My X-Fi is so amazing that...

[Possessed Freak]

Somewhere I still have one of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Blaster_AWE32

 

[AdamK47]

Again, CMSS-3D. Unless you know of some magical way to get a game to output 5.1 channels and have them combined into CMSS-3D using SPDIF without the encoder.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Again, CMSS-3D. Unless you know of some magical way to get a game to output 5.1 channels and have them combined into CMSS-3D using SPDIF without the encoder.

Why would you need CMSS-3D if you've already got 5.1 channel output from the game?

Edit: Nevermind, I understand your application with headphones. I think the question is: Why not just plug your headphones into the computer instead of the TV? You wouldn't be using SPDIF at that point and wouldn't need to worry about DDL/DTS encoding. You mentioned you get distortion from the X-Fi's 3.5mm, but someone asked you already if you're basing this on front-panel output. Did you answer that already and I missed it?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Again, CMSS-3D. Unless you know of some magical way to get a game to output 5.1 channels and have them combined into CMSS-3D using SPDIF without the encoder.

There's no need, since you're listening on a 2 channel setup. All you need output from the X-Fi is 2 channels, so it doesn't matter what you set the game to. Do you output other audio to the TV, and listen without the headphones?

In the Creative panel, I believe you want to set your speakers as normal/large/full-range stereo (not surround or headphones). Then set it to CMSS-3D headphone, or maybe just regular CMSS-3D.

Actually, the real strong point of the X-Fi was its vastly improved (compared to the Audigy2) headphone surround capability. I personally think all of Creative's CMSS-3D stuff sounded like garbage and preferred regular 2 channel. It might have helped placement some but it ruins the rest of the audio to my ears. I tried all sorts of settings and never got anything that I liked over just doing 2 channel or whatever. Quite a bit of newer games are starting to get much better audio processing built-in, in no small part because of Microsoft changing the Windows setup, which happened fuck over Creative. Half-Life 2 was the first game that really showed it I think.

The sad thing is, Aureal had stellar headphone surround audio tech back almost a decade ago, but Creative sued them into the ground and bought them out, and then subsequently didn't use this, instead developing their own, which I believe people still claim is inferior.

 

[biggestmuff]

I got the X-FI elite pro. It has even better DACs in it. Well worth the upgrade. Top notch professional sound. I put it up against separates and the X-FI won in all areas. Even against some supposed Giant killer DAC in the audiophile world. One that got rave reviews from everyone and was 4 times the price at the time. One thing to note is that if you are really into sound comparisons you absolutely must be running your X-FI on Vista or Windows 7. XP it total and complete garbage for sound. It was always one of it's flaws since it runs sound through the Kernel. Keels getting down sampled and then upsamled over and over until the end product is junk. With a good set up my jaw dropped when I went to Vista for the first time.

Edit: and turn off that stupid crystalizer and other effects junk.

So you've bought all of the other Creative cards and tested them?
And LOL. No. Not professional sound.

 

[BTA]

Somewhere I still have one of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Blaster_AWE32

These were pretty awesome.

Almost as awesome as the old http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravis_Ultrasound

They had the best "demo" CD's

 

[AdamK47]

Why would you need CMSS-3D if you've already got 5.1 channel output from the game?

Edit: Nevermind, I understand your application with headphones. I think the question is: Why not just plug your headphones into the computer instead of the TV? You wouldn't be using SPDIF at that point and wouldn't need to worry about DDL/DTS encoding. You mentioned you get distortion from the X-Fi's 3.5mm, but someone asked you already if you're basing this on front-panel output. Did you answer that already and I missed it?

The distortion was from the 3.5mm jack on the back of the card. I can honestly say that the sound is clearer without any interference when I go from SPDIF to HDMI and then connect the headphones to the 3.5mm connection on the TV. This method is also very convenient.

Photo of my setup:

If I'm not playing a game and want sound on the TV while browsing the web or watching a movie, all I have to do is disconnect the headphones. Connecting the headphones automatically disables the speakers on the TV and sends the signal directly to the headphones. I could use the front connection on my Antec 900 to get the SPDIF audio, but then I don't have audio for the TV. I would have to have two seperate connections. The SPDIF out for the front panel and a 3.5mm to RCA cable going to the TV while the HDMI cable only sends video. If I just wanted sound from the headphones while gaming I would have to disable the sound going to the TV or turn the speakers off. I've had it setup like this before and I could not tell the difference in quality using headphones connected to the Antec 900 front panel. There are other ways I could set this up, but the way I have it now is what sounds great (to me) and offers the most convenience.

 

[AdamK47]

There's no need, since you're listening on a 2 channel setup. All you need output from the X-Fi is 2 channels, so it doesn't matter what you set the game to. Do you output other audio to the TV, and listen without the headphones?

Yes, I switch back and forth very often. Plugging in and unplugging the headphones accomplishes this.

In the Creative panel, I believe you want to set your speakers as normal/large/full-range stereo (not surround or headphones). Then set it to CMSS-3D headphone, or maybe just regular CMSS-3D.

