Usb Vs Analog With Pci-e Soundcard

[MyLaptopSucks]

I see that a lot of high-end headphones come with a usb connection, yet when I google it, I only see people ragging on USB headphones. My question is, what is the best soundquality for the price?

1) A medium/high-end USB heaphone

2) High-end analog headphone on onboard sound

3) Medium analog headphone on low-end soundcard

 

[Jimbo]

IMO #3, though it depends what your definition of "medium analog headphone" and "low end soundcard" are. ;)

[NewKID]

i would never use a usb headset/headphones. it uses its own sound card in the usb connection which is usually inferior to the sound on the mobo.

 

2 and 3 are both good. if you plan on gettin aftermarket amp/dac, #2 would work just fine. 

 

as jimbo mentioned, it, also, depends on your perception.

[Nit3Rid3R]

Neither options, get a good headset, then use the onboard sound until you buy a decent - good soundcard. 

[t0wer]

I don't see any high end headphones with USB.(mid end is probably a stretch too)

 

if you're buying high end, you better have money for a dac/amp or you have no reason buying high end.

 

depending on budget I'd go around $200 for headphones and upgrade dac/amp later.

[MyLaptopSucks]

$200 for headphones? O.o jeebus. not my budget.

 

Medium headset: Thermaltake eSports SHOCK

High-end headset: Steelseries Siberia v2

 

Low-end soundcard: Ultron Ultra Sound  5.1 PCI

Medium-end soundcard: ASUS Xonar DG

 

Edit: I am by no means an audiophile, absolutely average consumer. I'm looking at a fx-6300 and 7870 (Tahiti LE) for my build, so seriously not high end.

[Raider102002]

@MyLaptopSucks i went to usb route Corsair Vengeance 1500 for my needs they work great believe usually around 60 usd 

 

By no means i am i an audio guy or knowledge of that

but 1500 work for my needs the bass is little to none but i have sensitive hearing/good  :P  so the headset usually is just @ 2% volume @ 4% i can't hear people in room talking to me

Never put higher than i beleive 6% so might be reason i hear no bass or little  

 

I tend to just use them for music gaming and skype 

 

Once again not an audio guy just throwing my 2 cents  :)

[JaeDee884]

Used to have a paid or gamecon Plantronics something something with the USB gizmo sound card.

​Never used the USB bit always unplugged from it and went with onboard. cost about 120 bucks

.

[Rhizo]

Neither options, get a good headset, then use the onboard sound until you buy a decent - good soundcard. 

I disagree. Get a decent pair of headphones with an ok mic and it will sound 300x better.

[Jimbo]

Guessing at your budget I'd be shooting for the Xonar DSX and a set of Audio Technica ATH-TAD300s. If you do some shopping around that should come out to ~$100.

[t0wer]

if $200 is too much is $100 better?

 

audiotechnica ad700 and a cheap mic is just over $100 and will kill almost any headset.

[MyLaptopSucks]

@MyLaptopSucks i went to usb route Corsair Vengeance 1500 for my needs they work great believe usually around 60 usd 

 

By no means i am i an audio guy or knowledge of that

but 1500 work for my needs the bass is little to none but i have sensitive hearing/good  :P  so the headset usually is just @ 2% volume @ 4% i can't hear people in room talking to me

Never put higher than i beleive 6% so might be reason i hear no bass or little  

 

I tend to just use them for music gaming and skype 

 

Once again not an audio guy just throwing my 2 cents  :)

 

Thanks, that's very helpful.

 

Guessing at your budget I'd be shooting for the Xonar DSX and a set of Audio Technica ATH-TAD300s. If you do some shopping around that should come out to ~$100.

 

Thanks. Have you had some personal experience with the ATH-TAD 300s?

[Jimbo]

I've listened to them for a few minutes on a range of stuff, they're great for the sub $50 range and they're much better than any USB headset I've tried. The AD-700s t0wer mentioned are noticiblely nicer though - if your budget will stretch that far.

 

There's endless options - it's just a matter of how far you're willing to go. ;)