Seeking Advice for Audio Upgrade

BarackOBatman · March 11, 2020

Hello, I am looking for some advice. Here's some background for my current setup and it's use case.

Speakers: Logitech Z623 2.1

Headphones: Sennheiser HD 429s

Sound Card: Z390 Aorus Master Onboard (According to the MFG page, ALC1220-VB and ESS SABRE (reference DAC ES9118)) https://www.aorus.com/blog-detail.php?i=309

Microphone: Blue Microphones Yeti Studio

Considering I have top end Gaming setup, I'd like to have a pretty nice audio setup to go along.

I mostly use the headphones for FPS games, chatting on discord, and also any team game that requires voice chat for that matter.

I use the speakers for everything else including music listening and all other gaming. I generally prefer NOT wearing headphones if i don't need them.

Its about 50/50 as far as usage goes though because i play a decent amount of FPS.

I feel it is safe to say that the headphones are certainly the weakest link.

Regarding open back VS closed back, there is a varying noise floor where I game. For starters, my PC is kept on my desk and is kinda noisy since I run the fans at max in pursuit of chasing that last degree of cooling in order to achieve the fastest overclock attainable for the best frametime performance possible while gaming. I cant notice it when i'm wearing my HD 429s headphones though.

I frequently have have guests in the area where I game as I live with my dad and brother who are doing their own thing in the man-cave. There is also a loud dehumidifier that we run in the warmer months which I can hear over the headphones and certainly puts a damper on the audio experience. (I sometimes turn it off and turn it back on when i'm done.)

I'm mainly considering upgrading to a better headphones, but I'll consider upgrading other areas of my setup if any of you guys think it could use it.

My budget is $100-$400. I like to go the best "bang for buck" or value proposition.

I was considering this open box Shure SRH1440 for $198.51 (after %5 discount for microcenter card) which includes the 2 year manufacturer warranty.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/617685/shure-srh1440-professional-open-back-headphones---black?ob=1

Also, should i purchase Dolby Atmos for $15? is it worth it over the free windows sonic?

If its not worth upgrading at all and I should just keep my current setup, I'll consider that as well of course.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

homeap5 · March 11, 2020

You have plastic logitech speakers and not so great headphones. What do you expect when you add another $400? Sure - you can buy for that good headphones, but what about amplifier? What about good speakers for music? I would consider aftermarket maybe and get some Yamaha amplifier + some floor stand Dali speakers. If you're lucky, it will be about $400 for older models (Concept 6 maybe + AX497). Or, if you prefer brand new, you can find some smaller speakers like Klipsch, Castle Knight, Dali or Quadrals. Or anything that people recommend here (for example). Then you'll need good amplifier and... still 400$ will be not enough.

No, save that $400 and wait for more money. For good sound it's worth to spend more, like for good GPU. Unlike GPU, speakers will last for years and there is no need to replace them every 4 years or so.

All this about listening music. For games, movies etc. is not worth spend even $200 imo. Do you really expect that gunshot or car engine will be nicer? For that your sound is probably enough.

BarackOBatman · March 11, 2020

7 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

You have plastic logitech speakers and not so great headphones. What do you expect when you add another $400? Sure - you can buy for that good headphones, but what about amplifier? What about good speakers for music? I would consider aftermarket maybe and get some Yamaha amplifier + some floor stand Dali speakers. If you're lucky, it will be about $400 for older models (Concept 6 maybe + AX497). Or, if you prefer brand new, you can find some smaller speakers like Klipsch, Castle Knight, Dali or Quadrals. Or anything that people recommend here (for example). Then you'll need good amplifier and... still 400$ will be not enough.

No, save that $400 and wait for more money. For good sound it's worth to spend more, like for good GPU. Unlike GPU, speakers will last for years and there is no need to replace them every 4 years or so.

All this about listening music. For games, movies etc. is not worth spend even $200 imo. Do you really expect that gunshot or car engine will be nicer? For that your sound is probably enough.

Okay perfect Thanks for your answer. Gaming is really my primary concern since I mostly listen to music in the car. I'll put the money toward that.

And yes I really though the gunshot or car engine would be nicer LOL! Especially since EVGA advertises that their nu audio soundcards improve you gaming experience, I though this was a thing. evga.com/articles/01281/evga-nu-audio/

homeap5 · March 11, 2020

I mean yes, game sound are nicer on nicer headphones, but while playing game you don't really focus on sound. And after minute or two you'll forget about that difference.

Music is much more demanding. Is prepared as good as possible by specialists who have years of experience and final product requires good speakers, because otherwise you loose many details and sound may be the reason you have no pleasure listening it. Gunshots or car engine may be good quality too, but seriously - is this really something you expect to be perfect because you may miss any details? I don't think so.