What would you recommend?

[Artorias]

A Corsair Vengeance 1300+Asus Xonar DG Sound Card or A Corsair Vengeance 1500?

[Guest]

Headset + soundcard over headset on it's own any day of the week :)

[Artorias]

But I've read that the Corsair Vengeance 1300 is an Analog Headset and the Asus Xonar DG sound card only supports Dolby 5.1 while the Corsair Vengeance 1500 has a built in sound card that has support for Dolby 7.1. Is there a huge difference between the 5.1 and the 7.1? I really have no knowledge about audio on PC's.

[Jurgen]

I have the Vengeance 1300 and it's is a good headset, but it lacks bass. The HS1A that I had before this one had more bass in it the this one.

The way to go is a headset/phones and a dedicated soundcard like a DG, DX, DGX etc. etc.

Also I rather have my set on stereo instead op 5.1 or 7.1 surround, it's not that great for listening music.

[Ekmod]

For headsets, 5.1 and 7.1 don't really matter as most headphones/headsets as most only have 2 speakers. If they say 5.1 or 7.1 it's artificial through software. If you want better quality, get a nice pair of headphone(AD700 are highly recommended for good sound/price and sound-stage, Grado SR80i or SR60i should work too) then get either the Zalman Clip mic or a desktop one. Pair with a sound card this makes for good audio for gaming or listening.

Links:

AD700: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=ad700&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTechnica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones%2Fdp%2FB000CMS0XU&ei=xYTtUKxlpLbaBaC-gZgK&usg=AFQjCNHd7NptkLYQcWGxhCoHd7TPV_QT8g&sig2=XHWquSOGOJeTjwqqKYUZrQ&bvm=bv.1357316858,d.b2I

Grado SR80i: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=grado%20sr80i&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGrado-Prestige-Series-Stereo-Headphone%2Fdp%2FB000G3LCQC&ei=L4XtUNfUN6aE2wX9roHoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGAQxcB7t35YyqExOKaY77FVHtbXA&sig2=TlTGATyFbUIyOkE8BkuBUA&bvm=bv.1357316858,d.b2I

Grado SR60i: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=grado%20sr60i&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CFIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGrado-Prestige-Series-SR-60i-Headphones%2Fdp%2FB0006DPMU4&ei=VYXtUP7IDcnc2gWfyoGIBg&usg=AFQjCNGHwHzcfdgJFQF_XqlzhmuQzcge4Q&sig2=Ps3tNeMNDlFeNdo4xs_91w&bvm=bv.1357316858,d.b2I

Zalman Clip: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=zalman%20clip&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FZalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone%2Fdp%2FB00029MTMQ&ei=8ITtULnlCpTa2wWkp4GIAw&usg=AFQjCNHCYO__Fg7p_auNWTi3Ofq1q1Rx0A&sig2=wZprKuudeC62A8ynMCJPew&bvm=bv.1357316858,d.b2I

[Aphexx]

what do you intend to use them for?

movies? FPS shooters or MMO's? or music? or just skype?

my experience is with the vengeance 2000 headset. the 2K headset comes with 50mm driver as does the 1500 I think the 1300 has 40 or 44mm drivers. however the 2K came with X-ear 7.1 virtualizers as opposed to the dolby that the 1500 is equipped with ( linus just announced corsair is rolling out dolby for the 2K now)

the sound that came from the 50mm drivers of the 2K was awesome booming bass however somewhat loose compared to my audio technica ATH M-50 mids actually did well, you'd expect that they'd fall off considering the bass. the highs were kind of ok but a bit sharp. using the same driver I'd expect the 1500 to have a similar sound signature.

virtual 7.1 garbage rubbish yuck. I watched a couple movies over and over and over swapping headphones (vengeance 2K, ATH M50 and ATH AD700) each time. Xmen 2 and lord of the rings fellowship and Return of the king. the big test was the 2 scenes when nightcrawler jumped around at the beginning and at the church.

the 2K did left right transitions alright but it was a bit slow. the above and below teleports were non existent the bassy swooshing was awesome though. in fellowship the waterfalls in rivendell were well defined and they felt far out there but it was hard to tell which direction they were. the M50's and ad700 showed me where they were I felt like I could close my eyes and point at a couple of them for X2 nightcrawlers Bamf was waaaay more defined with the audio technicas especially for the M50's which is odd because I thought the ad700's would be superior with the open design and bigger soundstage. the M50's were more precise when he whips his tail it felt like it passes close a lot of teleports feel like they skim the back of your neck. in return of the king its the same story the 'dragons' were much more defined and precise when they passed close to the camera for the 2K the sound was just coming from all over.

