To Audigy or not to Audigy?

[djm68]

I am planning making a complete system upgrade in the next 30 days -- the system will be AMD64 based (3200+). Most likely I will go with an nf3-250 based motherboard.

My question is in regards to the on-board sound vs. say an Audigy 2.

I ONLY use head phones to game/listen to music...I do not even have external speakers. Given that I only use head phones, would I gain anything by using an Audigy2 sound card vs. the on-board sound which most likely will be on of the realtek solutions?


One last question: will head phones that plug into the digital out improve sound quality?

Thanks,
DJM

 

[James3shin]

well it doesn't sound like your a hardcore audiophile and doing some kind of recording or anything so I'd say that the onboard isn't going to kill you, so I'd save the few bucks and stick with onboard...as for your digital out question, yeah its supposed to sound nicer I believe. I used a realtek onboard sound with my Senn HD580's and it was pretty darn good.

 

[CJP]

You can get 5.1 headphones now that you could plug into the audigy 2 for 3d sound. People seem to have mixed feelings on these though. Zalman makes a set.

 

[beatle]

You can't hook headphones up to a digital output unless the headphones have a digital decoder of some type.

I'd save the money on the soundcard and buy a headphone amp instead.

 

[SpunkyJones]

I went the onboard route for a couple of weeks on my new rig, but it was so bad I had to get a Audigy 2 and it sounds great now. FYI: I also use headphones exclusivley and my issue seemed to be a design flaw with my Abit board.

 

[djm68]

Thanks for the input...I guess now it is just a waiting game to see if the nf3-250 boards *ever* show up at retailers! But then, really, I am building this system in acticipation of DOOM3 which is STILL now out either....*sigh*

Okay, one last questions...any ideas of good headphones for gaming? Looking to spend no more than $100, hopefully less.

Cheers!
DJM

 

[AtTheGates]

I noticed a big difference when switching from my onboard (Asus A7N8X) to an Audigy 2. When using headphones I noticed a high pitched whine. Now the whine is gone, overall quality is better, and improved directional sound is great in gaming.

I don't know much about quality headphones. But I used these once and they worked great.

 

[themorningbells]

The best sub 100 headphones I've found would have to be the Grado SR80's. For $150 you can get the SR125's, but if you're not hardcore into audio, the $50 more probably isn't justified. I believe that is going to be the next purchase I make though (the SR125's). But goodluck!

 

[1sikbITCH]

I bought the Kinyo 5.1 Surround Sound headphones for $50 from NewEgg. They were $25 cheaper than the Logitechs and were compared favorably to them in the reviews. Includes an amp with 3 jacks (front, center, rear) in and 3 jacks out so you can run from the audigy to the amp, and then out to 5.1 speakers. Also has an extra input in case you want to plug a second set of phones in.

I can't compare them to any other "decent" headphones because I've never owned or tried any, but they blow away the cheapos I have. The sound is crystal clear and the base is deep. I also can't really tell that there are 3 speakers in each ear for "surround" sound. I just know they sound good.

 

[djm68]

Did some searching on the web and the Grado SR80's (about $85) by far and away received the best reviews. I shall order a pair soon and perhaps a headphone amp...

DJM

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: djm68
Did some searching on the web and the Grado SR80's (about $85) by far and away received the best reviews. I shall order a pair soon and perhaps a headphone amp...

DJM

Be careful. I have a set of SR125's, and absolutly love them, but two notes here. First, with the SR80's, if you do not plan on getting a headphone amp, get the SR60's. Secondly, make sure you try these before you buy. They use a very weird design that to some is incredibly confortable, and literally make some people's ears bleed. Third, keep in mind these have ZERO isolation. I don't mean very little isolation like most headphones, I am talking about literally none. As much audio goes into your ear as into the room, and they provide no isolation from background noise. If your next to a loud computer, this can cause you to crank the volume without realizing it. Also, one of the reasons they are great for audio is that they move the soundstage to a more confortable position then inside your head. This is bad for 3D audio because it moves the soundstage to a place somewhere between where speakers and headphones are, which 3D audio is not desinged to handle. When I first got my SR125's, my clanmates immediatly noticed the difference, which is saying something.

These are by far some of the best headphones for audio, but you have to keep all the above in mind. If you want my suggestion for the ideal computer headphones, I would rate the Sony MDR-V6 (NOT THE HORRIBLE MDR-V600, there is a HUGE difference) above the Grado's. If you live near a pro audio shop, or a music store, you can probably demo both before making a decision.