Newbie confused about Headphone/PC performance

[metafour]

So I recently purchased my first "real" pair of headphones: Audio Technica M50's; I've been listening to them for a little while now with my PC and honestly I'm not as impressed as I thought I was going to be (and this is coming from someone who was mostly using terrible computer speakers and a crappy Turtle Beach Xbox headset as headphones).  Some things sound good whereas other things just sound 'off' in some sort of way (not even sure if I can explain; just something offsetting).  I'm listening to mainly 320kb MP3's and FLAC's that have been downloaded online, using Winamp mainly.  I am using the front-panel headphone jack on my computer which has a Realtek ALC888S audio chipset (running 6.0.1.6196 drivers if that helps any), and I have not made any significant changes to any audio settings or equalization or anything.  My question is whether or not there is something I need to tinker with or perhaps a standalone sound card would help? I'm a bit confused because from the little I've researched it appears that most people feel that the Realtek chipset is more than adequate.  I really hope that I wasn't expecting too much...but honestly I'd assume that a ~$150 pair of headphones that everyone seems to praise would sound better.
 
Any tips/suggestions? Thanks.

 

[stv014]

Onboard audio in PCs is often not very well implemented, especially when using the front panel headphone jack, even if the codec chip itself would be capable of relatively decent performance.
With new headphones, you also need some time to get used to the different sound. If you use the M50s for a longer time, they may start to sound better subjectively.

 

[XxDobermanxX]

Audio Technica M50' are overrated and overrecommended , if you mostly use pc i would suggest getting a sound card depending on your budget these would help
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=4zgglg5j0yzv
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020
 
i just hope you didnt get a fake one
 
if your pc doesnt have enough pci e slot for a sound card then you can a fiio E10 amplifier since you listen music around your computer.
(as it has better sound output than the fiio e7)

 

[metafour]

Quote:

 
i just hope you didnt get a fake one

 
I didn't.  They are the new silver LE version from SoundProfessionals.

 

[proton007]

First of all, I'm not sure what kind of a difference you were expecting. Usually, there are bass/treble changes, but the biggest differences are in terms of how clean/clear and realistic the sound gets. Thats all. 
If possible, try to explain more to check if there's a real problem, otherwise its just your headphones, maybe they don't suit you well.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

So I recently purchased my first "real" pair of headphones: Audio Technica M50's; I've been listening to them for a little while now with my PC and honestly I'm not as impressed as I thought I was going to be (and this is coming from someone who was mostly using terrible computer speakers and a crappy Turtle Beach Xbox headset as headphones).  Some things sound good whereas other things just sound 'off' in some sort of way (not even sure if I can explain; just something offsetting).  I'm listening to mainly 320kb MP3's and FLAC's that have been downloaded online, using Winamp mainly.  I am using the front-panel headphone jack on my computer which has a Realtek ALC888S audio chipset (running 6.0.1.6196 drivers if that helps any), and I have not made any significant changes to any audio settings or equalization or anything.  My question is whether or not there is something I need to tinker with or perhaps a standalone sound card would help? I'm a bit confused because from the little I've researched it appears that most people feel that the Realtek chipset is more than adequate.  I really hope that I wasn't expecting too much...but honestly I'd assume that a ~$150 pair of headphones that everyone seems to praise would sound better.
 
Any tips/suggestions? Thanks.

The Realtek audio processor might be decent, but the DAC could be a cheap piece of ####.
Invest in an Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card.
Try using Foobar to play audio files.

 

[obobskivich]

I'm doubting the Realtek or any hardware/software associated with it is really a problem here. Either you're not mad about the M50s sound (and it's impossible for anyone here to tell you this, and it's probably impossible for you to tell us this, having not tried many other cans from the sound of it), or (less likely) the PC's headphone output can't drive the M50s properly. Since you aren't mentioning any specific problems (e.g.: "holy hell there's no bass!") I'm guessing it's probably the former. I'd try another pair of cans, even on loan, see what you think. It's a fairly personal decision.