To be honest, I am fairly ignorant on simulated audio in general. I have read the faq, and I already know the difference between "true" surround sound and simulated. However, I do not fully understand what my best option is at the moment. Basically, I am just looking for a gaming headset for the PC that will provide me with great sound quality, bass, excellent surround sound positioning, and sound immersion. The surround sound is the most important feature for me. For example, I want to be able to tell exactly where an explosion is located or where someone is firing from. I do not have a sound card, and I just use the integrated sound on my asus motherboard.( I do not remember exactly what motherboard it is and I cannot check because I am currently in another country away from my gaming pc.) Also, my budget is about $100. I have read a number of posts and I have found that the Audio Technica AD700 were highly recommended. Say for instance, if I get these, will I be able to have the surround sound that I am looking for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to be quickly educated before I make an idiotic purchase. All in all, I am looking for surround sound from a over-the-ear headset with complete immersion(outside noise reduction).
Your best bet is probably a budget sound card like the asus xonar DG which will allow you to use dolby headphone (if you want simulated surround sound).
The Audio Technica AD700 is excellent for positional audio with a Dolby Headphone processor, and the Xonar DG or DGX will get that for you at the lowest price point possible, but it puts you over budget since the AD700 is about $100. The next best alternative is the Grado SR60i, which is $80, and puts you just within your budget, but ideally you want the Xonar DG card paired with the AD700. Good luck! Boz
Thanks for the advice so far. It has been tremendously helpful. Are there any other over the ear headsets for roughly the same price($100)? I'm trying to get to get a few more options in before I make a decision. Assume, that I will get the sound card that was suggested.
Thanks for the advice so far. It has been tremendously helpful. Are there any other over the ear headsets for roughly the same price($100)? I'm trying to get to get a few more options in before I make a decision. Assume, that I will get the sound card that was suggested.Plagis
You said you wanted noise reduction the AD700 being a fully open headphone offers almost none its also lacking alot in bass. I would recommend the CAD Audio MH310 it has good noise isolation and alot more bass with much better extension. It's also pretty open sounding with a big soundstage despite being fully closed. Its bigger then the semi-open htf600 not as big as the AD700 but big enough I don't feel cramped using it after switching to it from the AD700 like I did with the HTF600. The AD700 is defiantly more comfortable though it just floats on your head barely applying pressure and you can forgot your wearing headphones the mh310 grips alot tighter.
Interesting. I have been reading a ton of reviews on the AD700s. While they do seem to be an excellent pair of headphones, a lot of the reviews state that the bass is actually quite lacking. Some people said that it could be easily fixed through some bass boosting though. I am not looking for some loud distorted bass from explosions that you see from a lot of "gaming headphones". I do need it to make a somewhat crisp and significant impact though. So, thanks for the response. I was actually starting to wonder about purchasing the AD700s for the exact reason you stated in the response. Even though the CAD Audio MH310s are not a headset, they seem to be almost exactly what I am looking for. I have a random mic so the headset is not a big deal. I will mull over this and any other suggestions that are on the board in the next few days. I should be able to test out whatever I buy before the month ends. Even though I am a complete amateur on this subject, I will at least give my response on what I choose to get. I'm assuming it will just be praise for the excellent advice.:) Thank you everyone who has responded so far. I appreciate it.
Find a pair of rebadged Fischer FA-003's.(HM5 etc )
More potent than the AD700's without having to give up a majority of the soundstage to do it like the M50s do. It's probably dollar for dollar the best buy below 200.
Is this a rebranded version? Pro Monitor Headphones http://www.jaycar.us/productView.asp?ID=AA2065&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1015#4 Also, I found that I have the Realtek ALC889 audio chipset with 8 audio channels. I have read that it supports surround sound. Would I still need to order the ASUS XONAR DG for this particular setup?
[QUOTE="Plagis"]Is this a rebranded version? Pro Monitor Headphones http://www.jaycar.us/productView.asp?ID=AA2065&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1015#4 Also, I found that I have the Realtek ALC889 audio chipset with 8 audio channels. I have read that it supports surround sound. Would I still need to order the ASUS XONAR DG for this particular setup? Yes, the realtek doesn't do dolby headphone
Is this a rebranded version? Pro Monitor Headphones http://www.jaycar.us/productView.asp?ID=AA2065&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1015#4 Also, I found that I have the Realtek ALC889 audio chipset with 8 audio channels. I have read that it supports surround sound. Would I still need to order the ASUS XONAR DG for this particular setup?Plagis
Yes those are rebranded HM5 and you do need the xonar dg to get dolby headphone for surround sound.
Closed-back headphones and surround sound do not mix. You're going to sacrifice noise isolation, but since positional audio is your primary concern, stick with an open-back headphone like the AD700. Good luck, Boz
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