PC Gaffers, do you play PC games with headphones or 2.1/5.1/7.1 speakers?
- Thread starter Mr Swine
- Start date
ebullientprism
Member
I rotate between 2.1 speakers for most games and headphones when I am playing an FPS online.
I like to privatise the audio rather than use speakers, especially since I'm sitting so close to the screen.
AD700.
Hey, we have the exact same headphones!
And I only use headphones for PC gaming. Hell, I wish I could use headphones for my consoles. It is far easier to get into the atmosphere of a game, and to actually enjoy the OST.
Jawmuncher
Member
I use 5.1 speakers.
Unless my friends want to chat in which case I use this cheap headset to talk and use the hdmi from the TV for game.
Unless my friends want to chat in which case I use this cheap headset to talk and use the hdmi from the TV for game.
someguyinahat
Member
I used to use 2.1, but switched to headphones and haven't looked back.
toastyToast
Member
2.0
Also have a pair of Audio Technica AD900s for when it gets late
Sound card is an Asus Xonar Essence ST
Also have a pair of Audio Technica AD900s for when it gets late
Sound card is an Asus Xonar Essence ST
SolidsnackooFoxhound
Banned
Senheiser hd 555's.
I use HDMI from my videocard to my Onkyo receiver. I set it to 5.1 24bit/192khz and run it to 4 Polk Monitor 60 tower speakers with a matching CS1 as my center plus my sub. Games sound phenomenal, especially when cranked to a good level. I've been a little dissapointed by how few of my games supported 7.1. Even Source games which have the option just come out of sbl and sbr instead of sl and sr. Crysis is the only series making me pine for 2 more speakers. A lot of talk about the graphics but not nearly enough on the series' amazing sound.
csquared587
Member
I game on a PC I originally built for music making.
I have two yamaha hs50m and the Yamaha hs10w 10" sub. It sounds really great, Its hard for me to play games without that sub now.
I have two yamaha hs50m and the Yamaha hs10w 10" sub. It sounds really great, Its hard for me to play games without that sub now.
TaroYamada
Member
I have some superlux headphones I grabbed due to the positive response on head-fi. I often use those but sometimes I just use my old gateway speakers.
Felix Lighter
Member
7.1 Onkyo receiver when on TV.
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 or Audio Technica ATH-AD700 at my desk on my monitor.
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 or Audio Technica ATH-AD700 at my desk on my monitor.
The Hermit
Member
regular speaker now, but next week this bad boy arrives!
Burgess_101
Member
I inherited my Dads old Hifi set up
A Technics SU-610
Mission 760i Speakers
Sounds absolutely wonderful.
A Technics SU-610
Mission 760i Speakers
Sounds absolutely wonderful.
Creative 7.1 PCI Sound Blaster X-Fi soundcard (still using a relatively old PC) with ATH-AD700; sometimes the Apple earbuds when I don't want anything on my head.
I can't use speakers because I: 1) have no room for quality speakers and 2) don't want to wake up or bother my parents and tenants while gaming.
I can't use speakers because I: 1) have no room for quality speakers and 2) don't want to wake up or bother my parents and tenants while gaming.
Headphones, I didn't even bring my speakers when I moved into my apartment. Kind of regret it actually, might have to grab them next time I'm at my parent's.
My headphones are a pair of Grado 60is, which I think are quite fantastic for the price. Better for music but also good for games
My headphones are a pair of Grado 60is, which I think are quite fantastic for the price. Better for music but also good for games
dreamstation
Member
Headphones when using voice chat or I need to keep the volume down for whatever reason. 2.1 speakers for everything else.
I inherited my Dads old Hifi set up
A Technics SU-610
Mission 760i Speakers
Sounds absolutely wonderful.
I have a 3.1 setup in my room. It consists of 2 150W Sanyo towers from the 80s (these things are very well made and pack a punch) and a serviceable DiVinci center speaker. All connected to the ok (want to upgrade in the future) Sony STR-DH500.
