Computer maker Asus has apparently decided to get into the business of add-on audio peripherals for PCs, announced its Xonar DX2 and Xonar U1 add-on audio interfaces.
The Xonar DX2 is a PCI-E expansion card aimed at PC gamers and home theater nuts: it translates DirectX surround-sound and hardware-accelerated audio processing to the DS3D GX extension of the Xonar D2X driver, enabling Windows Vista gamers to frag in style, confident they won’t lose their Direct3D or EAX audio mid-game. Unlike other hardware add-on solutions, the Xonar Dx2 does not require special installation or specific support from game developers: once installed, the Xonar Dx2 just works. The card also features 118 db of dynamic range on all 7.1 channels (rather than maximizing range on, say, just the front channels), supports Dobly and DTS for home theater implementations, and supports on-card digitizing of analog audio sources. The card also support acoustic echo cancellation for online chat and LAN gaming.
Where the Xonar DX2 is clearly aimed at desktop and media center users, the Xonar U1 mainly targets notebook users, and takes the form of a colorful USB 2.0 peripheral. Inside the knob-like device, users will find external audio hardware which directly supports EAX and DirectSound HW acceleration under Windows Vista and XP, a high-quality DAC for listening to music, an array microphone, and an integrated high-fidelity headphone amplifier. The Xonar U1’s idea is to get the audio hardware separated from the EM fields and DC noise found in the tight confines of notebook hardware—and, along the way, offer support for technologies like Dolby Prologic IIx. And if you want to hook up to a home audio system, the Xonar U1 sports S/PDIF output.
Unfortunately, Asus hasn’t announced any pricing or availability for the Xonar units.
