Going Crazy About Sound quality, Which Upgrade are helpful ?

[ZetaX_D]

Hello, I am newer with Gaming audio, and I am trying to understand to make sure and greats step about to upgrade in right way.

My setup are:
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor 280€
CPU Cooler: Cooler Noctua NH-14 single cooler 60€
Motherboard:z970 Gigabyte Gaming 5 with Creative AMP 137€
Memory: Corsair vengeance 2x8 (16gb) 116€
Storage: Sandisk PLUS 240gb 50€
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM 80€ (waste maybe)
Video Card: AMD r9 280X 3vram Sapphire Used from 300€ to 160€
Case:Corsair 500r Waste of money 110€ T.T with that price exist much better cases around.
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 750W 135€
Optical Drive: Generic DVD-R Loud and useless Poorly Quality 20€
Operating System:W10 Pro Preview Insider v. 1607 OS build :14393.222
Headset: Creative Blasterx H7 106€ (I am not glad with results)
Kraun Speakers MUSIC 40W RMS so so with quality.60€
Monitor Asus VE48H
Total:about €1250 -1300 Yes with this now can be build a 2k Mega computer 😀

Someway that is my First gaming computer where I am using for some video chat(Skype, Discord, Ts, ...)
I am also using for Reccording videos and post on tube, while it become my hobby with friends.
Lastly I am want new knowlegde about audio fidelity for Reccording and Gaming, because.
My motherboard have a Onboard with 7.1 ,also have digital i/o I never used, but most time I read onboard are useless, and point is with Real 5.1 or 7.1 , I think for me will be enough 5.1, also most of games use that Engineers and tech on they.

I going crazy about headset with virtual 7.1 seem big lie ever because logically if we have just 2 speakers how can it reproduce that surround? then with the DAC, not using my Onboard, maybe one reason i am here of my big problem is that. For real 5.1 Like Roccat Kave , or other for what I read they are also useless , Drivers are small and speakers too giving badly quality. Most of Mic that heaset are all bullshit in quality because noises on background.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcZorAyiN6E
I am not English, But I am trying so hard 😀

Some of my friends suggest me about external Audio card (Scarllat ,Steinberg ..., but they are for musician, I am about to just play games,music and films. and make videos for tube, where I am using OBS Studio with Voicemeeter to separate audio tracks, have little latency for real time quality needly a mixer, but for me now is useless and expensive.

For what I reading about people comments on forums any USB headset are Waste of money and thrash Outdate stuff.(without saying about driver and software are outdates and most useless.

most from interesting channel I looked for argument people just make commercial ads, not real review or also not understand about that .

The most know headphone from musician and Studio I heard.
Audio Technica Pro
AKG
sennheiser
Beyerdynamic

I am looking to ask Amazon.de to refund my money and looking for discrete upgrade 106€ from headset maybe more 50€ if usefull.
Thanks you guys , Hope I been clear.

 

[greens]

Hello, I am newer with Gaming audio, and I am trying to understand to make sure and greats step about to upgrade in right way.

Surround sound is only ever used in a space with volume. You need multiple speakers operating at different frequencies to fill a room with sound. When it comes to headphones, none of this applies. So you're right in thinking that is actually lower quality.

You're correct in thinking that surround headphones are garbage.

You're correct in thinking you should just get a good set of simple headphones, i vote Audio Technica all day.

If sound is still lacking after that you could consider a DAC with amp and filters, but honestly i think all that is total fluff too unless you're dropping huge amounts of money on your audio monitors.

 

[ZetaX_D]

Hello, I am newer with Gaming audio, and I am trying to understand to make sure and greats step about to upgrade in right way.

Surround sound is only ever used in a space with volume. You need multiple speakers operating at different frequencies to fill a room with sound. When it comes to headphones, none of this applies. So you're right in thinking that is actually lower quality.

You're correct in thinking that surround headphones are garbage.

You're correct in thinking you should just get a good set of simple headphones, i vote Audio Technica all day.

If sound is still lacking after that you could consider a DAC with amp and filters, but honestly i think all that is total fluff too unless you're dropping huge amounts of money on your audio monitors.

So can you help me out for this?
the budget are enough for my porpuses, maybe nothing profissional but better what can it offer , it need to upgrade also Audio card or mine is enough :http://it.gigabyte.com/products/page/mb/ga-z97x-gaming_5rev_10/overview/

My porpuses are for gaming (some time I doing video for tube) still idk if it , music, and film, (most of time i am using speakers for it)
if important 5.1 for gaming like fps, maybe with good Headphone and that amp have in onboard can do surround on it?
For you surround are useless?

 

[ZetaX_D]

I bought that headset from amazon.de on day prime, after about 3 months usb, starts doesn't work as well I am just used right way , from my head to they own place, mic with usb can't won't tell about how much problem they give, if looked on video.
I want refund before my time gone, ty hope we will take right choice.

