Optimal Gaming Sound Setup

[DrFiblorTheMerciless]

I was wondering what I should do to have a setup that is good for positional accuracy and hearing things like footsteps that sort of thing in things like fps games online.
DrFiblorTheMerciless

 

[thee_prisoner]

More information is needed.

What computer/motherboard are you using?
Soundcard or not?
Headphones or speaker setup?
Budget?

Happy listening, the Prisoner...

 

[DrFiblorTheMerciless]

More information is needed.

What computer/motherboard are you using?
Soundcard or not?
Headphones or speaker setup?
Budget?

Happy listening, the Prisoner...

[PCPartPicker part list](http/pcpartpicker.com/p/Yr98vK) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http/pcpartpicker.com/p/Yr98vK/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $211.99
**Motherboard** | [Asus Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97prowifiac) | $209.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmy8gx3m2a2400c11) | $71.98 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdhp256gg25) | $123.00 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1003fzex) | $69.99
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Dual Classified ACX Video Card](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-04gp43778kr) |-
**Case** | [Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-400r) | $84.99 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-hx750) | $79.99 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24f1st) | $14.99
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $84.99
**Monitor** | [Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-vs239hp) | $145.43
**Keyboard** | [Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-keyboard-sgk4000gkcm1us) | $86.00
**Mouse** | [Razer Imperator 2012 Wired Laser Mouse](http/pcpartpicker.com/part/razer-mouse-rz0100350200r3u1) | Purchased For $0.00
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $1213.34
| Mail-in rebates | -$30.00
| **Total** | **$1183.34**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http/pcpartpicker.com) 2015-03-24 23:56 EDT-0400 |

I don't really have much of an audio setup at the moment, and I am not sure if I should get a soundcard for this or not. I am going for a good setup that won't break the bank.

 

[thee_prisoner]

It sounds like you don't have much of a budget. Since you're just gaming(high sound quality isn't needed in gaming) movies and especially music have the need for good sound.

A somewhat inexpensive option is just go for headphones since it's much cheaper going that route instead of buying home stereo speakers and amps. I have a lot of speakers and amps laying around(headphones too) so I prefer speakers depending on the situation.

You may not need a soundcard. Find some good headphones and if the mobo sound and phones sound good to you, stay with that. The best bet is to find a local stereo shop to hear a number of headphones to discover what sounds best to you. I can't recommend any headphones to you that I haven't heard. Just stick with a good brand like Grado and etc.

BTW, I don't think that video card is available anymore.

Happy listening, the Prisoner...

 

[ssddx]

depends on your budget... and preferences.

you might want to read some other posts of mine recently http/www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2583183/typical-headset-post-wanting-advice-share.html and http/www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2584343/headphone-gaming-music-prices-listed.html#15548126 and search for some other related threads (forum search "ssddx headset headphones") to get an idea of what kind of info you should provide us with and some of your options.

the first thing we need is to know your maximum amount you can spend on them (including or not including soundcard, list which). we need to know your taste profile (see sample links to get an idea). we need to know your choice as to whether you want open and bass light, neutral or closed with more bass (again see sample links for some more tidbits there).

well... if you wanted "headphones"

--

if you wanted speakers... then there are some fairly decent pc speakers you can go with like

z506 5.1
z523/z623 2.1
klipsch promedia 2.1
Creature III 2.1

a mini "hi-fi" 2.0 system can start as low as $70 http/www.cnet.com/news/build-your-own-desktop-stereo-for-under-70/

 

[DrFiblorTheMerciless]

depends on your budget... and preferences.

you might want to read some other posts of mine recently http/www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2583183/typical-headset-post-wanting-advice-share.html and http/www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2584343/headphone-gaming-music-prices-listed.html#15548126 and search for some other related threads (forum search "ssddx headset headphones") to get an idea of what kind of info you should provide us with and some of your options.

the first thing we need is to know your maximum amount you can spend on them (including or not including soundcard, list which). we need to know your taste profile (see sample links to get an idea). we need to know your choice as to whether you want open and bass light, neutral or closed with more bass (again see sample links for some more tidbits there).

well... if you wanted "headphones"

--

if you wanted speakers... then there are some fairly decent pc speakers you can go with like

z506 5.1
z523/z623 2.1
klipsch promedia 2.1
Creature III 2.1

a mini "hi-fi" 2.0 system can start as low as $70 http/www.cnet.com/news/build-your-own-desktop-stereo-for-under-70/

I do not want to use the headphones for music just gaming, I also don't need a headset btw. I just want optimal headphones for things like battlefield. Besides I have my trusty Beyerdynamic T70p for when I am hungry for good sounding music. For price I am thinking of going to the price where more expensive cans that have similar qualities offer a nominal amount of enhancement. Also please tell me if I need anything else to make my setup good, I have a Pioneer TRE-D800, I use Realtek HD Audio Manager, and if I decide to just plug straight into the mobo I have a Asus Z97 Pro Wi-Fi ac.

