Sound card / 7.1 headset?

[ConnorStrong]

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

 

[SBMfromLA]

A USB headset has it's own soundcard built into it so you don't need to buy a separate one.

 

[James Mason]

You don't need a soundcard for 7.1 headphone audio, and you really only need 5.1 audio to hear where people are.
http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Elite-Gaming-Headset-Artic/dp/B00MSOEV6U

 

[cats_Paw]

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

 

[gamerk316]

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