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In the Forums... |
Posted: April 11, 2000 Written by: Tuan "Solace" Nguyen  You can find A3D technology with soundcards that feature the Vortex 1 or Vortex 2 chips. Vortex 1 handles only A3D1.0 while Vortex 2 is capable of A3D1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 as well as EAX. Some cards that you may have heard of include: Aureal SQ1500 (Vortex1) and SQ3500 (Vortex2), Diamond Sonic Impact S90 (Vortex1) and Monster Sound MX300 (Vortex2), Xitel Storm VX (Vortex1) and Storm Platinum (Vortex2), Turtle Beach Montego II (Vortex1) Beach Montego II Quadzilla (Vortex2), TerraTec XLerate (Vortex1) and XLerate Pro (Vortex2) Most Aureal based cards have dual stereo outs, meaning that you can connect two sets of speakers for front and rear effects. Of course you’ll want the space to do so. If you’re worried that you don’t have enough room for four speakers, don’t sweat it. A3D technology is designed to work with two speakers. And once you’ve heard A3D, you’ll wonder how you ever got by with stereo. Just for kicks, if you have a capable sound card, try spinning your favorite MP3 around your head! :) Sensaura3D  Based on similar HRTF algorithms, Sensaura differentiates itself from its competitors by using their proprietary MultiDrive system. Unlike Aureal, which only uses HRTFs on its front channels, Sensaura uses HRTFs on all four channels. This means that all four channels are based on Interaural Time Difference (ITD) or delay. While Aureal uses panning, Sensaura claims that ITDs are more important than panning (which changes volume). Consequently, when using panning, you must be located in a certain position or “sweet spot” that is equal distance from left and right speakers to be effective.  Sensaura’s technology is still maturing while others such as A3D are already mature. Sensaura has still yet to perfect its technology. But other technologies that Sensaura uses are very interesting to know. Sensaura’s MacroFX technology simulates sounds that are very close to your ears. Such as sounds when you scratch your head or when someone whispers into your ear. This system still has some quirks to be worked out but currently works very well. ZoomFX simulates volumetric sounds just like A3D. And EnvironmentFX supplies reverb effects presets. It also supports EAX1.0, 2.0 and I3DL2. A few of the companies supporting Sensaura’s technology include: Diamond Monster Sound MX400 (ESS Canyon 3D), Guillemot Maxi Sound Fortissimo (ESS Canyon 3D), Terratec DMX (ESS Canyon 3D), Yamaha WaveForce 192/192Digital (Proprietary Yamaha YMF924). Many other cards capable of Sensaura 3D are based on Cirrus Logic's Crystal chips (4630, 4280 and 4624 models). |
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