[Weeder140]

hi, folks. i was hoping you guys could provide some insight into potential audio improvements for my gaming pc.

i have a maximus v formula mobo that, if you believe the rog marketing dept, has relatively high quality on board sound. i use a seinnheiser pc360 headset. for the purposes of audio gain, i'm interested in only gaming and improving the immersive fps experience. i don't listen to music or watch movies on this pc.

so, would i notice considerable benefit to upgrading to an asus xonar essence stx or creative labs x-fi? if not, what other audio upgrades (or combination of upgrades) would you suggest to enhance my gameplay?

thanks for your consideration. looking forward to your replies...

 

[Tjj226 Angel]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102048

this or even a cheap asus sound card would be an improvement.

 

[Weeder140]

thanks!

i've not heard of that creative card you suggested. looks cool. any particular reason you suggested that instead of the asus xonar essence stx?

also, as an edit to the op, i am willing to be loose with the budget if i can make significant improvements to the audio as it relates to gaming.

thanks again!

 

[Tjj226 Angel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weeder140

thanks!

i've not heard of that creative card you suggested. looks cool. any particular reason you suggested that instead of the asus xonar essence stx?

also, as an edit to the op, i am willing to be loose with the budget if i can make significant improvements to the audio as it relates to gaming.

thanks again!

For a couple reasons. 1) the PC 360s use 3.5mm plugs and the STX uses 6.3mm jacks. While they do make adapters, they will slightly lower the sound quality. 2) the positioning of a creative sound card is slightly better than an asus sound card generally speaking. However, the asus sounds cards generally sound better for music. That isn't to say that the stx can't be a good gaming card, and that the creative can't play music that well. I am just saying that each card is designed for different markets.

Now all that being said. If you want to have the best of both worlds, and just want the cream of them crop, then creative is going to release a new card in a few days for 250 bucks. I will be a better gaming and music card than either of the two cards we are talking about. So if you are interested in that, I would say just wait a few days.

 

[nleksan]

I can highly recommend the Soundblaster X-Fi Titanium HD, it's the best quality card I've ever used for gaming. Especially now that it can be had for $90-120 depending on the sale, and it's on sale at most big retailers.

Also, I have been using 6.3-to-3.5mm plug adapters for a very long time for audio editing/mixing, with headphones that range from $50 Sony units to my Grado PS1000's, GS1000's, and RS1i's... Never once have I noticed even the tiniest drop in quality. I would recommend purchasing one independent of the sound card, should you need one, as included parts like that are usually subpar. I got the one I use for everything for about $20 years ago; 24K Gold-Plated connectors and a very sturdy build.
It IS just one more place where interference COULD BE introduced, so a little extra money spent on a good one is money well spent.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tjj226 Angel

For a couple reasons. 1) the PC 360s use 3.5mm plugs and the STX uses 6.3mm jacks. While they do make adapters, they will slightly lower the sound quality.

A properly made audio adapter will do nothing to the sound quality, positive or negative.

 

[liquidzoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi

A properly made audio adapter will do nothing to the sound quality, positive or negative.

I think that would also depend on the quality of the components used as well, wouldn't it?

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquidzoo

I think that would also depend on the quality of the components used as well, wouldn't it?

No, it's a plug adapter. There's not much to screw up.

 

[Tjj226 Angel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi

A properly made audio adapter will do nothing to the sound quality, positive or negative.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi

No, it's a plug adapter. There's not much to screw up.

Well first off it does no matter what. Any time you have some type of gap, even if that gap is infinitely small, as long as the electricity has to pass through a gap, it will do some damage to the audio.

Now, whether or not that is precievable to the human ear....idk, but probably not to most people.

Also, those "well made" adapters (depending on what you mean by well made) are rather expensive. Why would you try and even bother with it when there are sound cards with the right jacks to begin with?

 

[Tjj226 Angel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi

No, it's a plug adapter. There's not much to screw up.

Again. In terms of read world performance mehhhhhhh there is a lot that can go wrong, but as long as you don't buy crap than you probably won't notice a difference.

In terms of basic physics.....oh boy. Too much can go wrong and I don't know how to explain it all. All I know is I have a test about this crap in 2 days, so the only reason I know there is a lot that can go wrong is because I have a test on it in the first place

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tjj226 Angel

Now, whether or not that is precievable to the human ear....idk, but probably not to most people.

and that's what counts.

 

[TMan459]

The Creative Titanium HD seems to be the most recommended sound card here on OCN for strictly headphones and stereo sound. You'll hear a noticeable with that from your integrated motherboard audio. It should have CMSS-3D (which most consider superior to Dolby Headphone found on some ASUS sound cards) as well for improved positional audio for gaming.

The ASUS Xonar DG is a cheap, awesome card for headphones as well, but lacks any positional audio processing.

Finally the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700s are considered the best headphones for gaming. I own a pair and they are wonderful!

 

[TMan459]

I stated that the ASUS Xonar DG lacks positional audio. I'm wrong, it does have Dolby Headphone.

 

[Spriggs]

sry

 

[David164v8]

I can recommend a Titanium HD. Installed one yesterday, and it is a LOT better than my Xonar DG for gaming. Great postional audio in CSS, and probably in other games. Music is better than my DG, but I wouldn't say I was blown away. I am noticing new details, but it's not "like listening to a song for the first time" as some would have you believe.

However, the drivers are a pain in the ass. I got them working now, but you'll probably need to spend quite a while tweaking them. I'm using a pair or Sennheiser 598's