sorry, i didn't have time to read word for word a six page thread about headphones, i merely skimmed through it. however, i didn't know that it had it's own integrated sound card. thanks for that little piece of information even though it made me look like an idiot. :lol: i have an autzentech x fi card. i guess i'll just ebay this bad boy and buy what you suggested. :grin:

That is a good sound card you have there. Don't rush, do a research before you buy your next headphones or a headset, as some people dislike how Sennheisers sound. Audio Technica ATH-AD700's might be your best bet if you can live with their purple color. :D

And there are other headphones as well. Be sure to read the link I posted in the first page here, and what others are recommending.

Being partially deaf, all I require is loud lol (actually, that's part o the reason for being partially deaf).

Are you all really getting an advantage out of these expensive headphones? I have eschewed headphones trying to preserve what hearing I have left but if it makes that much difference.....

Splitter

I am a perfectionist by nature (yeah, its PITA) and I can hear the difference. Some, or I could even say most people - can't. To get the most out of your headphones you need a proper gear to drive them - or in other words, an amplifier. Especially for those headphones that come with high impedance. Some sound cards like Xonas Essence ST / STX have a built in amp for those lacking one.

Also - most if not all audiophiles will tell you that high quality headphones are the easiest way to get the best sound. You could spend 10x more on the speakers and various amps to get the same result. ;)

Yup totally agree.
The clarity of the sound of a good headphone setup also keeps me from turning up the sound to identify softer sounds. (If that makes sense)

There's less clutter so you hear more.


@jRock, perhaps you could audition a verry good set of headphones to gauge the quality of your soundcard.
( Although that set me on my way upgrading and upgrading, ...and upgrading.)

Pics of TrackClip Pro on ATH AD700 headphones.
 

Hi all,

Just a couple of pics of how the TrackClip Pro fastens onto my new headphones. Thought you might be interested.

RedToo.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/RedToo/Front.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ee-quarter.jpg

So you're not considering the ATH-AD900's?

To be honest, I would not recommend using headphones if protecting your hearing is an issue. Especially when using them for gaming as there can be some really extreme variations in sound levels, ie. when gunfire and explosions start up. People dealing with those things in real-life can get their hearing damaged as part and parcel of being involved in that, but to do the same thing for what just adds up to entertainment's sake isn't worth it IMO.

If you can predict what the loudest noise you're going to hear is, and set the volume for that, even if it means missing out on some of the quieter sounds, then it shouldn't be a problem. But that's not always easy to do, even with music, let alone computer use, and it's easier to avoid those excessive noise levels using external speakers.

In terms of whether or not different quality headphones provide different listening experiences, yes they do. But once you reach a certain point of clarity in the sound, you start to get into the sort of differences that are akin to wine-tasting or colour-grading etc. At that point you're dealing with sensations that are subtle enough to be influenced by your own moods and feelings and impressions as much as anything that can be pinned down by numbers or words. I've only dabbled with that aspect of it a little bit, due to lack of time and money and other interests, but yeah, it's there.

Looks like it fits well. I see now what you mean about the colour too, they sure do play it down in their promo pictures. As I said, it wouldn't bother me personally, but I wouldn't hesitate to colour it in with a black marker pen either if it did.

Listening to rock music (the real stuff from the 70's and early 80's) through head phones is one of the things that damaged my hearing I am told :). Hanging out around prop planes without protection probably did not help either. "Can you turn that down?!" is my wife's favorite sentence...I think women have super sensitive hearing though ;).

I REALLY try to avoid headphones now. I lose a lot by playing with speakers I know and earphones sound infinitely better to me, but I really am cautious when it comes to further hearing loss.

BUT! If I could find ear phones that regulated loud sounds I would be heaven. Sort of bringing everything to a common level of amplification. I use electronic earphones at the range which go quiet on the gun shot but allow speech to be heard clearly (close to clearly for me). If I could find head phones that modulated loud sounds down to an appropriate level and still made normal sounds audible....well, I would be appreciative.

Splitter