[SubSt8]

Quote:

I recommend the Ultrasone HFI-2400 for both competitive and immersive gaming, and the ATH-AD700 for competitive gaming alone, but its lack of bass presence makes it useful for just competitive gaming, immersive gaming will be hurt quite a bit.

Alright sounds pretty good to me! Thanks for all the help and advice, it really is much appreciated and who knows in a year (or sooner knowing me) I may be back to try to find some ridiculously awesome headphone cause this will turn me into an audiophile or something silly lol. 

I guess just for the sake of knowing...what would be the next big upgrade over that headphone?

 

[Roller]

Quote:

Alright sounds pretty good to me! Thanks for all the help and advice, it really is much appreciated and who knows in a year (or sooner knowing me) I may be back to try to find some ridiculously awesome headphone cause this will turn me into an audiophile or something silly lol. 

I guess just for the sake of knowing...what would be the next big upgrade over that headphone?

 
There are several options, such as the Ultrasone Pro 2900 and the Hifiman HE-500.
 
Also, keep in mind that adding a headphone amp is recommended. While the HFI-2400 don't need a headphone amp to sound good, they certainly benefit from additional amping and scale nicely with better gear. Headphone amps you should consider are PA2V2, Fiio E11, Fiio E9, O2, Schiit Asgard.

 

[SubSt8]

Quote:

 
There are several options, such as the Ultrasone Pro 2900 and the Hifiman HE-500.
 
Also, keep in mind that adding a headphone amp is recommended. While the HFI-2400 don't need a headphone amp to sound good, they certainly benefit from additional amping and scale nicely with better gear. Headphone amps you should consider are PA2V2, Fiio E11, Fiio E9, O2, Schiit Asgard.

The astros mix amp isn't a very good option then I take it? Cause that's obviously what my current setup is using, but I am trying to go for something pretty darn good here.

 

[Roller]

Quote:

The astros mix amp isn't a very good option then I take it? Cause that's obviously what my current setup is using, but I am trying to go for something pretty darn good here.

 
The Mixamp is a niche device geared for consoles. PCs have access to far superior devices.

 

[SubSt8]

Quote:

 
The Mixamp is a niche device geared for consoles. PCs have access to far superior devices.

Alright thanks again for all the help and advice, much appreciated.

 

[Roller]

Just one final note. If you do intend on doing competitive gaming, I strongly recommend you to consider setting a budget for a soundcard that fully supports gaming audio. You can go from a base Creative X-Fi Titanium, an Auzentech X-Fi Forte or a Creative X-Fi Titanium HD. The first is the most modest card while the third is the best soundcard for gaming. And if you do serious gaming, no Asus soundcard is recommended due to their partial gaming audio support.

 

[SubSt8]

Quote:

Just one final note. If you do intend on doing competitive gaming, I strongly recommend you to consider setting a budget for a soundcard that fully supports gaming audio. You can go from a base Creative X-Fi Titanium, an Auzentech X-Fi Forte or a Creative X-Fi Titanium HD. The first is the most modest card while the third is the best soundcard for gaming. And if you do serious gaming, no Asus soundcard is recommended due to their partial gaming audio support.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102033

This is the card your talking about right?

Honestly I don't feel too bad about spending more on a sound card.

 

[SubSt8]

Alright so I think my final plan is something like this:


Soundcard: 
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102033
Amp:
FiiO E11
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E11-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0053KWDES
Headphone:
ULTRASONE HFI-2400
http://www.amazon.com/ULTRASONE-HFI-2400-Professional-Open-Back-Headphones/dp/B002W37ESY
Mic: 
Zalman Zm-Mic1
http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ

With this setup I should have surround sound that is both good in direction and quality correct?

 

[Roller]

Quote:

Alright so I think my final plan is something like this:


Soundcard: 
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102033
Amp:
FiiO E11
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E11-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0053KWDES
Headphone:
ULTRASONE HFI-2400
http://www.amazon.com/ULTRASONE-HFI-2400-Professional-Open-Back-Headphones/dp/B002W37ESY
Mic: 
Zalman Zm-Mic1
http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ

With this setup I should have surround sound that is both good in direction and quality correct?

 
Yes, that's the soundcard. It has also a high quality DAC and components, which makes it a good soundcard for music and movies as well.
 
That setup will provide you excellent gaming audio performance. Optionally you can upgrade further down the line the Zalman clip-on mic for a ModMic.

 

[SubSt8]

Quote:

 
Yes, that's the soundcard. It has also a high quality DAC and components, which makes it a good soundcard for music and movies as well.
 
