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Sennheiser HD 650 soundcard suggestions

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  • Sound Cards
  • Sennheiser
  • HD
  • Components
  • Product
Last response: in Components
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October 25, 2011 3:54:03 PM

Hi everyone I just bought a Sennheiser HD 650

Need to know what soundcard to get

I currently have an ASUS p8p67 pro motherboard with built in sound

Let me know the suggestions :) 

More about : sennheiser 650 soundcard suggestions

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October 25, 2011 5:07:01 PM

Well, first and formost, the HD 650 has a rated imedance of 300 Ohms. What that means to you, is without an amplifier, the headset will have a VERY low sound output. As a result, only 5 soundcards are even worth considering:

1: Auzentech Bravura
2: Creative Titanium HD
3: HT Omega Claro XT
4: ASUS Xonar Xense
5: ASUS Essence ST/STX

All these cards have an amp capable of driving that headset. Personally, the ASUS Essence ST/STX is probably the way to go for that headset. Especially since the cost of a soundcard is miniscule compared to the price of that headset. [MSRP: $650 O-0]
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October 26, 2011 1:35:50 AM

Which one of these are the cheapest to go for?
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October 26, 2011 11:48:36 AM

Probably the Bravura. I listed them in rough order of ascending quality, though the last four cards are very close.

The ST/STX however were designed with that type of headset in mind, so if you can afford one, thats probably the way to go.
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October 27, 2011 4:00:01 PM

So you would suggest basically anything under these 5 are pointless

What about the sound card on my ASUS motherboard. Will they differ at all?
How much better are these soundcards over my asus built on board
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October 27, 2011 4:17:10 PM

That headset will not work well without an amplifier, period. Thats the one [major] drawback of high impedance headphones: Without enough power, they simply will not be able to produce any meaningful volume. So unless you have an amp already hanging around, your only option is a soundcard with an amplifier capable of driving a 300 ohm headset.
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October 28, 2011 4:22:04 AM

Whats the difference in sound quality without it?

For now I have to wait till theirs a deal
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October 30, 2011 12:01:59 AM

Any cheaper ones that would work great still with this headset?
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October 30, 2011 12:55:57 AM

Gamerk316 any thoughts?

Jockey, hs1a is like a 60$ headset comparing to a 450$ headset

ones audiophile ones not

Not sure if thats whats supporting
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October 30, 2011 2:02:42 AM

I would highly recommend an E-MU 0204 external card for a stellar budget unit. Measures outstandingly well. I know as I own 650's and an 0204 . I use the 0204 as a pre-amp but it powers the cans on its own very well. :)  For an amp, I run a Project Sunrise hybrid tube amp, in which I was one of the designers :D  And yes, it is a bad arse amp!
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October 30, 2011 2:08:24 AM

any possibility I can hook up an amp to my PC?

Cause i have some amps my dad used to have that are useless to him now from his home theater
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October 30, 2011 2:08:44 AM

But how bad will the sound be compared to with a soundcard

with my asus motehr board?
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October 30, 2011 8:45:03 AM

The ASUS Xonar DG's amp is only capable of driving up to 150 Ohms, less then the spec for that headset. So I can't recommend if for your headset.

If you have an amp laying around, you can certainly use that in place of a soundcard.
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October 30, 2011 1:54:20 PM

Best answer selected by tennisplayer01.
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