DescentBB

I'm looking for a decent sound card for my PC. Something primarily for headphone and microphone use. I need something VERY VERY good for gaming/music. I usually just plug my PC into my stereo system, which sounds awsome. But I need something for playing games with teamspeak/voice programs without losing audio quality. Any recommendations?

I'm also looking for the best possible PC headset for gaming/music.

Logitech headsets are an absolute mess. Most headsets I've used are crap compared to Koss Pro 35's but they don't have a mic. :\\

These look really interesting:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6826106158

They claim to provide full 3D 360 degree surround sound. Wouldn't I need a special surround sound card for that?

you would just need a sound card that provides the 5.1 channel jacks. unless im reading something wrong here.... wait a second...... this thing only has 1 jack? GRENDEL!!!

Google Dolby Headphone. Seriously, you two really need to do your research.

What the Plantronics Audio-90 has turned into

so what am i missing here?


ahhh okay i see it, Circumaural and supra-aural

but dont they actually make 5.1 headphones?

A $23 set of cheaply made headphones? j/k.


My bro has been a DJ since the 80's and is currently a computer tech. He recommends Sennhiesers and Koss Pro 35's. However, he said that the Sennhiesers will blow my Koss headphones out of the water. I've also read that you have to record mp3's at higher bit-rates to keep up with the sound quality these headphones provide as they will pick up, every tiny little detail.

YOU are recommending Plantronics, because YOU have personal experience with them. Yes, I read your other post MD. But I don't have personal experience. I have had enough bad experiences to know, that you should ask around and see if anyone has personal experience with something before I buy it.

Mind you, the Plantronics don't look too bad but it sounds like the mic and one earphone will break after a month or two. The majority of complaints seem to be about that. They also claimed that the sound isn't as crisp as it could be.

Sennhieser's seem to be pretty well known for excellent sound quality and just overall quality in general. I dunno...

I have an ALtec Lansing headset for like $45 or something like that. I'll give you a heads up on it if you decide to buy it. First, get uot your favorite glue gun, and glue along the seem between the plastic part of the heat set, and the earpiece, I dropped it once on both sides and to repair it I had to hot glue it in place, hasn't broken since too , next, the top plastic\\rubber stuff is gunn hurt really bad(hurt your head I mean) for about a week or so, I think that the stuff they use isn't strechy enough or something... And lastly I'm not sur if its related to me dropping the headset one too many times, but when I'm on Ventrilo I'll randomly have my mic trigger, then shut off, trigger then shut off, repedily.... It gets very annoying. I know its the headset becase I can mute it on the cord and it'll still do it, so there's probably a short some where in the line.
If you decide to buy one and figure out how to loosen the top strap thingie, let me know, that's the only part about the headset that I don't like.

I have been using Sennheiser HD 575 headphones and a desk mic for a number of years now. The sound quality is astounding. (Thanks StressTest) Nobody seems to complain about my desk mic...

*EDIT*

I got both mine off Ebay for under $100 each.

Sennheiser headsets are the way to go.

They are having gaming gear, or really high end stereo headphones (w/o a microphone, but you can add one). Ofc the latter create even better sound.

I have compared my gaming headset (PC 161) to a Plantronics headset. Forget about Plantronics headsets.

Our Sennheisers at the radio station all broke or fizzled out. They don't take abuse very well.

Right now we're running a mix of AKG's and Koss headphones. Not the absolute best sound reproduction, but the Kosses are damn comfortable.

About the soundcard: I had read a news flash recently about some company having licensed X-Fi and being about to build a high end X-Fi compatible part, replacing all required key electronics with high quality material.

I don't think the main purpose of headsets is to take a lot of abuse (like firing them on the table or into a corner?). I ruined one of my Sennheiser headsets, I think by sitting on the cable and violently turning my head, ripping the cable in two. But that was a gaming headset for home use, and the wires were rather thin (and you can break everything if you apply enough force).