Sound options + advice

Archer

Archer

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Seeing how I will might maybe eventually possibly have a decent rig I guess I should get decent sound for the first time too

So the obvious question first - does a sound card really make that much of a difference?
Next up, if yes to the first, what to get? Asus Xonar DX and STX seem to be the only real choices, am I going to notice the difference between the two? Or can I get the same quality from a digital USB connection? Primary use is gaming gaming gaming
Finally, headphones. Currently sitting with a Razer Carcharias. They are comfy enough, and sound seems decent, but the $@#^ microphone mute button is the worst thing in the entire world! I dont want to have to look at the thing to know if I'm muted or not. So if I need a new headset, make sure its one with a mike mute thats easy to see. And no 5.1 or 7.1 headphones. I have two ears, so I only need two speakers kapeesh :)
Opinions on open and closed headphones?

For all of the above, lets go with a budget of... $300? I'll be buying off Amazon most likey when I'm in the USA again
 
Apparently USB is considered to be a poorer quality, but honestly I can't tell the difference. I'd go USB/onboard unless there is a specific reason to buy a sound card (recording audio etc).

I like the MS LX3000 Lifechat headphones as they are good bang/buck. ~R300 & Solid feel. Has physical mute mic & volume control on the cable....buttons def won't break. ;) Personally I couldn't justify spending more since this works fine for me, but if you've got 300usd then I'm sure someone will take your cash :). You might want a USB extension cable though depending on your setup.

I dont want to have to look at the thing to know if I'm muted or not.
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Bright red LED on it if muted...but you kinda will have to look at it unless your finger has a built in light sensor.

If you do go for a sound card then you might as well get a decent set of sennheisers...but those won't work for gaming. :/
 
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$300 is a lot of moneys. All I can say, I have had both the roccat kaves and the logitech g35s. Now I just have the G35s. :) Love them to bits and everyone that doesn't agree, have never owned a set. ;)
 
Asus xonar sense. I am getting them tomorrow if you want to wait for an opinion from someone who has always used cheap usb shyte :D.

Irg reckons they are insane. F i hope esquire have stock. W00t they do 1.8k ex vat :D
 
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HavocXphere said:
Bright red LED on it if muted...but you kinda will have to look at it unless your finger has a built in light sensor.

If you do go for a sound card then you might as well get a decent set of sennheisers...but those won't work for gaming. :/
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By look I meant fiddle with it to look for the tiny text thats says "on/off." LED indication would be fine. Now why are Senny's not good for gaming? :confused:

SharkBait said:
$300 is a lot of moneys. All I can say, I have had both the roccat kaves and the logitech g35s. Now I just have the G35s. :) Love them to bits and everyone that doesn't agree, have never owned a set. ;)
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How is the bass? I know logitech loves their bass, imo a bit too much. And $300 is the upper limit, I'm not deadset on spending that much obviously. If I can get great sound for $0.01 I'm there like butter on toast!

/waits for report back from killa tomorrow
 
I'm not sure why gamers would require a soundcard? I use one for audio inputs and midi controllers for music production. I can't see the point in a soundcard otherwise, especially if you're using stereo headphones...
 
DJ... said:
I'm not sure why gamers would require a soundcard? I use one for audio inputs and midi controllers for music production. I can't see the point in a soundcard otherwise, especially if you're using stereo headphones...
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Firstly because of Dolby presets and DS3D compatible games

Secondly because quality gaming headsets are usually >150Ohm

Thirdly because the Xense sound card (basically a rebranded Essence STX) has an amplified 6.3mm jack, providing up to 300Ohm. It actually rivals $300 DACs...
 
PostmanPot said:
+1

Not worth it when Xense can be had for R2 - 2.5k locally with warranty.
Click to expand...

Why the Xense over the Essence STX?
And R2-2.5k is basically $300, so my current headphones will be good enough? As I'd have no simoleons left for that part of it.
 
Archer said:
Why the Xense over the Essence STX?
And R2-2.5k is basically $300, so my current headphones will be good enough? As I'd have no simoleons left for that part of it.
Click to expand...

Because separately, the Sennheiser PC-350 + Essence STX will cost you over R3,000 when it can be had for R2,000 - R2,500 in a bundle.

By all means, go the separate route if you want if you up your budget. I would. My opinion is based on value for money with after sales service in mind first and foremost.

You could get Essence STX + Sennheiser PC-360 (updated model).

Another thing, by getting the Xense bundle, you would almost have enough to buy entry audiophile headphones solely for music listening, like the HD518, HD555, HD558 etc.

There is also the new Essence One, Asus' first external sound/card DAC. Interesting piece of tech.
 
Oh I see the Xense is bundled with headphones. Ok that makes more sense now :p But I see they are a closed design... no opinions on that from anyone??
 
Archer said:
Oh I see the Xense is bundled with headphones. Ok that makes more sense now :p But I see they are a closed design... no opinions on that from anyone??
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Closed design suits gaming. It create a more immersive effect by sealing out outside noise/reality. It also helps increase bass response, for explosions etc.

With open design, anyone sensitive to leaking sound will need to be in another room. Unfortunately that's the sacrifice in order to get the best "sound stage" (music term for positional accuracy of instruments).
 
I think I prefer the open design, its cooler for me (temp wise). But havent worn a closed design for a long time, so maybe I think its worse than it really is for me.

Xonar DX does not have an amplification stage correct? Just making sure why I am paying so much more for a Xense/STX.
 
Correct. Nor does the DG, even though advertised as such (utilises some motherboard power to up the Ohms slightly).

Essence/Xense uses a Molex power connector. Bit of an eyesore, you might need to come up with something for your case.
 
Archer said:
Now why are Senny's not good for gaming? :confused:
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Most of their high-end gear is music focused (no mic). The rest of the catalog feels like a uncomfortable compromise to me. They ship their stereo headphones with a 7.1 USB sound card, which seems utterly pointless to me. Why generate a 7.1 sound and then buy hardware to downmix it to stereo if you could generate stereo in the first place? Plus its all digital at that stage so you could do any fancy effects via software instead of the 2k sound card without there being any difference. Modern CPUs can easily handle a bit of audio processing without sweating it so why the need for 2k of equipment to offload it?

PostmanPot said:
Secondly because quality gaming headsets are usually >150Ohm
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In a gaming headset? I doubt that very much. Hell the vast majority of the PC sound cards out there can't even handle >150Ohms so selling such headsets isn't exactly sensible.
 
HavocXphere said:
In a gaming headset? I doubt that very much. Hell the vast majority of the PC sound cards out there can't even handle >150Ohms so selling such headsets isn't exactly sensible.
Click to expand...

http://www.sennheiser.com/comm/icm_eng.nsf/root/502141#

I don't follow your logic. You get amplified sound cards and you get non amplified sound cards. You get headsets that need to be amplified and you get headsets that don't need to be amplified.
 
Obviously my complete lack of interest in gaming is showing here. I still don't see the need for it unless you have polyphony issues in games...
 
SoundBlaster ZX series. 24-bit recording, ability to load sound fonts. Good value for money
 
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