vikaman
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2010
- Posts
- 26
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- 0
Hey all,
I would like some guidance. MY HD555s finally broke due to the infamous 'crack' on the headband. I bought them nearly 3 years ago, so they've been well used and started to show their age.
My tastes and interests have also progressed so I am looking for some guidance regarding a new pair of headphones. My requirements are:
1. It's to be used on a laptop and a Sansa Clip+
2. Capable of handling 7.1 surround on its own (i.e. has it's own software based sound card that has 3.5mm jacks) OR a combination of a 7.1 external sound card and a pair of headphones
3. Preferably closed headphones, as I do travel on public transport a lot.
4. A total budget of ~£175
Side notes:
1. The headphones are the important purchase, I don't care if I end up with a cheap 7.1 surround sound card.
2. I am in London, UK.
My ideas:
1. Grado SR60i (~£75)+ Asus Xonar U7 (~£75) - getting this out of the way first, as it breaks my requirements, however this combination seems the best theoretical possibility for my budget
2. ATH-ES700 (~£120) + Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi surround 5.1 Pro (~£45)
3. SteelSeries Siberia V2 (with USB Sound Card) - don't want to resort to this. Gaming 'headphones/sets' are usually very very poor.
I do have a technical question. I've seen some REALLY cheap 7.1 sound cards but they literally have 8 line outs. i.e. an analog 7.1 headphone is required, would a stereo headphone with some 3rd party software still dish out surround sound on external cards like those?
Thanks!
vikaman
I would like some guidance. MY HD555s finally broke due to the infamous 'crack' on the headband. I bought them nearly 3 years ago, so they've been well used and started to show their age.
My tastes and interests have also progressed so I am looking for some guidance regarding a new pair of headphones. My requirements are:
1. It's to be used on a laptop and a Sansa Clip+
2. Capable of handling 7.1 surround on its own (i.e. has it's own software based sound card that has 3.5mm jacks) OR a combination of a 7.1 external sound card and a pair of headphones
3. Preferably closed headphones, as I do travel on public transport a lot.
4. A total budget of ~£175
Side notes:
1. The headphones are the important purchase, I don't care if I end up with a cheap 7.1 surround sound card.
2. I am in London, UK.
My ideas:
1. Grado SR60i (~£75)+ Asus Xonar U7 (~£75) - getting this out of the way first, as it breaks my requirements, however this combination seems the best theoretical possibility for my budget
2. ATH-ES700 (~£120) + Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi surround 5.1 Pro (~£45)
3. SteelSeries Siberia V2 (with USB Sound Card) - don't want to resort to this. Gaming 'headphones/sets' are usually very very poor.
I do have a technical question. I've seen some REALLY cheap 7.1 sound cards but they literally have 8 line outs. i.e. an analog 7.1 headphone is required, would a stereo headphone with some 3rd party software still dish out surround sound on external cards like those?
Thanks!
vikaman