X-Fi Xtreme Music with my "crappy" headphones?

[MRM402]

Sup! I'm thinking about buying the X-Fi, but I wonder if my headphones will make it a crappy sound experience. I just built my computer so I didn't want to spend more money by buying another pair of headphones. These are the ones:

Sony MDR-V300

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/5830/sonymdrv3007pf.th.jpg (http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sonymdrv3007pf.jpg)

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/headphones-home-audio/headphones/sony/PRD_122779_2750crx.aspx
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review141315.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_MDR_V300/4505-6468_7-6900052.html

I've been using them for around 2-3 years and they are great. The only reason I said "crappy" is because of the price tag and never having used superior headphones like Sennheisers, so I can't really say if they have good sound quality. I'm currently using my onboard sound card as well.

[xerogenesis]

i would say it depends what games your playing and if you only use headphones or speakers sometimes and heaphones most of the time

[003]

Those are pretty poor headphones. I would link you to a review of them on head-fi, but it is currently down for maintenance. If you have a tight budget, and you are just going to be gaming, I would get the Audio-Technica ATH-A500. If you are going to be using the headphones for pretty much a mix of everything, I would get the Sennheiser HD555.

[MRM402]

80% if the use will be games (mostly Counter Strike), but I will also listen to music.

I use headphones ALL the time. No speakers for me.

[003]

You're like me. Hmm, thats a tough one. If you will mostly be gaming, the A500 would be better, and would still be a big step up in music over the V300, and it does not require an amp. The HD555 would probably sound better in music, and it would still be a step up in gaming over the V300. Very hard choice. While the HD555 does not require an amp, it does benefit more so than the A500 from one.

Read this:
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=120968

BTW, the HD555 is an open design, which means it will leak sound and let sound in. The A500 is closed and isolates rather well for a headphone without active noise canceling. If you will be in a noisy environment, or don't want to bother other people, the A500 would be best.

[MRM402]

I might go for the A500 then, because I try to play CS very seriously. So do I just get the headphones or the card too?

[OmegaMerc]

I use my hd595 they are also open air design, honestly I use master volume no farther then 30-35% because after that the volume starts to hurt my ear drums.

[003]

I might go for the A500 then, because I try to play CS very seriously. So do I just get the headphones or the card too?
It would be best to get the card to. What is your current sound card?

BTW, cheapest place to get A500 is audiocubes.com.

[MRM402]

I'm using my onboard soundcard, but I have a problem... I live in portugal so I'd like to use portuguese stores only. I don't think we have the A500 here :S

Could you check if there are any good headphones from these sites I'll list please? I'll forward you to the headphones section directly. Thanks!

http://www.lan-sports.com/pt/products.aspx?cat=3&level=1
http://www.extreme-computers.pt/loja/index.php?id=108

[003]

audiocubes ships worldwide.

[MRM402]

I've been wondering... How would a Siberia Icemat fare against the A500? What about the SENNHEISER PC150?

[003]

Not to well.

[yuckfou]

i agree.