Recommended Audio Card W/ High End Corsair/Logitech headset

[Devronicthetonicman]

Hey guys, I've got a quick question that I've been wondering for some time now. (Sorry for the bad english/grammar.)

This is my motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131981&cm_re=Asus_Z87-a-_-13-131-981-_-Product

I really need to get a new Audio Card because the On-board audio is poor for this MoBo!!! And I hope y'all can agree with me on that.
Being that said, can you guys recommend me a card that won't break the bank but will give me a significant performance increase in terms for gaming(1st) and listening to music(2nd)?

ALSO, it might add better insight to include that I will probably be getting either the best Corsair gaming headset or the best Logitech gaming headset. (They don't cost and perform nearly as much as say a Sennheiser but still give decent sound from what I hear.)

If you guys disagree with any of this PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know. I would love to hear your input whether its good or bad.

Thanks again, Y'all always provide the best advice. Hoping for that again.

 

[photonboy]

Actually I don't agree that the onboard audio is horrible. The ALC1150 chipset is quite good. Probably not as good as a $50 sound card but you can be the judge.

Obviously you'll need good speakers or headphones to tell the difference anyway.

Asus Xonar DXG (analog and digital outputs): http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-sound-card-xonardgx

Creative SB Z: (analog and digital outputs): http://pcpartpicker.com/part/creative-labs-sound-card-30sb150200000

Connecting headphones AND desktop speakers can be problematic so you need to ensure that's going to work. You won't have support from the case.

*USB headphones are probably a good idea. They may have their own audio solution and bypass the sound card.

Otherwise, some desktop speakers have a headphone jack. Or they may use a DIGITAL OUTPUT leaving an analog one on the sound card for the headphones free. Thus in this case the sound card must have BOTH.

I have no comment on the headphones however there are lots of reviews online. There is a HUGE RANGE IN PRICE though so it would have helped to give a rough indication there.

 

[photonboy]

Some links.
Remember, some are USB with their own solutions. Some may be 3.5mm analog + 3.5mm microphone:

http://www.gamesradar.com/best-gaming-headset/
and
http://www.trustedreviews.com/best-gaming-headset_round-up
and
http://gaming-headsets-review.toptenreviews.com/

The Sennheiser PC350's might be okay. They use 3.5mm audio and 3.5mm headphone so you must be able to support that. It's a hassle to connect to the back of a PC. I had a different set with same connectors and used the headphone jack on my speakers (which bypassed desktop audio but speakers must stay on) but kept the microphone attached to the sound card.