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PsionicCypher

PsionicCypher

Honorable
Jan 1, 2013
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hi guys,

I manage to get a good deal in getting my hands on a Harmon Kardon Soundsticks III wireless from a friend, they are pretty awesome so far and sounds pretty good. Love them for just listening to music while i work. However they are only a 2.1 channel and i would like to enhance my gaming audio experience while not disturbing my roommates as they study.

so i was thinking of buying an Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard along with an Astro A40 2013 with mixamp to give me a virtual surround 7.1 experience while not disturbing others.

my question would be:

1. Would buying the STX enhance the already crisp sound of the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks?

2. should i get the STX + Astro A40 combo for the 7.1 sound? will it work together with its mixamp?

3. Is it possible to have Music playing for my roommates to listen to through my speakers while having different audio playing in my headphones as i play my game and not have them hear the explosions?
 
Solution
ssddx
1. Would buying the STX enhance the already crisp sound of the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks?
unless you have very bad onboard sound it probably is not worth an upgrade. in any case a cheaper card would be a better upgrade than the stx. will you notice a difference: possibly but not $170 worth.

2. should i get the STX + Astro A40 combo for the 7.1 sound?
see above. as far as the headset i havent seen that one listed around here and dont use headsets myself. i prefer good quality stereo headphones myself. all i can say is read a bunch of reviews on them before you buy but for that price you can get nice studio headphones...

3. Is it possible to have Music playing for my roommates to listen to through my speakers while having different...
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ssddx

ssddx

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May 27, 2009
17,054
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74,965
1. Would buying the STX enhance the already crisp sound of the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks?
unless you have very bad onboard sound it probably is not worth an upgrade. in any case a cheaper card would be a better upgrade than the stx. will you notice a difference: possibly but not $170 worth.

2. should i get the STX + Astro A40 combo for the 7.1 sound?
see above. as far as the headset i havent seen that one listed around here and dont use headsets myself. i prefer good quality stereo headphones myself. all i can say is read a bunch of reviews on them before you buy but for that price you can get nice studio headphones...

3. Is it possible to have Music playing for my roommates to listen to through my speakers while having different audio playing in my headphones as i play my game and not have them hear the explosions?
when you plug headphones in sound defaults to the headphones and when you unplug them it defaults to the speakers. what you say may be possible but it would be easier to just plug your speakers into an alternate source such as an ipod. i remember a post a few months ago looking for the same thing... do a forum search and see what became of it.
 
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Solution
PsionicCypher

PsionicCypher

Honorable
Jan 1, 2013
4
0
10,510
thanks for the response ssddx,

I have a asus Sabertooth x79 mobo for my onboard audio. definately not the best nor its close to the STX quality but got curious to what the changes will be once i place the sound card upgrade.

looking around the forums it would seems to me that the consensus is getting the STX while getting an stereo headphones and not the A40 as it only has a 50 ohm. a good Senhieser or better would compliment the card better. and thus the search for stereo heaphones and a separate mic begins.

I played around more on the Harmon Soundsticks it would seem that the only way for me to do it is to have it be connected to my iphone via bluetooth and scroll though my music that way. keeping it a separate source for audio as my computer manages the game audio in my headphones. the Harmon bluetooth did have problems that came up, it cant seem to keep up the streaming audio from pandora and drops the signal after 2-3 songs.
 
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ssddx

ssddx

Titan
May 27, 2009
17,054
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74,965
i'm not saying the stx is a bad card. all i am saying is that the average user does not need such a card.

take a look at the audiotechnica ath-m50. not a perfect set of headphones but definitely damn good for the price. i use them myself. they are rated at only 30ohm too so you do not need an amp for taking them on the go with your iphone, ipod or laptop! this means you dont need an STX to drive them.

sounds like you are on the right path with 2 sources. if i remember correctly the post i mentioned suggested two sources and two soundcards or something similar. sounds like it would be a pain though.
 
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