Spec me an external sound solution for positional audio

Relentless81 · 25 Apr 2017 at 08:49

Hi,

I currently have a HyperX headset and a Sound Blaster X.

I liked this setup because it was cheap and the SBX stuff made gaming sound fantastic especially when setting the game to 5.1 the SBX did whatever magic it did and the positional audio worked well.

Unfortunately I am having issues with my Sound Blaster Z and it needs to go, I want to replace it with an external solution and it would be great if I can take the opportunity to upgrade rather than like for like depending on cost otherwise I'll just side grade to external.

I'm currently using on board sound and its no where near as good as the Z so looking to sort something soon.

My main question is do I go with a USB 5/7.1 headset to replace current 2.0 headset and let the headset deal with the positional audio or do I stay with my 2.0 headset and get an external solution that processes 5.1 to 2.0?

Its purely for PC gaming no other usage required

Thanks

rids57 · 25 Apr 2017 at 18:19

Sennheiser GSX1000 if you have £200 to spare but it is easily the best on the market.

Marsman · 25 Apr 2017 at 19:21

Only upgrade worth considering from a purely gaming point of view, is for better positional sound. Only a Sennheiser GSX1000 is going to do that better than what SBX does.

If spending £200 on a GSX is too much, then Soundblaster X-Fi HD will provide SBX just as the SB Z did. Not an upgrade, but a good external option.

Relentless81 · 26 Apr 2017 at 08:49

Wow I love the look of that GSX1000 and its exactly what I'm after but I cant see myself parting with £200 especially when my headphones arent going to make the most of it

Isnt the Soundblaster X-Fi HD really old? Does it have the same SBX studio that the Z does? If so that might be an option but I would be concerened about how long its going to supported for. I thought they dropped the X-FI name. I can see something called an Omni but OCUK dont sell it for some reason

Marsman · 26 Apr 2017 at 09:48

I'd forgotten about the Omni. It's older than the SB Z. I don't know if Creative update SBX. I doubt they have different and newer version. They didn't with CMSS 3D and Dolby didn't with Dolby Headphone.

Continued support is a fair question. Creative have had a habit of dropping support for cards that have been superseded with a newer line. Maybe the Omni would be better in that regard in years to come.

That is the beauty of the GSX1000, it doesn't need additional drivers like pretty much all other gaming audio devices do. Would be great to see that with cheaper devices too. No more need to worry about dodgy drivers or continued driver support.

Relentless81 · 26 Apr 2017 at 10:37

Yeah, I'm seriously confused with Creative's external soundcards TBH. The differences between the Omni, 5.1 Pro and HD are confusing.

The Omni and 5.1 Pro look exactly the same but the Omni doesnt seem to feature EAX, The HD doesnt do 5.1 but I dont care about that because I want 5.1 to 2.0 virtual surround using SBX. So why is the HD more expensive and what does EAX have to do with it all, is EAX required for SBX or something! :confused:

On top of that none of them have a 3.5mm output for speakers, only RCA. And the HD has a 1/4 head phone jack for some crazy reason.