Yes, the difference between regular onboard audio and even a cheaper sound card is night and day. Sounds clearer with more definition and the adjustability is amazing when used right.

for $60, makes a noticable difference in the quality and the xonar software is good and easy to use.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132053

for $160, very powerful card. Better sounding and more adjustability than the previous card, basically the same software. Bit expensive for most people to justify.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010&Tpk=asus%20xonar%20essense%20stx

i'm using x12s right now, how did you bust yours? don't wanna break mine too :(

Just to clarify, my pointed comment was towards gaming gear/peripheral companies' forays into audio only (although there's something to be said for their attempts at keyboard too). I can't fault your choice of mouse or mousepad.

There's no need to be homophobic by the way.

@Flutter - depends on your use. If it's solely for gaming, best to get a Creative card with CMSS-3D. I think the Titanium HD is the mainstay. If you have multiple uses (music and videos too) then you're probably better served by an external (USB) DAC/amp like Behringer 202, FiiO E17, Aune T1, Objective-2/ODAC, Schiit Magni/Modi.

Some good resources:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/593050/the-nameless-guide-to-pc-gaming-audio-with-binaural-headphone-surround-sound/

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-3-5-13-akg-q701-minor-update

The Carcharias may work well but it costs quite a bit of money (which is mainly because of the brand). It isn't bad you can just get better deals.
Also this argument doesn't apply to mouse mats & mice

if you dont need lots of bells and whistles, just get a good amp instead of a soundcard

sounds way better

@ the arguement above

ive tried carcharias/siberias/every gaming headset on ever and none have been nearly as comfortable as my hd555s nor have they sounded half as good

thats great that you like your razer products and steelseries gaming gear but we are talking about sound and comfort here- two things those companies are really bad at

Headphones : http://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-HD25-1-II-Professional-Headphone/dp/B000TDZOXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363016029&sr=8-1
Microphone : http://www.amazon.ca/Blue-Microphones-USB-Microphone-Snowball/dp/B006DIA77E/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1363016062&sr=1-1

It is an expensive set, but it worth it.

Microphone quality is pretty good and the headphones are just simply amazing.

akg

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-240-Stereo-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0016MNBAM

I use Turtle Beach DX12s (originally purchased for my xbox) and not only have they lasted forever, they're really comfortable and have pretty good sound quality. I originally planned to use them as a stopgap while I got a new PC headset but I liked them so much I stuck with them.

My only complaint is that the cord is so long I have to tie it up and sometimes the wire coil bumps my keyboard and activates keys

I would not recommend getting any headsets made by Razer. In my personal experience, audio by non-audio companies tends to not be that good.

I would personally recommend a Sennheiser G4ME PC360 Headset. I've owned their PC350 as well as the PC360, which I currently use. It is a bit expensive but it is more than worth it for the superior build and sound quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-360-Headset-Gaming/dp/B003DA4D2U

HD201s are absolutely horrible I have no clue why you would even recommend those, and I have a pair, they are cheap 20-30 dollar headphones.

Grado Sr60i or Sr80i headphones are awesome entry level audiophile phones if you want top sound quality for under 100. They are open ear so people beside you will hear a bit of sound and they are a little tight on the head for the 1st few weeks.

i already have a pair of beats studios, ill probably just get that zalman mic for them

im sorry

your right, i tried them there and i cant hear myself speak, its very annoying, well thanks for the advice, ill most likely go for http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_y

+

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU/ref=pd_sim_e_1

Both of these are awful for gaming. Don't buy them if the majority of what you'll be using them for is gaming.

AD700's are the farthest from all-rounder headphones. Unless you listen to only a handful of genre's like classical or country music or just don't care for bass, the lackluster low end will disappoint. They're really good for gaming, but that's about the end of it.

