I'm working on a 2nd audio setup for the office. At home I have: Soundblaster Z -> Optical output -> Schiit Modi2Uber/Magni2Uber stack -> Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro Soundblaster Z -> sub/pre 3.5mm output -> Buttkicker Gamer 2 I love the setup, it has 0 noise floor, everything is clear and...

I want to get a 2nd audio setup for the office. Source would be Spotify premium via a Macbook Pro and/or possibly an Android phone. The issue is that I want a Buttkicker in the mix which kinda throws a wrench into normal way of connecting everything. I see 3 obvious solutions but I'm not sure...

Dialing it in should be easy. Equal parts L and R channel to give me a tactile response regardless of which side the bass is on. I might give it a shot.

Would something like this BEHRINGER MICROMIX MX400 do it? http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-MX400-BEHRINGER-MICROMIX/dp/B000KGYAYQ   Seems like I could input the L and R channels into 2 of the inputs, then have it mix to the single mono output. Or would they cancel out or do some other funkiness?

The headphones are running on an external dac/amp via the optical output so they will not be affected by any of this.   Even if I tapped into that signal path I would still have the same problem: I need to convert L and R stereo channels into mono. Using only the L or R channel works but of...

  I'm not using the 3.5mm out for my headphones. I'm using optical out to a Schiit stack. However, for SBX Surround to sound correct in games I have the Soundblaster Z control panel set to Headphones mode. This disables all the 3.5mm outputs on the soundcard except for the headphone jack. I can...

Is it safe to use a splitter to combine the 3.5mm stereo headphone out (which is amplified) into a single mono RCA? Perhaps something like this 3.5mm Stereo to RCA jack adapter http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7147   I'm forced to use the 3.5mm stereo headphone out on my soundcard to...

  Man, thanks a ton. I guess I assumed it was more complicated than it was after trying the center/subwoofer out and not getting anything. Sure enough, the headphone jack still works even when doing stereo mix to optical port and this is exactly what I need. Wish I figured this out before...

  Any reason in particular why you want the STX II?   It's a new setup for me but so far I am very pleased with the Soundblaster Z -> 5.1 mixed to stereo over optical -> Modi 2 Uber -> Magni 2 Uber. Music sounds amazing and I can still get all the processing features for games or other purposes.

I've also done some gaming with the DT 1770 and think they are great. It's exactly what I was looking for as a step up from my HD 598.   Soundblaster Z -> 5.1 mixed to stereo over optical -> Modi 2 Uber -> Magni 2 Uber -> DT 1770 Pro   I don't have enough experience to compare or provide...

  Cool thanks. I'll just use the powerstrip to cycle them and to be safe keep the volume down all the way when they are off.   Figured as much a about the outputs but it was worth a shot :)   -Edit-   Discovered that I can indeed use a secondary output from my soundcard to accomplish my...

  The problem there is that I think the Buttkicker is a single channel. I could split just the left or right channel from the Modi but then I could get lopsided shaker response or headphone performance/quality. Alternatively if I split off both channels from the Modi, then used another splitter...

Just got my Modi 2 Uber and Magni 2 Uber stack a few days ago (very nice, and made a bigger difference than I thought) and had a few questions for you guys, if you don't mind. My setup is as follows...   Soundblaster Z -> Stereo mix to digital out -> Optical cable -> Modi 2 Uber -> Magni 2...

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I have it a little better now. I left Windows at 5.1 but changed the SBZ control panel to Headphones. I have the bass control back and it makes sense how it works, so I'm assuming I'll have better surround in games. I also did one other thing while trying to...

Three questions for you guys...   1: My current setup is an SB-Z, Windows and SB-Z control panel set to 5.1 speakers, "play stereo mix to digital output" enabled, and using optical output to my Modi 2 Uber / Magni 2 Uber stack. I get audio, but my currently played games don't really have 3D...

Well, thanks a lot guys, you just cost me a tad over $930. I hope this and a Schiit Uber 2 stack is worth it. I'm pretty sure my wife is going to ban me from any further audio purchases, and probably forums, forever. It was nice knowing you all.   Seriously though, it's way more than I can...

Do you guys think these would be good for gaming as well as music? Overkill perhaps, but would it be a good choice?   I have a set of HD 598 which are generally amazing for competitive gaming in a quiet environment. Begin a low-bass open headphone however, they aren't as well suited for a more...

Just an update for anyone who might stumble upon this.   I picked up a pair of M6 PRO as a temporary solution while I figure out exactly what I want for a full setup. They are pretty good for the price. IEMs don't work for me as a permanent solution since my ears become uncomfortable after a...

I don't think a DAP will work for me as I almost exclusively stream from Spotify or DI now. I will however check out those Denon headphones and the E17. I had looked at the Fiio line before and always discounted it because I figured if I'm spending that much I might as well get a Schiit stack...

That's one reason why I was thinking the Momentum II might be good, because of not needing an amp. At the same time I agree that the N5 doesn't have the best output so I'd probably still want a DAC/AMP anyways. I will check out the JDS Labs C5D (I'm just starting my research into portable...

I'm trying to find a headphone setup that I can use at work. Possibly also on the train. I would be using a Macbook Pro 2014 or Nexus 5 as my source. I'd mostly listen to Spotify premium or Digitally Imported radio. I listen to EDM (lots of tech house), rock, epic (two steps from hell), and...

  Sorry I made a bit of a mistake with that. The whole Dolby encoding stuff was for an SBZ->5.1 Soundbar connection that I was also looking at. I will try to edit that if I can.   For your situation of gaming with headphones what I meant to say was that the SBZ has an option where it can take...

I am not necessarily recommending this setup as I haven't used it personally but all my research keeps bringing me back to this and you might want to consider it as well.   Sound Blaster Z -> Optical -> Modi 2 Uber -> Magni 2 Uber -> Headphones/Speakers   The Sound Blaster Z can be found...

I have some HD 598 that I got for computer gaming. They work great for this purpose but had the unintended side effect of showing me how crappy my IEMs at work are. Unfortunately the HD 598 aren't suitable for a work environment so I guess I have no choice but to buy more headphones :)   I was...

I don't know that I could recommend the HD 598 given the music genres that you listed. Don't get me wrong they are awesome headphones and I love mine. They are super comfortable, sound great, and while they benefit from an amp they can still be used without one if needed. They do lack lower bass...