Xzeara

Okay, so I am looking for really good audio in my gaming. So let me tell you what I am using and some stuff I have looked at. Mind you I have little knowledge of audio here. But I am not 100% clueless.

**NOTE** I have no true budget limit for this as I will wait for affording quality. Also I prefer to get my audio card from newegg unless it is rather special or on a good sale. But sound quality before price.


I was looking at this sound card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271003

But I also saw that this one said EAX Advanced HD 5.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102021

Do I want to get one with EAX 5.0?

I will be using a 5.1 Surround sound headset (Wait! A HEADSET? Yes a headset. I know a speaker setup is better but I don't want speakers. Ok?) with the card. Right now I have a decent pair of 5.1 but they are not exactly amazing by any means. They are USB and I don't know if that makes them better or worse but I need to connect the next headset I am getting into the card using the 3.5mm plugs.

This is the headset I am getting if you are curious... and yes I do know how much the price is. http://www.psykoaudio.com/index.php/...1-Headset.html

So that is the headset I am getting, I need a high end audio card with 3.5mm connection for 5.1 or better. So any recommended cards? I will spend up to $250 on the card. (Am I insane? Maybe.)

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hermitmaster

HT Omega cards typically get good reviews. I would personally avoid Creative products due to driver and compatibility issues in general.

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ceemuk

First off, in my opinion, those 5.1 headphones come across as a gimmick. If that was an effective way of creating a surround soundstage in headphones it would have been done before now.

I think you would be better of going the tried and tested route of a) decent soundcard with amp b) high quality audiophile stereo headphones and c) a clip on mic if required

Probably the best balance in terms of soundcard, is the Auzentech Forte 7.1. It uses the X-FI chip which means full EAX support (more hardware effects in games that support it), has less CPU utilsation as a result, and has a onboard good quality headphone amp, which would add more 'beef' to a good quality pair of headphones. Some users experience a whine with this card, which is EMI interference however. Other options include Asus soundcards though they have higher CPU utilisation because more effects are done in software as the cards don't offer full EAX support.

Headphone wise you have a choice of closed, which generally provide a tighter, punchier sound, and open, which generally have a more natural soundstage at the expensive of leaking sound and having less bass (though this is subjective) though your ears won't sweat wearing this type for long periods.

They are also usually always more robust and last longer than "cheapo" headphones. I found this when I compare my Audio Technicas to an old 5.1 headset I had years ago called Medusa 5.1 made by Speedlink. These had multiple speakers in each can. 1x rear, 1x front in each, and 2x (1 each can) for the centre. They worked, in the sense they provided sound from each speaker, but the centre was never really any good. And more parts = more things to break.

The difference in sound\build quality between cheapo headphones and quality will blow you away.

Some of the ASUS cards (higher end) have Dolby Headphone which creates a surround soundstage, and doesn't do a bad job by all accounts. Anything with the X-FI chip uses Creatives version CMS3D, which does work but not aswell as Dolby Headphone (based on review comparisons I made when looking into this).

Everyone has their own preference on headphones but good makes to look for are Sennheiser, BeyerDynamic, Audio Technica. There are of course others.

Xzeara

Well I can't answer why nobody else thought this up sooner (The headset) but it was just done this year and is a patent pending technology. Anyway not looking to argue just mentioning that.

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scottath

5.1 headphones are generally crap......

For a sound card - the one i just got it great.
Asus Xonar DX

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Ecchi-BANZAII!!!

5.1 is pure love when playing games like Stalker or Dead Space.

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bebster

Just thought I'd let you know that "5.1 surround headsets" are a gimmicky, low quality, overpriced product.

You would be much better going with an Auzentech X-Fi based soundcard (made for gaming) and a high end, gaming orientated, pair of good quality stereo cans.

Personally, I would recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 headphones. They have a massive soundstage - which means you can accurately pinpoint not only where the sounds are coming from, but how far away they are too.

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usmcz

I just got my Psyko 5.1's in the mail today... If I were you I would wait on them. They are my first 5.1 headphones - and in game (Borderlands) they did sound amazing. I could clearly tell distance and direction (versus my 5.1 Z5500 setup) however everything else (stereo) sounds like ****. I'm still tweaking settings and checking it out, they have a nice 15 day money-back guarantee--which I may take them up on. I have not fully made up my mind yet, but I'm not sure if they warrant a $300 price tag. I will see if I can manage to tweak settings and get them to sound better with a little more effort.