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.

[K.]

*whispers.....Megalodons*

[Magik6]

*Shouts......WHY???*

[K.]

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-perip...dons&xtcr=1

http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=1640&pageID=7308

[Magik6]

Yeah that's great and all but I want someone to justify surround sound or stereo sound being worth the same money when comparing the razer and sennheiser. Also got a creative x-fi card last night so would like something which isn't usb (e.g. the logitech g35) and it also means that the external box on the razer headset isn't a huge bonus for me with my current on board soundcard.

[Magik5]

Told you my opinions on card.

As for the headset i had a debate in the shoutbox with raile not to long about stereo vs surround when he wanted a new headset.

My arguement was that with stereo you get bigger drivers/cones meaning better sound quality over the smaller cones you get in the 5/7.1 headsets.

His argument was that the surround headsets were better for films as long as you get a set that decodes the sound properly (instead of a headset that mixes stereo to fake 5.1 on the fly).

The way to check this to make sure the headset has connections for not only the green 3.5mm jack connection but also the orange and black 3.5mm jacks...

[=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.

[Magik6]

Hey skuta, no worries about stealing my thread, in the end I went for the Roccat Kave and a Creative Gamer card. The reason I went for the Roccat was a mixture but one of them was due to the individual 3.5mm jack connections for the surround sound rather than just a USB interface, that way it eliminates a problem that may be cause by having the sound routed through a USB connection. As for your bf2 froblem, I haven't played since the 1.49 days so can't really comment on that

[MonkeyFiend]

lol, skuta - always having hardware problems

I've giot a Barracuda and the sounds are fine for me. Leaving the higher quality 'war tapes' setting in BC2 as correct, do you plug your headphones in through the DVI looking single connecter or by individual channel cables; I assume by the single connector as that makes the most sense being thats how the soundcard was designed, in which case instead of 5.1 surround in the razer config panel (which is for 5.1 surround speakers) you shout opt for the HD-DAI setting.

Next up if you expand "Modes" what modes are you running? You haven't got any environment effects running have you?

Also if you click advanced settings, probably best just to set the EQ flat for now.

Let us know how its going

[=FaRT= skutaboy]

Yep, I constantly have hardware problems but its a good way to learn stuff....I think!

These sound probs were prevailant before I got the Barracuda so any settings made no effect.

http://f0x1e.250free.com/HeadsetConnection.jpg

BTW, To save me from searching, whats the IP address of your BC2 server?

[fido77]

type in "Sneaky in the search box. do not forget to capitalize the 'S'. it should bring up all 3 servers. works for me, gummy and anyone else i tell to do that who has no more room to add more servers to favorites

[MonkeyFiend]

(They're also listed on the front page)

you've plugged the barracuda (pirhana?) headset into 2 adapters instead of directly into the sound card? :s

[HYPOBOXER]

This looks like a gunners rant with punctuation!!!