Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (8/18/2022: iFi GO Blu Review Added)
Apr 23, 2013 at 3:02 PM Post #13,201 of 48,560
I didn't realize the HDMI input was even tied to the system. I couldn't find anything in the settings tied to it. I'll check now, and edit what I find.

I'm an idiot though, I remember having to change it to make it listen to the device on the last laptop, but nothing about the display though.
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 3:09 PM Post #13,202 of 48,560
Quote:
Ok so I just got the PC360 headset, and right now I'm not very impressed... but I think I need some advice on setting it all up...
 
 
I aslo tried 8 channel only... Sound quatity is top of the line, but there isnt much difference between sounds cues that are coming from the front vs the back...
 
Have I missed something ? Should my headset be plugged straight to the back of the XONAR soundcard instead of the front panel? (because if I do Im not sure I'll be able to plug  in the mic right?)
 
EDIT: I read a lot about how the Xonar DX doesn't have a built-in AMP... Is it important that I get an external AMP for the PC360 to get better sound quality or should the XONAR DX suffice? Since I'll probably be gaming on consoles at some point (with the PC 360) I guess buyin an astro mix amp would be a good idea right?

 
I'm not an expert in PC soundcards, but I would think you should be plugging directly into the Xonar in the back.
 
I don't know the correct settings for the Xonar and windows (as I don't game on PC), but I don't think you should be using 8 channels.
 
I would try: "Set Windows to 5.1 speakers (in Sound properties), set the Xonar DG control panel to Audio Channels - 6 channel, Analog Out - Headphone, and select Dolby Headphone at the bottom. If you select the Dolby Headphone entry you can change it to DH2 preset."
 
I assume the game itself will have to be set to Dolby 5.1 as well.
 
 
The PC360s aren't very hard to drive and don't really need an external amp like some other headphones.  The mixamp will be what you want for consoles, but if you're not needing it anytime soon you can wait on it.
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 3:37 PM Post #13,203 of 48,560
I'm done with this nightmare. Just gonna get a blasted refund and buying a steaming pile of crap laptop that actually works.

I guess HDMI inputs on a laptop is just a dream that will never be a reality. I will never trust another Dell product.

This is really upsetting. I just wanted a laptop with an HDMI input and I'm stuck with the Alienwares as the only viable option. Ridiculous.

Trying to minimize my setup by having the laptop be my screen for my consoles, but of course, nothing is ever easy.
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 4:20 PM Post #13,204 of 48,560
Quote:
Trying to minimize my setup by having the laptop be my screen for my consoles, but of course, nothing is ever easy.

 
Do you really like console gaming on a laptop screen.  That sounds about as un-immersive as you can get. 
 
What's the point of using high end headphones + suround sound to get an immersive audio experience if your going to cancel it out by having an un-immersive video experience by playing on a tiny 17" screen?
 
 
I'm all about immersion in gaming.  I won't play through a single player campaign unless I can do it using good audio and a good display so I can appreciate what the developers put into the game.
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 4:32 PM Post #13,205 of 48,560
Ok so I just got the PC360 headset, and right now I'm not very impressed... but I think I need some advice on setting it all up...

The PC360s have 2x 3.5mm jacks (mic + headphone) and I plugged them both in the front panel analog inputs (mic + headphone). In my XONAR DX soundcard panel, I have tried these 2 setups:

8 channel + Dolby Headphone Enabled (and the directionnal cues are perfect, but somehow the sound quality seems diminished... feels like being inside a can... the trebles are not as clean as when I'm only using 8 channels and Dolby Headphone is off)

I aslo tried 8 channel only... Sound quatity is top of the line, but there isnt much difference between sounds cues that are coming from the front vs the back...

I also tried 8 channels + Dolby Headphone + 7.1 shifter... Directionnal cues are even clearer than when I was just using 8 ch + dolby headphone... but the sound quality is even worst...

When I was using the a50s with a optical cable running from the soundcard to the TX amp (with 8 ch + 5.1 speaker setup on the XONAR panel) everything sounded better than all of these setups...

Have I missed something ? Should my headset be plugged straight to the back of the XONAR soundcard instead of the front panel? (because if I do Im not sure I'll be able to plug  in the mic right?)

 


It's not you... I had both the PC350 and PC360 wasn't impressed with either one. Both were just soooooo boring. I got rid of them both in less than a week of ownership and bought the MMX300 from Beyer (at a reduced price of course) and haven't looked back. Very few actual gaming headphones are worth a damn when it comes to music but the MMX300's are basically DT770's but with better treble response. A weee bit overpriced but look online and you can score a pair for a better price.


Thanks,
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 4:40 PM Post #13,206 of 48,560
Do you really like console gaming on a laptop screen.  That sounds about as un-immersive as you can get. 

What's the point of using high end headphones + suround sound to get an immersive audio experience if your going to cancel it out by having an un-immersive video experience by playing on a tiny 17" screen?


I'm all about immersion in gaming.  I won't play through a single player campaign unless I can do it using good audio and a good display so I can appreciate what the developers put into the game.


I dont always wanna be home or in my room with my 65" to play games. Portability is a must have for me, and being able to take say my PS3 to a friend's house, etc would be nice, while having my own screen.

Games sells those atrocious screen suitcases, but they are low res, too bulky, and cheap. Laptop screens are much better looking, and high res.
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 5:06 PM Post #13,207 of 48,560
Quote:
I dont always wanna be home or in my room with my 65" to play games. Portability is a must have for me, and being able to take say my PS3 to a friend's house, etc would be nice, while having my own screen.

