Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

[Skaggy]

In a nutshell what I'm looking for is:

• A set of good quality earphones for my iPod.
• A soundcard that'll give me good quality sound on my PC.
• And perhaps a set of headphones that can take advantage of the new soundcard.

_______

For the earphones I've been considering the base-range from Shure. The E2C's seem to get positive reviews everywhere I look, but I understand that they've been replaced by the newer SE110's. However, it seems the new version is not as good as the old E2C's, if you believe the numerous customer reviews on amazon and play.

I mainly use my iPod for when I'm out walking, so they need to be able to stay in my ears, and be comfortable at the same time.

I've also noticed the Sennheiser CX300's are highly rated, and a lot cheaper than the shures?

_______

As for the computer, I'm currently using onboard (Realtek High Definition) with a pair of Sennheiser HD435's that I've had for about a year. I'd ideally like good quality in both music and games, and to be able to use the X-Fi capabilities in BF2.

I've understood that Creative and Asus are the two main manufacturers for good soundcards.
The cards I've been looking at are:

The Asus Xonar D1:http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...file-soundcard

And the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Creat...ista-Compliant

I've got a few questions about both of these:

• Will I be able to use the X-Fi option in BF2 if I choose the Asus D1? If not, do any of the more expensive Asus cards have this option?
  
• I'm using Vista HP 64-bit, and I've read that Creative's drivers a sh*t at the best of times, is this going to be a major problem?
  
• Which one provides the best sound quality?

_______

And finally, are my current headphones going to make the most of a new sound card (or at least do it justice). If you don't think they will, any recommendations? Bear in mind I won't want to be spending too much many after the two previous purchases? :p

:weo:

[Flt. Sgt. Powderhound]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

As for the computer, I'm currently using onboard (Realtek High Definition) with a pair of Sennheiser HD435's that I've had for about a year. I'd ideally like good quality in both music and games, and to be able to use the X-Fi capabilities in BF2.

I've understood that Creative and Asus are the two main manufacturers for good soundcards.
The cards I've been looking at are:

The Asus Xonar D1:http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...file-soundcard

And the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Creat...ista-Compliant

I've got a few questions about both of these:

• Will I be able to use the X-Fi option in BF2 if I choose the Asus D1? If not, do any of the more expensive Asus cards have this option?
• I'm using Vista HP 64-bit, and I've read that Creative's drivers a sh*t at the best of times, is this going to be a major problem?
• Which one provides the best sound quality?

I wouldn't recommend the Xonar for gaming, as there are supposed to be issues with it, especially in BF2. Even so, I haven't been able to get X-fi mode to work in BF2 or 2142 with my X-fi Titanium.

In terms of 64bit drivers, yes- I have had more instability and certain games just died after I installed them.

In terms of sound quality, the Xonar has the edge in music, and the X-fi in games. Even then, you'd probably be hard pressed to tell the difference.

[=98=]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

Auzentech X-Fi Prelude ftw!

[Flt. Sgt. Powderhound]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

Auzentech X-Fi Prelude ftw!

And that would cost....? :p

[Hellsent 2.0]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

Lol this is so weird...Im like exactly like you....Except im looking for either one of those 3, not all 3...will be watching this thread closely :)

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

I love audio gear discussions YUMMY!

IFor the earphones I've been considering the base-range from Shure. The E2C's seem to get positive reviews everywhere I look, but I understand that they've been replaced by the newer SE110's. However, it seems the new version is not as good as the old E2C's, if you believe the numerous customer reviews on amazon and play.

I mainly use my iPod for when I'm out walking, so they need to be able to stay in my ears, and be comfortable at the same time.

I've also noticed the Sennheiser CX300's are highly rated, and a lot cheaper than the shures?

I was contemplating the Shures after my first set of CX300s broke but it was mainly because i like to go one better each time... fact of the matter is you can get CXs for under £20 now, they are durable and once they have worn in they sound great, so i bought another set. Shures are better but when its just for travelling around and stuff i dont think you need them.

