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[Shockwave_Fox]

Hey guys

So I have been slowly going down the audiophile black hole starting with getting some Philips X2HR headphones and plugging them into my Dualsense and Xbox controller.

Ive been reading that plugging into the controller isn't the best way to get the "best" sound.
Is there any difference or benefits to plugging the headphones directly into my console though over the controller (I've got an AUX to USB-C adapter)?

I was also looking into a DAC - specifically the Soundblaster G6 - but the setup seems all over the show in regards to what to do and the results from it. Plus I only have a Macbook so wont be able to do any EQ or profile set ups or anything on it (I could do a virtual machine though to be fair).
Is a DAC worth it for improvements to the sound or just overkill?

 

[vaibhavpisal]

You can improve the sound a lot. But I wouldn't recommend the steps needed.

Especially on Xbox.

On PS5 it would be simpler cause of usb audio out, xbox only supports e arc.

 

[Mr Moose]

Philips X2HR are great. I use them on my PC (into a Behringer UMC202HD and EQ'd) and plugged into PS5 controller sometimes.
Only one way to find out. Buy from Amazon, if you don't notice a big improvement, send it back.
Going to see if my DAC works on my PS5.

 

[Shockwave_Fox]

Philips X2HR are great. I use them on my PC (into a Behringer UMC202HD and EQ'd) and plugged into PS5 controller sometimes.
Only one way to find out. Buy from Amazon, if you don't notice a big improvement, send it back.
Going to see if my DAC works on my PS5.

I had ordered a Soundblaster G6 but cancelled it due to the software bit - wanted to try the EQ settings from Oratory on it for my X2HRs.

Any luck with your DAC on PS5?

 

[TrebleShot]

You can go down this black hole for sure and I would recommend ignoring all the expensive headphones and go for IEMs they will be far more impressive and will run off the dualsense perfectly.

I just got the Sennheiser IE200 (£100) and they blow my Sennheiser HD600S2 (£400) out of the water. Dont need an amp and have the presence and imaging none of my headphones have.

Throughout all of my journeys looking for the best audio, the game engine and sound design make the biggest difference.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Hey guys

So I have been slowly going down the audiophile black hole starting with getting some Philips X2HR headphones and plugging them into my Dualsense and Xbox controller.

Ive been reading that plugging into the controller isn't the best way to get the "best" sound.
Is there any difference or benefits to plugging the headphones directly into my console though over the controller (I've got an AUX to USB-C adapter)?

I was also looking into a DAC - specifically the Soundblaster G6 - but the setup seems all over the show in regards to what to do and the results from it. Plus I only have a Macbook so wont be able to do any EQ or profile set ups or anything on it (I could do a virtual machine though to be fair).
Is a DAC worth it for improvements to the sound or just overkill?

Just ignore it, it's kinda pointless to do all of that unless you plan to have a proper audio setup with e.g. CD player / amplifier and wired headphones. It's pointless to plug something into the controller if as I understand the sound is still send wirelessly from the console to the controller, no serious audiophile will accept this convenience vs. audio quality tradeoff.

Point is the death of dedicated sound cards in the late 90s showed that gamers as a whole do not care.

 

[Hudo]

How do the Philips headphones compare to the BeyerDynamic DT 990 Pro? I currently have those.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

I had ordered a Soundblaster G6 but cancelled it due to the software bit - wanted to try the EQ settings from Oratory on it for my X2HRs.

Any luck with your DAC on PS5?

Hey again Fox !

Brother, I've using the GC7 with the PS5 for 1+ years and it's been wonderful - it's a very nice little piece of if kit.
The GC6 may sound a wee bit better BUT, isn't as customizable as the GC7 where you can adjust EVERYTHING via the (Android /iOS) phone app and save it as a preset.
The GC7 has :
- custom game profiles list provided by Creative.
- customizable EQ
- customizable game/voice chat level
- on the fly treble/bass adjustments via the console's knobs
- customizable function console buttons (presets/functions/button color)
- passthrough for optical cable
- customizable crossover frequency slider

Also, the amplification it provides is L O U D, I had it paired with the Cloud Alpha and I was very satisfied with the results.

I also tried it with the Fidelios X2HR with the same, good results.

Cheers

 

[Shockwave_Fox]

Throughout all of my journeys looking for the best audio, the game engine and sound design make the biggest difference.

This last point is really starting to hit me - I feel like last gen games had so much more "oomph" to them than games released recently for some reason.

 

[Shockwave_Fox]

Hey again Fox !

Brother, I've using the GC7 with the PS5 for 1+ years and it's been wonderful - it's a very nice little piece of if kit.
The GC6 may sound a wee bit better BUT, isn't as customizable as the GC7 where you can adjust EVERYTHING via the (Android /iOS) phone app and save it as a preset.
The GC7 has :
- custom game profiles list provided by Creative.
- customizable EQ
- customizable game/voice chat level
- on the fly treble/bass adjustments via the console's knobs
- customizable function console buttons (presets/functions/button color)
- passthrough for optical cable
- customizable crossover frequency slider

Also, the amplification it provides is L O U D, I had it paired with the Cloud Alpha and I was very satisfied with the results.

