Project Reality Forums

Hey guys,

I'm looking to purchase a sound card and headset and know relatively nothing about them. My budget is about $350 for the pair. I do know there is some Creative X-Fi compatibility issues with PR. Is there anyone that could recommend some great pairs?

Edit:

After a bit of research came up with these two guys. I'm holding off until I can get some opinions from you guys.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6829132006

I really like my setup.

I have the Creative Sound Blaster ZXR for my soundcard.


I have the Sennheiser PC360 for my headset.


This combo has served me well for PR. I can easily hear close footsteps and distant vehicles. Mumble and and other VOIP programs are crystal clear. The headset and soundcard sound great in the rest of the games I play too. Music also sounds very good to me. (I'm not an audiophile.)

I would recommend either or both if they fit in your budget. Cheers!

(This topic may be better suited for the Hardware sub forum)

The headset is something I'm the most interested in, but I can't find any links to new pair, only used. I'll probably stick with the ASUS sound card, don't need anything crazy.

I second the pc360. Keep in mind without a soundcard, you won't get the benefits of better sound. It sounds like any run of the mill headset on my laptop with integrated realtek sound, but on my desktop holy moly the difference is huge.

Since there are no new ones left, do you think a 363D will be good?

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Perfor ... iser+PC360

I've heard good things about that headset. I'm not a fan of surround headsets though and just stick to stereo. I would do more research on that model. Most of the reviews have been very positive.

This is the new version of the PC 360, pretty sure it's the same exact headset:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-G4ME-B ... eiser+game


I also have the Sennheiser PC 360 and it's amazing!

That PC 363D uses USB, so be wary, I've had terrible experiences with USB headsets, namely the Logitech G35.

1. Stay away from headsets, the speakers and mic are usually of middling quality. Buy headphones and mic separately.

2. Stay away from headsets/phones with USB, they have a low-end built in sound card and won't be as versatile as normal 3.5mm jacks.

3. You don't need a separate sound card unless you go decide to buy a pair of high-end headphones, if you decide to buy one you should go with an external DAC/Amp.

Check out this post on Head-fi:
Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (5/31/2015: Beyer COP+ and Shure 1540 added)

At that link, here is what he said about the PC360:

If you're in the market for a wired headSET, this should be the top priority. If you're looking for clarity, the PC360 does a fantastic job.

I see separate headphones and microphone as a pain in the *** personally. I tried a clip on microphone and separate headset combo before and it was a terrible idea. One, you have to find the right spot for it whether on yourself and on your headset. Two, it's an extra wire you have to deal with.

The PC 360 probably has the highest quality microphone you'll find on a headset. I know there are plenty of headsets out there with terrible microphones, but that's not always the case.

I fully agree to avoid USB though.

Creative Soundblaster Z + Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Headset = win

PricelineNegotiator wrote:
HyperX Cloud Stereo Gaming Headset for PC/PS4/Mac/Mobile - Black - Newegg.com
ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Sound Card - Newegg.com

got the same setup, works great

Steeps wrote: I see separate headphones and microphone as a pain in the *** personally. I tried a clip on microphone and separate headset combo before and it was a terrible idea. One, you have to find the right spot for it whether on yourself and on your headset. Two, it's an extra wire you have to deal with.

The PC 360 probably has the highest quality microphone you'll find on a headset. I know there are plenty of headsets out there with terrible microphones, but that's not always the case.

I fully agree to avoid USB though.

Philips Fidelio X1 + BoomPro mic = single wire.

Doesn't necessarily have to be a clip-on, there are other alternatives.

I use A Siberia V2 Frost Blue and it works pretty well, can hear people walking around I know exactly where the shots are coming from those kind of little things that make the difference, especially on open field or forest maps.

I ordered the PC 363D with no sound card. It has both 3.5mm and then converts to a USB, so it isn't a sole USB or else I would not have chosen it. I will have it tomorrow to test, am excited.

Thank you all very much for your feedback. I will update you on my venture.

One thing I would like to add that I just finally got in the best shape today... the ASUS Xonar DGX has completely changed how great my PC 360 sounds. The difference is night and day very much thanks to the AMP that is included with the DGX. It's very important to have an amplifier with a headset that costs $150+.

You won't be doing your headphones justice if you don't have an amplifier. It makes everything sound much richer with everything you do.

I've been using Plantronics for about 10 years now. I've tried other setups, but nothing has sounded as good, worked so effortlessly, or given me the bang for the buck.

I quit using sound cards YEARS ago. Wast of money, depending on what you want to get out of it.

If you want something that plays video games well, has a high degree of fidelity, and is comfortable, you don't have to spend more than $60.

Plantronics only makes headsets and mics. That's it. They focus on that one thing, and they do it very well, I think.

I currently use the Plantronics GameCom 780s. I hear every footstep, every distant round going off, and every other sound I need to to be effective on the battlefield.

They are 7.1 surround, sound awesome, are lightweight and comfortable, and use an onboard USB sound card. It's plug and play. No driver updates necessary. They just work. Every time.

I can't tell you how many times I've had to trouble shoot other players sound setups for mumble, PR, TS, or what have you. I plug these suckers in, and they work.

You can spend lots of money on this, and for some, it's worth it.

If you're just looking for great sound, and affordability, look no further.

Picked up a pair of HD6s when the sales picked up, got them at a local audio shop of ~60% off. The quality of the base range is particular is mind blowing, you get the same feeling as hearing a massive sub woofer, albeit confined to your head.

Sennheiser HD6 Mix - Noise Reducing Headphones - Over ear

No microphone but great for music, us it for my PC, music & non-PR games, or when I'm using my keyboard, the instrument not the QWERTY kind, and have to keep the sound down.

The plastic where the ear pieces and headband squeaks a bit but the sets are supposed to be pretty crazily durable.

PricelineNegotiator wrote:Thank you all very much for your feedback. I will update you on my venture.

Well? How are they?

I never buy headsets more expensive than 35 euros or 40 dollars. They break anyway, and I'd rather have a pretty disposable one. The Creative Fatal1ty (although having a stupid name like most headsets) seems to do pretty okay. I've gone through 3 of them now. Now got a turtle beach p11 off Amazon (30 euros). Works okay, bit more bassy, sounds alright. It's got active mic monitoring which is weird, feeds back a bit of your mic to your headset so you can hear when you're being way too loud (mic too close to mouth). Can't turn this off though, which really annoys me.

I know I should buy mic seperate from headset but screw it. I can't be arsed to hassle with all the different wires. Cheapish headsets replaced every year work better for me than 200 dollar headsets.

FattyMcBlobbicus wrote:I never buy headsets more expensive than 35 euros or 40 dollars. They break anyway, and I'd rather have a pretty disposable one. The Creative Fatal1ty (although having a stupid name like most headsets) seems to do pretty okay. I've gone through 3 of them now. Now got a turtle beach p11 off Amazon (30 euros). Works okay, bit more bassy, sounds alright. It's got active mic monitoring which is weird, feeds back a bit of your mic to your headset so you can hear when you're being way too loud (mic too close to mouth). Can't turn this off though, which really annoys me.

I know I should buy mic seperate from headset but screw it. I can't be arsed to hassle with all the different wires. Cheapish headsets replaced every year work better for me than 200 dollar headsets.

Well if you take care of them, $150-200 headsets are fantastic. I'm going on two years with my Sennheiser and the headset still looks new.