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Advice on connect AD700s to computer for gaming and music?

post #1 of 5
7/8/11 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 

I tried out a couple gaming headsets and haven't been too impressed. The best have been the Logitech G35s, which have clear left/right separation, but only okay sound quality (better than my Sennheiser HD 202s, which isn't saying much considering they cost 4 times as much), and moderate front/back positioning (I can put myself next to a static sound in an FPS, close my eyes, spin wildly, and usually guess whether the sound is in front or behind me -- though it takes concentration, so it's not that noticeable when actually playing). The G35 also suffers from "positioning lag" -- if I do a 180 next to a sound, the headphones drop the sound for a split second while it re-locates and produces the surround sound.

 

I'm going to replace the G35 with AD700s. I know the bass on the AD700 isn't the greatest (hopefully it's no worse than on the G35), which for some games is okay (Battlefield's constant low vehicle/explosion/environmental droning can be pretty annoying), but I would like as much as possible for other games and music (electronic, rock, rap). If I can also emulate surround that would be a plus, as long as it doesn't suffer from the positioning lag that the G35 does, or impact sound quality. Easy variable bass control would be a plus as well so I could turn it down for games like Battlefield.

 

I currently have a Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio and a 750i motherboard (with optical outputs). I have a couple ideas on how to connect the AD700s, but would like some input. Should I connect to the Sound Blaster through a FiiO E5 amp (I don't believe the Sound Blaster has a strong headphone amp -- could be wrong)? Replace the Sound Blaster with an Asus Xonar DG (built in headphone amp) and connect the headphones directly to that? Run though the motherboard's optical output through a Ear Force DSS? Or do something else?

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post #2 of 5
7/8/11 at 10:23am

I don't have much experienced in AD700, but upgrading your soundcard is a great choice.

 

I know Soundblaster doesn't have a "dedicated" headphone amp.  Originally, I have my nuForce HDP to use as my DAC/amp to my HD650 on the computer, but after a while of lugging it back and forth from my office to home...it's getting to be a choir.  So bought the Xonar Essence STX to replaced Soundblaster X-Fi Fatality version.  Much more convenient.

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post #3 of 5
7/8/11 at 11:18am

First of all, I'm very sorry that you have a XtremeAudio. That's a single model without being a real X-Fi card, but rather based on older gen value Audigy cards, stripped of hardware acceleration and virtually all DSP features.

 

If you do plan on gaming, a X-Fi card is really the way to go, and no Xonar card, from lowly Xonar DS/DG up to Essence STX have anything on X-Fi cards when it comes to gaming.

 

Given that the Essence STX is also touted for its headphone amp, it's an erronerous claim as that amp mainly makes the sound harsh and even brighter, while the same tier X-Fi Titanium HD has a smoother sound, and is the king of gaming audio.

You didn't state a budget, and for that, I could just recommend a X-Fi Titanium, regular model, which has most of the features required for gaming, and while it doesn't have a headphone amp, it's really recommended that you use an external amp, enabling you to pick exactly what you look for. Perhaps a Fiio E5 might not be ideal to pair with AD700, as some AD700 users have reported sub-par performance with an E5, but quite good performance with Fiio E11 and PA2V2.

 

Bottomline, if gaming is a concern, you need an X-Fi based card (do note that XtremeAudio does not contain a X-Fi chip), and X-Fi Titanium has a very good price/performance ratio for your needs IMHO. And totally forget about USB headsets, not only because they're trash, but because they bypass the hardware you have installed and apply dubious processing of its own.

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post #4 of 5
7/8/11 at 12:14pm
Thread Starter 

Sorry, I'm an idiot. I have an X-Fi Xtreme Gamer, not Audio. Not as nice as the Titanium, but I believe still a step up from the Audio.

 

Anywho, my budget is around $150, though I can go a little higher if need be. I can get the AD700s for $92 on Amazon, which leaves me with around $60 for other upgrades.

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post #5 of 5
7/8/11 at 3:06pm

Ah, that's different :) A XtremeGamer does contain a proper X-Fi chip, which gives you proper added gaming benefits. Still, pairing that card with AD700 and a PA2V2 could prove to be a good match, as it's been reported as having relatively good synergy, with PA2V2 being a neutral to very slightly warm amp, and with enough power to drive AD700.

 

You should be aware that AD700 really aren't geared towards electronica, and the bass light characteristic along with wide soundstage makes it good for precise positional audio, not for entertainment itself, which is why many people get AD700 based on tons of recommendations, but forget where they excel and where they don't.

 

Anyway, AD700 and PA2V2 could be just what you're looking for, no need to replace your soundcard, specially for any Asus soundcard if you plan on playing any games that have proper audio renderers.

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