 

[ssddx]

might be a long read but i'd suggest reading thoroughly instead of skimming.

okay a few things to mention..

virtual surround vs true surround vs stereo.
most gaming headsets are only stereo headphones with software applied to make them sound like surround sound. only a few are true surround with multiple drivers per ear. headphones are only stereo. virtual surround changes audio delay and pitch to make it seem like sound is coming from a certain distance or direction and while it reduces quality to do this many find it useful. true surround sound is a little more like a speaker setup however is not as good and instead of a clean surround experience it can be more pinpoint instead of smooth response (virtual surround is even better in some cases). while headphones may only be stereo sound, it is not distorted and given how many game engines already include cues for direction surround is not really required.

soundstage and positional audio.
soundstage refers to how much depth (distance sound appears to vary from) on headphones. small soundstage headphones will sound very close like a speaker playing into your ear. an analogy would be listening to music in a bar. wide soundstage headphones will sound more airy and sound will appear to have more distance. an analogy would be listening to music in a park. positional audio would be how accurate 360 degree sound (what angle the sound appears to come from) the headphones sound like.

onboard sound is not always bad although i would not say it is necessarily good either. good quality onboard is about the same quality as a low level soundcard. fine for most people but certainly could use improvment.

dac, dac+amp, soundcard or audio interface.
a soundcard is basically a combination dac+amp+software and would work for either headphones, speakers or analog 3.5mm microphones. if you intend to use virtual surround sound (excluding razer virtual) its your only choice. sound quality compared to external type devices can be either comparable or a little less depending on devices. a standalone dac is only the digital to analog converter and will be 2.0 stereo only. no virtual surround, no inputs just quality 2.0 output. if you intend to connect headphones you would need an amplifier but if you had powered speaker it would hook right up. as for dac+amp you have two choices, combined or separate units. separates would be like running the dac mentioned earlier but a headphone amp as well. external headphone amps are far more powerful than soundcards and will drive harder to power high end headphones better. combination units can be had which push these into one box.

i'll make the bit on audio interfaces a separate paragraph for emphasis since because you want to record you may want to read this closely. an audio interface is similar to a mixer (mixes volume from multiple devices) as well as an external soundcard in that it can output signal, input signal and connects via usb. if you intend to use a quality microphone (xlr based) AND specifically want to listen to your own voice as you record without delay it is highly suggested to use an interface like the scarlett solo or 2i2. while they will only handle stereo sound (no virtual surround) it is ideal for recording due to being able to monitor your own voice as well as adjust volume from different sources. now, technically its possible to use an audio output on a usb microphone which has a listening jack (blue yeti, at2020usb+ for example) to do the same thing but you will have similar limitations. generally the best route for recording also lacks virtual surround. now, technically instead of a combination box you could always use a usb adapter for xlr headphones (and 48v phantom power adapter) and run your headphones off another solution (losing out on live listening of your voice.. if you go through the pc you can do the same thing with listen to this device but there may be a very slight delay!) and gain virtual surround as a result but be limited in another way. what way you pick depends on your preferences and needs honestly.

generally most usb gaming headsets are fair to middle quality. many headphones will beat them out on quality but may be a more expensive solution in some cases as well. some gaming headsets are actually based on headphones.

game one = sennheiser hd518/hd558 with a mic strapped on. a good model if you want a fairly neutral signature.
game zero = sennheiser hd555/595/pc363d/pc350se. bass light model so you can hear footsteps easier but not as fun sounding.
adg1/ag1 = audiotechnica ad500x/a500x. bass light with great positional accuracy. very much overpriced (just buy the headphone).
mmx300 = older dt770 premium. tends towards overpriced (just buy the headphone).
hyper x cloud = takstar pro 80. while certainly a more budget solution, its not bad for the money.

as far as good cheaper headphones...
ad500x is good if you want bass light sound (hear footsteps easy) with wide soundstage. comfortable if you like the headband design.
hd518/558 is good if you want a neutral signature. comfortable for most people.
the above are easy to power.

given that you live in europe, beyerdynamic products are very fairly priced. you could pick up a dt990, dt880 or dt770 for a low price but you will need a microphone and amplifier for them so overall cost may be a bit over budget.
dt770 - closed, bassy. decent soundstage for closed cans. v-shaped signature. comfortable. fun sounding.
dt880 - more neutral than the dt990 with less bass and treble otherwise similar.
dt990 - open, v-shaped, good soundstage, decent bass for an open can. fun sounding.
the above are a bit harder to power. decent soundcard ot external amp suggested.

TLDR:

your onboard audio is enough if you do not have static, buzzing or other distortion AND if you do not pick up any hard to power headphones. while a good audio interface or soundcard may benefit you it will certainly be more of a budget hit to use this.

it sounds like you want multipurpose headphones that are not suited for just one task. either something neutral or v-shaped may be what you are looking for in terms of signature.

