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Headset + soundcard

B

Brownstone

Gawd
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Messages
873
Hey, need recommendations for this. I currently have a Logitech G930.

I kinda want to buy a new gaming headset (light music and movie watching too) paired with a sound card that will give me virtual surround. Maybe its not worth it, im currently debating between

Sennheiser HD 598 and HD 650. Big difference in price, is it worth it ? Will the 598 be a big improvement over the G930 ?

For sound card, i was thinking about getting a Sound Blaster Z, dnno what to choose really
 
Both will be huge improvements over the Logitech. Especially when combined with a soundcard like the SBZ.

For gaming do I think the HD650's are worth the extra cost (remember you will want an amp) over the 598's? No I do not.

The HD598's and the SBZ are definately a big improvement. I would go that route.
 
I picked up a Z this weekend from best buy, guess they are still selling with Nichicon FG caps too. After messing with the settings I think its at least as good as my previous X-FI XtremeMusic. With my ATH-M50's the Z really shines with the headphone amp. The only thing that bugs me is the lack of being able to choose between their SBX stereo upmixing and regular old front-to-rear copy when listening to stereo sources in 5.1. There are workarounds like plugins for particular media players that can do this however.

You might also be interested in this: http://www.modmic.com

If you find a pair of cans that sound great but don't have a mic, this is a solution.
 
Thx for the advice ! :D Now. Would it make a difference if i bought one of the more expensive soundcards, like SB ZX or even the Asus Phobues (?) ?
 
I have a Creative Recon and a Asus DG they sound different for speakers but I can't tell the difference with headsets Battlefield 4 sound good with the DG but I'm going back to my onboard because my ears ring with soundcards and headphones.

Realtek isn't bad at all N-force like 10 years ago was pretty bad though.
 
Brownstone said:
Thx for the advice ! :D Now. Would it make a difference if i bought one of the more expensive soundcards, like SB ZX or even the Asus Phobues (?) ?
Click to expand...

The ZXR is damn amazing man. You will notice more clarity over most sound cards. You decide to get the ZXR, may as well snag the HD 650's and be done with PC audio for a few years.
 
Brownstone said:
Wouldnt i still need an amp to drive the 650 even with a zxr ?
Click to expand...

They'll sound 'fine' without an amp. They'll sound better with an amp.
If you're just looking for fine, get the HD 598's (or 558's).
The HD 650's will not sound as full or rich as they are capable of without the right amp. The difference between 598's and properly amp'd 650's at the low end of the frequency spectrum is significant, Cello and Bass in particular sound absolutely amazing. The 598's have a touch more sparkle up top, but you're trading 2% of your highs for 30% better low end.


Full disclosure, I've never owned a pair of 598's. I have listened to the 598's a number of times and they sound very similar to my modded 558's, which have mostly been in the closet since I got my HD 650's and Objective2 amp. Acoustically I probably wouldn't bother getting the 598's over the 558's...aesthetically the 598's are gorgeous. I would get the 650's over either of them for music and movies (650's are really nice for movies in fact), but for gaming it honestly doesn't make that much difference.
 
My zxr has no issues driving 600ohm Beyerdynamics DT880s. 650s won't sweat the thing.
 
Kueller said:
They'll sound 'fine' without an amp. They'll sound better with an amp.
If you're just looking for fine, get the HD 598's (or 558's).
The HD 650's will not sound as full or rich as they are capable of without the right amp. The difference between 598's and properly amp'd 650's at the low end of the frequency spectrum is significant, Cello and Bass in particular sound absolutely amazing. The 598's have a touch more sparkle up top, but you're trading 2% of your highs for 30% better low end.


Full disclosure, I've never owned a pair of 598's. I have listened to the 598's a number of times and they sound very similar to my modded 558's, which have mostly been in the closet since I got my HD 650's and Objective2 amp. Acoustically I probably wouldn't bother getting the 598's over the 558's...aesthetically the 598's are gorgeous. I would get the 650's over either of them for music and movies (650's are really nice for movies in fact), but for gaming it honestly doesn't make that much difference.
Click to expand...

The ZXR has a a nice headphone amp.
 
I really liked my HD 598's when I was using them. Now, however, they're back in the box and I'm using the PC 350 SE instead. For gaming, it was a hassle not to have a microphone that I could mute by lifting out of the way (don't use push to talk when I'm playing with my friend).

Either set is a huge improvement over the G930. I started with some G35's (still have 'em) and then bought the G930 set (also still have them). Neither Logitech set has been used in months.

I'd seriously consider going with the PC 350 SE or something like it if the headset is only for computer use. The PC 360 is less than the HD 598's on Amazon, so maybe consider that.
 
I tried a Senn PC 360 recently and was very impressed with both it's listening/recording sound quality for the money. I imagine the HD 650 would be very impressive indeed. Beyerdynamic might also be worthy of consideration.
 
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