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General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Mar on May 28, 2012, 02:06:03 AM

Title: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Mar on May 28, 2012, 02:06:03 AM
I have a Sound Blaster Audigy SE and a Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 surround sound headset.

The problem I'm having is when I try to test the surround sound with the Creative speaker settings by turning the subwoofer and front volume dials down on the headset and leave the center and surround at max I don't hear anything. I think this might have something do with the following: When I go to Control Panel>Hardware and Software>Manage Audio Devices, select Sound Blaster Audigy and click Configure, I can only choose Mono and Stereo audio channels.

Hopefully someone with a Turtle Beach headset will come by here, it might be easier to understand...
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Chalenge on May 28, 2012, 07:11:09 AM
Somehow you dont have the correct drivers loaded. In order to get 5.1 the sound card must be in 5.1 mode. Maybe Windows update messed with your settings?
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: The Fugitive on May 28, 2012, 09:30:45 AM
My guess is that sound card isn't a real 5.1 surround card. The card on the site shows only 4 jacks on it. One is an input, and one is a mic, so that only leaves 2 for your speaker, front and rear. Mine has the extra jacks. My TurtleBeach head set has 4 jacks. One for the mic, and the others for speakers, and so does my sound card.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: TwinBoom on May 28, 2012, 09:41:07 AM
My guess is that sound card isn't a real 5.1 surround card. The card on the site shows only 4 jacks on it. One is an input, and one is a mic, so that only leaves 2 for your speaker, front and rear. Mine has the extra jacks. My TurtleBeach head set has 4 jacks. One for the mic, and the others for speakers, and so does my sound card.

Weird card might be a driver issue too , Never seen Jack setup like this , strange
(http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/29-102-003-02.jpg)

I have the Audigy 2 ZS and here is my Jack arrangement
(http://www.sequoyahcomputer.com/howto/lp2cd/AudigyJacks.jpg)

Have you selected 5.1 in the windows speaker arrangement?
(https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Doc/images/c00054982.jpg)
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Mar on May 28, 2012, 01:00:37 PM
 :bhead Drivers drivers drivers.

I was using the original drivers that shipped with the card. I was reluctant to get the latest ones because they disabled the record "What U Hear" function. I just installed the latest ones and now have full 5.1 surround sound, but no What U Hear. :cry

Thanks for the help guys. By the way, would any of you know a nice little program that can record what's coming out of my speakers/headset?
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Mar on May 28, 2012, 01:55:18 PM
 :bhead :bhead :bhead

Nevermind. Post edited. Computers I tell you.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: TwinBoom on May 28, 2012, 01:56:41 PM
:bhead Drivers drivers drivers.

I was using the original drivers that shipped with the card. I was reluctant to get the latest ones because they disabled the record "What U Hear" function. I just installed the latest ones and now have full 5.1 surround sound, but no What U Hear. :cry

Thanks for the help guys. By the way, would any of you know a nice little program that can record what's coming out of my speakers/headset?

Mp3 recording or what?
I use Sony sound forge
And Sony acid pro
but im sure there is cheaper options out there
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: TwinBoom on May 28, 2012, 01:58:39 PM
:bhead :bhead :bhead

Now I get static as soon as I unmute the mic and it doesn't go away.

I need a new sound card. Anyone have a recommendation for a good 5.1 card?


System specs?
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Mar on May 28, 2012, 02:51:49 PM


System specs?

Screaming Bee was interfering, it's all good now.

As for recording, I'm looking for something that will record the sound exactly as I hear it. As far as I know MP3 is a downgrade in quality.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Mar on May 28, 2012, 03:39:51 PM
Computers I tell you.

Sorry for sounding like a broken record, but this sound card is giving me more headaches than I care to deal with at the moment. The new situation is I am unable to control the separate speaker volume levels from the sound card itself. The headset's bass is way too low, I have to increase the master volume and then fiddle with the rest of the dials for 5 minutes to get the right sound level, and I have to do it all over again if I happen to brush against them.

So I need a sound card that will allow me to get everything set just right and then not have to screw with it anymore.

So for system specs should I post a DxDiag?
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Chalenge on May 29, 2012, 10:27:21 PM
Get one of the better X-Fi Fatality cards. I suggest one with the front side hookups (Titanium Champion) but for 5.1 you are going to have to hook it up at the rear of the system anyway.