 

[ssddx]

^ that does not list a budget in $

if you want an advantage in fps games (hear footsteps) but dont care about "enjoyable" sound then the audiotechnica ad500x/ad700x/ad900x are good picks. the akg headphones are similar though a bit more piercing on highs.

if you wanted to remain open but wanted a more neutral sound with some more bass then the hd558/hd598 are perhaps more your style.

if you wanted higher end open cans with more bass and treble than the dt990 is good. if you wanted higher end neutral then the dt880 is good.

...if you read my other threads you would have been able to read some more about these cans.

you could certainly benefit from a soundcard.

 

[DrFiblorTheMerciless]

^ that does not list a budget in $

if you want an advantage in fps games (hear footsteps) but dont care about "enjoyable" sound then the audiotechnica ad500x/ad700x/ad900x are good picks. the akg headphones are similar though a bit more piercing on highs.

if you wanted to remain open but wanted a more neutral sound with some more bass then the hd558/hd598 are perhaps more your style.

if you wanted higher end open cans with more bass and treble than the dt990 is good. if you wanted higher end neutral then the dt880 is good.

...if you read my other threads you would have been able to read some more about these cans.

you could certainly benefit from a soundcard.

I did read the other threads but I still didn't know what would help for just games. Anyways for the soundcard section did you mean for the headphones with a higher impedance on the list. Ohh I almost forgot to say that I use Philips Fidelio L1 now for gaming, do you think this could benefit me much?

 

[ssddx]

onboard sound can vary quite a bit from board to board. anywhere from poor to acceptable. generally a soundcard is going to offer some improvement as well as giving you a few more audio options (like virtual surround) to play with. generally a soundcard can benefit most people although in many cases you can live with onboard sound and it is perfectly fine unless you are noticing any audible distortion. you should know by now if you've noticed such issues so in your case it would just be a slight increase in quality but mainly to offer you virtual surround if you wanted that.

truth be told you can game on ANY pair of headphones. what is more important is how you want them to sound as if you do not like the sound of them you will be unhappy (regardless of whatever advantages they give you in gaming). this is why we need to know what kind of sound you expect to hear (read my 3 recommendations in last post).

....it seems that every single time we try to ask you questions in order to give you a better answer you seem to avoid answering them. without those questions answered how are we supposed to know what you'd like and not like? i'm not about to list every single headphone in existance and describe them. if you want that and expect that then you can go have fun in reading http/www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-2-17-2015 though it is very opinionated

if you want to narrow down cans for yourself here... first start with a budget. how much are you willing to spend and what country? then let us know what you expect out of the cans in terms of a sound profile. bass, treble, mids..... and neutral or v-shaped sound profile. open or closed cans? etcetera. the more info and preferences we know the better we can recommend.

 

[DrFiblorTheMerciless]

onboard sound can vary quite a bit from board to board. anywhere from poor to acceptable. generally a soundcard is going to offer some improvement as well as giving you a few more audio options (like virtual surround) to play with. generally a soundcard can benefit most people although in many cases you can live with onboard sound and it is perfectly fine unless you are noticing any audible distortion. you should know by now if you've noticed such issues so in your case it would just be a slight increase in quality but mainly to offer you virtual surround if you wanted that.

truth be told you can game on ANY pair of headphones. what is more important is how you want them to sound as if you do not like the sound of them you will be unhappy (regardless of whatever advantages they give you in gaming). this is why we need to know what kind of sound you expect to hear (read my 3 recommendations in last post).

....it seems that every single time we try to ask you questions in order to give you a better answer you seem to avoid answering them. without those questions answered how are we supposed to know what you'd like and not like? i'm not about to list every single headphone in existance and describe them. if you want that and expect that then you can go have fun in reading http/www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-2-17-2015 though it is very opinionated

if you want to narrow down cans for yourself here... first start with a budget. how much are you willing to spend and what country? then let us know what you expect out of the cans in terms of a sound profile. bass, treble, mids..... and neutral or v-shaped sound profile. open or closed cans? etcetera. the more info and preferences we know the better we can recommend.

First of all what do you think of the equipment I told you I have. Also I think I am gonna go for the AD-500x if you aren't impressed by my current headphones much.

 

[thee_prisoner]

You aren't lacking in good headphones. The current ones you have will be fine, for example, the Philips and the Beyerdynamic.. it depends on if it sounds good for positional audio, footsteps and extra. Now having said that in terms of positional audio and the FPS sounds you want will depend on the realtek hardware and software. For onboard sound, that motherboard is good. Are you getting satisfaction from it? If not you may want a soundcard.

The advantage of a soundcard besides some better hardware(usually) is the software that comes with it to customize the sound you want. For example the
Soundblaster Z and Zx http://www.soundblaster.com/soundcards.aspx come with excellent software and drivers the Asus sound card have good hardware but their software is ok but their drivers are not so good. Creative's main thing is sound cards, where Asus has too much focus other places. Many people have driver issues with Asus.

Happy listening, the Prisoner...