Actually, the real strong point of the X-Fi was its vastly improved (compared to the Audigy2) headphone surround capability. I personally think all of Creative's CMSS-3D stuff sounded like garbage and preferred regular 2 channel. It might have helped placement some but it ruins the rest of the audio to my ears. I tried all sorts of settings and never got anything that I liked over just doing 2 channel or whatever. Quite a bit of newer games are starting to get much better audio processing built-in, in no small part because of Microsoft changing the Windows setup, which happened fuck over Creative. Half-Life 2 was the first game that really showed it I think.

The sad thing is, Aureal had stellar headphone surround audio tech back almost a decade ago, but Creative sued them into the ground and bought them out, and then subsequently didn't use this, instead developing their own, which I believe people still claim is inferior.

Do you currently have an X-Fi card and would you be willing to try something out?

I agree with the Aureal comment. I had one and loved it... but they are no more.

 

[aigomorla]

creative licks the filthiest part of my taint.

also



bullshit, it's like 58% and you know it.

only when attempting this on Vista... its actually more like 43%

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

The distortion was from the 3.5mm jack on the back of the card. I can honestly say that the sound is clearer without any interference when I go from SPDIF to HDMI and then connect the headphones to the 3.5mm connection on the TV. This method is also very convenient.

Gotcha. If it were me, I would work with the manufacturer to possibly replace the card or identify the problem. I understand the convenience of being able to suppress your TV speakers by just connecting / disconnecting headphones, but I think I would put up with having to manually mute if it meant avoiding all this extra processing on the source.

Either way, sounds like you're satisfied with your setup, so that's good.

 

[zoiks]

Yes, I switch back and forth very often. Plugging in and unplugging the headphones accomplishes this.



Do you currently have an X-Fi card and would you be willing to try something out?

I agree with the Aureal comment. I had one and loved it... but they are no more.

Aureal is pretty much the reason I never bought a Creative product.

 

[ElFenix]

Somewhere I still have one of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Blaster_AWE32

best midi i've ever had

think i've got one or two somewhere too


i've current got an SB live something or other just for the joystick port, a via envy based chaintech card that everyone raved about for a while but is kinda buggy, and built in nvidia sound, all in one computer. it confuses the heck out of the sound device selector from time to time.

 

[Rubycon]

Some of those TRS jacks were indeed open on end and sitting in front of an LED SPDIF output. If you have a raw fiber line and hold it in there you should get a link to a TOSLINK equipped piece of gear.

I've never seen CREATIVE on any of the gear used in studios. Then again we NEVER hook anything directly to a PC - the interface is always connected via 1394 or (newer) USB. I'm looking forward to USB 3.0 connected interfaces though.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Yes, I switch back and forth very often. Plugging in and unplugging the headphones accomplishes this.



Do you currently have an X-Fi card and would you be willing to try something out?

I agree with the Aureal comment. I had one and loved it... but they are no more.

I kinda figured you did. I was trying to recommend settings that you wouldn't have to mess with in the control panel, since I found that incredibly annoying with the X-Fi and even my current setup.

Sorry, haven't owned an X-Fi for years now, otherwise I'd be happy to. What was it you're wanting, maybe another user on here can help.

Odd about the distortion. I believe you can change what the jacks do via the software, so maybe there's something going on there? You might look into getting some ERS (?) paper to add some shielding to the card, could be interference from something else in the computer.

 

[AdamK47]

Trying out CMSS-3D with and without Dolby Digital/DTS Bitstream Out. There a very noticable difference when I try it.

 

[shortylickens]

I moved from a SB PCI 512 to an Audigy and noticed very little improvement in audio quality. (Logitech Z-5500).
Moved from the Audigy to a cheap ass Turtle Beach card recently and not only did compatibility with many games improve, but so did general audio quality across the board.
Never going back.

Creative had me back in the AWE 32 days, but modern audio cards really arent THAT fantastic. They are not worth insane money. And if I have to go to a thousand dollar audio system to tell the difference, then I dont care anymore.

 

[AdamK47]

Bought a Xonar Essence STX today. Lets see what this thing can do.

 

[biggestmuff]

Bought a Xonar Essence STX today. Lets see what this thing can do.

Why do you keep fucking around with that stuff? Go with a prosumer card (m-audio or the like) or just step up to a real audio interface.

 

[AdamK47]

Does it offend you? How about you record the sound of you scoffing in the highest quality available with your equipment and post it on here.

 

[QueBert]

It goes like this

Aureal > GUS Max > PAS16, I know they were the first full featured sound card maker. But how the hell did they survive? I've owned 4 of their cards, and literally every card I've owned from another manufacture sounded much better. Creative has 9 lives for sure.

*HUGS his Razor Barracuda*

 

[postmortemIA]

The microphone works when it's plugged into the OPTICAL port, but not when its plugged to the standard pink mic jack.

All hail the brilliant engineering by Creative.

it is not optical only, it is "flexi jack" and is described as such in manual and guides

so basically if you connect optical cable it will work as output

also i didn't see mic in on x-fi, but 3 jacks for 5.1 sound

 

[Adrenaline]

The microphone works when it's plugged into the OPTICAL port, but not when its plugged to the standard pink mic jack.

All hail the brilliant engineering by Creative.

Relabel the jacks?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I wanna try those new Asus ones but its like 200+...

 

[vital]

I own an m-audio audiophile 192 and it sounds best w/ music

 

[AmdEmAll]

Auzentech X-Fi Forte FTW!