Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (8/18/2022: iFi GO Blu Review Added)
Oct 12, 2013 at 12:00 PM Post #17,206 of 48,559

Btw, I just got an email from Aspyr that the Borderlands 2: GOTY edition was just released for Mac
smily_headphones1.gif

 
If you pick it up I have a couple low level characters that can run with you. Or a level 72+ Siren if you just want things to die wherever you roam. But staying on topic, I really enjoy the sound design in the game. Positioning is decent and the recording quality is excellent.
 
Oct 12, 2013 at 2:01 PM Post #17,207 of 48,559
  The last days I looked for hours and hours on different sites and communities for a new headphone. Finally I found your thread and was like "ok this guy is awesome, this one is the thread I should have needed three days ago before starting my long reading sessions." Big props for your work, it's the best wrap up I could find in the whole web.
 
My final conclusion is: Philips Fidelio X1 or AKG Q 701.
I can get the Q 701 for about 225 $, the X1 will cost me about 260 $ or maybe 250 $.
 
Which one would you choose? I will use them for 50% gaming and 50% music. I'll listen to everything from rock, hiphop, house or jazz. Because I already have tinnitus, I don't need something that will explode my head because of the bass. The headphone should have a good positioning and be comfy too for the long gaming sessions.
 
So, X1 or Q 701? Sorry if this is already answered but my sister is just on holiday in New York and I can't read 1000+ sites in such a short time :wink:
 
Edit: My soundcard will be a ASUS Xonar Essence STX.

 
X1.
 
Oct 12, 2013 at 6:38 PM Post #17,212 of 48,559
Any more opinions, maybe Mad Lust Envy himself who's heard both headphones :)

I think Mad gave his view in his review. I have the Q701, I have not heard the X1, but I can tell you that the Q701 is a good and energetic headphone. It responds better and sounds less fatiguing with good amping; thankfully the Asus sound card you mentioned has pretty good amping and should be enough. The downside is that you'll probably end up wrapping or modding the headband for greater comfort. I've been using this headphone for over a year, I always loved games but music can now hold my attention for hours at a time, too, since I got these Q701. When I game in stereo with speakers these days, I feel handicapped compared to using the headphones.

The X1, according to Mad's review, has more bass and better comfort. The downsides are that the Earpads aren't user-replaceable. It also doesn't need amping as much as the Q701, but since you have the sound card anyway it won't be a big deal.

You'd probably be more than fine with either one. If I was you, I would just pick whichever one had the signature that sounded most appealing to me based on Mad's review, with the amping from your soundcard, either one would be a great value for your price budget.
 
Oct 13, 2013 at 2:29 AM Post #17,213 of 48,559
and how do i do that




As you can see, you right click on the speaker icon on the bottom right of the task bar, then click on playback devices, and then right click on the STX, and choose configure speakers. Set that to 7.1. You may also wanna make sure you right click again on the STX, hit properties, advanced, and change your default format to the highest bit and frequency, as if you haven't ever changed this, you've been using your STX at the standard resolution of 16bit/44.1 or 48khz.



This would've been nice to know when I first got the E17 ages ago, and left it at 16/48, when it was capable of 24/96...
 
Oct 13, 2013 at 2:32 AM Post #17,215 of 48,559
Agreed. I prefer the X1's sound over basically everything I've owned with the exception of the Annies, D7000, and LCD2. It has a broader appeal in sound signature. The Q701 is more polarizing, lacks severely in comfort next to the X1 (due to the Q's horrible bumps), and needs a very good amp to make them as good as they are. The X1 sounds great off practically anything.

The good thing about the Q701 is that you can buy some memory foam pads later on, and make them basically Annies... but then you still have to contend with the bumps of doom. Unless you feel comfortable in swapping the headband out with one off the K601/612/Annie/K712 (as well as paying for it), this isn't exactly easy.
 
Oct 13, 2013 at 3:14 AM Post #17,216 of 48,559


As you can see, you right click on the speaker icon on the bottom right of the task bar, then click on playback devices, and then right click on the STX, and choose configure speakers. Set that to 7.1. You may also wanna make sure you right click again on the STX, hit properties, advanced, and change your default format to the highest bit and frequency, as if you haven't ever changed this, you've been using your STX at the standard resolution of 16bit/44.1 or 48khz.



This would've been nice to know when I first got the E17 ages ago, and left it at 16/48, when it was capable of 24/96...


Ok i already did that through there but but all that does is just change the settings to what i already change in the xonar drivers. http://puu.sh/4OPQM.png
 
Oct 13, 2013 at 3:17 AM Post #17,217 of 48,559
Are you certain? So if you change your Xonar settings, it will also change the sound device settings? I ask because settings like that aren't always tied together.

So, say changing your Xonar settings to 2 channels, will the playback devices change to 2 channel as well?

I can't test it myself right now, since my U3 is at home...
 
Oct 13, 2013 at 3:24 AM Post #17,218 of 48,559
Are you certain? So if you change your Xonar settings, it will also change the sound device settings? I ask because settings like that aren't always tied together.

So, say changing your Xonar settings to 2 channels, will the playback devices change to 2 channel as well?

I can't test it myself right now, since my U3 is at home...


yes, see it for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2qT_baLFNQ
 
Oct 13, 2013 at 3:26 AM Post #17,219 of 48,559
This would've been nice to know when I first got the E17 ages ago, and left it at 16/48, when it was capable of 24/96...



Although that's only a benefit if you have actual 24/96 files.  The vast majority of music is 16/44.1 (meaning it came from a CD). 
 
It's a good idea to set the bit depth to 24, since it won't negatively affect anything.  I believe in general it's recommend to the sample rate to whatever the majority of your audio is going to be though.  If you set it to a higher value you will needlessly incur sample rate conversion on everything, which means you will lose "bit-perfect" playback. 
 
An easier option is to use WASAPI exclusive mode where you get automatic sample rate switching so that the source file is sent to the DAC with no conversion (meaning you get bit-perfect playback for every file - even if they are of different sample rates).  I use MusicBee and it does this.  I tested it using my HRT streamer and I could see the sample rate lights on the DAC switching as a sent it different sample rate audio files via music bee in WASAPI mode.
 
 
...Nice wallpaper btw
wink.gif

 
Oct 13, 2013 at 3:30 AM Post #17,220 of 48,559
The benefit with 24bit is the oversampling, so if you for example lower the PC volume (and not the amp volume), you're not losing bit information until you pass a certain volume point. Some people like to control their volume with the PC control (sometimes it's just easier), so having some headroom without losing sound quality is a good thing indeed. Doing the same with 16bit audio, you're losing fidelity...


This is a definite plus of Schiit Magni owners with sensitive headphones, as the Magni has a bit too much gain, and leaving Pc volume at 100% (like typically wanted) gives almost no headroom to adjust volume with the Magni before it gets too loud. Lowering PC volume to say something like 75% gives the magni volume control some play, and you won't lose fidelity, due to the oversampling.

Of course, some dacs due oversampling better than others. I believe both Audio Gd and Fiio both state to leave it at the highest possible rate the dacs support, because that's how they designed them to work at their best.

Ironically, my Compass 2 had problems running in 32bit/192 9some skipping and glitching when audio files started), and I had to lower it to 24/96 before the problems went away.

I have to try that Wasapi auto switching sometime.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top