headphones

[hans030390]

JVC harx900

I'll second this. The HA-RX700 is good as well at $35 if you can't afford the 900s at $55. These are probably some of the best phones in their price range (if not under $100). A lot of people mod them as well to increase the sound quality.

 

[naotachannel]

Logitech G35s.

The best surround sound/gaming headphones out there. Flick the switch to stereo mode, and they become a solid mid-level set of cans that are great for music. They rival most headphones that cost less than $250 - including Sennheiser.

 

[AdamK47]

When I did the test I set my speakers to headphones. I'm not an idiot.

The other thing is that most of you are probably running your fancy stereo headphones off of onboard sound and my 5.1 headset still sounds better through my xfi prelude.

Right, you do need to set the speaker setup to 5.1/7.1 when using X-Fi CMSS-3D or Dolby Headphone. I use Dolby Headphone with 7.1 on my Xonar Essence and the positional audio in games works great.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

wat.....
lol
the limiting factor is hardly the soundcard in most cases, its your speakers/headphones. a fancy soundcard connected to zalman cr@p is like hooking up a harmon kardon receiver to white van speakers.

The limiting factor in most cases in the DAC, and onboard sound simply can't compete with a quality soundcard from a company like Auzentech, HT, and even ASUS.

They will not miraculously make a terrible set of speakers or headphones sound amazing, but they will always sound better than when they are hooked into onboard sound. If you're using optical out into a receiver with a good DAC then onboard sound is ok. If you are in any way concerned with audio quality then you are not using onboard sound.

 

[uhohs]

If you are in any way concerned with audio quality then you are not using a sound card. :awe:

 

[kalrith]

If you are in any way concerned with audio quality then you are not using a sound card. :awe:

How do you get the sound from your PC games to your ears without a sound card?

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I think he's referring to what I said about running a digital source such as an optical cable or an HDMI into a receiver that has a good DAC. Then out to some high quality speakers.

Like I said if you're sound card has a good DAC is can give you some impressive results with a decent pair of headphones.

 

[moonboy403]

You can certain obtain indistinguishable pinpoint directional sound from a headphone rig compare to a high end 5.1 speakers setup. That headphone rig is called Realiser A8 and it costs $3,045. The Realiser A8 makes use of DSP and an individual's HRTF to simulate any 5.1/6.1/7.1 speaker setup in that specific environment the speakers were in (You can visit professional studios to do it).

No other headphone rig will offer performance that's remotely close to the Realiser A8. It doesn't matter how good of a DAC/Amp/Headphone you got. The Realiser A8 is that good. However, the flaw of the Realiser A8 is the fact that you can never obtain the low end rumble of a subwoofer with a pair of headphone but you can correct that by adding a tactile bass shakers under your couch or chair.

 

[f4phantom2500]

+1 for ath-ad700. do not confuse them with the a700; from what i've read the a700 do not compare with the ad700, the fact that the ad700 are open headphones makes a significant difference in sound. no joke i think they provide a better gaming experience, in regards to subtle details, than my z-5500. the soundstage is fantastic as well; absolutely zero problem with positioning.