Nah, I think overall SBX is the best virtual surround processing readily available. GSX and Dolby Headphone both have a very slight edge in rear audio cues and off angled sound cues (i.e. 75 degrees front/right, etc), but SBX has the least reverb (even at 100% it's less than GSX at standard room, and DH at DH-2) and thus the less processed sounding. I do think by today's standards GSX is a wonderful choice otherwise. I wouldn't pick Dolby Headphone 2 today, as good as the surround is. GSX is just as good and not as reverb heavy. Unless I'm on a strict budget which I definitely would spend the $45 for a Xonar U3 and a decent pair of cheap headphones like the Creative AUrvana Live.
As far as closed headphones, I don't have many examples and the ones I've currently reviewed while good, aren't as tonally balanced as open headphones that I recommend.
In any case, Razer VSS is not good, IMHO. At least nowhere near as good as the others.
If you JUST game on PC, I'd pick a GSX1000 and perhaps a Sennheiser Game Zero (having not heard it, but I trust them to have good closed headsets). If you like more immersion, just the GSX1000 and Beyerdynamic MMX300 2nd gen is FANTASTIC.
As for people trhat say VSS is not neeed today because games have their own, I call bullsh*t. Every game I've played that has their own "headphone surround" was NOTHING like having your own solution. I swear, they all soun like expanded stereo, which is like a fraction of a fraction of how a proper vss solution sounds. People who say this, are in denial or haven't experienced a proper vss solution. It's night and day.
I think the only game I can think of that has a PROPER solution is overwatch which has Dolby Atmos I believe. I can't say as I have never played OW, but I remember hearing about it. Dolby Atmos is good. I just haven't had extensive testing done with it, and for some reason the license for it on my PC doesn't seem to do anything. (free trial).
I'd take a cheap Xonar U3 with an easy to drive closed headphone over a $1000 audiophile setup that doesn't have VSS. That's how much I believe these people saying you don't need VSS are fiull of crap. Once you go proper VSS for gaming, you'll never go back to simple stereo, unless you're just one of those people that can't adjust to the VSS sound.
Well....the rabbit hole has lead me to you all.
Here’s how I got here. I put together a new PC, and selected a SoundBlaster AE-5.
My rig wont recognize it in cold boots, ONLY on the subsequent reboot. Super annoying. No word from Creative Support so far. Blah. I might have it for sale shortly.
So in my quest for a solution, I stumbled across someone asking me why I wanted an internal sound card anyway, that an external DAC and Amp was the way to go.
For the next few hours I researched Schiit, Fiio, Sennheiser GSX, CMSS-3D, Dolby Headphone, etc. etc.
I know a few things for sure:
1. I like positional audio in games.
2. I like/need closed back headphones.
With that in mind, for equipment I’m thinking of going with either the 598 closed back w/added mic paired with a Magni 3, or the Game Zero paired with a Magni 3.
From your descriptions, you like Dolby Headphone over SBX Pro/everything else, correct?
What about the Sennheiser GSX or Razer VSS?
Maybe I get a Sennheiser GSX to pair with my headphones and Magni 3?
Or grab a Modi Multibit, Magni 3, run the Razer VSS for positional audio and either pair of phones?
I’ve heard the 598s are great for VSS and positional audio...how do the Game Zero compare? 598 little light on bass? Game Zeros?
Any help is appreciated!
Quite a few people suggested that separate VSS is not needed today, plenty of games do that just fine...and that a good DAC, amp and set of cans is all I need.
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