OpenAL and EAX in Thief Deadly Shadows?

Vae on 26/7/2014 at 07:45

Quote Posted by bikerdude

Ah yes I forgot the GA-Z87X-OC FORCE dosent have any PCI slots, only PCI-E. Well in that case then -

- (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-094-CL) Sound blaster Audigy FX - £20 Only suports EAX 4.0, 5.1 surround and uses a Realtek & Creative chip - I wouldnt waste your money on this
or
- (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0038KZ518/ref=sr_1_9_olp?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1405368520&sr=1-9&keywords=Sound+Blaster+pci-e&condition=used) Soundblaster Xfi Titainium @ £29 - Supports EAX 5.0 & 7.1 surround
or
- (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B009S1NTUU/ref=sr_1_1_olp?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1405368388&sr=1-1&keywords=Sound+Blaster+Z+pci-e&condition=new) Sound Blaster Z @ £49 - Supports EAX 5.0 & 7.1 surround and is the best of the bunch.

Avoid the Xtreme audio card as its not actually a creative card(a bit like the Audigy FX above), but rather a some generic p.o.s. with a creative name on it.

For future reference, the Soundblaster Z has 5.1 capabilities, not 7.1...and although both the X-FI Titanium and the SBZ share EAX 5.0, the SBZ utilizes SBX, rather than the superior CMSS-3D for positional audio. To be clear, the SBZ has a slightly better DAC on card, and also sports a dedicated headphone out (in place of channels 6/7).

The ideal solution is to get a Titanium, in order to reap the benefit of the superior CMSS-3D postional audio, and to route the processed output via the optical S/PDIF to an audiophile-grade DAC/headphone amplifier...or like myself, to a pro audio interface.

Al_B on 26/7/2014 at 09:01

If you're not using a separate digital amplifier then the Z should be the better option for sound quality and although CMSS-3D has the edge for positonal audio it also has some (http://www.overclock.net/t/1392877/a-couple-questions-about-cmss-3d-dolby-headphone-and-similar-technologies#post_20049831) trade-offs with sound and works best with certain headphones.

I would say the Z is best if you are using speakers or wanting the best sound quality straight from the card.

Vae on 26/7/2014 at 10:32

Quote Posted by Al_B

If you're not using a separate digital amplifier then the Z should be the better option for sound quality

Like I said, the DAC is slightly better on the Z...but keep in mind that the Titanium has a very good DAC, as well...In fact, most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the T and the Z.

Quote:

and although CMSS-3D has the edge for positonal audio it also has some (http://www.overclock.net/t/1392877/a-couple-questions-about-cmss-3d-dolby-headphone-and-similar-technologies#post_20049831) trade-offs with sound and works best with certain headphones.

I own and have tested both cards with a variety of headphones, both open and closed, and can assure anyone that the CMSS-3D will sound good on either, if the proper adjustment is made...The benefit of open headphones is they provide a larger soundstage, yet the lower frequency response is reduced due to the lack of encapsulation. To remedy this, simply EQ the difference for a fuller bass response. Once properly adjusted, CMSS-3D actually sounds better on an open headphone, due to the larger, spacial soundstage.

Quote:

I would say the Z is best if you are using speakers or wanting the best sound quality straight from the card.

I would suggest this:

- If you primarily care about positional audio with games, then go with the Titanium and use headphones...regardless of whether or not you have an external DAC. (Titanium's on-board DAC sounds good)
- If you primarily care about sound for cinema/music and/or need something for an HTPC, then go for the Z, with headphones being optional. (SBX works very well for Virtual Surround Sound cinema)

Basically, if you want to use positional audio in games, get the Titanium...If that's not your top priority, get the Z.

Al_B on 26/7/2014 at 10:43

Out of interest do you have the HD version of the Titanium?

Vae on 26/7/2014 at 10:52

No, I have the Titanium fatal1ty. (Same DAC as the standard Titanium, just with shielding and extra x-ram that only a few games utilize)

Al_B on 26/7/2014 at 11:02

Thanks. I'll be getting a new card at some stage so wanted to consider the options. (http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=376880) Other comparisons seem to rate the Z above the non-HD Titanium for audio so I was interested in which one you had.

Vae on 26/7/2014 at 11:12

Here, this video demonstrates the audio quality and spacial differences between the Soundblaster Z, X-Fi Titanium, Razer Surround, Xonar DGX, onboard audio....Use headphones...:)

[video=youtube;2BxO9cd-sYA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BxO9cd-sYA[/video]

Al_B on 26/7/2014 at 21:24

That's a useful comparison. Possibly because of the way the guy has his EQ is set up it loses something at the low end with the CMSS vs SBX but it's hard to be completely fair as it's not a blind test and the game scenes are not the same after the quick test. However to my ears both are far superior to the other audio options.