5.1 virtual is optional for headphones. either you like it or you dont. headphones do not come with it (you would need a soundcard or razer software to emulate it). headsets with it included have a built in soundcard on them to process this (which is no better than your onboard).

to me it sounds like you only play around with youtube and recording and do not intend to make it a big deal.

it sounds like you want to use speakers and a headset/headphones+mic and have both connected at once.

my suggestion would be this:

microphone- modmic, attaches to any headphone
headphone- hd518/hd558
soundcard- either keep your onboard or using a xonar dg, dx or creative z

of course you are free to change your mind or feel the need to upgrade which is why i explained a bit more than i needed to. this lets you figure out on your own what you think is best for you.

 

[ZetaX_D]

Only cons is in Europe Prices for now, in USA damn is like paradise for consumers, always some big offer and deals, where was looking for ATHAD500X but here is about 160€
beyerdynamic u say i need good amp for they.
I need save money either just buy the Headphone, for price there is sennheiser is inside the budget, but some don't preffer they for it.

 

[ZetaX_D]

I will put all models have good prices here.
Great work.

 

[ZetaX_D]

damn Idk if Creative will give me the refund.

 

[ssddx]

europe prices for audiotechnica and sennheiser tend to be a bit higher. beyerdynamic prices tend to be low. if i recall correctly they are in the 130eur range. the dt770 pro 80 you may be able to get away with good onboard although its suggested to have an amp. the same is true with the dt990 pro 250. i always recommend an amplifier or soundcard for higher impedance headphones so people never have issues and get the most out of their purchase - however sometimes onboard is fair enough to work fine but regardless you would never get 100% out of the headphones with onboard anyways even if it did power them. the beyers are fairly efficient but bass tones generally tend to draw much more power which is where you start getting clipping on your onboard amp. volume is also generally something that could be low if your onboard isnt high power.

in the long run beyer is likely going to cost more even if the headphones are cheaper. its still a great choice of products for quality but perhaps not the best for budget seekers.

for more around your budget..

the game one is 159eur right now.. thats a hd518/558 based headset with a mic.
likewise the hd518 is 104eur and a modmic is 46eur. about 10eur cheaper and about equivalent (minus shipping costs which may eat that up).
both combos are about equivalent i would say

its easy enough to power even with onboard and the 518/558 are decent general use cans with a neutral signature.

agreed, usa prices generally are envy inducing.

 

[ZetaX_D]

For audiocard do you suggest more for Creative Z or Asus Dgx
For now I took some Jack mic, change place of my GPU to first place ,I having some eletcrics statics, and noise with all of them, but gpu to close another components , When it go to idle hope don't do , whatever i will test here.

 

[ZetaX_D]

so that change much some time are some noise, but just a little
+- 0DB mic boost
vol 100 hearing just a few,is a Superlux e531 isn't mine took from a friend for test.
For it on Back panel.
with 10+ boost can hear something i can't describe its like eletricts sounds.

 

[ZetaX_D]

strangely on front panel have less noises with mic. That mean on inside my pc having much electric statics?

 

[ZetaX_D]

Is the point if i get for first a Audio card like dgx or z, will still getting statics problems, all say me yes T.T

 

[ZetaX_D]

Beyerdynamic DT990 that won't run just wih my AMP, right?

 

[ZetaX_D]

T.T
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIFpjG2R-tc

 

[ZetaX_D]

Maybe will try for Headphone then some mic, i have 9 € mic have less noises them Superlux strangely.

 

[ssddx]

can you please stop posting single line answers...

instead, please consolidate your thoughts into one post as it makes things easier to read and respond to as well as not creating too much clutter.

the Z is better than the DGX. the Z and DX are comparable with the Z having an okay dac and good amp with the DX having a good dac and an okay amp. depending on what your needs/wants are either one or the other are decent.

it sounds like you are having either EMI in your case or have poor onboard audio or poor front jacks which are resulting in noise. one reason for using a soundcard is to alleviate such issues. by using a soundcard you should get rid of that issue or at least reduce it. if your front panel audio connectors are not shielded you might still get issues using that jack. external devices like usb soundcards or external dac+amps pull electronics away from inside the case so do an even better job at having less noise. of course if your usb hub suffers from noise (solution is often to use a powered usb hub) you might still have a few bugs to work out.

i would not suggest the dt990 with your onboard audio only. the z might power them or the e10k might but my suggestion for those cans is always the schiit magni or better.

no soundcard is without issues. the creative z has a few of course but considering your options in the $80 range, its not too bad and some people are just overly harsh on it. the headphone amp it has while strong for soundcards is actually weaker than some external amps like the magni. as for what he says about soundstage being less.. i'm not sure i heard that before from anyone who has one. perhaps he had virtual surround or a soundmode turned on that he shouldnt have. in any case, you wouldnt buy the Z unless you were using semi hard to power cans or else its more than you need in an amp and the dx would have been better.

