Sound Card & Headphone Help/Recommendations

[sonicgreenhill]

I am currently using on board sound but would like to improve this. I'm a PC gamer but I'm more interested in hearing dialogue clearly and positional sound eg footsteps to the left or right, than big explosions or soundtracks.

I plan on upgrading my PC in the future but will move this card over when I do. I don't game at all using speakers I only use my headphones, would it be pointless getting cards like these or would I not be getting the full benefit of the card if I'm not using speakers? I'm torn between these two cards at the minute but I'm also open to other recommendations.

Creative Sound Blaster Z (also ZX but not sure of the difference): http/www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-087-CL

Asus Xonar D2X 7.1: http/www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-001-AS&tool=3&rows=0&sort=ratingDesc

I'm also looking for a new set of headphones, I would rather headphones as opposed to a headset as a microphone is not a necessity for me as I don't play multiplayer or anything.

I was thinking of these Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X: http/www.amazon.co.uk/electronics/dp/B009S332TQ

But as above I'm open to other recommendations.

 

[thee_prisoner]

Since you want to stereo headphones to simulate surround sound, it's going to be very important to have the right mobo sound, or sound card and the specific games you play. What motherboard do you have?

I do like the steel band across the top, it helps with comfort. I use Turtle Beach Earforce HPA2s that have that band. They are discrete 5.1 so no simulated surround.

That choice at least should should give you good quality sound but in terms of gaming it is going to depend on how well the sound chip virtualizes the sound for surround.

I would buy the headset or something similar and see if that works well. If it doesn't, start trying out some sound cards.

Happy gaming, the Prisoner...

 

[sonicgreenhill]

Since you want to stereo headphones to simulate surround sound, it's going to be very important to have the right mobo sound, or sound card and the specific games you play. What motherboard do you have?

I do like the steel band across the top, it helps with comfort. I use Turtle Beach Earforce HPA2s that have that band. They are discrete 5.1 so no simulated surround.

That choice at least should should give you good quality sound but in terms of gaming it is going to depend on how well the sound chip virtualizes the sound for surround.

I would buy the headset or something similar and see if that works well. If it doesn't, start trying out some sound cards.

Happy gaming, the Prisoner...

My mobo is a Asus M4A79XTD EVO 790X Socket AM3 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard, it's pushing over 3 years old now and it's quite a low range mobo by todays standards so I'd like to get a sound card since I'm assuming any sound card is better then my current onboard sound, do you have any suggestions on the soundcards I have linked above?

I currently have an Sennheiser HD201 plugged into my mobo and while I think it's good for music it's quite poor for gaming since it doesn't simulate positional sound at all apart from left or right. I do have a Sharkoon X-Tatic Digital V3 - 5.1 Dolby Digital Headset plugged into my PS3 which works reasonable well but I don't really like to remove it from the PS3 since I have the console hooked up to my monitor so if I moved my Sharkoon to the PC I wouldn't get any sound from the PS3, hope that made some sense

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[thee_prisoner]

It seems weird you aren't getting in surround sound. You may want to check your audio settings(windows and the VIA chipset settings) first. This link shows it has surround sound capabilities: http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/audio/codecs/vt1708s/

Also, with an inexpensive set of headphones, a sound card seems like overkill. Personally the Sharkoon would fit the bill on providing the surround you want without spending anymore money. It wouldn't seem like much of a hassle to switch back and forth and save you some money.

Happy gaming, the Prisoner...