hidjedewitje

If you really think you need better sound quality it's better to buy an external DAC (Digital to analog converter). Mostly because internal soundcards usually suffer from EMI (electro magnetic interference, even if they have a shield), most of those internal cards don't improve sound quality either. Depending on your headphones you might wanna buy a headphone amplifier. If you headphone has a high impedance (read over 150-200 Ohms) in combination with low sensitivity. If you tell us what the other parts of your audio set-up is we might be able to help you more accurately. Besides all of that, if you are gonna buy that motherboard anyway. Why don't you just try the onboard audio first?

This is a good guide. It shows you quite some good headphones in the price range. Do you have a idea on how much you would want to spent on headphones and how much on a microphone? How much do you value microphone quality over headphone quality? Or the other way around.

If you want an open over ear headphone check out the AKG K7XX / K702, Sennheiser 558 or maybe a used HD600/HD650. Sometimes amazon still has Hifiman HE-400's, if you can get your hands on them and don't mind a quite heavy headphone. Get that one. If you want a closed over ear, check out a beyerdynamic Custom One Pro or ATH-M50X/ATH-M40X. If you want closed on ear check out the Sennheiser HD-25's. Amazing value for the money. I don't know any open on ears out of my head that sound ok. I'm pretty sure some other guy on the forums will know the answer if you are interested in those. My recommendation for a mic is usually a standalone or a ModMic. It depends on what form factor you prefer Good luck on your choice!

1. If you feel like you need better audio you COULD get a dac, though I think if you would've put that budget you have for a dac on top of your headphone budget. You would've gotten much more value. An amplifier wouldn't be much of an improvement (unless you think louder is better) because the m40x's are really easy to drive. 2. I'm about 90% sure that if they don't specifically say that they have a headphone amplifier, they won't have a headphone amplifier. 3. Fiio e10k is better. Internal sound cards are crap and don't do much more than your on-board sound card does. Besides that, in the inside of your computer is a lot of electromagnetic noise which interferes with your audio signal (which we obviously don't want). There are cards that have a EMI shield(electromagnetic interferance shield), but external sound cards/interfaces/dac's are always better. Mainly because moving away from noise is better than shielding from noise.

Would making your own speakers improve quality/price? If so what components would be recommended?

I've had the 2i4 for about a week (used it for my mic). The mic preamps are amazing for the price but the headphone out is terrible. I could hear the static noise on low volume. The guy from the store said it was the SNR. Also the 2i2 is on massdrop right now, that would be a better option then. I'll have a look at those jbl's!

Hmm I should look for a good interface first then shouldnt I? Glad I didn't buy the audioengine D1 yet Are there any good ones with a good dac on the headphone output and speaker output? And if my budget stays the same, would there be any good speakers other than the ones I listed and are listed in the thread?

I can't just use them with a audioengine D1? And I already kept the cables in mind. I liked the 8040BPM's but they are even more expensive, that's why I didn't mention them. I keep my eye on those thanks!

If you cant see the difference I would suggest to buy the refurbished one. But since you found it for the same price bundled with a case that would be the superior option!

Seems like amazon has a few in stock, you should be quick though. http://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAN-HE400-HiFiMan-HE-400-Headphones/dp/B007ZG32I4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419595783&sr=8-1&keywords=hifiman+he-400

Hey guys, I'm looking for some new speakers and I really liked the Adam a7x but unfortunatly I can't afford them. Are there any speakers that sound similar? I didnt really like the Yamaha HS7/HS8 or the Rokkit series from KRK. I liked the mids and highs from the focal Alpha 65 but found them a bit bass heavy. My budget is 300 euro per speaker MAX (600 for a pair). I prefer a little less. Thanks in advance. Hidde

Mostly friends who want a gaming PC but need help. Atleast mine dont have experience in building a PC. And since I enjoy building PC's, I don't mind helping them.

I'd have a look at a hifiman HE-400. They are new 299$, but you can find them for 250 refurbished on amazon.

O god, if only I had the money for this kind of cpu. So many options.......