Improve pc audio on my Audio Technica M30xs.

[Claymoresama]

I'm looking to hopefully improve my audio, especially with headphones, on my pc. I can't spend an insane amount of money, but I'm thinking any additional hardware I can probably handle about $50 at the moment. I'm still willing to listen to recommendations slightly higher and just purchase them later down the road.

My pc specs are as follows:
i5 4690k with hyper 212 evo cooler
Asrock H97m anniversary motherboard
8 gb g skill ddr3 ram
1tb WD Blue
500w EVGA 80 plus certified
MSI Radeon R9 270 graphics card (Note im not using my audio through HDMI)

Currently I have a cheap set of Cyber Accoustics speakers hooked up to my pc. I know the M30x headphones are great headphones from a good brand, but I feel like they're lacking audio quality when being used on my pc. I don't have any standalone DAC's or soundcards, but I have been trying to figure out which may be right for me.
I'm in no way an audio specialist or even someone who strives to be. I'm just a computers student who likes to game on his pc and would like to get better audio from my pc. I've read that the onboard audio on motherboards is not so great and when I connect my headphones I connect via the headphone jack on my computer case or the control dock that comes with my speakers. I havent noticed any difference between the two. I have tried my headset though the motherboard's basic audio jacks but to no avail, its not any better. I don't know much about audio and I would really appreciate any advice that the amazing TomsHardware community has to offer. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

 

[mcnumpty23]

modern motherboards actually have pretty decent built in audio

 

[americanaudiophile]

The problem is to figure out if the lack of sound quality is in your PC or headphones. Try your headphones on a stereo system and see if the sound good to you there. If not then you probably want better headphones. If they do sound good then you could try a sound card or. DAC/headphone amp to see if that helps. Your price range makes a sound card a better option.

 

[Claymoresama]

The problem is to figure out if the lack of sound quality is in your PC or headphones. Try your headphones on a stereo system and see if the sound good to you there. If not then you probably want better headphones. If they do sound good then you could try a sound card or. DAC/headphone amp to see if that helps. Your price range makes a sound card a better option.

I don't really have much to test them on. Honestly after doing some research online it seems like an amplifier is more of what I need. The audio comes out ok, but I know my headphones have pretty decent bass in them. When the sound is coming from my pc's onboard audio i feel like the bass is completely turned off. My twin's pc uses a similar motherboard and his bluetooth headphones come out strong. Would something like this be worth it: http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102069&cm_re=sound_card_amp-_-29-102-069-_-Product

Also I would like to state that all headphones i've used on my pc feel like they're lacking. I have tested both front panel and the integrated jacks. Both sound roughly the same. My motherboard is on the cheap side of things so I wouldnt be surprised if the onboard audio is the culprit.