Am I missing out?

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

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My current audio setup is a Xonar DX with a Logitech Z5500 and a pair of Goldring DR150s.

Previously, I have only gamed on Stereo speakers or using the DR150's, when using the headphones, I have tried downmixing the 7.1 to Stereo and Dolby headphones but never really been impressed with the results.

Not long ago, I setup my rear surround speakers and was blown away by the atmosphere it added when playing games, to be fair, specifically Arma 3. It really does add a "warzone" type atmosphere which I never "got" with the headphones before. 5.1 with the Sub and rear speakers, it is a superb gaming experience.
How would one best replicate this experience with a set of cans?

I have previously discounted "Gaming Surround sound headsets" as marketing jibberish, BUT, do they serve a purpose? Would a USB or Analogue version to take advantage of the DX make much difference?

Would I be better getting another Hi-Fi set of cans, maybe closed back which would enhance my experience?

Appreciate any input, thank you.
 
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Yeah, forget all the marketing rubbish, all you need is the right headphones.

If you want a pair of headphones that provide you with a really wide soundstage then whatever pair of Grado headphones you can afford, mate :)

They are very open and so have really bad noise leakage and no noise isolation but, if you can put up with this, you will be rewarded with amazingly spatial sound.
 
You're not missing out at all. You have a good set of 5.1 speakers, and if you have them set up correctly, that's all you need. Unless you need headphones for late night gaming when others are in bed.
 
Do you enable dolby headphone when gaming ?, the analogue out on the xonar dx isn't the greatest as far as driving headphones go but still good.You could get a nice little boost with a cheap headphone amp depends how much you want to spend anywhere from £20 Fiio E6 to the £77 eph-02 and beyond (which is on my shopping list).But then where does it all end then you'll be wanting new headphones.

I cant get enough of dolby headphone on my dx everything sounds better with it enabled middle room middle soundtage environment 8 channels or 6.

To replicate the 5.1 speakers sub bass impact you need a good bassy open or considered good soundstage closed bassy headphone.
 
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C64, do you use an headphone amp?

What Headphones do you suggest?

Personally, the 150's although great, just do not seem too good for Dolby Headphone, if that makes sense?

Dolby headphone just adds over the top "music hall" effect on these cans.

Could be me doing something wrong however.
 
dolby headphone replicates 5.1 6.1 7.1 on to stereo cant see how you wouldn't use it for gaming ? to me the dr150 sound miles better in movies under dolby headphone too only time i heard a music hall effect is changing the environment settings

cheapest boost to your sound would be an e6 amp i own an e6 amp they cost like £15-£20 not the most refined but will add more body and grunt to the sound a bit like comparing onboard to soundcard everything just sounds more defined and clear punchy and is tiny so can be used as portable boost to headphones too

You'll have to spend £100 upward to get a worthwhile upgrade from the goldring dr150 i'd say and even then the only cans i'd say were worthwhile at £100 as an upgrade would be the akg 550 next one would be beyer dynamic but they tend to be more £130 ish upwards

If you want good soundstage and a sound more akin to the speakers you have then you need to be looking at expensive open backed headphones, the akg 550 are closed but have whats considered to be one of the better sound stages on closed just comes down to how much you want to spend and how far you want to go.

I prefer the sound of all my headphones via the e6 amp over connected straight to xonar or sansa clip or phone

Get an e6 and try for yourself i say, can always send it back if you think it wasnt worth it would be postable in an envelope they are so small so no big sending back cost for refund
 
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There is quite a lot of variables to this subject. Firstly how well dolby headphone works depends a lot on the headphones and the person, I've always preferred CMSS-3D, you might find Razer Surround worth a play with to, though it does a good job postional wise it can struggle a bit with more complex soundscapes and is worthless for music listening though can be useful for movies as it tends to just position the music wholesale instead of trying to reproduce it in surround while boosting and positioning vocals to the front.

Anyhow for single player and some types of online games a proper surround speaker set can produce great results that headphones may struggle to get close to reproducing but I can't reccomend speakers for fast paced FPS games online as you never get the same intimacy to the sound with speakers - even if you precisely lined them up to attain that your normal head movement would destroy it.

I never really got on with Dolby Headphone til I used a set of headphones designed for it specifically and even then I still prefer other HRTF systems personally as they just work better for me.
 
Gimpymoo said:
C64, do you use an headphone amp?

What Headphones do you suggest?

Personally, the 150's although great, just do not seem too good for Dolby Headphone, if that makes sense?

Dolby headphone just adds over the top "music hall" effect on these cans.

Could be me doing something wrong however.
Click to expand...

Having a pair of DR150 and using them with DH, they work very well with it, at least that is my experience. It could be that you just don't like DH; some people don't, finding it sounds like too much of an echo. That's the problem with having surround sound effect from headphones; as Rroff said, there are a lot of variables. A decent set of 5.1 speakers placed well, just works.
 
Am just about to pull the trigger on a FiiO E06.

Would this enhance the sound from the Xonar DX paired with the DR150's?

Also, I have been using the Headphone jack on the Z5500, I am certain it is PAP. Anyone else confirm?

What is the best way of connecting headphones without having to go behind the back of the computer everytime while keeping good quality audio?

I guess splitters are a no no?

Thanks.
 
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It may do. DR150 do benefit from an amp, but it is subtle. Don't think it will make much difference to way DH works though.

No idea how good the headphone out on the Z5500 is, but in general the headphone out on speakers is poor. Some are better than others mind, but usually it's there for convenience.

Splitters alter impedance and degrade sound quality. How noticeable it is, depends on the user really; some notice it more than others. Have you tried using the front audio on your case to connect the headphones?
 
You are plugging headphones in to the z5500 jack ? no wonder they sound bad plug them straight in to the soundcard analogue out dr150 are pretty good straight from a xonar ive found

I own a set of logitech z4 and the headphone jack makes my dr150 sound half as good through that compared to straight from the soundcard, front panel audio also is a lot worse
 
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