audio setup for gaming / music

agiusliswed · 2 Dec 2009 at 22:03

Hi all,

I've been reading lately in the forums about various types of headphones being used and what differences they might produce. I was looking at something like HD595s or 555s, or Audio Technica ATH-AD700, or maybe even AKG K701 as I tend to like AKGs. My main use shall be mostly for gaming to obtain uni-directional sounds, and second to that for music.

However my concern is that most of you mention that a good sound card is required. I am currently using my on-board sound of my Gigabyte EX58-UD5 Intel X58 Motherboard. Do you think it is possible to obtain 3d sound with a good pair of headphones or should I also invest in a sound card? I had a Xonar DX but not could not fit on the motbo so sold it to a friend.

Cheers,
Clint

Marsman · 2 Dec 2009 at 22:14

It's all about the sound card unfortunately. The phones can only reproduce what is being sent to them, without a Creative or Asus card to provide surround imaging, it doesn't matter how great the phones are, convincing directional sound cannot be achieved. Onboard can do it to an extent, but it's far more convincing with a dedicated card.

Also, gaming aside, headphones will also benefit from a sound card for music. So if you had to give your DX up, do you have a spare PCI slot?

agiusliswed · 2 Dec 2009 at 22:51

I couldnt use the PCIex1 since the Xonar card was laying over the copper heatsink... the next PCIex4 is slightly longer - not sure whether it may accomodate a sound card.

Marsman · 2 Dec 2009 at 23:07

Xonar PCIE cards are compatible with PCIE 1x 4x 8x and 16x.