extreme audio solution, for under $300

[UWReason3D]

hey i was just hooking up my new pc, and i figured i would let you know how nice a simple setup could work.

Componenets:
Creative Labs- X-Fi Xtreme Gamer PCI ($100)
Creative Fatal1ty Headset analog 1/8th" ($50)
Logitech Z4 2.1 system ($100)

this give positional audio for any games that support it, amazing frequency response( i have tested man, many headphones since ~1990), and bass you can feel all with some simple components.

way i set it up is i used the settings.ini to use 5 speaker out, and with the headphones on for the 3d surround, i keep the Z4's volume down with the bass all the way up, so the majority of sound is bass.

i gotta say i am impressed with the creative stuff, and the Z4 bass is great for the money it costs. otherwise the speakers are kinda crappy but the subwoofer does its job. so any 2.1-5.1 with a good, solid bass response will do the trick for a similar setup.

feel free to post your setup. i posted mine because it wont break your wallet and gives a great experience to this game , which bviously has great sounds.

[Batman Runner]

i use a sumo that jump beside my computer everytime something blow up
with headphones and a x-fi

if you have nothing against naked fat men its the way to go

[Specopsgrunty]

naked fat men

Sounds hot :p

OT: Why would the average person spend that money for audio? If anything, the basic Logitech speakers and odd headset will work perfectly fine...

[xplay2.0]

So that set up has Dolby Headphone, or some type of magic that can use 2.1 to create directional sound?

[kfcheung]

x-fi fatality and z-2300 for $250 CAD

[Hotwir3]

Logitech z5500

/thread

[HK11]

Im using the turtle beach surround phones and my built in audio. Sounds awesome.

[Kidrage]

I just got my Logitech G35s' for $120. They're amazing, and make this game a lot better :) (my old headphones sucked)

[LauZaIM]

M-Audio Transit USB -> Sennheiser PX100 headphones. I've had the Logitech's and heard other "gamer gear" and the majority of it sounds like garbage if you've ever heard a decent setup. I list only these 2 components so as to not break the bank.

One thing I can't stand is listening to a setup that is purely bass. Nothing else. Just loud, boomy, crap sounding bass with mids/highs tacked on. Once you've heard the good stuff, you're spoiled for life. :|

Transit USB - $79
Sennheiser PX100 - ~$68

[UWReason3D]

i dont hear the bass i hear regular sound, the Z4's were already bought and i decided to use just the bass so it would shake my desk.

i compared the fatal1ty heqadset to Bose headhpones and i definitely think the bass is better and the rest is on-par with the bose.

figured someone who wants an easy setup can shake their room and still hear clean audio witht his package, but its an open forum so if you got a better setiup then go for it bro!

[antiver]

Sennheiser PC-350 (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-350-Gaming-Headset/dp/B0012XFDWO)

No other headset compares.

[therusher2000]

Sennheiser PC-350 (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-350-Gaming-Headset/dp/B0012XFDWO)

No other headset compares.
Creative Arena Headset
(http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-Blaster-Surround-Headset/dp/B002J9HCV0)
USB, noise canceling, detachable mic, Full spectrum, integrated 7.1 surround, no need for a Soundcard? All for $75? Yes please.

[Batman Runner]

Creative Arena Headset
(http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-Blaster-Surround-Headset/dp/B002J9HCV0)
USB, noise canceling, detachable mic, Full spectrum, integrated 7.1 surround, no need for a Soundcard? All for $75? Yes please.


USB connection is basicly ♥♥♥♥ty, it use software audio and eat up your cpu power, on top of that audio is never top notch. even an onboard soundcard (recent one) is better sound wise,it still eat up the cpu tho.

[therusher2000]

USB connection is basicly ♥♥♥♥ty, it use software audio and eat up your cpu power, on top of that audio is never top notch. even an onboard soundcard (recent one) is better sound wise,it still eat up the cpu tho.
The headset acts as the soundcard, it doesn't use the CPU any more than a normal card would.

[analytical]

i use a sumo that jump beside my computer everytime something blow up

Sorry for off topic but that was hilarious.

