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Would like some advice concerning a sound card for gaming! - Page 3

post #31 of 34
6/7/11 at 8:24am


 

Quote:
 Originally Posted by Wasper View Post

Hi,

 

I would just like to add, if you are looking for a new headset/headphone, then take into consideration the discussion on this thread when they were talking about "fun" vs "accurate". I have been trying a lot of headsets (yes, I know not as well liked on this site as phones are) and I have found that the sets that have been getting rave reviews are lacking, in my opinion, any meaningful bass.  As I am learning, I guess all these sets/phones geared towards "Pro Gaming" are set up so you hear footfalls and other audio cues to help with your locational awareness. That is fine, but to me they are not "fun"... When it comes down to the difference between hearing footsteps from opposition or hearing a big ol'  teeth rattling BOOM when that tank just blew up next to me, for me I would rather have the latter.



 

I wouldn't worry that much about any headphones considered decent and recommended on this forum to be inadequate for gaming. I've had the chance to play with a few gaming headsets myself (Steelseries Sibierias for example, I used to review this sort of stuff as well as play competitively), and to me, most of them are just overpriced, low quality (both SQ-wise and build-wise) headphones marketed to people who don't really have much clue about either gaming or sound. They're not any more accurate than what some would describe as fun, audiophile headphones, and they don't really make it any easier to hear footsteps and other noises the enemies might make that aren't explosions...

 

The only non-gaming headphones that I used and thought were really bad for gaming due to their general muddiness, explosions drowning out everything else, severely cramped soundstage making it hard to pinpoint the origins of sounds and so on, were closed, circumaural Technics priced at around $25 where I live. Basically, whatever expensive, "high-quality" set of gaming headphones you might be looking at can't really hold a candle to "normal" headphones in that same price range.

 

There's a substantial amount of top tier players (the ones who get paid large sums of money to play) who use headphones like the DT770s (which are considered really bassy BTW), for example, despite the fact that they can get all the super gimmicky gaming headsets they want for free from their sponsors. You can draw your own conclusions from that. The only upside to owning and being used to a gaming headset (a USB gaming headset specifically) that I can think of is that they come with their own sound cards, and so when you go to a LAN tournament, you get the same exact sound you get at home.


Edited by fufula - 6/7/11 at 8:30am
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post #32 of 34
6/10/11 at 1:12am
Thread Starter 

Well, I am here to give my initial thoughts on the Titanium HD. I can tell a lot of difference! Sounds are very distinct! I've been playing with CMSS3D and I think that it's great, though I have yet to try it without. Gunfire from Crysis sounds very powerful, you can hear that distinctive crack when you fire the weapon (like when you fire a firearm in real life) I have not had any trouble with positional sounds, either. I only tested three games. Crysis, Mass Effect 2, and The Witcher 2. All sounded phenomenal!

 

The only problem I did experience in my brief testing was that every so often, and really in the menu, there is a bit of crackling in Crysis.

I did not experience this at all in the other two games I tested.

 

Mass Effect 2 had a very nice punchy type of sound to it overall, everything was clear and alive! Weapons have always sounded a bit alien in the Mass Effect series while retaining a realistic ground for the sounds of weapons to an extent. This card only brings out the details of those sounds even more so. Voices were very clear. I did not want to stop playing. Not to mention other sounds such as using tech abilities, the omni tool sounds very cool when used. I was completely immersed for an entire mission before I realized it was getting very late and I wanted to have a quick go at The Witcher 2 before bed.

 

The Witcher 2 sounded damn near flawless! Whenever Geralt would pull his sword from its scabbard, the sound detail was incredible! When blades clashed, incredible! I could also hear his leathers creaking as he walks/runs around. Whenever I make use of signs, the sounds are very impressive also. The only complaint I do have is that sometimes things seem too loud! Such as walking on a wooden floor or whenever I use the "cat" potion, as you get this somewhat fast heartbeat sound while that particular potion is active and it is just too loud, I think.

 

Overall I am impressed. And I can only imagine that this will improve once I get some quality headphones.

 

I'm going to tweak settings and test and tweak until I find what is right for me. After I have accomplished this, I'll update again.

If anyone has any tweaking suggestions for this card, feel free to offer your advice. I am thinking of tweaking the bass a bit as I like some bass. happy_face1.gif

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post #33 of 34
6/10/11 at 1:18am

Glad to see you're enjoying your new card.

 

Like I said previously, some people prefer CMSS3D on, others off. Play around with the settings and see what you like best. After all, the best sound you will ever listen is the sound you enjoy the most wink.gif

 

I'd advise on disabling SVM, CMSS3D, Crystalizer disabled or set very low, and EQ is really up to you.

 

EDIT: After you get yourself familiarized with the card, you could think of installing modded drivers. But I recommend you using your card for a while, to get to know how it sounds, just like people recommend on using new gear for some time before doing any sort of changes or mods to it.


Edited by Roller - 6/10/11 at 1:20am
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post #34 of 34
6/10/11 at 7:33am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhtred View Post

The only problem I did experience in my brief testing was that every so often, and really in the menu, there is a bit of crackling in Crysis.

I did not experience this at all in the other two games I tested.

 

(...) I am thinking of tweaking the bass a bit as I like some bass. happy_face1.gif


I played Crysis 2 and I don't recall hearing any crackling in the menu, although I remember that the sound effect when moving between different menu screens was quite bassy and loud. You should expect more crackling if you decide to up the lower frequencies (Crystalizer does that already if it's on) using the EQ. I'd listen to Roller's suggestion and, at least for a little while, get used to your X-Fi's sound without any additional effects. It's very probable that the crackling is caused by Crystalizer, CMSS3D, or SVM (in that order.)


Edited by fufula - 6/10/11 at 7:57am
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