If all you need is a recording without editing then Roemer Software has Easy Hi-Q Recorder for $29.95. If you want to do editing then GoldWave is affordable at $50 for a lifetime or $19 for a year. Goldwave does some things better than even Sound Forge or Audition which both go for a lot more but it does not offer multi-track mixing. It also offers things like text-to-speech if you like that sort of thing. For top of the line editors (not the true top but for consumers) I would decide if you are going to do video editing first. If you use Sony Vegas then you will want Sound Forge. If you use Premiere then stick to Audition. Either package can get along with the other but there are some small and detailed issues when it comes to syncing that can get irritating.

And for the last little tidbit... if you do a lot of either sound or video editing do yourself a favor and do them on a second machine. Video especially will use up a lot of disc space but either one will do a lot of caching and load processes onto Windows that will be a problem when it comes time to play AH. Processes can be shutdown but the disc optimizations will be more of a problem.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Mar on May 30, 2012, 01:40:46 AM
I'm not into editing right now, but I will remember that advice if/when I do get into it.

That sound card is pricey, would it be worth it? Recently I was looking at this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132052

I don't need a super powerful card or anything, just one that lets me adjust the individual speaker volumes from within the system. In fact, if the blasted creative software would work correctly I wouldn't need a new one at all. So really all I need is something similar to the card I have now that is stable and reliable.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: zack1234 on May 30, 2012, 05:40:00 AM
My sound card broke so I used my graphics card HDMI for sound :)

my G35 headset is USB and is very good 7. 1 in game :)
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Chalenge on May 30, 2012, 05:41:37 PM
Mar... my opinion is that the headset you have is a gimmick and that it will never truly do what you are looking for. Just the same... that Xonar card compared to the Fatality I suggested is like listening to a recording made from a webcam (think youtube) compared to CD quality (think cable television). The only reason I mark the Fatality down to CD quality is due to the limits of the input sounds for games like AH. However the Xonar is just a noisy card. If you really set your sights that low then go for it. I think at some point you will want better so I cant recommend it for the waste of cash it is.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Mar on May 31, 2012, 01:25:44 AM
I see. Well, looks like I have some saving to do then. :)

Thanks Chalenge.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Chalenge on May 31, 2012, 10:59:39 PM
I should point out that the reason I mentioned Easy Hi-Q is because it can be set on a timer. Its possible to preset a streaming channel to record but I have always taken the safer path of leaving the streaming content active and rely only on the timer. So then you just tell it at what interval you want the track count to increment (say every 7 minutes) and then each segment will be 7 minutes long and you can also tell it to record for 3hrs. 4 minutes or whatever.

I own and use all four programs I suggested the larger portion of my use being with Audition because it can be used directly with Premiere. I use Goldwave for converting to MP3 because the LAME encoder supports a greater range of bit rates (non-standard bit rates). Any sound that doesnt loop in AH can be converted to MP3 but the standard bit rates are non-customary to AH. Since MP3s are smaller they load much more quickly and might take up less memory space (it would take a programmer to confirm that one) but certainly use less disk space. MP3s will not loop or didnt in my tests without a hesitation appearing.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: roffi on June 02, 2012, 04:24:50 PM
I have ZA6 and SG X-FI titanium, works great.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: lyric1 on September 23, 2012, 01:04:38 PM
Cheap crap has broken after only a few months of use don't buy.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: LCAMerciful on September 23, 2012, 01:25:09 PM
Cheap crap has broken after only a few months of use don't buy.

I see you've replied to every post with "Z6A" in it.  You seem a bit bitter.  How about you offer a little more information other than "cheap crap" about your personal experiences with this hardware.  Otherwise really your posts look like nothing more than spam...
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: lyric1 on September 23, 2012, 08:11:46 PM
I see you've replied to every post with "Z6A" in it.  You seem a bit bitter.  How about you offer a little more information other than "cheap crap" about your personal experiences with this hardware.  Otherwise really your posts look like nothing more than spam...

First off your ears will turn blue for the first few weeks of use from the Dye rubbing off on your skin.

After only 8 months of use the adjustable bracket has broken clean in half in two places on both ear muffs & all that is holding on each muff is the electric wire.

We will see how good Turtle Beach is on the warranty?
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: guncrasher on September 25, 2012, 01:05:33 AM
lyric i think there's more threads out there with z6a headset on them you gonna revive all of them?  I understand z6a headset arent what they used to be, we all know it, we've seen the reviews.  but seriously dood, you are asking for a few weeks ban.  we understand you are mad at the manufacture but why take it out on us?


semp
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: RngFndr on September 25, 2012, 07:26:32 AM
Actually, I almost purchased a set of Z6A's, didn't because of reading these complaints..
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Mar on September 25, 2012, 11:18:35 AM
Actually, I almost purchased a set of Z6A's, didn't because of reading these complaints..

