PS4 optical -> DAC -> Headphones. It's how you get the best sound out of headphones. This will sound significantly better than the Dualshock 4.
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omg headphones coddamn
- Thread starter ResoRai
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PS4 optical -> DAC -> Headphones. It's how you get the best sound out of headphones. This will sound significantly better than the Dualshock 4.
Do I need the DAC and the amp or just one? I do have a Pro so it has an optical out.
rocksteady1983
Member
Dumb question incoming...Would there be a difference in sound quality in ear buds like say apples vs a $20-$30 pair when just plugging them in the PS4 controller, routing all audio through it? Right now using my iPhone earbuds it sounds pretty good but I'd be willing to spend a bit (not much) if it's drastically better. Would only want ear buds probably.
You need both a DAC and amp. Higher end setups usually have them as separate devices but there are a lot of combo units that are pretty good.
OdysseusVA
Banned
Just one. You can search for more by looking up "usb dac" or "desktop amp"
You don't need to spend that much. Look up Xiaomi Piston 3 on Tiny Deal (.com?). They are overseas and may take a week or two to arrive, but they're the best bang for buck pair I've ever owned at about $10.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2QLPJM/?tag=neogaf0e-20
This is a combo device, correct?
Also would I still be able to use this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/?tag=neogaf0e-20) if I used a DAC/amp? I think the combination of those would be a huge upgrade to my current setup.
So, are people praising headphones because they only have TV speakers and lack a decent surround sound system? Only asking because I have a pretty good Denon/Klipsch system. But I also have a pair of Sennheiser HD 6XX. I really only use them for music though. I have never tried to use them for anything gaming related.
OdysseusVA
Banned
You would likely need an extension cable for the game audio, but yes. The Boom Pro includes an adapter that splits the audio and voice. One goes to the DS4 and the other to the DAC/amp.
Flying Toaster
Member
I have a second pair of HD800's. Total overkill but I love them.
Hyper X Cloud is decent. I got the Pro version or whatever, the one for xbox one, to use with my PC. Plug it into my wireless Xbox One controller and off I go, sounds decent and is comfortable. I think they spent most the money in comfort, design, and quality. Which is sorta OK with me.
I assumed those "smaller" sounds (like aiming from left to right) were just sounds only I could here lmao. I was so wrong.
I learned this the hard way earlier. Appreciate the info.
Awesome. That sounds perfect for what I need. Will look into grabbing these soon.
arhra
Member
Overwatch on PC has support for Dolby Atmos, and the Creator's Update for Win10 added support for Dolby Atmos for Headphones which does a realtime HRTF encoding for fully 3d audio (not quite as good as full-on binaural recording, as Atmos only supports 16 fully dynamic audio channels, with the rest mixed down to a virtual 7.1.4.4 speaker bed). Only downside is that you need to pay $15 to unlock the functionality permanently (although Dolby at least let you try it for 30 days for free), and I think currently the option to pay is unavailable due to some issues with the rollout of the Xbox version of the app.
The Creator's Update also added Windows Sonic for Headphones, which is Microsoft's own HRTF solution (developed for HoloLens initially), which has similar capabilities and is free.
Even better, both of these are (or at least, will be shortly for Dolby, the app should be available on Xbox in a few days) available on Xbox as of the recent update, meaning any stereo headset will have full 3d audio support once games start using the new spatial audio APIs (and in the meantime, it offers virtual 7.1 surround support without the need for an external mixamp).
Sony have a headset that has 3d audio support too (the Platinum wireless headset), but unfortunately that uses a USB dongle for the HRTF encoding, so it only works for that one headset, rather than being a system-wide feature that can support any headset like the Xbox solutions (and game support is currently very limited - last I heard Uncharted 4 is the only game that supports it currently, although maybe the latest MLB game also has support?).
I would love to wear my Sennheiser HD598's more when I'm playing/watching something, but I move a lot so the cable can get annoying and they always start getting uncomfortable after a couple of hours. Would look into bluetooth headphones, but I'm not sure how I'd go about connecting them to the very basic Yamaha amp I have.
lucebuce12
Member
Headphones are just the best. Downside is I can't hear shit from the outside world of course so I can't use them if I'm alone in the house.
Honestly thinking of having my doorbell be connected to a small bulb in my bedroom so I'll always know if there's someone at the door.
Honestly thinking of having my doorbell be connected to a small bulb in my bedroom so I'll always know if there's someone at the door.
Why not use open headphones? Unless you're turning up the volume way too high, you'll be able to hear something like a doorbell just fine.
