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New sound card and head phones time


Mombo

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Alright I was just gonna post in another thread so there wasn't a million of these but it was like a month and half sooooo meh

 

I listen to very little music when I do its dance/club music and what not...not to worried about it im easy to please there. 90% of the time im wearing my headphones is when im playing games. I play all sorts FPS, RPG, MMO.

 

From reading these are the headsets I am currently considering and I am of course up for suggestion (budget 130ish hopefully a lot less cause I want a sound card)

 

SS Siberia V2

Audio Technica ATH-AD700

RAZER Carcharias

Senn HD-555

 

I dont particularly need a Mic built in I have one of those desk mic's as is that works fine. I was initially planning on getting the ATH-AD700's but read recently that they are a bit on the high side and that make me weary. I would also like a comfy set I am sure all of these are comfy though. Price wise they are all pretty affordable other then the Senn's.

 

Sound card wise I have done little research. Will a sound card give worthwhile improvements to my audio?

 

I saw mention to a entry level one its out of stock right now but I can keep an eye out. Will it do the job im looking for yall think?

 

ASUS XONAR_DG 5.1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020

 

Also noticed this one still in my price range would this be a better choice or should I save the money and go with the 5.1?

 

ASUS Xonar DS 7.1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132013

 

Or any other soundcard in that price range I would be open to. I have never used a sound card before on my gaming rig so I am interested if yall think its worth it.

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Since you are not worried about the mic I would say add theThermaltake Shock Spin to your list. These are easily the best sounding headsets I have used so far and are great for gaming, music movies or anything else we have thrown at them. If you need a mic then I would look at the Plantronics GameCom 377 These are the ones I use for in game with voice comms and they have outstanding sound as well great mic input. The mic input is so good that I use it for voice work for the radio show here at home.

 

For sound cards I would suggest not messing with the lower cost stuff, seems from my experience that at about the $100 price point is where you get the best bang for the buck. As an alternative to the Xonar I would say look at the Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium, this is solid sound card with great sound output. The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional ups the game a little bit and adds on board sound memory.

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Well i just got a new headset, the corsiar HS1.

 

It was on sale for $59 bucks at pccasegear, so me and some friends bought a few. the sales still on so if any aussies are intrested i would highly recommend them

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I suggest trying your speakers off of your onboard audio and seeing how clear it is if it's producing any crackles, pops, feedback ect before considering a new soundcard because it will be quite possible that you won't even notice a difference with the speakers that you are using.

 

The headset you just bought doesn't need a soundcard as it is USB audio.

 

So what are the specs of what you will use with a soundcard?

 

Edit: From another Aussie to you other aussies here is the OCC review

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/corsair_hs1/

And here it is on pccg

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_1173&products_id=16093

There are some nice Beyerdynamic headphones on sale now for $50 and $100 off respectively if you want some stuff in a mid to high range.

DT250

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=17831

And DT770

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=17927

Both are 250ohm models and will require a compatible soundcard/headphone amp.

Edited by Stonerboy779

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Even though the Senn HD-555 is very nice, GET the Seen HD-380 Pro, blows all others out of the water.

Do yourself a favor and do a frequency graph compare. The HD 380 pro is the only headset that can play all the bass properly.

Also works much better than my razer 5.1 set for games. The Senn HD 380 pro is a master piece. Won't trade it for a 595 or even higher, more costly headsets.

 

Do yourself a favor and have a listen to them in a store, you'll buy them instantly. Comfort is a given. Enjoy.

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Even though the Senn HD-555 is very nice, GET the Seen HD-380 Pro, blows all others out of the water.

Do yourself a favor and do a frequency graph compare. The HD 380 pro is the only headset that can play all the bass properly.

Also works much better than my razer 5.1 set for games. The Senn HD 380 pro is a master piece. Won't trade it for a 595 or even higher, more costly headsets.

 

Do yourself a favor and have a listen to them in a store, you'll buy them instantly. Comfort is a given. Enjoy.

Op allready got a headset.

