Does a sound card make a difference?

[CYBORG_CATFISH]

I'm planning on getting Audio-Technica ATH-M20Xs along with a mod mic to use for listening to music and gaming. I don't care for surround.

So my question is. Will there be a noticeable difference using these headphones with a Xonar DGX? Is it worth the extra money?

[ZetZet]

http://www.shopbot.com.au/pp-kingston-hyperx-cloud-headset-price-478343.html

 

don't need a soundcard though.

[Tuloth]

http://www.shopbot.com.au/pp-kingston-hyperx-cloud-headset-price-478343.html

 

don't need a soundcard though.

 

Aaaaaand we're done here.

[mad dudy]

I am looking for a headset that doesn't leak audio. I am getting a sound card to pair up with it. I don't have enough money to get a separate mic and headphones so don't bother recommending that solution.

 

I want headphones that are no more than $130.

 

Thanks for the help!

 all headphone will leak audio if they're loud enough.

[Fluffinator]

 all headphone will leak audio if they're loud enough.

Not without blowing your ears out first.

[CYBORG_CATFISH]

all headphone will leak audio if they're loud enough.

You're right but I mean a headset that doesnt leak audio so that the mic can pic it up in a Skype call.

[CYBORG_CATFISH]

http://www.shopbot.com.au/pp-kingston-hyperx-cloud-headset-price-478343.html

don't need a soundcard though.

I've heard that they leak audio too. I listened to a test on YouTube.

[CYBORG_CATFISH]

What do you guys think about the Audio-Technica ATH-M20X for gaming and listening to music? I mostly play fps but I don't care for surround because I think its useless.

[Fluffinator]

What do you guys think about the Audio-Technica ATH-M20X for gaming and listening to music? I mostly play fps but I don't care for surround because I think its useless.

You should save for the ATH-M50x's then which are like 150 us dollars I believe (when they go on sale) those things I can barely hear anything around me when I put those on so the sound isolation is very good, I use them for airplane rides..

[CYBORG_CATFISH]

You should save for the ATH-M50x's then which are like 150 us dollars I believe (when they go on sale) those things I can barely hear anything around me when I put those on so the sound isolation is very good, I use them for airplane rides..

I have to use this websitehttp://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index

I can't get anything more expensive than the M20x because I don't want to spend so much money. I need to buy a sound card and mod mic too.

[Fluffinator]

I have to use this websitehttp://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index

I can't get anything more expensive than the M20x because I don't want to spend so much money. I need to buy a sound card and mod mic too.

Why do you need a soundcard? Use that money for a better headset.

[CYBORG_CATFISH]

Why do you need a soundcard? Use that money for a better headset.

Because I don't have one. And isn't it far better to use a sound card with headphones like these?

[Fluffinator]

Because I don't have one. And isn't it far better to use a sound card with headphones like these?

Nope won't sound any better, better off using that money and getting a better headset which you will see a difference. Unless your motherboard is hissing and distrotaed  I thought it made a difference for a while turned out it's just the placebo affect, I can use my DT 990 Pros on my Galaxy S5 and it'll still sound amazing!

[CYBORG_CATFISH]

Nope won't sound any better, better off using that money and getting a better headset which you will see a difference. Unless your motherboard is hissing and distrotaed I thought it made a difference for a while turned out it's just the placebo affect, I can use my DT 990 Pros on my Galaxy S5 and it'll still sound amazing!

I doubt its a placebo effect lol

[Diederik_Gr]

I doubt its a placebo effect lol

Onboard audio is really good these days, dedicated soundcards are pretty much a dying genre. Asus themselves is even becoming sloppy with their soundcard drivers as far as I've heard.

I use a pair of DT990's on my B85M-G motherboard, which is equipped with a great onboard soundcard despite the board being fairly cheap. So I'd recommend better headphones as well, and just skip a soundcard.

[CYBORG_CATFISH]

Onboard audio is really good these days, dedicated soundcards are pretty much a dying genre. Asus themselves is even becoming sloppy with their soundcard drivers as far as I've heard.

I use a pair of DT990's on my B85M-G motherboard, which is equipped with a great onboard soundcard despite the board being fairly cheap. So I'd recommend better headphones as well, and just skip a soundcard.

ok thanks for the help. I have a askrock performance z87 motherboard. What do you know about audio on that? Or are they pretty much the same on all motherboards?

[Diederik_Gr]

ok thanks for the help. I have a askrock performance z87 motherboard. What do you know about audio on that? Or are they pretty much the same on all motherboards?

I'd have to check what Asrock equipped the board with, but I think it'll do fine. It's not an old board or anything.

[BoredErica]

I'd have to check what Asrock equipped the board with, but I think it'll do fine. It's not an old board or anything.

More important generally, is the implementation of whatever parts were picked. Of course, that's not so easily checked.

[othertomperson]

Soundcards are complete wastes of time and money.

[Oktyabr]

These guys are right.  While there may be tiny differences between the DAC and amp sections of many sound cards, mother board sound sections, etc. your best sound quality improvement for the money is going to be in the only part you actually listen to... the speakers or headphones.  The M20x isn't bad (my son uses them) but stepping up to even the M30x or M40x will give you a notable improvement. 

If you STILL feel the need to spend money on something to power them with, save up some cash and buy this off of Amazon instead of a sound card.  At least that way you have a physical volume knob to play with:  http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SD-DAC63057-24-Bit-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B009WN7QT4

[improbablepants]

You're right but I mean a headset that doesnt leak audio so that the mic can pic it up in a Skype call.

I use the open-backed DT990's and a Blue Yeti at loud volumes, and the other user cannot hear me. Bleedthrough in that sense is rare.