Need some help here. I play Counter-Strike 1.6 and CSS and I need some really good cans that can track footsteps clearly with great direction around 65 dollars and under. I'm not much of an audiophile, but if I'm reading clearly I'll need to have a good open sound stage to be able to achieve this.

Totally glad I found this thread, I was just gonna go out get a complete A40 set w/amp  and be done with it. 
 
Ive noticed though that "most" recomendations seem to be built around people playing FPS, any recomendations for people more focused on RTS/MMOs albeit i play everything.
 
After reading what ive read ive been leaning towards the pc360/ hd598, but im always willing to listen to those more knowledgable. Totally open to getting an amp too, esp since id like it to be useful on both pc/xbox. 
 
And I know wired  is usually a better bang for your buck than wireless, so I dont mind all the clutter  

Hey, first time poster here

I just learned I will get getting some k701s and a Music Streamer II as college graduation presents. Would a Music Streamer II --> Matrix M-stage or a Matrix Mini-i be a better DAC/amp solution? The Mini-i route assumes I return the MS-II. I could also go a cheaper route with a Mixamp, but I am still worried about how that will hold up with the k701s heavy amping needs outside of gaming.

Running out of terrible laptop on board with Dolby Home Theater v3, so getting a DAC is priority for me. I primarily will be watching movies and gaming (no chat needed) with some music. I also have a pair of dt770/80s and a cmoyBB to play with.

Thanks in advance!

Hey, guys. Yet another new person at Head-Fi. Hi.
 
So, like a lot of people, I'm trying to figure out the next audio upgrade for my (PC only) gaming setup and I'd like your feedback and/or suggestions. I'm coming from a pair of 4-year-old modded HD 555s and onboard sound on an ASUS P8P67 Pro. Basically, I'm looking for something that's a noticeable upgrade from the HD 555. If that means I have to get a sound card, a headphone amp, whatever, that's fine with me as long as it's not overly expensive to the point of ridiculousness. I'm willing to spend the money on something that will last me a long time, but I'm probably looking at "mid-grade" headphones, not the $1000+ area. I'm pretty much ignorant of anything outside of my current setup. In case it matters for selection or prices, I'm in Canada. We seem to get kind of shafted on prices for a decent number of headphones, so I figured I should mention it.
 
Wants? My computer use is basically 90% gaming and movies/TV, with music generally being left for my MP3 player. I'm playing mostly single player and RPG/MMO games, so I'd like whatever creates the best "immersion" in the games, I guess. If the headphones are good with movies and TV, too, that would be a plus. I don't really care about competitive gaming (like multiplayer FPS) anymore, and I don't do any console gaming anymore. I think my main issues with the sound from the HD 555s is that they're kind of muffled/muddied in the lower and mid frequencies, but some of the higher high frequencies can also occasionally cause my ears pain. I guess from that description, I'm looking for overall better clarity and a slight reduction in the "harshness" of the higher frequencies?
 
I was initially looking at headsets, but found out that there's apparently nothing in the headset market that sounds significantly better than my current HD 555s, so I gave up on that idea. I do need a microphone with decent noise-cancelling as well, but I figured I could probably just pick up a Logitech USB desktop mic or maybe an AntLion ModMic. If there are better options, please just let me know.
 
Also, I don't know which sound card is better if my main priority is gaming and movies/TV. From what I've read, it seems like most people suggest the X-Fi Titanium HD, but there were a few mentions of the Xonar Essence STX for certain specific headphones.
 
I'd appreciate any help here. Thanks.

Lemme just preface these 3 responses by saying that I don't (yet) have a MixAmp, I game in stereo, non-competitively, and that my recommendations are based on a combi of personal experience and the collective wisdom found within this thread.
 
Quote:

lompang said:

Need some help here. I play Counter-Strike 1.6 and CSS and I need some really good cans that can track footsteps clearly with great direction around 65 dollars and under. I'm not much of an audiophile, but if I'm reading clearly I'll need to have a good open sound stage to be able to achieve this.

Click to expand...

Based on MLE's first post and your budget, you'll be wanting the Koss KSC-75.
 

 
Quote:

dcm1602 said:

Totally glad I found this thread, I was just gonna go out get a complete A40 set w/amp  and be done with it. 
 
Ive noticed though that "most" recomendations seem to be built around people playing FPS, any recomendations for people more focused on RTS/MMOs albeit i play everything.
 
After reading what ive read ive been leaning towards the pc360/ hd598, but im always willing to listen to those more knowledgable. Totally open to getting an amp too, esp since id like it to be useful on both pc/xbox. 
 
And I know wired  is usually a better bang for your buck than wireless, so I dont mind all the clutter  

Click to expand...

You need a mic? Seems like it, since you considered the A40 and PC360. In that case, your best bet is to pick up a wired MixAmp and the PC360.
 
