Best Gaming Headset with Integrated Soundcard

mf2385

I am looking to get a gaming headset with an integrated soundcard with it. I am getting rid of my ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 sound card because I need to case room for another GTX 670. So basically I am looking for a real nice Gaming Headset with integrated soundcard included with it. Any good ones out there anyone can recommend?

Sever · 07-01-2012, 13:07 | posts: 4,826 | Location: Land of the Great Downunder

Quote:

Originally Posted by mf2385

I am looking to get a gaming headset with an integrated soundcard with it. I am getting rid of my ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 sound card because I need to case room for another GTX 670. So basically I am looking for a real nice Gaming Headset with integrated soundcard included with it. Any good ones out there anyone can recommend?

i've got a cm storm sirus which isnt too bad if you like 5.1 headsets. the soundstage is pretty decent when playing 2 channel audio if you let it run its upmixing.

but if you want a bit more freedom, why not buy an external soundcard or something like the 'Audioengine D1 Premium 24bit DAC' or a headphone amp? the latter two options will give you better sound quality than most of the audio chips that come integrated with headsets.

The Michael · 07-01-2012, 13:10 | posts: 1,456

Got myself a G35 last year. It's a great Headset for little bank.
Very clear and crisp sound and great highs, although it could use some more bas (lows in general) and very comfortable.
Great for gaming, not so for hearing music. (Music still sounds good though).

---TK--- · 07-01-2012, 13:42 | posts: 14,724 | Location: New Jersey, USA

I have the g35 I hate them. Uncomfortable, sweaty. USB headsets aren't for everybody, you can't beat a dedicated soundcard with headphones.

The Michael · 07-01-2012, 14:34 | posts: 1,456

Quote:

Originally Posted by ---TK---

I have the g35 I hate them. Uncomfortable, sweaty. USB headsets aren't for everybody, you can't beat a dedicated soundcard with headphones.

Matter of taste i guess.
For me, they are one of the most comfortable Headsets i ever owned.
And i'm not a big sweater, so i can't comment on that.

It's also a matter of budget.

---TK--- · 07-01-2012, 17:03 | posts: 14,724 | Location: New Jersey, USA

I`m not a sweater either except manual labor, hot weather and using the g35 lol

mf2385 · 07-01-2012, 17:22 | posts: 1,946 | Location: Long Island

Yeah, well for me a dedicated soundcard not a great idea now because when I put in my 2nd GTX 670, I won't really have room under it. So I need to get a good gaming headset with integrated sound with it.

Brendruis · 07-01-2012, 18:55 | posts: 1,242 | Location: Melbourne, FL

I have the CM Sirus also. I had major issues with the C-Media external USB sound device. The controls would never light up on it properly so you could not tell what you were adjusting - rather useless really. I ended up buying a Creative X-Fi Titanium PCI-Ex1 card and all is well... well, except for the PCI-E chatter and noise interference I can hear often. Any ideas for that guys? It is not EMI as I created a little shield to test it...

Probably have to go to an external DAC and a nice set of stereo cans if you want that premium sound.. or hook up to a receiver with TOSLINK. Talking about some $$$ tho...

ESlik · 07-01-2012, 19:04 | posts: 1,593 | Location: Sault Ste. Marie Ont. CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mf2385

I am looking to get a gaming headset with an integrated soundcard with it. I am getting rid of my ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 sound card because I need to case room for another GTX 670. So basically I am looking for a real nice Gaming Headset with integrated soundcard included with it. Any good ones out there anyone can recommend?

Why not stay with your onboard sound? A USB sound card won't do any better than onboard. That being said,I had a Turtle Beach set with USB and of all that I tried,and believe me I have tried many,Turtle was better in my humble opinion. Good luck!

mf2385 · *Last edited by mf2385; 07-01-2012 at 19:20.*

Nah well what about a Razer Megalodon 7.1 it has onboard sound, I mean I may have to stay with onboard sound for my headphones if you guys are saying the good gaming headphones onboard sound kind of sucks. Exploring my options.

Darkest · 07-01-2012, 19:22 | posts: 5,243

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=365198

mf2385 · *Last edited by mf2385; 07-01-2012 at 19:44.*

Sound Blaster Recon3D USB looks to be a good USB alternative, what about the ASUS Xonar U3 USB Sound card? I am going to get another GTX 670 for future proofing for awhile and I am going to sell my ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 that is in there now. For reference I am currently using Razer Carcharias Gaming Headphones, another quick question should I upgrade to another brand? These are alright but around $100 or so category and new ones out there that would be great to use with maybe this sound card or the Recon3D USB?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0385139

StewieTech · 07-01-2012, 21:13 | posts: 656 | Location: Portugal

I have an ozone oxid with integrated soundcard and controls for volume and bass. Great sound.

mf2385 · *Last edited by mf2385; 07-01-2012 at 21:35.*

I mean my options right now, stay with onboard sound, get a new usb sound device and stay w/ Razer Carcharias Gaming Headset, or get new USB sound device and get new gaming headset (return Razer Carcharias and replace). I am just looking at the new Corsair Vengeance 1500, which comes with Dolby Headphone Technology built in and 7.1 Surround Sound sound processing built in.

F1refly · 07-01-2012, 21:42 | posts: 8,411 | Location: Indiana

i like the creative tactic 3d.

Sever · 07-01-2012, 23:17 | posts: 4,826 | Location: Land of the Great Downunder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendruis

I have the CM Sirus also. I had major issues with the C-Media external USB sound device. The controls would never light up on it properly so you could not tell what you were adjusting - rather useless really. I ended up buying a Creative X-Fi Titanium PCI-Ex1 card and all is well... well, except for the PCI-E chatter and noise interference I can hear often. Any ideas for that guys? It is not EMI as I created a little shield to test it...

