Sennheiser PC350 + 5.1 Sound Card vs 7.1 Sound Card

sketysh

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Apr 16, 2013
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I'm building a new computer this Summer and I want a decent sound set up.

I've been looking at the Asus Sound cards.

First, would the PC350 Headset require a sound card at all?
My motherboard is going to be a ASRock Z77 Extreme4.

Second, I don't think the PC350 is surround sound but I would like to keep my options open later by buying a 5.1 or 7.1 card. Would it still be compatible?

Let me know what card I should be going for both high and low prices to get the most out of this headset.

Thanks for your input! Much appreciated.
 

random stalker

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Feb 3, 2013
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1, nope, but you might need to get an headphone amp. also, the use of a onboard sound usually degrades your headphones to the level of any $30 use-in-time-of-need-only backup headphones.

2, yes, it will be. and some sound cards have a dedicated amplified headphone jack /which is a must for any 32+ ohm headphones/. and as far as 5.1/7.1 surround sound goes - some sound cards can can easily emulate 5.1 through any headphones...

as for the sound cards - this is a nice list of what to buy depending on your budget/needs>
http://www.overclock.net/t/1014902/ocns-most-recommended-audio-products#