Audigy 2zs/4 -> X-Fi...how different is the headphone mode *REALLY*?

[dderidex]

Most reviewers comment that the CMSS-3D mode for headphone support (that provides true surround sound with headphones) was VASTLY improved between the card generations, but I'm wondering...seriously...how MUCH improved is it?

I have fairly decent Sennheisers, and am trying to decide on a gaming card to get...

 

[naruto1988]

i have an audigy 2 value. i dislike the CMSS1 or CMSS2 for music, but for gaming...they might improve your experience just a tad. i'd rather just keep CMSS off altogether though.

switching the type of output makes a difference though. when i use my 2.1 speakers, i choose 2.1 speakers. if i use my grado sr80's, i choose headphones.

 

[dderidex]

Well, yeah, you'd kind of expect that. Creative's CMSS is a term that describes a bucket of VERY different functions:

- One CMSS mode basically clones 2-channel source to 4-channels, so that 5.1 systems don't have audio coming from just the front 2 speakers

- Another CMSS mode spreads a 2-channel source among 5 speakers, trying to 'widen' the stereo sound, and sort out various elements (for example, moving vocals to the front-center speaker)

- The last CMSS mode is really only useful for headphones, and it attempts to simulate your ear shape in distorting the sound to virtualize a surround field. (IE., you only have 2 ears, right? So how can you tell if something is directly 3 feet in front of you vs 3 feet behind you? By the way the sound is distorted by your ear shape, of course! Theoretically, then, headphones CAN provide many MAGNITUDES more accurate surround positioning than a 5.1 system. Indeed, 5.1 cannot make sounds seem 'above' or 'below' you, while a proper headphone algorithm with GOOD headphones certainly can!)

Of the three, I understand only the third (the only really useful one) was substantially changed between the Audigy generation and X-Fi cards.

 

[alcoholbob]

Of course without any real measurements or reviews available as of right now, and gamers not exactly the type who are experienced with double blind tests (as you can atest to the armies of gamers who upgrade to the next generation of the same speaker line, or minor electronics upgrades and experience changes that "blow them away"), right now we're just speculating idly.

 

[dderidex]

Hmmm...probably true.

Unfortunately, how well a function of the card can simulate a 3d sound field with headphones is really not something measurable - and will depend a lot on the listener anyway. Which makes it difficult, as someone who drops $200 on a new X-Fi is either going to:

- Be feeling "buyer's regret" and have a decidedly negative bias
or
- Be feeling enthusiastic about the product and see improvements that aren't really there

You really *would* need double-blind tests conducted with a small group of victims to really find out for sure.

 

[ViRGE]

I went from an A1 to an X-Fi. It was like night and day.

 

[Ghouler]

For me CMSS Headphones, on its own, justifies purchase of X-Fi.
I am gaming only with headphones and the difference CMSS makes is massive.
They have CMSS3D-Headphone-On demo on their site if you want to try it with headphones.

 

[dderidex]

Originally posted by: Ghouler
For me CMSS Headphones, on its own, justifies purchase of X-Fi.
I am gaming only with headphones and the difference CMSS makes is massive.
They have CMSS3D-Headphone-On demo on their site if you want to try it with headphones.

Yeah, I've tried that, and definitely like the effect.

The question, though, is how convincing is this same effect on the Audigy 2/4-series cards?