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[| Praxis |]

X2's with a Fiio headphone amp and Modmic attached.

 

[Jyrii]

I play on my TV, so I am using my home theater.

Amphion Helium3 speakers on front, my old Wharfedale Diamond 9 speakers in the middle and back. Some crappy Onkyo amplifier that I hate. No subwoofer as I lack space for it.

 

[Waikis]

Monitor:
Stax SR009 / Audeze Lcd 3 / Steelseries Wireless H

Projector:
Dynaudio Focus 160

 

[Kudo]

O2+ODAC & Fostex TH-X00, with plenty of other headphones as backup.
Next step I'm planning to get proper 2.0 speakers.

 

[Zojirushi]

I'm a living room PC gamer so I got a pair of stereo speakers hooked up to my AV receiver which is hooked up to my PC.

That way I keep the cable mess to a minimum.

 

[careless mango]

<snip>

 

[aravuus]

I've got a Yamaha HTR-2067 connected to my PC and TV, with two tower speakers, two regular small speakers and a random Koda subwoofer that I got for practically free from a friend some time back, they're pretty decent. The amp was a bit pricey maybe, but the upgrade in sound from some random 2.1 logitech speakers was amazing and def worth it.

I also have the Sennheiser HD598 headphones, which I usually only use when watching a movie or playing a game with a particularly good sound design. Don't really like using headphones for long periods of time.

 

[Resseh]

7.2.2 atomos setup

 

[Orlov]

Has anyone used Harman Kardon Aura?

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Seems like there's a few different distinct groups of PC gamers:

Desktop PC gamers who mainly use headphones
Desktop PC gamers who mainly use computer speakers
Comfy couch/living room PC gamers who mainly use their home theaters
Laptop PC gamers who might use any of the above 3 setups

 

[Chinbo37]

I have a living room set up for my gaming PC.

I run a D2X Asus sound card which acts as a DAC/decoding Dolby Digital or DTS. I run that to my receiver just using the Multi Chanel in with RCA connectors. Receiver acts just as a dummy amp (becuase it is old and doesnt have HDMI passthrough).


I run games and movies at 5.1. My living room speakers could be upgraded but generally the setup works well.

 

[BenedictBlakbrn]

Headphone Use: Sennheiser HD 558's plugged directly into my Gigabyte Z97x-Ud5h built-in rear amp.

Speaker Use: Creative Inspire 5300 5.1 speakers

 

[poodaddy]

I just use a pair of portable Boss speakers that I've literally had for about 6 years now. They sound great despite just being normal stereo speakers, they're reliable, they're crisp and clear with just enough bass and volume for my two bedroom apartment. I think they cost me around $400 when I got em so many years ago but they've served me well. My console sound set up is 5.1 Sony surround with a subwoofer and I honestly think my little Boss speakers sound every bit as good on my PC.

 

[Possumowner]

PC is hooked up to my Tv which has a Q Acoustics soundbar hooked up to it.

 

[Spyware]

I really dislike headphones because I just need to sing

I do use Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 for VR and Vita/PSP tho.

For my computer/desk console setup I have some old Edifier S730 or something. I have the console in the second HDMI port on the monitor and optical sound to the speakers so I just have to press two buttons to switch over to the currently connected console. They sound way worse since I upgraded to Win 10 and I can't figure out why. I would love to get new speakers but I dunno what to buy that would be as easy to connect to both PC and consoles.

My SO has M-Audio AV40 Mk2 for his computer and they sound really good.

 

[Pantaghana]

I have two large speakers (hand built by my dad) on my desktop connected to a 100W amp. The amp does generate some heat, which not a problem during winter, but I avoid using it during summer.

 

[panzone]

I'm using a Logitech G430 headphone.

After years of incredibly cheap headphones I was quite surprised how a slightly more decent headphone sounds.

 

[Sanctuary]

Currently just using an Essensce STX. Dolby Headphone for games and some movies. In 2017, I'll be getting one of these bad boys for all around home use:

http://www.smyth-research.com/index.html

Always wanted one of the originals, but I couldn't justify spending $4,000. The new one will be at least half the cost, while being a lot more modern.

Heaphone wise, I swap between Beyerdynamic DT880 Premium, Sennheiser HD 800 and MrSpeakers Alpha Dog. I normally just use the Beyers for everyday use though due to them sounding "good enough" (which is still really good), but they are extremely light, and comfortable.

