Thread: PC 5.1 speakers and decent headphones?

For the headphones I highly recommend the Audio Technica ATH-M50. Sound better than 90% of headphones I've listened too and can be had for around $130 online from memory. They tear shreds off the Dr Dre rubbish at JB that sell for around $500. Headphones can be a personal taste thing though so good to have a listen before you buy if you can.

Tried some BOSE and Sennheisers a few years ago, but couldn't justify the high prices...... Well I could, but affording them was another story. The improvement in sound quality as you went up in price was amazing.

Ended up buying a set of Sony MDR-CD380. At the time they were $200. Seen them for about a third of that now.

Only drawback is theat they're open backed, which lets some ambient noise through.

The best headphones money can buy.

https://www.storedj.com.au/products/SEN-HD25

As for speakers... I have this hooked up to my sound card.



Can't get the hi-fi anymore, but the headphones... Wouldn't get anything else...

^^^^^ hahah that is so funny I spat my breakfast out. Thanks for the laugh s7000

Vlad, re headphones. Senn are good, especially their higher up range, but it hard to go past AKG. Specificaly the K712pro and K612pro. Buy them online (ebay) from the USA and save $$$

The older K601 was considered one of the best gaming headphones out there. ANd will blow alot of others away musically wise.

The newer K712/612 are improvements on their replacements.

The best or close to it prices in OZ are online at Addicted to audio, check there first to make sure its worth buying from overseas. The ATA guys are great and give excellent service.

here is a pair on ebay, the box has been opened but never used. Feedback is good with lots of sales. I would take the risk:

AKG K612 Pro Open Back Reference Studio Headphone Authorized AKG Dealer | eBay

As for 5.1, why at your pc? what will drive them? how far away from the PC will you have them???

you may be better with a DAC/AMP and some good stereo speakers

a decent set of speakers will be your biggest expense--
then the sound card, then the cans
Please dont tell me you are going to use "on board" sound---
(which is the equivalent badness of on board graphics)

there are a million headphones out there,,
some can trick you into thinking you have 5.1 speakers,, maybe a better option--


but I imagine you'll want one of these-- sigh,
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php'...e0a864357a414e

Just forgaming so I can get the surround sound that some of the new call of duty type games have... hear if anyone is sneaking up on you....

I had totally fogotten when building the PC that desktops dont have inbuilt speakers the way laptops do. Distance from PC - just the other size of a typical size study / bedroom.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

a decent set of speakers will be your biggest expense--
then the sound card, then the cans
Please dont tell me you are going to use "on board" sound---
(which is the equivalent badness of on board graphics)

there are a million headphones out there,,
some can trick you into thinking you have 5.1 speakers,, maybe a better option--


but I imagine you'll want one of these-- sigh,
Creative SBS A550 5.1 Speaker System [SBS-A550] - $65.00 : PC Case Gear

Sigh? What's wrong with them - in a real world not "in theory" way? Budget seems to fit the bill.

I will, for the moment at least, be using the on board sound. Yes. It is far less important to me at this stage than the graphics. I drive a Defender remember - I'm half deaf anyway....

Not sure if you are after 5.1 headphones, but if you are have a look at Zalmans.