Headphones // Amp/DAC // Microphone - Help!

[Meritor]

Hey,

After my Razer Nari Ultimates failing last week I’m in the market for a replacement headset, after some research it seems that I might be better upgrading my audio setup to something with individual hardware for each component. I guess it breaks down into three areas;- Headphones, Amp/DAC and Microphone and I’d appreciate some advice on all three:

1), Headphones - After watching a few YouTube videos the two sets of headphones which seem to stand out for gaming and within my price bracket are the Philips X2hr and the AKG K712 Pro (both priced around £200 on Amazon), does anyone have experience with either of these (or both) and which would you recommend and why (is there anything else in the £200 price bracket I should also consider?).

2), Amp/DAC Combo - Since I have an ageing motherboard (AsRock z77 Fatality) would it be a good idea to also get an Amp/DAC combo to improve my sound quality? If I do go down the Amp/DAC route would I have better results with something from the likes of Fiio (E10k / K3) or would the additional features and chat control available with a Sennheiser GSX1200 be better suited since my use would predominantly be gaming and chat via Discord (with some streaming music using Spotify H-Quality)?

3), If going down the Headphone route it would mean I need an independent microphone, would a desk-top option be worth it or will I get just as good results using something like a Antlion ModMic-5 or V-MODA BoomPro (which of these is better)?

Additionally, depending on the Amp/DAC question, would anyone be able to recommend a nice set of desktop speakers to replace the ones I’m currently using that are built into my monitor (under £100)?

I guess that’s it but realise this is a complex multi-part question so if you are only able to assist on one part please still post as any recommendations or advice would be very much appreciated

Thanks in advance

 

[Psycho Sonny]

Headphones: K702 is the best for gaming and also at £120 is a bargain. The K712 is £60 dearer but is better for music and worse for gaming but still very good. The K702 has one of the widest if not widest soundstage you can get. So wide it's hard to feel anything in front of you at times.

Mic: Get a USB condenser type microphone. They range from £30 to £150. I have a nano yeti premium. It's overkill but at least now I know there is no upgrade path from it and it will likely stay with me until it dies.

Sound Card: Go external. Creative is what I would recommend they have a range of options from £30-£300. I have the creative X7 but there are options available at around half the price which are very good.

 

[Meritor]

Headphones: K702 is the best for gaming and also at £120 is a bargain. The K712 is £60 dearer but is better for music and worse for gaming but still very good. The K702 has one of the widest if not widest soundstage you can get. So wide it's hard to feel anything in front of you at times.

Mic: Get a USB condenser type microphone. They range from £30 to £150. I have a nano yeti premium. It's overkill but at least now I know there is no upgrade path from it and it will likely stay with me until it dies.

Sound Card: Go external. Creative is what I would recommend they have a range of options from £30-£300. I have the creative X7 but there are options available at around half the price which are very good.

Hey,

Thanks for the reply

I’ve had a look at the K702’s and they seem highly rated for competitive play but lacking in the “fen” element, since I play a lot of mmo’s, rpg’s and adventure games they might not be the Best Buy for me.

How do you find the Yeti when it comes to background noise? Most audio tests show that’s it’s great quality but extremely sensitive and every keypress and mouse click will be picked up by it?

The X7 looks great, although possibly overkill since all i’ll be running through it are headphones / microphone. I do have one concern with Creative, most of their stuff appears to require drivers, what are they like for long term support of things as I’ve had hardware in the past that was dropped after as little as 2 years?

 

[Psycho Sonny]

Hey,

Thanks for the reply

I’ve had a look at the K702’s and they seem highly rated for competitive play but lacking in the “fen” element, since I play a lot of mmo’s, rpg’s and adventure games they might not be the Best Buy for me.

How do you find the Yeti when it comes to background noise? Most audio tests show that’s it’s great quality but extremely sensitive and every keypress and mouse click will be picked up by it?

The X7 looks great, although possibly overkill since all i’ll be running through it are headphones / microphone. I do have one concern with Creative, most of their stuff appears to require drivers, what are they like for long term support of things as I’ve had hardware in the past that was dropped after as little as 2 years?

Yes the yeti is sensitive. That is why I use a foam cover and a pop filter. I then also have a setting on discord to allow 80% volume and only sounds over a certain decibel value.

Now nobody can hear my keyboard but they can hear me clearly. But I have it on a stand next to my face so it's away from the keyboard.

Your only other solution would be an antlion mod mic or similar which is good quality but not as good as the yeti.

If you want immersion in non competitive games then k712 or fidelio x2. Or anything that is well reviewed and planar magnetic.

As for support creative are fine I get weekly updates for the x7 even though it's years old. I am not exaggerating either. I've installed at least 6 different updates in the past 2 months.

 

[theoneofgod]

The Fidelio X2 are extremely enjoyable. They have a few issues here and there, like the 8k spike, which can be remedied, plus q&c over the years which may or may not be completely sorted. Definitely worth it. The none HR were being sold off close to £100 a while back. A cracking deal.

 

[EsaT]

Headphones: K702 is the best for gaming and also at £120 is a bargainsteal.

Now it's correct considering how darn accurate they are.

The X7 looks great, although possibly overkill since all i’ll be running through it are headphones / microphone. I do have one concern with Creative, most of their stuff appears to require drivers, what are they like for long term support of things as I’ve had hardware in the past that was dropped after as little as 2 years?

For headphone gaming waiting for Creative's Q3 planned "Project Accent" could be sensible:
https://us.creative.com/upgrade/
It brings head shape customizable HRTF tech into sound cards.

All other HRTFs used by sound cards rely on some average (or how ever it was decided) head shape based model.
And if listener's head shape differs from that, binaural cues aren't anymore fully correct and directionality and sense of distance suffers.
The more there's difference, the lesss cues work.

Otherwise Sound BlasterX G6 would be good for having some direct physical controls and proper DAC and good amp.
Sennheiser GSX is horribly overpriced for use of really low end Conexant CX20745 chip meant for cheap phones/tablets.
So low end that budget level Audigy Fx/Xonar DGX have better DACs...


As for problems many of them are likely caused by Microsoft's Wintoys10 and its change for the sake of change screwing around:
https://www.techradar.com/news/windows-10-may-2019-update-messed-with-your-pcs-audio-heres-the-fix