Gamers, What's Your Audio Set Up?

Random Guy Esq. said:
Nice one! I have my PS5 on my desk with my PC so I'll be using a single audio solution for everything. Have you had a chance to listen to music on the G8? I haven't been able to find what DAC chip it's using, although I suspect it will be good enough for my ancient ears. :o
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Only had a brief A-B session with my Hel+ - the G8 perhaps sounds a little colder/thinner compared to the Hel but that's only a quick first impression. It still sounds good but I would need more time to really make an opinion.
 
Timber said:
Hope its OK but I've added a post, maybe way too long or detailed but to try and see if anyone comes back with anything. The thing that is in the Fulla, Hel & Gunnr's favour is that very few seem to complain about volume in relation when using on the PS4/5 which may be indicative of it not being impacted.
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Looks like the issue remains with PS5 with the Gunnr going by someones comments on the reddit post.
 
Timber said:
Yes, unfortunately. Again I don't think there will ever be a perfect solution for PS5. I do think it will still sound great with most headphone/set combos within the constraints of the USB audio. Optical will be fine.
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I'll maybe just stick with my G6 for now then, for all I'm using it at the minute, probably not worth jumping in for something else.
 
biertonco said:
How are the Nova Pros? that was my go to if I hadn't gone down this route
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They are decent for gaming headsets, have only tried it on stereo as i mainly just end up using my airpods max or bose nc 700s unless i am talking to someone on discord but its definately really comfortable and sound is pretty good for a gaming headset although there is a wierd static noise from the built on microphone sometimes that i can hear through the headsets. I am tempted to try hd 599's again though (probably my most favourite headphones of all time) to see how they stack up.
 
Timber said:
Yes, unfortunately. Again I don't think there will ever be a perfect solution for PS5. I do think it will still sound great with most headphone/set combos within the constraints of the USB audio. Optical will be fine.
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Seems nothing can change in the current generation of Sony hardware.

G8 not perfect either now - noticed that Creative have removed the Play Store and App Store icons from the product page. Guessing that means there won’t be anyway to control the G8 from a mobile device which makes eq and settings changes a right pain in a console setup.

Also, if I want to connect the Xbox as well the G8 will need power. If I provide power to USB1 from a wall adaptor I’ll have to plug the PS5 into USB2 which seems to have massive volume reduction when I tested. Not sure the G8 is worth having over my Qudelix after all.
 
Creative have now confirmed there is no mobile support on the G8 - must have been an error posting the app links on the product pages to start with - not sure it offers anything over and above the Qudelix now for me sadly. In fact just went and tested the 5k on the PS5 again - mic input just as good and if anything, I think the Qudelix makes the MMX330s perform better than the G8 - there's a little more drive and lower end power behind it to my ears.
 
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I'm doing it like its the year 2000 again and just ordered a creative ae-7, should be a decent upgrade over my old Z SE
Using yamaha Hs7 speakers.

I can't do headphones for anything but voice chat and don't need another device cluttering up my desk
 
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WhiteHartMart said:
Seems nothing can change in the current generation of Sony hardware....
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Infuriating, unfortunately. Proper UAC 2.0 support could be implemented in a heartbeat if Sony wanted to.

Shame to hear about the volume issues and the lack of BT app support. Unfortunately all of the Creative DACs have had the volume issues so that does suprise me although interesting that it's more apparent on the second USB C port if I've understood correctly.

I think the strength of the G8, GC7 etc. is if you like the Dolby Digital surround over optical (or eArc) or want chat mix controls on PS5.
 
Fio desktop amp (can't remember the model) connected via optical cable to the pc, powering a set of Sennheiser HD 650 headphones.

Also some Bose companion 2.1 desktop speakers and sub.
 
I currently have a pair of HyperX Cloud 2 wired headphones with built in mic, connected via the HyperX USB soundcard. I've been having mic issues with Windows 11 and I'm now going down the rabbit hole of seeking much better audio.

I'm looking for a decent pair of closed back headphones that will be good with music, but mostly gaming. Plus a DAC to power them. I can get the Creative G6 for £85, and this seems to have good reviews. Is that a decent choice without spending hundreds?

