Any audiophiles around?

I have been saving up to make an awesome rig with the next generation of cards (crossing fingers for March 2013 being the latest), and I'm on the edge of my seat to purchase something that I can use now and move over when I do the complete overhaul. I have personally never utilized a proper sound card before, and now that I am playing Dead Space (thanks Origin "sale") I am really wondering the performance difference between a proper sound card and my onboard.

I am wanting this sound card primarily for gaming, and from reading multiple reviews of cards on Newegg a lot of people make statements around "this card is not that great for gaming, but great for music and other audio" etc. Can anyone here recommend me a great sound card for my gaming purposes?

Lastly, do I need to get better headphones to operate with the sound card recommended? I own the previous version of the Sennheiser HD 202's (Link below, but I don't think I have the "II" editions). I always see headset's advertising their surround sound capabilities, but I never see this advertised with headphones? I'm willing to spend some cash on some proper headgear and sound card for my future and current build, all within moderate reason.

(Own previous edition of these) -->http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106508&name=All-Headphones-Accessories

TL;DR:

I want a sexy sound card and Headphones for gaming at 7.1/5.1 surround. Any recommendations? =D

Headsets are rubbish (gimmicky, overpriced, poor sound), headphones from audiophile grade companies are the way to go (ex. Sennheiser has been in the industry for 50+ years).

If you're looking to upgrade your sound, the most important part is to set a budget.

Entry setup ($70-$100)

Sound Card (~$30)

Clip-on mic (~$5)

Headphones (~$30-$65) <-- *You already have headphones from this price range*

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Mid-Fi setup ($150-$250):

Sound Card (~$30)

Dedicated Amp / DAC ($50-$100)

Clip-on mic (~$5-$15)

Headphones (~$80-$120)

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Hi-Fi setup ($300-$500):

Sound Card (~$30)

Dedicated Amp / DAC (~$100-$250)

Clip-on mic (~$5-$15)

Headphones (~$150-$250)

A little soundcard like the xonardg has dolby $30 headphones that gives a virtual surround sound effect on headphones/earbuds. They are good for movies, but I generally don't recommend for anything else since it makes the sound sound synthetic imo.

A good headphone is like a good graphics card that will pull most of the weight for performance.

If you are willing to spend Audio Technica Ad700 $100 is good for gaming. Beyers, Senns($100+), Akg, Ultrasones, Denons, etc are good brands.

Avoid headsets!! They are just marketting bs. Brands to avoid Logitech, Razer, Steelseries, and anything gaming, they are known and better off with gaming accessories and not headphones, also avoid Beats, Skullcandies while you are at it.

So far with headphones I was thinking the

Audio Technica ATH-A700X - http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AUD-ATH-A700X-Technica-Headphones/dp/B000E9VKUQ/ref=pd_sim_e_14

or the

Sennheiser HD-280 PRO - http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_7?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1350533677&sr=1-7

These are the 2 that are giving me the hardest decision, and after this I need to decide on a proper sound card.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultrasone-DJ1-Surround-Professional-Headphones/dp/B000GU77SC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350536648&sr=1-2&keywords=dj1

Or you get the ones Im rocking. Probably the most fun headphones in that range. Seems like you want to go with closed back anyway.

Those you chose are solid too.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultrasone-DJ1-Surround-Professional-Headphones/dp/B000GU77SC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350536648&sr=1-2&keywords=dj1

Or you get the ones Im rocking. Probably the most fun headphones in that range. Seems like you want to go with closed back anyway.

Those you chose are solid too.

Bikouchu35

wow...this is awesome and also rocking headphone. i like it very much.

Remember open back gives a wider soundstage but leaks more sound.

You should also post this on the audio/video board.