Soundcard and Headphone Recommendations?

[wrenaudrey]

I do currently have a soundcard but its making a weird hissing sound when idle and its just doesnt match the colour scheme of my rig. I currently have a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme, the blue one. I bought it from eBay when i had very little idea of what was good then and the price was just so cheap then that i had to get it.

Soundcard
Anyway, im after a new soundcard. I've been looking at the Asus' PCI-E x1 range, D2X, DX, DGX and DSX. Im not an expert in this field and i have no idea how to choose between all of them. I will be more or less be using it for 1. music, 2. movies and 3. gaming, if i dont have to talk to anyone.
If you could help me choose one and giving the pros and cons on them, would be great.
Budget is £100 give or take, i believe that's the price where D2X lies.


Headphone
Im also after some new headphones, the ones with 3.5mm jacks not those studio ones. I will be more or less be using it for 1. music, 2. movies and 3. gaming, if i dont have to talk to anyone.
*NO JUDGING* For music, i do tend to listen to the modern sort; chart stuff, hip-hop, r&b, basically music with a good beat/lyric and bass.
*Again, NO JUDGING* I will admit, i do own a pair of beats in-ears, the tours. Imho, they are not that bad at all for the sort of music i listen to, which as i said, bassy, modern, and hip-hoppy. A friend of mine has beats pro, i have used and listened to them for a long enough time that i would say that them too are good enough for me and the type of music i listen to but its comfort is just not nice as it squishes my ears and im not prepared to spend £350 on just headphones.


There are two preferences i'd like to meet though:
1. They need to be non-leaky, if you know what i mean. :lol: Basically, fit for public use. Only I will hear the sound coming out of it.
2. Comfort. I'd prefer if they were comfortable, like an over-ear that houses all my ear instead of on-ear or a round shaped like an XB500

So if you could recommend me a pair of headphones for my uses stated above and at these price points:
<£50
<£100
<£150/£200

Thanks in advanced.

 

[jamesriley94]

You say about wearing the headphones in public - are you wanting to use these on an ipod/portable device too?

 

[wrenaudrey]

You say about wearing the headphones in public - are you wanting to use these on an ipod/portable device too?

Public, as in transportation - No.
But as going around the house and for night time use - Yes
And portable device - Probably yes to that too :lol:

 

[jamesriley94]

Well, generally the better headphones have a higher impedance, meaning you need more power to drive them. iPods can just about handle up to 80Ohms, but any more and you'll be limited for volume.

Soundcard wise - the STX is the only proper soundcard that's really been built for headphones, so I'd go for that if you can - and you seriously won't regret it. If that's too much for you, then something like the DX with a little external headphone amp of some sort will make your headphones sound nicer. I'd strongly suggest going for the STX however.

As for headphones - the DT770s are about the best you'll really get as far as closed headphones in your budget. Make sure you get the 80Ohm version rather than the 250s, but also if you can find them, they do a 32Ohm version which you won't need an amp for.

If you want something cheaper - Pexon seems to like the Sony MDR-V6's at the moment, so if you want to save money, they'd be an alright choice too.

 

[MicroAlex]

Hey!

If you want a PCI-E solution I will agree that the Asus Xonar Essence STX is probably one of the best solutions, especially since you want decent headphones as well. The card has a dedicated AMP for them and you will notice a difference.
Can not say much about Creative at the moment, need to try their new products first.

Headphones, well depends on your taste. I have done a review on Sennheiser HD 439's, they are quite good if you ask me. Closed type design reduces the ambient noise and also the possibility of sound leaking outside while resulting in slightly deeper bass that those with an open back design. Price wise they are not that expensive but they do sound nice especially if you have an AMP or a decent sound card.
First go to the store and decide what materials work for you, then the shape and so on. If you will be using them 90% of the time at home, check out Sennheisers 5xx series, AKG, Audio-Technica... Keep in mind that "Audiophile" grade headphones are usually open type design.

Here is my review on the HD 439's:
http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=56331

Hope this helps.

 

[iBeInspire]

Audio Technica M50's would be my go-to cans for bassheads... sound's like that perfectly describes your taste in music

 

[MrKambo]

Audio Technica M50's would be my go-to cans for bassheads... sound's like that perfectly describes your taste in music

i concur, i have a set of these too, and i cant fault them, although i use them with the onboard sound (has headphone amp) they sound amazing, but with the STX they would be golden!

 

[iBeInspire]

i concur, i have a set of these too, and i cant fault them, although i use them with the onboard sound (has headphone amp) they sound amazing, but with the STX they would be golden!

Yeah, they definitely benefit from an amp, but they even sound surprisingly good from my phone... could be the perfect Home/Portable crossover the OP's looking for..?

also could have a look at V-Moda Crossfade LP's... I had those once too for on the go, and they were excellent

 

[wrenaudrey]

Would you say that i should buy a soundcard that has a built-in headphone amp? Therefore that rules of the possibility of a D2X or will a D2X actually be enough?

Thanks for your suggestions for the headphones and your definite good view on the STX. There are so many headphones out there that could be suited for my needs but there is no way of trying them all so i've been reading a few reviews on all the three headphones that have been suggested but the M50's really caught my eye and the fact that even two of you are recommending it to me and from the reviews, it really does look like its the best out for my needs.

