Upgrading my audio setup

[Oldaccount1234123]

Hello all!

 

I am in need of some assistance. Currently, I own a pair of G930s and a backup pair of H2100. However, the G930s are starting to die, and I thought instead of using the H2100s and having them break for a second time, why not go for a better approach. My plan is to sell the H2100, and use some other money to buy some headphones and a mic.

 

Overall, my budget is around £150 to £200, which is around $200 to $280 for Americans.

 

I have been looking at some head phones, and in particular I liked the ATH M40x's. My friend has a pair, and says they are great. I was thinking about the M50s, but they are quite a bit more expensive - what do you think?

 

In terms of mics, I was thinking initially looking at something like a blue yeti + mic stand, but I am now leaning more towards a mod mic as they are cheaper and seem to be as good. 

 

After reading the pinned threads at the top of this forum section, I saw that I don't need to get an amp. I saw some cheap ones for around £20 on amazon and stuff - still not worth it?

 

Also, I am using a standard sound card built into my PC / Mobo - will this be good enough?

 

Finally, my PC sits on my right, and the cables come out of the headphones on the left. Will I get annoyed by cables draping across me, or do I just get used to it?

 

Thanks in advance

 

- Daanish

[Dackzy]

13 minutes ago, Daanish said:

Hello all!

 

I am in need of some assistance. Currently, I own a pair of G930s and a backup pair of H2100. However, the G930s are starting to die, and I thought instead of using the H2100s and having them break for a second time, why not go for a better approach. My plan is to sell the H2100, and use some other money to buy some headphones and a mic.

 

Overall, my budget is around £150 to £200, which is around $200 to $280 for Americans.

 

I have been looking at some head phones, and in particular I liked the ATH M40x's. My friend has a pair, and says they are great. I was thinking about the M50s, but they are quite a bit more expensive - what do you think?

 

In terms of mics, I was thinking initially looking at something like a blue yeti + mic stand, but I am now leaning more towards a mod mic as they are cheaper and seem to be as good. 

 

After reading the pinned threads at the top of this forum section, I saw that I don't need to get an amp. I saw some cheap ones for around £20 on amazon and stuff - still not worth it?

 

Also, I am using a standard sound card built into my PC / Mobo - will this be good enough?

 

Finally, my PC sits on my right, and the cables come out of the headphones on the left. Will I get annoyed by cables draping across me, or do I just get used to it?

 

Thanks in advance

 

- Daanish

Well the m40/x and m50/x are so close in sound so you might aswell just save some money and get the m40/x.

For mics if you are not planing on live streaming then the mod mic would be just as good for you as the blue yeti. You don't need a amp or dac unless you have noise in your sound and you can power the m40x with mobile so I think your pc can power them to. For the cable thing you should get used to it fast. I do think that you can get better sound for your money, maybe take a look at Beyerdynamic DT770.

[HatsuneMilku]

Lots of things will come in to play with sound quality.

 

If your computer naturally has static hum in your current headphones, its not going to go away with a new one, at that point I would recommend getting a dac/amp

Mod mics are much more convenient, however personally I don't think they match the quality of a real dynamic/condenser mic. 

What kind of music also plays into headphone choice, the m50x's are a bit more bassy than your average headphone.

[Donk Quixote]

If open cans will work for you I recommend the SHP9500 with the VModa BoomPro mic.  I've heard mod mic samples and sometimes some of them are pretty bad.  

[Oldaccount1234123]

OK, so I looked into it a bit more and have reached some new conclusions.

 

I will definitely get M40x's or M50x's.

I will buy a desk mic + stand etc.

 

In regards to a desk mic, my friend has one of these and it sounds great. I think it goes through an AMP or DAC (not sure which one, as I an noob when it comes to this). This mic is sold in the USB version and the XLR version. Which do you suggest and why? If I go for the XLR version I'll need phantom power. Will I need anything else?

 

 Should I be buying an AMP/DAC/Sound Card?

 

Thanks!

[Steinway]

If you're only looking to voice chat with your mic may I suggest the Zalmann clip on mic? (Quick search for Zalmann clip on mic on Amazon will find it) Super cheap and worked great when I had one. I would only recommend a standalone mic if you were streaming or making videos, and in that case I wouldn't be recommending the Behringer unit you posted.