Will I benefit from a sound card?

Woden · 21 Apr 2014 at 15:14

As title really.

My old headset is falling to bits so I am looking to replace with an upgrade. I have Turtle Beach X11s at the moment. Looking at getting Sennheiser HD 558 (alternatives welcome

) with a clip-on mic to replace it.

Will I ~~see~~ hear a decent improvement with a cheap(ish) sound card? At the moment I am just using the on-board sound from my motherboard (Asus P8Z68-V PRO)

While I am here ... Will a clip-on mic work alright with the XB1 adapter that plugs into the controller?

postmanfw · 21 Apr 2014 at 16:23

Sound card...yes get one as makes a big difference.

Using a creative extreme audio (i think...the one down from top one but still has onboard chip for proper sound processing) bought ages ago off here for £20 and couldn't go back.

Not an audiophile but 3D positioning in games is great with it.

Use with pc350se headset and works great.

Lobovski · 21 Apr 2014 at 17:08

In short yes you will ...A Xonar DG at £20 will provide a cheap solution and give you Dolby Headphone. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-012-AS&groupid=701&catid=11

Woden · 21 Apr 2014 at 19:04

Lobovski said:
In short yes you will ...A Xonar DG at £20 will provide a cheap solution and give you Dolby Headphone. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-012-AS&groupid=701&catid=11

Ordered one of these, thanks

They come highly praised on here.

Does the heaphone amp work with the front panel of my case, or do I have to use the jack on the card itself?

Cookeh · 21 Apr 2014 at 20:30

Jack on the card

Woden · 21 Apr 2014 at 22:09

Thankyou muchly

Should arrive tomorrow.

I got all excited and recalibrated the A/V on my xb1 too lol.

Cookeh · 22 Apr 2014 at 10:58

Haha! You won't go wrong, excellent soundcard and easily comparable to much higher budget ones.

Woden · 23 Apr 2014 at 00:02

Been playing with this set up for a few hours now and it's fantastic

Not actually played games yet. I got TS working with the mic OK then doesn't a bit playing with the xonar settings app.

Did load up a couple videos to try it out. Then played around in BioShock infinite. The fake surround is much better. Positional feels more accurate and has depth to it.

Very happy

postmanfw · 23 Apr 2014 at 00:36

Nice one mate

Had to swap back to onboard briefly a while back due to lack of space for card and the diff was shocking...couldnt go back again no matter how good the on board sound claims to be....trying to convert the other clan members but alas they don't listen

Of course the decent headset/can make a diff too and get the best from even a low end card

Money well spent

Lobovski · 24 Apr 2014 at 20:44

Glad to hear your enjoying it mate.

PapaLazaru · 24 Apr 2014 at 22:11

Woden said:
Been playing with this set up for a few hours now and it's fantastic

Not actually played games yet. I got TS working with the mic OK then doesn't a bit playing with the xonar settings app.

Did load up a couple videos to try it out. Then played around in BioShock infinite. The fake surround is much better. Positional feels more accurate and has depth to it.

Very happy

It is a great budget bit of kit. I bought mine when they first came out and still think it is one of the best £25 upgrades I have spent.

kedge · 28 Apr 2014 at 08:17

Have tested soundblaster z basic soundcard in pc games with sennheiser hd555's and sennheiser pc363d and if i'm honest i couldn't tell any difference, even with the hd555's connected to the ps4 controller. I am so glad i am not one of these audiophiles, it would drive me crazy and probably cost me way too much money.