Would like some suggestions for a gaming setup

EDIT. Need new advice.

Creative Sound Blaster ZxR got delayed. I'd like suggestions for alternatives. How would a Sound Blaster Zx with an external headphone amp compare to a Creative card with a built-in amp?

Also, had the opportunity to try out some headphones the other day. I tried a Sennheiser HD 558, an Audio Technica ATH-A900x, and an AKG K550. Preferred the Sennheiser, so I may end up saving up for an HD 598 or HD 600/650 (depends on what I want for impedance). It just seemed to fit wonderfully. Did not know I'd prefer open audio to closed so much.

Hello all, new user here. I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask for recommendations, so I apologize in advance if I'm in the wrong area. I've currently got a Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty Titanium Professional, paired with a Creative Fatal1ty Headset MKII. It's a phenomenal upgrade over onboard sound, but I'm looking for something better.

I would like recommendations on a new sound card and pair of headphones for gaming. I'd prefer not to use any kind of external audio processing equipment, just a sound card and a headset. I'm currently scoping out pairing a Creative Sound Blaster ZXR with an Ultrasone H-Fi 780.

In terms of personal taste, I prefer sound accuracy with a good sound stage (this is for positional audio) over things like boomy bass. I prefer my bass being accurate moreso than overpowering. I'd also prefer something with good build quality, closed-ear, and a black and/or silver design (I do not like plain white).

For the sound card, I'd like something that supports good positional audio. My X-Fi card has CMSS-3D, and I absolutely love it, but if another sound card manufacturer supports something better, that's good, too. How are ASUS and HT Omega for positional audio support?

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

I didn't mention that the sound card is having issues with crackling at certain frequencies. I need a new one. Also, I do not want to use any external hardware, so I'd like a setup without an amp.

Thanks for the advice. I'd like to hear other opinions though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NamelessPFG 

I would have suggested the X-Fi Titanium HD, but your insistence on a built-in headphone amp does put a damper on that.

 

The thing is, if you get one of the new Sound Core3D-based cards, not only will you be giving up hardware DirectSound3D and OpenAL acceleration, among other things, but you'll also be trading CMSS-3D Headphone for SBX Pro Surround, which if it's just THX TruStudio Surround rebranded, will sound noticeably worse IMO.

That's the kind of reply I'm looking for. I didn't realize that the newer Z cards did not support CMSS-3D. I have heard that the majority of games do not support CMSS-3D and OpenAL, however. I've also read that Windows 8 allows Core3D to accelerate hardware. Should I be looking for something from Creative's competitors for gaming, though? Still curious as to how ASUS and HT Omega are for gaming.

I was asking more for opinions on Dolby Headphone vs. X-Fi CMSS 3D. I'm specifically calling out the HT Omega eClaro and the ASUS Xonar Essence STX. I'd like to go top-end for my gaming sound card, so any kind of advice on the matter would be appreciated. Positional sound is my top priority, top over hardware acceleration. My setup is not so my CPU will be bottlenecked if it has to do the sound processing. What is the best kind of gaming audio hardware you can get for headphones?

Bump. Things have changed a bit.