What is your primary audio configuration for gaming?

What is your primary audio configuration for gaming.

  • Headphones

    Votes: 128 46.5%

  • TV/monitor/laptop internal speakers

    Votes: 3 1.1%

  • 2.0/2.1 computer speakers

    Votes: 41 14.9%

  • 2.0/2.1 DAC/active speakers/receiver

    Votes: 34 12.4%

  • 5.1 home theater

    Votes: 21 7.6%

  • 5.1 computer speakers

    Votes: 37 13.5%

  • 7.1 home theater

    Votes: 8 2.9%

  • 7.1 computer speakers

    Votes: 3 1.1%
  • Total voters
    275
50/50 Asus Xonar Essence & Beyer DT 990. Marantz receiver & Paradigm bookshelfs and center channel.
 
Pioneer SC-55 receiver
SVS MBS-02 speakers (pair)
SVS PC12-NSD subwoofer
HT Omega Striker 7.1 sound card
 
I'm sure that this setup won't get points from the audiophiles but it sounds great & is a fully functional setup that works well.

Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD via SPDIF over Dolby Digital
↓↓↓
3-port optical switch
↓↓↓
Astro A40 Audio System (Headphones + Amp)
&
Logitech Z-5500 Digital Surround Sound System

I mostly use the A40 since I try not to drown out the house (for my wife) with my music or games.
 
I was using triple LCD's with Z-5300 speakers but just recently ditched eyefinity for a Benq 1080p projector and full 5.1 home theater system I put together. It's mind blasting!
 
I have the Corsair Vengeance 1500s but only use that for the mic haha. My main is Logitech 5.1 computer speakers that I dont remember the model to.
 
I got a 7.1... i consider em computer speaker not home audio ones... Logitech z680...had this setup for years....also use surround sound headphones for when the wife tells me to SHUT THAT SHIT OFF! lol
 
senn hd 558's and an asus xonar dg

the sound is amazing, and i can blow stuff up and listen to music as loud as i want in an apartment at 3 in the morning without pissing off the neighbors.
 
On my PC it's all headphones (currently). AKG 701 plugged in a Yamaha RX-V765 (kind of a waste, really). I just use optical out on my motherboard to supply the receiver. I also use the Standard CinemaDSP setting to create spacial cues. Works pretty well.
 
9.2 for my PS3 and PC in my living room, 2.1 Corsair (won them here :D) on my workstation's eyefinity setup and Marshall headphones for my Vita.
 
Fail on the poll..... :rolleyes: no vote from me...

4.1 Klipsch - paid $300ish back in 1999... still kick @ss.
 
My pc is right next to my tv and its gargantuan speaker system, so normally I just use that. However, I am looking at buying some headphones for when I am skyping and doing PC games that require positional audio cues.
 
Im using the older wireless ps3 head phones that have virtual 7.1.... now they just put out the ones that are pure 7.1....:eek:
 
Two Polk on wall speakers and a Pyle amp.

I have had everything over the years and I really figured out that a bunch of speakers and equipment really didn't sound much better to me than 2 decent speakers, it just took up a lot of space and made a lot of wire mess.

I have some wireless Plantronics headphones that I wear sometimes too.

I am not what you'd call an audiophile.
 
Headphones exclusively. Normally I use a set of Sennheiser HD600s with an Asus Essence STX, though I'll switch with other headphones on occasion.

I don't like bothering people or being bothered, and headphones provide me with sound quality that surpasses speakers without having to spend a fortune or worrying about the setup and shape of my room.
 
I have been reading this forum forever and I always read that tons of people use headphones.

If that is so, I wonder if real expensive speakers really produce better sound. I have always thought not unless you crank them up very very loud (which I never need or want to do).
 
Staples said:
I have been reading this forum forever and I always read that tons of people use headphones.

If that is so, I wonder if real expensive speakers really produce better sound. I have always thought not unless you crank them up very very loud (which I never need or want to do).
Click to expand...

If you want absolute clarity then heaphones are the way to go. However i feel speakers provide more immersive sound that you can feel.
 
It really depends on what I'm doing. If im playing a single player game I will go with my 2.1 setup for comfort. I like my headset for multi player games because of the mic and I think hearing certain things that you need a headset for gives you an advantage. I use my se215's when I use my laptop for convenience.
 
yourgrandma said:
If you want absolute clarity then heaphones are the way to go. However i feel speakers provide more immersive sound that you can feel.
Click to expand...
I think that headphones sound clear because they're right up against your ear and I think that the immersion from speakers comes from the speakers being able to provide a wider range of frequencies and push more air (SPL; bass).

I used headphones in the past but I was concerned about my hearing because after long periods of using them I felt like my hearing was impacted more than when listening from speakers; kinda like how your ears feel after being at a loud concert. With speakers I feel like I can play them just loud enough get the immersion because of the loudness of the speakers and subwoofer and my ears don't hurt afterwards.

I figure more people would use speakers and surround setups if they had the space and could get away with the noise. I lucked out because I have the space (in a house) and I've apparently been blessed with a wife that only cares about noise when she wants to sleep so I go crazy with loud stuff.
 
I usually use a 5.1 system. I like to crank it up at times so that the guns have that extra loud crack/boom like their real life counterparts.

Headphones are cool too, but I'd rather have nothing on my head. Just more comfortable that way.
 
Headphones mainly, and my awesome 2.0 stereo set for music most of the time.
 
Right now?

Beyerdynamic T1's , HiFiMan - Ef5 Tube Headphone Amplifier , ASUS ST and Audioengine D1 DAC.

Games sound fucking incredible and I can pick up every audio que without a single issue. I live in a house of 5 people so I can't blow money on expensive speakers. However I still find gaming with high quality headphones to far out weight 99 percent of the experiences I've had with high quality speaker setups and less hassle.

I can not recommend enough ... blow all your money on good cans and don't sweat the rest.
 
I answered 2.0 (for my PC). A pair of old Yamaha powered speakers from the late 90s (YST-M10). Good speakers.

For Xbox/etc it would be 5.0 - just picked up some Klipsch Energy RC Micros (too small but a great deal), and an Onkyo TX-SR605. My kids broke my subwoofer a few years back when they were toddlers, haven't gotten around to getting a new one.
 
For years I used and liked a good set of quality PC speakers, but of late I use headphones. Privacy was the reason I switched. Now I doubt I will ever go back to speakers. The most important thing about phones is getting a pair that are comfortable to wear for long periods.
 
Been using a 5.1 setup since the PS2 days...back when only like 3 games and DVD's supported it.
I bought a set of Polk speakers for 60% off back when Circuit City was purging their inventory.
Currently I have my consoles and PC all hooked up via HDMI through my receiver. Everything is in my basement so I don't really have to worry about disturbing anyone.
 
Headphones and mic for multiplayer PC gaming (Quake Live, StarCraft 2). Single player 3rd person PC & console games or games that necessarily do not require a mouse and keyboard (Splinter Cell series, Deus EX HR , Dishonored etc) is connected to the home theater system
 
I voted 2.1 setup (Logitech Z2300), because I believe that to be my primary. But, Lately I have been using my Headphones (Steelseries Siberia V2s) for gaming, as I have been playing a lot while the GF sleeps. But, if she is gone, I'm cranking it... I'd rather not have the added pressure and weight on my ears. Even though these headphones are VERY confortable...
 
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