Currently I have onboard sound with the ALC889a chipset and I primarily use my headphones for 90% of the time I'm at the computer. The onboard sound will downmix surround sound sources (quad, 5.1, 7.1) to stereo, but the virtualization is non-existent (can't tell the difference between front left and rear left it all sounds like LEFT).
If I got an X-Fi, would I be able to get really good virtualization of surround sources to headphones? I want to be able to hear enemies approaching from behind in games and be able to detect where gunfire is coming from.
Also, is EAX still a big deal? Will current games really benefit from EAX or would any soundcard sound pretty much the same?
Which brings me to my last question. If EAX is old news, are there other alternatives to an X-Fi that would provide even better headphone virtualization for movies and games?
Thanks.
If I got an X-Fi, would I be able to get really good virtualization of surround sources to headphones? I want to be able to hear enemies approaching from behind in games and be able to detect where gunfire is coming from.
Also, is EAX still a big deal? Will current games really benefit from EAX or would any soundcard sound pretty much the same?
Which brings me to my last question. If EAX is old news, are there other alternatives to an X-Fi that would provide even better headphone virtualization for movies and games?
Thanks.