Headphone recomendations from fellow 17xr3 owners

I figured what better place to ask than a group of fellows that own the same laptop as me!

I am looking around for a set of decent headphones that utilize the optical out. Im thinking under 200 bucks, and somewhat sturdy. I am serving overseas at the moment, so they need to withstand a little abuse.

Through some quick browsing, ive looked at the turtle beach earforce dpx21's with the dss included to process the optical signal....but i guess thats not a very good way to utilize the optical output?

Ive also looked at the Tritton AX Pros which are kind of neat with the 8 drivers in the headset.

Im up for any suggestions for these or other brands for me to look at and suggest to santa (wifey) that I would like them for christmas

 

better place for this kind of question is nbr accessories section.
Btw going with optical connector will not make huge difference. Skullcandy aviator is really good.

 

I would recommend a Nuforce uDAC2 before headphones. Them make any headphones sound so much better. I got one and use Bose QC3 headphones and love the DAC.

 

The nuforce looks pretty pricey and I would still have the 10 dollar earbuds I have. Lol. (I googled it and looked at the first link on thier site, didnt really look into it much) Its just a digital processor like the DSS?

 

Yea, but it would even make $10 ear buds sound good. Here is a good review. Though $99 isn't too expensive compared to some headphones, but in this economy, $99 can do some damage. I bought the Bose QC3 for $350 about 4.5 years back, along with a spare battery for $50 and the prices still hasn't dropped at all That same setup I paid $400 +tax for would cost the same today. Wow, that even suprises me as I just now looked to see if the price has dropped.

 

Any optical sound device will be a waste on the M17 because the M17x R3 does NOT support Dolby Digital Live which is necessary for 5.1 channel audio over optical.

Read this thread where I have explained it before.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/620996-problems-5-1-sound.html

Specifically here... http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/620996-problems-5-1-sound.html#post8031401

and here.... http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/620996-problems-5-1-sound-2.html#post8031474

My recommendation is to skip the optical output altogether. For $200 you can get a uDAC-2 or FiiO E10 (which is what I have), and some serious stereo headphones like the ATH-AD700 (which I also have) or the HD555.

The gaming headsets you mentioned in the first post all require optical Dolby Digital to make 5.1 sound. The only way to get that with the M17 is buy a sound blaster X-Fi 1095.

 

so this....

Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Processor | Ear Force DSS | Turtle Beach

Wont fix that then?

 

It won't do what you want it to do, which is give you surround sound in your headset.

The DSS will work technically, but your optical output will only output stereo sound, so basically the device won't do what you want it to. It will turn stereo sound into "fake" surround sound. You can't accurately turn 2 channel source material into 5 channel sound, but can turn 5 channel sources into 2 speaker headphones (which is what the DSS does). Since your optical output can only output 2 channel, you are limited by it.

Another option is to get the virtual 5.1 USB headset like the Logitech G35. It is around $75 on sale and works great, I highly recommend it as an easy cost effective and simple solution.

I recommend doing more reading to decide what is best for you. Many people use USB 5.1 headsets like the G35. Others prefer high quality stereo headsets, and others prefer stereo headsets with USB DACs to further improve the audio.

There is no perfect solution on a laptop, no matter what you will make a compromise.

UPDATE:

Looks like there is a new sound card called the Asus Xonar U3. See here, http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_U3/#overview

It would enable you to use a DSS but then you would have 2 devices, and the Xonar does the same thing as a DSS anyway, so if you want a DSS type experience, with stereo headphones, then the U3 may be a good choice.

 

Well thats a bummer, whats the point of the optical output then. Lol

(Ive actually hooked it into my reciever system at home and for the first time heard amazing sound through my 5.1 setup. So it has a use....just not the one I want!!)

 

You got it, the only thing the optical output is good for is DVDs and 5.1 audio (by connecting to a receiver in your home theater). You see the optical can output Dolby Digital or stereo PCM only. The problem is games DO NOT output Dolby Digital, they output 5.1 PCM (and the optical can only output stereo PCM). So you need software like Dolby Digital Live to turn the 5.1 PCM into the 5.1 Dolby Digital. Unfortunately no such software exists for the M17 without an external soundcard such as the SB1095 or Xonar U3.

I just bought a U3, I want to try it out.

 

I use a pair of HD595s with my desktop myself, and I find them excellent. They're probably out of your $200 budget (unless you can find them second-hand), but the 555s are almost as good.

Good stereo is far better than cheap surround when it comes to headphones.

 

I have 555's and the sound is fabulous.

To the OP, due to the average sound card in the alienware, its best to get a USB headset to by pass it or get an external USB soundcard. USB headsets come with built in sound cards and it leads to much better sound.

For example, the SB Tactic 3D alpha comes with a built in X-FI sound card which i recommend as the best 3d gaming headset in its price range

 

+1 for the HD555s - they're great, but keep in mind that they're open (others can very easily hear what you're listening to in close quarters), and, by the same token, non-noise cancelling.

I use an external USB Creative Soundblaster ( Here) with my R2, which I have connected via Optical to an Onkyo receiver, which has a 1/4" TRS connector for headphones. Everything (Soundblaster, Optical Cable, Reciever) is THX-Certified and sounds awesome. Even without surround sound though, using the 3.5mm connection on the Soundblaster is leaps and bounds above the built-in audio.

 

I like the Turtle Beach offerings. I have the X41 wireless with 5.1 dolby sim and they work great. I wanted a wired solution also and scooped up the Earforce DSS on sale at Amazon for $50 and the Z2 headset from buy.com on sale for $35. They are well worth it at that price. I still want to try the Astro A40 setup but at that price I think I'll stick with my Turtle Beach stuff. I also grabbed an Alienware headset from eBay and it is terrible in comparison. The Alienware is the most comfortable but sounds like tin cans. The Lenovo p950s are cool for $10 but do not compare to the Turtle Beach either.