My audio setup:
lucebuce12
Member
I've always preferred closed headphones.
And the doorbell is in the living room (center of the home), I play in my bedroom with the doors closed and the walls are concrete.
I can still hear it if I'm playing something with low volume or if I'm watching a movie/TV show but if I'm listening to music or if I'm playing something with a lot of loud music/sound then I'm probably not gonna hear it.
Stuggernaut
Grandma's Chippy
Just get a wireless LED that lights up when your doorbell is rung.
Sanctuary
Member
I use Sennheiser HD600s with a Antlion Mod Mic. For amplification, I made my own Cavalli-Kan Kumisa III amp.
SolarMystic
Banned
Use the optical out from the Xbox if you have the Modi 2 Uber. Works the same as with PS4.
Sp3eD
0G M3mbeR
I just use a $60ish pair of turtle beach headphones and I LOVE it. I started using them years ago in destiny and now use them all the time for anything (Overwatch mostly) on my PS4. (Hearing direction of footsteps is awesome.)
The ability to plug into a controller headphone port on both systems for full audio is by far my favorite feature this generation.
The ability to plug into a controller headphone port on both systems for full audio is by far my favorite feature this generation.
Summer Haze
Banned
I've been using headphones while playing Fallout 4 on PS4 with a few mods - darker nights, increased NPCs, better lighting for ballistics and explosions...and better reverb and ambience. The latter combined with the rest makes it incredible when using headphones. I'll just be walking around and suddenly shit will kick off and there will be a fantastic light show and the sounds are incredible, especially when there's a firefight in the distance. Even just the ambient noises when nothing is happening are so much better.
Headphones are da bess mayne.
Headphones are da bess mayne.
Be careful about USB DACs with the PS4. It inverts the left/right channels on some models like the Schiit Fulla 2 or ODAC. To be honest I'd go for an optical connection (Schiit Modi 2 Uber if you've got the dosh for example) to be on the safe side.
I have the SMSL you linked hooked up to my TV and it works pretty well apart from the fact it's too loud. Even with my HD600 I have basically no room for adjustment. Either it's too loud or the volume knob goes into the first quarter (where there's channel imbalance). This might not be an issue if you have headphones that are harder to drive.
Not an audio expert but I teach game dev and know people doing audio, also guys looking specifically into 3D sound. With localized audio sources, I think the major VR platforms already provide relatively sophisticated 3D audio. The major missing components are directional ambient sound as well as dynamically taking game geometry into account. 3D soundfield recording + playback is coming soon and can be used as is for some applications. Seems likely that there will be new tools invented for defining/building directional ambient and pre-baking data. I expect VR rather than old-school games to drive these developments, seeing how AAA devs haven't even bothered with the more sophisticated spatial audio tech that was available in the last decade. We won't see much adoption unless this tech is packaged into a form the audio designers can easily work with and that is robust.
JimmyRustler
Member
You haven't experienced great sound before you haven't played a DICE game with headphone. Play Battlefield 1 OP. It'll blow your mind.
Can you Tell what amp it is, what device is under the amp and how if you Use it for console gaming with chat (cables ect.)
I just want to echo those who say PLEASE USE A REASONABLE VOLUME. Even trying to keep a reasonable level with over-the-ear headphones, I've had ringing in one of my ears that lasted for days along with a dull-ish feeling after years of use.
If you listen loudly, especially on earbuds, there is a serious chance of hearing damage down the road.
If you listen loudly, especially on earbuds, there is a serious chance of hearing damage down the road.
GinoFelino
Member
Just plug a $20 Bluetooth adapter into one of your audio in ports and you're done.
Chittagong
Gold Member
They're still the best travel headphones when paired with the HA-2SE I guess :-/
Portability is a big factor when flying a lot, it's just that I would never use them on my sofa when the options are so much more satisfying.
Why? I think open phones are better especially in a quiet environment which you have. Granted, I haven't tried any very high end closed phones, but at least the Beyerdynamic DT770 sounds way worse than the open DT880 or the Fidelio X2. The sense of space/direction/distance is lacking the most. I only use the 770s for sound isolation at work.
Wanted to post almost the exact same thing. I love my 598s, but going between them and a Yamaha / Klipsch system, it's no contest. Emphasized lately going between handheld and docked with Mario Kart on the Switch. There's a ton of ambient track sounds in the surround channels that I never notice on the headphones. Can't really beat the impact of a decent subwoofer doing it's thing, either.