I'm using headphones exclusively (HD 598), but damnit this thread is making me want to buy speakers

Just save up to get what I'm getting next year. You end up with the best of both worlds: speakers, with the isolation of headphones. FWIW, I have tried out the original Realiser A8, and aside from not feeling a subwoofer, it's wholly convincing. If you've ever tried out Dolby Headphone, I'd say that's maybe 65% convincing in terms of separation. The Realiser is closer to 95%+ and doesn't have the annoying reverb. The A16 should be even better.

My PC is permanently set up in the living room hooked up to my 55" HDTV.

Sound set up is a Sony 5.1 HDMI av receiver with four floor standing Mission speakers, one Tannoy centre speaker and sub. Cables run through the walls to the TV and to the rear speakers.

My setup is very similar to that (although my PC is on the right side). What are you using as a mouse though? I currently just have a mouse and keyboard off to the side on a table that I use to navigate with. The keyboard is mostly for pausing video and controlling audio though (I use headphones). If there's a better solution aside from using the DS4's touchpad, I'm all ears.

Edit: Holy shit at the love for the Sennheiser 598s in this thread.

 

[Mr_Appleby]

I feel like we have this thread every couple of years. In any case, I haven't changed my setup since 2006 - I use a pair of Dynaudio Bm6a powered reference monitors and for headphones either Sennheiser HD25's or AKG K240's depending on how I feel about bass vs comfort. Audio from an RME Fireface UC. The side benefits of audio production.

 

[Deleted member 59090]

Xonar Essence

Audioengine A2+

Sennheiser HD598

Upgrading from my old Audigy 2ZS and 5.1 creative speakers to my current setup was really eye/ear opening. Even Hearthstone sounds amazing now.

 

[Vaga]

O2 + ODAC
Sennheiser HD600s
Philips Fidelio X2s

How do the two compare? I expect less low end on HD600 but what about mids & highs? I own a pair of X2 and enjoy them a lot.

 

[SilentRage47]

Asus Xonar DX + Superlux HD681 EVO + Antlion ModMic

Yamaha YHT-1910 when I'm playing with a controller on my 50" TV.

I see a lot of people with the Sennheiser HD 598s, are they that good ?

 

[Rich!]

My setup is very similar to that (although my PC is on the right side). What are you using as a mouse though? I currently just have a mouse and keyboard off to the side on a table that I use to navigate with. The keyboard is mostly for pausing video and controlling audio though (I use headphones). If there's a better solution aside from using the DS4's touchpad, I'm all ears.

Edit: Holy shit at the love for the Sennheiser 598s in this thread.

I use this:

Nearly four years going strong. For gaming I use either a Wii U Pro controller or Xbone pad.

 

[Allshallperish]

I'm currently using a Corsair SP2500 as my main system.
I rock a pair of Sennheiser 598's for more quiet sessions.

 

[aravuus]

I see a lot of people with the Sennheiser HD 598s, are they that good ?

I'm hardly an expert on these things, but they're very comfortable and I think the sound quality is fantastic considering their price.

 

[Zexen]

A Xonar Phoebus

A Sennheiser PC 350 SE hooked on the Phoebus since 3 or 4 years for headset/microphone and I'm really pleased by it, my only complaint is that it gets hot under this during summer.

7.1 Eltax Shine for the speakers, but in black.

Connected to an Onkyo 636 that I can either put on 7.1 or 5.1.2 if the game and/or movie supports Atmos. Currently I want to replace it with a model that supports analog output, but damn, the prices are going so high if I want to keep all the functions this receiver has to offer.

 

[BrettHeazy]

Yamaha HS80's
Alesis 4ch USB Interface.

But this is for making music too

 

[Pagusas]

I use this:

Nearly four years going strong. For gaming I use either a Wii U Pro controller or Xbone pad.

same exact one, works fine *though its range can be suspect at times*

I'll be upgrading to this one once my new HTPC build is done:

 

[Dee Dah Dave]

I run everything through an old Panasonic 5.1 AV receiver (SA-HT17) and speakers that I have had for years. The PC is connected by analogue cabling but other stuff like consoles and TV I use optical.

It's a great old system and kicks out some nice sound and heavy bass. More than adequate for the size of the room it's in!

Edit - For people looking for a 'comfy couch' mouse option, a Trackball is a great option. They take a bit of getting used to, but work really well. Most games I just use an Xbox Elite controller though.

