X-Fi users - what type of surround setup do you use for gaming?

[Ghouler]

I am using CMSS-3D headphones but I may get 5.1 medusa cheap 2nd hand (30 euro)
Wondering if it is worth a try. I like surround that comes from my regular headphones when using CMSS-3D
but if it can get any better why not try, what do you think, and what setup do you use with your X-Fi?

 

[Ghouler]

Anyone has exp using 5.1. headphones with X-Fi?
Does it sound better then CMSS with normal headphones?
I am playing mainly Quake and CoD.

 

[ViRGE]

Go with regular headphones with CMSS-3D.

 

[fire400]

I have a system that uses the x-fi music edition, it uses a premium 2.1 with adjustable bass controls from Altec Lansing. offers better quality than most 5.1 systems on advanced integrated sound within deluxe motherboards.

CMSS-3D on headphones is like 7.1.
Phillips offered surround sound earbuds for 20 bucks, retail price at Best Buy. you hook these up to your x-fi, and it's over.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

4.1 with EAX so cant vote.

 

[A5]

Real surround > Fake surround

 

[BFG10K]

2.1 + CMSS.

 

[Polish3d]

Should I have CMSS w/ 5.1 speakers?

 

[Brian48]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
4.1 with EAX so cant vote.

Same here.

 

[Ghouler]

Apologies for not including 4.1. etc in the poll
Added missing spk configs.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

It looks CMSS-3D with stereo headphones is the safe option

1 question to those using 5.1. headphones:
-What make do you use?

 

[fire400]

Originally posted by: Frackal
Should I have CMSS w/ 5.1 speakers?

You have to test it for yourself, for me personally, I turn it off or set the CMSS-3D to auto configure, since there is too much distortion on some speaker/software setups.

Originally posted by: Ghouler
Apologies for not including 4.1. etc in the poll
Added missing spk configs.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

It looks CMSS-3D with stereo headphones is the safe option

1 question to those using 5.1. headphones:
-What make do you use?

Sony if you want the extreme standards, they just offer one of the best varieties. Otherwise, the Internet offers various types that offer exceptional performance.

 

[joanknn]

Hmmmm, CMSS 3D is definitely popular with headphones. I get much better gameplay experience with it and not to forget the ability to hear enemies from "accurate" directions is quite fantastic too in aiding performance.

I haven;t really try it with 7.1 speakers, only 5.1 so far and I must say the ability to hear vibrations from the gameplay explosions etc is really quite realistic! but I still think I hear better from headphones for performance sake.

 

[nib95]

Technically I use 2 set-ups equally.

Sennheiser HD 555 with CMSS 3D on.

and...

Logitech Z-5500 in 5.1 surround gaming mode.

 

[jpotter]

I'm using CMSS-3D with my Sennheiser PC150's and am enjoying it nicely- especially in games the positioning is very good, even with this fairly inexpensive headset.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

When using CMSS-3DHeadphone, are you supposed to set the in-game setting to 5.1? And when using bass boost, what cutoff frequency is the best, because I have almost no idea what that is?

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf
When using CMSS-3DHeadphone, are you supposed to set the in-game setting to 5.1? And when using bass boost, what cutoff frequency is the best, because I have almost no idea what that is?

No, set it to headphones.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I like my zalman headphones for gaming!!

But I wouldn`t use them for listening to any sort of serious music!

 

[John]

Fact: 5.1 headphones don't hold a candle to a quality set of cans.

I got rid of my desktop speakers once I bought a my new Headphones. I use the X-Fi XM + Sennheiser HD595 (50 ohm) which excels in both music and games. When I set the mode to Game I have CMSS3D-Headphones enabled, EAX enabled, and the 24-bit Crystalizer set to 50%. While gaming you'll have "surround sound" which stretches out the left and right channels to wrap around your head. However I do recommend disabling EAX & CMSS-3D when you change modes to Entertainment or Audio Creation for 2 ch. music playback. The Crystalizer is a hit or miss depending on the quality of the source. When I stream Shoutcast 128/160/192 kbps stations I set the Crystalizer to 60% and it really sharpens things up.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: John
Fact: 5.1 headphones don't hold a candle to a quality set of cans.

I got rid of my desktop speakers once I bought a my new Headphones. I use the X-Fi XM + Sennheiser HD595 (50 ohm) which excels in both music and games. When I set the mode to Game I have CMSS3D-Headphones enabled, EAX enabled, and the 24-bit Crystalizer set to 50%. While gaming you'll have "surround sound" which stretches out the left and right channels to wrap around your head. However I do recommend disabling EAX & CMSS-3D when you change modes to Entertainment or Audio Creation for 2 ch. music playback. The Crystalizer is a hit or miss depending on the quality of the source. When I stream Shoutcast 128/160/192 kbps stations I set the Crystalizer to 60% and it really sharpens things up.

Depends....
From the aspect of gaming everyday I have seen quality phones fall apart due to tremedous usage...

I have also listened quality pairs as far as gaming goes and I will terll you there is not a whole lot of difference.

Now you get inot serious music and as I stated earlier....

The Zalmans don`t hold a candle..