KapteinFruit
New member
By how much? I hate the X-Fi sound cards... And especially if you're only going to use it for stereo headphones. The STX is such a good choice for headphones. It does surround too. Does speakers VERY well too.
Do you use FLAC?
- Thread starter Stryker64
- Start date
By how much? I hate the X-Fi sound cards... And especially if you're only going to use it for stereo headphones. The STX is such a good choice for headphones. It does surround too. Does speakers VERY well too.
they are my current wireless headphones they're a great pair although i would say if you've no background noise splash out a little and get the 180's just as comfy but open eared so little less echo more natural sound also better vented the 170's can get quite hot after 4 hours lol but they are insanely comfy headphones.
just an added note you do pay for the premium of having wireless wired ones for the same price will sound better and be little more customizable in the way of amps if you ever head that way for plug and play though the rs range is awesome can even find a klear transmitter for ipod and 3.5mm to use them portable although i don't for fear of them being stolen off my head lol
The xfi is only £100, and doesnt reqire external power
KapteinFruit
New member
The external power is not a big deal. It looks clean in my rig. I'll post a pic if you want. No stress. But the Essence STX is a bit pricey, but well worth it IMO.
Yeah, i would just run a braided molex, i might have a look at the STX cheers
KapteinFruit
New member
You should seriously consider it even with the higher price tag. I promise you this, you will be happy you payed more so you got the Essence STX. Such an awesome audio card. Ten folds better then the X-Fi you talked about, at LEAST.
KapteinFruit
New member
It does optical and coax. Works great with speakers. Will sound awesome with wireless headphones too.
KapteinFruit
New member
It got an adapter from the Coax to Optical.... Research, my friend, research...
KapteinFruit
New member
Keep in mind that the coax/optical is NOT the strongest point of the STX at all. It's pretty much the same as if it was on an on-board sound chip. Then again, surround is a gimmick IMO. Stereo all the way, baby!
Yeah, i wasnt meaning for headphone btw, for my Onkyo 5.1 surround <3
KapteinFruit
New member
Yea long live Stereo
Hell yeah!
If surround is your main concern, steer away from the Essence STX. If you're going to spend the same amount as the STX, look at the Asus Xonar HDAV1.3. Good fucking card for surround. A bit more then the STX again, tho. So I don't think it's something for you.
I'd use FLAC/Apple Lossless but that would require reripping all my music, as it is I have a few albums at very high bitrate (Dark Side of the Moon, Wish you were here etc.). As I have 80GB at between 128 and 256, that would eat a lot of space. Also unless I'm listening with my Shures (SE530s), I can't hear enough of a difference for it to be worth it.
