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Well, I'm still awaiting the delivery man at the moment! I'll let you know when I get a chance to try them both out. (Hopefully take some pictures too if I have time)
New Headset/phones
- Thread starter PhoenixSP
- Start date
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Ok, so the lovely fella's from DPD had a package for me when I arrived home, so I went about testing the new kit.
So far I've only tried musical performance (save a quick LoL game) so that's all I can comment on, but I've used foobar and a couple of my favourite CDs to test all the kit with, this is what I've found so far:
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music + Roccat Kaves (5.1)
Everything sounded quite muddy on the low end, bit too much bass for my tastes and not the good kind.
I struggled to pick out some of the instruments on one of my bass-heavy CDs, and there was a noticeable amount of quality missing on the bass beats.
(I also tried these with the output set to stereo, but it felt a bit weird and really strained, I think this was because the sound was only coming out of the "front" speakers internally.)
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music + Razer Carcharias
Generally a much more "balanced" feel, the bass wasn't overpowering and you could definitely pick out notes better on the bass-heavy CDs.
I will say that sometimes it could still sound a bit "muddy" on the tracks with a lot going on at once.
Asus Xonar DG + Razer Carcharias
First impressions weren't all that mind-blowingly amazing, as I had forgotten to up the amp setting in the control panel to Pro-Gaming mode (32ohms - 64ohms) from VOIP mode (<32ohms).
But after changing that, wow. I could hear every note, every instrument. The only criticism is that on the "busy" tracks it still tended to blend together a bit more than I would have liked. But, saying that, this is a gaming headset, not a set of audiophile headphones (I have some Goldring NS1000's coming for that!).
Gaming I have yet to try. Still trying to figure out how I should be setting the various speaker settings! :S
So far I've only tried musical performance (save a quick LoL game) so that's all I can comment on, but I've used foobar and a couple of my favourite CDs to test all the kit with, this is what I've found so far:
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music + Roccat Kaves (5.1)
Everything sounded quite muddy on the low end, bit too much bass for my tastes and not the good kind.
I struggled to pick out some of the instruments on one of my bass-heavy CDs, and there was a noticeable amount of quality missing on the bass beats.
(I also tried these with the output set to stereo, but it felt a bit weird and really strained, I think this was because the sound was only coming out of the "front" speakers internally.)
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music + Razer Carcharias
Generally a much more "balanced" feel, the bass wasn't overpowering and you could definitely pick out notes better on the bass-heavy CDs.
I will say that sometimes it could still sound a bit "muddy" on the tracks with a lot going on at once.
Asus Xonar DG + Razer Carcharias
First impressions weren't all that mind-blowingly amazing, as I had forgotten to up the amp setting in the control panel to Pro-Gaming mode (32ohms - 64ohms) from VOIP mode (<32ohms).
But after changing that, wow. I could hear every note, every instrument. The only criticism is that on the "busy" tracks it still tended to blend together a bit more than I would have liked. But, saying that, this is a gaming headset, not a set of audiophile headphones (I have some Goldring NS1000's coming for that!).
Gaming I have yet to try. Still trying to figure out how I should be setting the various speaker settings! :S
. I look forwards to any more findings you make
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Well, I had a go with the Razer Carcharias in Battlefield Bad Company 2 last night, WOW. I had Dolby Headphone switched on, with a 7.1 input source and it sounded amazing. I could easily differentiate between where sounds were coming from, even managing to track a helicopter with my eyes closed (my partner watched).
I must say, first impressions are that the "true" 5.1 headset wasn't anywhere near the "emulated 5.1" in terms of immersion and quality.
You'll probably notice that I haven't written about the Kaves with the Xonar DG; I tested it quickly and while the music quality was sharper, it wasn't as good as the Carcharias by a fair amount; still too much bass.
Obviously headphones take a little while to reach their full potential (normally 100's of hours of usage) so I fully expect the Razer's to get even better over time. Along with newer versions of Dolby Headphone, I'm all set!
Can I also throw another spanner into the works perhaps; have you considered getting some reasonably hi-end headphones with a clip on mic?
The normal ones recommended round here are the Goldring NS1000's and Speedlink Clip-On Mic (OcUK sell's the mic).
Alternatively, I'd recommend the Audio-Technica ADH-AD700's and the Speedlink Mic:
http://eu.audio-technica.com/en/products/product.asp?catID=5&subID=37&prodID=156
I must say, first impressions are that the "true" 5.1 headset wasn't anywhere near the "emulated 5.1" in terms of immersion and quality.
