5.1 surround in ArmA?

[tophe 69]

I'm just one click away from ordering a 5.1 headset.

Is there 5.1 support in Armed Assault?

[Maddmatt 1]

I'm just one click away from ordering a 5.1 headset.

Is there 5.1 support in Armed Assault?

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend a 5.1 headset.

Rather get a quality set of stereo headphones, like 70$. Then get a soundcard that can simulate surround sound through them, like a Creative X-Fi.

That is much better, it is also more accurate than normal surround sound partly because you can't pick out individual speakers. You also have ElevationFX (so you can hear if the sound is above or below you) and MacroFX (so you can tell if it is close to you).

I have a X-Fi Extememusic and Sennheiser HD515 headphones. It is great for games, and good for music too.

[tophe 69]

Thx!

I play on my laptop, and I don't have any considerable amount of money to spend on soundcards or real quality headphones. So if ArmA has real Surround, I'll go for a 5.1 headset.

But then there is real 5.1 in ArmA then?

That's really cool! I can't find any options for it though...

Unless EAX is 5.1...

[Balschoiw 0]

Quote[/b] ]Yes, but I wouldn't recommend a 5.1 headset.

I definately do.

Just make sure you go for the right one.

No simulated 5.1 but real 5.1

You may want to have a look at the Medusa 5.1 Headset.

It´s coming at a good price and has all that you want.

[tophe 69]

Well my soundcard don't have 5.1.

SO I thought I'll 's go for a USB headset, that has it's own soundchip.

I found a really good price on this one:

http://www.webhallen.com/prod.php?id=63284

It says virtual.. why is'nt that any good?

[Balschoiw 0]

Quote[/b] ]It says virtual.. why is'nt that any good?

Good 5.1 headsets actually have several speakers to not only simulate the sound but create it as it´s supposed to be created by separated speakers.

Virtual only alters the sound signal and the output is still done with only 2 speakers in the headphones and it doesn´t sound convincing at all.

The Medusa comes with a USB plug and has it´s own 5.1 module onboard, so no need for a soundcard with 5.1.

[Maddmatt 1]

Quote[/b] ]Yes, but I wouldn't recommend a 5.1 headset.

I definately do.

Just make sure you go for the right one.

No simulated 5.1 but real 5.1

You may want to have a look at the Medusa 5.1 Headset.

It´s coming at a good price and has all that you want.

Just because it's "real surround sound" doesn't make it better. I explained some reasons in my original post. Before I had my headphones I had a Logitech 5.1 system. You can't pinpoint sounds as accurately that way, since you only have 5 speakers with simple volume-panning between them. There is also no elevation effects.

Also, which is going to be better quality? 5 sound drivers for 70$ or 2 for the same price. 5.1 headphones are not known for good sound quality.

As for the Medusa for 30$, I wouldn't touch that.

If you are limited by budget, then it's understandable. If you can afford the soundcard then that + stereo headphones is the way to go.

Edit: "doesn´t sound convincing at all."

If is is done by a good soundcard (and not by the headphones), then it will sound perfectly convincing. I doubt those "virtual 5.1" sets will sound good though.

[Balschoiw 0]

Quote[/b] ]Just because it's "real surround sound" doesn't make it better.

I have the Medusa 5.1 ProGamer for 74 Euro for 3 months now and never would trade it back to a regular headphone.

You can choose the speaker separately and adjust them.

Have you ever tried a Medusa 5.1 ProGamer or are you just pulling things from your anus ?

[Maddmatt 1]

Quote[/b] ]Just because it's "real surround sound" doesn't make it better.

I have the Medusa 5.1 ProGamer for 74 Euro for 3 months now and never would trade it back to a regular headphone.

You can choose the speaker separately and adjust them.

Have you ever tried a Medusa 5.1 ProGamer or are you just pulling things from your anus ?

Have you ever tried quality stereo headphones with a good soundcard or are you just pulling things from your anus? Do you think you are some kind of sound expert or something? Insulting me doesn't make your argument any better. Just because my recommendations are different to yours you think you are right .

I have used 5.1 speakers and the X-Fi CMSS3D simulated surround sound with headphones. I bet you haven't tried both of those.

[bravo 6 0]

I only use this and im quite happy with the surround i have.

I don't have any extra sound cards. I use a onboard one.

cost me <s>30€</s> 20€ (i confirmed with pappers) 2 years ago.

works perfectly

PS- Can someone explain me why buy better sound cards and head sets?!

edit: by the way the phones are MDR-ED21LP, for those who want to know.

[dmarkwick 261]

All I can really add to this is that I have a Medusa headset, it takes inputs from my 5.1 Audigy soundcard (not USB for me), and relays the effect very well indeed.

Also, and this is not to be overlooked, it has a nice quality microphone built right in.

[Maddmatt 1]

I only use this and im quite happy with the surround i have.

I don't have any extra sound cards. I use a onboard on.

http://geizhals.at/img/pix/64940.jpg

cost me 30€ 2 years ago.

works perfectly

PS- Can someone explain me why buy better sound cards and head sets?!

edit: by the way the phones are MDR-ED21LP, for those who want to know.

With a good soundcard you can get surround sound through those. Better headsets produce better sound. Some can do bass just as good as a subwoofer, except that only your head shakes and not your whole body . Still good though.

