Is it worth it?

[Avitus]

I've never owned a sound card and have always been satisfied with the on board audio quality.
So, if I did make the purchase and installed a decent card would I find a noticeable difference?

Would it be worth my time and money?

[John C]

It really depends on what you are using for speakers. If you are using high-quality speakers, like the Audio Engine, or Swans, you will notice a difference. If using cheapo JBL's or some other junk, then you will not. It also depends on what your requirements are. Are you interested in gaming surround? Movie surround? Or just high quality 2-channel?

[wonkanoby]

got a cheap second hand asus one and i was amazed at the difference

mp3 sound so much better than ever before

[Avitus]

I am interested in both gaming and movie surround. But my budget is tight. Can anyone recommend a decent card and headset that will allow me to possibly hear the difference?
Thanks in advance.

[IAmGhostDog]

I am interested in both gaming and movie surround. But my budget is tight. Can anyone recommend a decent card and headset that will allow me to possibly hear the difference?
Thanks in advance.

How tight is tight?
Pretty much all of the recent sound cards are better than onboard.
Especially Asus and HT|Omega.

[John C]

I have an Asus Xonar DS that I picked up for $30. Great sound, and it has user-replacable op-amps so you can upgrade the sound even further.
Personally? I stay as far away from Creative stuff as possible. Horrible driver support.

[IAmGhostDog]

Personally? I stay as far away from Creative stuff as possible. Horrible driver support.

I agree.
You would think that after all these years, especially when they were the only game in town, that they would have gotten their act together.
Such is not the case.

[Avitus]

I am beginning to thing that I'm missing out.
As for my budget Im thinking around 300$ total for both card and a headset.

Also, can anyone actually hear a difference in a 5.1 headset compared to a 7.1?

[uddarts]

I agree.
You would think that after all these years, especially when they were the only game in town, that they would have gotten their act together.
Such is not the case.

Trouble Shooting a Creative Sound Card


ud

[IAmGhostDog]

Trouble Shooting a Creative Sound Card


ud

8 years later. My oh my.
I rest my case.

[IAmGhostDog]

I am beginning to thing that I'm missing out.
As for my budget Im thinking around 300$ total for both card and a headset.

Also, can anyone actually hear a difference in a 5.1 headset compared to a 7.1?

Personally I think the 5.1 headsets are a gimmick.
To get true 5.1 surround you need speaker separation.
And you're not going to get that in a headphone ear cup.
Pick yourself up some Sennheiser's and a good 24 bit sound card.
Look at the HT|Omega's and Asus for a card.
I have a HT | OMEGA CLARO and can highly recommend it.
For headphones have a look at Sennheiser HD595
You will be amazed.

[Nightowl224]

I have the Xonar DX which costs $100.00 and it's worth it. I use a cheap $20.00 pair of Sony MDR-XD100 headphones, and these headphones put out the sound for music, and I even use them in gaming and the sound is excellent.

I'm thinking of disconnecting my Logitech 5.1 speaker set, as I rarely use them anymore and primarily use my headphones when gaming.

[Avitus]

Thanks for the recommendations guys.


The headset will primarily be used for gaming, so I was hoping to find something with a built in mic. Sennheiser has a 360 and a 350 gaming version that I assume would fit my needs. However, they both seem to have different features which are lost on me. (Pardon the ignorance) Could someone please explain what Sennheiser means by "Open-aire acoustics," and "Attenuation of ambient noise?"

[John C]

I would have to check out those specific models, but it sounds like the open-air version is what is called an "open" headphone, it is not sealed, but lets you actually hear what is going on around you. It can also let some of what you are listening to leak out, so others can hear.
"closed" headphones are just that:Usually a completely closed back that lets no sounds in or out.
I prefer open type, they do not seem quite so closed in.

[Avitus]

Thanks John C.
What you said makes since. I own a pair of Bose noise canceling headphones that have the "closed" in ears. I've never been impressed with them but they do help drown out the nagging wife.