In terms of headphones, not sure what my budget is, maybe £150. But I'll go higher if it's worth it. I do need a mic for game chat. What's a good option without getting all tangled up in wires? I like the fact my current headset has the mic built in, but know that 'gaming headsets' generally have worse audio.

EDIT: Never mind, did my own research and just ordered a Creative G6 and Beyerdyanmic DT 770 Pro X LE :D

I just need a mic solution now.
 
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I didn't realise people still bought sound cards :S

I'm running Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Editions powered by the NAD D3045 and a Wharfdale SPC-10 to pick up the lows.

Got the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for when I'm forced to engage with other people online :p
 
I am running spdif out form an AE5 in direct mode (to be honest I could just use the motherboard). To a Schiit bifrost multibit original without USB (I was too cheap and $150 for USB card is a bit much) through a topping A30pro (all the power I could ever want) in to a set of Arya stealth's via 4.4mm balanced. (EQ applied against harman from Oratory 1990). Sounds good and replaced a set of HD650's.
 
Timber said:
Infuriating, unfortunately. Proper UAC 2.0 support could be implemented in a heartbeat if Sony wanted to.

Shame to hear about the volume issues and the lack of BT app support. Unfortunately all of the Creative DACs have had the volume issues so that does suprise me although interesting that it's more apparent on the second USB C port if I've understood correctly.

I think the strength of the G8, GC7 etc. is if you like the Dolby Digital surround over optical (or eArc) or want chat mix controls on PS5.
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Still have the G8 - tried to return it stating the issues and the retailer issued the refund and said I didn't need to send the item back???

Don't think it sounds quite as good as my Hel+ but using on PS5 via USB1 with my MMX330 Pro has been great - the ability to tweak the EQ slightly edges it ahead on the Hel for PS5 use imo. Still a little disappointed that the G8 won't work in my setup as initially advertised but can't moan when it was free now :p
 
WhiteHartMart said:
Still have the G8 - tried to return it stating the issues and the retailer issued the refund and said I didn't need to send the item back???

Don't think it sounds quite as good as my Hel+ but using on PS5 via USB1 with my MMX330 Pro has been great - the ability to tweak the EQ slightly edges it ahead on the Hel for PS5 use imo. Still a little disappointed that the G8 won't work in my setup as initially advertised but can't moan when it was free now :p
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That funds should go towards a Gunnr now. You know for research purposes...
 
WhiteHartMart said:
Still have the G8 - tried to return it stating the issues and the retailer issued the refund and said I didn't need to send the item back???

Don't think it sounds quite as good as my Hel+ but using on PS5 via USB1 with my MMX330 Pro has been great - the ability to tweak the EQ slightly edges it ahead on the Hel for PS5 use imo. Still a little disappointed that the G8 won't work in my setup as initially advertised but can't moan when it was free now :p
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Result! Still fairly surprised there haven't been any proper reviews on the G8.
 
Regarding the PlayStation 5 Pro - I think something may be different regarding USB audio.

Got one yesterday after trading in the OG PS5 on Saturday (as mentioned in the official PS5 thread in the console forum). And one of the first things I've noticed by accident is that the volume on USB seems louder. The PS5/Pro by default automatically switches to a new audio input and it set my Sound Blaster GC7 to USB output. I immediately noticed because the new 3D audio configuration wizard in the settings was available to me. So done a lot of testing with the Sound Blaster GC7, X1 and Qudelix 5K and it's sounds louder over USB than the OG PS5 I had. The Qudelix and X1 become too loud for me to keep the headphones on.

But tonight I've been listening to Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered over and over again on the GC7 (because it's easy to switch) via USB and Optical and the volume level is identical. Essentially the detail and output are the same (as much as I can ascertain without the ability to measure). I tried stereo - Linear PCM - 2.0 - vol set to 36 on low gain with the HD58X and 36 high gain on the HD650 I tested. I know when I used to do this with my OG PS5 console there was a difference in the volume level of USB.

So what's going on and anyone else noticed this with the PS5 Pro?

Interestingly as a complete aside I have noticed some people report that the Pulse Elites are behaving much better with the Pro and reporting less disconnects. This might be completely unrelated but the Pulse Elite dongle does use PS Link which is lossless and the only wireless example on PS5 that I am aware of.
 
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