As for the computer, I'm currently using onboard (Realtek High Definition) with a pair of Sennheiser HD435's that I've had for about a year. I'd ideally like good quality in both music and games, and to be able to use the X-Fi capabilities in BF2.

I've understood that Creative and Asus are the two main manufacturers for good soundcards.
The cards I've been looking at are:

The Asus Xonar D1:http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...file-soundcard

And the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Creat...ista-Compliant

I've got a few questions about both of these:

• Will I be able to use the X-Fi option in BF2 if I choose the Asus D1? If not, do any of the more expensive Asus cards have this option?
• I'm using Vista HP 64-bit, and I've read that Creative's drivers a sh*t at the best of times, is this going to be a major problem?
• Which one provides the best sound quality?

What Alex said, the Auzentech cards are the tits. I have the non XFI one which was about £60 and the sound quality is superb, especially through my main headphones (beyerdyamic DT770s ). You will realize where the money goes as soon as you take the card out the box as it is extremely well made! Their driver support for vista was slow but its pretty damn solid now (even if the GUI for mine is a bit poo). The other option i would take would be closer to a pro audio soundcard like an Edirol or M-Audio card but they dont offer much for gamers.

And finally, are my current headphones going to make the most of a new sound card (or at least do it justice). If you don't think they will, any recommendations? Bear in mind I won't want to be spending too much many after the two previous purchases? :p

:weo:

You exsisting headphones wont make the most of your new soundcard but not because they are not good enough its because the soundcards are superb. You will definately be able to notice the difference with them and there will still be no need whatsoever to change them :)

[jake_]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

I had a pair of E2C's and the worked beautifully. Unfortunately, from winding them around my iPod the wires wore down and broke after almost 2 years, at which point it was too late for me to return them (2 year warranty the last time I checked). I managed to get a few more months out of them by repairing them myself, but my work was a bit shoddy so they didn't last too long. :p
However, I've heard from other people who had the same problem that Shure is very good about replacing them, free of charge.



I don't believe in headsets marketed as high-tech "gaming" headsets that are 5.1, or whatever. Get a good pair of real headsets, i.e. go for those recommended by true audiophiles and people who know what they are talking about. Sennheiser is definitely a very good choice so no need to change.

[=98=]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

What sort of budget are we talking about for the soundcard?

[Skaggy]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

I love audio gear discussions YUMMY!

I was contemplating the Shures after my first set of CX300s broke but it was mainly because i like to go one better each time... fact of the matter is you can get CXs for under £20 now, they are durable and once they have worn in they sound great, so i bought another set. Shures are better but when its just for travelling around and stuff i dont think you need them.

Yeah, they are going for very little money now. I think I'll get a pair of the CX300's, thanks!

They're £17 at amazon, if anyone knows of anywhere cheaper let me know!

What Alex said, the Auzentech cards are the tits. I have the non XFI one which was about £60 and the sound quality is superb, especially through my main headphones (beyerdyamic DT770s ). You will realize where the money goes as soon as you take the card out the box as it is extremely well made! Their driver support for vista was slow but its pretty damn solid now (even if the GUI for mine is a bit poo). The other option i would take would be closer to a pro audio soundcard like an Edirol or M-Audio card but they dont offer much for gamers.

Are you talking about this one? http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Auzen...a-71-Soundcard

It seems it would be the best choice for music and movies, but I can't see much evidence of it being good for games.

You exsisting headphones wont make the most of your new soundcard but not because they are not good enough its because the soundcards are superb. You will definately be able to notice the difference with them and there will still be no need whatsoever to change them :)

That's good to hear

I don't believe in headsets marketed as high-tech "gaming" headsets that are 5.1, or whatever. Get a good pair of real headsets, i.e. go for those recommended by true audiophiles and people who know what they are talking about. Sennheiser is definitely a very good choice so no need to change.

Oh lawd no. If I was upgrading them I'd probably go with another pair of Sennheisers. :)

What sort of budget are we talking about for the soundcard?

£60-70.

