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Cmss3d

T

texuspete00

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I have to use CMSS3D a lot lately for games like Need for Speed: Most wanted to have 5.1. It only has stereo. Now this feature is also for headphone users right? My understanding is it serves this dual duty correct? It can switch between either simulating a 5.1 audio source from stereo or trying to simulate 5.1 on a set of headphones depending on which the output is set to (5.1 or headphones)?

My big thing is I also want to know if I should go in to the control panel to disable it when I play a game like BF2 that properly supports surround. Also, since better CMSS3D is touted as a good reason for headphone users to upgrade to X-Fi, what about for all these games only dealing out stereo? I have my gear hooked up to a receiver and a 5.1 setup which I like.

Thanks guys.
 
I THINK that the CMSS3D is meant to make stereo sources sound more like true surround sound. I MAY be mistaken. It IS made for headphones.

I LIKE to type like this.
 
texuspete00 said:
My big thing is I also want to know if I should go in to the control panel to disable it when I play a game like BF2 that properly supports surround.
Click to expand...

Try it all of the different ways and see what you like best.
Nobody is gonna yell at you for making your own decisions about what you like. :D
 
With my headphones and an Audigy 2 zs, the CMSS and CMSS2 for that matter made game music and audio sound much worse. The CMSS2 tries to simulate "room effects".... like sound bouncing off wals or whatnot, which I find funny because with high end stereo you want to try and avoid this.

I have not used the X-fi, so I can't comment on that.

~Hope this helps
 
I agree...with the Audigy2ZS, I stay away from CMSS because it makes music sound like crap.

With the X-Fi, CMSS has three modes: Headphone 3D mode which REALLY kicks ass mind you; a Stereo upmix mode, just blends front with back; and finally, a stereo expansion mode. The expansion mode actually analyzes positional information in stereo and creates an expanded sound field using all speakers, so the center speaker has sound that would be between the front speakers, the left and right are in between and the rear is a wrap around left and right, and the expansion can be adjusted. Very cool.


I still prefer not to use CMSS with speakers.
 
I agree...with the Audigy2ZS, I stay away from CMSS because it makes music sound like crap.

With the X-Fi, CMSS has three modes: Headphone 3D mode which REALLY kicks ass mind you...
Click to expand...
In your opinion, does the "kick ass" factor with this mode, and ONLY this mode, justify the extra cost of an X-Fi over an Audigy?

I am considering an X-Fi as an upgrade for my gaming machine (it's only used for games). And, more of my gaming will be done through headphones. I've heard lots of good things about CMSS, but considering my limited planned use (I'd be ignoring the other modes), I can't decide if it's worth it. It's double the price of an OEM Audigy 2 ZS at my local shops.

Without question, hearing is believing, but I'm hard pressed to find an X-Fi + headphone demo in any local shop, and none of my friends have sound cards, let alone an X-Fi w/ CMSS.

Care to share any cool experiences with CMSS+headphones? Sell me on it! I've already got towert7 whispering in my ear to save up a little more for HD 555s. ;)
 
nothingworks said:
In your opinion, does the "kick ass" factor with this mode, and ONLY this mode, justify the extra cost of an X-Fi over an Audigy?

I am considering an X-Fi as an upgrade for my gaming machine (it's only used for games). And, more of my gaming will be done through headphones. I've heard lots of good things about CMSS, but considering my limited planned use (I'd be ignoring the other modes), I can't decide if it's worth it. It's double the price of an OEM Audigy 2 ZS at my local shops.

Without question, hearing is believing, but I'm hard pressed to find an X-Fi + headphone demo in any local shop, and none of my friends have sound cards, let alone an X-Fi w/ CMSS.

Care to share any cool experiences with CMSS+headphones? Sell me on it! I've already got towert7 whispering in my ear to save up a little more for HD 555s. ;)
Click to expand...
To do a quick recap:

Creative bought Sensaura and Aureal a few years back, and the X-Fi's use some of that technology for their virtual surround simulation (remember Virtual Ear?), plus some of their own tweaking. CMSS-3D Headphone mode is probably one of the best highlights of the X-Fi series, and is a definate upgrade from the Audigy line.
 
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