Drivers

Drivers

Hercules chose to use the same type of interface as with previous sound cards with a tab system to acess the different settings. There is, however, one difference in that now it is possible to directly access speaker configuration from any tab. One tab is used to tests each speaker branching. During reboot after speaker installation it’s necessary to activate the QSound engine for 3D sound or else all sound will be managed by software.


The first tab controls sound volume for each speaker. It’s sober and functional. Adjusting the recording level of different sources follows the same principle.


The third tab is used to adjust output sound volume for different sources, and the fourth is for configuration and the sound card’s speaker test.


It’s also possible to activate 3D sound and choose between optical or numerical output in the advanced controls tab. The good news is that it’s no longer necessary to reboot to change this mode. The sixth and last tab only appears when the QSound engine is activated (and then you will have to reboot). It allows access to QXpander functions for increased stereo effects and different environment effects.

Inputs and outputs quality

Inputs and outputs quality

To objectively test the Fortissimo 4 we used RMAA 5.4 software and then several sound sources for subjective tests. With RMAA 5.4 we can precisely and objectively check bandwidth, the noise signal report and distortion. The bandwidth graph indicates if the sound card reproduces the entire spectrum of sound frequency. The second test evaluates the card’s background noise and indicates the card’s sensitivities to certain IT interferences such as power supplies, monitors, etc. The signal/sound relationship is a very good indicator of components but it’s important to remember that this test is made without the signal.

We also use what we call the dynamic range. This value corresponds to a similar test but with the signal. It gives a more precise idea of a system’s capabilities. The following test concerns the total harmonic distortion or THD. With this accurate study we can see the harmonics when a simple but high level sinus wave (-3dB) is sent to the card. The IMD or Intermodulation Dirstorsion measures distortion and interference due to a combination frequency and harmonics at the sound card output. Finally, Stereo Crosstalk measures possible interference between stereo channels.

We used the following test configuration:

- Abit AA8 Duramax Intel i925 motherboard
- Intel P4 3.6GHz@2.8GHz processor
- 2 GB DDR2 533 memory
- NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT graphic card
- Terratec DMX 6Fire 24/96, Terratec Aureon Space 7.1 and Creative Labs Audigy LS sound cards
- HDD Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 9 160 GB

Results in 16 bits / 44.1 KHz



Results from tests on the main mini jack output in 16 bits / 44.1 KHz were very good. The bandwidth is accurate from 40 Hz to 15 KHz and the -94.5 dB (A) noise signal report is excellent. The dynamic is also excellent as is the total harmonic distortion.



Compared to other similar sound cards, the Hercules Fortissimo 4 has an excellent performance and attains the same or even a higher level as its direct competitor, the Terratec Aureon 7.1 Space. Compared to the Fortissimo III 7.1 the difference in performance for sound quality is obvious. In listening to the Fortissimo 4 DAC Wolfson, results were rather neutral without any coloration or accentuation in any specific frequency range. Results are consistent with other sound cards equipped with the ENVY 24HT.

Results in 16 bits / 48 KHz



Results in 24 bits / 96 KHz



Line input in 16 bits/ 44.1 KHz



In 16 bits / 44.1 KHz, quality is also there for line input with a noise signal report of -90.3 dB. Total harmonic distortion was low at 0054%. We thought that MP3 recordings didn’t have significant artefacts and the blow sound normally associated with this type of analogical input was rather low. Results are almost identical with the Aureon 7.1.

3D sound and benchmarks

3D sound and benchmarks

What is QSound engine quality compared to the Sensaura 3DPA and the Creative labs sound card effect engine? From a purely subjective point of view and the following tests made with several games and software we were able to make the following conclusions.

Engines like the Audigy LS are still the reference for environmental effects in games. Reverberation is subtle and nuanced and reaches the widest intensity range. Sensaura’s engine is efficient but isn’t free of problems. Nuances still aren’t there and the sound quality is reduced because of systematic downmixing due to sound processed 100% by software.

The QSound engine uses the same principle as the 3DPA, but the version integrated to the Fortissimo 4 is slightly more efficient. Reverberation and environmental effects are very well reproduced, for example, in Far Cry when the EAX 2.0 is activated. Expert listeners might perceive this loss of sound quality due to these effects, but otherwise it remains reasonable.


For DirectSound 3D + EAX 2.0, CPU use by Creative Labs’ sound cards remains the reference. We can see the Fortissimo 4’s improvement compared to the III 7.1. The Aureon 7.1 Space, which now has 64 DS3D voices in hardware (instead of the previous 32), uses the CPU less than the Hercules.

In simple DirectSound 3D, the Aureon 7.1 Space is slightly ahead of the Fortissimo 4, but the gap is very small. Results are up to expectations. For processor use with DirectSound, results are quite surprising as the Fortissimo 4 is rather disappointing. It has a higher CPU use than all other sound cards including the Fortissimo III 7.1. Of course, this percentage is quite small and the difference isn’t really that significant.


The conclusions from results observed with RM3DS in GTA III Vice City and Far Cry for 3D sound are logical.

Conclusion

Conclusion

After the rather unspectacular Fortissimo III 7.1, due to its outdated chipset, Hercules releases a new sound card able to compete with current products. The ENVY 24 HT chips already showed great performances with the Terratec Aureon sound cards, and this new version in the Fortissimo 4 is a success. Sound quality is there and capabilities are equivalent to current products.

There is no revolution here, however, as this sound card doesn’t really provide anything new compared to the competition. The only change involved the 3D QSound engine, which is now integrated to all VIA’s audio chips. It’s very efficient even if the best remains Creative Labs’ effect engine.

If you spend more time playing games and 7.1 sound isn’t that important, the Audigy LS is still your best option. If you really want to have 7.1 sound, or you don’t like the Creative sound cards’ interface, you will have to choose between the Aureon 7.1 Space and the new Hercules Fortissimo 4. Musicians will notice that the Aureon 7.1 has ASIO drivers, unlike the Fortissimo 4. Except for this point, it is hard to recommend one or the other as they provide equivalent performance for games and music (at least in listening tests).