(1/3) EAX quality comparison: X-Fi hardware vs HOAL software

Channel:
Lithuania GreatEmerald
Subscribers:
1,800
Published on ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gMYV3qZl54


Game:
Unreal II: The Awakening (2003)
Duration: 17:04
4,040 views
45

A quick comparison of the quality of EAX implementations, using Unreal II as a test (supports EAX 3 Advanced HD). The test was done on Windows 10 ("anniversary edition").

The first one is Creative's Host OpenAL (HOAL) pure software implementation of EAX, running on an integrated Realtek ALC892 chip. Headphone virtualisation was enabled in the Realtek audio control panel. HOAL is included with both newer Creative cards that are not actually using Creative hardware, like Creative SoundBlaster Audigy Fx (actually a Realtek ALC898 chip on a card), and Creative's X-Fi MB3 software suite.

The second one is a hardware implementation of EAX on a Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremeGamer card. It uses the latest Creative drivers at the time (2.30.7), and is set up with CMSS 3D enabled and with an EAX effect volume set to +4 dB.

Surprisingly enough, the difference is completely minimal. As a matter of fact, the software solution seems to have better positional audio, as sounds from behind are more muffled. Both support ambient occlusion without any issues.

You can download unprocessed audio files here (respectively):
http://www.mediafire.com/download/ea884mtv7nhu9xm/hoal.m4a
http://www.mediafire.com/download/2jjx6olxal96tot/xfi.m4a



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Tags:
EAX
OpenAL
comparison
Creative Labs
X-Fi
EAX Advanced HD
Unreal II: The Awakening
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Advanced MB3
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
positional audio
CMSS
ambient occlusion
environment occlusion


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