Gamers, What's Your Audio Set Up?
- Thread starter Random Guy Esq.
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Yesterday ordered a Fiio K5 Pro, which if all goes well will replace the Soundblaster X7.
The news that the consoles are a step backwards for audio (XSX; no USB audio support, PS5; same as PS4 with no Tempest 3D audio over HDMI) means that I want to rethink my setup. The X7 was a fantastic device for unifying all my boxes and getting VSS. But even with it, lately I've found myself using Dolby Atmos for headphone more on Xbox, and Sony's Platinum's for convenience. So I want something that provides better stereo clarity. I know the K5 Pro might be a small bump but it means I'll be able to get rid of my Optical switcher eventually too.
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Soldato
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That dac looks quite nice. Would be very interested on hearing your thoughts on it.
Sadly the last gen consoles were also a step back with sound settings too. Not good to read this gen things are the same. Though not surprised tbh.
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Turned up today, even though delivery was originally Friday. After a few hours playing with it tonight the main thing I am struck by is the clarity of the K5 Pro. It feels very crisp, fairly neutral and just so smooth. Certainly a step up from the X7, particularly when playing music. That said I will tomorrow night spend some time comparing them directly.
Build quality of the K5 Pro feels good (I used to have the E7/E9 combo), albeit captures fingerprints easily. The unit doesn't get particularly hot. And I feel the volume wheel was sensitive on both lowest and medium gain settings (with either the AKG K712 or Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro).
So initially I'm impressed. I will miss the X7's ability to have multiple inputs playing at the same time. That has been so useful when listening to podcasts whilst gaming and such like.
With regards to the consoles I think it's fairly ironic that both the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have some really powerful audio hardware in them (harking back to PS3) but are now harder than ever to extract high fidelity headphone audio from. The situation on the PS5 sounds better tonight with DACs like the Soundblaster G3 and G6 supposedly working over USB but still limited support. And the kicker that Tempest 3D doesn't currently work over HDMI.
Build quality of the K5 Pro feels good (I used to have the E7/E9 combo), albeit captures fingerprints easily. The unit doesn't get particularly hot. And I feel the volume wheel was sensitive on both lowest and medium gain settings (with either the AKG K712 or Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro).
So initially I'm impressed. I will miss the X7's ability to have multiple inputs playing at the same time. That has been so useful when listening to podcasts whilst gaming and such like.
With regards to the consoles I think it's fairly ironic that both the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have some really powerful audio hardware in them (harking back to PS3) but are now harder than ever to extract high fidelity headphone audio from. The situation on the PS5 sounds better tonight with DACs like the Soundblaster G3 and G6 supposedly working over USB but still limited support. And the kicker that Tempest 3D doesn't currently work over HDMI.
Soldato
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Any more updates @Timber ? 
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Any more updates @Timber ?
How about another DAC/AMP?
On Saturday took delivery of the SoundblasterX G6 as well, which was an unplanned extravagance, but they are discounted atm and I have come close to buying something more portable before.
Regarding the Fiio K5 Pro I think my thoughts are still largely the same. There isn't a huge difference between the X7, K5 Pro or G6 with the headphones I have tested (AKG K712, DT 990 Pro). The K5 Pro definitely edges it slightly with what feels like a bit more detail. I have preferred listening to music the K5 Pro versus my old X7. But for gaming the difference is less although I feel like there is more impact with explosions on the K5 Pro.
Since my last post the K5 has been hooked up to my Edifier speakers where even the pre-out, instead of line-out, isn't that annoying. And with the Xbox One and PS4 I have been testing Optical coming from Optical Out on the TV (instead of directly) and that works fine with Dolby Atmos for headphones. In Borderlands 3 (Xbox) I knew to turn around and hear an enemy Varkid before looking at the mini map so that's a good sign.
The G6 has really impressed me, maybe because it's quite a bit cheaper than the K5 Pro. Not sure what to make of the SBX versus the older X7 but the unit's portability is fantastic.
So I'm not sure if that fully helps but the K5 Pro and G6 will replace the X7 in my setup and I am very happy with both new DAC/AMPs.
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I was looking for a new pair of headphones, am planning on picking up a soundblaster G6 and was looking for some closed headphones to go with it. Already have a pair of HD 599's which im planning on keeping for now. I was thinking of DT 770s or DT 880s but is there anything else worth considering?
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I think the DT 770 is a good buy. Only other headphone that springs to mind is AKG K361/371 - AKG recent-ish closed back model, sub-£100 with that AKG sound signature. Super comfortable, very easy to drive and therefore use with anything.
EDIT - whoops! totally missed the 'closed' bit and just read 'headphones' until @EsaT posted below. Doh. In which only my second suggestion would be a closed set. Edited my response but gist is the same.
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DT770.
DT880 isn't closed. For sound isolation difference between open and "semi"open is cosmetic.
Soldato
Currently using some DT990 Pro 250ohm with a Fiio K3 on my PC for music/TV/occasional movies. Had the Fidelio X1 before this, for about 7 years.
Got my PS5 delivered yesterday and I can either use the DT990's via 3.5mm out on my monitor, via HDMI (no 3D audio) or via 3.5mm jack on the controller - this, surprisingly does just about drive the headphones, but volume has to be set at 80-100% to get a usable volume.
The Fiio K3 amp/dac does not work via USB on the PS5.
