x-fi positional audio question

[CJP]

I read a poster say that with a pair of headphones with the x-fi you get positional audio from above and bellow you in games which is something I've wanted for a long time. Is this true? I quickly read the highlights of a couple of reviews but I don't remember reading about this feature.

 

[Auric]

As far as I know positional audio (stereo with effects) is a basic function of DS3D and differences in the compatible physical audio system don't matter (apart from quality, performance and other functionality &c.).

What are you currently using and do you not notice any effect?

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Auric
As far as I know positional audio (stereo with effects) is a basic function of DS3D and differences in the compatible physical audio system don't matter (apart from quality, performance and other functionality &c.).

What are you currently using and do you not notice any effect?

DS3D defines an API, but it doesn't define the actual technology behind the positioning. For headphones, you need Head Related Transfer Functions(HRTFs) to properly morph a sound and its positional data in to something that would sound like it's coming from the intended direction, and the HRTFs used are where sound cards usually differ. Different HRTFs have variances both in processing power required and in quality, so a good HRTF will require more calculations to be done, and in general requires a stronger sound card.

As for the OP's original question, yes, the X-Fi's HRTF's can encode up/down audio. However, up/down tend to be the weakest directions of HRTF's, so the effect may not be as pronounced as with cardinal directions.

 

[Polish3d]

With my setup (speakers) I definitely notice sound that seems to come from above and below, it's one of the most impressive things about the X-Fi IMO

 

[CJP]

Originally posted by: Frackal
With my setup (speakers) I definitely notice sound that seems to come from above and below, it's one of the most impressive things about the X-Fi IMO

So Fracktal I'd get the above and below effect with my 4.1 speakers and wouldn't need headphones? I'd rather use speakers than phones.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: CJP

Originally posted by: Frackal
With my setup (speakers) I definitely notice sound that seems to come from above and below, it's one of the most impressive things about the X-Fi IMO

So Fracktal I'd get the above and below effect with my 4.1 speakers and wouldn't need headphones? I'd rather use speakers than phones.

You should be able to, but the effect will likely be less pronounced on a speaker setup due to the wide variance in position relative to the speakers.

 

[Ghouler]

I agree with Virge. Although I do not have this card yet I have heard demo at Gamecon in Germany a few weeks ago. The vertical directions sound was coming from were not clear but this could have been down to dimensions of the room they were running this demo. But on headphones ... this sounded just awesome.
I made up my mind and ordered Fatal1ty version this week. It is maybe not the best value for money in the X-Fi range but I wanted to have the front panel like I had with my Live card a while ago.

 

[Oyeve]

Sorry to go OT a bit, but what games did anyone notice u/d sound? I too am thinking of getting the fatality version.

 

[Ghouler]

the demo I heard was BT2. I had impression I have heard shots from all over around me, which sounded phantastic on normal headphones. But I do not know whether this game engine actually sends signals that are positioned in vertical spectrum... This might have been just reverbation added by the card that gave this feeling ... Good question. Does anyone know the answer?