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Looking for advice: Gaming headphones

Nov 7, 2012 at 7:39 AM Post #31 of 47
Quote:
subst8 said:
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.
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Fiio E10 is a DAC-amp combo, and you will get an inferior DAC compared to the Titanium HD's DAC. Look into the PA2V2, O2, Fiio E9 or Schiit Asgard.
 
Also, read this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/593050/the-nameless-guide-to-pc-gaming-audio-with-binaural-headphone-surround-sound
 
Nov 7, 2012 at 11:09 AM Post #32 of 47
Hi guys, I wonder if I could jump in on this conversation please and ask for a piece of advice?! I am looking for a pair of headphones for competitive FPS gaming only BUT need them to have good isolation. I currently have a pair of ATH-AD700s which are superb however, I do have issues with background noise, e.g. something as simple as a TV being on in the same room as my PC. I absolutely love their huge soundstage and detail at the high end and really want to replicate that but with a set of closed headphones. I was considering the ATH-ANC7b (active noise cancelling) headphones but have been advised to avoid them as they affect on sound quality and to settle for a pair with good passive noise cancelling properties. Otherwise I have had the ATH-A900x and Beyer dt770s recommended? Would you guys agree or suggest otherwise? Thanks!
 
Nov 7, 2012 at 11:15 AM Post #33 of 47
The ATH-A900X and the Ultrasone HFI-780 are good options with adequate isolation and good soundstage. The DT770 aren't good headphones for gaming, IMHO.
 
Nov 7, 2012 at 1:22 PM Post #34 of 47
Nov 7, 2012 at 2:01 PM Post #35 of 47
Nov 8, 2012 at 4:37 AM Post #36 of 47
Thanks for the advice Roller. What do you think of the AKG K550s? They apparently have very good isolation whilst maintaining the properties of an open headphone. They are a fair bit more expensive than the ATH-A900xs so I'm not sure if it's worth paying the extra,
 
Nov 8, 2012 at 7:49 AM Post #37 of 47
Well, they are quite balanced, neutral to the point some consider them to be boring, a trait I don't consider to be ideal for engaging gaming. Keep in mind closed headphones have less spacious soundstages by design, but I do think Ultrasone's S-Logic feature provide a larger soundstage on closed headphones, so you could go further up the ladder and look into the Ultrasone Pro 750.
 
Bottomline is, do you want more isolation at the expense of engaging sound or do you want mildly less isolation while having engaging sound that also performs nicely with competitive gaming?
 
Nov 8, 2012 at 7:58 AM Post #38 of 47
I think the latter. A spacious soundstage is crucial but like I said my AD700s just provide no isolation whatsoever which causes a lot of distraction. Unfortunately the Ultrasone Pro 750s are out of my price range. My max budget would be £170.
 
Nov 8, 2012 at 9:41 AM Post #39 of 47
Indeed the AD700 doesn't really have any isolation to speak of. I do stand by my Ultrasone HFI-780 recommendation, though, being good performers for both competitive and immersive gaming.
 
Are you running headphones out of an onboard audio chip, an internal soundcard, an external DAC, with or without additional amping, what?
 
Nov 8, 2012 at 10:22 AM Post #41 of 47
Have you considered getting a soundcard with full gaming audio support, and that certainly benefits competitive gaming?
 
Nov 8, 2012 at 10:46 AM Post #43 of 47
It all depends on your budget. There are three recommended cards, Creative X-Fi Titanium, Auzentech X-Fi Forte and Creative X-Fi Titanium HD.
 
EDIT: Forgot to add that the common denominator is the X-Fi chip, having full support for all gaming audio features. Also, the Creative X-Fi Titanium is the entry card, in the event your budget is tight, then you have the higher quality Auzentech X-Fi Forte with a better DAC and components, and the Creative X-Fi Titanium HD which is currently the best soundcard for gaming money can buy.
 
Nov 8, 2012 at 3:19 PM Post #44 of 47
Thanks for all your help, given me plenty to think about.
 
Got the soundcard wrong! I use a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE. Still cheap and cheerful.
 
I can't seem to find the Auzentech card you mentioned on amazon or scan.
 
Your honest opinion....do you genuinely think it is worth spending a £100+ on a soundcard? Is it a significant enough difference? Only, if I'm looking to spend this much on a card I'm going to struggle to afford a new closed headphone as well! 
 
Nov 8, 2012 at 3:33 PM Post #45 of 47
I wholeheartedly think it's a worthy purchase. Overall sound quality alone improves enough to warrant the purchase, and having the additional gaming and movie audio support just adds on that. The Creative X-Fi Titanium HD has a nice, rich sound, being neutral leaning ever so slightly to warmth, and it's a card that lasts for years due to the higher quality components used.
 
My point is that even if your budget doesn't stretch enough to get both a soundcard and headphones, either wait a bit longer and put some money on the side to get both, or just get the headphones for now, but do get the soundcard sooner rather than later.
 
It seems there are only a couple of used Auzentech X-Fi Forte cards on Amazon, but I know they can be found on other retailers.
 
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