Better speech understanding in noise is a common goal of bilateral cochlear implantation and directional multi-microphone systems. In this study, the performance of five signal processing/presentation strategies is compared: (1) monaural presentation using a single omnidirectional microphone, (2) monaural presentation using a simple two-microphone beamformer in a behind-the-ear (BTE) housing, (3) monaural presentation using a complex four-microphone adaptive beamformer, (4) binaural presentation using two omnidirectional microphones and (5) binaural presentation using two simple two-microphone beamformers in separate behind-the-ear units.