Improve my audio set up

Raeven · 20 Oct 2019 at 23:52

Hi,

First of all, I'm apologize because my english isn't perfect.

Currently, I'm using:
- Sound card of my motherboard Asus Maximus Ranger VII
- Speakers Logitech z337
- Headphones Beyer Dynamic DT 770 PRO 32ohm.
- Microphone Samson Meteor

I have my 42' TV above my pc monitor, so all the set is together.

I want to improve the positional sounds in games, what's the best for It? AKG K702 + Soundblaster G6 could be perfect? I think my Beyer Dynamic are good for music in tablets, mobile phones, laptops... But not for my pc.

Also I use yo spent a lot of time watching films and listen music throught my speakers, but the quality of my logitechs is not enought. Some recommendations? One of my friends told me about Edifier and Audio-Engine (expensive in my opinion).

Can I also connect my speakers in the soundblaster G6 to improve It? My Microphone can't because it's USB.

Thanks!

Haze · 21 Oct 2019 at 05:55

Budget would help

Raeven · 21 Oct 2019 at 09:03

Yes, around 400/500€

Marsman · 21 Oct 2019 at 13:20

K702 are hard to beat for positional sound in games. DT770 are good, but being closed back, that is doesn't help compared to open back headphones when it comes to first person shooter games.

Creative Soundblaster G6 would be a good choice of sound card. Good headphone amp, which is what the K702 need. Certainly more so than the DT770 for example.

Creative have just released the X3, but I don't know a great deal about that; how it compares to the G6 in terms of headphone amp and also whether Super X-Fi that the X3 uses, is any better than SBX prostudio that is found on the G6. Esat (forum member) might be able to offer some better info on that.

As for the speakers; you'll get much better sound from decent stereo speakers than going for 2.1 speakers again. The choice of decent 2.1 speakers is very slim now and even the better ones weren't as good as similarly price stereo speakers. You get more bass from a 2.1 set because of the subwoofer, but you can add a subwoofer to stereo speakers if need be. That is easier with some stereo speakers than others; depends on the connections available.

Audioengine make good speakers, but yes, as you've mentioned, they are expensive. In my opinion, they are not worth that expense. They are what you could call, lifestyle speakers. They are popular not just because they are decent speakers, but because of the looks and in the case of the A2+, the size. Many people want small good looking speakers and because the choice of decent small speakers is slim, the A2+ do very well. I see Audioengine has added Bluetooth to the A2+, bumping up the price further.

Edifier make good speakers as well. Personally, I'd rather have the 1280DB for half the cost of the A2+ wireless.

I'm guessing you are elsewhere in Europe and not in the UK, so I guess it will depend on what is available where you live. Going by previous audio threads, the choice of what is available can be somewhat different in other European countries, compared to the UK.

JasonM · 22 Oct 2019 at 04:56

If it's just music, then Elac B6.2's or Elac B5.2's, then a Yamaha A-S301 then run the optical from the motherboard into the Yamaha's integrated DAC, if you search the internet you could just get with-in the £500 mark, however you really need to budget some stands also. This would be far far better than Edifier setup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXzy7ytQvvU

Marsman · 22 Oct 2019 at 12:48

JasonM said:
This would be far far better than Edifier setup.

True, but I think the OP is looking to spend 500 Euros with headphones and sound card included in that along with speakers.

Coming from Logitech speakers, even Edifier's 1280DB speakers would be a marked improvement in sound quality. Spending 500 Sterling/Euro, would be the next step up from that.

220 Euros or there about the for G6 + K702's. Leaves about 300 Euros for either powered speakers or maybe some passive speakers + amp. Depends on what is available in the OP's country I guess.

EsaT · 22 Oct 2019 at 14:53

Marsman said:
K702 are hard to beat for positional sound in games. DT770 are good, but being closed back, that is doesn't help compared to open back headphones when it comes to first person shooter games.

Creative Soundblaster G6 would be a good choice of sound card. Good headphone amp, which is what the K702 need. Certainly more so than the DT770 for example.

Creative have just released the X3, but I don't know a great deal about that; how it compares to the G6 in terms of headphone amp and also whether Super X-Fi that the X3 uses, is any better than SBX prostudio that is found on the G6. Esat (forum member) might be able to offer some better info on that.

Creative has Super X-Fi profile for DT770:
https://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=200121&c
So with that they should have excellent sound positioning.
And except for strong bass they should be anyway very good for directionality even with normal fixed HRTFs.
Though headshape customized HRTF is pretty much always better than some average head based HRTF.

SB X3 is lower than SBX G6 in hardware capabilities, which seems to be kind of mid level.
Official specs give 2.9V as max output voltage, which isn't great for highest impedance cans but plenty for usual low impedance headphones.
Software wise it looks like Super X-Fi is separate feature and also standard HRTF would be available.

JasonM · 22 Oct 2019 at 15:11

Marsman said:
Coming from Logitech speakers, even Edifier's 1280DB speakers would be a marked improvement in sound quality. Spending 500 Sterling/Euro, would be the next step up from that.

The Edifier speakers are very good, the best sound you can get for your money, however going down that Elac / Yamaha amp / DAC path, the OP could have had entry level audiophile. After the OP has listened to that that setup, he might discover there is no need for either headphones or a sound card.