Headset/Sound card Options

[Magik6]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a new headset because mine are pissing me off and breaking slightly. Just wanted people's opinion on what headset to go for, and if things like 5.1/7.1 are worth it while options like the pc350 runs stereo and is still priced the same as the surround sound headsets.

Also if I were to splash out a little more and get a sound card, what should I look for in particular and any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks muchly.

[=FaRT= skutaboy]

Hey Magik,

I was/am having issues with the sound in BC2 and thought it was my onboard sound. I also still sometimes have a sound issue within BF2 which is a different problem so I decided to buy a sound card and headset off my mate who no longer wanted them.
The sound card is a Razer Barracuda AC-1 with matching 5.1 headset (the ones posted earlier I think - Megalodons)? I installed all latest drivers etc and discovered that the sound problem was still there on both games and that when using the headset in 5.1, I found it very intense and dare I say off-putting.
I have now reverted back to the onboard sound on my EVGA 680i mobo which is a bit of a shame. The sound was good and the headset was awesome but I can't justify the extra cost.

Not sure if anyone can help with my sound probs in both games but here goes:

BC2: the sound is awesome but for some reason when firing rifle or pistol, the sound is really flat as if shooting through a pillow. When one-on-one, its hard to register my shots and just have to 'spray and prey'. Also, I can't work out which direction footsteps are coming from which is very annoying and get constantly stabbed in the back (nothing new there :).
The Razer Barracuda 5.1 headset made no difference which surprised me. Yes I did set it up for 5.1 in the Razer interface.
Yes I have tried all the other sound settings such as War Tapes etc.

BF2: this is a strange one. When I log into the game I sometimes suffer a very small sound lag. When I fire my weapons, there is a fraction of a second delay so if I was to shoot at a wall the bullet will make a hole before I hear the shot. I recently sussed out that when pressing the buttons to start BF2 like Multiplay, Server, Control Settings etc, that the delay is there too so not actually just in game! This at least lets me know in advance now and means I have to restart BF2 (sometimes up tp five times before it clears).
I recently reformatted my PC with two new hard drives set up in RAID-0, first program installed was BF2 of course and I was surprised to see the issue was still there from the start even after fresh install !!!

Whoops sorry, I've hijacked your thread....

BTW, I am now using my trusty old worn out Altec Lansing headset which is great.

skuta.