http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=11764
--- Comment #37 from Raymond superquad.vortex2@gmail.com 2011-01-08 21:39:12 CST --- (In reply to comment #36)
-older games that rely much on multichannel to inform the player of the position of things all around like: Counter Strike, Star Trek Armada II, Homeworld 1 2, Giants - Citizen Kabuto, Command and Conquer 1 2 3
Those 3D game work best work with headphone when your sound card support Head Related Transfer Function , Interaural time-delay and interaural level difference
The sound signal arrive at slightly different time/level at your left and right ear when your are wearing a headphone since your left and right ears can determine the location of the sound source from the delay and level difference
if your are using 4 speakers , it will depend on whether the speakers are placed at the desired position (same distance ) and angle ( cross-talk between the speakers ) for your ear to get the same delay/level as same as in the game environment ,
Those 3D game usually use surround40 instead of surround51 unless your sound card (e.g. SB Live! emu10k1) has a treble/base control to boost the bass and specical control reverb , echo using FX chip