Audio Setup Upgrade Suggestions?

[Alek]

Hey folks,

I'm not an audiophile, I don't know a lot about this stuff really. I only use ratings as guides and I know which sound I prefer when I listen to one after another, but I find it hard to know ahead of time, based on specs of the hardware, and things like that.

In any case, I was hoping someone might guide me on how to improve my audio setup. I can't really describe what's wrong with it, but I would poorly summarise the issues as follows...

• The surroundsoundness of it all seems a bit crap. It just doesn't ever sound like the audio has any depth to it.
• Sometimes the sound sounds a bit... flat, like things don't stand out? They're not that discrete. I don't know if that makes any sense.

On the whole, the audio setup really doesn't wow me. It doesn't feel like I'm there in the moment.

These are the headphones I'm using (Arctis Pro)

This is the DAC (Astro A40 TR Mixamp)

I use this mixamp because this is what I was using with my hyper x clouds. I don't own the steelseries gamedac, though I doubt it would be doing much differently?

and this is the typical EQ profile I'm running for shooting games and the like.

I modified this from the default settings based on some recommendations online. But whatever I do regarding EQ it always seems to have the issues mentioned above.

This is connected into my PS4 via optical and USB, with Dolby DTS enabled (I think that's the one, iirc).

Am I doing anything wrong here? Is there a decent upgrade I should shoot for? Would I get a better experience out of the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless headphones for the PS5?

 

[dralla]

I can't speak to those specific headphones because I've never used them, but from what you're saying it sounds like they have a poor sound stage, which makes them sound "flat" and not have any depth to them. This is one of the drawbacks of closed-back headphones. If you're looking for a wider sound stage, you'd wanna look at open-back headphones. The drawbacks to open-back is that they leak sound and they often lack the bass of closed-back headphones. Do you have a price range?

 

[Alek]

I can't speak to those specific headphones because I've never used them, but from what you're saying it sounds like they have a poor sound stage, which makes them sound "flat" and not have any depth to them. This is one of the drawbacks of closed-back headphones. If you're looking for a wider sound stage, you'd wanna look at open-back headphones. The drawbacks to open-back is that they leak sound and they often lack the bass of closed-back headphones. Do you have a price range?

Click to shrink...

Huh that makes sense. Thanks for the reply.

I could spend £200 I suppose. I was thinking about something like this

High Fidelity Open Back Gaming Headset: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments

High Fidelity Open Back Gaming Headset: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments

www.amazon.co.uk

But I don't really know much about them. They look like they're open back so that might give me more of the experience I'm after I suppose?

 

[dralla]

I'd avoid any gaming branded headsets and stick to high quality headphones. You can add a mic to them, like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/V-MODA-Boo...e=16-2083&replacementKeywords=fidelio&sr=8-11, if you want to use them as a headset.

You can attach it to something like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SHP9500-00-Headphone/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=fidelio+x2&qid=1605226229&quartzVehicle=16-2083&replacementKeywords=fidelio&sr=8-6&th=1 and have a great set up that won't break the bank.

If you wanted to spend a little more, the X2's are incredible at their price (X3 recently came out so they're discounted). They're known for their excellent sound stage and punchy bass https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-X2...le=16-2083&replacementKeywords=fidelio&sr=8-1

There's an headphones OT where you'll get a lot more opinions. Wouldn't be a bad idea to check it out.

 

[Alek]

I'd avoid any gaming branded headsets and stick to high quality headphones. You can add a mic to them, like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/V-MODA-Boo...e=16-2083&replacementKeywords=fidelio&sr=8-11, if you want to use them as a headset.

You can attach it to something like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SHP9500-00-Headphone/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=fidelio+x2&qid=1605226229&quartzVehicle=16-2083&replacementKeywords=fidelio&sr=8-6&th=1 and have a great set up that won't break the bank.

If you wanted to spend a little more, the X2's are incredible at their price (X3 recently came out so they're discounted). They're known for their excellent sound stage and punchy bass https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-X2...le=16-2083&replacementKeywords=fidelio&sr=8-1

There's an headphones OT where you'll get a lot more opinions. Wouldn't be a bad idea to check it out.

Click to shrink...

Cheers, that actually looks really good, especially the second pair. I checked some reviews and they seem like a really good option especially if I'm disappointed in the soundstage of my current setup.

I'll check out the OT, I just found it.