Final Words
The bottom line when it comes to Doom 3 audio is surround sound. In fact, we tested the system with two sets of stereo speakers (one in rear and one in front) and got very playable results after fiddling around with the levels for a while. We feel that Doom 3, in spite of its intense visual experience, is an incomplete game without surround enabled. The enhancements provided by being able to hear where danger is coming from really makes a key difference in playability, usefulness, fun, excitement, and intense terror.While not necessary as a game play enhancing feature, the use of the center channel does add a nice touch to the overall effect. If a choice must be made between a center channel and a power sub, the choice is hands down the sub. The effects of some of the more intense scenes, hearing generators roar and feeling weapons fire is a very nice touch.
Our recommendation for a full Doom 3 experience is a 5.1 speaker system paired with a sound card that supports the same. For minimum playability, we absolutely recommend at least four speakers set up with a front pair and back pair on a sound card that supports at least 4 channels. Just set the speakers to surround in windows (even though the center channel is lacking) and surround can be enabled in Doom 3. As we've mentioned before, the game is still more than playable on surround without a center channel.
In the end, we may have preferred a personal radar system to locate enemies, as the additional impact of surround sound injected almost too much realism, and intensity, and fear into the game. Often times our expectations for the impact of additional features are a little low, while our hopes are set high. Surround sound under Doom 3 added more than we imagined, and is well worth whatever upgrade is necessary, even if its just a cheap 5.1 add-in card and 2 pair of stereo speakers.
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joldershaw - Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - link
I have had the same problem. It seems that unless the program used is compatible with AC3 or Dolby Digital/Prologic, then Windows relies on the 6 speaker outputs on the sound device.It only gives a basic stereo on the two front speakers, and all other channels are silent.
If you hear of anything else, please reply.
Config:
Nforce2 MOBO with Realtek ALC650 sound and SPDIF output going to digital input on amp.
PowerDVD works OK, but nothing else in Windows takes advantage.
joldershaw - Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - link
mareksteele - Saturday, August 14, 2004 - link
I'd like to comment just one thing about this review. There was no reference to how game settings (high/med/low) affect sound diversity for this game, I haven't seen yet a concrete explaination anywere for this issue (if it only affects low or slightly medium too). Thanks for your time.vhato - Thursday, August 12, 2004 - link
I have a 5.1 setup with an Audigy 2 ZS and Doom 3 did not support 5.1. The Surround was there, but all voice was played on the front speakers and not the center channel. Definately not a problem though.TrogdorJW - Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - link
#16 - this is an issue I have heard many people talk about on various sound setups. I myself experience it using an Asus K7N8X-E Deluxe with SoundStorm audio, but I have also heard of other onboard solutions and Audigy 2 ZS users having the same problem. As far as I can tell, id/Activision is aware of the problem, and hopefully they will fix it. In the meantime, there is something of a hack workaround. Open the console (Ctrl+Shift+~ or something like that) and type the following:bind m "s_restart"
You can use whatever you want for m, but the idea is to bind a key to the audio reset function. I generally hit my M key every three or four minutes, and sound keeps going. Otherwise, about every 5 to 10 minutes it will start cutting out. Very annoying.
The alternative solution is to open up DxDiag and turn down the hardware acceleration on your audio. It doesn't seem to affect things *too* much in Doom 3, but it will likely affect other games. I prefer the bind key solution as it's a Doom 3 specific problem and workaround.
Jeff7181 - Monday, August 9, 2004 - link
I'd still like to know if anyone else is experiencing the same problems I am with the sound... when I have "Surround Speakers" enabled the audio cuts out at what seems like random points. It must have something to do with a specific (or multiple specific) EAX effects because it doesn't do it when I turn Surround Speakers off. I have an Audigy 2 ZS and I'm using all the latest drivers for it... it's really a pain in the ass when you're fighting and all of a sudden the audio cuts out.I have to hit ESC and go to the options, turn Surround off, then back on, and it works again until the next event that causes it to lose the audio. I don't think it's a problem with my sound card because no other game has problems like that. Has anyone heard anything about this problem?
magnusr - Monday, August 9, 2004 - link
Where is spdif support out enabled? Doom3 dosen`t seem to support ac3 audio.....I have a sony ac3 amplifter. an optical cable from my audigy 2 card to it. Also using a projector (good picture at least)
I have a lot of friends with similar configs.
None of us can seem to get ac3 audio over the optical link.
So much talk about sorround sound when it`s dosen`t even seem to support ac3 sound. Only a bunch of cables on small sound systems...... Where is the joy in that?
Aquila76 - Monday, August 9, 2004 - link
Warden - you got it exactly right. Doom3 only looks to whatever the Windows Control Panel is set to and takes it from there. It doesn't know/care about soundcard type.Aquila76 - Monday, August 9, 2004 - link
Warden - you got it exactly right. Doom3 only looks to whatever the Windows Control Panel is set to and takes it from there. It doesn't know/care about soundcard type.TheWarden - Sunday, August 8, 2004 - link
For those of you asking about the performance differences between Audigy/onboard/nForce, etc... the performance is likely identical. As the first poster alluded to, Doom 3 does not use the fancy hardware of an Audigy or nForce to process any sound; it's all done by the CPU no matter what sound solution you are using. I got this information out of an interview in the latest PC Gamer, but I'm sure it's available on the web, too.Cheers,
Warden