I tried to give the 2K's the benefit of the doubt I tried all sorts of settings including deleting the drivers and using the windows stock drivers to help as suggested by the corsair forums. audio that comes from above or below is undetectable and I can't tell how far away things are from me

music was great. especially with electronic music. I would wear these around the house when doing chores or cooking listening to spotify or podcasts/newscasts.

comfort and mic were superior as well. my only beef is the lack of directionality of sound. and to compare the sound to my M50's I'd say the 2K felt like it had a blanket covering it somewhat muffled compared to the M50 with sharp highs. but man that bass came through powerfully

I'm typing this as I am trying to wake up with coffee I hope my gibberish translates well. I'll probably edit this mess later tonight

[Jurgen]

what do you intend to use them for?

movies? FPS shooters or MMO's? or music? or just skype?

my experience is with the vengeance 2000 headset. the 2K headset comes with 50mm driver as does the 1500 I think the 1300 has 40 or 44mm drivers. however the 2K came with X-ear 7.1 virtualizers as opposed to the dolby that the 1500 is equipped with ( linus just announced corsair is rolling out dolby for the 2K now)

the sound that came from the 50mm drivers of the 2K was awesome booming bass however somewhat loose compared to my audio technica ATH M-50 mids actually did well, you'd expect that they'd fall off considering the bass. the highs were kind of ok but a bit sharp. using the same driver I'd expect the 1500 to have a similar sound signature.

virtual 7.1 garbage rubbish yuck. I watched a couple movies over and over and over swapping headphones (vengeance 2K, ATH M50 and ATH AD700) each time. Xmen 2 and lord of the rings fellowship and Return of the king. the big test was the 2 scenes when nightcrawler jumped around at the beginning and at the church.

the 2K did left right transitions alright but it was a bit slow. the above and below teleports were non existent the bassy swooshing was awesome though. in fellowship the waterfalls in rivendell were well defined and they felt far out there but it was hard to tell which direction they were. the M50's and ad700 showed me where they were I felt like I could close my eyes and point at a couple of them for X2 nightcrawlers Bamf was waaaay more defined with the audio technicas especially for the M50's which is odd because I thought the ad700's would be superior with the open design and bigger soundstage. the M50's were more precise when he whips his tail it felt like it passes close a lot of teleports feel like they skim the back of your neck. in return of the king its the same story the 'dragons' were much more defined and precise when they passed close to the camera for the 2K the sound was just coming from all over.

I tried to give the 2K's the benefit of the doubt I tried all sorts of settings including deleting the drivers and using the windows stock drivers to help as suggested by the corsair forums. audio that comes from above or below is undetectable and I can't tell how far away things are from me

music was great. especially with electronic music. I would wear these around the house when doing chores or cooking listening to spotify or podcasts/newscasts.

comfort and mic were superior as well. my only beef is the lack of directionality of sound. and to compare the sound to my M50's I'd say the 2K felt like it had a blanket covering it somewhat muffled compared to the M50 with sharp highs. but man that bass came through powerfully

I'm typing this as I am trying to wake up with coffee I hope my gibberish translates well. I'll probably edit this mess later tonight

The Vengeance 1300 is the analog version of the 1500, so it also have those 50mm drivers.

[Ekmod]

what do you intend to use them for?

movies? FPS shooters or MMO's? or music? or just skype?

my experience is with the vengeance 2000 headset. the 2K headset comes with 50mm driver as does the 1500 I think the 1300 has 40 or 44mm drivers. however the 2K came with X-ear 7.1 virtualizers as opposed to the dolby that the 1500 is equipped with ( linus just announced corsair is rolling out dolby for the 2K now)

the sound that came from the 50mm drivers of the 2K was awesome booming bass however somewhat loose compared to my audio technica ATH M-50 mids actually did well, you'd expect that they'd fall off considering the bass. the highs were kind of ok but a bit sharp. using the same driver I'd expect the 1500 to have a similar sound signature.

virtual 7.1 garbage rubbish yuck. I watched a couple movies over and over and over swapping headphones (vengeance 2K, ATH M50 and ATH AD700) each time. Xmen 2 and lord of the rings fellowship and Return of the king. the big test was the 2 scenes when nightcrawler jumped around at the beginning and at the church.

the 2K did left right transitions alright but it was a bit slow. the above and below teleports were non existent the bassy swooshing was awesome though. in fellowship the waterfalls in rivendell were well defined and they felt far out there but it was hard to tell which direction they were. the M50's and ad700 showed me where they were I felt like I could close my eyes and point at a couple of them for X2 nightcrawlers Bamf was waaaay more defined with the audio technicas especially for the M50's which is odd because I thought the ad700's would be superior with the open design and bigger soundstage. the M50's were more precise when he whips his tail it felt like it passes close a lot of teleports feel like they skim the back of your neck. in return of the king its the same story the 'dragons' were much more defined and precise when they passed close to the camera for the 2K the sound was just coming from all over.