Just like spending more money on graphics cards, it's better quality.

[Balschoiw 0]

Quote[/b] ]Have you ever tried quality stereo headphones with a good soundcard or are you just pulling things from your anus?

I´m making music and I always had good headphones, preferably Sennheiser for music stuff and used them for comp aswell. So yes, I´d say I have kind of an experience in that sector.

Quote[/b] ]Insulting me doesn't make your argument any better. Just because my recommendations are different to yours you think you are right

Still he´s asking for recommendations for a HEADSET and as I own a 5.1 headset I know what I´m talking about. He´s not asking for speaker system.

[Maddmatt 1]

Quote[/b] ]Have you ever tried quality stereo headphones with a good soundcard or are you just pulling things from your anus?

I´m making music and I always had good headphones, preferably Sennheiser for music stuff and used them for comp aswell. So yes, I´d say I have kind of an experience in that sector.

Get a good soundcard and use those Sennheisers. With the X-Fi simulated surround sound they will probably sound better than the Medusa set.

Not saying the Medusas are bad, but they wont match the Sennheisers for quality and you don't get the elevation effects.

I didn't recommend speakers to him, just saying that I have compared real 5.1 surround sound to the simulated surround sound on headphones, so I know the differences.

[Balschoiw 0]

Whatever...

[tophe 69]

How abouth these?

What are your guesses on that one?

http://www.webhallen.com/prod.php?id=55573

[Bad Pilot 0]

I played ArmA through my Medusa 5.1 headset and it sounded great with 3 speakers per ear.  It sounded fantastic.

However, I didn't keep it on because I've never managed to get the Medusa microphone working.  Now I'm back to onboard stereo and 0.99UKP headset.

[celery 8]

You might rather wanna get a high quality stereo headset, the 5.1 headsets at this stage are crap. I own Medusa 5.1 and there is next to no difference between stereo and surround, except that the sound comes from all minispeakers instead of 2. Also the sound quality is bad and any loud hi-fi sound causes ripping.

[tophe 69]

What about these?

http://www.webhallen.com/prod.php?id=69602

[Maddmatt 1]

Whatever...

Well screw you too then . You start a stupid argument then just ignore it, so I'm not going to bother talking to you because you are just rude.

Olle Stolpe: If you just want the 5.1 headset instead of what I previously recommended, then rather get these.

Edit: Celery is right though (finally someone backs up what I have said! ). You will have better sound with a stereo set. And if you can afford it, a good soundcard to do the surround sound simulation.

[Millenium7 0]

to those argueing against 'simulated' surround sound in headphones, I was once one of you. I know you could tell where a sound was coming from but you couldn't actually hear where it was from. Not true with a decent setup

Firstly open headphones make a BIG difference, 95% are closed (solid plastic on the outside instead of mesh) and keep sound in and block outside noise this greatly reduces the surround effect. Open headphones let sound in and out so you probly can't have them turned right up at night they'll be hear throughout the house. Though because they don't trap sound your 'surround' comes from about 1 or 2 metres away from your head and not inside it so you get what is identical to a true surround system.

If you've only ever tried mediocre (yes you medusa) headphones that are all closed then you have no idea, comparing apples with ferrari's.

I use an X-Fi and audio technica ATH-AD700 headphones ($200AUD headphones) and by themselves are VERY clear but bass is rather weak, with my very custom settings they are breathtaking and not lacking at all. Simple fact is 6 speakers cost more than 2, so unless there are $1000 surround headphones they won't come close to the sound quality of 2 speaker headphones.

And the surround itself IS better with some quality open headphones, your ear shape is what gives you surround because the sound is slightly different as it passes through from a different direction. Surround headphones aren't spaced far enough to give the best effect, but the emulation from the sound card changes the sound itself to sound like it was coming from behind, above or below you

[DaveG 0]

I still use my creative audigy 1, that I've had for donkey's years now, with my sony v700 headphones. Although they are closed headphones the psuedo surround works very well indeed. Much better than I thought it would.

I paid about £100 for the headphones a few years ago but I found some here

http://www.jarlonline.co.uk/index.a....ctid=10

for £40.

I do have proper surround sound and while I don't think headphones are quite as good I'm still very impressed.

I've not tried it with open headphones though.

[benreeper 0]

No one is doubting that good headphones are better than cheap ones but if I only have $60 to spend should I buy a 2 speaker set or a 5.1 set and which one. That is the question I want answered.

--Ben

PS: I've heard good phones years ago when I recorded music and performed 2 track mixdowns. They all had one thing in common, they were very expensive.

[tophe 69]

Well.. I had allready made up my mind about getting a 5.1 headset when posting.

I acctually thought "maybe I shouldn't mention the headset, that will only get people starting to discuss headsets".

All I really wanted to know was if ArmA supports real 5.1.

And I do seem to have ignited some kind of besserweisser flaming war.

But I do value all your opinions. It's good info. So thank you guys for you time! All of you.

I have ow ordered a Trust 5.1 heaset. It has gotten some rather good reviews. I'll let you know what I think when it get here...

Should be friday or monday.

[troop 0]

I do own the same Medusa 5.1 headset talked about here

and testify ArmA working very well with it.

About soundquality;..its good enough. (booom)

And everything better will be more expensive.

Of course there are 'better' solutions to be bought.