Change from Soundblaster ZX to Sennheiser 1000 GSX

[bazzabear]

As per the title, I am about to change from my current ZX set-up to a GSX 1000. The main reason for this is because needing to access the software on the PC to switch between speakers and headphones bugs me a little - with some games it can be a right faff because they really don't like alt-tabbing.

Anyway, immediately after clicking to buy I suddenly realised one element the GSX lacks - a built in microphone.

I don't think that's enough to change my mind about the switch. But any advice on my best solution?

Should I just leave my headset plugged in and on the desk, and see if its mike picks up my voice OK? Or can I get a reasonably priced desk mike? And if the latter, do any have a plug through facility so I don't have to keep switching the headset mike and the desk mike in the back of the GSX?

It'd be a shame if sometimes wanting to have voice comms without wearing the headset ruined the seamlessness of the transition from speakers to headset that I'm hoping for!

 

[bazzabear]

I considered the hotkey switching solution. But in my experience, half the time you switch with the SBZ utility, an app already running doesn't start playing it's sound through the new device anyway, so you still have to shut it down and start up again.

The massive extra convenience will be worth a slight drop in audio quality - assuming my 40 year old ears can tell any difference anyway.

I hadn't realised there was an existing thread - I'll give it a look, thanks!

 

[bazzabear]

Again on the fly changes in playback device channel configuration would likely be problematic for many applications.


If price were some £70-80 then I could consider it not as scam.

Agreed about the on the fly changes. That's largely why this appeals - as far as the computer is concerned, the output hasn't changed at all. It's simply the GSX itself changing where it routes the sound.

And I've bought it for £95, so I'm pretty happy. Although I think I can't say from where as it wasn't OC.

 

[bazzabear]

Slightly daft question - do I need to have 7.1 headphones to make use of the 7.1 output? Or does it just use clever trickery to simulate 7.1?

 

[bazzabear]

That's a pleasing answer, I quite like my Siberia v2's, even if they are getting on a bit!

The GSX 1000 arrived today, and is working great. I completely forgot that it was B stock as I was setting it up. Everything in the packaging gave the impression that it was brand new, and there's not a mark on it.

 

[bazzabear]

What headphones are you using?

GSX output is somewhat weedy. If you've got say, AKG K702 for example, I'd stick with the SB Z or look at something else.

Sorry, I never spotted this post. I've got Siberia v2's. I seem to be getting good output, have had to turn it down to a pretty low level in fact.