Good thing too, mine actually snapped within a month. The plastic they used was worse than peanut brittle.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: cattb on September 26, 2012, 06:44:39 PM
Actually, I almost purchased a set of Z6A's, didn't because of reading these complaints..

See the warranty 1 year parts and 0 year labor. they don't believe in thier own product.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: ozrocker on October 12, 2012, 12:19:58 PM
Mar... my opinion is that the headset you have is a gimmick and that it will never truly do what you are looking for. Just the same... that Xonar card compared to the Fatality I suggested is like listening to a recording made from a webcam (think youtube) compared to CD quality (think cable television). The only reason I mark the Fatality down to CD quality is due to the limits of the input sounds for games like AH. However the Xonar is just a noisy card. If you really set your sights that low then go for it. I think at some point you will want better so I cant recommend it for the waste of cash it is.
  I have a Turtle Beach X12 set. Believe me, no gimmick with the sound quality.

                                                                                                                                            :cheers: Oz
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Chalenge on October 12, 2012, 12:33:22 PM
  I have a Turtle Beach X12 set. Believe me, no gimmick with the sound quality.

                                                                                                                                            :cheers: Oz

I think you missed the point about surround sound which your headset does not even pretend to have. Lets see how you feel about that headset in another year.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: The Fugitive on October 12, 2012, 04:08:19 PM
I think you missed the point about surround sound which your headset does not even pretend to have. Lets see how you feel about that headset in another year.

Another year? That will make 4 years for mine, and even tho I've only used them for 3 so far they are still awesome!
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: TwinBoom on October 12, 2012, 05:03:42 PM
Another year? That will make 4 years for mine, and even tho I've only used them for 3 so far they are still awesome!

hehe you cant tell knowitalls  :D
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Chalenge on October 12, 2012, 05:48:46 PM
Another year? That will make 4 years for mine, and even tho I've only used them for 3 so far they are still awesome!

So which is it? You have Z6A or X12? You keep changing your story to suit the current comments is that it?
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: Chalenge on October 12, 2012, 05:54:46 PM
hehe you cant tell knowitalls  :D

Its called experience Mr Infringer! I like a lot of people have purchased turtle beach junk in the past. I wont ever again. Its all cheaply built poorly designed and in the case of their surround sound headphones a gimmick. Lyrics experience backs up my critique precisely.

Today you can find many sites on the Internet that confirm precisely what we have said. My claim is that any site that goes along with your ascertain that the sound is so wonderful are taking hardware from the manufacturer and are therefore biased.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: TwinBoom on October 12, 2012, 06:15:02 PM
Name calling again hehe
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: guncrasher on October 12, 2012, 06:19:44 PM
Another year? That will make 4 years for mine, and even tho I've only used them for 3 so far they are still awesome!

but they dont make the one you have anymore.  the replacement is a crappy one.  was gonna buy one but due to the old "blue ears" problem I decided on the other headset that also has several speakers.  it just broke after about 6 months and it's being held with tape as I cant return it for I have to pay freight both ways.  was gonna buy the bullet and buy the new z6a but now it looks like the replacement to the crappy replacement is even worst.  

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826502019&Tpk=z6a

semp
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: The Fugitive on October 12, 2012, 06:42:05 PM
So which is it? You have Z6A or X12? You keep changing your story to suit the current comments is that it?

Mine are the EarForce HPA2, and I've had them for years. The Z6a seem to have a cheaper headset and break as we heard on many, many threads from lyric  :rolleyes:

You seem to have a problem with surround sound headsets and shoot them down when ever someone post about them. I on the other hand have had mine for years with out any issues and they sound awesome. My comments are that TurtleBeech headset are great and I've had no problems with them.
Title: Re: Turtle Beach Z6A 5.1 Surround Sound
Post by: guncrasher on October 12, 2012, 08:15:41 PM
but fugitive you have the hpa2 which were and are still one of the best headsets and owners still give it high marks even after years of use.  unfortunately they dont make the hpa2 anymore, it was replaced by the z6a.

the z6a has been nothing but trouble for the owners since day one.  first it was the quality of it as the number one problem was the speakers would stop working then it was also the dye from the headset would turn your ears blue/black after hours of use.  now they got rid of the dye problem but the new headset is easy to break. which is the number 1 complain in newegg and amazon.

these are the reviews from amazon and newegg.

http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Beach-TBS-2214-Headset-Surround/dp/B0056L959K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350090732&sr=8-1&keywords=z6a


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826502019&Tpk=z6a


they all basically say the same thing.  the headset breaks really easy.


semp