That setup will provide you excellent gaming audio performance. Optionally you can upgrade further down the line the Zalman clip-on mic for a ModMic.

Really though thanks for all your help, you have been a great source of knowledge. 

 

[Roller]

Quote:

Really though thanks for all your help, you have been a great source of knowledge. 

 
Glad to help. I think you're going to be very satisfied with that setup. And do report back on how you find it to perform.

 

[Z3disD3ad]

I'm using the Turtle Beach Z6A COD Limited Edition headphones with 5.1 spec. 
 
I play some FPS and many other games. These headphones sound absolutely AMAZING for the price.
 
Highs, lows, mids, surround - everything is executed very well indeed. These headphones are getting hard to get, the limited edition has extra features like braided cable and other goodies. You can also use the adapter to connect them to a stereo source like an iPhone but the adapter cable isn't that long so you will need an extension. 
 
They are the most comfortable around the ear gaming headphones I have ever worn! Want to wear for 24 hours? no problem. Headphone makers for Audiophiles can take lessons from this.
 
Durability? don't know yet. My biggest concerns are blown speakers and head band breaks and cracks. Only time will tell. 
 
For the price, these headphones are best in the class imo.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Woa...those are two very different priced headphones there lol. Well it seems I have quite a few headphones to look through now lol.
beyerdynamic DT 990: ~$350
Sennheiser HD 598: ~$235
ATH-AD900: ~$230
ULTRASONE HFI-2400: ~$185
Sennheiser HD 558: ~$180
ATH-AD700 : ~$105
Alright...these are just the prices I have seen on either amazon or Newegg. I am going to go ahead and say no to the DT990, just a bit too much there and unless I am going to notice double the difference between the next set down I am not gonna drop that much at this time.

Used DT990 Pro 250-Ohm is $156 at Amazon.
New is $180.
 
 
 
If your into serious FPS gaming, get the refurb Creative X-Fi Titanium (non-HD) for $50 at Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102043
 
Still say get the used HD558 off Amazon ($110-$148)
As it's an easy to drive 50-Ohm headphone and will work plugged into just about everything.

 

[Roller]

Quote:

I'm using the Turtle Beach Z6A COD Limited Edition headphones with 5.1 spec. 
 
I play some FPS and many other games. These headphones sound absolutely AMAZING for the price.
 
Highs, lows, mids, surround - everything is executed very well indeed. These headphones are getting hard to get, the limited edition has extra features like braided cable and other goodies. You can also use the adapter to connect them to a stereo source like an iPhone but the adapter cable isn't that long so you will need an extension. 
 
They are the most comfortable around the ear gaming headphones I have ever worn! Want to wear for 24 hours? no problem. Headphone makers for Audiophiles can take lessons from this.
 
Durability? don't know yet. My biggest concerns are blown speakers and head band breaks and cracks. Only time will tell. 
 
For the price, these headphones are best in the class imo.

 
5.1 headphones/headsets are simply awful beyond recognition. The multi-driver implementation has never been done properly, and is detrimental to any sort of listening. Read further back on the single best headset currently available. Alternatively, the lower model is a good option as well, and both blow out of the water every single multi-driver headset in existence.
 
Quote:

Used DT990 Pro 250-Ohm is $156 at Amazon.
New is $180.
 
If your into serious FPS gaming, get the refurb Creative X-Fi Titanium (non-HD) for $50 at Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102043
 
Still say get the used HD558 off Amazon ($110-$148)
As it's an easy to drive 50-Ohm headphone and will work plugged into just about everything.

 
The OP already stated he's going to get a X-Fi Titanium HD, so there is no point in getting a regular X-Fi Titanium, other than saving some money for lower quality analog outputs.
 
The HFI-2400 is quite a bit superior to the HD558. And since the OP is adding an amp to his setup, there is no concern about driving any of the headphones discussed on the thread.

 

[SubSt8]

Alright so far I am loving the setup, I am still not sure what settings are right where but I think I am getting there. One huge issue I am running into though is with the Fiio E11, I cannot use it at the same time as charging it, leading to it dying mid-use most of the time because I leave my computer on quite often or game for a good time straight. I think I need another option unless someone can give me a solution to charging it and using it at the same time. Just looking online a bit I found the Fiio E10, is this a good option instead of the E11?

Oh and I am having issues in games with directional sound, is there a good amp option that also will give me 7.1 sound? Or maybe someone can help me setup the surround sound with this sound card, cause I've tried some settings and found the surround sound lacking.