I tried to give the 2K's the benefit of the doubt I tried all sorts of settings including deleting the drivers and using the windows stock drivers to help as suggested by the corsair forums. audio that comes from above or below is undetectable and I can't tell how far away things are from me

music was great. especially with electronic music. I would wear these around the house when doing chores or cooking listening to spotify or podcasts/newscasts.

comfort and mic were superior as well. my only beef is the lack of directionality of sound. and to compare the sound to my M50's I'd say the 2K felt like it had a blanket covering it somewhat muffled compared to the M50 with sharp highs. but man that bass came through powerfully

I'm typing this as I am trying to wake up with coffee I hope my gibberish translates well. I'll probably edit this mess later tonight

Thanks for the lengthy overview!

[Artorias]

Thank you everyone for the recommendations!

[Artorias]

what do you intend to use them for?

movies? FPS shooters or MMO's? or music? or just skype?

my experience is with the vengeance 2000 headset. the 2K headset comes with 50mm driver as does the 1500 I think the 1300 has 40 or 44mm drivers. however the 2K came with X-ear 7.1 virtualizers as opposed to the dolby that the 1500 is equipped with ( linus just announced corsair is rolling out dolby for the 2K now)

the sound that came from the 50mm drivers of the 2K was awesome booming bass however somewhat loose compared to my audio technica ATH M-50 mids actually did well, you'd expect that they'd fall off considering the bass. the highs were kind of ok but a bit sharp. using the same driver I'd expect the 1500 to have a similar sound signature.

virtual 7.1 garbage rubbish yuck. I watched a couple movies over and over and over swapping headphones (vengeance 2K, ATH M50 and ATH AD700) each time. Xmen 2 and lord of the rings fellowship and Return of the king. the big test was the 2 scenes when nightcrawler jumped around at the beginning and at the church.

the 2K did left right transitions alright but it was a bit slow. the above and below teleports were non existent the bassy swooshing was awesome though. in fellowship the waterfalls in rivendell were well defined and they felt far out there but it was hard to tell which direction they were. the M50's and ad700 showed me where they were I felt like I could close my eyes and point at a couple of them for X2 nightcrawlers Bamf was waaaay more defined with the audio technicas especially for the M50's which is odd because I thought the ad700's would be superior with the open design and bigger soundstage. the M50's were more precise when he whips his tail it felt like it passes close a lot of teleports feel like they skim the back of your neck. in return of the king its the same story the 'dragons' were much more defined and precise when they passed close to the camera for the 2K the sound was just coming from all over.

I tried to give the 2K's the benefit of the doubt I tried all sorts of settings including deleting the drivers and using the windows stock drivers to help as suggested by the corsair forums. audio that comes from above or below is undetectable and I can't tell how far away things are from me

music was great. especially with electronic music. I would wear these around the house when doing chores or cooking listening to spotify or podcasts/newscasts.

comfort and mic were superior as well. my only beef is the lack of directionality of sound. and to compare the sound to my M50's I'd say the 2K felt like it had a blanket covering it somewhat muffled compared to the M50 with sharp highs. but man that bass came through powerfully

I'm typing this as I am trying to wake up with coffee I hope my gibberish translates well. I'll probably edit this mess later tonight

Thank you for the recommendation! I'm an all-rounder (RTS, music, and etc.), but I'm on a tight budget though. So, I really can't go above $90.

[SnypeUXD]

I personally don't recommend headsets for anything other than for practicality. I would go ahead and buy and decent pair of cans and a USB mic for the desk. Overall most headset mics aren't that great and are pretty equal from 5$ ones to 200$ ones.

[Arttekeov]

I'm also not sure what to get. I was looking at the Xonar DGX for a sound card and for the headset I'm thinking about the Vengeance 1300 as well. I would like to have some suggestions. My budget is as low as possible without sacrificing quality. I want to use the sound card for headphones and speakers for when I play music but for me headphones will be used very frequently and the speakers will be used whenever.