New Audio Setup

[BrokenShot]

I wanted to step up from onboard audio and headphones to something better.

 

First question- What is the difference between a DAC and a soundcard? And which is better for a larger soundstage/better audio? Same price point as headsets

 

Second question- What are a good pair of headsets? I would like to have a headset that makes me immersed in a game and has good mic quality. Price point varies from 100-250( don't care about music quality)

 

Third question- What are some good speakers? I want yet again a large soundstage and should be balanced in terms of sound(highs,lows and mids.) Same price point as headsets.

Anything else I missed that could help my audio experience.

[Blade of Grass]

1. A DAC is a Digital to Analog Converter. Basically, it takes those digital music files and make it into the analog pulses of electricity that speakers use. A sound card usually combines a DAC with an amplifier (it takes the analog pulse from the DAC and makes them stronger).

 

Neither one is better than the other since they're the same thing/have to be used together.

 

2. A headset is not something I'd recommend for listening to music, it won't sound good

 

I'll refer suggesting specific stuff to other people.

[h264]

Second question- What are a good pair of headsets? I would like to have a headset that makes me immersed in a game and has good mic quality. Price point varies from 100-250( don't care about music quality)

 

You really can't say that the quality of immersion of audio in games and music are separate use cases.  Deep explosions and good directional response are the result of a better driver, not a "gaming" adjective added to the front of a product's name. 

 

For $100 - $250 - and that's quite a price range - You could get anything from the Audio-Technica ATH ad700's, which are good directionally but don't seal enough for good low frequency volume, all the way up to something like the AKG K702 - which lack even more "bloom" ironically.  For you, I'd recommend the Beyerdynamic DT770 80 Ohm version simply because you can beat the crap out of them for years and they'll still work.  As for the mic, anything will do.  The zalman mic one is probably as good as any mic you can get attached to a headset, but a snowball would always be better.  Then you just need a FiiO E10 or another respectable, low output impedance amp, and you'll be set.

 

A GOOD pair of headphones is good for ALL applications, not just music. 

 

 

1. A DAC is a Digital to Analog Converter. Basically, it takes those digital music files and make it into the analog pulses of electricity that speakers use. A sound card usually combines a DAC with an amplifier (it takes the analog pulse from the DAC and makes them stronger).

 

Neither one is better than the other since they're the same thing/have to be used together.

 

 

You mind if I add this to the FAQ, with a couple wording changes?  This is a another question people ask a lot.

[Blade of Grass]

 

You mind if I add this to the FAQ, with a couple wording changes?  This is a another question people ask a lot.

Sure, I'd be honoured XD just cite your source :P

[BrokenShot]

I said I don't care about music quality, but thanks for the DAC and soundcard information. I had a general idea, but wasn't sure of what to get.

Do you think over ear headphones and a mic would be better?

I would want a flat frequency response. The speakers should have 2 or more inputs because I will hook up my PC and my PS3. higher than 2.1 would be great. I would also like some open-ear headphones that should have great build quality and must be comfortable.

[h264]

Do you think over ear headphones and a mic would be better?

 

absolutely

 

 

I would want a flat frequency response. ... I would also like some open-ear headphones that should have great build quality and must be comfortable.

 

The Beyerdynamic DT990pro are your headphone if you don't mind the curly cable.  You'll spend a bit more if you want the model with the straight cable.

 

 

The speakers should have 2 or more inputs because I will hook up my PC and my PS3.

 

You'll want an A/V receiver with HDMI inputs for your PS3 and PC and then hook up some good bookshelf speakers to it.  That's usually the best way to go if you want a multiple input system.

[fozbear]

Sound card: ASUS Xonar Essence ST or STX

Depends on how much you want to spend, both are really good. 

 

I would recommend getting headphones with a separate mic as compared to a headset, because for the price the sound quality will be far greater. Something like the AKG K240 MkII is probably quite good for you as it has a slightly heavier than flat ass response and a semi-open back design which will make it good for gaming and music. All depends on price though. 

 

Something like a ModMic would go well with this, although personally I use a desk mounted recording mic because once again, the audio quality will be far better.

 

As for speakers, I will always prefer studio monitors (I personally use KRK Rokit RP5's) for the sound quality, but if its for gaming something with a subwoofer would be probably preferable and most likely monitors are out of your price range.  

[BrokenShot]

 

Something like a ModMic would go well with this, although personally I use a desk mounted recording mic because once again, the audio quality will be far better.

ModMics are out of stock and I looked into some desktop mics, I have seen a lot of youtubers use Blue yetis or snowballs so I'll get a blue yeti. Are there any other mics you would recommend?

 

 

You'll want an A/V receiver with HDMI inputs for your PS3 and PC and then hook up some good bookshelf speakers to it.  That's usually the best way to go if you want a multiple input system.

I found this, Denon AVR-1312 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver and the Onkyo TX-SR313 5.1-Channel Home Theater A/V Receiver(Black). Here are the links for their amazon listing.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077V8930/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0077V8930&linkCode=as2&tag=hhmsquiddiscount-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004U403S6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004U403S6&linkCode=as2&tag=hhmsquiddiscount-20

 

 

 

 

[fozbear]

ModMics are out of stock and I looked into some desktop mics, I have seen a lot of youtubers use Blue yetis or snowballs so I'll get a blue yeti. Are there any other mics you would recommend?

All Blue mic's are really good quality, so I'd go with something like that.