I stumbled over this review, it compared the Asus DX with the D2X, ExtremeMusic and Onboard ALC889A.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500/6

Asus claims that the Xonar's DirectSound 3D GX's EAX 5.0 emulation produces output comparable to true EAX implementations, so we just had to take it for a spin. We even contacted Creative to see if they could suggest some games that might highlight DS3D GX's limitations, but the company's few suggestions were dominated by games based on the older Doom 3 engine. EAX support just isn't what it used to be, I guess.

Creative did suggest that we try Bioshock, and since we had a few initial DS3D GX problems with the game, it made the cut. We also decided to throw a little Battlefield 2 into the mix. The game has a special X-Fi audio mode, and we were curious to see how that would pan out with the Xonar.

I spent a couple of hours playing each game on the X-Fi XtremeMusic and Xonar DX with configured for 5.1-channel analog output with in-game EAX effects enabled. Surprisingly, Battlefield 2 let me invoke the X-Fi audio mode with the Xonar DX.

After an afternoon of gaming, I came away quite impressed with DirectSound 3D GX. Creative may be correct in saying that it doesn't deliver a genuine EAX 5.0 experience, and I wouldn't be surprised if its emulation isn't an exact 1:1 replica of EAX effects. But that didn't diminish my gaming experience in the least. Bioshock is packed with aural ambiance, and the underwater city of Rapture was every bit as creepy with the Xonar as it was with the X-Fi. I couldn't detect any difference between the cards in Battlefield 2, either, even in intense firefights loaded with explosions, gunfire, and frantic cries for a medic.

Despite these changes, the DX lives up to the performance standard set by its predecessor. The card's sound quality is nothing short of exceptional, and more impressively, it was indistinguishable from that of the Xonar D2X in both blind listening tests and in RightMark Audio Analyzer's objective measure of signal quality. Gaming performance is good, too, which isn't really a surprise considering that all the Xonars share the same audio chip. The combination of Windows Vista and multi-core processor seems to have largely blunted the appeal of hardware acceleration for positional 3D audio, and Asus' DirectSound 3D GX does an admirable job of emulating EAX 5.0 effects that have long been restricted to Creative's audio chips.

It seems the Asus DX is the best for my price range.
I'd like to stay away from creative, and the Auzentech card that gives both music and gaming performance (the Prelude) is far too expensive.

So the DX it is? Any final thoughts?

[=98=]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

DX apparently has bad compatibility with games, according to PowderHound

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

Are you talking about this one? http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Auzen...a-71-Soundcard

It seems it would be the best choice for music and movies, but I can't see much evidence of it being good for games.

yeah thats the one i have (or a newer version of it anyway). swapped that from the XFI Extreme something or other and iv never really noticed the difference in games at all but thats probs just me :dead: they may have fixed it with that version but there is an irritating feature missing on mine which is front panel connectors.

[AlecJ32]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

Unless you're specifically unsatisfied with the audio quality of your sound card, I wouldn't bother upgrading. I use onboard Realtek HD audio for my instrument processing software using the Audio Stream Input Output interface and I get very low latency, and the sound quality is great. Given the current price of sound cards, I just can't imagine them being justified or worth it.

[Skaggy]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

Okay! Just yesterday I ordered some white CX300's from amazon.

And today I decided to take the plunge and ordered the Asus DX from eBuyer. I'll update you when it arrives. :awes

[=98=]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

Yea, i found my D2 doesn't bode well with BF2, it merely crashes. But, it works fine on every other game. I actually put that down to EA/DICE's coding as opposed to Asus.

If you have nice headphones, a soundcard will greatly help. I found the best setting for music is having 7.1 emulation on. None of the virtual speaker or Dolby emulation though.

[=98=]

Re: Recommend me lots and lots of audio stuff.

Wait, cancel that.

Just switched from 2.1 to headphone mode with 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter and Dolby Digital Headphone on. It's the tits!

Wait, cancel that again. Turned back to vocal music (as opposed to D&B) and it sounded weird. I guess the reverb made electronic music sound good