[Brap]

Prodipe P5 (http://www.lafamuzik.com/imgres/urunler/57e9e86d.jpg), P10 sub (http://www.lafamuzik.com/imgres/urunler/b6f7a27c.jpg) 5.1, and AKG 702 (http://ployer.com/archives/2008/04/13/AKG-K701-Studio-Headphones-thumb-580x481.jpg) headphones

[emperor_og]

Prodipe P5 (http://www.lafamuzik.com/imgres/urunler/57e9e86d.jpg), P10 sub (http://www.lafamuzik.com/imgres/urunler/b6f7a27c.jpg) 5.1, and AKG 702 (http://ployer.com/archives/2008/04/13/AKG-K701-Studio-Headphones-thumb-580x481.jpg) headphones

How is the bass on the 701's in games? I haven't heard them yet but a lot of folks on head-fi say they are pretty lacking.

I use a set of HD650's myself running out of an Audio-gd compass. For a more portable rig I use an RSA Predator and either my Klipsch Custom 3's or my UE TripleFi 10's. The directional audio is amazing in this game, even with IEM's. :)

[Brap]

How is the bass on the 701's in games? I haven't heard them yet but a lot of folks on head-fi say they are pretty lacking.

They've got great separation, the sound is clean, crisp and you hear every little detail. Exactly what a reference headphone should do. Plus, they are one of the best feeling sets I've ever put on!

As for the bass, if they're not plugged into a decent amp, you'll miss the 'thump' some people seek. But as I said, - with a decent amp, they certainly will deliver without problems. (In fact I'm testing it right now, and it's very very good) :D

[FocusPocus]

hey i was just hooking up my new pc, and i figured i would let you know how nice a simple setup could work.

Componenets:
Creative Labs- X-Fi Xtreme Gamer PCI ($100)
Creative Fatal1ty Headset analog 1/8th" ($50)
Logitech Z4 2.1 system ($100)

this give positional audio for any games that support it, amazing frequency response( i have tested man, many headphones since ~1990), and bass you can feel all with some simple components.

way i set it up is i used the settings.ini to use 5 speaker out, and with the headphones on for the 3d surround, i keep the Z4's volume down with the bass all the way up, so the majority of sound is bass.

i gotta say i am impressed with the creative stuff, and the Z4 bass is great for the money it costs. otherwise the speakers are kinda crappy but the subwoofer does its job. so any 2.1-5.1 with a good, solid bass response will do the trick for a similar setup.

feel free to post your setup. i posted mine because it wont break your wallet and gives a great experience to this game , which bviously has great sounds.

Creative X-Fi is overrated, its been the best for a while but thats people reccomending it out of living in the past. Get the Asus Xonar STX. It supports EAX (5.0) and is the best quality for listening to music or playing games through a headset. <$200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010&Tpk=xonar%20stx

Audiophile headphones for less than $100.. I have these and they are comparable to my sennheiser HD 580 (better unamped).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826402014&Tpk=ath-ad%20700

Thats your $300

[emperor_og]

They've got great separation, the sound is clean, crisp and you hear every little detail. Exactly what a reference headphone should do. Plus, they are one of the best feeling sets I've ever put on!

As for the bass, if they're not plugged into a decent amp, you'll miss the 'thump' some people seek. But as I said, - with a decent amp, they certainly will deliver without problems. (In fact I'm testing it right now, and it's very very good) :D

I was just wondering how the sub-bass is for all the explosions and effects in the game. I don't have a decent home theater system atm and I'm only gaming on my laptop so I like to have some phones with good low frequency response. That's why I prefer my iem's, until my ears get a little sore. Of course, by the time that happens, I've been up a couple hours longer than I should. :)

[xplay2.0]

They've got great separation, the sound is clean, crisp and you hear every little detail. Exactly what a reference headphone should do. Plus, they are one of the best feeling sets I've ever put on!

As for the bass, if they're not plugged into a decent amp, you'll miss the 'thump' some people seek. But as I said, - with a decent amp, they certainly will deliver without problems. (In fact I'm testing it right now, and it's very very good) :D

Jerk.

[Brap]

I was just wondering how the sub-bass is for all the explosions and effects in the game. I don't have a decent home theater system atm and I'm only gaming on my laptop so I like to have some phones with good low frequency response. That's why I prefer my iem's, until my ears get a little sore. Of course, by the time that happens, I've been up a couple hours longer than I should. :)

I don't know how 701's would act on a laptop, but I'm sure you'd be missing the majority of what they offer.

The explosions and gunshots sound 'big', but what stood out more are the impact hits on walls, sniper shots going by and voice. They're perfectly placed.

If you're considering getting them, my guess is you would need a mini amp as well. But personally, for a laptop, I'd go for a more mid range set for now.

[Brap]

Jerk.

