Best current soundcard and headset ?

OutpostCommand

OutpostCommand

OutpostCommand

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I am being driven nuts looking for these.

My main purpose is gaming.

For souncards, ive narrowed it down to the X-Fi Xtreme Gamer (no need for the 64MB XRAM in the Fatal1ty), the ASUS Xonar D2 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-000-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=) , the Razer Barracuda (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-000-RA&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=), the X-Meridian (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-004-HT&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=), and the X-Fi prelude (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-000-AZ&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=).

We all know the Xtreme Gamer is a proven card, and its generally excellent - even more so because of its price.
However, is that what I should really get over the other cards ? Will the other cards not provide superior sound ?

I would very much appreciate it if someone could recommend me a card out of those (unless there is a better one). So far, out of another thread, its one vote for the Xtreme Music, however, because its a discontinued product, the only option is ebay, and I dont enjoy auctions :)

And secondly, which is the best gaming headset ?
From what ive seen, the Raptor-Gaming H1 (http://www.raptor-gaming.com/raptor/raptorUK/index.htm), the Razer Barracuda HP-1 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-001-RA&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=692), and the Creative Fatal1ty gaming headset (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-091-CL&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=502) seem like worthy candidates for a replacements for speakers altogether.

Can anyone tell me which is best, if any out of those ? And if all are less-than-brilliant, which would you recommend ?

Once again, I thank in advance for any assistance.
 
My HP-1s aren't exactly fantastic, but I'm using onboard sound atm until i buy an X-FI.

For gaming, Creative is the only real way forward, but some of the other cards are better for music, dvds and whatnot.

At the moment I just feel surround sound is a gimmick because hardly any games use it to full potential.

The most annoying thing about the barracudas is that when you're playing a game which can use surround sound, its really clear when it changes the speakers in the headphones it uses (suddenly stops one side and starts another), it isn't a gradual change using both at once.

Stereo headsets and drivers are getting so good that positional audio with only 2 speakers is getting better and better.

Wouldn't bother with either Razers TBH, overpriced and I feel the surround sound is just a gimmick.

Having said that, the razer headphones seem good quality, and for a non-audiophile like me perform just fine. Will let you know what they're like with a decent soundcard.
 
Eh, i'd get a pair of stereo headphones personally. I've used 5.1 headsets, and i think they're pretty useless. Audio quality is generally poor due to the tiny drivers used in 5.1 headsets. Although i haven't used them, i'd assume the Razer headset is even worse because, instead of 4 drivers in each cup of 5.1 headsets, there are 6 (i think) so they must be even smaller.

When i went from Speedlink Medusas to DT 770 Pros the difference was amazing. I didn't miss the surround sound at all, if anything i prefer the positional audio my current headphones are capable of. Using CMSS-3D, my stereo headphones can mimic surround sound very well in games and, unlike 5.1 headsets, you get the whole range of frequencies coming from all directions.
 
where as my hp-1's are fantastic in games, and also listening to all your favourite music genres i think there has been a really bad batch with them, but there all a-ok now!

-Neoni.
 
Hmm. It appears the general concensus is go with the Creative Fatal1ty Gaming headset and get the Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer.

Before I go ahead and take them, does anyone have anything else to say, or should I take those ?

Thanks for the replies.

EDIT_1: OR, should I got for these Sennheisers ?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-024-SN&tool=3
They sound like they may be quite good.
 
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OutpostCommand said:
should I got for these Sennheisers ?
Click to expand...
Yes u should they are brilliant! :)

re sounds card I just got my X-Fi™ XtremeGamer installed and its also great, no installation issues and its brought some great audio features into my machine.

soundsystemaz2.jpg


The X-FI CMSS-3D feature works better than I was expecting, one of the cool things this can do is take surround sound from a game and create a 'virtual' positional audio using your stereo headphones, almost like you got 5:1 surround sound system on your head (no more zombies biting my ass!).

I can't believe I been using onboard audio for the last five years! :D
 
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you say main purpose is gaming.....then razers . as stated, the positional sound is excellent.
for music, id go for something else ie sennheisers

chris ...dont knock a product untill you have heard them to their full , get the ac1 and you will delete your above post

mansize they are not worse, ive got both m8

i rarely use my headsets as i prefer surround sound through speakers tbh

i personaly have not heard a better sound card for "gaming" than the AC-1, but recording/playing music, there are better cards for the money :D
 
Thank you !
I will certainly opt for the Sennheisers, judging by the general concensus.

Thanks for the advice all - you have been very helpful.

Just, uh, one question - which to go for-
the Sennheiser PC156, PC161, or PC166 ?
Not sure which to go for :-/
 
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If you have an xfi go for the 161, if you intend to use them on another pc or don't have an xfi get the 166, the soundcard that it comes with its surprisingly awesome.
 
OutpostCommand said:
Just, uh, one question - which to go for-
the Sennheiser PC156, PC161, or PC166 ?
Not sure which to go for :-/
Click to expand...
Sennheiser PC151 Pro-Gaming Headphones

Sennheiser PC161 Pro-Gaming Headphones

Mine are the older PC150's, rocking! :)

I'm not sure why the USB versions are being suggested? As you getting a nice soundcard I don't think you want a USB headset you want a normal one that can plug straight into the soundcard.
 
1mm3 said:
According to this review the sennheiser 150 and 160 are not recommended, they preferred the medusa 5.1's over them?
Click to expand...
Yeah you could say that, god that reviewer really didn't like the Sennheiser? still that article is over two years old now (July 14, 2005).

I've been running the PC150's for about two years, they cost me £50 at the time but have served me well. I've only tested the CMSS-3D audio in Doom3 so far and it does sound good to me?

The Medusa 5:1 cans were a big hit around here a few years ago, my mates got a pair but I haven't tested them myself, they do have an aweful lot of wires which I like to avoid.

Is there any up-to-date headset reviews knocking about?
 
The Medusa's are an ok-ish surround headset....till they fall apart, which they do rather quickly.

Surround headsets are a total gimmick, I have the experience to say so now. :(
 
I would go for the XFI gamer sound card, and the SteelSeries 5H v2 headset if the razer is out of your range. Or HD555's if you don't need or mind using a separate microphone.
 
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