Need a decent sound card / headset!

Marku · 10 Dec 2012 at 18:45

Hi Guys

Please throw suggestions at me on good combination of headset/sound cards. I may be able to transfer an x-fi gamer sound card to my newest machine but if i can get a much better sound card im up for it, but i'd like an awesome headset (wireless would be cool but not essential)

melmac · 10 Dec 2012 at 18:49

please throw a budget at us

Marku · 10 Dec 2012 at 19:14

lol!

Ok, If not counting sound card, i may go up to £150-200 for headsets. If im playing really epic RTS games like shogun 2 or battlefield 3 etc. I want the feeling of bullets going past my ears and swords and horses clashing.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-017-RA < --- Wireless £159
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-018-RA <---- £100 wired

Marku · 11 Dec 2012 at 09:00

Any thoughts guys?

What sound cards are you all using at the moment?

PapaLazaru · 11 Dec 2012 at 09:16

Yep, if you are going to spend large buy some headphones and a clip-on mic, not a headet.

If you want to blow some nice sums on a mainly gaming setup, go for something like AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-AD700, Asus Xonar D2, and a decent clip on mic, like the Speedlink SPES.

Marsman · 11 Dec 2012 at 11:58

If you can stretch that far, then Sennheiser PC360's are very good. Best choice IMO, if you want a headset. Some of Sennheiser's cheaper headsets are worth looking at if £160 is too much to spend.

If you don't mind having a separate microphone, then getting headphones is probably a better idea if the PC360's are too much. Not sure I would go for the AD700's though. While they have a large sound stage and are some of the best headphones when it comes to positional sound, they lack bass. Unless you value positional sound above a more exciting bassy sound, I'd look elsewhere.

Personally I wouldn't look at getting a sound card, not at the moment anyway, unless you have an issue with yours. It's still a good sound card, and any money is much better spent on quality headphones or headset. The quality of headphones used has a far larger play in sound quality than the sound card does. Sure, a good sound card is always a good idea, but the quality of the headphones is much more important.

melmac · 11 Dec 2012 at 12:33

Marku said:
Any thoughts guys?

What sound cards are you all using at the moment?

Sorry, got called away yesterday before I could give an answer. I would agree with Marsman. but I will give my two options anyway

1. Sennheiser PC350 with Creative Z sound card.

or

2. Sennheiser PC360 with your old sound card.

And just some wild card options since you say you have £200 to spend on the headphones alone. The following will need a sound card with a headphone amp and a mic.

1. AKG K701's

or

2. Sennheiser HD598's.

Both are good for other things besides games