Keep my sound card or buy a GSX1000

[Carl_Bennetts]

Hi,

I've currently got a Asus Phoebus sound card but my headphones have broken so i'm looking at a whole new setup as the Phoebu is old now really. Wondering if a GSX1000 and new pair of headphones would be a step up.
Although note, really just looking for gaming through the headphones so would the Man O War wireless headphones be a better option and just keep the sound card to power my speakers?

I'm hearing great things about the GSX1000 but i would need new pair of wired headphones first, that way i can carry on using my sound card until i upgrade to the GSX.

 

[Rroff]

The main bonus of the GSX is the positional sound system - if you aren't using it for that then the Phoebus is probably the better device for sound quality.

 

[EsaT]

as the Phoebu is old now really.

Don't worry, GSX's DAC isn't match for even 15 year old sound cards.
In fact ~30 budget cards like Audigy Fx/Xonar DGX have better DAC and only worst Realtek chips are below GSX's DAC.
And Phoebus has actual headphone amplifier while GSX is struggling to match integrated Realteks.
Unfortunately Sennheiser went for huge profit magin cheap ass hardware hype product.

gaming through the headphones so would the Man O War wireless headphones be a better option

If you care about sound quality you better forget bling blinged Chinese excrement gaming garbage:
https://uk.hardware.info/reviews/60...gher-quality-testresults---frequency-response
Roller coaster's loop wouldn't be out of place in those curves...

This is pretty much how gaming hype products are made:

 

[Rroff]

I kind of disagree a bit on your negativity towards the GSX though its expensive for what it is - on paper the Conexant DAC is passable sure its aimed primarily at portable devices but you don't have the issues like picking up interference from a closely packed SoC, etc. which helps to keep it above what you'd experience on those devices and the stats are OK - THD is good enough - the other side of -80 would have been better but you probably won't notice the difference with the kind of headphones people use for gaming - the SNR is actually a bit better than its rating - they seem to have been a bit conservative there not sure if there are specific circumstances it doesn't perform as well. Critically though subjectively it doesn't sound as "lifeless" as your average C-Media codecs and has a little better detail than your average RealTek. Granted at the end of the day it isn't going to give a proper soundcard much competition. I would take it over most integrated audio except the very best implementations any day.

 

[Carl_Bennetts]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm going to look at some new cans tomorrow. The game zero looks good.

 

[dewi]

The Sennheiser GAME ZERO would be a very good choice. I own a Sennheiser PC 360, which works extremely well with my Asus Xonar STX. Also, I notice that the UK distributor is selling the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 for £99 on a certain auction site. I assume this is because a 2nd generation MMX 300 has just been released, as advertised on the Overclockers website.

 

[EsaT]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm going to look at some new cans tomorrow. The game zero looks good.

Definitely no reason to change working good quality sound card until necessary.
I mean gamers get to spend money to change parts often enough...
Asus has just discontinued Phoebus so let's hope Microsoft doesn't make big changes to Wintoys 10 needing new drivers.

Do you have noise or quiet environment?
For noisy environment closed headphones are needed, but for quiet open headphones are better.
For example they don't increase sweating, which is no doubt plus in warmer climate...

And what headphones you are/were using?
For example if you're used to very bass heavy headphones some above neural bass would be likely good thing.

Also if not needing microphone you'll get lot bigger choise from standard headphones instead of headsets.
Though also this price for Beyerdynamic MMX300 is really good:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/b-gr...-and-multimedia-stereo-headset-bg-000-by.html

I kind of disagree a bit on your negativity towards the GSX though its expensive for what it is

It's more than just expensive with basically snake oil pricing.
And when it's specifically advertised as amplifier it should include proper one for that price.

Or do you see people glorifying it if Creative rebranded Audigy Fx with some £150+ MSRP instead of assembling lynching party?
Why should Sennheiser get free pass from same critical reviewing?

 

[Carl_Bennetts]

I never got around to replying, sorry.

I had the Tiamat 2.2 but have now purchased the Game One (open) headset. After reviews it would seem open better if you have a quiet environment, which i do in my man cave! Looking forward to giving them a go.

 

[PapaLazaru]

Big improvement.