Lol, what? :D

[HL2-4-Life]

BTW, X-Fi isn't recommended by peeps living in the past, it's still a pretty good sound solution. What's different now is that there are some pretty good alternatives like Asus Xonar series and Auzentech. I have a pretty decent multi-media sound system - X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS, Z-5500, Razer HP1/Senn HD555 - for my main gaming rig, as well as an Auzentech X-Mystique, Klipsch PM2.1 for my surfing/entertainment rig and they are just great. And yes, I too have a sumo jump when there's an explosion.;)

[wafflesomd]

amazing frequency response( i have tested many, many headphones since ~1990)


Unless you have response measurements, your claim means nothing.

[wafflesomd]

I don't know how 701's would act on a laptop, but I'm sure you'd be missing the majority of what they offer.


The 701's are not hard to drive.

[cadapter]

I just got my Logitech G35s' for $120. They're amazing, and make this game a lot better :) (my old headphones sucked)

This. They aren't true 7.1 surround, but do a hell of a job emulating it. War tapes sound amazing on these bad boys

[Theclueless90]

A 0.99 cents earphones,,,,

[ultimate1158]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826235007
I've been enjoying these. Running them of intergrated audio due to lack of PCI, but still sounds great.

[werticus]

id just spend the $300 on headphones with onboard sound and get overall better quality :-\

[REVHEAD]

If you want the best Audio experiance money can buy for this game using a headset, then I suggest thate you purchase a set of Sennhieser Cans and get a Asus Xonar STX referance Audio card, this card is way better for BFBC2 than my Creative XFI Fatality was, the built in Dolby Headphone setup and Headphone amp, and 7.1 emmulation blow any creative card out of the water, and you can even set you Headset impedance.

My XFI is for sale, with EAX dead there really is no reason the have a creative card anymore, when there are better alternatives out there.

Sure a Creative card is good, when compared to Onboard Audio, but when you compare them to a Essence STX there is no contest.

[Brap]

The 701's are not hard to drive.
Well, although your statement is very convincing. I must go with my own personal experience on this one, and not something google pushed out it's backside and into my mouth.

[Batman Runner]

The headset acts as the soundcard, it doesn't use the CPU any more than a normal card would.

lol thats not true

an onboard sound use the cpu..and its still a "sound card"
it make the sound processed by cpu.

only a minority of headset have a soundcard in the usb and yours isnt one of them.

[emperor_og]

I don't know how 701's would act on a laptop, but I'm sure you'd be missing the majority of what they offer.

The explosions and gunshots sound 'big', but what stood out more are the impact hits on walls, sniper shots going by and voice. They're perfectly placed.

If you're considering getting them, my guess is you would need a mini amp as well. But personally, for a laptop, I'd go for a more mid range set for now.

Here's the desktop dac/amp i use most of the time.
http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/DAC-Compass.htm

Here's the cans I use when I'm not using my IEM's.
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Air-Dynamic-Audiophile-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268345690&sr=1-1

My portable dac/amp.
http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/products/predator

My IEM's.
http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Custom-3-In-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B000WAHFC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268345649&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Ears-TripleFi-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0019RBJOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268345670&sr=1-1

[2dvh]

The z2300 sound beastly in this game.
Turn them up and scare your neighbors!

[cypherx82]

i use a sumo that jump beside my computer everytime something blow up
with headphones and a x-fi

if you have nothing against naked fat men its the way to go

+rep.

[classs]

Any headphone that use USB connection is a bad one, that's what I learn from the pro (head to audiophile sites and check out yourself). On the second note, 5.1 & 7.1 true or virtual headphones sound great in ads but in reality, they can't match a good stereo headphone, reason: the space around the headphone is too small to stimulate 5.1/7.1 experience. Ask any pro with headphone they will tell exactly the same thing as I stated here.

[classs]

also, PC350 from Senheiser is one of the best headphones out there, although it's pricey abit.

[emperor_og]

Any headphone that use USB connection is a bad one, that's what I learn from the pro (head to audiophile sites and check out yourself). On the second note, 5.1 & 7.1 true or virtual headphones sound great in ads but in reality, they can't match a good stereo headphone, reason: the space around the headphone is too small to stimulate 5.1/7.1 experience. Ask any pro with headphone they will tell exactly the same thing as I stated here.

Please tell me you're not bringing up jitter in a gaming forum? Next we'll be hearing about ERS paper and isolation blocks.

[bob1029]

"Extreme Audio" and "Under $300" do not belong in the same thought.