 

Now the sennhiser 380 pro is not the "only" set of headphones to play all the base properly.

Also comparing it to the 555/595 in terms of base is silly. Your comparing closed ear cups which will naturally provide better base response however the open ear design of the 555/595 lends itself to a far greater soundstage.

 

Now props to you for liking more base in your headphones but a single feature does not mean they are ultimately better.

 

Although for something cheaper with some decent base the 380 performs.

 

My personal preferable between that and the 555/595 would have me getting a 555 and running it simultaniously with the 300watts rms of sub at the end of my bed. Both feeling the beats and hearing them due to the open design :happy:

I am currently also looking for new cans my 480s kicked it.

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Well actually in my first post I am saying I need new Headphones and a Soundcard. And I listed some of the headphones I was looking at and a couple soundcards. I guess if a soundcard isn't going to give me any performance boost in gaming I have no problem skipping on it. The Senn 380's are a little out of my budget. As I said originally I wouldn't want to spend more then the cost of the 555's and it would be ideal if I chose one of the sets that were under $100.

 

And thanks for the suggestion Ed I am gonna take a look at the Spin's as well.

 

 

EDIT:

 

Alright guys I just found these Corsairs on sale for 40 bucks tell me what you think of these compared to the others I have been looking at. I am ok spending the 75 or whatever on the Razers or Siberia V2's if they are better but these are normally 90 and if I can get something on par to those 2 for 40 bucks I need to jump on it quick.

 

 

Corsair Gaming Audio Series CA-HS1A

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826816002&Tpk=Corsair%20Gaming%20Audio%20Series%20CA-HS1A

Edited by Mombo

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I would pick up the DG 5.1, which supports Dolby Headphone. Dolby Headphone is a very nice little technology that gives you simulated surround sound, which isn't quite as good as true 5.1, but you can use any stereo headset or headphones, and it's significantly cheaper than true 5.1.

 

That said, I have no experience with the DG, so I don't know what kind of sound quality will come of it. I'm sure that you can find Dolby Headphone in higher-end sound cards, though. Maybe look for one in the $50 range, and pick up a Carcharias or Siberia V2?

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Alright I still haven't narrowed it down much this is where I am at right now -

 

Headphones - I was looking at the pioneers and they seemed good so they got added. I dropped the corsairs I dont think they are what I am wanting. I really think I would like the ATH-AD700's but there is no where for me to try them out and I read they where balanced on the high side. For some reason I think that was just from picky people and thats not me. The Siberia's look like a solid choice but I just want to know if they sound as good as the headphones. If the headsets (Siberia and Razer) sound as good as the headphones thats awesome. But like I said earlier I have a desk mic and dont technically need a mic on my headphones if its going to lessen that quality of sound I am getting.

 

Pioneer SE-A1000 - http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SE-A1000-Lightweight-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B0033PROOY

Audio Technica ATH-AD700 - http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317703204&sr=1-1

SS Siberia V2 - http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-Headset/dp/B00365EA1Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317703289&sr=1-1

Razar Carcharias - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153043

 

Sound cards - Both of these have the Dolby Headphones Tech which I think is cool and def want. I also read it works better then Creatives alternative. The DG has a headphone amp and the DX does not. I am wondering if anyone knows how this will effect me or if it will at all.

 

Asus Xonar DG - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020

Asus Xonar DX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

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Alright I still haven't narrowed it down much this is where I am at right now -

 

Headphones - I was looking at the pioneers and they seemed good so they got added. I dropped the corsairs I dont think they are what I am wanting. I really think I would like the ATH-AD700's but there is no where for me to try them out and I read they where balanced on the high side. For some reason I think that was just from picky people and thats not me. The Siberia's look like a solid choice but I just want to know if they sound as good as the headphones. If the headsets (Siberia and Razer) sound as good as the headphones thats awesome. But like I said earlier I have a desk mic and dont technically need a mic on my headphones if its going to lessen that quality of sound I am getting.

