Problem With Surround Volume in Games

[Emporius]

I've had this problem in several different places, while playing games on PC (as well as xbox), especially while using headphones. Often when I turn my back to a speaking character or source of sound, it grows louder. Does anyone know what can cause this. Sorry for the somewhat vague explanation and examples.

 

[VirusType2]

what sound device are you using, what version of surround are you using (ex. dolby pro, DTS, etc) and what is your speaker set-up (2 ch, 5.1, etc)

using standard headphones (2channel), you should select headphones from the speaker options if possible. You shouldn't be using surround sound for them.

 

[Viperidae]

Sounds like the software is working backward. Aren't sounds behind you supposed to be lower, usually?

 

[Emporius]

I'm not even sure if it's surround or just normal output. And it would be 2 speakers.

 

[Vegeta897]

Sounds like the software is working backward. Aren't sounds behind you supposed to be lower, usually?

Well no, games usually don't change sound volume based on their angle...

But I would think if you had surround speakers the rear speakers would be louder to compensate for the greater distance to you. (Most systems let you adjust the balance of front/rear volume anyway)

If you're not using a surround setup make sure it's set to stereo in the game, and also in Windows.

 

[VirusType2]

I had the same problem in pretty much all games. For example, when playing HL2 on a 2 speaker setup, when I turn my back to a speaking NPC, their voice would get louder and it seemed backwards. It bugged the shit out of me.

I believe it is embedded in the audio files of the game (.WAV files for example), and if you don't have a surround decoder and speakers, it won't sound right.

I don't think there is any solution except to get a proper surround sound setup: surround sound card, surround decoder ( an amplifier/tuner if your sound card didn't come with it's own amplifier), and surround speakers.

For example, this

is everything you need - sound card with surround decoder, amplifier with volume control, and speakers.

 

[Viperidae]

Well no, games usually don't change sound volume based on their angle...

But I would think if you had surround speakers the rear speakers would be louder to compensate for the greater distance to you. (Most systems let you adjust the balance of front/rear volume anyway)

2.0 systems can do it to. If your soundcard supports EAX, on BF2 sounds behind you will be muffled/lower in volume.