Probably have to go to an external DAC and a nice set of stereo cans if you want that premium sound.. or hook up to a receiver with TOSLINK. Talking about some $$$ tho...

an external DAC would be better. most receivers have fairly average DACs until you start spending over 1k, at which point, you're better off with a home theater kit.

and yeah, the c-media external usb seems to have problems. for a while, mine seemed to do an annoying hiss. had to swap usb ports until i was able to get it on a usb controller on its own.

mf2385 · 07-02-2012, 01:24 | posts: 1,946 | Location: Long Island

I'm not trying to get some crazy home theatre system going, just not onboard sound. I want some better gaming audio and better movie audio. The Dolby Headphone is nice as well.

ground_zero298 · 07-02-2012, 12:21 | posts: 462 | Location: michigan

I have a set of Creative Sound Blaster World Of Warcraft Wireless. I really have no complaints about them. Comfortable, good clean sound, plenty of bass, no lag or crackling, last about 8 hours on a charge. Also comes with a full creative audio suite to change all the settings just like any creative card (EQ, bass, crystalizer, true voice, audio leveling, surround) Lights can also be turned off on them. Mic can be removed, has a headphone jack it plugs into, plus it has a voice changer to mess with people, lol.

Use them for gaming, movies and music. Plug the usb dongle in they turn on, unplug it and sound goes right back to the computer speakers.

Had these for a year and a half with no issues. I'm very picky about what kind of equipment I use, if something pisses me off I get rid of it. I figured when I bought them I would be returning them, they have met all my expectations.

I know some people say wireless suck or get interference. My wireless list consists of, wireless tv, wireless bluray player, wireless printer, apple airport extreme router, wireless mouse, Logitech harmony 1100 with radio extender, wireless house phone, cell phone, and the headset. All within a 10 foot area. I've had no issues with anything for interference.

Not going to say they are the best around, buy they are the best I've found so far. I did entertain the fact of getting the razor 7.1's, but I've had so many issues with razor products I decided against it.

mf2385 · 07-02-2012, 21:34 | posts: 1,946 | Location: Long Island

Not a WoW fan anyway so that's a no go. I am looking at the new Corsair Vengeance 1500 series, they have integrated Dolby Headphone and other interesting stuff included with that headset. I am actually thinking now of maybe upgrading my computer in august sometime, early august instead of getting another gtx 670. Seems uneeded and with a cpu/ram/mb upgrade I will be ready for the new Haswells next year. Thinking about an i7 3820/asus X79/16GB. Awesome.

JmanEspresso · *Last edited by JmanEspresso; 07-02-2012 at 22:18.*

As a bit of an audio nut that I am(there are others here more in tune with audio than I, but I am a stickler for my sound), I suggest nothing other than a Corsair usb headset.

Obviously a dedicated sound card is ideal, but to be fair, Id take two gpus over a sound card too. Let me tell you, I picked the motherboard I did specifically so that even if I wanted to run triple SLI, I could still run a sound card.

The Original headsets from Corsair.. HS1? I think. And the new Vengeance headsets, both come in two flavors. Usb with onboard sound, and analog to use your own soundcard. As far as onboard sound headsets go, I was impressed. I would not hesistate to buy a pair to use for traveling or whatnot.

EDIT- I just searched your motherboard.. If you run two GPUs, you'll have a PCI-E 1X open, and a PCI open. Why can't you run onboard sound? If its a PCI-E soundcard, Ive run my soundcard sandwhiched between two gpu's before, its fine. Just make sure you've got some airflow going at the GPUs/Soundcard directly and call it a day. If its a PCI card, I fail to see any issue.

lehtv · 07-02-2012, 22:17 | posts: 3,087

Quote:

Originally Posted by mf2385

Yeah, well for me a dedicated soundcard not a great idea now because when I put in my 2nd GTX 670, I won't really have room under it.

Under it? You have a PCIe x1 slot above the first full length slot, a low profile audio card like Asus Xonar DGX will not impact your GPU temperatures in the slightest.

JmanEspresso · 07-02-2012, 22:20 | posts: 178 | Location: Westchester

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

Under it? You have a PCIe x1 slot above the first full length slot, a low profile audio card like Asus Xonar DGX will not impact your GPU temperatures in the slightest.

Oh yeah! Didn't even see that other PCIe 1X up top.

Dude, your fine. There is no reason you can't run two gpus and a soundcard on this motherboard, regardless of what type of interface the soundcard uses.

mf2385 · 07-02-2012, 22:41 | posts: 1,946 | Location: Long Island

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

Under it? You have a PCIe x1 slot above the first full length slot, a low profile audio card like Asus Xonar DGX will not impact your GPU temperatures in the slightest.

It'd be pressing up right against it and blocking the fans on the video card. I don't know but not the best airflow with the card under it pressing up against it right?

INSTG8R · 07-02-2012, 22:57 | posts: 1,188 | Location: Lost in Norway

No the slot above the first PCI-E.
I recently built a new rig for a friend and that is where I put the soundcard. No trouble at all.

Here is a pic of someone elses rig from another thread

JmanEspresso · 07-03-2012, 21:26 | posts: 178 | Location: Westchester

And just FWIW, it wont block the fan. I used to run two 6870s with a sound card sandwhiched in between them, more or less right up against one of the cards.

Its fine.

However you have that top X1 slot, which alleviates any issue here whatsoever.