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[help]Headphones, Speakers and Sound cards.
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dinmsab
Malaysia2246 Posts
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zdd
1463 Posts
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FirstProbe
1206 Posts
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gusbear
333 Posts
Unless: 1) You are able to identify the sound defect (for example abnormal hissing) 2) You need a certain feature that your onboard does not have Otherwise, most newer onboards are as good and you wont be able to tell the difference. I would suggest you buy the headphones first, and you can easily borrow a soundcard and perform a fair test to see if you can tell the difference. Now your second question is pretty much headphones vs speakers... well without a doubt you will be able to hear much more with the headphones, mainly because you are isolated from outside noise. unlike your 2ch speakers you will be able to get surround sound, which will probably be useless if you download mostly 2ch movies haha. But for playing a FPS, surround sound + good isolation = being able to hear footsteps. But the thing about speakers is they offer more comfort, and if you are watching a movie with a proper subwoofer you will appreciate being physically shaken by massive explosions. (I think you should still be able to feel at least something with the VS4121) Its all a matter of personal preference, some people feel headphones are unnaturally pure and uncomfortable, others may feel speakers limit the ideal listening position and are affected by room noise and reflections. In summary, I think you will love your HD555s but you wont abandon your VS4121 as they both have their strengths and weaknesses. dont worry too much, just enjoy the music. Edit: Speakers vs Headphones http://www.dansdata.com/spkvshead.htm nobody tells it better than Dan | ||
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gEzUS
Canada371 Posts
You can get them first and still see a huge improvement, and i know it might seem dumb, but a sound card can improve sound quality even with you current set-up. But get the phones first!!!!! You might also want to get new computer speakers. Or youll never use your current ones and just use your phones all the time. There are pretty much only two to consider that are reasonably priced, the Logitech Z-2300 and the Klipsh ones(forgot the name) both are 2.1 systems and are great for movies and music. The Logitechs are THX certified which means alot to some audio enthusiasts. I have them and they are great for the price. edit: i just saw the post above and the sennheisers are not closed and leak alot of sound and left alot of sound in, DO not use them in a loud room. This open back allows a greater range giving the sound an open feel, and not cramped. Its personal preference. | ||
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useLess
United States4781 Posts
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bustaBust
Canada469 Posts
The difference between high quality speakers and headphones are speakers give a good atmosphere, especially with movies. Headphones will give you a very clear sound but no matter how good (Ive gone through 3 pairs of Bose Triports and I am using Pioneer HDJ1000s at the moment that are studio quality) it doesn't give you that dramatic effect and loud bass that you get with some nice speakers, thought my friends say "It feels like theres a subwoofer" in my new headphones. For competitive FPS video games there is NO substitute for headphones and a decent sound card. | ||
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dinmsab
Malaysia2246 Posts
On May 08 2008 23:27 bustaBust wrote: I highly recommend getting a Creative X-Fi Extreme Music sound card and some digital speakers. I use Logitech Z-550 Digital 5.1 speakers and I love them. I have the HD kit for my Xbox 360 so get dolby digital 5.1 from that as well. Mind you the coax and optical cables are expensive (coax for PC, optical for 360), each are basically as much as the sound card ($80). The difference between high quality speakers and headphones are speakers give a good atmosphere, especially with movies. Headphones will give you a very clear sound but no matter how good (Ive gone through 3 pairs of Bose Triports and I am using Pioneer HDJ1000s at the moment that are studio quality) it doesn't give you that dramatic effect and loud bass that you get with some nice speakers, thought my friends say "It feels like theres a subwoofer" in my new headphones. For competitive FPS video games there is NO substitute for headphones and a decent sound card. Well, thank you for the recomendations... but it still doesn't answer my question; is it worth it to upgrade my sound card considering that im not exactly interested in 5.1 audio? I mean, from what i've read there wont be much difference in playback, and unless your recording or using 5.1 audio there isnt much point in upgrading. | ||
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gEzUS
Canada371 Posts
And forget BOSE they are terrible, Across their whole line of products WAY TOO BOOMY. Ive heard many cheap HTIB that sound better than 6000 dollar set-ups. The creative card is the one to get tho. | ||
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dinmsab
Malaysia2246 Posts
On May 09 2008 01:40 gEzUS wrote: 5.1 is a messy proposition for computer set ups you have wires everywhere!! But they are also decent for the price. And forget BOSE they are terrible, Across their whole line of products WAY TOO BOOMY. Ive heard many cheap HTIB that sound better than 6000 dollar set-ups. The creative card is the one to get tho. B.O.S.E- Buy Other Sound Equipment. Gotta agree, you either love it.. or just hate BOSE speakers.. but for most of us they definitely suck and are generally more expensive than other brands too. | ||
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