Upgrade from Hyper X Cloud 2

Relentless81

Relentless81

Relentless81

Soldato
Joined
18 May 2010
Posts
12,785
Hi,

I have the above headset and considering upgrading, I feel like I might be missing out on a better headset?

I have a Sennheiser GSX which as you probably know gives 7.1 on a stereo headset and it works really well so the headset needs to be Stereo, other things it needs are the MIC needs to be removable, I do not use it at all.

Its primary use is gaming, I'm not sure about open back headphones as they leak sound? I cant have that as my PC is in the main bedroom.

Is there anything worth swapping out my current headset for that the GSX can drive or shall I just keep what I have?

I also really dont like the colour of the current headset, sounds daft but its red and doesnt match my setup at all so anything as plain as possible in neutral colours like black/grey or black/white would be nice

Thanks
 
If you don't need a microphone, getting headphones instead is an option. However, the lack of power the GSX has does limit choice somewhat. That and there isn't much choice in the way of closed headphones that are good for gaming. Most of the headphones that are often bought for gaming are open and will leak sound.

Best closed headphones for gaming is likely Beyerdynamic DT770.

There is a 32 Ohm version which should be a good choice for use with GSX, being the lowest impedance of the DT770 range. Cable is fairly short though at 1.6m though. I think they are primarily intended for use with mobiles etc, hence the short cable. There is an 80 Ohm version with a 3m cable. Slightly harder to drive than the 32 Ohm version, but the GSX may be OK with those.

I've looked at a few headsets, and there is nothing wired with a removable microphone that would tempt me over the HyperX Cloud.
 
Marsman said:
If you don't need a microphone, getting headphones instead is an option. However, the lack of power the GSX has does limit choice somewhat. That and there isn't much choice in the way of closed headphones that are good for gaming. Most of the headphones that are often bought for gaming are open and will leak sound.

Best closed headphones for gaming is likely Beyerdynamic DT770.

There is a 32 Ohm version which should be a good choice for use with GSX, being the lowest impedance of the DT770 range. Cable is fairly short though at 1.6m though. I think they are primarily intended for use with mobiles etc, hence the short cable. There is an 80 Ohm version with a 3m cable. Slightly harder to drive than the 32 Ohm version, but the GSX may be OK with those.

I've looked at a few headsets, and there is nothing wired with a removable microphone that would tempt me over the HyperX Cloud.
Click to expand...

Thanks Marsman for the detailed reply, I could look at swapping out the GSX for something small like the Schiit Fulla 3? I will miss the 7.1 but clearer natural sound might be better. I primarily play online FPS.

Short cable isn't an issue as I sit very close to the GSX at the moment as my desk is small

Regarding your last sentence, do you think its not worth it?
 
Relentless81 said:
Thanks Marsman for the detailed reply, I could look at swapping out the GSX for something small like the Schiit Fulla 3? I will miss the 7.1 but clearer natural sound might be better. I primarily play online FPS.
Click to expand...
Unless game itself has HRTF to do binaural sound (or you add software as "virtual sound card") playing without it would suck.

Just compare from start of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1_20T8x_OI
To here.
https://youtu.be/d1_20T8x_OI?t=12m58s

Or from here:
https://youtu.be/Y6ROujJ8Ae8?t=50s
To this:
https://youtu.be/Y6ROujJ8Ae8?t=6m20s

Just disable all processing of GSX like instructed in start of first video, because any additional processing messes spatial cues.
 
A few thoughts:
  • This might be overkill but you could keep the GSX 1000 and simply pair with a new AMP (i.e. a Schiit Magni 3+ or Heresy, JDL Atom etc.). This has the benefit of opening up the choice of headphones and allowing further expansion in the future. A negative is that this is probably more expensive option than the replacing the GSX with a single unit.
  • The DT 770 is probably a logical choice, although in the same price band is the AKG K761/371s. Highly regarded and very easy to power. Either of these would pair beautifully with a Modmic or similar.
 
Timber said:
A few thoughts:
  • This might be overkill but you could keep the GSX 1000 and simply pair with a new AMP (i.e. a Schiit Magni 3+ or Heresy, JDL Atom etc.). This has the benefit of opening up the choice of headphones and allowing further expansion in the future. A negative is that this is probably more expensive option than the replacing the GSX with a single unit.
  • The DT 770 is probably a logical choice, although in the same price band is the AKG K761/371s. Highly regarded and very easy to power. Either of these would pair beautifully with a Modmic or similar.
Click to expand...