 

[Bl@de]

Desktop:
1. Speakers: Edifier Studio RT1280 connected to Fii-O E10k DAC
2. Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (250ohms) connected to Fii-O E10k DAC

HTPC (Netflix etc. + In-Home Streaming):
3. TV setup: Magnat 3.1 Monitor Supreme system (entry class for around 400&#8364; back then) connected (via Optical) to a Sony AV-Receiver from 1995^^

 

[Renekton]

Mine:
T40 II
ATH-M40
M200MKiii
PS Gold

Need a good dac and sub soon.

I use this:

I have it and the range is really short.

 

[nowarning]

Some old ass Logitech Z506 5.1 Speakers and an old ass Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series soundcard. Does the job for me, definitely had my moneys worth out of both of them, the soundcard must be coming up 10 years old but I use the line in and other stuff for recording some daft guitar parts.

I have a set of Corsair 2100 headphones, will probably get something a bit better this year, I only use the stereo sound anyway.

 

[datsunzep]

Xonar DGX with amp ---> Sennheiser 558s with modmic4 and an old set of altec lansing 2.1 system that actually work pretty well still

 

[dgco86]

Was/Is? a sony surrond system /w old TV, but after getting a 4k TV i had to connect to the TV directly (because if bandwidth, 4k, hdr, ect). No problem I thought, I just use digtal out/spdif from my tv to receiver. Turns out this do not work very vell with PC (PCM sound). Stuck at stereo

Sry, more a rant than actually contributing the thread, just a a cautionary tale, with all the HDR TV 4K stuff going around. Consoles are fine I think, as they are mostly Dobly Digital. (Wish PC/Nvidia had this setting)

Actually if you have a spare DisplayPort output you can use a passive adaptor to convert that to HDMI and hook it up to your receiver for audio. You'll have to enable your receiver as a secondary display though, but that's one way to hold you over until you change receivers.

 

[Spyware]

This thread made me look for replacements for my setup.
I hope I can borrow this thread for a question!

Thinking of this setup:
PC connected via HDMI to monitor port 1
Yamaha RX-V679 with a pair of Q Acoustics 2010i connected via HDMI to monitor port 2
Sound Blaster Z, connected via optical to receiver
PS4, PS3 and PSTV connected via HDMI to receiver

Is this possible and a good set of stuff?

Finding good stereo speakers for hooking up to a receiver is way harder than I thought. :S

 

[d00d3n]

Exclusively headphones for my PC (irrespective of if I am sitting at my desk or in front of the tv). A logitech Z-5500 for media center stuff and console games.

 

[Makoto-Yuki]

just standard stereo speakers into my motherboard. thought about getting a sound card but not sure it's worth the money. i have headphones but they are cheap. i was looking at getting audio technica ones..ath-50 i think they were called. i don't feel comfortable wearing headphones all the time.

 

[Mupod]

Fii0 E17/E09k DAC with one of two sets of headphones. I have Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros and an old pair of Sennheiser HD555s (with foam removal 'mod'). The Beyers are closed with extremely good bass, the Sennheisers are open and very clear. Despite being 8 years old and heavily used, the Senns still work great and are the most comfortable headphones I've ever used. They are ideal for gaming, but I have the Beyerdynamics hooked up right now because I'm playing WoW and I tend to listen to music when I'm doing something mindless.

I used to have a decent sound card but I got tired of Creative's bullshit and bad drivers when it started causing the nastiest hard locks I've ever seen. The DAC was one of the best purchases I ever made, I like having the volume knob at arm's length and it has an optical input for my consoles. I can also undock the E17 and use it for my 3DS, laptop etc.

 

[kiyomi]

FiiO E10 > Audio Technica ATHM50X's. Planning on getting some open back headphones down the line to utilise the E10 better.

I use a cheap 3.5mm mic that cost me $7 for a pack of 5. They sound shockingly good for the amount I paid.

Got a set of quad speakers that are really really old, but still sound good, if I ever need to rest my ears.

 

[purdobol]

PC -> E-Dac (Epiphany Acoustics version of ODAC) -> Yamaha A-960II -> Saba CE9596 (tower speakers). Used mainly for music, movies and couch gaming with pad.
For desk gaming I switch tower speakers for headphones. Otherwise the desk would have to be in the middle of the room. Don't know the brand of these headphones. They're some very old french headphones "casque stereophonique" (it's french right?). With mono/stereo switch, two potentiometers on either side for volume (lol), wooden plates with holes on the inside and 6.35mm jack connector (the old big one). The sound amazing though.

