Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (8/18/2022: iFi GO Blu Review Added)
Aug 10, 2013 at 1:35 AM Post #15,706 of 48,566
Quote:
Ok so which version of the mixamp should I get? I want crispy clean 7.1 with good bass

I'm looking for the absolute best solution

From what I remember, and I may be lying to you, the 2013 version was a total piece when it came to hiss but has EQ settings. The version before that which I think was the 2011? seemed to be the best all around.
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 8:17 AM Post #15,707 of 48,566
So I went and bought something on sheer impulse. I'll let you guys speculate what it is, and I won't even hint at what it is until it's in my hands. I'll simply say that I got it off Ebay with my Bill Me Later account, so I have 6 months to pay it, which isn't gonna be hard as it's not that expensive. I couldn't wait anymore. These impulses will be the end of me.

From what I remember, and I may be lying to you, the 2013 version was a total piece when it came to hiss but has EQ settings. The version before that which I think was the 2011? seemed to be the best all around.


This.

The Mixamp rolls off the bass under 35hz, meaning the bass under that is going to be basically absent. I actually found that not to be a major issue as 35hz and above is usually where most bass is on sources anyways...

I LITERALLY felt that 35hz was like the best frequency for bass to my ears. Sheer coincidence.

But yes, Get a non-2013 Mixamp for the cleanest signal. If you value voice chat from a USB source (i.e. PS3), don't get the original Mixamp, as the usb port is JUST for power.
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 8:33 AM Post #15,708 of 48,566
Quote:
But yes, Get a non-2013 Mixamp for the cleanest signal. If you value voice chat from a USB source (i.e. PS3), don't get the original Mixamp, as the usb port is JUST for power.

What do you mean by "original Mixamp"? I recently ordered myself the 2011 version and I'm planning to use it partially also for PS3 chat, mainly skype on PC. As far as I know the Mixamps voice in-/output goes through USB but now you are saying that it is JUST for power?
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 8:35 AM Post #15,709 of 48,566
What do you mean by "original Mixamp"? I recently ordered myself the 2011 version and I'm planning to use it partially also for PS3 chat, mainly skype on PC. As far as I know the Mixamps voice in-/output goes through USB but now you are saying that it is JUST for power?


ce96a6a6_mixamp.jpg


This is the OG mixamp with no USB chat.

If your Mixamp looks like this:



You're fine.
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 8:42 AM Post #15,710 of 48,566
Quote:
You're fine.

Puh, thanks for enlightenment. I was scared of spending almost 100€ on a wrong device...
 
EDIT:
btw. this one here may be useful for the guide, as people who want to build an audiophile gaming setup most likely intend to prepare themselves also for the next gens:
 
 
Quote:
We Asked Astro About Next-Gen Gaming Headsets And The Xbox One

In this month's issue, we revealed that the Xbox One won't come with a headset packed in. This news caught a second burst of attention this week, so we decided to catch up with one of gaming's premiere headset manufacturers to see how they are approaching next generation consoles.

We spoke with Aron Drayer, director of marketing for high end gaming gear manufacturer Astro, about his company's plans for the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. A lot of talk about voice chat on Microsoft's new console has been brewing, and our readers that use premium (expensive) headsets have expressed concern about how their devices will work in the next generation.

"Microsoft is pushing ahead with new technology that will change how things work," Drayer told us. "Everybody got locked out of Xbox One. For instance, the Madcatz guys make some great fighting sticks for the Xbox 360. Those aren't going to work with your Xbox One. It's the nature of moving from one platform to another."

Unfortunately, this is the exact same thing we've been hearing from Microsoft about chat. The company reiterated to us today that "Only Xbox One controllers and accessories will work with the new console."

You still can output game audio through Astro Gaming's mixamps and A50 transmitter. "You will definitely not be able to do voice chat," Drayer confirmed. This means that an adapter for existing devices simply won't work.

"Based on what Microsoft is doing, that's not what they want to allow anyone in the peripheral space to do," Drayer explained. "Everybody is introducing new products, because the experience that Microsoft is developing on the Xbox One demands a different type of solution.
We love what they are doing, and it's super progressive, and we're really excited to potentially partner with them."

Astro is currently seeking a license to develop on the Xbox One and is confident they'll be brought on sometime in the near future. This also likely means that the company will have to break from its universal approach. "I definitely think it's going to demand developing a specific product for Xbox One," Drayer speculated.