When I think extreme audio, I'm thinking the following:

-nearly flat (i.e. +/-3dB) response from 5hz to 25khz
-120dB+ SPL (C-weighted)
-crossover from mains to sub @ <=70hz.
-lossless 192kHz/24-bit 5.1/7.1 PCM path from source to receiver/amp(s)


The above is doable in a smaller room in a one-story home starting at around $1500. Some of you more intelligent forum goers are probably questioning my 5hz figure. For more information google: ib cult.

[casmeo]

if your budget is low i would consider buying off Amazon a pair of AD700 for $80. Great starter headphones for gaming

[Danne89]

I'm too lazy to use my headphones recently so I just use my Logitech X-230 2.1! They also have a pretty nice subwoofer for the price. ^^

[FocusPocus]

"Extreme Audio" and "Under $300" do not belong in the same thought.

When I think extreme audio, I'm thinking the following:

-nearly flat (i.e. +/-3dB) response from 5hz to 25khz
-120dB+ SPL (C-weighted)
-crossover from mains to sub @ <=70hz.
-lossless 192kHz/24-bit 5.1/7.1 PCM path from source to receiver/amp(s)


The above is doable in a smaller room in a one-story home starting at around $1500. Some of you more intelligent forum goers are probably questioning my 5hz figure. For more information google: ib cult.

$500 is more like it

You can get extreme audio with the Xonar stx soundcard and its built in amp (we are talking about music and gaming through a PC here)
put it any audiophile headset
Ath-Ad900, DT 880, Denon D2000, AKG 701k, Sennheiser 580 or 600+ series.

FOr gaming clarity, direct positioning and isolation check out the GX400, they get overlooked since most people think IEM are somehow bad or "cheap".. you have to try it for yourself.

(I dont consider the HD-555 and HD-595 extreme audio headsets)

[emperor_og]

Ok, I'll bite. What subwoofer has a frequency response that low at that volume?

FOr gaming clarity, direct positioning and isolation check out the GX400, they get overlooked since most people think IEM are somehow bad or "cheap".. you have to try it for yourself.

Those look a lot like the etymotics er-4's. The specs look identical as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-ER-4P-Portable-In-Ear-Earphones/dp/B0007WZLDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268347737&sr=1-1

Wow. I feel like a forumtard...stupid copy and paste...

[punkpunk]

Plantronics DSP500 ftw!

[LauZaIM]

Ok, I'll bite. What subwoofer has a frequency response that low at that volume?



Those look a lot like the etymotics er-4's. The specs look identical as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-ER-4P-Portable-In-Ear-Earphones/dp/B0007WZLDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268347737&sr=1-1

Wow. I feel like a forumtard...stupid copy and paste...

Not like you'll be able to hear that low either..or will there be many sounds, if any, played at 5-20Hz. 20hz-20khz is great. Perfectly flat isn't always the best sound either. I tend to try and get something like this. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/4240733809_6b43d7b91f.jpg

EQ'ing perfectly flat tends to make things too bright imo. A roll-off on the top end sounds a lot better to me.

Anyways..

[FocusPocus]

Ok, I'll bite. What subwoofer has a frequency response that low at that volume?



Those look a lot like the etymotics er-4's. The specs look identical as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-ER-4P-Portable-In-Ear-Earphones/dp/B0007WZLDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268347737&sr=1-1

Wow. I feel like a forumtard...stupid copy and paste...

The GX400 is a spinoff the ER-4's. It includes a mic and volume adjustment. Exact same specifications as the ER-4. The company wanted to cater to gamers since they have such high sound accuracy. I was trying to find these technical specs in other headphones but seems like the manufactures dont post it.

Mine just arrived today, I have the ath-ad700 and the sennheiser HD-580, plugging all 3 into my x-fi soundcard I can tell you the gx400 blows the other 2 away in terms of accuracy. I fired up counter-strike I could hear footsteps further, clearer and from which direction a lot better than either of my other 2 headsets.

The only down side for me is comfort, i'm not used to in ear headphones but I heard they get comfortable once you get used to it. Nothing beats audio-technicas design.

I may try the ath-ad900 I hear its just an improved version of the ath-ad700, better soundstage and accuracy. If its better than the gx400 i'm going to return these for them.

But yea, you wont be dissapointed, I didnt even know there was a thing as accuracy, but then I didnt try the er-4/gx400.

I may do a video review with all the headsets I have. For music I would reccomend other headphones but the gx400 come close, for gaming I reccomend these above others.

[Crest]

For those who don't know. For X-Fi Headphones. You run all apps at 5.1 sound and you let the sound card remix to 2 channel for headphones. Works better than most in-app headphone mixers.