Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

[socalcaz]

I am trying out a X-Fi sound card from Best Buy to see if I want to keep it (I will return it and buy cheaper on-line). However I am not completely blown away compared to my 5 year old Live! Value. I suspect the problem is my speakers (5 year old 2.1 harmon kardon). I am primarily going to use headphones/headset for game play and I want to maximize the x-fi sound quality.

Questions:

How do USB headsets compare to those that plug directly into the sound card?

Are surround headphones that much better than standard stereo for sound localization and overall sound quality?

[Talus]

Re: Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

Don't go with a USB headset.

Most stereo headphones will have better sound quality than 5.1 headphones. But for TRUE 5.1, you can't beat a pair of 5.1 headphones when you don't have a 5.1 speaker system.

With an X-Fi card, people claim to hear surround sound when using the X-Fi's new CMSS 3D headphone mode...

So..if you're a true audiophile, go with a GOOD quality stereo set.

If you've been dying for true surround sound, go with a 5.1 set.

I have the LTB Platinum 5.1 headphones and I can use both 5.1 mode and Creative's CMSS 3D mode on my X-Fi XtremeMusic. So I get the best of both worlds.

[socalcaz]

Re: Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

I actually tried the Zallman 5.1 surround headphones (borrowed from friend) and I wasn't impressed with the sound. The front and rear rendering of sound seemed out of balance and the overall quality of the sound seemed muffled (my 5 year old Harmon Kardon speakers sound much better). In order to hear things in front and behind me I had to turn the sound up so high that my gun shots were blowing out my ear drums. I want to try some headphones from a local retailer CompUSA, Best Buy, or Circuit City. But they don't seem to have the high quality headsets that people recommend. If anyone knows of a good headset from one of these stores, I would appreciate the recommendation.

[T-raV]

Re: Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

usb headset will render your xfi card useless because usb headset has its on soundcard built in. You can't go wrong with the xfi and if you are displeased with sound make sure you have all the settings turned up. xfi and in game settings.

[imported_CTUnit1]

Re: Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

With an X-Fi card, people claim to hear surround sound when using the X-Fi's new CMSS 3D headphone mode...

Yeah with the cmss mode I can def tell a difference between my old audigy 2 plat sound card. It sounds crazy that you can hear surround sound with just a left and right channel but there really is a major difference.

[Talus]

Re: Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

I guess compared to having true 5.1 headphones, I never was really impressed with CMSS 3D.

I'll have to try it again sometime.

I'm guessing that I'd have to set my speakers to 'headphones' in the control panel and enable CMSS 3D and play BF2.

So CMSS 3D will know that BF2 wants a sound to come from behind and emulates it in stereo?

[Neat_Hedgehog]

Re: Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

If you have a sound card, don't get USB headphones, like the others said. They use an in-line sound card.

In my case, a USB headset was the ticket. I didn't have the money to drop on a soundcard and good quality headphones together, so I got the DSP500 which, although isn't powered by a tricked out $150 sound card, sounds way better than my onboard.

[socalcaz]

Re: Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

Well I am comparing headphones tonight and I must say I am not impressed with the Zalman surround sound. The Plantronics Audio 90 are doing much better with the CMSS 3D. The sound in general is better on the Plantronics and it seems much easier to to localize sound with the CMSS. Plus the Plantronics are $20 on New Egg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826106014

This X-Fi card is sweet!!!!!!!!!!!

What specs do you look for in stereo headphones? Is it the better the headphones the wider the frequecy range?

[DieFledermaus]

Re: Creative X-Fi and headsets: USB vs 3.5mm, Stereo vs. Surround

Yes X-FI in games like BF2 and Americas Army is great. I have a pair of logitech pc gaming stereo headsets and i can hear everything. Only thing is my mic picks up background noise. Best sound card ive had since the audigy 2. What i look for in a headset is sound clarity,quality, namebrand, how well will it stay on my head for long gaming sessions. When i watch a dvd movie on my computer i hook up my 5.1 speakers and the sound is fantastic.