I never thought of that, so an amp would just sit between the headset and GSX and amplify whats coming from the GSX?

Only issue with that is more cables and I have a really small desk but I'll have a look into it and the headphone suggestions, thanks
 
Relentless81 said:
7.1 enabled to my ears sounds much better than stereo from the GSX
Click to expand...
Of course stereo sucks in headphone gaming.
But when listening already binaural sound recordings those don't tolerate any further processing, which only messes binaural cues.
(it's just like cake... baking it second time only spoils it)
 
EsaT said:
Of course stereo sucks in headphone gaming.
But when listening already binaural sound recordings those don't tolerate any further processing, which only messes binaural cues.
(it's just like cake... baking it second time only spoils it)
Click to expand...

I see what you're saying now, I cant remember how it works and what the instructions say I'll have to look it up, the game I mostly play is Hunt Showdown and that supports binaural audio and I have 7.1 enabled in windows and on the GSX, I cant remember what happens if a game doesnt support it IE if the if the GSX just does nothing or if it somehow converts it when set to 7.1
 
Relentless81 said:
Thanks Marsman for the detailed reply, I could look at swapping out the GSX for something small like the Schiit Fulla 3? I will miss the 7.1 but clearer natural sound might be better. I primarily play online FPS.

Short cable isn't an issue as I sit very close to the GSX at the moment as my desk is small
Click to expand...

Creative G6 would be a better choice, as it has SBX prostudio for positional surround sound. With the Fulla 3, you'd have to use separate software to do that. You could do that if you wanted though, as there are a few options.. Creative sell SBX prostudio software on their site for £30 IIRC. There's also Dolby Atmos for headphones trial in Windows 10, which can then be purchased if desired.

Speaking strictly from a positional surround sound point of view; that isn't to say you'd find the G6 to be better than the GSX, as it comes down to preference.

I've seen some people say they prefer SBX prostudio on Creative devices over Sennheiser's GSX, and I've seen some people say they found the GSX to be better. Horse for courses n' all that. :p

The G6 will power AKG K702 and it's cousins fine, which is one of the best headphones for gaming. Being open though, they will leek sound like a sieve, so are out of the running.

There aren't really that many closed headphones that are good for gaming that could be considered too much for the GSX. Beyerdynamic DT770 250 Ohm spring to mind, but that is what the 32 Ohm version is for.

Relentless81 said:
Regarding your last sentence, do you think its not worth it?
Click to expand...

Speaking strictly of headsets, probably not. A lot are made by companies that make peripherals and many are over priced rubbish. Admittedly, HyperX Cloud headsets are made by a company that makes RAM, but the original Cloud's were based on proper headphones. Cloud I/II and Alpha are very good and I would give them more time than anything by Logitech, Corsair, etc.

There's not much else worth looking at that has a removable microphone that I would consider to be good.

Sennheiser GSP 600 would be worth considering if the microphone were removable, but it isn't. Beyerdynamic have some very good headsets, but if you don't want a microphone, then you'd just look at the DT770 instead.

Relentless81 said:
I never thought of that, so an amp would just sit between the headset and GSX and amplify whats coming from the GSX?

Only issue with that is more cables and I have a really small desk but I'll have a look into it and the headphone suggestions, thanks
Click to expand...

Judging by what someone posted who tried doing this; that isn't really a good idea. This has come up a few times; people wanting to get more power when using a GSX to drive either K702 or Sennheiser HD650, by adding an amp.

Someone posted in thread about the GSX that he tried adding an amp to give more power to his K702 headphones. The addition of the amp just screwed with how well the surround sound worked. It's OK if you've already got an amp to try it; but to buy one specifically, only to find out it mucks up the surround sound, would likely be a moment of many swear words. :p

In any case, as Timber said; you'd likely pay as much if not more for an amp to connect to the GSX, as you would a new device, such as the G6.
 
Marsman said:
Judging by what someone posted who tried doing this; that isn't really a good idea. This has come up a few times; people wanting to get more power when using a GSX to drive either K702 or Sennheiser HD650, by adding an amp.

