Xonar D1 Settings

[Secret_Window]

Hi guys, I just got a Xonar D1 and I've been playing around with the various settings but I have no idea which settings are the best ones for listening to music, playing games and watching movies.

I know there are presets which I have been trying out, but I don't find all of them appropriate for what I'm using them for.

So if anyone would like to share what they think are the best settings for headphones in windows 7, for music, games and movies that would brilliant.

Thanks

 

[Uriel]

What are your headphones?

For music, I would try 2 channel, analogue out to headphones and try both "hi fi" mode (all DSPs etc enabled). I would also try all three Dolby Headphone settings.

For games, 8 channel mode and try the 3 dolby headphone settings. Also have a look at the following list: http://connect.creativelabs.com/alchemy/Lists/Games/AllItems.aspx. If a game is listed as using Alchemy you will need the GX button turned on. If games have EAX advanced HD (or EAX 3, 4 and 5) it's worth turning the GX button to on as well.

For movies, 6 channel mode and whichever one of the Dolby Headphone setting you prefer.

There are some headphone that don't pair well with Dolby Headphone. If it works properly, it should sound more like listening to speakers than the usual headphone experience.

 

[Secret_Window]

Well I'm using Icemat Siberias for most of my listening. When I use the dolby headphone setting everything sounds really flat and the 3D surround sounds really really fake. I really don't like the sound. I also noticed in headphones mode the sound is noticeably less detailed than the 2 speaker mode.

Also I really don't 'get' this channel thing. Changing to 8 channels, on 2 speaker analog out, with dolby virtual speaker ticked sounds just so wrong in games. For example in counter-strike source it defaulted to 7.1 as I imagine it detected it as more than just 2 speakers or headphones, but the sound is just really weird and confusing.

The only thing that sounds somewhat acceptable is 2 channel audio, 48khz sample rate, analog out to 2 speakers and dolby virtual speaker ticked. It sounds more acceptable than all this channel settings I've read on all the forums. I'm confused as to how this is better. Maybe I'm just a purist and don't like fake effects or something.

 

[Uriel]

Unfortunately I think your Icemat Siberias could be unsuited to Dolby Headphone. I've not heard of anyone using the combination yet.

I never found Dolby virtual speaker to be any use at all really. If you're using speakers I'd just stay in 2 channel mode if I were you.