Help with audio setup.

[ssook]

Hi, so as a newbie to audio equipment and what not, I have no clue what to do. I play Counter Strike competitively and have been reading around and found that i should get either the AD-700X or AD-900X because of the positional audio. My question is which will suit me better, and if i should get a Soundcard/DAC/Amp. My budget after the headphones for the Soundcard/DAC/AMP is $100 USD. Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but i really am stumped on what to do.

 

[buke9]

Have never heard either but the specs say they should run just fine straight out of the computer. No one can tell which is best for you. The best thing is to listen to them first but isn't always possible I know. I think for gaming open is the way to go. They usually have a bigger soundstage and that is what you want. You never gave a budget on the cans thought I guess your looking at $150 USD as that is what those run.

 

[ssook]

Yea i wish i could listen to both to determine which work better for me. And yea i know i don't need an amp or anything but would a sound card or DAC improve audio quality enough for me to spend $100 on one?

 

[buke9]

Yea i wish i could listen to both to determine which work better for me. And yea i know i don't need an amp or anything but would a sound card or DAC improve audio quality enough for me to spend $100 on one?

Myself I like more power but it depends on the amp. I don't know a lot about onboard computer sound to know the difference. With that said the inside of a computer is a very noisy place for audio interference. Will you be able to hear the difference in a outboard DAC and amp I don't know that is up to you. No one can say this is is better than that it will be up to your ears to determine that. My advice to you is either one of those cans can run straight out of your computer and I would pic one as they both get good reviews and listen to them for awhile and if you like them then your good to go if not you can always sell them or return them if the seller allows that. You are thinking about this too much. There is no perfect headphone for everything or it would be the only one sold. Sometimes you just have to take a shot in the dark. No one can give you the answer you want . Audio is just too subjective to everyone. Good luck these are just my opinions YMMV.

 

[ssook]

Thank you! I suppose I am thinking about this too much. I think ill pair it with an E10K to eliminate any chance of interference. 

 

[buke9]

Thank you! I suppose I am thinking about this too much. I think ill pair it with an E10K to eliminate any chance of interference. 

That would not be a bad choice. Fiio makes some really good stuff. I had a X-1 and a E-12 they both were built well and sounded very good.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Hi, so as a newbie to audio equipment and what not, I have no clue what to do. I play Counter Strike competitively and have been reading around and found that i should get either the AD-700X or AD-900X because of the positional audio. My question is which will suit me better, and if i should get a Soundcard/DAC/Amp. My budget after the headphones for the Soundcard/DAC/AMP is $100 USD. Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but i really am stumped on what to do.

  Thank you! I suppose I am thinking about this too much. I think ill pair it with an E10K to eliminate any chance of interference. 

 
If it's for gaming, your only option for virtual surround/surround simulation is Razer Surround. Soundcards by contrast have a dedicated DSP chip (or maybe your motherboard has one, so check that first), the difference being that Razer does it in software using the main processor.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Hi, so as a newbie to audio equipment and what not, I have no clue what to do. I play Counter Strike competitively and have been reading around and found that i should get either the AD-700X or AD-900X because of the positional audio. My question is which will suit me better, and if i should get a Soundcard/DAC/Amp. My budget after the headphones for the Soundcard/DAC/AMP is $100 USD. Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but i really am stumped on what to do.

 
If this setup is really about gaming and not so music for music listening.
Get the AD700X and the Sound Blaster Z sound card.
 
If music listening is also important, then spend the extra for the AD900X. (as the AD700X lack bass).
The AD900X do not have a lot of bass, but at least offer more bass then the AD700X.