 

Pioneer SE-A1000 - http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SE-A1000-Lightweight-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B0033PROOY

Audio Technica ATH-AD700 - http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317703204&sr=1-1

SS Siberia V2 - http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-Headset/dp/B00365EA1Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317703289&sr=1-1

Razar Carcharias - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153043

 

Sound cards - Both of these have the Dolby Headphones Tech which I think is cool and def want. I also read it works better then Creatives alternative. The DG has a headphone amp and the DX does not. I am wondering if anyone knows how this will effect me or if it will at all.

 

Asus Xonar DG - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020

Asus Xonar DX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

Ad700s at that price and I agree with iskout bump your price range on the sound card up to $50 at least otherwise you may as well just use onboard audio.

 

That being said for the $20 the DG 5.1 is looking pretty good and I would be willing to try it out for that price, it's $40 in aus :lol:

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Alright I still haven't narrowed it down much this is where I am at right now -

 

Headphones - I was looking at the pioneers and they seemed good so they got added. I dropped the corsairs I dont think they are what I am wanting. I really think I would like the ATH-AD700's but there is no where for me to try them out and I read they where balanced on the high side. For some reason I think that was just from picky people and thats not me. The Siberia's look like a solid choice but I just want to know if they sound as good as the headphones. If the headsets (Siberia and Razer) sound as good as the headphones thats awesome. But like I said earlier I have a desk mic and dont technically need a mic on my headphones if its going to lessen that quality of sound I am getting.

 

Pioneer SE-A1000 - http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SE-A1000-Lightweight-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B0033PROOY

Audio Technica ATH-AD700 - http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317703204&sr=1-1

SS Siberia V2 - http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-Headset/dp/B00365EA1Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317703289&sr=1-1

Razar Carcharias - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153043

 

Sound cards - Both of these have the Dolby Headphones Tech which I think is cool and def want. I also read it works better then Creatives alternative. The DG has a headphone amp and the DX does not. I am wondering if anyone knows how this will effect me or if it will at all.

 

Asus Xonar DG - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020

Asus Xonar DX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

 

On the razor headset, i'd be very concerned about comfort. My razor headset physically hurt my ears after a short while of wearing purely because they made it so damn heavy and it doesn't go around your ears. I personally wouldn't give on to my enemies.

From this group I'd pick the ATH-AD700, overall good highend, lacking in bass as they are open cans, but their quality is great.

Like you say you listen to dance/club music, I wouldn't take anything but the 380 pro. I would save up a bit more, the 380's are worth it.

 

Now the sennhiser 380 pro is not the "only" set of headphones to play all the base properly.

Also comparing it to the 555/595 in terms of base is silly. Your comparing closed ear cups which will naturally provide better base response however the open ear design of the 555/595 lends itself to a far greater soundstage.

 

Ok, the 280 pros are also very good with bass, not as good, but very good few come close to it. If you know of others in the same price range please feel free to post the frequency graphs.

But as i have it for the money there's no headset open or closed that will come close to the 380's. The reason why I can compare the headsets high end with each other is purely because headsets do not offer great high end, even at crazy prices the high end is still lacking.

All headphones have serious issues with high frequencies, some are better than others, but still very flawed.

Edited by NoSnipeLimit

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So are these the ones you are talking about?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-380-Pro-Collapsible-Professional/dp/B001UE6I0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317709012&sr=1-1

 

And how are the 280 Pro's compared to my other choices(ATH-AD700's). I might just have to go with the cheaper set and then get the more expensive set in a few months when I can stomach it. I am also in the middle of a whole new system build : / lol

 

http://forums.overclockersclub.com/index.php?showtopic=187614&st=12&gopid=1960161entry1960161

 

What do yall think of the second sound card I posted? Its in that upper price range? Is there a better one I should be looking at? I hear the Dolby Headphone tech is the best for virtual surround out there right now..... My only question on it is the lack of a built-in headphone amp I am not sure if that will hurt me or if it really wont affect me at all.....

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

Edited by Mombo

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