Thread: can a carputer compete with a head unit for sound quality?

Originally Posted by edscholl

that is absolutely NOT the point if you're into SQ! SQ, from a purely technical perspective, is ALL about accurately reproducing the sound of your source.

Ah...I think you are overlooking the fact that a sound system doesn't end at the HU.

If the source was PERFECTLY reproduced at the HU, then output to whatever amps and speakers you had in your car you would not even place in a SQ competition.

(Maybe you would get a special pink ribbon for "Best Line Out Performance." Yippee, congratulations.)

Sorry, but the reality is that tuning, tweaking, and processing are performed to compensate for deficiencies in amps and speakers (and speaker boxes) and the defects in the non-studio environment of the common automobile.

Ultimately, you want the final sound that comes out of the speakers to represent the sound of the source. Most of us can't actually hear what comes directly out of the HU (or preamp, or PC). Maybe you have special powers.

Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

lateott is exactly right!

no matter how much you spend or how advanced the technology, you will never reproduce EXACTLY what comes off of that CD......that's what makes this fun, what makes this an involved sport!

Thanks for your comments Red GTi!

The funny thing is, if we want to get really deep and philosophical about this, when it comes down to it, the SOURCE is usually an imperfect reproduction of reality. Think about it. Whether you're listening to classical orchestra, classic rock, R&B or gagsta rap, the studio recording and CD (a flat, shiny disc) is trying to capture a live performance of something.

Rather than simply reproduce whatever the the flat shiny disc has captured, it is often desirable to expand beyond that and actually reproduce the sound of the original performance and venue. We know that is the case in home theaters with surround processing, and in computer gaming and other applications where we are moving users further from the "observer" role and more to the "participant" role when it comes to audio (and video, of course).

But as far as the original post goes, the question was whether a PC could match a HU for sound quality. I think the answer is definitely yes, especially when your consider the ability to process the sound for any desired effect.

The advantages HU's have is that they are dedicated devices engineered for reproducing sound whereas computers are more generic devices engineered to do a lot of things. If you have decent sound hardware in your carputer, it all comes down to software. But I have no doubt that with the proper software and hardware a carputer can out perform a HU.

Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

for instance:

a few years ago, the SONG for USACi SQ was Hotel California by The Eagles, as it was sung off of the DVD of their live performance....

those who reproduced that scene most accurately AND had quality installs, were those who won....

=]

A perfect example!

Speaking of Soundblaster PCI-cards...

I know there are alot of us here using the M10000-boards so here I go again:
has anybody actually gotten their Soundblaster cards to function on the M10000-board?

I know I have tried all the SB-driver patches to make the PCI-card work the VIA-boards without any luck.
I have tried the KXProject drivers but I can get these to work either...

/l-O

Originally Posted by 0l33l

You can do all this with the kXProject for creative sounds cards. No USB support though. I wouldn't want to hog the USB bus anyway with audio.

Is there any other program that will do the same thing??? this program is only for E-mu and creative soundcards.
The problem is that i have a ESI waverterminal 192L (http://www.esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=5&page=1)