Considering upgrade from USB Headphones

D

dremic

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Dec 9, 2011
Messages
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I am interested in upgrading my sound.

I have been using G930's and really I am unhappy with the sound quality. I used to think that I needed wireless but I am not so sure any more.

I hate desk mics though. so keep that in mind. I saw the micmod thing I am super interested in that.

so basically i would need ( guessing )

headphones
soundcard ( dont have )
amp? ( dont have )
mic mod or way around the desk mic.


Honestly I dont really want to spend 500$. anywhere between 200-300$ is reasonable.


Thanks for your time. :)
 
There are a ton of these threads. Just look at this one for example. Easiest new model to get and just move along is the Sennheiser 518, 558 or 598. Or any used Sennheiser 555, 595 etc are the older models but still great. I have the 558 and really enjoy it.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1776120
 
spaceman said:
There are a ton of these threads. Just look at this one for example. Easiest new model to get and just move along is the Sennheiser 518, 558 or 598. Or any used Sennheiser 555, 595 etc are the older models but still great. I have the 558 and really enjoy it.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1776120
Click to expand...

nothing in there about a amp or a sound card really though.


i looked at the 558 from what i understand its a much better value when compared to the price of the 598...

do i need the amp and sound card to really notice these headphones?
 
dremic said:
nothing in there about a amp or a sound card really though.


i looked at the 558 from what i understand its a much better value when compared to the price of the 598...

do i need the amp and sound card to really notice these headphones?
Click to expand...

You could easily get the 558 and use it out of a sound card and it will sound great. I would advise getting an amp or using a home theater receiver at some point to get their best sound. There is a noticeable difference to my ears. My Creative Zx sound ok but a bit tinny and sharp compared to my receiver. It just has more control over the sound and things sound more natural.
 
spaceman said:
You could easily get the 558 and use it out of a sound card and it will sound great. I would advise getting an amp or using a home theater receiver at some point to get their best sound. There is a noticeable difference to my ears. My Creative Zx sound ok but a bit tinny and sharp compared to my receiver. It just has more control over the sound and things sound more natural.
Click to expand...

would you recommend the 598's over them? cause they look incredibly more comfortable.


I was thinking

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Headphones-Burl-Wood-Accents/dp/B0042A8CW2 240$

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Beamforming-Microphone-SB1500/dp/B009ISU33E 98$


Thats 338$ without an amp.. seems reasonable.
 
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IF it was me I would just get the 558s. They are not as pretty and I took them apart to remove the foam pad and they sound pretty much exactly like the 598 for almost $100 less. The drivers are the same and I think the 598 have better earpads and maybe the headpad. So if that is worth $100 to you, perfect.

Just fyi that you are paying a premium for looks mostly.

The sound card is fine. It is what I use.

What I would do is think about getting the sound card, the 558 and an amp like the Schitt Magni.

http://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-07...8&qid=1376520705&sr=8-1&keywords=schiit+magni
 
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spaceman said:
IF it was me I would just get the 558s. They are not as pretty and I took them apart to remove the foam pad and they sound pretty much exactly like the 598 for almost $100 less. The drivers are the same and I think the 598 have better earpads and maybe the headpad. So if that is worth $100 to you, perfect.

Just fyi that you are paying a premium for looks mostly.

The sound card is fine. It is what I use.

What I would do is think about getting the sound card, the 558 and an amp like the Schitt Magni.

http://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-07...8&qid=1376520705&sr=8-1&keywords=schiit+magni
Click to expand...


i could get that amp the 558 and the soundcard for about the same so maybe ill do that.

do i need anything for the amp to work with the soundcard?
 
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dremic said:
thanks so much man. im sure youve answered the same questions a bunch of times, i appreciate the help really!


im gonna get these.. im excited :)
Click to expand...

Welcome. They are great and well made. No worries with that combo.
 
spaceman said:
Welcome. They are great and well made. No worries with that combo.
Click to expand...

hey spaceman.

is getting a DAC worth it as well?

i noticed that schiit modi is a DAC that a lot of people are pairing with the Magni..

worth it?!
 
Probably not if you are just gaming. It will improve music and movie sound. Tough call but lets say it cleans the sound up a bit. Maybe a 10% improvement over the Zx for music and for games the sound will be slightly better in terms of quality but the directional sound will not be as good.
 
hey spaceman,

any idea why my speakers arent showing up in the windows playback options?


theyre definitely hooked up correclty i can switch between the headphones and the speakers using the creative software, but i can do it using windows..
 
My speakers just show up in windows under:

Speakers
Creative Z
Default Device

Really though, the Z should control all of that.
 
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