Logitech Z906, is the onboard 5.1 worthy?

[Avenger411]

Hey guys!

Just wondering if the onboard chip is good enough for me to enjoy the Z906 at it's fullest potential in games ? Or should i go the dedicated pcie audio route ?

Thanks for the input!

Max*

[Menthol]

I have owned the Z906 since it was released, on older or cheaper boards I would say yes use a dedicated sound card but ASUS ROG boards of last several generations I use the onboard sound solution, unless you are an audiophile you will barely tell a difference, some sound cards add additional bass or different sound characteristics that sound better to some people but the onboard sound solution is quite good, I use the Z906's ability to adjust volume on front, center, back, woofer, separately to get the sound I want instead of software based control, I also have a second PC connected with spidf cable to either listen to music or watch a movie while browsing the web or working on main PC
I suggest trying the onboard sound solution and make your own conclusions, everyone has their own tastes when it comes to sound

[Avenger411]

Hello Menthol,

Thanks for your reply. Have you ever tested the 5.1 surround ? If so, did you compare the analog vs the spdif ? I'm not sure yet which one works best for compatibility and for the best 5.1 surround experience.

Max*

[Raja]

Avenger411 wrote:
Hello Menthol,

Thanks for your reply. Have you ever tested the 5.1 surround ? If so, did you compare the analog vs the spdif ? I'm not sure yet which one works best for compatibility and for the best 5.1 surround experience.

Max*

It's usually preferable to keep the signal in the digital domain for as long as possible.

[Avenger411]

Raja@ASUS wrote:
It's usually preferable to keep the signal in the digital domain for as long as possible.

Hey Raja,

Thank you for your input. Well noted.

Vlada011 wrote:
I think you should buy at least STRIX SOAR.
Some 100$ worth sound card is recommend at least.
SupremeFX is excellent for period if sound card die or until you decide what to buy but I think for all better speakers need at least some mod class dedicate sound card.
For 500$ or below good 5.1 sound systems are
Pioneer SP-PK52FS,
Pioneer SP-PK22BS
Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System.

Hey Vlada!

Yes i was looking into that sound card earlier. It's still on my list amongs other sound cards, if it comes to that.

Menthol wrote:
Can you get true 5.1 using a digital signal? I have seen so many posts about that question, I use the supplied analog cables and spiif for second PC which is currently on a bench table but what Raja says makes perfect sense, noise can be introduced in an analog signal, sound is very subjective, and everyone has their preferences, I suggest starting with the onboard sound solution, purchase a spidf cable and have some fun comparing your preferred sound sources, music, movies, games, google some sound card reviews and a review of your motherboard with the onboard sound review and make your own conclusions, plus side is you can annoy the crap out of your neighbors while testing
I have been considering a set of high quality speakers and returning to stereo as I have never set the rear speakers where they should be anyways, from personal experience of sound cards, I have owned several Sound Blaster series, seemed better for gaming, ASUS Xonar cleaner sound, I have never tried any other but have been considering the Power Color Devil

Hey Menthol,

Thank you for your input. I ended up testing both Analog and Digital and it pretty much ended up to what Raja said. Digital is far better in my opinion for gaming. Using the DTS/Dolby make for a much richer sound and a very precise 5.1 surround. All that using the Onboard Supreme FX chip which does the job very well for the moment. But at the end of the day the sound quality that comes out of the speakers is only as good as the source. One of my favorite games of all time is Rainbow Six : Siege and i've been playing like 100+ hours and the surround in that game is so-so but when i tested the surround in Battlefield 1, OMG. I was amazed at the crispiness in the sound details. I can pinpoint exactly where stuff is happening. Anyways. Mucho Fun.

Thanks to all.

Max

[Vlada011]

I think you should buy at least STRIX SOAR.
Some 100$ worth sound card is recommend at least.
SupremeFX is excellent for period if sound card die or until you decide what to buy but I think for all better speakers need at least some mod class dedicate sound card.
For 500$ or below good 5.1 sound systems are
Pioneer SP-PK52FS,
Pioneer SP-PK22BS
Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System.

[Menthol]

Can you get true 5.1 using a digital signal? I have seen so many posts about that question, I use the supplied analog cables and spiif for second PC which is currently on a bench table but what Raja says makes perfect sense, noise can be introduced in an analog signal, sound is very subjective, and everyone has their preferences, I suggest starting with the onboard sound solution, purchase a spidf cable and have some fun comparing your preferred sound sources, music, movies, games, google some sound card reviews and a review of your motherboard with the onboard sound review and make your own conclusions, plus side is you can annoy the crap out of your neighbors while testing
I have been considering a set of high quality speakers and returning to stereo as I have never set the rear speakers where they should be anyways, from personal experience of sound cards, I have owned several Sound Blaster series, seemed better for gaming, ASUS Xonar cleaner sound, I have never tried any other but have been considering the Power Color Devil