Sound Card/Speaker Setup

sn8kedr · #1 18-03-13, 03:03 AM

Hiya lads,

I'm looking into getting a new sound setup soon and as a complete noob with this I am looking for a bit of help.
The role of the system is 90% FPS gaming and 10% watching movies.

My current audio setup is:
Speakers: Logitcech Z506 5.1ch
Headphones: Razer Carcharias
Sound Card: Onboard Creative Sound Core3D (G1 Sniper3 1155 mobo)

My main question is, given a budget of around $400-$500AU what would be a reasonable sound card/headphone combo designed around FPS gaming (positional audio I'm told is quite important etc etc)?

Are there significant benefits to running a stand alone sound card vs onboard sound (specifically compared to the Sniper3's Creative Sound Core3D)?

A mate of mine has recommended Beyerdynamic DT990's + Xonar Essence STX and i just wanted to see if this is the kind of combo's that would suite my needs in your opinion?

Any and all help is very much appreciated! I will be looking into reviews and specs too but I just wanted to get some peeps first hand opinions/experiences too!

SuB · #2 18-03-13, 12:42 PM

I wrote 2 posts lol. both of which got buggered by either a cookie timeout or something else lol

So i'll super summarise.

Xonar Essence STX + AKG K702's for gaming personally.

Best positional audio i've been able to find to date.

I'll write some more later in depth but i've almost run out of lunch now and want to rage-quit this post lol

jamesriley94 · #3 18-03-13, 01:37 PM

Firstly -
HeadSETs have a microphone
HeadPHONEs don't have a mic.
Just wanted to clarify that

Your friend is pretty much right though, as is SuB.
The STX and proper headphones, like the AKGs, and DT990s your friend mentioned are far better than any gaming headset in gaming and music listening.

The DT990s are open back design, meaning they do let a little noise from outside in and out, but this gives you more of a sense of actually being in the action. However, obviously then people can hear your game through headphones, and you may also get slightly distracted by some outside noise, although this shouldn't be a huge problem.
Look at the DT770s. They're exactly the same as the 990s, just with a closed back design, so sound doesn't get in or out. I own a pair and they are awesome, and IMO you can use them more than an open-backed design - for example, if you ever use them on the move, everybody else won't hear what you're listening to, whereas with the 990s they would.

sn8kedr · #4 19-03-13, 12:09 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. It seems as though there is a consensus that the Xonar Essence STX is the way to go.

A decent set of headphones is the only thing that seems to be rather more subjective however I think (if I can find a supplier in Australia) the DT770's will be my choice if for no other reason than I think I like the look of the DT770's a little more than the AKG's. However I will assume that both are highly rated in their own right.

Also, I don't suppose anyone can weigh in on the onboard sound vs sounds car? Or is that just opening a massive can of worms?
The annoying thing for me is I have peeps telling me that onboard sound is so good now you don't really need stand alone sound cards, and other saying that there is a huge difference in onboard to stand alone.
I guess I will find out for myself eventually

jamesriley94 · #5 19-03-13, 12:40 AM

On board sound is better than it used to be...
But still doesn't touch soundcards.

People who say there isn't a difference either have never bought a soundcard, or have bought one and are nooby enough to leave their speakers plugged into the rear ports on the motherboard

It's not easily to explain to the difference. But you'll know as soon as you get the STX just how good it is, and see how much difference it makes.
Plus, you need the amp on the STX to power a decent set of headphones like the DT770s anyway.

sn8kedr · #6 19-03-13, 12:41 AM

ok - so I found a pair of DT770's locally. They are the premium editions though and not the PRO. I'm aware that there are many different models of DT770's around all with variable specs.
From a review I read they seem to be what I would want however thoughts and opinions are welcome

Here is the link to them:
http://www.lecreme.com.au/products/dt770

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesriley94

On board sound is better than it used to be...
But still doesn't touch soundcards.

People who say there isn't a difference either have never bought a soundcard, or have bought one and are nooby enough to leave their speakers plugged into the rear ports on the motherboard

It's not easily to explain to the difference. But you'll know as soon as you get the STX just how good it is, and see how much difference it makes.
Plus, you need the amp on the STX to power a decent set of headphones like the DT770s anyway.

Ahh yeah mate - your right. The peeps that recommended me onboard haven't personally used a sound card previously.
That is pretty much what I would have expected I guess - looks like its a new setup for me then

jamesriley94 · #7 19-03-13, 12:49 AM

You'll like it!
As for the headphones, there's a drop down menu on the left - lets you select the pros?
You're best off with the 80Ohm version, but if they're the Premiums, get the 250Ohm Pros.

I'd suggest calling up that retailer to make sure...
Maybe they could order in the 80Ohm Pros?

The 250Ohms just require a little more power to drive them, but the STX can manage that anyway. Reviews say the 80s have better bass usually, but that's going down to audiophile nit-picking, and to you, they'll probably sound the same, and all be amazing compared to what you currently have.

sn8kedr · #8 19-03-13, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesriley94

You'll like it!
As for the headphones, there's a drop down menu on the left - lets you select the pros?
You're best off with the 80Ohm version, but if they're the Premiums, get the 250Ohm Pros.

I'd suggest calling up that retailer to make sure...
Maybe they could order in the 80Ohm Pros?

The 250Ohms just require a little more power to drive them, but the STX can manage that anyway. Reviews say the 80s have better bass usually, but that's going down to audiophile nit-picking, and to you, they'll probably sound the same, and all be amazing compared to what you currently have.

Mate - your a champ. Thanks for the advise. You right though - for a noob like me I doubt I will be able to tell a difference re the bass. I will check to see if the other options are actually for the pro's or if they are the premiums. If premiums I'll grab the 250Ohm, otherwise 80Ohm Pro. Cheers again mate.

Signex · #9 19-03-13, 09:15 PM

Hi,

I'm having a hard time choosing a sound card.

I only have these 2 in mind:

Sound Blaster Z and Asus Xonar D2X

The D2X is second hand but is still brand new. (It's a trusted seller)

I'm not sure wich to get, cause the sound blaster z is much newer, and i get it brand new from a webshop instead of second hand.

Using this HTS Onkyo HT-S4505 with included speakers.
Receiver it uses: Onkyo HT-R558

SuB · #10 19-03-13, 09:28 PM

Please, please don't buy a soundblaster z, they are part of the recon3d range of .