Headset & AMP/DAC For Gaming

Mr G · 30 Apr 2021 at 13:33

Just purchased a monitor and now require a decent headset, AMP/DAC for gaming and music.

Any recommendations on a budget of around £200-£300?

Mr G · 30 Apr 2021 at 18:07

EsaT said:
If not actually needing that mic, forget word headset and go for headphones.
There are good headphones from actual audio makers for slightly over £100 level.
Like Beyerdynamic DT770 and DT990 depending on do you have noisier environment or quiet.

For sound card Creative Sound BlasterX G6 can be found at real good price from B-stock to keep total budget around that £200.

I have a fairly quiet environment and don't need mic just yet. I have been looking at the DT990 Pro for £108? I'll take a look into those sound cards and would like a good level of bass also.

Mr G · 30 Apr 2021 at 18:30

Kinda thinking about the DT990 Pro with the Sound Blaster X3 which is fairly priced and direct from Creative Labs?

Mr G · 30 Apr 2021 at 20:36

EsaT said:
DT990 has good amount of bass punch for gaming immersion.
Though as open design it can't do lowest rumbling bass like closed headphones.
But anyway much more bass than that and it starts to seriously bury details in games if you want easily distinguishable foot steps etc.

Also Beyerdynamic's design would be easy to DIY mic mod:
https://imgur.com/gallery/bKU4H

SB X3 would have head shape customizable Super X-Fi HRTF as extra in addition to fixed average head shape based HRTF.
But as sound card X3 has rather mid level D/A converter (at level of Sound Blaster Z) and neither is headphone output much better.
(while SBX G6 has good enough headphone output for most headphones you could buy)
Though unless you're serious about retiring your hearing prematurely it's enough for DT990, which also has profile in Super X-fi to increase sound positioning accuracy.

Choices choices…

DT990 Pro with SBX3 or G6?

Will add a mic eventually, but not essential right now as I’d prefer a really nice audio setup.

I’m so used to buying gaming headsets and want to start dipping my toes in a decent setup.

Mr G · 1 May 2021 at 09:26

EsaT said:
SBX G6 is definitely superior in analog audio hardware quality.
But if you have head shape differing more from average, Super X-fi could improve sound positioning good amount.
Though SBX Pro Surround is definitely among the better fixed HRTFs.

There are some gameplay recordings in Youtube you could use to test if SBX Pro Surround works.
Like first couple minutes of this being excellent quick test for headphones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1_20T8x_OI
If headphones are accurate, besides directionality there should be also feel of distances.

So could start from headphones.

The DT990 Pro and the SBX G6 is going to be my starting combo, for little over £220 can't be faulted. I've been looking at some YT videos with the Schiit and GSX1000/1200, are these worth considering? Leaning towards the software from Creative Labs, looks more user friendly.

Mr G · 1 May 2021 at 11:19

EsaT said:
Fashion "DACs" like Schiit lack features of sound cards like HRTF and you would be relying on game having HRTF or software.
Also mic inputs aren't that common making adding mic later more complicated, while mic input is standard feature of sound cards.
There are cheaply available 3.5mm microphone's with headset type flexible arm you could attach to DT990 and just use extension to connect it into sound cards.

GSXes are normally extremely brand hype overpriced for using cheap sound chip meant for cheap phones/tablets.
D/A conversion (that's what DAC actually means) is literally at level of Audigy Fx/Xonar DGX and it basically lacks proper headphone amplifier and would struggle with any harder to drive headphones.
(with that pricing per hardware quality SBX G6 would cost like £500)
SB X3 would be class up in hardware.

Thanks for the help... I've noticed the X3 is only a few pounds more than the G6 elsewhere? I'm pretty much sold on the G6 at the moment.

Mr G · 7 May 2021 at 14:01

Currently torn between the DT770 Pro's and DT990 Pro's at the moment, thinking the DT770 Pro's for better outside sound isolation. Done a fair bit of research and ordered the G6 first before the headphones.

Mr G · 7 May 2021 at 14:28

roge8014 said:
It's going to come down to personal taste.

FWIW I picked up a pair of DT770 Pros (80 ohms version) a week ago for my gaming laptop and comparing them with my wireless Corsair Void Pros they're night and day, and that's without an amp. I was explaining to a friend earlier, the Voids are ok (let down by the rubbish software) but I tend to get lost in the bass and general noise. With the DT770's everything is clear and crisp, bass isn't deafening to the detriment of all other sound and I'm finding it easier to pinpoint where exactly something is coming from - and my hearing isn't great (misspent youth going to gigs and standing directly by the loudspeakers!).

I love the build quality of the DT770s and I find them very comfy (the Voids are damned heavy as they're wireless).

Got mine from the Bolton boys with free delivery ordered on a Wednesday afternoon delivered next day around lunchtime.

