Movies and Gaming
Movies
System used:
- KMplayer V.2.94
- Source: Xonar Essence ST w/ custom discrete opamps in 2 channel mode
- Media tested: DVD
Ozzy Osbourne: Live at Budokan
Always part of our reference tracks for DVD because there is a wide variance in tracks from the quiet laid back ballad type tracks (Goodbye to Romance) to the upfront and powerful metal tunes (No more Tears) and of course everything in between.
Live performances seem to be another impartial judge of system quality as to if the system just loses details in the big reverb sound or if it can keep the separation and soundstage true to the recording. Let's give it a try!! We allowed the entire DVD to play, all 14 tracks. The vocals both perfect and imperfect passages come through perfectly for better or worse. Position and separation imparted by this system is very impressive. Character of the amplifiers and instruments also come through effortlessly.
The Deep, wide soundstage seems to be a trademark of this system allowing an impressive sonic presentation.
X-Men: The Last Stand
The opening sequences in the "Danger room" provided wide soundstage offering quick side to side directional audio and overall impressive imaging of the battle sequence.
There was an easy to hear sense of depth to the image presented by the monitors.
Explosions were big and expansive with forward depth and level. Vocal positions are easy to locate and not generalized in the sound field.
Backing music tracks seemed to be layered behind the dialog and audio effects.
We also tested the sequence when Jean destroys the house and neighborhood, again very impressive imaging with swirling debris and interlaced backing tracks. The sound signature was clear without any smearing of aspects as everything seemed to have its own space in the mix. This system seems to be able to handle heavy action sequences easily and effortlessly.
Gaming
Used: Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1 with OPA637SM opamp set for stereo output
For our gaming test we went to the reference hardware room and grabbed out the Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1 considered by many to be the pinnacle of gaming audio at this point in time. We also went one step further and installed a $250 premium quality opamp further improving the sound output. We like taking things just that extra bit beyond the norm at Guru3D!
Let's plug in the system and see what they offer to the gamers in the audience.
Note: To keep the size of this review down we will be forgoing any in game screen shots.
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
This is a very new game and we started playing it using this system. There is a lot of dialog in the game from one character or another and it all came through crystal clear.
You could easily locate sound within the soundstage and the sound track was enhanced by this system. Playing the game you experience the music as being part of the game instead of just sounds. Acoustic guitar is part of the soundtracks so you can hear character and the woodiness of the guitar. Revolvers loading and subtle clicking of the springs and mechanisms came through in the mix. Horses galloping and in game reverb seemed to add to the immersive aspects heard while testing this game. Before we knew it, we had been playing for a few hours.
Call of Duty 2
This is a mainstay test game, offering a whole range of directional sounds and audio cues.
Explosions sounded rather impressive even with the absence of a dedicated LFE.
Weapons sounds, loading and unloading seemed clearer and with more character then just simple clicks. We use modified audio tracks with this game which are just awesome with great sound reproduction.
There is a "woodiness" heard when reloading an in game weapon and there seemed to be just more detail in simple sounds.
Yells and other sound seemed to have distance to them through the video monitor instead of just being in front. In game effects form the 20K2 DSP chip cam through effortlessly. Occlusion sounded great, weapon fire could also be easily pinpointed. Tanks made the desk rumble, with just the bass produced from these monitors.
