The Nameless Guide To PC Gaming Audio (with binaural headphone surround sound)

[motorwayne]

For me the GSX gives the best virtual surround effect than any of the other (except the Mobius) solutions I've tried

Most give me 100% OK rear effects, but do very poorly for frontal effects. The GSX gives me probably 60% frontal (still poor).

Mobius => 100% 360 degree field

I've also got a SB Titanium HD like you - it's in my racing sim setup

Argh! there is that name again they have a new gaming set due out soon don't they? I can'y stand the non fluffy ears pads, it it had them I'd probably be all over them.

 

[raband]

They do - lacks the sound processing though

I can'y stand the non fluffy ears pads, it it had them I'd probably be all over them.

I prefer valour myself too.

I did get the "gel filled" pads to replace the pleather ones on the Mobius - much better

https://www.audeze.com/products/accessories/gel-filled-ear-pads-mobius

 

[Zenvota]

Anything better in terms of sound devices now?

Here's the best I've been able to come up with:

1.) Using Out of Your Head for virtualization.
https://fongaudio.com/out-of-your-head-software/

2.) Equalizer APO for flattening out the headphone response
https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/

3.) Planar magnetic headphones like the Hifiman HE-400i or Audeze EL-8

4.) Non feedback current signal class a circuits like from Audio-GD

5.) Isolation and conditioning
Topaz Ultra Isolators for ac power and an optical connection or high speed usb galvanic isolation(uptone iso regen and ultracap lps with ground shunt smps)

6.) And a tactile transducer(bass shaker) system using voicemeter to duplicate the signal or for no latency split the signal out of a dac to a second amplifier.

 

[motorwayne]

Here's the best I've been able to come up with:

1.) Using Out of Your Head for virtualization.
https://fongaudio.com/out-of-your-head-software/

2.) Equalizer APO for flattening out the headphone response
https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/

3.) Planar magnetic headphones like the Hifiman HE-400i or Audeze EL-8

4.) Non feedback current signal class a circuits like from Audio-GD

5.) Isolation and conditioning
Topaz Ultra Isolators for ac power and an optical connection or high speed usb galvanic isolation(uptone iso regen and ultracap lps with ground shunt smps)

6.) And a tactile transducer(bass shaker) system using voicemeter to duplicate the signal or for no latency split the signal out of a dac to a second amplifier.

Sheesh, why don't you tell me how you really feel! Thumps up mate

Actually great responses...Hey how does fongaudio software compare tot HuSuVi kind of thing?

 

[Zenvota]

Hey how does fongaudio software compare tot HuSuVi kind of thing?

Two of Out of Your Head's presets are on hesuvi. Every time I've tried hesuvi though I've felt that OOYH sounds much much better. I believe it may have to do with the way hesuvi captures the presets, and possibly the actual processing engines themselves.

 

[motorwayne]

Sounds like the Sound BlasterX AE-9 might be quite an interesting soundcard if Ryan's indications are anything to go on.

 

[hifinoob005]

How does Waves NX handle 4 source audio, specifically GTA 5.
This looks like 4.0:

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1...g.......0i24.m6s4BvvwKvs#imgrc=OUgpGDs3VbR_0M:

 

[Lausilxn]

I haven't tried Waves NX, but GTA V with HeSuVi oal_dflt.wav it does a decent job even with 5.1 channels, the virtual solutions depend on the quality of the audio mixer in-game and for the rear sound you need a sound source exactly behind

The audio mixer of apex legend is good

 

[hifinoob005]

I haven't tried Waves NX, but GTA V with HeSuVi oal_dflt.wav it does a decent job even with 5.1 channels, the virtual solutions depend on the quality of the audio mixer in-game and for the rear sound you need a sound source exactly behind

The audio mixer of apex legend is good

But what kind of surround sound does GTA 5 have?
Is it really 4.0 or something else.

 

[Zenvota]

How does Waves NX handle 4 source audio, specifically GTA 5.

4.0 in 4.0 out

 

[hifinoob005]

4.0 in 4.0 out

Does NX do virtualization correctly if it's a 4.0 source?

 

[Zenvota]

Does NX do virtualization correctly if it's a 4.0 source?

Yup, doesn't matter if its 2.0 4.0 or 5.1, the program will output the channels where they're supposed to be. Just doesn't do any upmixing, which as you've seen can be a pain. I wonder if maybe nx virtual room does upmixing? never looked into it.

 

[Lausilxn]

But what kind of surround sound does GTA 5 have?
Is it really 4.0 or something else.

GTA 5 have out 5.0 with XAudio2

 

[hifinoob005]

GTA 5 have out 5.0 with XAudio2

Thanks for the list, very useful.

In the link it's mentioned that some older games require for ASUS cards (Xonar DGX) DS3D GX for full audio.
Does NX need to be activated on top of GX?

 

[Trancefreak]

Does HeSuVi only simulate surround sound?
Reason is that I have all these steamgames that support EAX and I'd like to use it if possible.
But EAX ain't surround, so thus I ask ^^