Switch to kX from Creative, would I notice a difference?

StringFellow · Sep 26, 2005, 01:25 PM

I have been using the Creative drivers for my Audigy 2 for quite some time. I usually load the creative drivers and the utilities to control volume, mic settings, etc. I also don't load any of the extra applications (AudioHQ, etc.) that come with the drivers. No EAX profiles/settings, etc.

I am mainly a gamer and when I install and configure my games (BF2, Dawn of War, etc.), I usually enable EAX options if they exist in the in-game configuration screens. Since I don't load the Creative applications for EAX, etc., will I really notice a difference with the kX drivers. Just trying to figure out if the in-game EAX sounds are linked to the "extra" creative applications or are linked to the drivers themselves.

-S

peate · Sep 26, 2005, 03:45 PM

kX is mainly for musicians. If you're mostly into games, stick with the original drivers.

ROBSCIX · Sep 26, 2005, 07:18 PM

To answer your questions, they are linked to the original drivers. Kx drivers have NO support for EAX. You will have NO EAX effects in your games. You will have all the other standards though, Directsound, DirectSound3d, A2D..etc. KX drivers provide better sound quality overall, And improve functionality. as Peate mentioned though if you are really into games and like your EAX you may be better to stick with Creative...

RejZoR · Sep 26, 2005, 10:22 PM

Not exactly true. 64 separate channels help ALOT in 3D games. I mean ALOT!
Say goodbye to sound skipping when there is massive number of sound sources in game scene. Some rifles in CounterStrike:Source sound like crap with official Creative drivers (the fire sound starts to skip when there is heavy firefight).
Official Creative drivers give you only 32 channels. Kx gives you 64!
Sound quality is also very high and in-game performance same if not better than with official Creative software. I recommend that you try Kx Project drivers and you'll see if you like them.

ROBSCIX · Sep 26, 2005, 10:27 PM

I said, NO EAX thats, all. I never mentioned anything to do with channels, but I guess thats another reason to use KX, I didn't think the 64 channels applied to games I thought it was a music thing, for creation..etc..good to know..

peate · Sep 27, 2005, 01:43 AM

From all the previous posts, i was also under the assumption gamers didn't like kX because no EAX. I'm not a gamer so I haven't a clue, but for making music, kX is far superior to Creative both in functionality and sound quality. Try them for yourself, best way to find out.

**dj_stick** · Sep 27, 2005, 02:23 AM

some games don't require EAX either, i know half life 2 has it's own built in engine which sounds acceptable to me

RejZoR · Sep 27, 2005, 10:55 AM

There are environmental effects anyway in games even if you don't enable EAX. They just aren't that noticeable thats all. And last Creative official drivers are from year 2002 (12 August) so they are usually broken in today EAX games anyway...

Tril · Sep 27, 2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RejZoR

And last Creative official drivers are from year 2002 (12 August) so they are usually broken in today EAX games anyway...

Are you sure about that? I heard that there were new drivers for the Audigy2 in the driver package of the x-fi.

RejZoR · Sep 27, 2005, 01:01 PM

I'm talking about Live! series,sorry. I see he owns an Audigy 2.
If you have EAX3/EAX4 compatible soundcard you should probably stick to Creative drivers. Unless Kx Drivers give you 128 sound channels on Audigy 2 (64 by default). Then i'd grab Kx for sure.

Sep 26, 2005, 01:25 PM	#1
StringFellow DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Switch to kX from Creative, would I notice a difference? I have been using the Creative drivers for my Audigy 2 for quite some time. I usually load the creative drivers and the utilities to control volume, mic settings, etc. I also don't load any of the extra applications (AudioHQ, etc.) that come with the drivers. No EAX profiles/settings, etc. I am mainly a gamer and when I install and configure my games (BF2, Dawn of War, etc.), I usually enable EAX options if they exist in the in-game configuration screens. Since I don't load the Creative applications for EAX, etc., will I really notice a difference with the kX drivers. Just trying to figure out if the in-game EAX sounds are linked to the "extra" creative applications or are linked to the drivers themselves. -S

Sep 26, 2005, 03:45 PM	#2
peate HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 409 Rep Power: 57	kX is mainly for musicians. If you're mostly into games, stick with the original drivers.

Sep 26, 2005, 07:18 PM	#3
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	To answer your questions, they are linked to the original drivers. Kx drivers have NO support for EAX. You will have NO EAX effects in your games. You will have all the other standards though, Directsound, DirectSound3d, A2D..etc. KX drivers provide better sound quality overall, And improve functionality. as Peate mentioned though if you are really into games and like your EAX you may be better to stick with Creative...

Sep 26, 2005, 10:22 PM	#4
RejZoR DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Europe/Slovenia/Ljubljana Posts: 153 Rep Power: 0	Not exactly true. 64 separate channels help ALOT in 3D games. I mean ALOT! Say goodbye to sound skipping when there is massive number of sound sources in game scene. Some rifles in CounterStrike:Source sound like crap with official Creative drivers (the fire sound starts to skip when there is heavy firefight). Official Creative drivers give you only 32 channels. Kx gives you 64! Sound quality is also very high and in-game performance same if not better than with official Creative software. I recommend that you try Kx Project drivers and you'll see if you like them.

Sep 26, 2005, 10:27 PM	#5
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	I said, NO EAX thats, all. I never mentioned anything to do with channels, but I guess thats another reason to use KX, I didn't think the 64 channels applied to games I thought it was a music thing, for creation..etc..good to know..

Sep 27, 2005, 01:43 AM	#6
peate HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 409 Rep Power: 57	From all the previous posts, i was also under the assumption gamers didn't like kX because no EAX. I'm not a gamer so I haven't a clue, but for making music, kX is far superior to Creative both in functionality and sound quality. Try them for yourself, best way to find out.

Sep 27, 2005, 10:55 AM	#8
RejZoR DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Europe/Slovenia/Ljubljana Posts: 153 Rep Power: 0	There are environmental effects anyway in games even if you don't enable EAX. They just aren't that noticeable thats all. And last Creative official drivers are from year 2002 (12 August) so they are usually broken in today EAX games anyway...

Sep 27, 2005, 01:01 PM	#10
RejZoR DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Europe/Slovenia/Ljubljana Posts: 153 Rep Power: 0	I'm talking about Live! series,sorry. I see he owns an Audigy 2. If you have EAX3/EAX4 compatible soundcard you should probably stick to Creative drivers. Unless Kx Drivers give you 128 sound channels on Audigy 2 (64 by default). Then i'd grab Kx for sure.