Asus Xonar Essence - Headset Recommendation

LaneyEFC

LaneyEFC

LaneyEFC

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Hi, i bought this wednesday Asus Xonar Essence which I should be recieving today, and was just wondering what headset should i get to get the full usage out of it? if anyone else has it and has recommendation on headsets..

Thanks!
 
Well, that's an overkill sound card for your typical gamer headsets. The Beyerdynamic MMX300 or any of the new Sennheiser headsets is what I'd go for. They're overpriced compared to the headphone versions but I personally find having a proper microphone better than the mostly rubbish clip on solutions people will likely suggest.

Having said that, if you aren't going to use the microphone much then a separate one might not be a bad idea, and it'll save you money/allow you to get something better.
 
Can't go wrong with a sennheiser, but do you want surround sound or two channel. Plus you'll want a headset with 3.5mm connections rather than usb
 
Robbo said:
Well, that's an overkill sound card for your typical gamer headsets. The Beyerdynamic MMX300 or any of the new Sennheiser headsets is what I'd go for. They're overpriced compared to the headphone versions but I personally find having a proper microphone better than the mostly rubbish clip on solutions people will likely suggest.

Having said that, if you aren't going to use the microphone much then a separate one might not be a bad idea, and it'll save you money/allow you to get something better.
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PapaLazaru said:
There is no all in one gaming headset that will do that card justice.
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Was trying to figure out why... but this was not the card i was hoping for.. ordered without reviews as i was synced in to a price drop and it got the better of me! this only supports 2.0 stereo which i want full surround sound support! so am sending it back and getting new one.. will be between Asus Xonar D2X 7.1 - Asus ROG Xonar Phoebus 7.1

Just waiting on other peoples opinions before i purchase!
 
The STX does very good 8 channel surround sound via Dolby Headphone for gaming for use with stereo headset/headphones. The D2X is meant for home theatre speakers and has no headphone amplifier while the Phoebus is like an STX but with 7.1 output. However, the headphone amp on the Phoebus is still only for stereo, the 7.1 is line level output and meant for speakers or external amps. So if you are intent on going for a headset with all the separate speakers for 7.1 then you'd best make sure that line out level is enough to drive it.
 
rids57 said:
The STX does very good 8 channel surround sound via Dolby Headphone for gaming for use with stereo headset/headphones. The D2X is meant for home theatre speakers and has no headphone amplifier while the Phoebus is like an STX but with 7.1 output. However, the headphone amp on the Phoebus is still only for stereo, the 7.1 is line level output and meant for speakers or external amps. So if you are intent on going for a headset with all the separate speakers for 7.1 then you'd best make sure that line out level is enough to drive it.
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Thanks, I've never really had an sound card before so absolutly zero experience and struggling to chose between/ keep STX.. what does the headphone amp actually do? and I want surround sound for future preference, not got the room now but once I do I want 5.1/7.1 .. I have the logitech x530 at the minute but once got the room ill be chaning so for now my main use will be headsets and looking on getting a good set!! but still unsure what the headphone amp actually does inside the sound card?
 
A lot of hi-fi headphones are much harder to drive, either because their input impedance is higher or they have low sensitivity. Whatever the reason, a headphone amplifier allows you to get the most out of them, whether it be volume or just allowing the headphones to perform at their best.

You can still have a 7.1 speaker system connected to the STX, you just use optical out instead of the separate outputs. Obviously, if the speaker system you want doesn't have an optical input then the STX is not for you and you'd be better off with the Phoebus.
 
rids57 said:
A lot of hi-fi headphones are much harder to drive, either because their input impedance is higher or they have low sensitivity. Whatever the reason, a headphone amplifier allows you to get the most out of them, whether it be volume or just allowing the headphones to perform at their best.

You can still have a 7.1 speaker system connected to the STX, you just use optical out instead of the separate outputs. Obviously, if the speaker system you want doesn't have an optical input then the STX is not for you and you'd be better off with the Phoebus.
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Thanks for clearing that up! guess sending it back is the better option for me at the minute!! just don't no what to do between d2x or the phoebus, d2x supports both dts and dolby where the phoebus only supports dolby.. is there much difference between the 2?
 
I get you want the best quality sound but are you connecting to an amp? If so use your graphics card as it passes true hd as it's digital. A separate card is great but for connecting to an amp I don't see the need or point. Headphones yes
 
Ok, so the sound card is decided, next comes the head gear....

What are your priorities going to be through the headset/headphones?

Gaming, movies, music or a bit of everything?

Will you need a headset with attached mic or headphones with a clip on or desktop mic?

Reason I ask is that there a couple of obvious contenders in the headset department, the Sennheiser G4ME Zero (closed back) and the G4ME ONE (open back) at £189 or the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 at £249. The Sennheisers are based on the HD558 headphones and the MMX 300 is basically a DT770 pro (32ohm) with a mic.
There is always the option to go for hifi headphones and a clip on mic, which would enable you to get even higher quality sound for the same kind of money or even save yourself some money by getting DT770 pro's and a clip on mic for around £130 which would give you the same sound as the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 and save you £120.

Your choice :D
 
mainly for gaming and using mic for friends etc.. reason I want surround is for movies which ill sort speakers in few weeks.. so my main objective for a headset will be for gaming and music while talking to friends! been looking at the sennheiser g4me zero, (my choice for now) really looks nice but as I was thinking there might be better for what I need, reason am waiting on this so I make right choice :D..

But I very much appreciated the help thank you!!
 
I don't think the K550's have as much bass as the X1. Also, the K550 are closed back and may sound a little boomy compared with the open backed X1, which will also have a larger sound stage.
 
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