Winamp+audigy4+cmss3d+max sound=bad sq

[Frozenkex]

Im using all of the above with non-fancy headphones designed to run without amplification, and i have cmss3d enabled all the time since im playing games , and with it i also listen music with cmss3d. So my conception was i should have all sliders up in mixer, and i control my volume with controller on my headphones,
and first i thought i should also have max volume in winamp, but it sounds much better if i have volume in winamp at 50% at the same loudness. There also might be degradation in sq without cmss3d but i dont notice much of a difference, but its very audible with cmss3d. I can avoid the issue by readjusting volume but id like to find out why it happens so. Also im starting to use ASIO plugin so it automatically maxes out the volume, so then its problem (if im using cmss3d).

 

[n3rdling]

Ican't stand cmss3d when I'm listening to music, it degrades the quality imo. Also, I've read that volume controls on the headphone wire reduce SQ aswell. Maybe try putting that on max and controlling volume through your media player?

 

[hayste]

I prefer both games and music without CMSS3D. you shouldn't touch your headphones volume control as they're usually pretty dodgy and introduce distortion.

Quote:

Maybe try putting that on max and controlling volume through your media player?

agreed

 

[Frozenkex]

Okay thanks , i just had the idea to control volume that way , since ive seen several places where it's said that it's better to have sliders up and control volume with amplifier's knob, guess it's not quite the same thing .

 

[Rempert]

I think you are running out of headroom before the signal ever gets to your headphones. Audigys weren't designed to have all of the volume strips pushed to the maximum, especially while using the EQ, bass boost, CMSS, etc. You are probably clipping the signal, which is why it sounds better with one of the volume controls lowered.