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Bozanimal

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#1 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts
Where are you, exactly? Maybe there's a local shop or another user has experience with a web retailer catering to your region. Gaming headsets are almost unilaterally closed-backed, which is not necessarily bad, but you're looking for is accurate, clear midrange and a detailed soundstage. An open-back headphone is going to be ideal. The Grado SR80i or SR60i (its little brother) might be a good option if you can find one at a decent price, but they're on-ear, not over-ear. Still, the sound quality is exactly what you're look for, so you might consider it. There are a few gaming headsets in the FAQ, but only the Sennheiser PC166 (I believe replaced by the PC161) is open-back. I do not have direct experience with the product, but it is supposed to be a very good gaming headphone at about $120 USD. Happy gaming, Boz
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Bozanimal

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#2 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

Don't even open it: Return it and get something better for less money. Do it now!

a4be6b01-3b2b-40ac-90b1-19802bd3139e.jpg

Maybe we can save this one, folks: Come on and peer pressure him with me!

Boz

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Bozanimal

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#3 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

My knee-jerk reaction is the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 (NOT the ATH-A700, that's different). This headphone has clearly defined vocals and an excellent sound stage at your price point. There are lots of other great options, but really it's everything you're looking for. Just remember to budget a mic when you buy it.

If you plan to use it for console gaming you will need an adaptor as well.

Happy gaming,

Boz

*Edit* Stupid bbcode link: You work now!

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#4 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

[QUOTE="Bozanimal"] This is less ideal than using RCA connections. BozNVIDIATI

I disagree, the RCA method means you always have to control the volume from your PC to ensure there is a balance between the subwoofer volume and speaker/amplifier volume. This second method will give volume control of both to the amplifier.

I agree, particularly since this is not a true subwoofer RCA output. Note that you'll wire the speakers in parallel. Speaker wire into the speaker inputs on the sub AND out. Good luck! Boz
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#5 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts
Brands will vary by region; while you have many of the same brands available to you in the UK that we do here in the states, I've never heard of Auna or Majestic, and that's likely for good reason, since I'm familiar with quite a few excellent UK and Scottish brands, like Bowers and Wilkins, Mission, Tannoy, and Wharfedale. This is not to sound elitist - you may get one of those products you linked and be satisfied - but it's a roll of the dice. I'm guessing if your budget is that low, you value every dollar. I firmly believe there is a minimum threshold for quality in the audio world even for non-enthusiasts. If you can be patient, earn a few bucks, and hold off, you can get a system that will last you a lifetime at a reasonable price. I've had mine for over seventeen years now, and it's not exactly top-of-the-line. At a minimum you should visit your local- I'm not sure what is your Best Buy equivalent. Go to a local home theater retailer in person and demo some products before you buy anything; compare different prices and see how much having a decent system means to you. That should give you an idea of the difference between a $1,000 home theater and a $200 or $300 HTIB, and where your priorities lie. And if all that doesn't convince you: What reason do I have to dissuade you from buying a home theater? I just want to help a fellow gamer get the right product for them! You can ask around the forum: I am not hesitant to recommend a less expensive product or off-brand in other areas when it suits the needs of the forumgoer. I can't do that here, though, because budget home theater products are - for the most part - such crap. Happy gaming, Boz
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#6 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts
In that price range you will be hard-pressed to find a decent surround sound setup. Not including the blu-ray player, a decent - emphasis on decent - entry-level surround sound system is going to start at about $500 USD. Going the sound bar route is a good idea, but even a decent sound bar is going to be outside your price range. The Sony HT-CT150 is just on the edge of your budget, and will get you some low-end, but honestly I'd wait and save up some money. If you absolutely must have a surround sound system within your budget you'll have to look to the used marketplace. E|Bay or a local dealer might have something. Avoid cheap HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) setups, which are generally poor quality. If you're willing to settle for upgraded audio without surround sound you might be able to find a decent set of powered speakers or a 2.1 setup, but I'd still recommend saving up for something decent. Good luck! Boz
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#7 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts
I checked the manual. It looks like your sub amp has a stereo RCA input, which is a good thing. Get two male to female RCA Y adapters and a standard White/Red RCA cable. You're going to want to plug the Y adapters into the RCA output of your Asus Xonar Essence STX output. Then plug your each RCA into their respective red/white connectors on the Y adaptor. run one to your amp and the other to your subwoofer: Problem solved! Alternatively you can use the speaker-level inputs and run the wire in parallel to the bookshelves. I'm not sure why Fluance went with such a stupid, stupid setup, but they're the audio engineers, not me. Basically, run your speaker wire from the amp to the sub, positive to positive, negative to negative, and then a second set of wires from the subwoofer to the speakers, positive to positive, negative to negative. This is less ideal than using RCA connections. Boz
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#8 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Acoustics-K-240-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0001ARCFA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1341977623&sr=1-1&keywords=k240

They look a lot like the superlux, I mean identical haha.

Bikouchu35

Except he's looking for better noise isolation, so an open-back design is going to be out. Note also, OP, that you will not find decent active noise-canceling headphones at that price range. You'll have to focus on getting a decent closed-back headphone to reduce - rather than cancel - external noise.

The Sony's are actually a pretty solid recommendation, with a similar frequency response and slightly more pronounced bass. It won't have as wide a soundstage as the Superlux, evidenced in the upper frequency band, but they still sound great with better noise isolation.

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Alternatively you might consider the JVC HARX700 or HARX900, which are both very good closed-back headphones that will reduce external noise. I use the HARX700 daily; they're a good value and quite comfortable.

Happy gaming,

Boz

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Bozanimal

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#9 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts

I went with the Corsair vengeance 1500s after. I got some good replies here and those Audio technika ones looked pretty sweet but in the end I couldn't justify the price of them. I wanted some decent sound but at a price I found good and my corsair ones only cost like 70 euro so I couldn't say no.

They will do what I need to do. thanks for the replies though guys

seanmcloughlin

Fellow Headphone enthusiasts, we have failed this day.

Let it be known that on the tenth day of July in the year 2012, we - the denizens of the Audio Video forums of Gamespot - let down a fellow gaming enthusiast by failing to properly demonstrate the superior performance, value, and benefits of a reputable audio brand to that of a gaming brand, diluting our message with recommendations for a sound card and alternate brand when the Audio Technica ATH-M50 was so close. The result is a user purchasing a Corsair headset - CORSAIR - over an Audio Technica headphone. Blame not the user, for it is us - his peers - that have failed.

We now don the cone of shame.

cone_of_shame.jpg

Boz

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Bozanimal

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#10 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts
Ultrasone and Alienware, eh? I wish Ultrasone had better distribution support so I could actually try a pair. It's tough to find them retail, even from boutiques, and I've been looking. Happy gaming, Boz