Someone posted in thread about the GSX that he tried adding an amp to give more power to his K702 headphones. The addition of the amp just screwed with how well the surround sound worked. It's OK if you've already got an amp to try it; but to buy one specifically, only to find out it mucks up the surround sound, would likely be a moment of many swear words. :p

In any case, as Timber said; you'd likely pay as much if not more for an amp to connect to the GSX, as you would a new device, such as the G6.
Click to expand...

That's a good point. It would be an expensive mistake if you didn't like it (although with online orders I suppose there's always that risk).

But I seem to remember recently someone here on these forum talking about a GSX + AMP setup as being much better than Creative's offertings. And Badseed Tech put up a suggestion of a Atom (or Schiit) + GSX so I'm surprised pairing an AMP wouldn't work well. You lose out on audio quality in comparision to a pure DAC + AMP setup but that's true of all VSS solutions. Definitely G6 is a great option and personally I'm a huge fan of SBX. If you sold the GSX then sale would probably fund a lot of the G6 - although again a risk if you don't like SBX.
 
Marsman said:
Speaking strictly from a positional surround sound point of view; that isn't to say you'd find the G6 to be better than the GSX, as it comes down to preference.


Someone posted in thread about the GSX that he tried adding an amp to give more power to his K702 headphones. The addition of the amp just screwed with how well the surround sound worked.
Click to expand...
Head shape differences is bound to be factor by laws of the physics:
Some angular boxy head has different "acoustical properties" than round ball like head, which again differs from narrow head.
And pinnae is further complication...
That "upstair's guy" did poor job in standardizing human parts.

Creative's Super X-Fi is so far only average user available HRTF with anything aproaching proper customizing.
Just can't understand what Creative is bungling with pushing it for music instead of completeting its features for gaming and movies.


Proper amplifier doesn't change signal's content any, or it isn't even real amplifier but distorter.
Though no doubt "audiophiles" have stuff belonging that latter category.
Another alternative would be that GSX's output is somehow such that it doesn't play well with high impedance of line inputs causing some kind instability etc.
 
About the DT 770's, many people comment that the headphones can commonly be very very sharp on the trebles, to a point in which it can turn off a lot of people from using the headphones. My best advice on getting a new pair of headphones would be to watch a few reviews from Z reviews, hes a trusted reviewer in the headphones community and even has some of his own reddit posts talking about his recommendations for gaming headphones.
 
Thanks for advice all, I definitely dont want Creative again, last time I had a Creative product and I've had a few I had major issues with Drivers, that why I bought the GSX, no drivers.

Yeah I agree, could be an expensive mistake adding an amp, I'm not keen on the extra wiring either.

I think I'm going to knock this on the head, I've learned that I still have the best setup for my needs even if I hate the colour of the headset and the reason I went with this setup in the first place, I'll keep an eye out on future releases that fit the requirements and/or if the GSX breaks as its out of warranty now.

Thanks again for the advice and helping me to come to a conclusion
 
That's a very good point about the GSX; no additional drivers to install. Shame there aren't more devices than be made to work like that.

That said; Microsoft manages to screw up sound for even basic USB DAC, so I doubt there will ever be an audio device safe from dreaded driver issues! :eek:

If you are curious, best bet would probably be to grab a pair of DT770 32 Ohm headphones from the jungle site and return them if they are not what you're looking for.

A poster above mentions that they are quite sharp in the treble. Some people don't like that and find it too fatiguing. If you ever try them, I'm sure you'll find out pretty quickly whether that would be to your liking or not.
 
Marsman said:
That's a very good point about the GSX; no additional drivers to install. Shame there aren't more devices than be made to work like that.

That said; Microsoft manages to screw up sound for even basic USB DAC, so I doubt there will ever be an audio device safe from dreaded driver issues! :eek:

If you are curious, best bet would probably be to grab a pair of DT770 32 Ohm headphones from the jungle site and return them if they are not what you're looking for.

A poster above mentions that they are quite sharp in the treble. Some people don't like that and find it too fatiguing. If you ever try them, I'm sure you'll find out pretty quickly whether that would be to your liking or not.
Click to expand...

That comment definitely put me off them, I hate anything sharp and tinny, say when my Mrs listens to music through her phone speaker, it drives me crazy
 
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