A Prima Donna on PC: Creative Labs Audigy 2

Features
By published

Audigy 2: Input/ Output Quality, Continued

The 16 bit/ 44.1 kHz tests gave positive results, though not the same level of quality. This is because when the Audigy 2 resamples all the 44.1 kHz flow rates in 48 kHz, corresponding to the DSP's internal frequency, rates above 48 kHz do not get resampled. So here we have a paradox: the Audigy 2 produces near-perfect sound in 24 bit/ 96 kHz playback (i.e. DVD Audio), but is not as good in 16 bit/ 44.1 kHz playback (such as CD Audio).

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Results Right Mark Audio Analyser
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:+0.05, -0.17Very good
Noise level, dB (A):-92.5Very good
Dynamic range, dB (A):87.3Good
THD, %:0.0018Excellent
IMD, %:1.393Poor
Stereo crosstalk, dB:-85.1Excellent

You can see the test results are generally positive, except for the intermodulation one. This is evidently due to resampling in 48 kHz.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Frequency rangeResponse
From 20 Hz to 20 kHz, dB-1.79, +0.05
From 40 Hz to 15 kHz, dB-0.17, +0.05

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ParameterLeftRight
RMS power, dB:-89.5-88.3
RMS power (A-weighted), dB:-92.5-91.1
Peak level, dB FS:-75.5-75.4
DC offset, %:00

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ParameterLeftRight
Dynamic range, dB:86.385.4
Dynamic range (A-weighted), dB:88.287.3
DC offset, %:00

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ParameterLeftRight
THD, %:0.0020.002
THD + Noise, %:0.0090.009
THD + Noise (A-weighted), %:0.0080.008