Posted on Friday, April 13 2012 @ 15:35 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
ASUS introduces the ROG Xonar, a new premium audio card for gamers with a bundled control box that features volume control with environmental noise cancellation (ENC) for microphones.
The Xonar Phoebus features the exclusive ROG Command technology which reduces up to 50% of ambient noise thus providing authoritative voice quality during online multiplayer gaming sessions. And with its clear 118dB SNR, and a powerful 600 ohm headphone amplifier, the Xonar Phoebus delivers precise positioning and lifelike immersion audio for a distinctly impactful gaming environment. Its dedicated control box extends convenience and puts more intuitive functions within easy reach for a more ergonomic desktop gaming environment.
Exclusive ROG Command technology for clean, seamless in-game communication
Gamers often face noisy conditions that drown out voices during online multiplayer gaming. This creates lack of clarity and confusion within squads, leading to lower win ratios. Exclusive ROG Command technology offers the world’s first design to specifically bring noise cancelation to a gaming soundcard set, as designed by the Xonar team. Intelligent sound detection algorithms and array microphones (two on the dedicated control box) enable up to 50% ambient noise reduction, effectively turning loud locations such as LAN parties into something as quiet as a lab. The technology works equally well whether using an external microphone or the microphones embedded into the ROG Xonar Phoebus control box. Gamers benefit from being able to communicate and coordinate with team members clearly and with greater precision, adding to enjoyment and win ratios.
Finest components and design for superior sound
ROG Xonar Phoebus utilizes a stylish and effective EMI shield and ASUS exclusive Hyper Grounding technology to ensure reduced electromagnetic interference. Based on the experience of Xonar professionals, Hyper Grounding technology brings ASUS motherboard expertise to audio products with a multi-layer PCB that helps block noise from nearby components and the power supply to render more lifelike and extra clear sound. The PCM1796 digital-to-analog converter on ROG Xonar Phoebus delivers clear and crisp 118dB SNR high fidelity audio. The new soundcard’s SNR profile therefore outperforms competing gaming audio products by a factor of four, and onboard audio by an impressive 32 times. It excels in total harmonic distortion (THD) performance, with a miniscule 0.00039% of sound output experiencing distortion.
Power for headphone users
Since many gamers choose headphones to refrain from disturbing others while insisting on the best sound quality and privacy, ROG and Xonar teams integrated the top-flight TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier on ROG Xonar Phoebus, driving up to 600 ohm impedance for genuinely impactful headphone output.
Dedicated control box
Clad in the trademark ROG red and black color scheme, the ROG Xonar Phoebus control box offers gamers improved response and convenience. Connected to the card via the back I/O, the control box can be placed on the desk so it remains within easy reach. Gamers can then adjust volume and mute quickly without bringing up game or operating system menus, or having to hunt around for display remote controls. The control box further offers microphone and headphone connectors, making connections easier.
The latest audio technologies
ROG Xonar Phoebus includes one-click activation of Dolby® Home Theater V4, helping enhance audio through complete compatibility with new sound processing technologies. The latest standard offers greatly improved surround, with smart sound enhancement and a more user-friendly approach to high end audio. The exclusive ASUS GX 3.0 game audio engine has also been integrated, offering EAX® compatibility to ensure boosted game sound, a wider range of simultaneous sound effects, and overall clearer sonic performance in every PC game.
Product crossover benefits consumers
ROG Xonar Phoebus presents the first soundcard set from ROG, the ASUS division entirely devoted to gaming as a lifestyle and branch of pioneering technology. This launch coincides with ROG’s fifth anniversary, and delivers the results of cooperation between ROG gaming philosophy and innovative Xonar PC audio experts. As such, ROG Xonar Phoebus offers gamers enhanced sound custom-tailored to improving in-game experiences.
