Vista and quality headphones?

[Albert Einstein]

Hello,

As we know that XP have some weird bug (which couldn't/can't be fixed due to its closed core) that when you have a quality headset, you have to use "Stereo speakers" instead of "Stereo headphones" mode, because otherwise the sound quality would be absolutely crap. But using "stereo speakers" ain't good, because the surround feeling is not that great in movies for example.

So, does anyone know is this fixed in Vista? I mean - can you use "Headphones" (as you should) mode with good headphones without crappy sound quality?


Thanks,
Albert

 

[socrates63]

Welcome to Head-Fi and sorry 'bout your wallet. I hope you enjoy Head-Fi and decide to stick around.

Vista only lists my laptop's speakers as speakers and I don't see anything about headphones. I don't see a way to change the speaker designation to headphone.

In any case, use a quality playback software for WinDVD if you want to optimize your listening experience. I would not rely on the speaker applet in Windows to simulate surround sound. WinDVD offers Dolby headphone and SRS algorithms among several, and they do wonders for movies.

 

[BushGuy]

Win. XP has NO "bug" - sound quality from a computer is dependent on the quality of the sound card you install . Motherboards have inbedded provision for sound - they have traditionally poor quality........sound quality is not an operating system issue........................as far as Vista is concerned - I'll be sticking with XP Pro. Vista = bloatware.
as to your current setup - your description is confused.

 

[dw6928]

yes, with no sound degradation

 

[Albert Einstein]

i'm sorry, maybe some of you misunderstood me (talkinb about wallets and things

), cause my english ain't good enough.

i, myself, have Audigy 2 ZS + YouP-PAX modified X-Fi drivers and using "Stereo headphones" mode in Windows XP (syncronized with Creative EAX console one as well) the sound is terrible (i read it from some review that it had to be XP bug) and you have to use "Desktop stereo speakers" mode instead.

So i wanted to know is sound ugly/dim with Vista using Headphones seting (if there is any) in Vista? Because i haven't try that; i know Microsoft scrapped HAL, so you can't have EAX and similar effects in games without Alchemy project which also doesn't have all the games' support atm.

--

I think i'm gonna stick with XP this year, and gonna see what Vista SP1 changes.


Albert

 

[sgrossklass]

What you're hearing is the effect of Creative's CMSS-3D (which seems to work decently for games) - turn this off and headphone mode will sound exactly like stereo speaker mode. As such it has nothing much to do with XP but rather with your sound card and its drivers. As far as Vista is concerned, I'd also wait for SP1.

 

[BushGuy]

Einstein - wherever you read that explanation.........go there again if you want misinformation!
Secondly your Audigy works very badly for music - I still have one around - for use if I get in a gaming mood..........for music replace it with an Emu 0404, or significantly better ESI Juli @ (BTW - you can have both in the machine at the same time

In the meantime - do as sgrossklass suggested.

Your English was not the problem - it's a matter of you accepting garbage as information. ........I'll also tell you that when installing a Creative card - only install the bare minimum - not all the junk they suggest you install. Your card will then run its' best.
I'm outa here. Bye.

 

[Albert Einstein]

okay, thx everyone.

but one thing to adjust - there is a significant difference at CMSS mode using Stereo speakers or Stereo headphones mode. In Headphones mode using CMSS movies/games sound much more dim (as i mentioned), but surround is nice, and in Stereo speakers mode the sound is much more richer but surround quite sucks.

and i don't have any official Creative drivers but YouP-PAX modified ones without any Creative's recommended crap (some music theater and whatever they offered with driver set).


thanks again,
Albert