Setting up Xonar DX

johnyccc

johnyccc

johnyccc

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Hi!
I have just switched from my onboard sound/Medusa's to a Xonar DX with some DR150s.
All is well but theres so many options, to check or uncheck etc.
What is the best options for music and gaming?
Currently my games sound a bit echo'y.
Thanks :)

Edit: And should i be removing this tape I read about? I am unsure where to look :p
 
Games: 8 channel, Dolby Headphone 1
Music: Either 2 channel Dolby Headphone 1, or 2 channel Dolby Headphone 3 or plain old hi-fi mode. You see what suits you best.

Experiment with GX mode on or off for each game.

Dolby Headphone 1 has the least echo out of the three modes. I find that DH2 and DH3 can clash with anything with in game reverb. DH3 can be nice if you want things to sound a bit more spacious though.
 
What does the PCM option do? Should I use this with HD555 plugged direct into DX? Seems to make little difference on/off but there must a 'best' option
 
Hi. Thanks for reply - forgot to say, I have XP so I think I dont have the channel options.
I will have a try as suggested but do you have any idea if Dolby Pro Logic or 7.1 Virtual speaker should be used for music/games when I am also using Dolby headphones?
Thanks
 
PCM is for passing stereo sound to digital speakers. Nothing to do with headphones unless you get an external DAC or receiver.

SVM is smart volume management. It compensates for recording levels to make most things at a consistent listening level. I don't like it as it reduces dynamic range of some recordings. Game audio is generally quite loud so it's less of an issue.

Prologic and Virtual Speaker both to be set to off when using headphones for gaming.

Been a while since I used a Xonar in XP. I think you can go to sound in control panel. Set your speakers to 5.1 or 7.1 in Windows and turn on Dolby Headphone for gaming.
 
Uriel said:
Been a while since I used a Xonar in XP. I think you can go to sound in control panel. Set your speakers to 5.1 or 7.1 in Windows and turn on Dolby Headphone for gaming.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reply :) - I think I am getting somewhere :D
But the above has me a bit confused.
I have Sound and Audio Properties but no where to enable Dolby for gaming :(
Btw, in the above mentioned control panel applet, should I stick with "Stereo Headphones" under Advanced or change to 5.1 (as that is the effect Xonar will try and create)? Perhaps it makes little difference.
Oh and any idea how to get to the tape? Is it just a case of peeling off the felt material and removing it :confused:
 
Erm... Memory's rusty and I don't have a Xonar installed at the moment.

Rummages through old pics...

3280819625_450220e77d_o.jpg


As you said, the XP Audio Centre doesn't have the Audio Channel option. You set that in Windows. Set to 5.1 or 7.1 for gaming or stereo for music. Analog out set to headphone in the audio centre.

The options below SPDIF out should then let you turn on Dolby Headphone and select DH1, DH2 or DH3.

As for the tape - you will need a jeweller's screwdriver. Pull back the earpads gently and you will see where to unscrew. Once you have them open (careful) the cloth is inside the outer ear grilles. Just make sure the tape securing the clothis only around the edges, not in the middle (where it reflects sound back towards the ears).
 
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Uriel so when i get my asus xonar i cannot set it to 7.1 through the asus xonar control panel? Can you not set it to 7.1 were it says audio channel?
 
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You can in Vista (and presumably W7). The setup is a little different in XP (which doesn't have the channels option in Xonar Audio centre).

Come to think of it, this may depend on driver version for XP. I can't remember.
 
Thanks for all the help - it is much appreciated :D
But sorry to be a ninny nit picker but you could clarify a few things about the removing the tape?
I've had a quick look and see 4 screws on each pad, semi exposed.
Is that the lot of them, or need I continue to look around?
Upon unscrewing said screws, will the headphones separate easily, or is some force/unclipping involved?
Sorry again, I just have visions of them falling apart in my hands, wires and springs tumbling onto the floor :p
 
Hey johny,

There are only four screws inside each cup. Once removed they are easily pulled apart, but do it slowly and carefully as there are obviously wires attached.

Tbh, I didn't really notice that much of a difference removing the tape or foam from my DR150's but as it literally only takes a few minutes to do it was worth a shot.

How long have you had them for btw? The reason I ask is that they sound so much nicer when they are left on overnight for a few nights to burn in (they really open up nicely!) :)
 
In that case I wouldn't be opening them up just yet if I were you :)

As I mentioned before, just leave them on overnight for a few nights at least and they should sound much nicer...and if after a while you feel like having a look inside, then go for it :)
 
I have it set to 8 channel for gaming (swap it to 2 Channel for music), Sample Rate (PCM) i just left on the default (96khz), and i also have the Smart Volume on (SVN), and the GX mode.
 
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diverse180 said:
In that case I wouldn't be opening them up just yet if I were you :)

As I mentioned before, just leave them on overnight for a few nights at least and they should sound much nicer...and if after a while you feel like having a look inside, then go for it :)
Click to expand...

Ok ill wait :)
But Im not sure how good im finding them for accuracy of positions for games.
Might removing the tape help? Or perhaps disabling Dolby headphone when I play.
 
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