[Metaphysical]

It seems as though it's hard to place where sounds are coming from while playing CS with the AV-710. Now I'm wondering if this soundcard is inadequate for me. Am I getting shortchanged while listening to music too in regards to soundstage?

 

[ShadowVlican]

i take it you're using analog.... so did you plugin your speakers to the 7/8 jack?

keep in mind this card isn't as great as the latest creative offerings when compared to gaming.... simply because it doesn't support those fancy EAX effects that games use

 

[Ahriman4891]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metaphysical /img/forum/go_quote.gif It seems as though it's hard to place where sounds are coming from while playing CS with the AV-710. Now I'm wondering if this soundcard is inadequate for me. Am I getting shortchanged while listening to music too in regards to soundstage?

Does CS have it's own 3D sound engine or does it rely on EAX? (Half-life 2 and oblivion have their own sound placement algorithms IIRC). If it's the latter, then you are missing out.

As for music, all the soundstage is in the recording, soundcard has nothing to do with it unless it has ungodly levels of stereo crosstalk. Or just really screwed up drivers.

 

[Metaphysical]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahriman4891 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does CS have it's own 3D sound engine or does it rely on EAX? (Half-life 2 and oblivion have their own sound placement algorithms IIRC). If it's the latter, then you are missing out. As for music, all the soundstage is in the recording, soundcard has nothing to do with it unless it has ungodly levels of stereo crosstalk. Or just really screwed up drivers.

Yeah, CS uses EAX. How does the X-fi compare to the AV-710 music quality wise? Do the X-Fi cards have an optical out option because i plan to get an external DAC sometime in the futur.

 

[Metaphysical]

also, how does the m-audio revolution compare to these cards?

 

[Cid]

M-Audio revo has support for EAX, so it works pretty well. I got one a few days ago and the sound in my games is great, but I have no idea if you'll feel the same. (If your going to get the revo make sure it's the 5.1)

 

[Metaphysical]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cid /img/forum/go_quote.gif M-Audio revo has support for EAX, so it works pretty well. I got one a few days ago and the sound in my games is great, but I have no idea if you'll feel the same. (If your going to get the revo make sure it's the 5.1)

thanks for the input.

Now i have the emu 0404 in my sights too. How does the 0404 fair with gaming? I know it has no EAX support. Is the 0404's sound quality that much better than the revo 5.1? damnit, why couldnt they make the 0404 with eax

 

[emericanchaos]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metaphysical /img/forum/go_quote.gif thanks for the input. Now i have the emu 0404 in my sights too. How does the 0404 fair with gaming? I know it has no EAX support. Is the 0404's sound quality that much better than the revo 5.1? damnit, why couldnt they make the 0404 with eax

the emu stuff is pretty focused on music editing and creation. even surround sound on them isn't the best aside from the flagship one.

for gaming/DVD's etc it'd be better to go with a revo or similar.

 

[Metaphysical]

Quote:

Originally Posted by emericanchaos /img/forum/go_quote.gif the emu stuff is pretty focused on music editing and creation. even surround sound on them isn't the best aside from the flagship one. for gaming/DVD's etc it'd be better to go with a revo or similar.

i'm willing to sacrifice a little surround sound for extra music quality. how far ahead of the revo is the 0404 sound quality wise?

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cid /img/forum/go_quote.gif M-Audio revo has support for EAX, so it works pretty well. I got one a few days ago and the sound in my games is great, but I have no idea if you'll feel the same. (If your going to get the revo make sure it's the 5.1)

Which version? The manufacturer's website only says 'EAX'. They don't mean the first version of EAX do they o.O

 

[Ahriman4891]

EAX is up to 5.0--that's the version X-fi cards support. As for M-audio Revo 5.1, I have heard conflicting opinions, but never tried the card itself. I think going with bluegears B-inspire/Auzentech X-meridian/Prodigy something will yield better sound quality and probably more extra stuff like Dolby Digital, etc. You won't find EAX beyond 2.0 on non-Creative cards.