Best gaming/musical speakers and headset for complete noob :(

hedshotx · Feb 10, 2012

Like the title says, I am a complete noob when it comes to audio. I can handle understanding most other computer hardware, but not audio. Unfortunately, I just purchased parts for a new rig I will build soon, and I need some sort of audio out for it. My system is used almost exclusively for gaming/listening to music/ internet, and therefore it goes without saying that my speakers, headset, whatever it is I need will be playing game sound and music. I have absolutely no where to start though. I looked on newegg for some ideas, and I get to the details and I get completely lost. Hz frequency, decibel range, all of this stuff means literally nothing to me so I was hoping some of you guys could help me out. I'm already 100$ over budget with my pc (thats a lot

), so I'm not trying to buy something amazingly good. Which, speaking of, is there honestly a difference between audio quality of speakers / headsets??

Bass and 2 speakers honestly will most likely fit the bill if its good for gaming and music. I saw these logitechs on newegg on sale with some pretty solid reviews and was tempted to buy them. I don't have a clue what I'm doing or looking for though so I passed them up. http

/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014

Honestly though, I'm not sure if it's speakers I need, or headphones. I like not being wired in, and I have a cheap 20$ rocketfish mic that I use for VOiP and ventrilo, but who knows, that could break anyday. Sometimes when I'm just studying or what not, it would be nice to just sit on my couch with speakers on for music. For headsets though, I have heard that turtlebeach and razer make good ones.

Trying to give you guys as much info to help me out with, but honestly I don't know what all to give you. I'll admit, I'm a complete noob at this stuff, so please be patient and go slow with me. Like I said, I'm already 100$ over budget and I'm a college student, and honestly I shouldn't be spending any more money. But I'm buying a new rig, and without sound it would just be a waste

. Please, all of your advice is useful to me.

Thanks for reading.

Specs: Asrock z68 extreme3 Gen3
i5 2500k
cooler master 212+
msi 6950 2gb twin frozr II
OCZ ZS 750w
8GB G. Skill 1600 DDR3 Ripjaws
LG dvd-rw optical
win 7
rosewill challenger u3
western digital blue caviar 500gb

hedshotx · Feb 11, 2012

Anyone out there that can help me?

nikorr · Feb 12, 2012

So what is the budget, $25 are not good speakers.

$50 will fit the bill better, but expectation should not be high : )

nikorr · Feb 12, 2012

These http

/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121033
ar really good for the money.

nikorr · Feb 12, 2012

1 dual RCA jack and a 3.5 mm jack:

Let you easily connect a Logitech Squeezebox network music player, DVD player, gaming console, or iPod.

Integrated headphone jack: Lets you listen in private whenever you want.

hedshotx · Feb 12, 2012

Aw, those 20 dollar ones are so cheap though! And have so many reviews

. Is 17W vs 30w really that much of a difference?

My budget is really anything less than 100$, as cheap as possible. I'm way over budget, but I realize that I can't really game without audio haha. Headsets are not outruled either, if there are any good recommendations on that end, then by all means let me know if you know any. Preferably with some kind of surround sound.

If I go up to $60, I think I would rather just go all out and get those 5.1 speakers I showed you.http

/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121044&Tpk=z506

nikorr · Feb 12, 2012

hedshotx :

Yes, get those, u will hate the $30 ones. There would be so much distortion, u would want to throw them out.

hedshotx · Feb 12, 2012

Mmk. With those 80$ 5.1 speakers, will I even notice the quality of sound with the mobo sound vs a sound card? If not I'll just stick with the mobo.

Also do you have any suggestions for a headset with surround sound? Idc if it's virtual or true 5.1

nikorr · Feb 13, 2012

hedshotx :

Yes, the quality will be, that u can play it louder without any distortion, than those weaker ones.

hedshotx · Feb 13, 2012

Alright I think I've decided on going for headphones instead of speakers. I was trying to figure out how in the world I would setup a 5.1 system in my room and it isn't totally possible! So it's either 2.1 or 3.1, or headphones, and I think I'd rather get headphones that can give me some kind of surround sound, since 2.1 and 3.1 probably can't give me much pinpoint awareness in games.

Do you have any suggestions for headphones? They don't really have to have a mic since I have a webcam mic that works to be honest. They do need some kind of surround sound though, and I've heard that the 50 mm drivers are the best?

Take a look at some I've found. Trying to keep under 60$.

http

/www.frys.com/product/5827773

http

/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041OQKIC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?t=slickdeals&tag=slickdeals&ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http

/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=u0t3936076f9fp0dd0c0s701&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&Item=N82E16829102037&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na

http

/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153060&Tpk=razer%20orca

http

/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153081&Tpk=razer%20electra

http

/www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/671793-REG/Plantronics_79733_11_GameCom_777_Surround_Sound.html

hedshotx · Feb 13, 2012

Can anyone help me out here?

nikorr · Feb 13, 2012

Hey hedshotx,

Did u read this?
http

/www.tomshardware.com/reviews/surround-sound-headset-benchmark,3125.html

nikorr · Feb 13, 2012

nikorr · Feb 13, 2012

Best Budget Choice: Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigma

Creative’s $63 entry isn’t going to win any quality awards. It looks a little cheap, it has a thin ribbon cable, and we struggled to keep its microphone sponge cover from falling off. The ear cups are clearly designed to show off illuminated accents, but this model doesn't have them.

Like Han Solo said, though, "...she's got it where it counts, kid." The Tactic3D Sigma is armed with powerful 50 mm drivers that can be made to sound better than most of the competition, especially when you dial in the equalizer and THX TruStudio Pro virtual surround settings you like best. Accessing all of that software is easy thanks to Creative's clean, attractive interface.

At 10 oz, this is a very light headset, which makes it easier to also be quite comfortable. A simple, effective inline controller features a clip for your clothes. Moreover, you can use it on the USB bus or attached to analog outputs on your discrete sound card. Do you take real-time voice effects more seriously than you’d care to admit? Creative includes 19 unique voice profiles, plus the ability to customize and create your own with eight slider controls.

Bottom line, though: when you take the time to configure it properly, this headset sounds very good. It boasts deep bass, good mids, and crisp highs that rival competing models that cost twice as much. For its ability to perform well at an affordable price point, we're happy to award Creative's Tactic 3D Sigma our nod of approval.

nikorr · Feb 13, 2012

http

/www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Tactic-Headset-70GH014000002/dp/B0041OMWNY

$49.99

hedshotx · Feb 13, 2012

I did see that! Actually newegg had the same sale on it ($50), and I was really close to impulse buying it haha. I read a bunch of reviews and the durability of it worried me. I know the toms crew really favors it, but if it's something that I'll have to rma a couple times a year, Idk if it's worth it to me

. If that's the best headset I can find though, I'll definitely go with it. I know sennheiser makes 2 year warranty headsets, I was trying to find one with a similar warranty so I can hopefully keep it a bit longer.