Let me know how you like the new card .... i have an Xfi Extreme music that is so old its turned grey. Hasnt broke so havent fixed it lol.
I was in GV battles for a couple of hours in AH2 last night and found the 3d quality of the sounds from this card (SBz) to be much better than my X-Fi extreme gamer. I could tell where other GVs were much better by sound than with the X-fi. I haven't tested this out sufficiently in AH3 yet.
What I have noticed in AH3 is better sound quality. For example in AH3 the track sounds of a tank tread change with the surface (e.g. grass vs gravel). Could hear the difference with the X-Fi card but it is much clearer with the SBz.
The only issue I have had is with the microphone that comes with the card. I think it's a matter of positioning it correctly and getting the right settings in the SB control panel. But you can use any microphone.