Xitel
Storm Platinum review
Posted
by Julio Franco - Page 3/3
Now, I'm sure that if
you're going to buy a sound card in the next few
weeks/months to get 3D positional audio, you'll want to know
which is better for you, a card based on the Aureal Vortex 2
processor (Storm Platinum) or maybe a card based in the
EMU10K1 controller (SB Live!). The features of both cards
are pretty similar, they all support true quad CODEC for 4
speaker support so that the card can control volume levels
and positional effects on each channel depending where the
sound source is actually located in relation to the
listener.
Since I own both cards, I was able to
test them with exactly the same system, I ran lots of games
with both cards, most of them supporting positional audio
and even better I could compare the EAX API (SB Live!) with
A3D 2.0 (Storm Platinum) API in games that supported both,
it's important to notice that although EAX is being
developed by Creative, it's an open API and Aureal claims
that all Vortex 2 cards will also support EAX in a future
driver revision.
In my opinion, when using 4 speakers
there was almost no difference between the cards, while some
effects were cooler in one some other were better with the
other card. Now, when using 2 speakers, positional audio in
the Storm Platinum was better. In the other hand, music and
MIDI playback and that kind of stuff was better in the SB
Live!.
Which should you buy then?
If you're a real gamer, don't look
further, go for the Xitel Storm Platinum Gamers pack and
kick some ass with the Force Feedback headphones, but if
you're a music enthusiast, my recommendation goes to the SB
Live!
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3D
Spotlight review score:
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