Good audio setting

[feufollets]

Hi guys, i'm new  on the forum and I need some help :)

 

I have plan to build a new computer soon and I have never really spend much on audio products I used to have cheap headsets (around 50$) and onboard audio, right now I have a usb headset (corsair veng 1500). But this time I really want to do an effort and put some money for a decent audio setting and I just don't know where to start. I read the sticky post in the audio forum before posting. I just want to have some recommendations for good sound cards and headsets. I can use around 300$ for it. 

Thank you for recommendations everyone.

[Xelithium]

First of all, get headphones, not a headset. Atleast if you want the best audio.

[ShearMe]

Headphones are most important as they'll impact your listening experience most.

I'd recommend Sennheiser 558/598 because I find my 650s addictively comfortable, but lots of people rave about the Audio Technica ATH-AD700, AKG 701/702, and Beyer Dynamic 770/990. When it comes to headphones, price isn't necessarily everything past $100. I can't comment about how any of these sound, but I know from many reviews that whatever you choose you wont be disappointed. Purchase an AntLion ModMic to attach to the headphones and VIOLA - you have a headset! You can bind the cables of the mic and the headphones together with heat shrink tubing - a half inch would probably work - if you want to keep the cables neat & together.

As far as sound cards/amps, you should already know that most of them sound pretty much the same. Pick one in your price range AFTER picking out your headphones (make sure it has enough power to drive them if you get something that requires extra juice). ASUS's Xonar cards and the Fiio E10 are all good options under $100. I recommend going external, but some people like desk space - what do they know? :rolleyes:

[feufollets]

Thanks for the answer! is there an advantage for external or just desk space :P?

[t0wer]

external can have a better power supply, as it doesn't need to rely on the computer's PSU and avoids all the noise from other components.

[h264]

external can have a better power supply, as it doesn't need to rely on the computer's PSU and avoids all the noise from other components.

 

also you can plug them into laptops and take them with you when you travel.  It's a win-win all around.

[Shayne]

I have the Sennheiser HD 558 with an Asus Essence STX sound card with a seperate amplifier for my speakers. I think it is a really great setup but to really get the most out of the STX you should be getting 300 ohm headphones or higher. I'm thinking about upgrading the Sennheiser HD 650s

Good luck

[ShearMe]

I have the Sennheiser HD 558 with an Asus Essence STX sound card with a seperate amplifier for my speakers. I think it is a really great setup but to really get the most out of the STX you should be getting 300 ohm headphones or higher. I'm thinking about upgrading the Sennheiser HD 650s

Good luck

 

Love my 650s I got used on Ebay, but haven't experienced the 558s. Maybe throw up a comparison review if you do spring for the 650s?  :)

[Shayne]

I will do that. How much did you pay for yours? I've seen them for 350 on ebay.

[t0wer]

I will do that. How much did you pay for yours? I've seen them for 350 on ebay.

 

don't know if I'd go the ebay route for audio equipment.

I know audiotechnica headphones and sennheiser iems have a ton of fakes.

I haven't heard about 600/650 fakes yet, but I don't know if I'd risk it.

[ShearMe]

I will do that. How much did you pay for yours? I've seen them for 350 on ebay.

 

Got mine for $310. If the used ear pads ick you out I think new replacements are 30-40 bucks. Also I've heard it's common for the paint to be chipped off on the headband; whatever paint Sennheiser used doesn't adhere to plastic chemically, nor does it stretch with the band.

 

 

don't know if I'd go the ebay route for audio equipment.

I know audiotechnica headphones and sennheiser iems have a ton of fakes.

I haven't heard about 600/650 fakes yet, but I don't know if I'd risk it.

 

The word I've heard is that the full sized headphones would cost too much to produce to make a profit on, at least to make it look similar enough to not obviously be a fake. I doubt you'd find a fake "used" headphone either.