Santa Cruz: A3D or EAX?

[duke]

Hi. Just got the Santa Cruz. I only use it with headphones for Counter-Strike. The problem is which 3D positional algorithm should I use for CS? Someone said EAX is best for headphones, but it sounds very distorted. A3D sounds fine, but I can't really make out the positioning effect. Perhaps I'm haven't properly configured my soundcard? I'm running Win2K on dual Celeron 450. Thanks.

 

[Hender]

I remember reading a couple of years ago when EAX and A3D were duking it out that EAX is better for headphones, A3D for speakers, although EAX works better with 4 speakers than 2. I'll always have a place in my heart for A3D because it came out before EAX, I used it right when it came out, and it blew me away, but they essentially do the same thing. If you're having trouble with either format, go with the other and you shouldn't have too much of a problem. Determining which format was better was all subjective, anyways. "Gee, that sound SOUNDS like it's off by a couple of feet, so this format must be bad." It was splitting hairs, y'know? I've found that Half-Life (and hence, CS) sounds tend to be funky when I enable EAX, too, but let's face it: in CS, positional sound won't do you much good. The sound algorithm in Half-Life is good enough already so you can tell the general direction a sound is coming from, and a good player checks their zones anyway and should have no need to tell EXACTLY where shots are coming from.

 

[Raincity]

I found both EAX and A3D to be joke in Win2k with the Santa Cruz. I pretty much just gave up and run the games in direct sound untill they get it fixed with a driver update.

Rain

 

[Phuz]

<< but let's face it: in CS, positional sound won't do you much good. >>



Are you absolutely CRAZY?

Its EXTREMELY important!

 

[duke]

Raincity, so you're suggesting the problem is with the drivers? Then I'm surprised I haven't heard much about this. If it is driver related I hope Turtle Beach fixes it soon. Anyone else having this same problem? Better yet has anyone using Win2K get EAX to work in Counter-Strike? And yes, like Phuz said, 3D positioning sound IS important in CS.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Sound is what kept me a top player in CS.

I use EAX with 5.1 sound...... All I hear is one teeny footstep by mistake of the other guy and you are dead my friend.... I don't play CS anymore though.

(ISF Unit 5707) Arc Angel

was my handle on Counter-Strike.... I only played 1 player who beat me 1 on 1 score was 18 to 16...... but he had the same setup and he was really really good too.... he was cool.

Without positional sound it's much harder to suprise your enemy and use effective tactics...

For all you who think positional sound is not a big deal.... then please keep thinking that... The fewer of you there are the better we are


As for the guy who asked about what he should use, I recomend EAX, can't you live with a little distortion? If your competive you would be smart to use EAX, if you don't care and just play purely for fun, then use A3D.

Just my opinion.

 

[duke]

Archangel, do you have a Santa Cruz with EAX running fine for CS in Win2K?

 

[skace]

Did you switch speaker settings to headphones and try messing with the sensaura virtual ear?

 

[Raincity]

Yes I believe its a driver issue. Games Like Serious Sam and Hitman are way to low in volume when running in EAX. Other SC owners are reporting the same issue in a special SC forum.

Rain

 

[duke]

skace, yes and yes.

Raincity, where is this special SC forum you mentioned of?

 

[Raincity]

Try these two for starters Forum Link Forum Link

Rain

 

[duke]

Raincity, cool! Much thanks.