need a headset/sound card

[asurastrike]

I play games and listen to a broad range of music. I have about $300-500 to spend and I perfer to get the best value of my budget, so if the gain is marginal when I spend 500 compared to 300, i'd spend 300. The thing I'm looking for most is sound quality. I don't really care if it has a mic or if it looks cool with all the lighting effects. Next it must be comfortable to wear for long sessions. I've been using G35 for two years and I still can't get over how extremely uncomfortable and heavy this thing is, even though the build quality is good. I currently don't have a sound card, but if that's what it takes a headset to sound good, I'll get one.


To sum up:
my budget: $300-500. (I can buy $500 headset or $300 headset+$200 sound card etc)
What I look for: sound quality, comfortability

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Shouldn't need a sound card - the DACs (Digital to Analog Convertors - the things which change a digital data stream into an analog voltage waveform) are pretty much the same as those on a half-decent motherboard. Going for digital (ie optical or USB) till the headset itself is probably the best way to reduce noise/interference.

I'd say that most of the higher end headphones are pricey merely because of the brand on them though - look for actual reviews that extend beyond "sounds good, bro" before buying any.

Looking on forums related to audiophiles might be a better pick than here.

 

[edogawa]

You can get an Asus essence, a creative titanium HD, or a creative ZXR, best sound cards for gaming with headphones.

"Someone Somewhere" is partially correct, integrated audio is much better than it was before, but a dedicated sound card is still an improvement.


Read this: http/www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-4-4-13-mad-dog-added



Grado, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, AKG, and a few other brands make the best headphones.

Go to http/www.head-fi.org/ for more detailed help, they will offer much better advise then this site for headphones.


Two quick general recommendations are:

http/www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-360-Headset-Gaming/dp/B003DA4D2U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365836535&sr=8-1&keywords=PC360

http/www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-363D-Performance-Surround/dp/B008O515CK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365836579&sr=1-1&keywords=PC360+D

Sound is subjective and headphones/audio will sound different to everyone.

I use a pair of audio-techinica headphones for gaming, sound fantastic.