If you don't need a mic, then HD598 with:

• MixAmp
• TurtleBeach DSS

Obviously, the MixAmp is a more future-proof choice--it allows mic use, the DSS doesn't.

 
Quote:

followthenile said:

Hey, first time poster here
I just learned I will get getting some k701s and a Music Streamer II as college graduation presents. Would a Music Streamer II --> Matrix M-stage or a Matrix Mini-i be a better DAC/amp solution? The Mini-i route assumes I return the MS-II. I could also go a cheaper route with a Mixamp, but I am still worried about how that will hold up with the k701s heavy amping needs outside of gaming.
Running out of terrible laptop on board, so getting a DAC is priority for me. I primarily will be watching movies and gaming (no chat needed) with some music. I also have a pair of dt770/80s and a cmoyBB to play with.
Thanks!

Click to expand...

There's been a lot of praise for the MS-II; since it's a gift and it doesn't come that cheap, why not work with it first? I've found that, when playing a lot of single player and non-competitive multiplayer, I get more engrossed by what's happening on-screen than in my ears. Hell, I've even routed my Xbox's audio back to the TV speakers for single player--it just doesn't matter that much any more.

@Dilweed: See MLE's recommendation on the Beyerdynamic DT 770 (80 ohm version) on previous page. He talks about pairing it with the TurtleBeach Earforce DSS.

Quote:

eric_c said:

You need a mic? Seems like it, since you considered the A40 and PC360. In that case, your best bet is to pick up a wired MixAmp and the PC360.
 
If you don't need a mic, then HD598 with:

• MixAmp
• TurtleBeach DSS

Obviously, the MixAmp is a more future-proof choice--it allows mic use, the DSS doesn't.

 
 

Click to expand...

 
Outside of mic use how much of a difference is there between the mix amp/dss and same for pc360 vs hd598 
 
Like this isn't for competitive use, purely my personal entertainment so I have no problem getting a cheap piece of **** 5$ clip on mic for pc (i already have a cheap pos mic for xbox/ps3).
 
Basically would a DSS + HD598/PC360 give me as good (or nearly as good quality) as using the mixamp ? And same for HD598 v 360 
.
 
Thanks again, really preciate your input

Lemme state right now that if someone is looking for the best headphone for general purposes and is NOT a big fps gamer, I would seriously get the DT880. I don't feel even a 600ohm needs an additional amp for non-chat purposes, since the Mixamp will drive them enough for game, if you don't use voice chat. For the price, it has a sound pretty much anyone would like.

@cm1602: Like I said, I don't have a MixAmp, and I game in stereo. So I can't give you a comparison between MixAmp/DSS, and having not owned either PC360 or HD598, I can't advise on that too. My advice was a summary of general wisdom expressed within this thread.
 
Your needs sound similar to Dilweed's; see my reply to him (above your post).

Quote:

mad lust envy said:

Lemme state right now that if someone is looking for the best headphone for general purposes and is NOT a big fps gamer, I would seriously get the DT880. I don't feel even a 600ohm needs an additional amp for non-chat purposes, since the Mixamp will drive them enough for game, if you don't use voice chat. For the price, it has a sound pretty much anyone would like.

Click to expand...

Well I dont own a Mixamp yet. I was contemplating buying a headset + an amp. I mean wouldnt something like an E7 go better with the DT880 than a Mixamp? 

Quote:

dcm1602 said:

Well I dont own a Mixamp yet. I was contemplating buying a headset + an amp. I mean wouldnt something like an E7 go better with the DT880 than a Mixamp? 

Click to expand...

E7? Do you need a DAC? If your onboard audio is fine there really isn't much point getting an E7, since its strength is reputed to be its DAC and not its amp...

Quote:

eric_c said:

E7? Do you need a DAC? If your onboard audio is fine there really isn't much point getting an E7, since its strength is reputed to be its DAC and not its amp...

Click to expand...

 
Well I mean I have a p5q-e motherboard which is known to be higher end as far as stock onboard audio is concerned. Obviously its not as good as a nice sound card im sure

I dunno if you'll need a sound card or DAC; I'm of the school of thought that DAC chips tend to do their job just fine in most computers and media players. Why not pick a headphone and try it out with your current equipment first?

The E7 is a very weak amp. In terms of volume, the Mixamp will drive it better for games. The bare minimum for a Beyer DT880 should be at least a Fiio E11, the E9 being much stronger.

Quote:

eric_c said:

I dunno if you'll need a sound card or DAC; I'm of the school of thought that DAC chips tend to do their job just fine in most computers and media players. Why not pick a headphone and try it out with your current equipment first?

Click to expand...

Just gotta figure out what I can handle and what ill need first. 
 
I mean I have no problem dropping under 400 to get a nice setup (ie a dt880 + dss/mixamp/e7 etc), but dont want to spend close to 400 and then realize i need to spend another 150 or so on a soundcard too.