Environmental
Audio Extensions
Why
doesn't Creative Labs have an A3D card like Diamond Multimedia
or the rest of the "3D" sound card manufacturers? Because
Creative Labs has something they like to think is better than
A3D...and in a sense, it is. What Creative Labs is betting
on is their custom developed API (application programming
interface) entitled EAX, short for Environmental Audio Extensions.
EAX
is an open API that has been provided in conjunction with
Microsoft (now with MS you can't go wrong ;)...) as a set
of extensions to the DirectSound3D API. According to
software developers the implementation of EAX into their programs
isn't a difficult task at all, a definite plus for the market
as software support is something that seems to be lacking
in almost every single case where a "revolutionary" new technology
is released.
What
exactly does EAX implementation entail? Normally when
a game programmer is writing the code for a title he/she uses
the DirectSound3D API as a bridge between the software and
hardware in terms of audio. The Environmental Audio
Extensions provide programmers with a larger set of "instructions"
to choose from by allowing for real time generation and panning
effects including more realistic environment effects such
as reverb and echo effects depending on the type of material
the walls are made of in the room you happen to be in the
game. For example, if you're playing a game which boasts
EAX support (i.e. Unreal) with the SB Live! and you happen
to find yourself in a room which contains 3 walls and an open
area, the echo you would hear after firing a shot at one of
the three walls would reflect a room with only three walls
leaving an exit point for the echo where the 4th wall would
be. Whereas if you were to find yourself in a completely
closed area, the echo would be more continuous and feature
an increased amplitude.
Creative
has much confidence in the potential of their Environmental
Audio Extensions, with the ease of implementation at a very
attainable level there is no reason to expect EAX to be a
failure of any sorts.
Environmental
Audio Speakers
As
mentioned earlier, Creative is selling an entire PC audio
solution, not a $200 sound card. By acquiring Cambridge
SoundWorks Creative managed to fund development of the ideal
speaker configuration for the Environmental Audio support
of the SB Live!, the PCWorksTM FourPointSurroundTM
speaker system. Designed specifically for the Live!
product, the FourPoint system consists of 4 satellites no
larger than 3" square and a powered subwoofer. Retailing
for around $99, this system will probably be the ideal choice
for Live! users. The initial setup and configuration
of the speakers may take a little getting used to, however
that's just because of the nature of the speakers and the
external volume control which plugs directly into the powered
sub-woofer.
Although
they look much like Bose speakers there was a noticeable difference
between the high-end Bose system that was used which retails
for around $899 and the $99 FourPointSurroundTM
speakers, luckily the difference isn't great enough to justify
the difference in cost. In comparison to the Altec Lansing
ADA70 Digital Powercube Speakers, the Cambridge SoundWorks
setup simply wiped the floor with the $140 USB speakers and
then tidied up the place with some floor shaking bass afterwards.
The
two rear channel speakers come with 12-ft cables while the
other two speakers are outfitted with 9-ft cables to make
setting up the system possible in just about any location.
You can use the mounting brackets and screws to attach the
rear speakers to your walls if you so desire. Cambridge
decided to be a little too cool with their FourPointSurroundTM
speaker system when they included two speaker stands for the
rear speakers. Had the stands been of decent quality
and construction (not to mention decent height - what are
you going to do with 2' speaker stands?) the stands may have
been useful, however this reviewer found himself wondering
what to do with the cheap plastic tripods that kept on falling
apart at even the slightest touch.
Playing
EAX enhanced games and even using the Environmental Audio
effects during normal audio playback was an entirely new experience
with the FourPointSurroundTM speakers,
the Special edition of Unreal that shipped with the card brought
new meaning to the term "audio immersion" as every last shell
from the rifle really sounded like it counted.
If
you are looking for a little more, Creative will eventually
start shipping their Desktop Theater 5.1 system which, as
the name points out, is intended for use with a PC-DVD system.
Taking the original FourPoint system adding a fifth channel,
an amplifier, and a Dolby Digital Decoder, the Desktop Theater
5.1 will probably become the high end solution for the users
that take immense pride in the quality of their sound system.