 

[ZetaX_D]

Configure out and some setting it can be reduced maybe amp , reduce volume
For that upgrade I need they give me Refund but seem I
Some friends suggest me Scarllat Kit, but for gaming and recording seem are useless, just looked around for External Audio Card most of them are for music, idk if with Z I will get static.
that DT990 will be good for most hope i can get refund.

 

[ssddx]

products like the scarlett solo or scarlett 2i2 are perfect for recording while gaming and many youtubers use similar setups. of course they are using quality xlr microphones and not just headsets too which may be more than your budget and preferences.

to me it sounds like you just want to record a bit here and there with decent quality without making a big thing out of it.

 

[ZetaX_D]

I am looking for DT990 , scarllat and a decent mic 30-50€
nice
For now i try to sell my headset if they don't give me Refund T.T
Never more Creative.

 

[ZetaX_D]

we were talking about DT 990 with 80 ohm?
I am looking for take something here, but for now all prices are top.

 

[ssddx]

dt990 is not available in 80ohm impedance.
there is the 250ohm pro model (best deal)
there is a 32, 250 and 600ohm premium model (expensive, worth it only for the 600)

the dt770 (closed can) is available in 80ohm (and 32, 250). the 80 ohm version is the bassiest, the 250 the most refined and the 32 a little easier to drive but not as nice as the other two.

 

[ZetaX_D]

Realtek ALC1150 115dB SNR HD Audio
Realtek ALC1150 115dB SNR HD Audio
The ALC1150 is a high-performance multi-channel High Definition Audio Codec that delivers an exceptional audio listening experience with up to 115dB SNR, ensuring users get the best possible audio quality from their PC.

The ALC1150 provides ten DAC channels that simultaneously support 7.1-channel sound playback, plus 2 channels of independent stereo sound output (multiple streaming) through the front panel stereo outputs. Two stereo ADCs are integrated and can support a microphone array with Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC), Beam Forming (BF), and Noise Suppression (NS) technologies. The ALC1150 incorporates Realtek proprietary converter technology to achieve Front differential output 115dB Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR) playback (DAC) quality and 104dB SNR recording (ADC) quality.
Built-in Rear Audio Amplifier
Built-in Rear Audio Amplifier
Specially designed for gamers, GIGABYTE motherboards utilize a high-capacity amplifier which is able to drive 600Ω loads, giving gamers a fuller range of dynamic sound with crisper details and less distortion when using high quality professional headphones.
Gold Plated Audio Hardware
Gold Plated Audio Hardware
GIGABYTE motherboards pack top quality gold plated audio and HDMI connectors for improved connectivity and long lasting durability. Gold has superb signal conductivity and will not tarnish over extended periods of use. The Audio controller is also shielded by a gold plated cover which eliminates electrostatic interference.
GIGABYTE AMP-UP Audio™ Technology
GIGABYTE G1™ Gaming motherboards are equipped with the exclusive GIGABYTE AMP-UP Audio Technology, which provides the industry’s highest level of onboard audio features and technologies. With GIGABYTE AMP-UP Audio, gamers and audiophiles are able to experience crisp, ultra realistic sound effects while gaming, and the richest possible sound experience when listening to their favorite music and movies.


So I think they work like a charm in theory. for what they are, for also 600, that mean that 250 will work to, wich difference it give are more clear?
that 990 what kind of sounds have?

 

[ssddx]

believe what you want to about your onboard audio. i covered this already. if you find out you need an amp because your volume is low or you do not get the most out of your headphones i covered that as well.

the premium 990 has less bass and is a bit more airy sounding than the pro. the 600ohm is more tightly controlled and a bit nicer sounding than the 250 but for the price differences its normally not worthwhile unless you're highly interested in spending good money on an amp as well.

 

[ZetaX_D]

Hello again, I am looking to understanding better about headphone, dacs, Amp which i need if will be ok for investiment with you them another sites, videos on Tube
That 990 have completely flat of bass in the sense doens't exist? just few less another models.

Also see most are using:
DT 770 Pro 200€
DT 880 PRO 250-600 200€
M50x 170€
AD500X 170€
HD598 160€


Will let some places where i got some info

http://www.innerfidelity.com/headphone-measurements / headphone room Graphs.
But I don't finding DT 990 pro 250 ohm graphs
they are real or just ideal stuff or just generic?


just thing seem worse that Headphone aren't removable cables in the case it fail.

But if will think is enough for me , will try and also needing understood which AMP i will need on site most bought is a FiiO E10K "OLYMPUS 2" DAC USB 80€
there is a amp cost less or it will be a trash?