You'll probably notice that I haven't written about the Kaves with the Xonar DG; I tested it quickly and while the music quality was sharper, it wasn't as good as the Carcharias by a fair amount; still too much bass.
Obviously headphones take a little while to reach their full potential (normally 100's of hours of usage) so I fully expect the Razer's to get even better over time. Along with newer versions of Dolby Headphone, I'm all set!
Can I also throw another spanner into the works perhaps; have you considered getting some reasonably hi-end headphones with a clip on mic?
The normal ones recommended round here are the Goldring NS1000's and Speedlink Clip-On Mic (OcUK sell's the mic).
Alternatively, I'd recommend the Audio-Technica ADH-AD700's and the Speedlink Mic:
http://eu.audio-technica.com/en/products/product.asp?catID=5&subID=37&prodID=156
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Soldato
Angled drivers on the AD700s mean the positioning of the virtual speakers isn't quite as intended with Dolby Headphone. They're otherwise well suited to it though.
In practice they should sound fine and do have a decent reputation for Dolby Headphone use. How many people have 5.1 systems with perfect speaker angle placement anyway?
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Ok, perhaps a few more to consider although you should run all of these through an amplifier. (Especially the Sennheiser HD580's)
Sennheiser HD580 - If you can find some (they are discontinued now).
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro-80 - Lot's of bass, probably more of a movie/gaming headset than for music however, so that might put off some people.
Denon AHD2000 - Again great bass, perhaps slightly less punchy than the Beyerdynamic's if you want a slight more rounded sound.
Sennheiser HD580 - If you can find some (they are discontinued now).
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro-80 - Lot's of bass, probably more of a movie/gaming headset than for music however, so that might put off some people.
Denon AHD2000 - Again great bass, perhaps slightly less punchy than the Beyerdynamic's if you want a slight more rounded sound.
Soldato
His budget is only £60 though. Those headphones you mentioned are almost double that.
Phoenix, i've just re-read this thread and you don't have a dedicated sound card. To stay within your £60 budget, i would go with some USB headsets. Problem with these is that you can't use them anywhere else and the quality of the drivers won't be anywhere near as good as those from other reputable manufacturers drivers.
Phoenix, i've just re-read this thread and you don't have a dedicated sound card. To stay within your £60 budget, i would go with some USB headsets. Problem with these is that you can't use them anywhere else and the quality of the drivers won't be anywhere near as good as those from other reputable manufacturers drivers.
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Good point, I'd kinda gone off on a tangent. Although the Goldring NS1000's are about £54~ + clip on mic £6 = £60.
However you are quite right RobRX, if he doesn't have a dedicated sound card, he'll need one, or have to get a USB headset (Logitech G35, Razer Megalodon, Corsair HS1, etc.).
I mentioned before that i could stretch to ~£80 if the value was worth it , I had the Sennheiser HD555 with a clip on mic as one of my options, I really appreciate your replies global as they provide a very useful insight into each of the headphones i was considering. Ive heard many bad things about usb connections such as interference and the integrated sound card not being up to scratch most of the time.
i worry though if i go with a clip on my if it will pick up the rest of the house as things are generally not that quiet in my house and it would also help if it didnt pick up my breathing XD
If picking up a sound card is in my best interests could you suggest some , got some more money for my birthday and its burning a hole in my pocket.
i worry though if i go with a clip on my if it will pick up the rest of the house as things are generally not that quiet in my house and it would also help if it didnt pick up my breathing XD
If picking up a sound card is in my best interests could you suggest some , got some more money for my birthday and its burning a hole in my pocket.
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Well I'd recommend a sound card from the ASUS Xonar range, which one depends on what headphones you end up getting to be honest.
Bang for your buck, can't go too far wrong with a ASUS Xonar DG, as it's got a headphone amplifier in-built.
If you are looking at getting some headphones that have a high impedance rating +100ohms, then you might be better off getting a Xonar DX / DS / D1 and a seperate headphone amp. (Although then you're talking some fairly serious cash!)
As for the clip-on Speedlink mic, I've heard nothing but good things, it's specifically designed to be fairly short-range from what I've heard, so it *shouldn't* pick up everything in the room around you or your breathing.
If in any doubt ask Uriel, he's always got some pretty sound advice (pardon the pun!).
Bang for your buck, can't go too far wrong with a ASUS Xonar DG, as it's got a headphone amplifier in-built.
If you are looking at getting some headphones that have a high impedance rating +100ohms, then you might be better off getting a Xonar DX / DS / D1 and a seperate headphone amp. (Although then you're talking some fairly serious cash!)