I also tried it with the Fidelios X2HR with the same, good results.

Cheers

Hey GC

I was loking at that and can get a decent price for a B-stock one direct from Creative.

How easy is it to set all this up - EQ and profiles etc?
And does it actually make much difference over plugging into the controller - thats what is unclear to me honestly.

I think what I want really is a way to EQ my headphones better to clear up the sometimes muddy Tempest sound.

I tried turning it off and going back to stereo but I really like the sound coming from around me rather than just into my left or right ear - it feels uncomfortable like that now and like its being "forced" into my ear drum!

 

[TrebleShot]

This last point is really starting to hit me - I feel like last gen games had so much more "oomph" to them than games released recently for some reason.

Yeah I have noticed this too, I think its the move to 3D audio, most people dont set their sound settings on the console/pc and the game itself to match and the auto modes are often wrong.

 

[Shockwave_Fox]

Yeah I have noticed this too, I think its the move to 3D audio, most people dont set their sound settings on the console/pc and the game itself to match and the auto modes are often wrong.

Its a lot of faff - especially on PS5.

Atmos on Series X is pretty much set and forget and sounds great everywhere.

Tempest is good but sounds muffled a lot - like in Metro Exodus - gunshots sound muffled on PS5 but crisp and clear on Series X with Atmos.

 

[TrebleShot]

Its a lot of faff - especially on PS5.

Atmos on Series X is pretty much set and forget and sounds great everywhere.

Tempest is good but sounds muffled a lot - like in Metro Exodus - gunshots sound muffled on PS5 but crisp and clear on Series X with Atmos.

Yeah sony didnt want to spend the licensing cost to get Atmos at launch, so developed Tempest which isnt widely supported outside of first party and some partners. So you get this strange upmix of 5.1 on alot of games.

They do support it now on speakers which is good but its not like it would be if it was from launch. Just another weird arse-backward thing sony have done. On PC its a toggle in the sound menu but you have to buy a one off license, not sure why Sony didnt do something like that.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

How do the Philips headphones compare to the BeyerDynamic DT 990 Pro? I currently have those.

The sound is still sent wirelessly with probably heavy compression.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Hey GC

I was loking at that and can get a decent price for a B-stock one direct from Creative.

How easy is it to set all this up - EQ and profiles etc?
And does it actually make much difference over plugging into the controller - thats what is unclear to me honestly.

I think what I want really is a way to EQ my headphones better to clear up the sometimes muddy Tempest sound.

I tried turning it off and going back to stereo but I really like the sound coming from around me rather than just into my left or right ear - it feels uncomfortable like that now and like its being "forced" into my ear drum!

Hey Fox

Man, the difference between having your headphones plugged into the joypad itself Vs the GC7 is...NIGHT AND DAY.
Max volume/amplification can get 10x louder (you can raise it until your eardrums start bleeding basically) and clarity is also better, and, come to think of it, the "muffled" sound due to Tempest wasn't as bad compared to having it enabled while using wireless headphones (if you remember, I started noticing it when I got my wireless headset).

UI is pretty intuitive (you can create your own custom profiles) and the EQ is slider based.
Trust me, you can customize this thing pretty well.

I know that there are many DACs/Amps out there (Schiit etc) but, I've been very happy with the GC7, can't really complain about it (got it for 90€ during an Amazon flash sale).

If you have the Fidelios X2HR, a DAC/amp like the GC7 is not only a plus but...needed, you'll really bring your headphones alive this way

 

[Hudo]

The sound is still sent wirelessly with probably heavy compression.

Ah, OK.

 

[Shockwave_Fox]

Hey Fox

Man, the difference between having your headphones plugged into the joypad itself Vs the GC7 is...NIGHT AND DAY.
Max volume/amplification can get 10x louder (you can raise it until your eardrums start bleeding basically) and clarity is also better, and, come to think of it, the "muffled" sound due to Tempest wasn't as bad compared to having it enabled while using wireless headphones (if you remember, I started noticing it when I got my wireless headset).

UI is pretty intuitive (you can create your own custom profiles) and the EQ is slider based.
Trust me, you can customize this thing pretty well.

I know that there are many DACs/Amps out there (Schiit etc) but, I've been very happy with the GC7, can't really complain about it (got it for 90€ during an Amazon flash sale).

If you have the Fidelios X2HR, a DAC/amp like the GC7 is not only a plus but...needed, you'll really bring your headphones alive this way

Hey GC

Nice, thanks for the write up!

I actually just bought a Fosi K5 Pro to try out as it was cheaper than the GC7 and G6 plus I got 15% off too - still interested in the Soundblaster stuff but struggling to justify buying one when its more expensive than my actual headphones!

Its coming tomorrow so will try it out and drop an update.

 

[Shockwave_Fox]

Found a Soundblaster G6 used like new for half the price of a new one so grabbed that too....comes Friday.

My missus is super excited for the sound testing comparisons coming along this week....