Sound card / 7.1 headset?

ConnorStrong

Honorable
May 21, 2015
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10,530
Hi all, back again. Quick question since I can't find an answer anywhere;

I play CS GO, so I need good positional audio but I'm not sure what the optimal setup for positional audio is. Which is best?;

-7.1 headset standalone
-7.1 headset with 7.1 soundcard
-Audiophile headset with 7.1 soundcard

I understand how surround sound is technically a gimmick, also, i know how CS' sound is equivalent to a 1980 children's show but I will also need it for other games.

I don't have a budget so throw what you got at me!

Thanks again
 
Solution
The main problem is that 5.1/7.1 headsets tend to be crap. They either use some form of Dolby Headphone (which pretty much every soundcard offers now) to simulate surround onto a stereo headset, or use multiple drivers which reduces audio quality. So there's a tradeoff involved.

I personally use a set of Audio Technica M50s, paired with my ASUS Xonar Xense. When I do FPS titles, I just enable Dolby Headphone, which does a good enough job.

If you want to go the headphone route:

http://www.head-fi.org/products/category/gaming-headsets

If you want to go with headphones:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-5-31-2015-beyer-cop-and-shure-1540-added
A very high grade/quality HP+decent headphone apm will blow out of the water any headset.
Its something you have to try yourself, but I suggest doing so if only to know waht you actually prefer.
I would suggest not going lower than a Sennhesier HD600, AKG K702, Hifiman HE-400i or similar.
If you have a chance to test them, do so.

Please note that why you dont need a very expensive amplifier for these HPs, one is HIGHLY recommended (cheapest is schiit Magni as far as I know).

Here are some quite good posts about HPs:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-5-31-2015-beyer-cop-and-shure-1540-added
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared
http://www.head-fi.org/a/head-fi-buying-guide-introduction
 
The main problem is that 5.1/7.1 headsets tend to be crap. They either use some form of Dolby Headphone (which pretty much every soundcard offers now) to simulate surround onto a stereo headset, or use multiple drivers which reduces audio quality. So there's a tradeoff involved.

I personally use a set of Audio Technica M50s, paired with my ASUS Xonar Xense. When I do FPS titles, I just enable Dolby Headphone, which does a good enough job.

If you want to go the headphone route:

http://www.head-fi.org/products/category/gaming-headsets

If you want to go with headphones:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-5-31-2015-beyer-cop-and-shure-1540-added
 
Solution