Review: asus rog xonar phoebus

Phoebus is the god of light and music. The sound card that we are going to analyze is the Asus Xonar ROG Phoebus in PCI Express, 5.1 format, 600 ohms amplifier and remote control. You want to know more? Well keep reading our review.

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ASUS ROG XONAR PHOEBUS FEATURES
Audio performance	Output Signal-to-noise ratio (A-Weighted) (Front output): 118 dB Output Signal-to-noise ratio (A-Weighted) (earphone output): 110 dB Signal-to-noise ratio input (A-Weighted): 118 dB THD + N output at 1kHz (Front output): 0.00039% (- 108 dB) THD + N output at 1kHz (headphone output): 0.001% (300 dB) THD + N input at 1kHz: 0.0003% (- 110 dB) Response frequency (-3dB, 24bit / 96KHz input): 10 Hz to 48 KHz Output / Input Full-Scale Voltage: Vrms (Vp-p)
Bus compatibility	PCI Express
Chipset	Audio Processor: C-Media CMI8888DHT High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 96KHz / 24bit)
Sampling frequency and resolution	Analog output resolution and sampling frequency: 44.1K / 48K / 88.2K / 96K / 176.4K / 192KHz @ 16bit / 24bit Analog Recording Sample Rate and Resolution: 44.1K / 48K / 88.2K / 96K / 176.4K / 192KHz @ 16bit / 24bit S / PDIF digital output: 44.1K / 48K / 88.2K / 96K / 176.4K / 192KHz @ 16bit / 24bit S / PDIF digital input: 44.1K / 48K / 88.2K / 96K / 176.4K / 192KHz @ 16bit / 24bit ASIO 2.0 Driver Compatible: 44.1K / 48K / 88.2K / 96K / 176.4K / 192KHz @ 16bit / 24bit with very low latency
Entrance exit	Analog output jack: 5 x 3.5mm RCA jack Analog input jack: 2 x 3.5mm RCA jack 1 x Digital S / PDIF output: Other line input (for CD / TV tuner): 4-pin header on card 1 x Box link
Special features	Dolby® Technologies: Dolby® Home Theater v4 Smart Volume Normalizer ™ Xear Surround ™ Magic Voice ™ FlexBass ™ GX 3.0 Game Audio Engine
accessories	Control box x 1CD Drivers x 1 Quick Start Guide x 1S / PDIF adapter x 1ATX 4P-to-6P power cable x 1

Intuitate the position of your enemies before seeing them and enjoy music with the signal to noise ratio of 118dB. All this done by the creators of Xonar Xense (winners of the 2012 CES Innovations Award). The dedication of the Xonar team offers the leading performance in gaming products combined with an aggressive and unique design. Named after the Greek goddess of music and the sun, ROG Xonar Phoebus features ROG Command, Hyper Grounding, EMI isolation, the most advanced components, and Dolby® surround sound so you hear exactly what the creators of the game they wanted you to listen.

Aside from its sound quality, the ROG Xonar Phoebus offers you 50% cancellation of ambient noise through a dual array microphone setup on the external controller, allowing you to transform a noisy LAN Party into something as quiet as a library.

Audio 4 times clearer than competitive gaming sound cards. Also, through the multilayer PCB, it is possible to separate sound from noise.

Many gamers prefer to play with headphones so as not to disturb or disturb others. For that reason, we've included the TPA6120A2 top-of-the-range headphone amplifier, which supports up to 600 ohms impedance.

Different settings allow the amplifier to work ideally with headphones with different impedances. It also includes an LED that changes color depending on the configuration: blue for less than 32 ohms and red for both configurations above 32 ohms.

This new interface integrates all the control parameters such as the configuration of the I / O, volume, effects and DSP modes in an orderly and visual way. Users can also activate Dolby® Home Theater V4 with a simple click.

The new Dolby ^® Home Theater V4 incorporates improved surround sound reproduction and processing.

• Surround Decoder - converts stereo to multi-channel sound sources. Enjoy the most realistic environment with multichannel playback. Surround Virtualization - offers virtual surround sound playback to enjoy with stereo setups.

• Smart Equalizer - allows users to adjust tones with visual controls. Dialog Enhancements - improves dialogue clarity for your online communications. Volume Leveler - helps maintain a consistent volume level.

GX 3.0 audio engine enhances sound realism and offers superior EAX ^® compatibility

As in all ROG products, the box is red.

It comes perfectly packed for any type of hit.

Manuals and CDs with software and drivers come in a cardboard box.

The box includes:

• Asus ROG Xonar Phoebus sound card. Molex 6 pin PCI converter / thief. Control knob. Manual. CD Installation.

The sound card has a cover, called EMI, to dissipate heat and prevent any interference from any internal component.

Rear view.

The ROG logo and the ASUS logo are screen printed on the case. It is a sound card with a PCI Express 4X connection. Reminding us of the ASUS Xonar Xense.

Includes two connections. One power supply (6-pin PCI) and an internal one for the audio input / output connection in the box.

Top quality capacitors.

Dressed in the ROG color scheme, the Xonar Phoebus external control connects to the card via the rear ports and is intended to go on the table, within easy reach of the user. External control includes connectors for microphone and headphones.

Asus ROG Xonar Phoebus is a high-end sound card, with PCI Express (4X) format and is designed for the most Siberian users of sound. Among its most important characteristics I highlight:

• It is capable of offering one of the best signal-to-noise ratios on the market ( 118dB SNR ). EMI cover that prevents internal component interference Amplifier, TPA6120A2, HiFi for headsets / headsets and DAC (Asus Xonar One) up to 600 ohms. External Control to connect helmets and manage volume. ROG Command technology: 50% cancellation of the ambient noise by means of a configuration of two matrix microphones in the external control. Compatibility with Dolby Home Theater V4, EAX and GX 3.0 audio. The Software allows us to manage the sound and preset effects.

In our test bench we have used the 2 × 32 OHMS SuperLux HD681 headphones and Logitech Z-2300 speakers. The result in both cases has been excellent, as it happened to us with the Asus Xonar Xense (it seems like a tracing, but with slight improvements).

The crisp sound is great when we're listening to music. Also, when we play we appreciate more details in the introduction of Left 4 Dead. With Battlefield 3 I have appreciated the movements of my rivals when they approached.

You have to keep in mind that the sound card needs a 6-pin PCI power connection.

The Asus ROG Xonar Phoebus has the excellent features of the Xonar range. That I consider the best sound cards on the market. Its only but is that it is not within the reach of everyone: € 175.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ AESTHETICS.	- PRICE.
+ TPA6120A2 AMPLIFIER UP TO 600 OHM.
+ INCREDIBLE SOUND.
+ EXTERNAL CONTROL.
+ ROG COMMAND TECHNOLOGY.
+ EXCELLENT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE.

The Professional Review team awarded him the gold medal: