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Processor | 7800x3d |
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Software | Windows 11 64 Bit |
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I have a few threads about audio I have started, relating to different things. I am not happy with what I got now, and am looking to upgrade. This will pretty much be a speakers vs headphones thread. The purpose is to help me decide what I want/need, I honestly don't know. I have been reading a lot about audio this last week and I just feel lost. I would prefer to stay on a cheaper budget too.
My current audio situation is onboard realtek alc892 from my msi p67 gd53. Going through some cheap speakers, either my tv (hdmi with 6950) or external (3.5mm jack). I am not an audiophile, but I mostly play games and occasional music.
I have these 5.1 surround speakers without the dvd player sitting in my garage. http://www.overstock.com/Electronic...inment-System-Refurbished/887038/product.html
I would need to get a 5.1 receiver for $100-$150 for this because the speakers connect by speaker wire..
I have also been considering headphones too. I have these headphones http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826193065. I got them for $7 with promo when my $5 pair broke. They sound good to me but I also don't know what good sounds like. They arn't that comfortable after an hour. I am thinking that a good set of comfy over ear headphones would be good. I like the idea of wireless headphones a lot.
I have also considered getting a sound card. The reviews of the asus xonar dg + its $25 nearly convinced me to get one. I have been looking all the way up to an Auzentech X-Fi Edit:raider. I didn't because I don't have very good speakers anyway.
What would provide the best experience, those speakers or headphones?
If I chose headphones, what should I be looking at?
Would I lose worthwhile quality if I chose wireless?
Would it be worthwhile to get a soundcard?
I have read some stuff like:
My current audio situation is onboard realtek alc892 from my msi p67 gd53. Going through some cheap speakers, either my tv (hdmi with 6950) or external (3.5mm jack). I am not an audiophile, but I mostly play games and occasional music.
I have these 5.1 surround speakers without the dvd player sitting in my garage. http://www.overstock.com/Electronic...inment-System-Refurbished/887038/product.html
I would need to get a 5.1 receiver for $100-$150 for this because the speakers connect by speaker wire..
I have also been considering headphones too. I have these headphones http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826193065. I got them for $7 with promo when my $5 pair broke. They sound good to me but I also don't know what good sounds like. They arn't that comfortable after an hour. I am thinking that a good set of comfy over ear headphones would be good. I like the idea of wireless headphones a lot.
I have also considered getting a sound card. The reviews of the asus xonar dg + its $25 nearly convinced me to get one. I have been looking all the way up to an Auzentech X-Fi Edit:raider. I didn't because I don't have very good speakers anyway.
What would provide the best experience, those speakers or headphones?
If I chose headphones, what should I be looking at?
Would I lose worthwhile quality if I chose wireless?
Would it be worthwhile to get a soundcard?
I have read some stuff like:
I'm with Dent. The time of soundcards is OVER. They were very important 10 years ago. Now it is all down to the amp and speakers. What differentiates a soundcard today is just the quality of the pre-amp section of the board. An external amp/decoder is far better than ANY PCI/PCIe soundcard until you go ProAudio. But really, that's a professional market for music production, and gamers dont need to venture into that space.
I used to have the Creative Auzen X-fi Forte, probably the best sounding card I had owned as far as gaming but the issues I had with Creative's buggy dashboard was ongoing. In the end the driver issues although bearable forced me to sell it.
Also had an Auzentech Meridian, had not faults, perfect drivers wonderful. Only sold it because I wanted HDMI output.
Now I use my 5850's HDMI output and for uncompressed PCM which sounds amazing on my Onkyo receiver and KEF bookshelf speakers.
Also, Creative hasn't had proper EAX support from game developers in a decade, so there is little incentive to buy.
Don't need to spend £1500.
What effects? Soundcards have been standardised since Vista so there is little advantages as far as effects. Games either use Direct Sound or Open AL. All sound cards have EAX 2.0 support. There is no support for anything above despite what creative might say.
The amps on most soundcards are equivalent to the ones on a receiver, so if you are running a headset you'd be better off connecting it directly to a soundcard. But yes, a pair of £40 Warfedale Diamond 9.0 bookshelf speakers connected to a mediocre £100+ receiver would sound better than the Logitech Z5500.
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