As for the clip-on Speedlink mic, I've heard nothing but good things, it's specifically designed to be fairly short-range from what I've heard, so it *shouldn't* pick up everything in the room around you or your breathing.
If in any doubt ask Uriel, he's always got some pretty sound advice (pardon the pun!).
Is the Creative Labs SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCI Sound Card better than the Asus Xonar DG 5.1 ? i see it has 1 x SPDIF-In and 1 x SPDIF-Out does this mean i could run the optical from my ps3 to my pc and output it through the pc speakers ? im currently using a splitter and a 3.5mm connector between headphone port on tv and the green input on my logitech 540.
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It does indeed mean that you could route your optical out from your PS3 through your PC. However, generally X-Fi cards aren't as good as the Xonar range in terms of sound quality and it's the analogue signal that you'll be listening to in the end, so that's the important bit!
Take a look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=makpVNrgx0g if you want to get a vauge idea about amplification and impedance (albeit from a squeaky teenager... lol).
You might want to try a switch-box instead of a splitter cable as they can introduce a lot of noise & distortion if it's not great quality or you have a noisy source when on standby.
i know a bit about impedance and amplification from my electroncis a level but not applying to products and so on. (is it asoose or asus would hate to think ive been saying it wrong 
)
So finally ive narrowed it down to the sennheiser HD555's or the Razer (cant remember the name easily)
I will be buying the Xonar DG and will just use my headphone port on my tv to listen to the ps3 unless anyone has any other suggestions. The razers have been said to be on par or better in a few reviews compared to the 555's and they have the mic that i need for voip. however im also looking at the various attachable mics available. Any more advice or life experiences are very welcome.
)So finally ive narrowed it down to the sennheiser HD555's or the Razer (cant remember the name easily)
I will be buying the Xonar DG and will just use my headphone port on my tv to listen to the ps3 unless anyone has any other suggestions. The razers have been said to be on par or better in a few reviews compared to the 555's and they have the mic that i need for voip. however im also looking at the various attachable mics available. Any more advice or life experiences are very welcome.
Well unfortunately and i completely blame global inferno for it but his case of audiophile targeted headphones is very good at influencing others.
Does anyone own the
Audio Technica ATH AD700 £109
Sennheiser HD 555 £91.73
Razer Carcharias £73.55
Sennheiser PC350 £110
Sennheiser PC360 £133
will be buying the asus xonar DG and my budget is now £151 inc p+p
also will need to factor in either the speedlink mic £6.99 OC
Logitech mic £13 OC
Zalman m1(?) Mic
all responses are welcome and i have forbidden myself from following globals blog any more
Uses include Films (10%),games(40 %), music (50%)
Does anyone own the
Audio Technica ATH AD700 £109
Sennheiser HD 555 £91.73
Razer Carcharias £73.55
Sennheiser PC350 £110
Sennheiser PC360 £133
will be buying the asus xonar DG and my budget is now £151 inc p+p
also will need to factor in either the speedlink mic £6.99 OC
Logitech mic £13 OC
Zalman m1(?) Mic
all responses are welcome and i have forbidden myself from following globals blog any more
Uses include Films (10%),games(40 %), music (50%)
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all responses are welcome and i have forbidden myself from following globals blog any more
Oh dear... I suppose I shouldn't be looking at a load of headphone amps at the moment then for part 4!?
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All I will say then is don't go too overboard on the headphones; the DG's amp is better than nothing, but it won't drive a set of NS1000's or any headphones over about 80ohms, without sacrificing quality.
The Razer's are pretty awesome, and tbh I'm tempted to keep my set just for LAN gaming events. I certainly wouldn't recommend spending more than the £78 that they are worth on a "gaming" headset, you can get sooooo much more for your money in a set of headphones above that, eg. some Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO's £120~ which would blow all of those listed into oblivion (except perhaps the AD700's).
I'm still waiting on my Speedlink Clip-on mic, so I can't comment on it yet, although I'm hoping it'll provide a decent solution.
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tempting but i assume a HD 555 or a ad700 beats the goldrings or they wouldnt be as popular,
On another note it does seem like i will be going for the Audio technicas as they are said to have a better sound stage so overall come above the HD555's tho in my opinion they could have chosen a better colour scheme for it. Will the Xonar dg be adequate to drive this headset to its potential i would probably end up getting a fiio amp to see what they are like for my ipod.
On another note it does seem like i will be going for the Audio technicas as they are said to have a better sound stage so overall come above the HD555's tho in my opinion they could have chosen a better colour scheme for it. Will the Xonar dg be adequate to drive this headset to its potential i would probably end up getting a fiio amp to see what they are like for my ipod.
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