Will a headphone amplifier help me?

[nmeseth]

I was looking into getting a headphone amplifier, would that improve my sound quality any? Or would that be a waste of $25-$50?

I was wondering, does the Sennheiser PC 350 have any support for surround sound gaming? Like virtual surround sound?

Would purchasing this http://tinyurl.com/2egbwoa help my audio performance? (or a similar product, please recommend)

http://tinyurl.com/2dkklkd
On-board Audio Sound Card Stats - http://tinyurl.com/35wajnt
Motherboard - MSI 790XT-G45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X 16GB 2600MHz ATX AMD Motherboard

http://tinyurl.com/28p6s62
Got a pair of Sennheiser PC 350 for $89.95, Seller said it was open box, and it was a legit business so I can always return them if they don't work. I thought this was a great find for only $90.

Going to use the Sennheiser for PS3+PC Gaming, as I use the same monitor for both. I do have a connector to make the headset work for the ps3, ordered it on amazon, compatible with 7.1 channel surround sound as well, it was only $6 or something.

 

[mosox]

Check with the forum audio section.

 

[nmeseth]

Will do.

 

[nmeseth]

Update: still need any update on this, posted this question on about 4-5 different forums and no one has commented...=/ kinda paranoid that I screwed myself...

 

[AMW1011]

I can help you, but I'm not sure as to what your asking.

First you ask if a headphone amplifier will increase sound quality. The answer depends on a lot. If the headphones are under powered, then a headphone amplifier will help them. Those PC350s aren't hard to push though. If you need an amplifier, I will recommend you one, but the one you posted is pretty piss poor.

Secondly, you asked if you screwed yourself by buying the PC350s. If they work at that price, then you got a good deal. They are not what I would have recommended, but they are a good headset.

As for returning them, let me ask you this. What are you looking for in a headset? Do you play a lot of FPS games, and want to hear every single footstep and know exactly where it was? Are you not that competitive and just want to enjoy the game sounds in a personal manner? Do you plan to listen to music or watch movies as well? If so what genres do you prefer?

 

[nmeseth]

I can help you, but I'm not sure as to what your asking.

First you ask if a headphone amplifier will increase sound quality. The answer depends on a lot. If the headphones are under powered, then a headphone amplifier will help them. Those PC350s aren't hard to push though. If you need an amplifier, I will recommend you one, but the one you posted is pretty piss poor.

Secondly, you asked if you screwed yourself by buying the PC350s. If they work at that price, then you got a good deal. They are not what I would have recommended, but they are a good headset.

As for returning them, let me ask you this. What are you looking for in a headset? Do you play a lot of FPS games, and want to hear every single footstep and know exactly where it was? Are you not that competitive and just want to enjoy the game sounds in a personal manner? Do you plan to listen to music or watch movies as well? If so what genres do you prefer?

I play a little bit of FPS, but I'm not terrible hardcore, but about a year ago I would've answered as being extremely hardcore. So I want to be able to hear footsteps and such. And I don't really watch movies on my computer, I have a 42" TV for that.

At the same time however, I really enjoy my music. My favorite genre's are rock music, metal music, Like Disturbed/Slipknot/Ozzy Osbourne. But I also like lighter rock such as Reliant K, and I also like Bob Dylan.

And I'm pretty happy with the price I got the sennheisers for, as I don't have any more money to spare. I'm mainly concerned about the sound card listed below. I'm pretty sure I downgraded my audio from my on-board sound.

http://tinyurl.com/2umbvdw
Turtle Beach Montego 7.1 DDL Sound Card
Got it off of amazon for $40, and figured if I couldn't use it one of my friends can.

 

[mosox]

Google "modding the Sennheiser 350".

 

[AMW1011]

Yeah that sound card is a slight revision of a card form '98. Its probably a good card for those with bad onboard audio. If you think your onboard sounds better, than it does, to you and that is all that matters. I would probably rate that sound card are a little bit above most onboard audio, though the onboard on the P55s is pretty damn good.

My advice is to try out those 350s, and if you are dissatisfied with the sound, come back here and I'll help you pick out something in that price range.

 

[nmeseth]

I actually purchased a pair of Audio Technica ATH-A700's and a clip on mic, and Im going to compare the two headsets, but I am guessing the audio technica set will be superior to the sennheiser pc 350.

The A700's were $110+15 for the mic, and the Sennheiser was $90. (Retails for $180)

But I've seen a lot of complaints and saying you have to open it up and mod it to make it sound like what its worth. A headset should already sound its best when you pay for it, I'm not about to do work to make it better.

Anyhow, if the people will accept a return of the Sennheisers if I open them, then I'll compare them, otherwise I'll probably roll with the Audio Technica.

 

[AMW1011]

Hah, the A700's are exactly what I recommend for gaming headphones.

 

[AMW1011]

Yessir, I did.