Best Headphones Audio for PC?

[Sad_Trombone]

I've been using my Audio-Technica ATH-M50X headphones for a little while, and I've found that the sound is a little lackluster, for everything from music to gaming. I've tried a few EQs and Razer Surround for my games, but I'm at the point where I've reached my wit's end. Nothing seems to add that extra power to make the games sound truly great.

My motherboard is the low-end MSI 970A-G43 with Realtek ALC892 sound. Is the low-quality because of that? Can no amount of EQing and tweaking improve the sound because I'm starting out with a low-quality foundation, so to speak? I use the headphones for everything. Would it be worth it to invest in a proper sound card?

Thanks so much. Any help would be sincerely appreciated.

 

[yosizzle]

I would invest in a USB Dac/Amp combo. Something like the Schiit Audio Magni 2 and Modi 2. I have owned the M50Xs before, and they should be in no way lackluster. The amp should help immensely with that.

 

[Cons29]

i am loving my m50x, i am in no way an audiophile but this is better than my previous gaming headsets (which reminds me, i need a mic)
i think the m50(x) is great, esp for it's price.
extra power...louder?

 

[nostall]

ALC 892 isn't bad for most people, but it appears you have really good hearing and tastes in music and sound.
Your headphones are probably not the problem. The sound chip might and probably is. I recommend any of the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102048
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102063
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010
One last thing, have you opened up the RealTek sound manager and played with the settings there in AND made sure it was set to Stereo and not surround?

 

[Sad_Trombone]

I wouldn't know how to open the Realtek Sound Manager.

ALC 892 isn't bad for most people, but it appears you have really good hearing and tastes in music and sound.
Your headphones are probably not the problem. The sound chip might and probably is. I recommend any of the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102048
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102063
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010
One last thing, have you opened up the RealTek sound manager and played with the settings there in AND made sure it was set to Stereo and not surround?

 

[nostall]

I wouldn't know how to open the Realtek Sound Manager.

ALC 892 isn't bad for most people, but it appears you have really good hearing and tastes in music and sound.
Your headphones are probably not the problem. The sound chip might and probably is. I recommend any of the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102048
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102063
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010
One last thing, have you opened up the RealTek sound manager and played with the settings there in AND made sure it was set to Stereo and not surround?

Open the Control Panel. In the upper right (Win 7) by "View by:" select large icons. There should be an icon for "Realtek HD Audio Manager" - click on that. You can work your way through the manager and see if anything makes any difference.