sofakng wrote on 2024-02-22, 15:47:

If I understand correctly the Vortex 2 supports EAX 1.x [?] (driver 2048) but it's not a good implementation so I think the Vortex should only be used for A3D games?

Correct. The EAX implementation in 2048 drivers is not good. Stick to A3D on Vortex 2 cards, and avoid 2048 drivers if possible.

However, there are a bunch of games that support both EAX and A3D. Is there a chart or guide for selecting the best sound card (Vortex vs Audigy) for each game?

Rule of thumb for Win9x: if you're using headphones, go with A3D. If you have a 5.1 speaker setup, use EAX.

Furthermore, A3D 2.0 has advanced wavetracing effects which can make the soundstage more realistic, if properly supported by the game. In practice, I find that this varies on a case by case basis. For example, I love A3D 2.0 in Unreal, Quake 3 and Voyager: Elite Force. But in Half-Life, A3D 2.0 doesn't sound that much better compared to EAX, at least to my ears.

P.S.

What I mentioned above applies to gaming under Win9x. However, if you're playing under WinXP using an X-Fi card with CMSS-3D enabled, EAX can sound really nice. Creative improved their positional audio algorithms over the years, and the X-Fi implementation is the best of the bunch.

I always choose A3D over EAX. Reason being is that even A3D 1.0 was a proper positional audio implementation, whereas EAX was about adding things like reverb and other environmental effects.

While headphones is best for positional audio, even with 2.1 speakers I'm still amazed at how good position audio using A3D can sound in games.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2024-02-22, 16:07:

Correct. The EAX implementation in 2048 drivers is not good. Stick to A3D on Vortex 2 cards, and avoid 2048 drivers if possible. […]
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sofakng wrote on 2024-02-22, 15:47:

If I understand correctly the Vortex 2 supports EAX 1.x [?] (driver 2048) but it's not a good implementation so I think the Vortex should only be used for A3D games?

Correct. The EAX implementation in 2048 drivers is not good. Stick to A3D on Vortex 2 cards, and avoid 2048 drivers if possible.

However, there are a bunch of games that support both EAX and A3D. Is there a chart or guide for selecting the best sound card (Vortex vs Audigy) for each game?

Rule of thumb for Win9x: if you're using headphones, go with A3D. If you have a 5.1 speaker setup, use EAX.

Furthermore, A3D 2.0 has advanced wavetracing effects which can make the soundstage more realistic, if properly supported by the game. In practice, I find that this varies on a case by case basis. For example, I love A3D 2.0 in Unreal, Quake 3 and Voyager: Elite Force. But in Half-Life, A3D 2.0 doesn't sound that much better compared to EAX, at least to my ears.

P.S.

What I mentioned above applies to gaming under Win9x. However, if you're playing under WinXP using an X-Fi card with CMSS-3D enabled, EAX can sound really nice. Creative improved their positional audio algorithms over the years, and the X-Fi implementation is the best of the bunch.

Interesting! Back in the day, my last sound card was a Hercules Game Theatre XP (Crystal CS4630 I think?) before I started just using onboard AC97. Recently picked up and put an X-Fi card in my XP system, but wasn't really sure what advantage it might provide.

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-02-22, 17:20:

I always choose A3D over EAX. Reason being is that even A3D 1.0 was a proper positional audio implementation, whereas EAX was about adding things like reverb and other environmental effects.

Games using EAX can provide positional audio through DirectSound3D (of which EAX is an extension).

I agree that this often sounds better on A3D, especially when using headphones. But on the flip side, you get full 5.1 surround sound support in many EAX titles, which is quite nice if you're using surround speakers. See this thread for more details: List of Win9x games with surround sound support

ubiq wrote on 2024-02-22, 17:29:

Interesting! Back in the day, my last sound card was a Hercules Game Theatre XP (Crystal CS4630 I think?) before I started just using onboard AC97. Recently picked up and put an X-Fi card in my XP system, but wasn't really sure what advantage it might provide.

Higher levels of EAX (3.0 and up) can also provide additional features like environment morphing/panning. While EAX 5.0, which is exclusive to X-Fi cards, gives you pure path sound positioning and better subwoofer use, in addition to improved CMSS for headphone users. Play some Battlefield 2 on an X-Fi card and you'll see what I mean.

More details and videos showcasing EAX in action can be found here: EAX appreciation thread