Can someone explain the Audio Backends?

[Zazabar]

I have no idea what they're supposed to do or how they work. I also have no idea about the latency. I have an overall idea of what the HLE and LLE (well, sort of), but those aren't my main concern. If there's already a thread on up, a link would be appreciated! I tried searching and got nothing.

All I know is that changing my audio backend from XAudio2 to DSound perfectly fixed the audio problems in Donkey Kong Country Returns, or at least from what I played on 1-1. There was no skipping or anything.

[Zazabar]

I'm probably going to move this to the general discussion board. I don't think this was the right place to ask this question. I would close this thread, but I have no idea how.

[Garteal]

Could've PM'd any mod to do that for you. Closed on request.