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

 

[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?