Roccat Kave XTD

[Type-8]

so, when i first saw the Kave 5.1 i was going to buy it, but soon realized that my lack of a 5.1 sound card would be a slight (major) issue. so, i passed it by.

Then they announced the Kave XTD which came with its own 5.1 sound card and only required a Usb connection. the irony in this is that i am ordering in the parts for a completely new build in a fortnight or so and the motherboard im getting does have 5.1 output.

My dilemma is that from what i've read the 5.1 on the motherboard (gigabyte z87x-ud4h) is "average" at best. so, i'm wondering whether its still worth getting the XTD or whether i should save my money and just get the original? it would help if there were some reviews of the XTD but unfortunately they are few and far between.

any advice would be appreciated!!

 

[notcool]

The original Kaves weren't very good at all, very heavy on the ears and uncomfortable, my ears would sweat terribly. I don't know how it ever made it through QC to be honest.

The XTD's look like an improvement from what I've seen (they've made them lighter at least) but really the whole 5.1 thing is a gimmick at best, I'm sure some people will shout about it though. Just go for some decent stereo non "gaming" headphones and a mic separately would be your best bet and something like the Xonar D2X soundcard.

 

[SuB]

Don't buy 'surround sound' headsets fella, they're crap.

Get a half decent pair of headphones, an external clip on or desk-mic and use virtual surround with whatever audio solution you're using.

Xonar Essence STX is the preferred solution around here, but a D2X would do for a cheaper option.

Honestly though, all (bar none) 'surround sound' multi-driver headsets are rubbish, believe me I've tried and tested my fair share and have sent plenty back.

 

[barnsley]

I agree with sub, I was surprised how crap the "true" surround sound headsets are compared to simple software based ones. My razer Chimeras were supposed to be "proper" surround but don't sound any better compared to my faithful ol' plantronic 780s with "Dolby surround" program/driver they use ^_^. I'm not having a dig at Razer before anyone says anything, I'm having a dig at "proper" surround sound headphones/headsets.

 

[SuB]

The issue is, no matter how hard you try, you can't get true sound attenuation when the speakers are only an inch or so from your ear. Where as simulated surround can actively post-process surround sound to make it sound like it's coming from behind you etc.

It's all about ear shape and how sound changes when it's behind you compared to in-front of you and the headsets with individual drivers just can't do it because they're feeding standard speaker sound to what should be a more attenuated sound output device.

High Quality stereo headphones will always beat the 'tru' surround headsets for quality, accuracy and positional audio.

 

[Edge]

Don't buy 'surround sound' headsets fella, they're crap.

Get a half decent pair of headphones, an external clip on or desk-mic and use virtual surround with whatever audio solution you're using.

Xonar Essence STX is the preferred solution around here, but a D2X would do for a cheaper option.

Honestly though, all (bar none) 'surround sound' multi-driver headsets are rubbish, believe me I've tried and tested my fair share and have sent plenty back.

Agreed with everything you said except "desk-mic." Desk-mics pick up vibrations like crazy, even from things like typing on a keyboard, and they can really ruin the audio. If you buy a desk mic, get a proper stand or shock mount for it ;D

 

[SuB]

Aye I agree too, but there are things like snowball mics and stuff which are desk mounted. The point is don't get a headset for the sake of the fact it has a mic pre-attached!

 

[Edge]

Aye I agree too, but there are things like snowball mics and stuff which are desk mounted. The point is don't get a headset for the sake of the fact it has a mic pre-attached!

For sure, I have a Blue Yeti but I took it off the usual stand and bought a boom stand just for that purpose.

Headsets are bad. Stick to proper cans!

 

[barnsley]

I have a Blue Yeti microphone. The issue with microphones is usually they're too sensitive and can pick up noise around the house, hence why i buy headsets. Its a shame that its almost impossible to pic up a headset with both excellent microphone and sound quality. One always seems to be weaker than the other.

 

[Edge]

I have a Blue Yeti microphone. The issue with microphones is usually they're too sensitive and can pick up noise around the house, hence why i buy headsets. Its a shame that its almost impossible to pic up a headset with both excellent microphone and sound quality. One always seems to be weaker than the other.

Easy solution is to turn the gain down to 30-60% and move it closer to your mouth. My stand position the mic around 20cm from my mouth, slightly lower down, tilted in the direction of it. I pick up a little ambient noise from my computer, but nothing that noise removal in Audacity can't clean up.

 

[barnsley]

Easy solution is to turn the gain down to 30-60% and move it closer to your mouth. My stand position the mic around 20cm from my mouth, slightly lower down, tilted in the direction of it. I pick up a little ambient noise from my computer, but nothing that noise removal in Audacity can't clean up.

oh I don't really use it for recording and stuff . I just used it for Teamspeak and skype. Its a bit awkward on my desk so I can't have it too close to my face as it picks up my keyboard and pc fans. it also blocks my screen a bit too much for my liking . If I have to record audio for voice over/general crap I use my laptop with the microphone with everything turned off in my room.

 

[SuB]

Get some good cans and get an Antlion Modmic they're superb!

 

[Type-8]

i just read the oc3d review of the Kave and it was all thumbs up. is that out of context, like "its better than the other 5.1's but thats not saying much" because reading that i got the impression that they were actually quite good. if not then what other headphones would you guys recommend?

 

[Edge]

You can also wait for the Feenix Aria. I'm sure that's going to be something special.

 

[SuB]

the oc3d review, and our personal reviews (I'd consider myself a well seasoned FPS pc gamer) don't necessarily always co-incide.

Your options as far as I'm concerned are:

Beyerdynamic DT770/DT990 (depends if you prefer open or closed back headphones) these are great all-rounders, have nice bass etc.

Personally I chose AKG-K702 because they have slightly bigger/more accurate sound stage, very punchy sharp bass and are excellent for FPS. paired with an Essence STX, these are, from my testing, second to none.

It kind of depends what you want from your gaming, some prefer beyerdynamic as they're a little bassier but I like the accuracy and sharpness of the AKG's.

Audio Technica are also a good choice.

Basically fella, avoid 'gaming' headsets and start looking at headphones instead.

 

[Type-8]

thanks, i'll have a look around. i may still end up just sticking with my speakers

 

[SuB]

Speakers will always give you uber positional audio