5.1 Gaming headset

Sorry if this is a noob question, but I just need some clarity on something please.

I have a pair of Sony headphones which are about 5 years old or so. They sound awesome when connected to the Hifi but pretty crappy when connected to my PC. Is this because the onboard sound does not have a sufficient amplifier? The Logitech x-530's sound pretty awesome when connected to the PC though.

Would the best solution for me be to buy something like the Zixaas? Does the USN connector thing have its own "amp" thingy and would therefore sound way better than the Sonys? Late night gaming isn't that great at the moment :( :p

Thanks!
 
Ono'rach: could you tell us what model of the Sony headphones you have?

If the headphones has an impedance of higher than 50 Ohms, then it would be worth while to get an amplified sound card.

Most onboard sound cards are terrible, nevermind that they don't have any amplification either.
 
Ono'rach said:
Sorry if this is a noob question, but I just need some clarity on something please.

I have a pair of Sony headphones which are about 5 years old or so. They sound awesome when connected to the Hifi but pretty crappy when connected to my PC. Is this because the onboard sound does not have a sufficient amplifier? The Logitech x-530's sound pretty awesome when connected to the PC though.

Would the best solution for me be to buy something like the Zixaas? Does the USN connector thing have its own "amp" thingy and would therefore sound way better than the Sonys? Late night gaming isn't that great at the moment :( :p

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Not sure about your set, but my Somic aka Zixa have a volume control on them (which is linked via software driver to the main windows volume control), but being USB it has its own sound card / driver amp for the speakers, completely independent of your motherboards audio.
 
IRG said:
Not sure about your set, but my Somic aka Zixa have a volume control on them (which is linked via software driver to the main windows volume control), but being USB it has its own sound card / driver amp for the speakers, completely independent of your motherboards audio.
Click to expand...

Ah okay. My Sony's do not have their own volume controller, so I think they are driven exclusively by whatever you have them plugged into.

They really aren't made for PC use methinks.

How are the bass levels with the Zixa by the way?
 
IRG said:
Not sure about the G35's but cant imagine it only has 2 speakers .... no way! My Somic e-95's have 3 per ear! ... http://www.onvon.com/somice95-51usb-headphone-p-9077.html

and schematics: http://www.chinitech.com/en/2010/so...somic-e95-un-veritable-casque-5-1-chez-somic/
Click to expand...

Google/Wiki Dolby Pro Logic, and then believe it.

Good 2 channel (speaker) headphones and sound card running Dolby Headphone/Pro Logic will cream these cheapie surround headsets with more than 2 physical speakers at surround sound and directional accuracy.
 
Pada said:
If the headphones has an impedance of higher than 50 Ohms, then it would be worth while to get an amplified sound card.
Click to expand...

Not entirely true, since even less than 50Ohm headphones benefit from amplification. It's just not as necessary to amplify them.
 
Pada said:
Ono'rach: could you tell us what model of the Sony headphones you have?

If the headphones has an impedance of higher than 50 Ohms, then it would be worth while to get an amplified sound card.

Most onboard sound cards are terrible, nevermind that they don't have any amplification either.
Click to expand...

Hi Pada, I don't think that they make them anymore as I can't find them on the Sony website, but I will have a look :)
 
Ono'rach said:
I think these are them:

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=MDRXD200#specifications

If these are the ones, they have an impedence of 70 Ohms, which isn't great....

Would it be better to buy just the Zixas or go all out and buy a sound card? This is really just for late night gaming
Click to expand...

Amplified sound card might be a bit pricey?

Although I do remember there is a cheap Xonar card with amplification? Never looked into it though. It must be able to do Dolby Pro Logic.
 
PostmanPot said:
Amplified sound card might be a bit pricey?

Although I do remember there is a cheap Xonar card with amplification? Never looked into it though. It must be able to do Dolby Pro Logic.
Click to expand...

So should I just get a pair of the Zixas, since they have their own USB amplification?
 
Ono'rach said:
So should I just get a pair of the Zixas, since they have their own USB amplification?
Click to expand...

Meh, not sure. Haven't tested them.

This goes for around R300

Asus Xonar DG , ultra fidelity 5.1 pci sound card , built-in Headphone AMP , 3 headphone gain modes ( VOIP / Pro-gaming / Exciter ) , Dolby headphone technology , ASUS DS3D GX 2.5 , VocalFX , Dolby®/DTS , SNR output/input : 105/103db , HD Audio at 192KHz/24Bit , EAX advanced HD , with optical S/PDIF digital output + 3.5mm + CD-In + Aux-In - retail pack + bundled software - include low-profile bracket for 2u or minuet350 http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=FiWODUF4uhiJVJKD&templete=2

But doesn't have Pro Logic. Nor will the Zixas though.

Oh, the Xonar does have Dolby Headphone, which incorporates Pro Logic AFAIK. When I select Game mode on my Xonar Essence STZ, it enables Dolby Headphone.

Could be what you're looking for. Check reviews.

Got a feeling the Sony's will be better than Zixas, even if 5 years old.
 
PostmanPot said:
Meh, not sure. Haven't tested them.

This goes for around R300

Asus Xonar DG , ultra fidelity 5.1 pci sound card , built-in Headphone AMP , 3 headphone gain modes ( VOIP / Pro-gaming / Exciter ) , Dolby headphone technology , ASUS DS3D GX 2.5 , VocalFX , Dolby®/DTS , SNR output/input : 105/103db , HD Audio at 192KHz/24Bit , EAX advanced HD , with optical S/PDIF digital output + 3.5mm + CD-In + Aux-In - retail pack + bundled software - include low-profile bracket for 2u or minuet350 http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=FiWODUF4uhiJVJKD&templete=2

But doesn't have Pro Logic. Nor will the Zixas though.

Oh, the Xonar does have Dolby Headphone, which incorporates Pro Logic AFAIK. When I select Game mode on my Xonar Essence STZ, it enables Dolby Headphone.

Could be what you're looking for. Check reviews.

Got a feeling the Sony's will be better than Zixas, even if 5 years old.
Click to expand...

Thanks PP :)

So this will be substantially better than the onboard sound correct?

I will check them out :)
 
OK, so Matrix Head Office in Alberton don't have any more stock of the Zixaa G35 headsets. Anybody know where else I can get a pair TODAY? It's for a birthday present, party is tonight!
 
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