OK so looking at the HYperX Cloud 2, I plug the 2 3.5mm jacks into the respective sound card ports but do I then need to change the output in SoundBlaster settings from 5.1 to Stereo and let the USB hardware do the 5.1? Doesn't this kind of make the SoundBlaster Z redundant?
Thanks
You set up Sound Blaster Z for headphone output and enable Surround in SBX Pro, like you should have done in the first place.
I have always bought analogue 5.1 head sets as they plug straight into my SoundBlaster (not motherboard audio), but the choice is limited (these have 4 cables on end - not 1 or 2).
I have always belived that the positional sound should be better. I play a lot of FPS (esp Fortnite at mo and Battlefield), need a mic too.
How many ears do you have?
I bet it's two.
Any more drivers/channels in headphones is marketing BS for selling pile of dung.
We hear in 3D because shape of head causes direction dependant changes to signal received by both ears from sound source.
Headphones can never create those binaural cues.
And only thing more drivers makes sure is that those are even worser quality trinket garbage.
Only real way is emulating nature:
Using mathematical algorithms to model how sounds behave on their way to both ears, producing signals ears would receive in actual environment.
(you already have there one of the best algorithms for that)
And then reproducing those signals accurately.
Where the problem of gaming stuff is.
While stereo music doesn't give a damn about accurate reproduction, binaural cues are very sensitive to accuracy of reproduction.
Same signal can either give even good feel of distance besides directionality, or sound like having head in bucket under water.
And closed design is big challenge for sound quality even to actual audio makers.
In noisy environment sound isolation is sure needed, but in quiet environment closed design is just completely unnecessary challenge for sound quality.
Besides isolating also more heat for higher sweating risk of ears.
I can wear my open headphones for whole day without any sweating.
Unlike most gaming stuff, HyperX Cloud is made by honestly trying manufacturer, Takstar, so it's certainly going to be decent.
But have zero doubt that it couldn't touch even some cheaper open headphones
In headsets unfortunately you have to pay quite a bit more for those few rare open design using ones, than price you get very good headphones from actual audio makers.
They've lasted me nearly 5 years so not too bad but need to replace them.
Your answers are too technical for me.
