Games
Having looked at music and seeing how the MX5021 can over-emphasize the highs, I’m very curious to see how this translates for video games.
After playing Doom 3, I can say that the sound reproduction from the MX5021 is incredible. The sound effects are even more vivid thanks to the sharp highs. However I found some of the effects jarring particularly the high-frequency effects like those created by firing the machine gun and steam spewing from valves.
Machine gun fire was a little harsh on the ears.
Unreal Tournament 2004 has some real great moments. In one of my tests, a Manta hovered from the left to the right and then accelerated into the distance – the audio was very distinct as the effects moved from left to right and then fade away. This effect was not as obvious on the ACS54 where the subtleties of space are lost due to poor sound definitin, and on my Sony headphones the effct lacked a sense of dimension. The bass was fairly good when large explosions occurred (like the explosions from a bomber or Redeemer), but the subwoofer was surprisingly reserved for vehicle sound effects like the Goliath tank.
Manta flybys create amazing sound effects.
Freelancer is a different story compared to Doom and Unreal Tournament. In Freelancer there are a lot of high-frequency effects caused by energy-based weapons. Many of the missions feature dozens of ships firing their guns and the audio becomes a real mess like in the mission escaping from the prison facility. I often had to turn down the volume because the effects were getting irritating. The fault here lies more with the sound producers for the game, but the MX5021’s tendency to emphasize the treble doesn’t help in this case.
High-frequency effects are everywhere in Freelancer.
THX Gaming
THX certification for video games means that the whole audio mastering process is controlled by the standards specified by THX Ltd. This implies everything from the technology to methodology follows THX guidelines to ensure audio is distortion-free and has good tonal balance. So in theory, by matching a THX certified sound source with THX certified output, you should get some of the best sound reproduction possible. To test THX certification we use EA Games’ Return of the King (ROTK) and Need for Speed: Underground (NFS:U) which are both THX certified titles.
The biggest difference going from a ‘regular’ game to a THX game was the immense bass that gets unleashed. In Unreal Tournament and Doom 3, I never really got the sense that the subwoofer was getting used very much, but with these two THX games it’s a completely different story.
Gandalf helps defend Helmsdeep.
The Return of the King features many cut-scenes from the theatrical movies. When images cut to a marching orc army or the scene of Mount Doom the bass rumbles and quakes menacingly. You literally get a sense that you are in Middle Earth by the fact your mouse almost rattles off the desk.
The music kicks in Need for Speed: Underground!
In NFS:U, the sound is loud and obnoxious as it was meant to be. The high-quality urban-themed music and the great huge bass put out by the sub almost makes you forget the game is about driving and not about the tunes. When a car drives by, you can hear the noise of their engine with real depth. The sub really thumps and makes you wonder why more games haven’t gone to THX certified sound.
Now looking at the high-frequencies, in ROTK, the voice-overs of Galadriel (played by Cate Blanchett) are chilling and very stunning. While playing Gandalf in the battle of Helmsdeep, as the wizard moves closer and away from skirmishes the sounds of sword clashes ebb and flow very realistically. The sounds of metal-on-metal are very sharp and believable.
Cinematic cut-scenes are exceptional thanks to
THX certified speakers and game audio.
In NFS:U, the effects are impressive but maybe too intense at times. When doing a power slide, the screech of the tires can be bit sharp making it sound a bit fake. The highs also drown out the mids like the effects of objects passing by (lamp posts and other cars). I found that if the mid-range can be bolstered by decreasing the high frequency or by turning up the mids, you get a much better balanced sound.
However, in comparison, using my Sony headphones and my old ACS54, I wasn’t able to get the same depth and definition which was really obvious on the MX5021. The racket of war in Return of the King didn’t seem that real and immersive in contrast, and the boom of the radio and the roar of the engine didn’t seem to have any real edge in Need for Speed: Underground.
controller required urgently
Thank you so much for providing photos of the cables and speaker wire. I am missing one of the cables and I had no idea what to look for. You have saved me hours of guesswork!