That works? Well then, guess I'll look into wireless headphones when I get paid
A HD598 won't compete with a high end speaker system though, it's a mid-fi headphone at best. It also doesn't help that the headphone output of the Switch is rubbish.
NeoGAF acting like headphones are some magical new technology is the strangest recurring phenomenon.
Maybe it's because I have no delusions of being a pro gamer, but I'll always prefer a surround sound speaker setup over headphones.
Generally I don't give a shit about game audio unless the music is good (and I mean catchy good not this atmospheric Hollywood wannabe bullshit most games have) but playing Overwatch with headphones on has been a lesson in how much headphones can provide you with extra information, in a game with well put-together audio.
Kinda wish there were single player games like that. Most of them just seem to be horror games trying to be spooky with cliche shit though.
Kinda wish there were single player games like that. Most of them just seem to be horror games trying to be spooky with cliche shit though.
Rellik
Member
That's exactly what I care about when wearing headphones indoors... how they look. Got to look sexy for my gaming time, guys.
Yeah this is my setup.
Don't use the DS4 for audio. It's a waste on good headphones.
I don't have the room or finances for a surround sound setup.
GinoFelino
Member
It does, except it's audio out instead of audio in, obviously. Sorry about that, giving advice before my morning coffee.
Optical out would work, too, but you probably don't have that on a basic amp.
Do mind that bluetooth range is limited to same-room-only.
TheStruggler
Report me for trolling ND/TLoU2 threads
what kind you using?
There's a few reasons "gamers" generally prefer headphones:
- PC gaming obviously. No one is setting up a proper speaker setup to a desk, so headphones are an obvious alternative.
- Loudspeakers aren't practical for a lot of people due to their living arrangements or housing situation.
- Most people are probably going from terrible sound bars or built in TV speakers so any half decent headphone is going to sound far superior in comparison. Properly set up and calibrated speaker arrangements areas absolute rarity.
- Speakers in general cost way more. High end headphones start at $500 - for that budget you can barely afford a stereo rig let alone a full blown surround setup with a subwoofer.
- Can't use a MIC easily while using speakers.
- In general headphones will always have more detail and be better for pinpoint spatial accuracy. They obviously lose big time when it comes to soundstage and bass response.
For me headphones always win if you're looking for an intimate experience, but for high action films and games like Uncharted a properly tuned 5.1/7.1 speaker system wins easily.
I think we all have that revelation at some point.
Mine was in 2002 and playing Counter Strike with a decent headset felt like you were cheating. More so when you're then accused of it!
I was then told I was LTTP by Quake and UT gets. So congrats on being nearly 20 years LTTP but welcome!
I now use headphones rather than a gaming headset as you pay 2x the price for a microphone and dubious acoustics half the time. Still rocking my trust Sennheiser HD575.
Chase Lebowski
Member
I'm just about to replace my shitty Turtle beach with either the Sennheiser HD 598 (but i would have to replace my DS4 because the jack produces a weird loud sound with any mic) connected to my AV receiver + the PS4 earbud mic
or simply the Sennheiser Game One connected to the PS4 with a USB adapter.
Decisions...
or simply the Sennheiser Game One connected to the PS4 with a USB adapter.
Decisions...
Surround is a fidgety setup that costs very much for a decent setup. I'm an audio geek, and I decided to go for a stereo loudspeaker setup. A good surround setup is a phenomenal experience, but it is very poor for precise positioning in, say, gaming. Turns out if you have two speakers close to your ears and the audio is generated with headphones in mind, you get to use all the processing power of your brain to position stuff based on tiny details your ears normally use to place things in a room.
Surround is a cool experience, but it's likely 10-15 times as expensive to get the same audio experience. 200$ headphones can challenge a 2000$ surround setup, and it will always be superior for positional audio, which is one of the big selling points in gaming. I used to think headphones was the pinnacle of audio, but after getting a good stereo setup, there's just something absolutely magical about a high quality pair of loudspeakers. It's a whole different experience.
However, for gaming? Headphones are the absolute best option.
Well, tinnitus is from exposing your ears to too much power. Power is the perceived volume, so there's nothing inherently more tinnitus about headphones than any other setup. Never blast music too loudly, be it speakers or headphones.
Also, if you have tinnitus and you're having a hard time, there's cognitive therapy that can help.
GinoFelino
Member
Hope you have access to good tinnitus therapy where you live, bud.
I got that from a Cradle gig.
They had ear protector plugs at the door. Of course only idiots wear them. Oops.
Putting your volume to the MAX with headphones is of course asking for trouble.