Need help with audio setup

[itsjoystick]

Hello. I am new to the audio side of pc's, and I am planning on buying a few new things. I am going to be picking up the rs220's soon, and I would like to know what sort of sound card/ amp/ dac combo I would need to get the most out of them. Would I even need all three, or would a sound card as well as an amp be redundant? I might sound a little noobish, but again, I am new in the audio scene.

[TheKDub]

1. Based on the reviews on amazon of the rs220s they cut out alot, regardless of distance from the transmitter.

 

I'd highly suggest using wired headphones instead, it will provide much better sound quality and won't eat through batteries. (It will also weigh less)

 

I plan to get the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Great reviews, look great, and I'm sure they sound great too.

 

On-board sound should be fine as long as you have a decent motherboard.

[itsjoystick]

1. Based on the reviews on amazon of the rs220s they cut out alot, regardless of distance from the transmitter.

 

I'd highly suggest using wired headphones instead, it will provide much better sound quality and won't eat through batteries. (It will also weigh less)

 

I plan to get the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Great reviews, look great, and I'm sure they sound great too.

 

On-board sound should be fine as long as you have a decent motherboard.

I really would like them to be wireless. My second choice was the steelseries H wireless. They seem to get very positive reviews and with the dual battery system, Power is not an issue. I am not sure if they are exactly audiophile grade though, and I would like a high quality set.

[TheKDub]

I really would like them to be wireless. My second choice was the steelseries H wireless. They seem to get very positive reviews. I am not sure if they are exactly audiophile grade though, and I would like a high quality set.

 

A wireless headset will usually run you over $100 more than a wired headset would of the same quality.

 

If you are set on a wireless headset then the steelseries h wireless is a decent choice, though I've not had a large amount of experience with different headphones/headsets, so there may be better cheaper wireless options out there.

[BoltActionWaffle]

If you're willing to spend $300 on the Steelseries H Wireless, save you cash and get the RS180, my favorite wireless headphones. 

[itsjoystick]

If you're willing to spend $300 on the Steelseries H Wireless, save you cash and get the RS180, my favorite wireless headphones. 

The steelseries h is actually available for around 250. The price difference is not that much, and I like that it's virtually impossible to run out of battery with the steelseries h. The rs180 most likely has better sound quality though, so it's a toss-up for me. Also, do you have an experience with good wired headphones you could recommend?

[BoltActionWaffle]

The steelseries h is actually available for around 250. The price difference is not that much, and I like that it's virtually impossible to run out of battery with the steelseries h. The rs180 most likely has better sound quality though, so it's a toss-up for me.

I've noticed the battery swapping which is a nice feature for the H wireless, but the RS180's probably sound alot better, are more comfortable, and possibly has a better transmitter? You can use both rechargeable and normal batteries to power the headphones, and they last me the full day on a full charge. Even though you can buy a second battery, you won't be able to alternate charge them because you place the HEadphones on the transmitter to charge. 

You'd be missing the Microphone, does that matter? Also, is there a reason why you want a Wireless over a wired headphone? 

[itsjoystick]

I've noticed the battery swapping which is a nice feature for the H wireless, but the RS180's probably sound alot better, are more comfortable, and possibly has a better transmitter? You can use both rechargeable and normal batteries to power the headphones, and they last me the full day on a full charge. Even though you can buy a second battery, you won't be able to alternate charge them because you place the HEadphones on the transmitter to charge. 

You'd be missing the Microphone, does that matter? Also, is there a reason why you want a Wireless over a wired headphone? 

No, the microphone doesn't matter, it would go unused on the steelseries h wireless. I am now leaning toward wired headphones. The reason i wanted wireless is so i can sit on the couch and watch movies or play xbox(occasionally) on my tv. But I think a better idea would be to get a nice wired set of headphones to start with, then in a few month pick up a decent pair of wireless headphones for the couch and travel. Could you recommend any good wired headphones for $400-500 or less? Also, do you know what sort of sound card/ amp I would need to get the most out of them?

[BoltActionWaffle]

No, the microphone doesn't matter, it would go unused on the steelseries h wireless. I am now leaning toward wired headphones. The reason i wanted wireless is so i can sit on the couch and watch movies or play xbox(occasionally) on my tv. But I think a better idea would be to get a nice wired set of headphones to start with, then in a few month pick up a decent pair of wireless headphones for the couch and travel. Could you recommend any good wired headphones for $400-500 or less? Also, do you know what sort of sound card/ amp I would need to get the most out of them?

If you're going to spend $400-500 on a pair of headphones, you'd need to spend even MORE on a decent AMP/DAC. I'd say most people don't think it's a worthwhile improvement from a $200 budget. 

Both the AD900x and HD598 are fantastic headphones for less than $200, and I have reviews on both, links in my signature. 

The Q701s are a bit more but you might like them more. Beyerdynamic also has fantastic headphones, my favorite being the DT880 Premium. 

[creatip123]

No, the microphone doesn't matter, it would go unused on the steelseries h wireless. I am now leaning toward wired headphones. The reason i wanted wireless is so i can sit on the couch and watch movies or play xbox(occasionally) on my tv. But I think a better idea would be to get a nice wired set of headphones to start with, then in a few month pick up a decent pair of wireless headphones for the couch and travel. Could you recommend any good wired headphones for $400-500 or less? Also, do you know what sort of sound card/ amp I would need to get the most out of them?

