headset recommendation

It will all be on my pc but I saw somewhere that DAC's can provide better quality then cheaper soundcards. Im unsure if thats true. I know they often use re-chargeable batteries so I can have it connected constantly to the usb charger. My pc is run 24/7 as a server so anything I have will run constantly
 
I did look into getting a separate DAC/AMP setup before I got the Xonar STX and was close to getting the FiiO E09K/E17 package, which soundwise is pretty much equivalent to the STX. Trouble is the separates worked out a fair bit more expensive and the clincher was that the speakers are not switched out on the E09K when you insert the headphones, so I would either have to keep turning my speakers off or pull out the plugs every time I wanted to use headphones. With both the STX and the Soundblaster Z before it, I just had to change the output in the software and that was it, done. In the end, OcUK had a £15 off sale on the STX, which is back on again I believe and I picked one up for £120, which is a lot cheaper than I would have to pay for a decent external DAC/AMP combo.
 
Hmm... i need to have a good think about this. Audio i have to change either way as i use my graphics cards HDMI port so it doesnt auto switch unless i unplug the headphones anyway
 
In your case you wouldn't have any speakers connected so the output swapping wouldn't be an issue, you'd just change sources in Windows.
 
Yeh thats what I do so the issue of being able to switch isnt too much of a problem. I havent used my pc through the tv since the headphones arrived if im honest
 
Which soundcard would you pick out of the 2?
Asus Xonar Essence STX
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD

Both internal cards, and there's only a £20 difference.
STX SN ratio 124dB
X-Fi SN ratio 122dB - has headphone and mic 3.5mm plugs
 
It still depends on what you want to do with it. Both of those cards are aimed at listening to music more than gaming although they can both perform well when gaming or watching movies. The STX has a strong DAC and headphone amplifier and it pairs really well with my Beyers. The X-Fi also has a good DAC and although it has a dedicated headphone socket, it doesn't really have much of a headphone amp. Also the socket on the X-Fi acts as a switch, so if you want to listen to your speakers you have to unplug the phones, you can't just switch them out in software. This might not be an issue at the moment as you use the TV and switch to HDMI but you may get some speakers in the future and then it may become an irritation.

My choices:

Priority - Music: Xonar Essence STX
Priority - Gaming: Soundblaster Z (OEM)

There is one more card to mention, the Sounblaster ZxR, which is on a par with the Xonar STX for music and has all of the features of the Soundblaster Z for gaming. It also comes with a daughter card with extra connectivity and an extension for headphones and mic that also acts as a volume control. The downside is that it costs around £200.
 
Last edited:
Hmm. I seem to be doing a lot more gaming lately but im listening to music more and more. And all rounder is better I think even at higher cost.

I fixed my quiet mic issue I have been having, and improved my sound quality. I didn't have the audio drivers installed as I never needed them before so things are much better now. As its an Christmas present for myself I think I can justify a little more price if the quality is really worth it. Ive used my tv audio for all of 2 minutes since having my headphones. Hearing the quality made me switch back and I must be wearing my headphones for a good 8 hours a day minimum. Be it for youtube, games, music, or movies.

I will be getting a blueray drive for my pc soon so im hoping to hear the sound quality jump up from standard dvd
 
I was just playing around with the channel settings on my STX while watching movies and even though I'm only listening in stereo, by changing to 6 channel the sound just exploded into life. No matter which card you eventually go for, be prepared for some tweaking in order to get the most out of it. ;)

The way I looked at it, when deciding whether to get the STX or stay with the SB Z, was that high quality music playback needs more finesse than either gaming or movies. The STX is certainly better for listening to music than the SB Z but that's not saying that the SB Z sounds bad, far from it, it's just that the STX sounds exceptional at such a reasonable price point. The SB Z probably edges it when gaming and there is nothing in it while watching movies. As for whether the ZxR is worth the premium, well only you can say. Personally, I am extremely happy with the STX, it suits me perfectly and although I did think about the ZxR, I discounted it because I didn't think it was worth £80 more than the STX.
 
Yes, it has a 1/4" jack the same as the headphone socket. The card comes with one adapter and you'll have had another with your Beyers so you should be good to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom