[cmclnd]

I respect great sound quality, but I have very little understanding of how amps/dacs work.
 
I'm interested in upgrading my PS4 Turtle Beach Stealth 400 setup for something substantially better. I hate the build quality of these TB's. I had to do a warranty claim back in March for a broken extender, and yesterday the warranty replacement I'd received from that claim broke in the exact same way. Needless to say, I'm through with TB.
 
Here is the setup I'm currently considering, but I want to know if it's all I need.
 
1. Headphones: 
Superlux HD668B
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JOETX8
I'm open to suggestions on upgrades, but from what I understand these are more than sufficient for gaming. 
 
2. Amplifier
FiiO E17
http://www.amazon.com/E17-Alpen-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0070UFMOW
I'm also open to suggestions on alternatives, but I really don't want to spend too much. This is for gaming, not work. I need something that has an optical out so I don't have to use one of the two USB ports on the PS4.
 
3. Microphone
Samson Meteor Mic
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OU28P5Q/
Just need something that sounds good. I understand this works on PS4.
 
As the PS4 only has two USB ports, I need one for controller, and one for the microphone.
 
Any help is appreciated. Will the FiiO be all I need? I don't fully understand Amps and DACs. Is this a combination of the two?
 
Thanks so much. Based on the other thread I posted in, this seems like a very helpful place with a very responsive, knowledgeable community. I appreciate any input.

 

[cmclnd]

I've also just stumbled upon this bundle:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-990-Pro-250-Professional-Acoustically-Applications/dp/B0157874YO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
 
Thoughts?

 

[cmclnd]

I'm beginning to feel like maybe this isn't the best subforum to look for advice
 
I imagine the majority of the audio vets crawl other subs. I guess I should just keep posting til I hit the post limit?

 

[cmclnd]

Alright, so apparently this setup won't work the way I'd like it to. It will be solely stereo, without any surround sound capability.
 
In online FPS games like COD, it's absolutely essential you have 7.1 or 5.1 surround.
 
EDIT: I've posted an update to my working setup for anyone looking for a similar setup. Just browse a few pages ahead or search through my posts to find the detailed setup guide.

 

[Nemoona]

Sorry I didn't reply, I was planning on replying earlier but I couldn't, I don't see anything wrong with your proposed setup right now except for one thing, you would NEED to make sure, the Fiio e17k would work with a ps4, which I doubt it will.  I know it works with PC's, some phones, and probable macs, but PS4 may be something else entirely.  I doubt it would work.  Other than that the e17 has a built in amp so it should be able to power the headphones so long as they aren't crazy high impedance.  The bundle you found would also work if the sound blaster can power the beyerdynamic but you would need again to know it works with ps4 first, and I doubt that. 
 
If you want the headphones primarily for gaming and don't consider music as high, a gaming headset might be best.  your other theories are sort of like slapping together a bunch of different pieces of equipment meant for different things and it may cost you.  If you are playing fps's like COD, you may even want surround sound, if you specifically don't want a gaming headset, you can still balance what you want to find what would work best.  for example, maybe instead of what you had selected, you could try things like an Astro mixamp, or a V-moda boompro. 
 
If you do want some company suggestions for a gaming headset, I know a few, if you want headphones you can use for gaming, you might want to create a different thread for that, people here see a lot of other people looking for headphones for gaming, usually they get advice like AKG, or Sennheiser, both incredibly reputable companies.
 
If you need any other advice, just ask, I'll try to help as much as I can.​
 
Hope you find your perfect setup!

Nemo
 
Edit:
Yes, both of your setups would be solely stereo, and NO hifi headphones are gonna be different.  Many people think Surround Sound is useless, I don't agree, I think it would be highly useful in intense fps's.  if you want surround sound you will need a surround headset, probably digital unless you own a surround sound sound card.  And yes, I can suggest a large list of surround sound gaming headsets.

 

[cmclnd]

  Sorry I didn't reply, I was planning on replying earlier but I couldn't, I don't see anything wrong with your proposed setup right now except for one thing, you would NEED to make sure, the Fiio e17k would work with a ps4, which I doubt it will.  I know it works with PC's, some phones, and probable macs, but PS4 may be something else entirely.  I doubt it would work.  Other than that the e17 has a built in amp so it should be able to power the headphones so long as they aren't crazy high impedance.  The bundle you found would also work if the sound blaster can power the beyerdynamic but you would need again to know it works with ps4 first, and I doubt that. 
 
If you want the headphones primarily for gaming and don't consider music as high, a gaming headset might be best.  your other theories are sort of like slapping together a bunch of different pieces of equipment meant for different things and it may cost you.  If you are playing fps's like COD, you may even want surround sound, if you specifically don't want a gaming headset, you can still balance what you want to find what would work best.  for example, maybe instead of what you had selected, you could try things like an Astro mixamp, or a V-moda boompro. 
 
If you do want some company suggestions for a gaming headset, I know a few, if you want headphones you can use for gaming, you might want to create a different thread for that, people here see a lot of other people looking for headphones for gaming, usually they get advice like AKG, or Sennheiser, both incredibly reputable companies.
 
If you need any other advice, just ask, I'll try to help as much as I can.​
 
Hope you find your perfect setup!

Nemo
 
Edit:
Yes, both of your setups would be solely stereo, and NO hifi headphones are gonna be different.  Many people think Surround Sound is useless, I don't agree, I think it would be highly useful in intense fps's.  if you want surround sound you will need a surround headset, probably digital unless you own a surround sound sound card.  And yes, I can suggest a large list of surround sound gaming headsets.

 
Thanks for the reply. My biggest concern is I want surround sound. Apparently I can buy the Sony Silver headset, throw the headset away, use the dongle it comes with, and get Dolby output to whatever headset I want. I'll get an amp for more volume control.
 
I'd really like to find an alternative, though. I'm not interested in the Astro Mixamp. With consoles having no potential for hardware upgrades, you'd think there'd be a bit more variety for audio device upgrades. The major players in the gaming headset world just aren't that appealing to me, especially after running my K702's on PC. The sound quality of my current Turtle Beach headset is underwhelming to say the least.

 

[cmclnd]

Which surround headsets would you recommend? I've owned Astro A50's in the past, they were good but the buzzing always bothered me. Right now I'm using TB Stealth 400's. I've made a warranty claim and they've agreed to replace them with the TB Stealth 500P's. Money isn't necessarily a huge factor. I would really like to use studio quality headphones, but I need a setup that'll output Dolby. 

 

[Nemoona]

I haven't tried out that many surround sound headsets, I personally own the Logitech G35.
It's a good headset, works well with pc, the G-keys and controls on the side are really nice, as well it's quite durable.
It a good headset but if you have a large head I would not suggest it at all.
I used it to it's max extension and I suffered from the high clamping force and hard padding, you probably wouldn't know this if you had a small head but I don't use it for this problem.
If you want I can test it out and look at how well it works.
It sucks that all the good audio companies that also make gaming headsets (Sennheiser, Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic... ) only make their headsets in stereo.
Here's a list of companies that make gaming peripherals, I'm pretty sure they all make surround sound headsets.
Headset companies:
Astro
Turtle Beach
 
3 most popular gaming companies:
Razer
Logitech
Steelseries
 
Other companies:
Corsair
MadCatz
Roccat
Sentey
TTesports
 
All those are good companies
If you want comfort, Steelseries would be a good company.  If you want durability, I heard MadCatz products are rock solid.  If you want namebrand, Razer is the king for you.
I haven't tried headsets by any of these companies except for a little bit of Razer and Steelseries in-store.
You might have a better time finding out which headset is best by looking at reviews on different websites or even a gaming forums.
I hope I could help,
again, if you need any other help, just reply.  I'll try to be as helpful as possible.
 
Hope you find your perfect headset! 
Nemo

 

[cmclnd]

In the end, here's what I did for my PS4 setup:
 
Headphones: 
 
1. Schiit Magni 2 Headphone Amplifier: http://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-0702-Magni-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00SCBKPW2
2. Astro Mixamp Pro TR for PS4: http://www.amazon.com/MixAmp-Pro-TR-PS4-Black/dp/B014H2W1YO/
3. RCA to 3.5mm splitter: http://www.amazon.com/BlueRigger-3-5mm-Stereo-Audio-Cable/dp/B008UG6GCC/
4a. AKG K702 Headphones: http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-K702-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW/
4b. Superlux HD688B Headphones for good measure: http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8/
 
I've read so many great things about the Superlux HD688B's that I had to score a pair on top of my AKG's. I absolutely prefer the AKG's for gaming, but for music and movies the Superlux's are incredible. For $40, they're worth every damn penny. I did 80 hours of break in with Youtube videos on full volume. Before the break-in they were incredibly tinny, but now sound beautiful. The AKG's are the best headphones I've ever had the pleasure to listen to, and I've tested quite a few. I play a lot of Call of Duty, and they just can't be beat. The Q701's are also amazing, but they're a bit bassier and more for music than anything else. The K702's are much better for Call of Duty games and the like.
 
--
 
Microphone:
 
1. Behringer Xenyx 802 Microphone Mixer: http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-802-Premium-8-Input-Preamps/dp/B000J5XS3C/
2. Sendt XLR Male/Female 24 AWG Cable: http://www.amazon.com/Sendt-Foot-Female-Microphone-cable/dp/B008B2AA1I/
3. Ugreen 3.5mm TRS/4.5mm TS Mono Splitter Cable: http://www.amazon.com/Y-Cable-Splitter-Computer-Multimedia-Speakers/dp/B00ZKM3S4S/
4a. Behringer C-3 Microphone: http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-C-3-BEHRINGER/dp/B000KUA8EI/
4b. If you really want quality, go for the Audio-Technica AT2020 Microphone for $40 more: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK/
 
The microphone setup has been a hassle. Phantom power alone is not a workable solution for activating these microphones efficiently. I tried, and it didn't work. Initially I attempted to power the microphone with a Behringer PS400 phantom power supply. It didn't come close to meeting the impedence of the microphone, and the signal to the Astro Mixamp was distorted and no one could understand me. I wanted a standalone microphone, not a clip-on boom microphone, so I could have it sit on my desk and never have to mess with it. 
 
There may be cheaper options for the Mic Mixer, but this one is beautiful and does everything I need it to do. The sound is crisp and clear for my party members. It actually does a relatively good job at drowning out noise, but it'll pick up a lot more than a standard headset mic would so be careful if you go this route.
 
--
 
Note 1: Make sure you grab some good quality foam microphone windshields to drown out ambient sounds from A/C, fans, drafts, etc. 
Note 2: If you snag a pair of the Superlux's, make sure to grab some replacement ear covers because the covers they come stock with are pretty worthless. I grabbed these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KLPRQMO/
 
This isn't a cheap setup, but I love it and it's mine and it works amazingly.