 

Actually, after you do get a good wired headphone, it'll be hard to find a wireless that's on par with the wired headphone (of course you don't want the wireless to be far inferior than the wired one).

 

$400-500 will get you quite some options on good headphones. What kind of sound do you like? 

 

Your onboard still good and working? Then you can just get a decent amp. Objective 2 (O2) is a good reasonable priced amp. Or if you like the amp to give you a bit of warm tone to the sound, get a decent tube amp. 

[Kutuzov]

For wireless headphones I'd suggest the Parrot Zik headphones. A friend of mine has a pair and he says they're great, both in audio quality, range, and comfort, they are a little heavy though.

[MayflowerElectronics]

You can't plug a DAC/Amp into wireless headphones, they're wireless lol.

 

Also along with everyone else I advise going with wireless headphones. If you are someone who walks around a lot, you can get wired headphones with a very long cable.

 

If the cable itself is annoying, you can always get a nice custom made cable made with custom sleeving which will make it lighter and softer. 

 

And as always wired headphones will always sound better than wireless.

[Krishtrinity]

1. Based on the reviews on amazon of the rs220s they cut out alot, regardless of distance from the transmitter.

 

I'd highly suggest using wired headphones instead, it will provide much better sound quality and won't eat through batteries. (It will also weigh less)

 

I plan to get the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Great reviews, look great, and I'm sure they sound great too.

 

On-board sound should be fine as long as you have a decent motherboard.

Why dont you go for M40X?it sounds as good as its bigger brother

[Guest]

Why dont you go for M40X?it sounds as good as its bigger brother

 

Maybe because they cost twice as much?

[Krishtrinity]

Maybe because they cost twice as much?

They are worth it,i saved a lot of money and spend 1 year in research before buying these,worth the money

[ShearMe]

Pioneer SE-A1000 have an 18 foot cable. That's good for most couch use. ^.^

[joemomma22]

The steelseries h is actually available for around 250. The price difference is not that much, and I like that it's virtually impossible to run out of battery with the steelseries h. The rs180 most likely has better sound quality though, so it's a toss-up for me. Also, do you have an experience with good wired headphones you could recommend?

 

I've had my steelseries H wireless for about 3 months now. a few days ago i pulled the retractable microphone out of the headphone and the sound to the left ear cut out. now i only have sound to my right ear.

 

The huge plus side of the H wireless is the neverending battery life. There was NEVER a time that i had to go without using the headphone due to battery. The DAC/charger was a nice touch as well. The leather on the H wireless is very comfortable to the touch, and the cushions on the earcups and headband earn an A- in comfort (for me personally).

 

The downside to the H wireless however, I now feel out weighs the good, and made this a bad purchase. My computer (and the DAC) is downstairs. If I went upstairs i lost all reception to the base, any static leftover between good spots and bad spots on the first floor of my house caused literal static shocks to my ears. Linus mentions in his review that he had great coverage of his house/work but i did not experience that in the slightest. Another major problem that i had with the H wireless was that the earcups were too small for my ears causing them to be squished. That combined with the weight of the unit led to me often having to readjust how they sat on my head. now the worst part of this product by far is the microphone. Linus demonstrates this in his review, but i was just hoping that it wouldnt actually be that bad... well, I was wrong. it was that bad. each and everyone of my friends asked me wtf happened to my voice. I had to explain to them "nothing happened to my voice, I just bought this badass $300 headset that make me sound like shit."... yeah and then combine that with the fact that 3 months later it actually broke on me. I am utterly dissapointed, but I am willing to just chalk this up to bad luck and give steelseries the credit they deserve. Long story short i am getting money back from amazon and investing elsewhere. Buyer be-ware. I hope this input helps you.

[itsjoystick]

Actually, after you do get a good wired headphone, it'll be hard to find a wireless that's on par with the wired headphone (of course you don't want the wireless to be far inferior than the wired one).

$400-500 will get you quite some options on good headphones. What kind of sound do you like?

Your onboard still good and working? Then you can just get a decent amp. Objective 2 (O2) is a good reasonable priced amp. Or if you like the amp to give you a bit of warm tone to the sound, get a decent tube amp.

i am actually planning on an asus ranpage V extreme at the same time as the new audio stuff. Rog boards are supposed to have top notch onboard audio. Does this mean i will not need a sound card? If thats the case i can put the money i was going to spend on the aoundcard into the headphones as well. So i was thinking going with the hifiman he500 or sennheiser hd700. Ofcourse, cheaper is better, but i am looking for a long term investment

[creatip123]

i am actually planning on an asus ranpage V extreme at the same time as the new audio stuff. Rog boards are supposed to have top notch onboard audio. Does this mean i will not need a sound card? If thats the case i can put the money i was going to spend on the aoundcard into the headphones as well. So i was thinking going with the hifiman he500 or sennheiser hd700. Ofcourse, cheaper is better, but i am looking for a long term investment

 

Oh yes, you don't need a sound card, but with those selection you may (or may not) need a separate amp, but that's a thought for later. Get them first, try plugging in directly to see for sure.

 

And your selection gave me orgasm. Finally, an ask-er with taste.....