You're basically using the Fiio amp as a line-driver for the aux input on your head unit. Unlike car amplifiers, your head unit lacks a gain to attenuate the input. You have to be very, very careful that you do not overvolt the aux input, or you'll fry the circuit and potentially ruin the entire head unit.

Think of the system as plumbing. Voltage is the amount of water pressure you are putting into your system, and the amperage the volume of water passing through. Too much voltage and you'll blow the receiver and smell something burning, which is not a good thing.

I'm not saying don't do it, but to keep the volume on your headphone amp as low as possible, and turn it up slowly. As you hear distortion you are above the threshold of the input, and should back down.

Good luck,

Boz

This post is not sticky, I am suggesting you read the sticky post at the top of this forum titled, "Headphone FAQ." It contains a lot of information and recommendations that should help you select an appropriate headset for you.

Good luck,

Boz

The Headphone FAQ sticky at the top of the forum should have some useful info for you. Come back with any additional questions you might have, and good luck!

Boz

I'm going to have to disagree with the Audioengine and Swan recommendations not because they're bad speakers, because they're excellent, but because the OP specifically wanted an emphasis on bass. You just aren't going to get that without a dedicated subwoofer.

If you want something ready-to-go in your price range the Klipsch Promedia 2.1s are a good recommendation.

The Cambridge Soundworks II is also a good option. It happens to be "on sale" for $130, and is well-reviewed. I bought three of its predecessors from its Newton, MA showroom before it was shuttered at a steal of $50, and they're great. I think I'd prefer having the separate tweeter of the Klipsch Promedias, though.

Happy gaming,

Boz

This bug is particularly nasty: I can't even update certain existing threads and stickies without getting massive errors.

Boz

The x31 is actually a a stereo headset, and does not have the dolby headphone technology. Other than that you are correct.GTSaiyanjin2

Does it matter when 99% of what he plays is probably MP3 format paired with a sub $100 pair of headphones?PS2_ROCKS

anyone using it? how is the sound quality for games, music and movies? How well does the eumlated 7.1 surround work?

mixedplanet

What you are looking for is a pair of digital surround sound headphones with discrete drivers for each channel. The concept has existed for over 10 years, but most companies are not interested in manufacturing them because:

1. It is a very small market
2. It is expensive to manufacture
3. It is expensive to market and distribute
4. It requires significant consumer education (discrete versus matrixed)

Dolby Headphone is a matrixed surround sound processing system, which is what you're getting with something like the Turtle Beach Earforce X31. This type of surround sound is not specific to the headset, but to the processor. All headphones support Dolby Headphone.

If you have a discrete, surround sound headphone that you like, you are better off getting an external microphone and using your existing headphones. If you are bound and determined to go the discrete driver route with an attached mic, the Tritton AX Pros are currently the only pair immediately available on the market, with Razer introducing its Tiamat headphone in the near future. Personally I would wait for the Razers to actually do a comparison.

If you haven't read the sticky "Headphone FAQ," please do so.

Good luck, I hope you find what you're looking for.

Boz

I'm looking for some portable closed headphones. I made a thread earlier, but I was referred here.

I noticed other people asking around ITT. So, here goes. Specifically, I'm looking for some portable closed cans with decent bass that don't cost too much. Somewhere around the $100 dollar range, for now. Once I get more experience with quality headphones, I'll get something better. So far, the Sennheiser HD280 Pro and Ultrasone HFI-580 look good.

Any recommendations?

BranKetra