*TPU's Gaming Headphone/Headset Thread*

[Tardan]

Originally Posted by Horrux

I use an Auzentech Prelude X-Fi, which is probably better than a Xonar, and has a headphone amp integrated.

Thanks for the suggestion. It seems like that model is discontinued. or I'm continually getting more blind.

Would you recommend any other Auzentech cards or any other cards in general?

Thanks for all your help!

[Horrux]

Originally Posted by Tardan

Thanks for the suggestion. It seems like that model is discontinued. or I'm continually getting more blind.

Would you recommend any other Auzentech cards or any other cards in general?

Thanks for all your help!

That's the PCI model. They have a PCI-E model that is actually a bit less expensive, I believe. These are very, very good sound cards, much better than most X-Fi. The sound processor is not, by far, the only thing that makes a soundcard's quality.

EDIT: Here is a PCI model without the headphone amp: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=57...ustomerReviews

And there are PCI-E models with headphone amps:

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=35...h&promoid=1444

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=49...h&promoid=1444

They're all good, but destined to different uses I think. I would get a Forte for your uses. It has really good ratings, too.

[Delta6326]

Just ordered my Christmas present the Beyer Dynamic DT 880 Premium Headphones (250 ohms) for $250, these will be my first higher end phones. I currently don't have a AMP, but will be looking for one, maybe a Fiio E17 so I can use it on the go and at the computer.

Will post more when it get's here next week.

[Ra97oR]

Got myself a pair of Sony MDR-1R, can't help but to be impressed by the comfort and sound.

[Horrux]

Originally Posted by Delta6326

Just ordered my Christmas present the Beyer Dynamic DT 880 Premium Headphones (250 ohms) for $250, these will be my first higher end phones. I currently don't have a AMP, but will be looking for one, maybe a Fiio E17 so I can use it on the go and at the computer.

Will post more when it get's here next week.

I hope you have a good sound card to pair those with...?

[Delta6326]

Originally Posted by Horrux

I hope you have a good sound card to pair those with...?

Just got it today doing a little burn in on them, they sound very good right now. I currently don't have a sound card, but i will be getting a AMP/DAC that can do 300ohm waiting for the new Fiio E13(Think thats its new #)

These have a very good sound and can't believe how comfy they are, feels like they aren't even on my head.

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by Delta6326

Just ordered my Christmas present the Beyer Dynamic DT 880 Premium Headphones (250 ohms) for $250, these will be my first higher end phones. I currently don't have a AMP, but will be looking for one, maybe a Fiio E17 so I can use it on the go and at the computer.

Will post more when it get's here next week.

that is a good price for a pair of those.

[Delta6326]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

that is a good price for a pair of those.

I got them even cheaper now it took from the day I order about 4 days to leave the store so I sent them a message and just at the right time they dropped the price down to $240 when they guy checked stuff so I saved some more money these do sound great can't wait to hear them with an AMP.

Does anyone know if a Onkyo TX-DS575 Receiver works as an AMP for its headphone jack?

[n-ster]

skip the Fiio if you don't need the portability they offer

[Delta6326]

Originally Posted by n-ster

skip the Fiio if you don't need the portability they offer

I will be doing some portable listening, do you have any suggestions on AMPs?

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by Delta6326

I got them even cheaper now it took from the day I order about 4 days to leave the store so I sent them a message and just at the right time they dropped the price down to $240 when they guy checked stuff so I saved some more money these do sound great can't wait to hear them with an AMP.

Does anyone know if a Onkyo TX-DS575 Receiver works as an AMP for its headphone jack?

i'm pretty sure every receiver with an amp will power the headphone jack.

[n-ster]

Originally Posted by Delta6326

I will be doing some portable listening, do you have any suggestions on AMPs?

sorry I don't know much about that kind of stuff lol

by portable you mean laptop or like phone? I have an iBasso D10 for example, perfect size/perf for me

[BumbleBee]

some receivers use resistors or op-amps on the headphone out but they don't have a lot of driving power. it's for casual listening.

[Delta6326]

Originally Posted by n-ster

sorry I don't know much about that kind of stuff lol

by portable you mean laptop or like phone? I have an iBasso D10 for example, perfect size/perf for me

I will be using a phone.

[BumbleBee]

Electric Avenues PAV2 is a good choice. I think it's about $60. it can drive the Beyerdynamic DT880. I have not listened to it but it's got rave reviews by some publications and is even on the shelf at a local HiFi store in Toronto which is cool because I think one canadian guy makes these.

http://www.electric-avenues.com/amplifiers.html

[Mussels]

anyone recommend a good BT headset for use with galaxy S/iphone?

preferably in-ear.

[BumbleBee]

Originally Posted by Mussels

anyone recommend a good BT headset for use with galaxy S/iphone?

preferably in-ear.

Etymotic makes some

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Resea...=etymotic+blu2
http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Resea...otic+bluetooth
http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Resea...otic+bluetooth
http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Resea...otic+bluetooth

[Mussels]

should have been more clear: stereo BT headset, for music.

[BumbleBee]

i'm sorry Mussels I can't help you. Bluetooth is something audiophiles stay away from because of the compression. I haven't really tried any Bluetooth headphones to make a recommendation.

[Techtu]

Best headset £30 - £40 can get these days?

[BumbleBee]

Originally Posted by Techtu

Best headset £30 - £40 can get these days?

Samson SR850 and Antlion Modmic is how I would spend my money.

[Bo$$]

anyone tried any AptX Bluetooth headphones apparently those are truly amazing!

[Horrux]

Originally Posted by Delta6326

I will be using a phone.

For such a low quality source, you probably need el-cheapo backup headphones instead of wearing the expensive stuff for no reason. Or for show maybe?

Either way, it's like pouring your bottle of vodka in the gas tank of your Ferrarri.

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by Horrux

For such a low quality source, you probably need el-cheapo backup headphones instead of wearing the expensive stuff for no reason. Or for show maybe?

Either way, it's like pouring your bottle of vodka in the gas tank of your Ferrarri.

I can tell the difference between using a UE TF10, iShit, Creative EP630, Marshmallows. Not too much difference between TF10 and Superfi 220, so my advice is look for something about ~$50-100 if you are going to use it on phones and other non-specific devices.

[Horrux]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

I can tell the difference between using a UE TF10, iShit, Creative EP630, Marshmallows. Not too much difference between TF10 and Superfi 220, so my advice is look for something about ~$50-100 if you are going to use it on phones and other non-specific devices.

Oh you will be able to tell the difference, for sure. Higher quality headphones will probably sound worse, given that they will likely reproduce the quality problems with the music output with much better fidelity than lower quality ones. You'll get to hear all the MP3 compression artifacts with amazing clarity, and every single distortion induced by the (phone) player's sub-par sound-production circuitry.

I'm just not sure that's a desirable experience. Better off with Koss Porta-Pro, cost $25 and do the job just fine.