Headset, Sound card and 5.1 speakers

[Pugsport]

well im looking to invest some money in to the above kit as at the moment im using my tv speaker for watching films (dose not worry me to much), gaming (also dose not worry me to much but a headset would be nice) and listening to music (this is the one that gets me the most as the music just not sound right)

Headset wise: - im looking for some thing im able to use for gaming and the odd bit of music at night when the misses is alseep

Sound card wise: - im looking for something thats going to be good for the headset (if they are not usb) and playing games as well as being good for music. i had been looking at the Asus Xonar D2X but ive not heard or used one so not really to sure how good they are

5.1 Speaker wise: - want something i can use for watching films as well as listening to music. i had been looking at the Logitech Z906 as their older verson of the Z series speakers were pretty damn good

im gonna have £200 to £300 to spend on speakers and about £200 each for a sound card and headset

 

[jamesriley94]

Get headphones - not a headset.

Pretty big budgets there though - could do a lot with that...

I'd say look at the Xonar ST with the H6 for surround sound if you really think you need it.
Then get a good pair of headphones, like Beyerdynamic DT770s, or 880s or 990s. That will be your best combo for music and gaming without spending loads on external DACs and amps.

For speakers I can't really help you too much. I don't buy into the whole surround sound, so if you're after that I can't really help too much.

If it were me, I'd buy a good 2.1 or 2.0 set, or a proper amp and some nice floodstanding speakers. You have the budget, and that should be better quality than a 5.1 system.

 

[Pugsport]

Get headphones - not a headset.

Pretty big budgets there though - could do a lot with that...

I'd say look at the Xonar ST with the H6 for surround sound if you really think you need it.
Then get a good pair of headphones, like Beyerdynamic DT770s, or 880s or 990s. That will be your best combo for music and gaming without spending loads on external DACs and amps.

For speakers I can't really help you too much. I don't buy into the whole surround sound, so if you're after that I can't really help too much.

If it were me, I'd buy a good 2.1 or 2.0 set, or a proper amp and some nice floodstanding speakers. You have the budget, and that should be better quality than a 5.1 system.

i wanted surround sound for movies really and no other reason
yes im not really to worries about having a mic so headphones would be fine.
maybe a 2.1 or 2.0 set of speakers would be worth it just for the fact there would be less wires about. what 2.1 or 2.0 speaker would you surgest?

 

[jamesriley94]

If you aren't going for 5.1, get the Essence STX instead.

The microlab 7Cs look good to me.
But as you have the budget, I'd say you'd be better off with an amp and proper speakers.

I'm not the best person to give advice on speakers tbh. I use a 10 year old Sony HiFi system with £5 speakers from ebay (albeit very good speakers, just got lucky on bids)

Considering the difference in audio quality between a second hand amp and cheap second hand speakers off ebay, and spending £200 on a new system would be pretty minimal, I don't know what to suggest really. Just you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a good sounding set of speakers.

 

[SPS]

Microlab solo 7Cs are EPIC.

 

[colin]

Logitech Z906
5.1 digital surround sound
THX-certified home theater speakers
500 watts (RMS) of power
Easy sound control

 

[Pugsport]

If you aren't going for 5.1, get the Essence STX instead.

The microlab 7Cs look good to me.
But as you have the budget, I'd say you'd be better off with an amp and proper speakers.

I'm not the best person to give advice on speakers tbh. I use a 10 year old Sony HiFi system with £5 speakers from ebay (albeit very good speakers, just got lucky on bids)

Considering the difference in audio quality between a second hand amp and cheap second hand speakers off ebay, and spending £200 on a new system would be pretty minimal, I don't know what to suggest really. Just you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a good sounding set of speakers.

i dont think ill be able to use the Essence STX or a D2X because the PCIe x1 slot has a heatsink inline with it which is quite high. i guess if i went with the ST option i would then have the option to go with 5.1 surround sound at a later date if i wanted to.

Microlab solo 7Cs are EPIC.

yes i think that will be the way i go at least for now anyway and from comment epic and Toms review i guess they are good

Logitech Z906
5.1 digital surround sound
THX-certified home theater speakers
500 watts (RMS) of power
Easy sound control

i may look at getting them at a later date but they are what i was going to with from the start before i got the above advice