Headset Advice

[Osmium]

Let me start out by saying that audio stuff confuses the hell out of me. I dont know why but every time I think I grasp the basics I learn something new that tells me I was wrong. So Ill go ahead and ask people their thoughts.

 

In my situation I am going to be purchasing some Audio Technica AD700Xs (the same as the AD700 but with better ergonomics) for their amazing soundstage in gaming. I read that the AD700s offer the best quality (or close to) available in terms of positional audio without costing a fortune. Now my question is will adding a sound card or headphone amp better the soundstage any? If so which card or amp would help? Or does the cost outweigh the added performance and I am better off using less than stellar onboard audio(yes I know that is heresy around here). Sound quality itself is not extremely important and priority one is the positional audio. In other words if I have to buy a top tier addon card in order to see any benefit I would consider that not worth it.

 

As far as price goes I don't really care as all this is still hypothetical to me. I just want to see if or how much another piece of hardware would help me.

[helping]

You don't need a sound card. I have an AD700 and they're very easy to drive and can work fine off of onboard sound. You could buy an e10 if you wanted to and run it in low gain for a digital out signal and to reduce any noise introduced from the motherboard. This would be better in terms of sound quality compared to a designated sound card. You shouldn't really need anything more than an e10 for an AD700x, you could run it without anything at all really.  

 

Ergonomically, I'm under the impression (quite sure of it) the older AD700 is superior but the newer one has slightly better bass response despite using the same drivers.  

[CoolBeans]

You won't need a AMP/DAC for those

[MayflowerElectronics]

Whatever you do, don't buy a sound card. If you want to pick up something, grab the E10. When/If you get better headphones, you can buy an amp/DAC combo.

[Osmium]

Alright, I'm glad to hear I wont be needing anything more than the headset itself (although I might look into that E10 in the future).

 

And on a side note it is interesting seeing you here mayflower electronics, I had a brief conversation with you guys on youtube of all places.

[MayflowerElectronics]

Alright, I'm glad to hear I wont be needing anything more than the headset itself (although I might look into that E10 in the future).

 

And on a side note it is interesting seeing you here mayflower electronics, I had a brief conversation with you guys on youtube of all places.

 

Yep, won't be making that mistake again. Youtube comments is a pretty vile place  :unsure: .

[ShearMe]

In my situation I am going to be purchasing some Audio Technica AD700Xs (the same as the AD700 but with better ergonomics) for their amazing soundstage in gaming. I read that the AD700s offer the best quality (or close to) available in terms of positional audio without costing a fortune.

Well, the 500X's are the same for positional audio, are cheaper, and sound just as good. A big negative for my pair, however, is the cable doesn't lose the coiled shape it comes like in the box.

Pioneer's SE-A1000 can be bought for even less (especially in the US). The pads aren't deep, so they do irritate some people's ear lobes, but that can easily be fixed with cotton balls.

[Osmium]

Yep, won't be making that mistake again. Youtube comments is a pretty vile place  :unsure: .

 

10/10 for trying

 

 

Well, the 500X's are the same for positional audio, are cheaper, and sound just as good. A big negative for my pair, however, is the cable doesn't lose the coiled shape it comes like in the box.

Pioneer's SE-A1000 can be bought for even less (especially in the US). The pads aren't deep, so they do irritate some people's ear lobes, but that can easily be fixed with cotton balls.

 

Is that so? The cable won't be a problem for me as I will be routing it behind my desk mostly out of sight. Ill probably look into some more comparisons between the 700s and 500s and make my own decision. After all I don't want you guys doing all the work