Another Headphones VS. speakers question

What would give me better sound quality and bass (with my g1s laptop). Sennheiser PX100 or the 2.1 logitech z2300's.

 

the z2300 no doubt if you are comparing just those two

 

By the way I will be living in a single dorm. So really the question now is if it possible to game with z2300 speakers on reasonable volume/bass without disturbing dorm neighbors, or should i stick with the px100 headphones??? Someone who owns logitech z2300's who can help me with this decision?

 

For singles it should be fine though it depends on how loud and how thick the walls. I have a set of Logitech X530 5.1 (for gaming) and Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 (for music) and when I go next door I can hear my own speakers sometimes through the walls even at medium to low volume. Best bet is a good set of headphones. I suggest closed cans for sound isolation. I used Sennheiser HD555 and then got a AudioTechnica ATH-A900. The A900 is much better in dorms for peaceful music etc. If you game mostly then open/closed dont matter as much.

 

The klipsch promedia ultras put most peoples home theather systems to shame dual 10" sub...

The small space of a dorm wont allow you much leeway with noise or space, you will probably become a fan of headphones or learn to play with your speakers turned way down (or atleast the bass)

Id invest in a good pair of headphones, less space to take up, no issues with noise, better sound stage and localization (good for fps games), and the SQ on headphones is much higher per cost then when compared to speakers.

My 160$ headphones sound as good as my 2000$ sterio system for isntance.

I prefer to use my sterio when I can because I like the chest crushing bass, but thats not always an option, and if I was playing competitivly I would use my headphones. You seriously get better localization out of a pair of headphones (esp when paired with the right card like and x-fi) than you get in a full blown 5.1 system.

 

what is the name of your headphones? and would you reccomend sennheiser hd-555>?

 

I use the Audio Technica A700's the Sen 555's are pretty popular I cant say I have heard them myself but there are plenty of recomendations behind them

I just worry sotimes when you have a super mainstream product like sen that somtimes a false image is given to a product. Its so popular that everybody says or thinks its good, if a site reviews it there are kinda "forced" to say good things about it because going against the tides causes them more harm then good. So I give less credit to a review on a mainstream product like that.

More or less I dont think that means its a bad product, but rather its given more credit than what its worth, or just isnt as good possibly as a more obscure product like the Audio Tehcnicas wich are only a big name in japan or on certian audiophile forums.

American media leads everything... they tell you what you like, whats good, and what to buy. So always try to read between the lines.

 

during my college years, I became infatuated with headphones. in terms of audio, a good pair of headphones will beat speakers in MOST cases. i like the models from grado, bayerdynamic and if you listen to a lot of hip hop, i would go with a set of sony's or technics.

 

I was in the same situation like yourself. What I did was I got myself an audigy zs pcmcia and a TBAAM. Left the speakers for a pair of Senn HD485. It sounded find for a while then I got UPGRADITIS which prompted me to invest in the Senn HD595. WOW, was all I got to say. Now I don't bother my neighbors and girlfriend with my gaming and loud music. People often say I hack, yeah I do with my Senn HD-595. My recommendations to you would be to spend money on a sound card and get the great Jack of all Trades headphones, Senn HD-595. You won't regret it. For games, music, movies and anything that has sound imaging involve the Senn HD-595 will make your day.

 

I 100% agree with you in terms of getting kick A$$ headphones, but instead of spending money on an external sound card, i would spend it on a headphone amp instead. most integrated solutions are ample for quality music playback.

 

After reading all your suggestions, i'm leaning towards getting the open-backed Sennheiser HD555's. I'm still undecided on the whole headphone amp issue. All the reviews I read indicate bass response is deep and powerful, so i'm not sure if i need extra power.

 

try out the cans without an amp first. also just wanted to let you know that if you get open ear cans, everyone around you will hear what you're listening to as well.

Most people that are really into audiophilla end up buying a headphone amp though, no matter how good their source is.

 

The HD555 is a good choice but remember 1 thing. If you are going to use some quality headphones and the integrated sound card, don't. It will sound like CRAP.
At least get an external sound card like the TBAAM, emu 0202, or emu 0404 the difference will be day and night. Whatever you do, do not, I repeat do not use the integrated sound card on the laptop with a pair of HD555. You will ask yourself, wtf, I spent $100 on these headphones and I can't tell the difference.

 

I have the HD555s and it depends on what integrated sound card you have, you just have to try it to see if YOU can tell if it sounds like crap.

For example, in my desktop the integrated sound is ok, I upgraded to an XFI which is great. My one laptop is not very good and yet the other I have sounds really good both with just integrated sound. and I am not deaf either, I use my HD555s with a high end Yamaha Stereo Receiver with a separate dedicated equilizer that sounds the ultimate still over anything in a PC

The only thing with the HD555s is that since they are open ear cans you get a lot of noise leak and not much isolation which means others sorta hear what you are listening too and you hear others. It is not really bad leak though so there person does need to be pretty close to here what you are listening too.

If you need more bass as well, try looking up the buttkicker gamer. They can be found for pretty cheap (sub $100) and are awesome. It is a "shaker" that simulates bass by attaching to your chair. If set correctly it feels just like good strong bass and not like shaking at all.

 

Hi, I'm using the PX100, which I bought to use with my Ipod, and it's great icw my notebook (it has a Realtek HD 7.1 soundcard).
Excellent for music and gaming. (The PX 200 has more basspower and has closed earphones).

 

My future asus g1s laptop has a "Built-in Intel® High Definition Audio (Azalia ) compliant audio chip", and the headphone jack is a "S/PDIF". Is this still crappy integrated sound card. (I'm not really too knowledgeable about sound cards. ) Or would you still recommend an external card/ amp?