So is there *any* card (internal, external, etc) that does Dolby Headphone properly?

[vbuggy]

I've been sorely disappointed with the performance of the Xonar Essence STX's DH implementation. It cannot even hold a tiny candle to the positioning accuracy (and in absolutes it's actually not *that* accurate) and the uncongested DH gaming audio of the Logitech G35.

I have to say that was a rather large surprise (and yes, I did try all the settings). In fact, I'm now really not surprised that a lot of the 'I have this one thing which I bought by peer review so I know everything' audiophile types out there disparage virtual surround - because if you view the implementation on the STX as a reference point, well then DH sucks donkey balls.

Which leads me to:
Is there anything else out there that would work? Not worried about ultimate music quality, just a solid Dolby Headphone implementation *that actually works well*.

 

[Karstein]

I hear you on that - the positioning for G35s seems a lot better than the Xonar STX's efforts. Couldn't you just go back to using G35s?

 

[vbuggy]

I hear you on that - the positioning for G35s seems a lot better than the Xonar STX's efforts. Couldn't you just go back to using G35s?

Yeah I have, but the thing is that I have separate (broadcast-grade + associated paraphenalia) mics now on my rigs so I don't really need a headset. And while the G35's are good all-rounders for the price they aren't necessarily giant-killers in terms of overall sound. If possible I just want the one headphone per PC - which is why I'm still looking.

 

[cantholdanymore]

If you have at look at this:
http://www.dolby.com/us/en/consumer/technology/home-theater/dolby-headphone.html
Their feature products are gaming headsets, so it may be that the best implementation is found there. Now, I'm not gamer but for most reviews I've read they seem to favor other audio technologies for gaming (EAX I think?); why do you prefer DH?.
BTW I don't think the DH implementation for audio cards will be any different between them since it may be just a software solution like the one included in PowerDVD

 

[vbuggy]

I refer you to my previous post - I'm thinking comments about those favouring CMSS come from those who might have used the ST or the STX (which I'm assuming have similar if not identical DH implementations) at best - if it's not just plain ol' "what I bought is best".

CMSS / Trustudio / whatever it is on the Fatality Champion is just ever so slightly better than the DH on the STX in supported games, but *proper* DH seems to work a lot better for me in supported games.

 

[vbuggy]

I don't suppose there's a way to do it all in software, is there? If horsepower is an issue I can just upgrade the gaming rig.

 

[stahlhart]

http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/cards.php ?

 

[uo7]

What headphones are you using on the essence ?

 

[vbuggy]

What headphones are you using on the essence ?

MMX300, MDR-7520, Tesla T1, HD650 for starters.

 

[vbuggy]

http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/cards.php ?

Aren't they just rebadged / redriver'd X-Fi's?

Looks like I only get CMSS.

 

[cantholdanymore]

I don't suppose there's a way to do it all in software, is there? If horsepower is an issue I can just upgrade the gaming rig.

I'm 99% certain that DH has a software implementation since I can run foobar with the DH plug-in. I got the DH dll file from a powerDVD installation
and I can run it in a brazos laptop. NOT saying that it is the only implementation, I pretty much think that there is a HW component in those DH headsets and according to your observations, this MAY be were the different lies. Either that or the headset implementation is tailored more towards gaming.

 

[stahlhart]

Aren't they just rebadged / redriver'd X-Fi's?

Looks like I only get CMSS.

I did not know that -- but I was looking specifically at the Meridian here. Just trying to think of any other card vendor(s) you haven't worked with yet...

 

[vbuggy]

I'm 99% certain that DH has a software implementation since I can run foobar with the DH plug-in. I got the DH dll file from a powerDVD installation
and I can run it in a brazos laptop. NOT saying that it is the only implementation, I pretty much think that there is a HW component in those DH headsets and according to your observations, this MAY be were the different lies. Either that or the headset implementation is tailored more towards gaming.

I'm actually 100% certain it's a software implementation - but one that may address some codec features directly (though I would imagine it's not necessary).

The Logi G35 for example is powered entirely off the back of a Micronas UAC3556B codec - which itself has no native Dolby Headphone capability (though it does have sub emulation). There has to be a software implementation of DH there as well.

 

[uo7]

Not the best quality but does the job of testing positioning etc, could be something wrong with the card. Your 650's and tesla will be no problem for this test. My HD 598's don't have any problems.

To me the xonar dolby just seems to add reverb, and phasing tricks about it. I personally don't care for it much either. Although it does help a little with the HD 555's
Some headphones though like the HD 280 pros etc no amount of dolby will help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-87i9rLwZE&feature=endscreen&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fligG_SLnOc

 

[vbuggy]

Not the best quality but does the job of testing positioning etc, could be something wrong with the card. Your 650's and tesla will be no problem for this test. My HD 598's don't have any problems.

To me the xonar dolby just seems to add reverb, and phasing tricks about it. I personally don't care for it much either. Although it does help a little with the HD 555's
Some headphones though like the HD 280 pros etc no amount of dolby will help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-87i9rLwZE&feature=endscreen&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fligG_SLnOc

Fchoom