 

[Metroid]

I'm using some KRK Rokit 5's they sound a treat, and then at night time either my Sennheiser HD 25-1 II's or my Sony Gold headset.

This guy know what's good.

 

[Mupod]

FiiO E10 > Audio Technica ATHM50X's. Planning on getting some open back headphones down the line to utilise the E10 better.

I use a cheap 3.5mm mic that cost me $7 for a pack of 5. They sound shockingly good for the amount I paid.

Got a set of quad speakers that are really really old, but still sound good, if I ever need to rest my ears.

I bought 3 of those cheap Zalman clipon mics several years ago. I keep running over the cables with my chair and I'm down to the last one, but I've never had sound quality issues with them. People who blow hundreds on gaming headsets are nuts.

 

[s-bojan]

Uber Schiit Stack + Fidelio X2.

 

[Ensirius]

I'm using some KRK Rokit 5's they sound a treat, and then at night time either my Sennheiser HD 25-1 II's or my Sony Gold headset.

Dem speakers

I am using just the Hyper X Cloud 2
Super comfy, good sound, detachable microphone for when I'm not gaming.

EDIT: errors

 

[ZombieLPK]

Sennheiser HD650's running through a Fiio E10k, also have T40 Series II speakers but never really use them.

 

[mordecaii83]

Sound Blaster ZxR hooked up to Logitech Z906 speakers, and Audio Technica ATH-A900X headphones for when it's later at night.

 

[Pagusas]

This thread made me look for replacements for my setup.
I hope I can borrow this thread for a question!

Thinking of this setup:
PC connected via HDMI to monitor port 1
Yamaha RX-V679 with a pair of Q Acoustics 2010i connected via HDMI to monitor port 2
Sound Blaster Z, connected via optical to receiver
PS4, PS3 and PSTV connected via HDMI to receiver

Is this possible and a good set of stuff?

Finding good stereo speakers for hooking up to a receiver is way harder than I thought. :S

Yes its fine, but why are you bothering connecting the sound blaster z to the receiver? Just disable it, you wont be gaining anything as you'll be sending uncompressed audio to the reciever via HDMI, games that support 5.1/7.1 or more will send it to the receiver just fine. That only thing you gain by having your soundblaster connected is legacy support for old EAX and OpenAL stuff, nothing modern, and you lose uncompressed audio support for anything but stereo.

 

[Phinor]

Good headphones are the obvious choice for most people. I have decent headphones, Sennheiser HD 380 Pro, but I haven't used them in few years as I went back full time to good old Logitech Z-5500 speaker setup. In few weeks they have lasted me 11 years, one of the best purchases I've ever made. I dread the day they break because today there's nothing like these speakers available within reasonable price range.

For soundcard Creative X-Fi Titanium. I need digital audio in (to get console audio through my speakers while also keeping PC sound on) so that kind of excludes me from ever using motherboard audio.

 

[Ramune]

Headphones only. Currently use Philips Fidelio X2. Love them. Just using the onboard sound (Which is pretty good for gaming imo) on a Gigabyte GA-Z170MX-Gaming 5

For mic I use a Blue Snowball.

WOW! Outside of the sound card (X-Fi Titanium HD), this is exactly what I use. Looking into a Earforce DDS2 as I hear that helps with the directional sound of the X-Fi's CMSS-3D headphone surround sound. Maybe also looking into a Astro Pro Mix amp for connecting my consoles to the desktop as well!

Good headphones are the obvious choice for most people. I have decent headphones, Sennheiser HD 380 Pro, but I haven't used them in few years as I went back full time to good old Logitech Z-5500 speaker setup. In few weeks they have lasted me 11 years, one of the best purchases I've ever made. I dread the day they break because today there's nothing like these speakers available within reasonable price range.

For soundcard Creative X-Fi Titanium. I need digital audio in (to get console audio through my speakers while also keeping PC sound on) so that kind of excludes me from ever using motherboard audio.

How do you do this? I got this desktop from a co-worker so I haven't really had time to sit down and check out all it's features...I might not need the mixamp after all!

 

[qa_engineer]

LG Soundbar + subwoofer and a set Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1 cans