So, time to look at wireless USB headsets for use on the PS5, as I want to have a mic, and would like to split usage between a couple of sets. On the shortlist:
Corsair Virtuoso SE - volume wheel may not work on console
Steel Series Arctis 7/7p/9
It's a faff to adjust the volume in software on the PS5 (about 10 button presses) so would want a headset with a physical volume wheel, any others I'm missing? Obviously I want good aaudio quality but I'm not expecting the same level as my main headphones, and the headset won't get used for music etc so that's not a huge issue.
Got my PS5 delivered yesterday and I can either use the DT990's via 3.5mm out on my monitor, via HDMI (no 3D audio) or via 3.5mm jack on the controller - this, surprisingly does just about drive the headphones, but volume has to be set at 80-100% to get a usable volume.
The Fiio K3 amp/dac does not work via USB on the PS5.
So, time to look at wireless USB headsets for use on the PS5, as I want to have a mic, and would like to split usage between a couple of sets. On the shortlist:
Corsair Virtuoso SE - volume wheel may not work on console
Steel Series Arctis 7/7p/9
It's a faff to adjust the volume in software on the PS5 (about 10 button presses) so would want a headset with a physical volume wheel, any others I'm missing? Obviously I want good aaudio quality but I'm not expecting the same level as my main headphones, and the headset won't get used for music etc so that's not a huge issue.
Man of Honour
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Still using my Logitech Z5500s when I want to shake the room.
My DT990s hooked up to an AE5 when I want immersive sound, but to not irritate my wife.
TB 700 Gen 2s with Dobly Atmos when using the XSX. Actually impressed how well they hold up against the DT990s.
My DT990s hooked up to an AE5 when I want immersive sound, but to not irritate my wife.
TB 700 Gen 2s with Dobly Atmos when using the XSX. Actually impressed how well they hold up against the DT990s.
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The Fiio K3 amp/dac does not work via USB on the PS5.
What about if you put the K3 in USB 1.0 mode?
The PS5 only works with USB Audio Class 1 devices (same as the PS4) but Creative DAC/AMPs like the G3 and G6 have been confirmed to work. Also the Fiio E10K as well.
I've also read that the PS5 doesn't have the low volume over USB issue that PS4 did.
Soldato
Yeah I tried that too, and both front and rear ports, no luck. The K3 didn't work on the PS4 either, so wasn't holding out too much hope that it would.
Got a space waiting on a decent wireless headset but there's alack of info around what functions work and don't work with the PS4/5.
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Great headphones (you can see the coiled wire of mine in my DAC/AMP shots above - something I've learn to like since buying them a few years ago).
Re the Fiio K3, that's a shame. My plan is either to use my newly purchased Soundblaster G6 or my existing PlayStation Platinum's I purchased earlier in the year.
The complete absence on information regarding the two new consoles has been shocking, if not unexpected (there was a really good post on the Microsoft forums that summed things up and was completely ignored). That said it's clearly by design, even the other day the NPD confirmed Gaming Headsets was one of the high growth areas in Quarter 3. Got to get that licensing money.
In terms of wireless headset thoughts:
- Steelseries 7X seems to be the darling of Resetera atm. Even though it's the Xbox variant it has a switch on the dongle to choose Xbox or PC/PS and is confirmed working with 3D audio on PS5. That said at £160 it is very pricey imo. I'd probably just jump up to a Audeze Penrose at that amount. If you're purely a PS5 player then the Arctis 7P will do and probably has chat volume support. The 7X seems to be hard to get atm.
- Steelseries 1 Wireless Xbox - Cheaper version of the above, will work with anything.
- Sony 3D Pulse - not ideal but probably the cheapest Wireless headset for PS5. Likely Sony are basing their HRTF/3D profiles on these and I'd imagine there are OK for gaming. The integration of the Sony headsets is nice too. I just bought the Platinums for the few 3D games on PS4 but have found myself using them out of convenience even thought I have nicer headphones around.
Soldato
I had an order for the Pulse 3D headset but they were out of stock, so that's been cancelled - if I can get find a set in stock I'll probably give them a try - the integration with features (fully working chatmix and volume) and a pretty decent price and big plus points. Issue being they're like hens teeth at the moment... Hence looking into other options.
Arctis 7P (in black direct from Steelseries) is seeming a good option too, I don't mind spending up to £200 - the Arctis Wireless Pro are a little bit too spendy at £270.
Bloody love my DT990's, I thought the X1's were really good, then I bought these... oh my. So, I have 'realistic' expectations of the sound quality on a gaming headset, but I stil want decent quality, not the garbage some of them are
How do you find the Platinums compared to the DT990 pro?
Soldato
I bought the Arctis 9x last week for the series x, really buggy but sound great with the dolby atmos app.
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The Platinums are lacking in in detail, 'omph' and soundstage. That said they have their moments, bass isn't too strong and fairly neutral in tone. Overall they do a reasonable job at good headphone sound.
It's clear Sony worked on their sound profiles (from a PS4 perspective, I don't have a PS5 yet). I've been playing God of War (2018) this week and the positional sound is really good with the Platinums. I'd also say the 3D audio is better than anything I've heard from Dolby Atmos for headphones (which I've also been impressed with). A real sense of height and depth to objects. So I have high hopes for Tempest 3D. That said it was a shame that only 4 games or so actually supported 3D audio on PS4. But the VSS on non-3D PS4 games is solid.
Comfort wise...horrid. In fact the most uncomfortable headphones or headset I ever owned due to the way they rubbed on my ears. I had to mod them with these cheap earpads to stop them pressing against my ears. Although for £13 they have now gone to being really comfy even if I look like a Cyberman (the 'after' shot below). This would be my personal worry with the 3D Pulse headset.
I don't use them for multiplayer, but suspect the mic is probably rubbish to passable.
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