In all likelihood existing headsets with a 3.5mm connection (like the A30 and A40) will continue to operate and the new tech will be incorporated into a new mixamp or similar product. However, Astro is biding its time and waiting to hear from the competitive gaming community, its original audience, what features are required. From there, Astro will let those sensibilities "bleed down to the hardcore."

Drayer speculates that, because we aren't hearing about the same type of licensing and new products for the PlayStation 4 that Sony is aiming for the status quo. "Based on what we've heard (and a lack hearing from anybody else), our assumption is that things are very likely going to work as they do today," he told us.

This means that chat output via USB will likely be consistent from the PlayStation 3 to the PlayStation 4. We've reached out to Sony for details, but at the time of publication are still awaiting response.

As for the overall market, Drayer remains positive despite a weakening of the video game sector. "We're selling more product right now than we did at this time last year," he shared. "The softness of the industry has an affect on us, too, but we're really happy where we are given that it's a transition year."

Even though he doesn't expect things to turn around in the console market until Christmas 2014, he revealed some good news about other segments. "We'll have some stuff in-between in spaces where we see high growth," Drayer said. "One is the PC pro space, like League of Legends and Starcraft II and the live streaming behind that. The mobile gaming space is really interesting, too. A transition year in one space doesn't necessarily mean that PC and mobile are slowing down. They're growing super rapidly."
 
So basically:
  1. The A50 and the current mixamps won't work for voice chat on the Xbox One.
  2. They should still work for game audio.
  3. The 3.5mm headsets (A30/A40) could work for v chat using a new Xbox One licensed mixamp.
  4. PS4 should allow USB voice chat so current Astro products for the PS3 should work on the PS4.

source: neogaf.com
 
Of course this is all not 100% confirmed yet, still it should be taken in consideration imho.
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 9:10 AM Post #15,711 of 48,566
Puh, thanks for enlightenment. I was scared of spending almost 100€ on a wrong device...

EDIT:
btw. this one here may be useful for the guide, as people who want to build an audiophile gaming setup most likely intend to prepare themselves also for the next gens:


source: neogaf.com

Of course this is all not 100% confirmed yet, still it should be taken in consideration imho.


I believe most of this has changed regarding the Xbox One since this was posted.

-Erik
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 4:35 PM Post #15,714 of 48,566
Quote:
Why do people get the mixamp over the DSS?

 
Voice chat.
 
The mixamp supports and MIXES voice chat from headsets, the DSS doesn't support them (only some turtle beach headsets with USB).
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 6:47 PM Post #15,716 of 48,566
Well my mic I'll be using is the inline mic that's on the cable for the ue 6000

I want to be able to plug my headphones into the mixamp and have mic support all with the same cable,

Can the 2011 mixamp do this for me?
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 9:10 PM Post #15,717 of 48,566
Mpawluk91,
Your name is a little hard to remember...
The Mixamp from 2011 will do that for you, if it comes with or you buy a TRRS Y-split cable to separate the mic input and sound output into two plugs, and your console isn't a PS3 that requires USB chat input (the very first Mixamp didn't support this, Mad just posted a pic a page or two back).

I personally don't bother, the only game I can't adjust down the game volume where I really think it needs it, is Halo 4. So, I just have a lapel mic plugged directly into the controller.
 
Aug 10, 2013 at 10:25 PM Post #15,718 of 48,566
Aug 10, 2013 at 10:30 PM Post #15,719 of 48,566
Quote:
So I went and bought something on sheer impulse. I'll let you guys speculate what it is, and I won't even hint at what it is until it's in my hands. I'll simply say that I got it off Ebay with my Bill Me Later account, so I have 6 months to pay it, which isn't gonna be hard as it's not that expensive. I couldn't wait anymore. These impulses will be the end of me.
This.

 
If its headphones, I say the Momentum on ear. If it's gear... I have no clue...
tongue_smile.gif

 
Aug 10, 2013 at 11:19 PM Post #15,720 of 48,566
Hahaha. I got to hear the Momentum, and while I liked their sound sig, I wasn't a fan of the pads. Both because they aren't velour, and because despite what people say, those are only over ear for a fraction of the world's population. They sit completely on ear for me.

There would be a bigger chance for me to get the Momentum on ear instead because I heard it's v-shaped and more bassy (which I prefer at least for portable music use), and because the pads aren't leather/pleather. Since both Momentums sit on ear, my OCD tendencies would lead me to rather get one designed to be on ear in the first place.

That being said...
 

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