The sound is absolutely phenomenal on games with great spacial sound, namely Dead Space 2 and Borderlands 2 (so good.gif).
I have one of these:
running into a pair of these:
So, 2.0. But you don't really need a sub in this situation.
edit: and a set of Sennheiser HD25's for late nights.
Audio monitors don't really sound right for gaming though, lots of the sounds can be pretty grating
Irobot82
Member
Whoop!! I do to! I love these.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Nope. I owned every can in that line. D1100, A100, D2000, D5000, D7000.
The 7000 had much better mids and highs, along with less low-end bloat than the D5000's, and they simply did everything better than the D2000's. There's no question about it.
Oh, and never were they $500-$600. The D5000s were in that range, though, and worthwhile for that price, IMO.
shit cans. I sent them back so fast Valve's head spun. Actually, they were the Commanders, which I guess are the upgraded versions of the 780's with "better sound". A fucking audio travesty is what they were, and an insult to music generally.
I'd strongly recommend anyone looking for a "headset" instead purchase a set of cans in the price range you're looking for (visit the GAF headphone thread and peruse the OP for recommendations in your price range) and add on a ModMic. You'll actually have headphones worth a damn to go with a good mic. Leave the Gamecom shit on the shelf. They are truly terrible, uncomfortable equipment (though the mics are good).
why is that? audio monitors are designed to give the flattest and most accurate representation of the sounds and component frequencies, not necessarily the best sounding version. sound effects that were meant to be played on lesser equipment will not sound good.
ShockingAlberto
Member
I use 5.1 speakers, personally.
I notice directional sound in very few games, though.
I notice directional sound in very few games, though.
ScepticMatt
Member
Oh man this looks great. I'd love to get rid of my damn desktop mic.
Dreams-Visions
Member
fucking do it. I just found out about them via GAF a few weeks ago and got my order last week. exactly what I needed.
For gaming only (I don't listen to music for extended sessions via my PC):
Sennheiser HD600
via an Asus Xonar STX with Dolby Headphone enabled for modern games
and for retro gaming: a Roland Sound Canvas SC-55mkii
with a Roland CM-64. This is a combination of the CM-32L with the sample-based CM-32P. The CM-64 runs games like Ultima Underworld with all the additional sound effects in place unlike a bog standard MT-32.
Sennheiser HD600
via an Asus Xonar STX with Dolby Headphone enabled for modern games
and for retro gaming: a Roland Sound Canvas SC-55mkii
with a Roland CM-64. This is a combination of the CM-32L with the sample-based CM-32P. The CM-64 runs games like Ultima Underworld with all the additional sound effects in place unlike a bog standard MT-32.
What?
I'm actually proud of GAF today. Mostly good audio choices in here, with some occasional bad headsets thrown in.
regular speaker now, but next week this bad boy arrives!
Those are pretty pricey.
I've never heard much about Vmodas in terms of PC audiophile or gaming set ups. I hope they turn out ok.
SmashN'Grab
Member
I've got a Logitech Z2300 set-up. So, 2.1 I guess. Using my motherboard's built-in soundcard. And a pair of Sennheiser HD485 headphones for late at night. Overall it's not too fancy. And it's getting on a bit now. But it works just fine.
PoweredBySoy
Banned
lol. Speakers....
HT Omega Halo Claro soundcard
Ultrasone HFI-780 headphones
4 lyfe
HT Omega Halo Claro soundcard
Ultrasone HFI-780 headphones
4 lyfe
TheContact
Member
2.1 most of the time and headphones on some occasions. I wish I had a better sounds setup
Gaming peripheral companies have sizable marketing budgets. Although, to be fair, a lot of people like the idea of an integrated mic + headphone combo, and other than Senns, there aren't too many options that aren't bling plasticky "gamer" headphones. Some euro company showed a line of Beyer-based headsets a while back, not sure if they're for sale yet or not.