Next Upgrade

[Hotthree]

Right now I currently own:
-Dg Xonar sound card
-Sennheiser 595's w/ Zalman mic

And I have very very very crappy speakers (which I plan to upgrade) either to M-audio, KRK, or yamaha HS50.

Do not worry about the speakers unless you want to, but I am more interested in what I should upgrade next.

Since I typically game I am thinking about going for the Creative recon3d fatality card or an amp. (Possibly both if I need to)

What should be done?

 

[Bakuhatsu]

I have a pair of Sennheiser 595 too, and I've got the Recon3D Fatal1ty shipping to me right now. I don't think you'll need to purchase an amp for the 595's since they're only 50 ohms I think. The salient feature for me is the CMSS3D (X-Fi) or TruStudio Surround (Recon3D) feature, so if your current Xonar card has that too already then perhaps you should think twice before a sound card upgrade.

 

[Hotthree]

I have a pair of Sennheiser 595 too, and I've got the Recon3D Fatal1ty shipping to me right now. I don't think you'll need to purchase an amp for the 595's since they're only 50 ohms I think. The salient feature for me is the CMSS3D (X-Fi) or TruStudio Surround (Recon3D) feature, so if your current Xonar card has that too already then perhaps you should think twice before a sound card upgrade.

That's why I was thinking about upgrading. I could be mistaken, but I believe the only way to achieve surround sound is set your headphones on 5.1 or 7.1.

Could anyone clarify this? I know it has a pro gaming mode, but I have yet to find it. (nvm found it)

 

[Forceman]

The Xonar DG has both a headphone amp and supports Dolby Headphone, so there isn't really a compelling case to be made for upgrading to the Recon3D. If you want to upgrade to a higher end sound card, like the Essence STX, that is one thing, but by specifications at least the Xonar DG and the Recon3D are in the same class (unless you really prefer the THX to Dolby).

 

[Impulse]

Xonar STX or X-Fi Titanium HD IMO. Haven't seen any reviews on the Recon yet but on the surface it doesnt seem like its in the same class as either of those.

 

[Bakuhatsu]

The Xonar DG has both a headphone amp and supports Dolby Headphone, so there isn't really a compelling case to be made for upgrading to the Recon3D.

If Recon3D's TruStudio Surround thing is at all anything like the previous X-Fi CMSS3D I'd say that Dolby Headphone isn't comparable. My Marantz receiver has Dolby Headphone and I can't say it's very convincing in conveying surrounding sound and direction. Although it is possible that I haven't tried Dolby Headphone set up with sound input as favorable as possible.

 

[Forceman]

I'm not sure if they are different implementations, but Dolby Headphone on my receiver doesn't sound as convincing as the DH coming from the Asus sound cards I've used (DX and DG). Older receiver, so that may be it, or maybe it is just my imagination. I prefer DH to CMSS:3D, but I have never tried the THX version.

 

[Bakuhatsu]

I see. That is somewhat surprising to me. May I ask what card you tried CMSS3D with?

 

[dustNbone]

I've used both, CMSS3D on my old Audigy2ZS, and DH on my Sondigo Inferno, and I'd say DH is overall superior in terms of convincing placement. CMSS seems to have more "pop" and might sound "better" to some, but the front to back placement just isn't there imho.

 

[Forceman]

I see. That is somewhat surprising to me. May I ask what card you tried CMSS3D with?

X-Fi Forte. I switched from a Xonar DX (DH) to the Forte and then back to a Xonar DG (when the Forte crapped out). I didn't dislike the CMSS, I just prefer DH more. HArd to say why exactly, but dustNbone's "pop" example is about right. DH just sounds more realistic to me.