ronferree

Thanks but i have already done that using Revo Uninstaller.

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Yes, that is the direction I'm taking: Hesuvi>onboard optical lineout> Modi3 DAC > SP200 THX 888 AMP > AKG K702 Headphone As of now, when I plug the headphone directly into the headphone jack, windows does not allow 7.1 option in sound properties; gets restricted to "Headphone". I still don't have Hesuvi installed. Are you sure that when I set up the above design, like you suggested, Windows will then allow me to set the output to 7.1? Does it depend on which DAC i buy or on how i configure Hesuvi?

pas008, do you play online FPS games where directional accuracy is important? If yes, do you play with the virtual surround sound features on the X7 enabled or disabled? Windows Sonic on or off? In-game audio setting set to stereo or surround? -Thanks.

so it worked with this setup of yours: Hesuvi app > topping d10 ---> monolith Cavelli Liquid Spark---> Beyerdynamic dt 990 ? And how do you configure the whole chain when you play online FPS games? - Windows Sonic + Virtualization, on or off? - Control Panel Sound device properties, what is the output type? - In game settings: Do you set them to stereo or surround? I am assuming that's it. It would be nice if you can give a game as an example and how do configure along the 3-tier chain above.

Priitm, kindly don't elaborate more on your point, it will derail the thread big time. I have been doing my research for 2 years and I was at your stage around 4 years ago when I was not interested in the topic. I believe I made quite a good choice regarding the headphones; those are end-game for the budget. Might add Argon MK3 and DT990 to the collection. What you are suggesting will create a back and forth debate with countless members all of which would be irrelevant to me. I am well over the 5.1 and 7.1 gaming headsets. @rice guru, fair point, but what if I needed some VSS for single player gaming at some point? Would VSS software like Hesuvi still work on top of the DAC/AMP stack? Windows 10 > Hesuvi or Razer paid app > JDS EL DAC or other > SMSL THX 888 amp > Headphone? Again this is just for single player games where immersion is required. For competitive FPS, i plan to play in stereo mode; also curious to try how the VSS from Hesuvi or Razer software would stack up with imaging. FPS players who use a DAC/AMP stack and open-back headphone, do you use surround sound processing at any level as well? or do you play in stereo mode? Please share.

I just bought the AKG K702, AD900x, and HE-4XX open-back headphones for competitive fps gaming. I'm trying to figure out which route to take to complete the setup and achieve best positional accuracy: 1. USB soundcard with Virtual Surround features, just in case i need them. (My best options are SoundblasterX G6 or X7. Do you agree?) OR 2. Dedicated stack of amp and dac like JDS EL DAC + Massdrop THX AAA 789 balanced amp (future proof investment that allows me to upgrade to more demanding balanced planar headphones like the Argon MK3 BUT lacks any VSS features at DAC level so i would only play in stereo mode. Can I still use software VSS engine in this scenario, e.g. HeSuvi, just for single player games?) Option 2 is way more expensive but opens up the cans and brings them to life, reportedly better than a USB soundcard. I can't decide between 1 and 2, strictly for competitive FPS gaming in Battlefield and occasional single player immersive gaming.

@Max_SettingsAfter you reviewed the HE-4XX in April 2018, do you still believe the fostex T50RP is the king of directional accuracy in FPS games? Your answer is the last push I need before making a purchase decision. Thanks!

Are there youtube videos that let us hear the sound from each headphone in an FPS game, like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhL6h9Uhtd0

@rice guru Thanks. Have you played open-world FPS games with your HD 58X? If yes, what is your feedback on your ability to pinpoint the location of sounds around?

Thank you @rice guru for helping me narrow it down. For reference, may I know what other headphones have you used for FPS gaming before the DT990pro? Have you tried the AD900x, HD58X and the AKG K712 with competitive FPS? So now the list is narrowed down to as follows: 1.AKG K612/712PRO: Many audiophile FPS gamers swear by it. Others prefer DT990 or HD58X or HD660s over it for 3D sound positioning (imaging). 2.AD900x: Can @rice guru provide a reference that states it has a not-so-good imaging for FPS gaming? Otherwise many audiophile FPS gamers swear by it. Has better center image compared to K712 according to @Dackzy 3.Sennheiser HD58X: Because of relatively smaller soundstage, and good imaging, it is best suited for close-quarter FPS games like Rainbow 6 and CS:GO, but not as effective in open world shooters like Battlefield and Arma 3. Thoughts? 4.DT990Pro 250ohm: Jack of all trades, balanced all-round, good immersion, might suffer issues with treble fatigue. Experienced users criticize its harsh mids which goes against competitive FPS gaming.Honestly I rarely heard it praised for its 3D imaging accuracy, but more for its well-roundedness. Does it act like a compass telling me where did a bullet originate from and where did it land? Where a footstep is relative to me with high precision? That's what i'd like to know relative to other headphones. Thanks guyz we are almost there.

Hello, I have been researching for a long while now and came up with a shortlist of open-back headphones that meet the following criteria: 1. Ultimate positional accuracy in a 360 degrees sphere (aka Imaging), including above and below and rear with narrow precision 2. Far coverage of distance (where did the bullet originate and where did it hit) 3. Not a poor bass response, with bass roll-off, or with too sharp highs and harmonic distortions that take away from immersion (since nothing is perfect, a little bit of that is fine) 4. No Mic is needed. No Music or Video usage.Chosen headphone will only be used for FPS gaming. Some users told me the ultimate headphone that meets all of my criteria is the Senn HD800s, but that is over my budget @$1,600. Here's my shortlist, it would be awesome if you can help me eliminate what does not meet my criteria or nominate a winner. 1.AKG K712PRO: A user reported that the soundstage starts at an offset away from the ear, misleading the player as to how far or close the footsteps are around. Is this true for your K712? 2.Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1x: some claim it is superior to the AD900x but I can't find enough reviews by FPS gamers 3.AD900x: Some claim it is legendary for pinpointing audio cues but requires proper equalization and customization for FPS gaming 4.Sennheiser HD58X: Any competitive FPS gamer can vouch for those? 5.Sennheiser G4ME ONE: Does this compete with the rest of this list? 6.DT990Pro 250ohm: Jack of all trades, balanced all-round, good immersion, issue with treble fatigue, no clear statements about its 3D accuracy. Any FPS gamer can vouch for the 3D imaging of those? 7.HE 400i/400s: Not enough FPS player feedback

UPDATE: I just tried running a youtube in the background while running the game and it broke the 64fps cap reaching 80fps. Still fluctuating between 50 and 80fps though, and not as high as it used to be, but it is a change from the status quo. I wonder if this is the combined fps from youtube video+game which I now see on the OSD? I have no idea how to interpret that. Thoughts? Will report back after testing my AC power adapter.

Thanks guys. I will test the power adapter with a multi meter. I don't have a meter and don't know how exactly but will research it. Saving the clean install of windows till the end.