 
Portability is a must for your home gaming console?
confused.gif

 
Consoles were never meant to be portable, and there isn't a whole lot that you can do to change that fact. 
 
Unless you drive around with your PS3 in your car, you're going to have to intentionally pack everything up when you want to take your console somewhere, so you might as well intentionally bring a monitor while you're doing that.
 
http://www.gechic.com/product_en.asp
http://gaemspge.com/
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 5:10 PM Post #13,208 of 48,560
You're speaking to a dude who used to take his 23" Samsung HDTV and PS3 to WORK. :wink:

Yes, I would much rather have a computer and screen solution.

It's not hard. PS3, power cable, HDMI and controller in a backpack (3 things) + laptop

That would take a minute to setup

That on lap monitor... interesting. If only the screens weren't crap. I'd pay some money for a 1080p one with a great screen.
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 5:20 PM Post #13,209 of 48,560
Quote:
It's not you... I had both the PC350 and PC360 wasn't impressed with either one. Both were just soooooo boring. I got rid of them both in less than a week of ownership and bought the MMX300 from Beyer (at a reduced price of course) and haven't looked back. Very few actual gaming headphones are worth a damn when it comes to music but the MMX300's are basically DT770's but with better treble response. A weee bit overpriced but look online and you can score a pair for a better price.


Thanks,


Well to be honnest, I don't think the PC360's sound is bad. They're actually VERY precise... I'D say they're quite "neutral"... they reflect with much fidelity what the soundcard is out-putting... its just that they feel a bit more "empty" compared to the boomy a50s... But I fixed that with playing with the BASS frequency in the Xonar DX panel and adjusting the EQ... and now it sounds amazing... But I finally woke up and I now understand way more about surround sound...
 
The fact that surround sound is ALWAYS emulated for analog stereo headsets involves a loss of quality of some sorts... because its being emulated ... not sent directly to actual 5.1 speaker setup... I know there are some true 5,1 headsets out there... but apparantly they dont sound good either...
 
So the way I see it and I would LIKE to get you guys feedback on this statement:
Enabling Dolby Headphone technology on Headsets (stereo headsets that is) ALWAYS involves a tiny bit of loss in sound quality right ?
(because emulating surround sound tends to inject it with a bit of reverb... it feels as tho we're inside a tin can... the sound is not terrible but its not quite like a true 5.1 speaker setup)
 
 
EDIT: Oh and VERY IMPORTANT: As expected the PC360 don't have any HISSING, Buzzing, High pitch sounds harassing my ears like the Astro A50s did. The Microphone usage doesn't cause static in the right ear... so that's a HUGE plus for me, which means the a50s are going back to Astro for a refund and the PC360s are staying :wink:
let me know what u think about that last
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 5:43 PM Post #13,210 of 48,560
You're supposed to turn off the surround when not playing/watching ajything that supports it. Same reason why Mixamp users turn off DH in non-gaming needs.
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 6:08 PM Post #13,211 of 48,560
Quote:
 
I have some plans to jump from MMX 300 to Q701 or Annies(I know that you dont have exact model but K701/2 is at least similar). Since it is impossible for me to try before buying I need an friendly advice from people who owned both models. How would you compare Beyer MMX 300 to AKG K70x? Mostly interested in gaming, detail, positioning, music takes a back seat as well as movies. 
 

 
 
Bombaman, you said that I can ask again 
size]
 . I read tons of pages here and still reading, thanks for the link and replying. I see you are now listening to Q701 which is now my TOP choice beside Annies. To whom your voice is going MMX 300 or Q701? I would really appreciate if you could compare those to. After this, no more questions 
size]

 
Soundwise for detail and positioning, I'd give a slight edge to the K701/2 (and by extension the Q701) over the MMX 300.
 
The MMX 300 are built like a tank, have a great mic and provide terrific sound. The MMX 300s are closed so you won't hear hardly anything outside, which for me became a problem as I wanted to be able to hear if my wife or kids needed me. If you want closed, I highly recommend the MMX 300s and I think the best gaming headset you can get. And the fact you can customize it on Beyers site is a bonus too.
 
If you want open design like I wanted, the best in my opinion is the K702. I can wear them comfortably for hours, the sound is open, airy and full of detail. Spatial cues and details really light up with these, more so than other headphones I've used. 
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 7:02 PM Post #13,212 of 48,560
Quote:
You're supposed to turn off the surround when not playing/watching ajything that supports it. Same reason why Mixamp users turn off DH in non-gaming needs.


Yes I know that. But its when I'm actually gaming that I notice the "tin can" effect... because its emulating surround sound to my pc360s...
Are TRUE surround sound headsets that bad (the ones with multiple speakers inside the ear cups)
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 7:44 PM Post #13,214 of 48,560
Plug directly into the sound card and use DH-1. DH-2 and 3 try to artificially boost the soundstage reducing sound quality. DH-1 sounds closest to stereo while still giving you proper surround sound.
 
Apr 23, 2013 at 9:08 PM Post #13,215 of 48,560
Well, I'm returning this laptop for yet ANOTHER M17X R4, but this time, directly from Amazon, and this time, with an Nvidia card, not AMD. I just have to wait for the refund to show up... probably next week.

I was almost tempted on getting those $2000 back, selling my Compass 2 and LCD2, and getting the Stax 007 and an electrostatic amp... while using my Marantz as a source until I could afford a dac. Lol.
 

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