Thanks for the feedback, it's hard to test such headphones which no stores nearby that offer such opportunity. I'm leaning towards the closed DT770, i play mostly single player games lately and very little competitive games and do lean towards immersion with bassy explosions, etc.

Mr G · 7 May 2021 at 16:57

Phixsator said:
I have the DT770 pro 250 ohm and I love them. They are not bassy the way most headphones are, however. Most bassy headphones seem to just rattle your skull but have very little or reduce detail in the low end. These do a bit less rattling but seem very precise and the sub base is eargasmic IMHO. They can seem a bit high pitch in the beginning to some people but it's never been something that has bothered me. They are incredibly detailed for the money and IMHO a good place to start if proper quality audio is something you are interested in. I'm in no way an expert in audio so take my statement with some salt but I do love me some quality audio.

I currently own the Astro A40TR's Gen 4 with MixAmp and have created some good EQ's for the majority of my games. I have never owned decent headphones and want to dip my toes into this field now as i feel I'm missing out on a better audio experience.

I'm leaning towards the DT770 i seek a little bass but not the skull rattly natures... just the best all rounder.

Mr G · 8 May 2021 at 08:10

Phixsator said:
The DT770 pros would fit you well then.. Nice clean sound with detailed bass and insane low-end performance. Try listening to ->this<- on your Astro's and when/if you get the dt770's and you have them powered properly then listen to it again. I'm sure you would be able to appreciate the difference.

Appreciate the advice and will go with the DT770... is there a version with a detachable cable?

Mr G · 8 May 2021 at 10:30

EsaT said:
MixAmp uses ancient Dolby headphone, whose bass bloat is pretty horrible for details with anything above neutral bass headphones.
(+ there's DH's tendency for lots of echo)
Creative's bass neutral HRTF is lot better and doesn't try to bury details.
And headphone output of SBX G6 is lot more capable.

Much appreciate the advice! I have the G6 at hand now and will likely order the DT770 to complete the setup. My PC is in the living room so I believe the DT770 will fit the bill, plus I doubt the family will want to hear my gaming sounds.

Spent a lot of cash making my PC whisper quiet and trying to maintain that profile if possible.

All advice provided has been valuable and educational and thank you guys for that and looking forward to a whole new experience.

It's a shame Beyer don't deliver to the UK due to Brexit, they have some nice blacked out editions on there I'd of paid a premium for!

Mr G · 8 May 2021 at 16:45

EsaT said:
At hearing safe SPL for long term listening sound leak from open headphone isn't really heard far away. (except in completely silent environment)
But without hearing dangerous SPL any sounds in room like TV would leak through easily.
So closed headphone is the only choise for that environment.

~~I've been looking at the DT770 Pro from a competitor and it looks like the image shows a leather ear cushion? Yet on the manufactures website it's fabric?~~

Just sourced them for £95 including free delivery! Looking forward to setting up next week.

Mr G · 9 May 2021 at 09:25

EsaT said:
32 ohm version has leather pads.
80 ohm and 250 ohm versions have velour pads.

Noticed this after some research as a competitor was using the wrong images for the 250 ohm version. Sourced them for £95 from another competitor and look forward to receiving this soon!

Mr G · 12 May 2021 at 15:12

Got it all setup today all working perfectly, night and day between this and the Astro. One question, what's the best settings to apply for optimal performance? Currently in Fast Roll off - Minimum Phase, 24-bit, 48KHz. This was the default playback settings given, I have not clue what to setup? @EsaT

Mr G · 13 May 2021 at 10:17

EsaT said:
For gaming and movies you'll want to have headphones and 7.1 chosen.
That makes Windows and games think you have 7.1 speaker set and sources supporting more than stereo channels output surround sound.
Then sound card can continue from that using HRTF algorithm when having surround enabled.

Different filters shouldn't have much any hearable effect.
You could try playing back some music with full range of frequencies to find if there's difference.
Minimum phase filters could affect sound positioning by basically delaying higher frequencies compared to lower frequencies of impulse.
So could start from Fast Roll off - Linear Phase.
This could be used as material for trying to listen if it affects gaming:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1_20T8x_OI
(disable surround to let signal through as unprocessed stereo)

Done some tweaking and overall blows everything away both in music and games.

I'll be updating my daughters setup and dumping the Astros.

Will be looking at a mic in the near future, something decent for streaming and regular discord chat.

Any recommendations?

Mr G · 13 May 2021 at 10:42

EsaT said:
ModMic is that easy to use solution if you want headset style mic.
But looking around for "3.5mm detachable microphone" would give some options for doing that cheaper DIY modding.
https://imgur.com/gallery/bKU4H

Very creative! Although I don't mind buying a proper mic and perhaps an arm at a later date.