new sound setup, a couple questions

[Walsandrew]

I am after a sound card, a headset and speakers for a relatively new and high end gaming desktop. After reading many threads on this forum i am thinking of going for the below 3 and wondering your thoughts?

- Asus Xonar Xense Sound Card + Sennheiser PC 350 Xense Edition

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-010-AS

- Acoustic Enery Aego M 2.1 Speakers

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-000-AE&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=


Also, I am not familiar with sound cards and their compatibility etc so was wondering if anyone can tell me if this one is ok with this mobo: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-235-GI given it already has onboard sound? And are there any other things i should be concerned about with installing a soundcard given i have never done so before?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Walsandrew]

Probably worth mentioning also that i have pair of Sennheiser PXC 350 headphones which my dad bought but never used. Unfortunately they've never worked properly, the noise cancelling system in particular is totally broke, and by the time i laid by hands on them warranty had expired. I guess these would be close relation to the PC 350 Xense headset? It wouldn't necessarily put me off going for that headset as I am sure that was a one off and they are still good quality, but is headphones and usb mic a viable option if say I were to get them repaired? Obviously hypothetical, I have no idea how easy that would be..

 

[kedge]

EDIT, double post.

 

[kedge]

I am after a sound card, a headset and speakers for a relatively new and high end gaming desktop. After reading many threads on this forum i am thinking of going for the below 3 and wondering your thoughts?

- Asus Xonar Xense Sound Card + Sennheiser PC 350 Xense Edition

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-010-AS

- Acoustic Enery Aego M 2.1 Speakers

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-000-AE&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=


Also, I am not familiar with sound cards and their compatibility etc so was wondering if anyone can tell me if this one is ok with this mobo: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-235-GI given it already has onboard sound? And are there any other things i should be concerned about with installing a soundcard given i have never done so before?

Thanks in advance.

Wow, stunning sound setup mate, very nice. That mobo will be ok. The sound card is pci-express so you can either put it in the top white slots or any of the blue pci-express slots. Make sure you get the latest sound drivers all should be ok. And disable the onboard sound on your motherboard through the BIOS.

 

[kedge]

is headphones and usb mic a viable option if say I were to get them repaired?.

If you mean can you use as seperates yes of course you can, i have in the past, but depends how much the repairs will cost you mate. A headset with mic is the better option imho.

 

[Walsandrew]

cheers feeling pretty confident i will go ahead with this purchase now, but it would be still interesting to hear the thoughts of anyone using some of the aboive kit?

 

[Marsman]

The Xense bundle is a good buy. To get a £140 sound card and a £100 headset for about £175 is really good. I've always considered Sennheisers high end headsets over priced, and the PC350 is not worth £100 IMO. To get it for effectively £35 is certainly more a bargain.

I'd avoid the PC350 modification though, which some people do, this will void the warranty of headset and possibly card too. Someone did this recently, and then the card developed a fault I believe.

Aego's are great speakers. Personally I think they are a bit overkill for a card like the Xense or Essence, but it doesn't matter so much as you will also be using headset as well. If someone were thinking of just getting an Essence, and the Aego's, with no headphones, I'd advise either better speakers, or a lesser card.