Mogwai

Haha, I'm glad I'm done with high school

Will put a thirty pound set to shame: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Creative-GIGAWORKS-T40-Series-II-MINT-CONDITION-/181227975088?pt=UK_Computing_Speakers&hash=item2a320771b0

An amp wouldn't do anything, he would need a DAC.
I don't know what's available in your neck of the woods, where's the websites you'll be shopping from?

+1, Get a nice pair of headphones first, use your on-board for now and if you decide later on that you want a little something extra to power them get a FiiO E10 or O2 amp.

An amp just amplifies the sound, it's nothing difficult.
 
If you want to read more, you can check out this article.
 
http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2012/04/what-we-hear.html
 
Long story short - You won't need anything virtual surround sound or anything like that crap, just purchase a nice pair of open headphones (like the ones I mentioned). If you want more, you can purchase an amp and or DAC to complete the kit.

+1 for the 2i2

+1 on the AT2020
Focusrite 2i2: http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=sr_1_7?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1380144780&sr=1-7
AT2020: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK/ref=sr_1_15?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1380144916&sr=1-

If you want an XLR mic, the AT2020 is really good and pretty cheap, as for a mixer/phantom psu ive no idea

Razer Surround puts an effect on outbound digital audio - it'll work fine with any external DAC/
 
 
 
The FiiO E10 outputs a signal through the headphone port and the line out port at the same time, so that'd be exactly what you want.

JBL is an audio company, so I'd trust them to sound good, but I don't know how to compare them to other options because I've never tried them. I had their earbuds the J33 for awhile and those were great.

I've had a few jbl car speakers and a former roomate had some jbl home theatre mini system before... pretty good stuff they make.
 
headphones now? interesting
 
also my opinion is that the ath m50 is too "in head" to be a great gaming headset. certainly a better experience gaming and music compared to my old turtle beaches and corsair headsets but to me the sound is too confined for games. the dt770 is not bad for a closed headphone for games, I've been having good results soundwhoring with them

The general consciousness is that the LCD3 isn't worth the money. It's kind of like the HD 650/600. I've never tried the HD800's personally but the reviews state the same great elevated sennhesier sound. I prefer more "fun" headphones like the DT990's, which is probably why I gravitate towards the LCD2's. HD800's are much more neutral.
 
The LCD2's are my favorite headphone, they do everything right and nothing wrong.
 
Also on the note of an amp/DAC, don't be fooled into something stupid. The o2/ODAC is all you'll need for those headphones. Don't let someone try to sell you something that's $2000.
 
The only thing above the o2/ODAC that I would personally purchase is maybe the Dac1 pre, but at a $1000, it only has marginal increase in sound quality.

Hey if you want to waste your money on a sound card that's up to him. All we can do is recommend products to him/her.
 
For closed headphones you should look at DT770 250 ohm.
 
You can find a pair for roughly $160.
 
There are many problems with sound cards, and you can find them out by reading the FAQ at the top of the audio forum.
 
For an external solution if you want to go cheap, you can pick up a fiio product.
 
If you want to upgrade to a better solution, you can pick up the o2 with or without ODAC.
 
We have a 5% off discount and free shipping for LTT members right now.
 
http://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/products.html
 
These are also a recommendation - 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-A900X-Audiophile-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B006V386UG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1379885412&sr=1-1&keywords=ATH+900x

"Tired of those troublesome mids and highs in your music? Ever wish you could just blot them out with muddy bass? Having trouble fitting your wallet in your pocket? Well have I got the headphones for you!" - Beats next marketing campaign.

The Pioneer SE-A1000 has an MSRP of $150 - they ARE a high end headphone and I wouldn't recommend someone something cheap when they ask for something under a budget like yours. Based on this Head-Fi thread they are roughly the same sounding as the Sennheiser HD 650, and my own experience with them confirms that graph. 
 
Anyways, if you're just looking for other recommendations in the price range, Mr. Mayflower's recommendation of the DT 990 is good, but I personally don't like the sound of the AKG's. They're amazing for acoustic music (stairway to heaven makes me shiver, and I don't even like that song), but the lack of bass doesn't let me enjoy the majority of my music collection.

>asks forum for advice
>forum gives advice
>argues with advice
> :rolleyes: 

On another note, Amazon ships certain items for free internationally if the order is above $125 USD, just search here. Unfortunately I only see the original ATH-700 available for international shipping. 
 
If you find a different pair of headphones with a detachable 3.5mm cable, you could use this mic: http://v-moda.com/boompro-microphone/

I've been recommending them non-stop for a week because they rock! Their price is just an added bonus.

Just buy an external mic.
Blue snowflake or zalman clip on.

I think the differnence is that one is slightly more a waste of money than the other.  If you look at your whole audio setup and what you intend to be doing with it, In most cases the best options always start with good headphones/speakers, then if necessary an external dac (they are simple, no complicating features that require software suppport (unless you need/want it) and that shoudl keep it soundoing good for many years.

Haha , +1 for intimidation factor, maybe people will be scared to steal them now 

you guys are shallow , some people think beats look cool but I'm guessin' the pioneers still sound better.

Haha , +1 for intimidation factor, maybe people will be scared to steal them now 

You can partly thank @h264 for that. And @ShearMe  :wacko:
 
 
No problem, just letting you know that there's other options available. You'll obviously want to upgrade to real headphones before ordering anything high-end.

Well on top of what everyone else already stated, the phoebeus has horrible driver problems and is pretty unstable, I wouldn't want either in my personal opinion though. The only benefit I see to the STX is being able to swap out OP amps.
Out of curiosity what headphones, headset, speakers, etc. do you use?
 
inb4 Mayflower, IF you serious about buying one of those, get an O2+ODAC combo, undoubtedly a better deal 
http://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/objective2-amplifer-with-odac.html

Read my mind!
 
Just a heads up, Linus will be doing a review on both the o2+ODAC combo, and the normal o2 amplifier. 
 
Keep on a lookout for the video, it should be up within a few weeks (Linus is away ATM).
 
We might be working on a coupon or savings offer if you are from the LTT forum, so keep your eyes out for that as well!