Massive Sound Upgrade

[Statik]

Hey guys, so Im currently running onboard sound with a Sharpton X-Tactic S7 headset, but i would love to kick it up a notch.

I want to start by saying i don't really know much when it comes to soundards, good quality headsets, etc.

So where should i start? I'm going to use it pretty much purely for gaming, but some movies, music, etc.

For a headset it seems that a Sennheiser HD558 is a common favourite, as for a soundcard I havent heard anythig but great things about the Xonar Essence STX, but i dont know much about soundcards in general, and if thats the best bang for my buck.

When i game im pretty much always in teamspeak with friends. I would love something like a Blue Yeti, but again, that's pretty pricey, and if there's a nice looking desktop Mic for cheaper, im all for it.

I don't really have a specific budget, but i dont want to go and spend an absorbent amount of money on this. If something is totally worth it, I'll go for it, but I won't be spending an insane amount of money on this.

Thanks for any help!

[EmoRarity]

HD 518's sound more or less the same as the 558 for much less, and neither really need a soundcard to run properly.

[Recon97]

HD650

[creatip123]

For a massive (but still mediocre, relatively) upgrade, go with HE400, HD600 or 650, DT990 + a decent dac/amp combo. Needless to say, there are many that are better, but those should already give you the wow factor you're looking for.

[H4X3R]

AKG K612 pro, the BEST choice (without amp/dac that is).

[Statik]

I'm starting to lean towards the Sennheiser HD518. It looks like the best quality for the price.

If I were to get those, would I need an amp/dac or a soundcard? Or would i be fine with onboard?

[EmoRarity]

I'm starting to lean towards the Sennheiser HD518. It looks like the best quality for the price.

If I were to get those, would I need an amp/dac or a soundcard? Or would i be fine with onboard?

Onboard would be fine unless yours is broken.

[ShearMe]

I'm starting to lean towards the Sennheiser HD518. It looks like the best quality for the price.

If I were to get those, would I need an amp/dac or a soundcard? Or would i be fine with onboard?

Do NOT get a soundcard. If there's something wrong with your motherboard's audio, eexternal solutions are better.

[Statik]

Alright, thanks for all the advice! Looks like I'm just going to go for the 518s, and some sort of external Mic

[EmoRarity]

Alright, thanks for all the advice! Looks like I'm just going to go for the 518s, and some sort of external Mic

Modmic or Zm-1 are both solid options depending on how stacked you are.

[Statik]

Modmic or Zm-1 are both solid options depending on how stacked you are.

Thanks.

Ive always wanted something on my desk, like a yeti or snowball, but something like a modmic is probably more practical.

[EmoRarity]

Thanks.

Ive always wanted something on my desk, like a yeti or snowball, but something like a modmic is probably more practical.

If you want a desk mic, Snowflakes are great.

[ShearMe]

CAD U37 often goes on sale for snowflakesnowball prices, and it's better than both.

[Statik]

If you want a desk mic, Snowflakes are great.

Thanks for the help. Memory express has a snowflake for $70, but i can get it on amazon for $40. Looks like I'll go for that. And see if i can get 518s there too, as their special order at mem express, and out of stock on newegg.