Sounds Cards Comparo (or The search for Aural Pleasure) - Page 2

Idryss · 11th February 2009, 8:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinkiwinki

So this isnt good for gaming? I obviously don't have it on for music but I thought its good for gaming?

In their 'game mode' it sets Dolby on auto, but for most things I leave them at Hi-Fi mode (unadulterated sound). Music sounds cleaner I find and as for games, well, I prefer the sound of it. Less artificial in a way to my mind. Only my opinion however. Others with the D2X may differ, but we all agree its an awesome card.

telefragd · 11th February 2009, 9:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smiddi

When this is selected some sounds are not exclusively to either the left or right ear. I think its called crosstalk?

'Crossfeed' is the word you're looking for

$3@N · 11th February 2009, 10:21 PM

Very happy with the Forte, however the drivers are giving me a headache and not letting me go digital surround.

I hope i do not have to wait for RC4

sold · 11th February 2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinkiwinki

So this isnt good for gaming? I obviously don't have it on for music but I thought its good for gaming?

I have it enabled whenever I'm using headphones (queue audiophiles with pitchforks and torches

). I can see why people dislike it for music but for gaming it makes sense to me to have it enabled.

You do have to be careful with your setup though as it's not done very well as DH requires a 5.1 input to do it's magic, but ASUS in their wisdom have decided to change windows' speaker settings based on the analogue output setting. So analogue out = headphones = windows = headphones regardless of if DH is enabled or not. This is fine for games that let you set audio output options in game (e.g. TF2), but others use the windows setting (e.g. CNC 3 I think??) so you have to select headphones, enable DH, then go to the windows control panel and change speaker config to 5.1 to get it to work properly.

DH was one of the selling points of this card for me as the majority of the time I'm using headphones and until I got the card I was limited to DH for AC3 and MPEG audio tracks when watching videos.

hdkhang · 12th February 2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benno1988

For music, did you try kernal streaming/ASIO using foobar or winamp instead?

I find my xfi platnium (same as extreme music) and ad900's quite good for music. No kernal streaming/asio + itunes they sucked arse.

EDIT: Interested in how the Forte goes for music + headphones.

This is no longer really necessary in Vista. For vista, you would want to try WASAPI. XP had kmixer problems, not so in Vista.

Benno1988 · 12th February 2009, 10:54 AM

I have Vista, and Kernal Streaming works a treat. Sounds much much better than any setting i applied with the Creative Software.

Whats this other app/method do?

telefragd · 12th February 2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdkhang

This is no longer really necessary in Vista. For vista, you would want to try WASAPI. XP had kmixer problems, not so in Vista.

Isn't that dependent on the application supporting Vista's 'Exclusive Mode'? Of which there are very few.

For example, iTunes on Vista doesn't sound the same as Winamp + ASIO.

anthony256 · 12th February 2009, 11:35 AM

I got one of the Fatality Titanium Champion editions... very nice card, but when I plug in my headphones/mic into the front bay, I get feedback and can hear myself which is annoying.

Anyone know how to fix it?

mshagg · 12th February 2009, 11:42 AM

Great read smiddi

Can you give us a rundown on your experiences with Alchemy?

Ive got an auzentech x-plosion 7.1 DTS lying around if you want to have a tinker and run it through the wringer

Liam. · 12th February 2009, 2:07 PM

good point on the EAX. I never use it for FPS games when I actually need to hear where people are coming from.

orby · 12th February 2009, 8:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telefragd

'Crossfeed' is the word you're looking for

Already stated in previous post.

telefragd · 12th February 2009, 9:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orby

Already stated in previous post.

Bah people are too quick these days or maybe I'm too slow

I'm STILL waiting for my Xonar Essence STX to come in. Hurry up!

orby · 12th February 2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telefragd

Bah people are too quick these days or maybe I'm too slow

I'm STILL waiting for my Xonar Essence STX to come in. Hurry up!

It was you who told me to wait for the STX, I'm so impatient I waited a month or less and just grabbed the D2X from the for sale section ha. Can't wait for your review on it and I'll kick myself later

telefragd · 13th February 2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orby

It was you who told me to wait for the STX, I'm so impatient I waited a month or less and just grabbed the D2X from the for sale section ha. Can't wait for your review on it and I'll kick myself later

You chose the smarter option compared to me. I'm sick of waiting

$3@N · 13th February 2009, 1:00 AM

Being using my trusty old Edim AudioFx headphones with no viabration, so its just like 'normal' headphones.

The amp is... BRILLIANT!

If your one of those 24/7 nerds like you me your going to be using speakers in the day and headphones in early morning or late night.

The soundcard may appear like a internal mini headphone amp, but it is no slouch with 5.1 speakers.

it sounds the same as my audigy 2 zs in many things, with all the xfi stuff turned off this card is pretty much the same.

This is deffinetly a audiophile music and movie soundcard, gaming feels like a afterthought, but creative has that covered.

Also i can confirm the card is working at 1x in my pci-e 4x slot and it is very friendly to my computer system.

12th February 2009, 11:35 AM	#23
anthony256 Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Adelaide Posts: 10,787	I got one of the Fatality Titanium Champion editions... very nice card, but when I plug in my headphones/mic into the front bay, I get feedback and can hear myself which is annoying. Anyone know how to fix it? __________________ TOX enables me ^_^

11th February 2009, 10:21 PM	#18
$3@N (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Forever A Pwn Posts: 6,015	Very happy with the Forte, however the drivers are giving me a headache and not letting me go digital surround. I hope i do not have to wait for RC4

12th February 2009, 10:54 AM	#21
Benno1988 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 2,703	I have Vista, and Kernal Streaming works a treat. Sounds much much better than any setting i applied with the Creative Software. Whats this other app/method do?

12th February 2009, 2:07 PM	#25
Liam. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 859	good point on the EAX. I never use it for FPS games when I actually need to hear where people are coming from.

13th February 2009, 1:00 AM	#30
$3@N (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Forever A Pwn Posts: 6,015	Being using my trusty old Edim AudioFx headphones with no viabration, so its just like 'normal' headphones. The amp is... BRILLIANT! If your one of those 24/7 nerds like you me your going to be using speakers in the day and headphones in early morning or late night. The soundcard may appear like a internal mini headphone amp, but it is no slouch with 5.1 speakers. it sounds the same as my audigy 2 zs in many things, with all the xfi stuff turned off this card is pretty much the same. This is deffinetly a audiophile music and movie soundcard, gaming feels like a afterthought, but creative has that covered. Also i can confirm the card is working at 1x in my pci-e 4x slot and it is very friendly to my computer system.