huadiph
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2014
- Posts
- 6
- Likes
- 0
Hello Head-Fi,
I've been lurking heavily for the past few weeks researching a new gaming setup, but there are a couple of sales going on at local retailers so I'm thinking it's time to jump.
My current setup:
Soundcard: SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
Speakers: Logitech Z-5300
Headset: Logitech G930 (failing with disconnects, ear cushions and headband shredded)
IEMs: Shure SE215
I love the bass of the G930's, but they disconnect regularly and also don't seem to sound very good for music (though music is only about 25% of my listening with headphones). I like the SE215's for portable use, but they're not all that comfortable for long gaming sessions and seem to lack a bit of the bass and punch I'm used to while gaming (they sound good for music though). I do like my bass, and I do like being immersed in a game so I've mainly looked at closed headphones. I don't play competitive and I'm not really into FPS games (though I do play a few, but very rarely multiplayer), I'm mainly an RPG gamer (Diablo 3, Skyrim, Batman Franchise, Final Fantasy Franchise, Indie titles etc). I would also use them to watch TV/Movies.
My proposed upgrades:
Soundcard: SB Zx
I chose this because it has enough I/O to handle my speakers while also having an amp for headphones. I also use Optical-In for an Xbox 360. I looked at the ZxR but it's quite the jump in price to the Zx and I'm not sure if I need the extras. My current soundcard is good but I need to share an I/O port between headphones and my rear speakers...the alternative being using the headphone jack on my Z-5300's which has a bit of a hiss. I do enjoy surround sound as well and it seems like the newer tech will play well with the newer games, while also solving my I/O problems.
Headphones:
As I mentioned above I'd been mainly looking at closed, "fun" headphones and have read Mad Lust Envy's gaming guide. I'd all but decided on the 770-250's when I noticed a sale on the 880's. I realize they're partially open but from what I've read they're much better even though they may not have as much bass as the 770's. I don't have any sound leakage concerns as I have everything set up in a separate room, though when I play at night my sub can be heard in other rooms hence my headphone requirement. Given that the 2 are the same price right now, I'm really torn. I also think that my listening is a bit ruined by the bass in the G930's and since I've never had a pair of "real" headphones (other than my IEM's) I may be talking a bit of nonsense when it comes to what I'm really looking for. That said, my music tastes are mainly metal/rock (Tool/DMB etc) for which a good bass punch is preferable (at least for me) and I'd like to be able to get that without having to put the volume up too high. I'm a bit worried I'd be disappointed by the bass in the 880's, but if they still have that bass kick punch and can hit the low frequencies in games (like the d3 waypoints/explosions for example) I think I'd like them.
The other main consideration I have is comfort. I wear glasses, which is I think how my G930 earpads became so ripped up, and I've found that headphones with a stiffer clamp (I think that's the right term) can give me headaches. For that reason I wasn't sure if the M-100's would be the right fit, and I've heard so much about the comfort of Beyer's and their sexy velour earpads.
Lastly I should also mention that I live in Canada so prices may be a bit different, but I do have a US address I can use worse-case.
I'd be especially interested to hear from someone who's upgraded from the G930's, but any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I've been lurking heavily for the past few weeks researching a new gaming setup, but there are a couple of sales going on at local retailers so I'm thinking it's time to jump.
My current setup:
Soundcard: SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
Speakers: Logitech Z-5300
Headset: Logitech G930 (failing with disconnects, ear cushions and headband shredded)
IEMs: Shure SE215
I love the bass of the G930's, but they disconnect regularly and also don't seem to sound very good for music (though music is only about 25% of my listening with headphones). I like the SE215's for portable use, but they're not all that comfortable for long gaming sessions and seem to lack a bit of the bass and punch I'm used to while gaming (they sound good for music though). I do like my bass, and I do like being immersed in a game so I've mainly looked at closed headphones. I don't play competitive and I'm not really into FPS games (though I do play a few, but very rarely multiplayer), I'm mainly an RPG gamer (Diablo 3, Skyrim, Batman Franchise, Final Fantasy Franchise, Indie titles etc). I would also use them to watch TV/Movies.
My proposed upgrades:
Soundcard: SB Zx
I chose this because it has enough I/O to handle my speakers while also having an amp for headphones. I also use Optical-In for an Xbox 360. I looked at the ZxR but it's quite the jump in price to the Zx and I'm not sure if I need the extras. My current soundcard is good but I need to share an I/O port between headphones and my rear speakers...the alternative being using the headphone jack on my Z-5300's which has a bit of a hiss. I do enjoy surround sound as well and it seems like the newer tech will play well with the newer games, while also solving my I/O problems.
Headphones:
- Beyerdynamic DT 770-250,
- Beyerdynamic DT 880-250 (Edition - part 481793) - currently these are discounted to the same price as the 770's above (~$250)
- V-Moda M-100 - currently more expensive than the 2 above and I wonder if they're not quite as comfortable
- Also open to suggestions
As I mentioned above I'd been mainly looking at closed, "fun" headphones and have read Mad Lust Envy's gaming guide. I'd all but decided on the 770-250's when I noticed a sale on the 880's. I realize they're partially open but from what I've read they're much better even though they may not have as much bass as the 770's. I don't have any sound leakage concerns as I have everything set up in a separate room, though when I play at night my sub can be heard in other rooms hence my headphone requirement. Given that the 2 are the same price right now, I'm really torn. I also think that my listening is a bit ruined by the bass in the G930's and since I've never had a pair of "real" headphones (other than my IEM's) I may be talking a bit of nonsense when it comes to what I'm really looking for. That said, my music tastes are mainly metal/rock (Tool/DMB etc) for which a good bass punch is preferable (at least for me) and I'd like to be able to get that without having to put the volume up too high. I'm a bit worried I'd be disappointed by the bass in the 880's, but if they still have that bass kick punch and can hit the low frequencies in games (like the d3 waypoints/explosions for example) I think I'd like them.
The other main consideration I have is comfort. I wear glasses, which is I think how my G930 earpads became so ripped up, and I've found that headphones with a stiffer clamp (I think that's the right term) can give me headaches. For that reason I wasn't sure if the M-100's would be the right fit, and I've heard so much about the comfort of Beyer's and their sexy velour earpads.
Lastly I should also mention that I live in Canada so prices may be a bit different, but I do have a US address I can use worse-case.
I'd be especially interested to hear from someone who's upgraded from the G930's, but any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.