I may just go buy the sound card now though and buy the headphones later as im currently looking at a STX right now on sale for £120(at time of posting this)

But can i just ask a couple of questions,
Does impedance mean how accurate the sounds are or how loud the headphone is able to deliver or am i completely wrong?
How about sensitivity - the higher the better or what? Will it be better to match what the STX can deliver; 124db(iirc)?
By using a 6.3mm(ithinkthatsthenumber) to 3.5mm included with the STX, will i be at a disadvantage as i will be losing some/little sound quality?
Also a cheapo 3.5mm male to female extension, will that cause a problem as i will be losing some/little quality?

Thanks again.

 

[MrKambo]

Would you say that i should buy a soundcard that has a built-in headphone amp? Therefore that rules of the possibility of a D2X or will a D2X actually be enough?

Thanks for your suggestions for the headphones and your definite good view on the STX. There are so many headphones out there that could be suited for my needs but there is no way of trying them all so i've been reading a few reviews on all the three headphones that have been suggested but the M50's really caught my eye and the fact that even two of you are recommending it to me and from the reviews, it really does look like its the best out for my needs.

I may just go buy the sound card now though and buy the headphones later as im currently looking at a STX right now on sale for £120(at time of posting this)

But can i just ask a couple of questions,
Does impedance mean how accurate the sounds are or how loud the headphone is able to deliver or am i completely wrong?
How about sensitivity - the higher the better or what? Will it be better to match what the STX can deliver; 124db(iirc)?
By using a 6.3mm(ithinkthatsthenumber) to 3.5mm included with the STX, will i be at a disadvantage as i will be losing some/little sound quality?
Also a cheapo 3.5mm male to female extension, will that cause a problem as i will be losing some/little quality?

Thanks again.

Impedance is the measure of the power required to drive a set of headphones, lower the impedance easier to drive, it would be pointless to have high impedance in-ear buds to use with a iPhone as the amp wont be able to drive them efficiently, therefore they sound rubbish

Sensitivity is how well a set of headphones can convert audio sound from the voltage that is feeding them

I think thats right, im sure someone will correct me if im wrong.

 

[Lazlo]

Audio Technica M50's would be my go-to cans for bassheads... sound's like that perfectly describes your taste in music

I own them too and I can recommend them without hesitation. But I would not describe them as "go- to cans for bassheads". They are generally described as very neutral, being monitor headphones. That does not mean the bass is no good, but I would not describe them as bassy.

Bang for the buck they are possibly unbeatable.

 

[jamesriley94]

Impedance is the measure of the power required to drive a set of headphones, lower the impedance easier to drive, it would be pointless to have high impedance in-ear buds to use with a iPhone as the amp wont be able to drive them efficiently, therefore they sound rubbish

Sensitivity is how well a set of headphones can convert audio sound from the voltage that is feeding them

I think thats right, im sure someone will correct me if im wrong.

Agreed - (not entirely sure why you gave IEMs as an example for impedance, but still the right idea).

To add to it - the higher the Impedance, the less static/background gets through (assuming you have a decent quality amplifier). That's the only real benefit to having higher impedance headphones.

 

[SuB]

Higher impedance also means less noise, distortion, and better bass reproduction

 

[wrenaudrey]

So which component/spec line is the indicator to which headphone is better?
Basically, what should i be looking for to determine this one is better than this one?

 

[jamesriley94]

So which component/spec line is the indicator to which headphone is better?
Basically, what should i be looking for to determine this one is better than this one?

Pretty much just reviews to be honest.
Headphones are a very subjective thing. Especially on things like comfort.

Also, many different headphones are more suited for different genres of music.

For example, I like my music to have a more flatter response, so all audio sounds as close to how the producer intended for it to sound as possible. However, people that like headphones like Beats like them because they have ludicrously high bass levels and the fact they give the owner a sense of......swag.

For headphones, looking at specs is more a case of something to bear in mind, rather than a reason to get them. For example, with impedance, the higher the better really, but that's obviously not the sole reason of buying them because if you don't have an amp then they could just be useless.

Most of the suggestions given so far are fine. A.T. M50s, Beyerdynamic DT770s are both great for the money - and to be honest, for under around £200 they're about the best set of closed back headphones you can really buy.

If you want some more suggestions, I'd advise having a google for something like 'the best headphones for £200', or whatever your price is, just to get more of an idea.

 

[wrenaudrey]

Ive made the decision and i will be getting the Audio Technica M50's after i get the STX.

Talking of the sound card, wont the STX be sooo overkill for a 38 Ohms A.T M50's or are there components in the STX that is just so premium and will provide a much nicer sound/experience?

 

[Snortan]

Headphone comfort is a very subjective thing, but I found that after 30-40mins of using the M50's with the default pads the edge of my ears start to hurt so I've replaced the pads with DT250 velour pads, which are much more comfortable and don't have that problem anymore. But as I said, it's subjective so can't fault the headphones themselves since most people don't have this issue.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Ive made the decision and i will be getting the Audio Technica M50's after i get the STX.

Talking of the sound card, wont the STX be sooo overkill for a 38 Ohms A.T M50's or are there components in the STX that is just so premium and will provide a much nicer sound/experience?

It will just be able to drive them to the headphones limit. Can never have overkill for soundcards. Any decent soundcard is overkill compared to onboard anyway.

 

[Tripp]

has anyone tryed the meze 88 or 73 classic's? as i am thinking of buying some

 

[jamesriley94]

It will just be able to drive them to the headphones limit. Can never have overkill for soundcards. Any decent soundcard is overkill compared to onboard anyway.

Not too sure you know what 'Overkill' means there.

The amp will make the headphones sound nicer, regardless of the impedance rating.