 

You have to post up what you think of the U3 later - Dying to hear.

I was looking at getting the NuForce but got my interest piqued quite a bit when I read about the U3 just now.

 

I am also curious about the U3. I have FiiO E10 now, and it has been reviewed as equal to or better than the NuForce uDac-2. I can tell the difference between the E10 and the M17 stock audio, but it is by no means an earth shattering difference. It is better, but maybe not $80 better. I am hoping the U3 will be in between the two and I really want Dolby Headphone, I am one of the few people who like virtual surround, as long as it is Dolby Headphone (it sounds great on the G35).

 

I'm with yah - nothing better in something like Arma 2 than knowing where the hell the bad guy is in relation to me (not to mention your teammates).

When are you getting it? Can't wait to hear your view.

 

If am lucky I may be able to update on Friday or Sunday.

 

If you're on a budget, I've been using these for about a year and really like them.

Gamecom Open-ear Gaming Headphones

They are not the fanciest, nor are they German built or anything like that, but the sound quality is great! Especially for the price. They are quite comfortable too.

 

Hmm, so if you could use a driver like the optional one available through turtle beach Here, (albeit modded someway somehow for our optical out) then it would be something to think about?

So many choices though, thanks for all the responses, I have a lot of looking to do before deciding on something. I guess the optical is out for now.

 

One more for your list...

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80ohm, great sound, tight bass, comfy ear pads, nuff said

 

NICE! i just checked those out at Amazon. And right in time for Christmas

That plus a FiiO E5 Headphone Amp and I'm done.

 

I've seen the Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Omega from Creative Labs. 200 from Amazon. That was really nice. Am thinking getting on of them.

On newegg, it's 199.99 plus shipping and tax...

Did find it at my local futureshop for 169 CAD... Searched online, it is always 200 ish with some exceptions at a little bit over 170 plus shipping and tax. Mighty Canada... Donno how they managed to keep the price at that level...

Any suggestions on this one? Good enough for a USB headset? Does anyone know any place selling it at a cheaper price?

 

I have the corded version of that headset, so i can recommend it. Very good sound when you go through USB...however, even at $169 that's really expensive for that

Bought the corded version at CanadaComputers on sale for around $45 tax in
Its the SB Tactic 3d alpha (non omega)

 

Do you know if it's stereo or surround sound? I c it's THX certified. Not sure if 3D means surround sound. If it is, is it 5.1 or 7.1? Or just 2.1?

I really need the wireless at home. That's why I'm looking at the omega. Not decided yet though.

 

Its surround. Sound Blaster has its proprietary CMSS 3d surround. It works wonderful in games. It is 360 degree simulated spatial sound that makes me turn my head and look behind me sometimes because i think that someone entered the room in real life lol .... not sure if you can equate that to 5.1, 7.1 etc. It really puts you in the action, gives you that immersive experience in games, movies etc

 

Thanks man. I've made my mind then. I would love that quality over 5.1 or 7.1. To me that's even better.

 

I like my Sony MDR-V6 headphones. There is a reason why they are still around since the 80's

 

Alright I will just go with my recommendations, I own a UDAC2, Audio Technica AD700's, Turtle beach HPA2's, and Creative sound blaster surround X-FI pro 5.1.

Best combo for gaming and movies would be the TB's + the SB X-FI.

Best for music AD-700's and uDAC2.


The integrated audio on the Alienwares is garbage. You will need an external DAC like he uDAC2 or the SB X-FI which is also an external sound card.

The Turtle Beach HPA2's is one of the best headsets I have ever used, I can hear choppers lifting off in the enemy base, and I can tell the directions of people without hesitation. Once this is coupled with the SB card of course.


That Soundblaster external sound card has a lot of compatibility and comes with a suite of software that can even up sample from stereo to 5.1 surround.

The sound is excellent, but the bass can be a little boomy at times on the HPA2's.

The HPA2's/HPX are true 5.1 surround sound they have 4 drivers per ear cup for each seperate channel. A dedicated sub, Center, Front, and Rear driver in each ear cup.

 

lol so are the Koss Porta Pros! The best sounding headphones under 50 bucks!

 

I have had the Asus Xonar U3 for a few months (on my R2 with AT AD700s). I really love it. The sound quality is a big step up from onboard (although will likely be a step down from the NuForce). Dolby Headphone works great. Zero driver problems. Aside from performance in games, it is also terrific for VOIP. Lots of people have remarked on how great I sound in Skype calls.

I used to have the Creative X-Fi Go! Pro. Complete piece of garbage. It didn't work well, caused the computer to crash a lot, and the CMSS was (for me) much less effective than Dolby Headphone. Even after I uninstalled it the computer remained unstable because of some virus-like software crapware it left behind.

 

Well, wifey told me to get what I want, so I picked up an X-fi 5.1 Pro, and a pair of turtle beach Z6a's

 

looks like a fabulous combo!

I was looking at those Z6a's myself

 

Here it is, my Xonar U3 USB soundcard review....

http://forum.notebookreview.com/acc...-compared-fiio-e10-m17-stock.html#post8186194

 

Good choice! You will enjoy them I am sure.

@ValkerieFire Awesome review!

 

I own the M14x, but I think it would sound the same as M17x unless it has a different sound card, I own a budget Turtle Beach Z1, not a top of the line but good enough for those looking for a good Gaming Headset. Oh btw I bought it for just 10 buck brand new from Amazon.