Look to this thread for info on most of your good options: http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-3-11-13-lcd2-entry-updated

AD700s have decent bass impact with amplification, but a lot of people don't seem to know that since they have such an "easy to drive" reputation.

turtle beach is cancer

ad700s w/ the fiio amp seem to go well together and its cheap

http://i.imgur.com/dPtbjki.jpg

Please, PLEASE stop recommending the Blue Snowball to people who like to play video games. It's designed to be used for recording podcasts and instruments, not relatively soft voices from a foot or two away. It will record those voices, but it'll also record a bunch of background noise. The modmic is half the price, and sounds much better than a snowball sitting on the desk(the snowball will only sound better if it's sitting really close to your mouth, but then you have a giant ball in your face).

Yes, I am mad.

It's true. Microphone placement plays a HUGE part in sound quality and you can't really beat the modmic for that.

My setup, for comparison.

Different sound signature, but I wouldn't say better.

Additionally, there's also the impact that your soundcard has. Listen to Admirable on this interview and realize that he's using a modmic as well http://etf2l.org/2013/03/11/season-14-playoff-interviews-1-kaidus/

So there are several factors beyond just the microphone itself, and you should fiddle with them to see what gives you the best results.

http://www.amazon.com/Tritton-Trigger-Stereo-Headset-Xbox-360/dp/B0057SDCLY

Dem bad boys let me use them for both pc and xbox. super cheap, quality sound and really convent for its price.

Note your going to need a Y adapter cord and a 3d sound converter in order to get it running.

HAH "you save: 0.01"

Don't buy a gaming headset. If you're on a serious budget, don't buy headphones just because they are Sennheiser or Audio Technica. Most of Senn's low end models are really nothing spectacular; and while ATH m50s are a great all-around music headphone, their lack soundstage makes them near worthless for gaming. If you're spending under 80 dollars, there are better options. If you're spending more than 80:

Audio Technica AD700's are good. Don't get A700s, make sure you get AD700s.

Sennheiser HD 555/558 (foam mod these), or 595/598s are good.

AKG K701/K702/Q701s are dope, but you'll need an amp.

Beyer DT 990 premiums are good if you're looking for a headphone that will serve you better over a diverse selection of music, but you'll probably want an amp, especially on the higher ohm versions.

Modmic v2 is amazing.

Sorry for bumping an older thread, but I wanted to ask a headset question and I hate making new threads for shit like that.

So I've been using a razer carcharias headset for 2-3 years and I actually really like it, however I've been hearing really good things about the AD700s. I know the carcharias isn't an audiophile set of cans but they do sound nice to me. Has anyone used both the carcharias and the AD700s? Is it worth upgrading? I love music and if there is a significant improvement for both music and games I may go for it.

I will say here what I said in the generals thread: The AD700 nobass statement is poop and probably postulated by people who never owned AD700s or don't know how to use their soundcard's driver control panel. In fact, you don't even need that. The headphones have a great soundstage and the bass is, visually speaking, in the back of that stage where it belongs. Maybe since music=wub nowadays for many people, they are uncomfortable with that but I believe it is just as it should be. And as I said, if I want more bass for some reason, I just turn the bass up. Simple.
Generally, I love the sound of them and you can track movement around you really well. I literally played blindfolded (constantly staring at the floor) on granary once with a friend and I could always hear where he was.

As for the mic, I have a blue yeti myself (pls don't hit me, tooth) because I wanted great sound quality for whatever I want to record, voicechat and gameplay commentaries. And because I don't mind running around like an idiot with that behemoth and taking up 10m² of desk space should I ever go to a LAN with it.
Just for playing the modmic is probably the best option because the quality is as good as any in-game voicechat or mumble goes. It is really cheap and you can always take it off your headphones or do whatever you want with it.

Please refer to the guide thread before making a new one.

http://teamfortress.tv/forum/thread/7861-general-guide-thread/1

There was no new thread... I bumped the headset thread to get an opinion on a headset

my bad then

oh boy you've done fucked up now, atmo give it to him

I won't hit you spartan, I'm just trying to save people from $60-mic-fell-down-a-well syndrome. Don't get me wrong the snowball and the yeti are great mics, I just hate seeing people throw money away on a podcast mic because they heard it sounds great only to set it on their desk like a mile away.