New to High-End PC Audio - Advice?

[Eightthree]

I recently updated my computer and wanted to start getting more serious about my Audio. I mostly game on this computer, along with Skype and the usual suspects. My budget is essentially unlimited. My goal is :

- A very nice headset, mostly for gaming. I was thinking this :

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DA4D2U/ref=asc_df_B003DA4D2U1808081?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B003DA4D2U

- A good sound card, I was thinking one of these :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271004

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271003

- A set of really nice 2.0 speakers. These will mostly be used for music, Skype and listening to games when I do not want to use a headset. A caveat here, is I have a monster 30" monitor (HP Z230w) so I have about 6-8" on each side of the monitor to spare. I thought about 2.1, but I don't really even turn the subwoofer up on my current system very much.

I want these be able to switch from the headset to the speakers effortlessly, like I have right now with my current headset and speakers. Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[General Kenobi]

- A set of really nice 2.0 speakers. These will mostly be used for music, Skype and listening to games when I do not want to use a headset. A caveat here, is I have a monster 30" monitor (HP Z230w) so I have about 6-8" on each side of the monitor to spare. I thought about 2.1, but I don't really even turn the subwoofer up on my current system very much.

I want these be able to switch from the headset to the speakers effortlessly, like I have right now with my current headset and speakers. Thank you in advance for your help!

You don't want plastic PC speakers if you're really into getting quality for your money, so consider buying a pair of real speakers instead. Ask around the Audio/Video & Home Theater section for recommendations after you've chosen your sound card and know what kind of connections it has available.

 

[Remobz]

Can you wait to purchase this Razer gaming headset?

Should be out in a month or two?

http://www.razerzone.com/tiamat/en

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I recently updated my computer and wanted to start getting more serious about my Audio. I mostly game on this computer, along with Skype and the usual suspects. My budget is essentially unlimited. My goal is :

- A very nice headset, mostly for gaming. I was thinking this :

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DA4D2U/ref=asc_df_B003DA4D2U1808081?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B003DA4D2U

- A good sound card, I was thinking one of these :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271004

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271003

- A set of really nice 2.0 speakers. These will mostly be used for music, Skype and listening to games when I do not want to use a headset. A caveat here, is I have a monster 30" monitor (HP Z230w) so I have about 6-8" on each side of the monitor to spare. I thought about 2.1, but I don't really even turn the subwoofer up on my current system very much.

I want these be able to switch from the headset to the speakers effortlessly, like I have right now with my current headset and speakers. Thank you in advance for your help!

With an unlimited budget you might want to consider an external DAC.

I have a Little Dot DAC_I connected via Coax SPDIF to my computer's output. I then have the DAC_I going to a headphone amp and a set of Swan M200 MKIII 2.0 speakers.

I love it. I also like the fact that the headphone amp and speakers can be powered at the same time from the DAC. Finally, the hardware switches make it super easy and bug-free to switch from headphones to speakers.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

The PC360 headset would rock if you want to go in that direction. I would think it would beat the razor.

 

[vbuggy]

OK - a shopping list of an example setup:

Soundcards:
- Asus Xonar STX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SUS-_-29132010)
- RME Fireface UFX (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FirefaceUFX)
- Interconnect between the two

Microphone:
- Blue Mouse (http://www.zzounds.com/item--BLUMOUSE)
- Desk mount (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KM238/5/) (cable is built into mount)

Headphones:
- Open: Beyerdynamic Tesla T1 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...en_Stereo.html)
- Closed: Ultrasone Edition 8 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ck_Stereo.html)
Headphone Hanger: HH10 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ne_Holder.html)

Monitors:
- Genelec 8030A (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/8030A/) price is EACH. you'll need to x2.
- Level control: JBL MSC1 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ontroller.html)


How it ties together:
Connect the output from the Asus soundcard to a pair of the inputs of the RME soundcard. I can't actually guarantee Dolby Headphone will work in this mode as I don't know if it can be piped through to the line out of the STX. I hope to have an answer shortly as I'll be ordering one.
Set your default Windows soundcard to the STX - this allows it to be used for system sounds + gaming audio without further intervention. For whatever software you intend to be doing your music listening on, select the RME as the output.

In the RME software, make the necessary mappings to output sound - both the computer-originating and the STX input - to both headphone sockets, and also a pair of analog outputs.

Plug in the JBL MSC1 into those outputs, and then plug in the cables from the 8030A's to the MSC1. The MSC1 then becomes your master volume control for the monitors. The RME has a volume control knob on the front which can switch between both headphone outputs.

Plug in both the closed and open headphone into the RME's two headphone sockets.

Set up the desk clamp for the mic.
Connect the Mic to the plug built in to the clamp, and connect the cable from the clamp to one of the front panel inputs on the RME. Follow warnings for application of phantom power.

That's it for hardware setup.


So what this gives you in effect is:
- Gaming audio
- General listening audio, as well as capability to record audio, do analysis and other geeking around with sound - RME's Digicheck software is a bonus.
- A decent set of monitors for listening to music at close range (you can even step down to 8020's depending on use / range)
- Completely software-based switching of headphones / monitor as well as input of gaming audio or listening audio
- A good open headphone for listening to music
- A slightly odd-sounding (and inferior to the open phone), but gaming-effective set of closed headphones. Closed is important as you don't want sound leakage bleeding into the mic. The Ed8 is very poor sonic value though, although it has some highlights - switching to something like a Sony MDR-Z1000 / MDR-7520 is probably a better idea. But the bling is nice and it's relatively lightweight - as are, in fact, the Sony's.
- A 'flattering' broadcast-grade mic. This unit picks up the bottom end really well so makes you more sonorous at the other end.

Some room correction won't go amiss to get the best out of the monitors, and the JBL will help you in that respect. The unused phone can rest on the HH10, which can be clamped to the edge of your desk.

Yes, you could go more chi-chi and you could add more - e.g. a pop filter for the mic is a good idea - but everything listed - bar the STX which I don't know about yet - I think does the job well with reasonable level of versatility and convenience.

HTH