Audio-GD – D27.28 – Discrete Balanced Dual ES9028 PRO FPGA DAC – PCM / DxD / DSD – Pre- & Headphone Amplifier € 1.599,- You may think the ESS Sabre sound doesn’t appeal to you because they are sometimes considered artificial. This DAC will change the perception! Audio-GD has developed an advanced current-driven amplifier technique. Also known as ACSS, Audio-GD Current System Signal. This special technique ensures that the signal travels a much shorter path and that ensures a more transparent, faster and more neutral reproduction. A similar technique is used by, for example, KRELL.
They’re toted as “the audiophile’s dream”… But what about the gamer’s?
Many people just go for the easy option – when it comes to sticking a pair of headphones on when playing games, how many just get their Turtle Beach or Tritton headsets on, without considering they may be an even better option out there, especially if you don’t need the microphone that is attached to them? Posiflex driver download.
I’ve never been a fan of “gaming” headphones. I had a pair, and they were… good. They did the job – as in I could hear it. The sound was fine, it was good enough and better than nothing. However, ever since I was introduced to “audiophile” level headphones, those “gaming” headsets have just simply paled in comparison. Audiophile headphones are definitely the way to go for gaming… it’s just about getting the right ones.
Gamer’s Choice:
The special limited edition Quincy Jones AKG Q701 headset has been a dream to use in gaming, as far as I am concerned. Originally designed for precision music production and studio work (hence the endorsement by Quincy Jones), the way they have been tuned has made them fantastic for games, particularly when fighting, and definitely when you’re being hunted by real or NPC (“non-playable character”) enemies. The clarity, clean sound, incredibly sharp detail has brought my games to life like no other headphones.
The high-treble focus and wide 3D soundstage of the cans are just perfect for it. Used with the Audio GD NFB 15 DAC/Amp on High Gain (H), they are just incredible. You can hear the smallest detail, and pinpoint just where it is. This has been most useful when trying to track down the constantly humming and well-hidden Nirnroots in Elder Scrolls games – and comes in pretty useful when fighting too. I’ve listened to games such as Mass Effect 2 & 3, Elder Scrolls Online, Skyrim, and Dragon Age Inquisition, and they all just sound amazing on them, and they are most certainly my favourite.
The Sennheiser
However, there is a contender for joint-first: The Sennheiser HD650 headphones are “open-backed” – meaning they leak noise out the side (and may possibly annoy the people sitting close to you), but create a fantastic sound for anyone actually wearing them.
These are the latest edition of a headphone that has been around for nearly a decade. They require a fraction of the burn-in time the AKG Q701 set required, and already they stand out. They’ve barely broken a few hours of burn-in at the moment, but immediately the quality of the sound is clear – literally and figuratively. They are high-detail, with a clear sound, but they are more neutral, more “real” than the AKG set have.
They make the sound effects in games sound like you really are there. The music is incredible, beautiful, full, and solid. Dialogue is spoken so clearly, and is separated from anything in the background, like a form of layering. If there is any background noise or music whilst dialogue is being spoken, it is still there, clear and separate from the voice. This is also especially appreciated when listening to TV shows and films, whereby on occasion it is very difficult to hear dialogue over music or background noise.
The word “real” comes to mind so often, because it is not often you can find headphones that make the sounds that you hear on the TV – whether in games or film or TV shows – are actually real to you. Real enough to make you feel like you are there, and the sound you are listening to is next to you, not coming out of a box you have plugged your headset into.
Sound Cards Creative
The separation of voice, music, sound effects or background noise is incredible – and greatly appreciated. I have watched TV shows (Arrow especially stands out), and played games (Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age Inquisition, and Elder Scrolls Online also especially stand out – Bioware and Bethesta always have great music in their games), and each time I am impressed with the level of detail on offer, and the separation and layering of the different sounds is both impressive and enjoyable, as you can hear it all so clearly at the same time.
On the warning side, if you watch a show that is quite… relaxed (shall we say) about their sound quality (fly-on-the-wall types especially), these headphones will bring out every little detail, which can be quite annoying.
I listen to mine through an Audio-GD NFB 15 DAC/Amp (hybrid) and usually whilst playing on PS4. On occasion it’s on a MacBook Pro Retina via USB into the NFB 15. The DAC/Amp makes the sound all the better and more enjoyable, but the headphones themselves, even without the sound being put through such a thing, is wonderful.
I have a basic sound analysis for them, but here are the highlights of using them:
Sennheiser HD650 – 2014 “Black Box” edition:
Cards With Sound
- Layering of music and speaking/dialogue in TV shows
- Gorgeous music sound
- Full, layered music
- Clear sound
- Amazing detail in sound, clear “background” – Quiet sounds are clearly picked up where most speakers/headphones do not show them
- Gorgeous, full 3D soundstage
- Neutral, “Real” sounds – sounds are totally realistic – even “real” SFX in games sound actually real, i.e. doors opening, walking through echoing corridors, footsteps walking on gravel/grass/stone or wooden floor, etc.
- Real sounds also as in 3D sounds – sounds like you really are “there” and it’s not on TV or game etc.
- Not quite as good as the Qs for precision-clarity for games, but a very close second
- Extremely comfortable – the only headphones to truly fit my head (I am so short, I’m almost child-sized, so usually headphones just hang down past my and constantly fall off…) – the ear pads are lovely and the headband has soft, contoured foam that makes it feel like it’s not even on your head. These don’t even fall off.
Audio-gd Sound Cards For Kids
Sennheiser HD650 2014 Edition