Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 07:28 PM - 04/20/20 »

greetings @alanmcgregor
First, thanks for the work you do on this thread and the great help you are  providing!

I need your help again and that of the users who can also help.

Previously with your advice and my budget I decided to choose Sennheiser Gsp600 + SounBlasteX G6.
This combination was a brutal change to the astro a40 + mixamp.
But I think I need something better and for the price I invested in this combo (370usd / 340euros) as well I think I can get a better audio mix.

I need you to recommend me according to my needs:

* I am a Pubg competition player and play competitions 3/4 days per week.

With the latest earphone, I improved the game audio, but still don't hear the enemy clearly and safely, I continue without distinguishing the distance or position of the enemy. When there is little ambient noise, it is easy to identify the footsteps, but when there are multiple enemies moving, teammates moving and speaking, shots or explosions, it is impossible to hear the footsteps of the enemy between shots.

In summary, I don't want to be heavy and complain, but I need a significant improvement in sound, where I can distinguish and position enemy steps in the distance and clearly to be able to react in time and be able to win the fight !!

How do you say ... I need to have a radar in my ears

* I play in a noisy environment, where the TV is in the living room, my 4 year old son screams and plays etc
As for DAC / AMP like Arc Mk2, I have searched for everything you have recommended in the thread, (all from USA) But since I live in the EU I cannot buy at a good price and it takes me a long time to get here . would need another alternative with similar characteristics in Europe

Sorry for writing a lot, but I need a radar in my ears and FOV 104.

thank you very much

I forgot to add that I prefer the closed headphones due to the problem of a lot of ambient noise, but I would like something similar or better than the DT990 Pro. No matter it does not incorporate MIC, I would buy separately

Hi, PUBG on PS4 is not as clean and precise like on PC due compression, many of the issues you are dealing with are related to this.

There is a PUBG equalizer setting on SBXG6 for PUBG tries to make up for these issues.

As I mentioned before SBXG6 is a pretty darn good amp (bi-amp) better even than X7, but its DAC tends to reduce the Soundstage (you hear sounds closer or louder that really are) compare to the Arc MK2, Schiit Modi + Magni, EL DAC + EL AMP where the soundstage is as WIDE as your headphones allows it, AKG K702 or K712 Pro will be insane.
We are talking on getting a $300 DAC/Amp or above and $400 or above headphones, trying to get above 30% better sound delivery, I don't know if it is worth it, I can't guarantee because at the end your hearing still plays a role.

Now, you are asking for soundstage and precise sound cues location; that's why open-backs are more recommended, because due its open design, sound representation is more natural, sounds feels around you no inside of your head (that's a closed back limitation), however you live in a noisy enviroment, is really really hard to find closed-back headphones with wide soundstage (its alchemy) drivers had to be specially tuned for it, GSP600 are one of the best on this regard, but there is another gaming headphone above with incredible soundstage for a closed back, those are the Beyerdynamic MMX300 Gen 2.

My recommendation is, keep your SBXG6 and try the BeyerDynamic MMX300, then in the long run... update your DAC amp, combo.

Hello Alan
I know that the pubg sound on the console is bad compared to the PC, but you have to deal with it.

I know it is difficult to find audio alchemy for my needs, so I need the opinion of a great audio professional like you.

I have thought about acquiring Fiio K5 Pro as an alternative to the amplifier / Dac that you recommend (Arc mk2, Shiit ...)

I don't think it's worth spending $ 700 on a pubg sound combo on ps4

I am open to buy other options of open or semi-closed headphones if I get a better sound quality sacrificing the ambient sound, in the hours of competition that I play I try not to be bothered by anyone ...

I should also mention that I need a MIC to minimize keyboard sounds and background noise as much as possible.

I take into account the recommendation of the MMX 300 gen 2. I fully trust you and for the moment I am going to ask for these parqs to try while I wait for another recommendation from you.

thank you very much Alan
You're the best
Health

2

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 03:46 PM - 04/20/20 »

Thank you very much for your contribution, your dedication! for me you are a great audio professional and it is a privilege to have someone like you to help us with audio
a hug!!

3

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 11:07 PM - 04/19/20 »

I forgot to add that I prefer the closed headphones due to the problem of a lot of ambient noise, but I would like something similar or better than the DT990 Pro. No matter it does not incorporate MIC, I would buy separately

4

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 11:00 PM - 04/19/20 »

greetings @alanmcgregor
First, thanks for the work you do on this thread and the great help you are  providing!

I need your help again and that of the users who can also help.

Previously with your advice and my budget I decided to choose Sennheiser Gsp600 + SounBlasteX G6.
This combination was a brutal change to the astro a40 + mixamp.
But I think I need something better and for the price I invested in this combo (370usd / 340euros) as well I think I can get a better audio mix.

I need you to recommend me according to my needs:

* I am a Pubg competition player and play competitions 3/4 days per week.

With the latest earphone, I improved the game audio, but still don't hear the enemy clearly and safely, I continue without distinguishing the distance or position of the enemy. When there is little ambient noise, it is easy to identify the footsteps, but when there are multiple enemies moving, teammates moving and speaking, shots or explosions, it is impossible to hear the footsteps of the enemy between shots.

In summary, I don't want to be heavy and complain, but I need a significant improvement in sound, where I can distinguish and position enemy steps in the distance and clearly to be able to react in time and be able to win the fight !!

How do you say ... I need to have a radar in my ears

* I play in a noisy environment, where the TV is in the living room, my 4 year old son screams and plays etc
As for DAC / AMP like Arc Mk2, I have searched for everything you have recommended in the thread, (all from USA) But since I live in the EU I cannot buy at a good price and it takes me a long time to get here . would need another alternative with similar characteristics in Europe

Sorry for writing a lot, but I need a radar in my ears and FOV 104.

thank you very much

5

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 04:21 PM - 12/21/19 »

Hi everyone!! I need help again. I finally bought SBX G6 and Sennheiser G600 for the theme of the microphone built into the headset. I have connected it as you advised me Alan listens very well but does not recognize my voice, my classmates do not listen to me when I speak.
Regards thank you very much

6

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 05:07 PM - 12/07/19 »

Hello Alan,
 First I want to thank you very much for the time spent looking for a great audio option like the one you propose!  I have various doubts?  Monolith Liquid spark is sold out ... I will buy SBX G6 !!
 Do I have to use Mixamp and SBX G6 simultaneously?

 And another question is regarding mixamp, is there any way to listen more to the game than the ps4 audio group chat without losing game volume?  If I turn the wheel towards the game under the volume of the voice chat but also the game and it is impossible to listen to the enemies when the classmates speak ... I need to listen loudly to the game and softer the voices of my classmates

 Sorry to ask you so many things but you are an expert in this audio and you are a Savior for the uneducated audio

 Thanks a lot again

Hola Jadehe . Gracias por tus comentarios. No te preocupes por el inglés entendí tu pregunta, te contesto en español, ¿sale?.

En teoría, puedes usar el SBX G6 y el MixAmp de la siguiente manera:
MixAmp Salida de Audífonos -> Adaptador en Y que separa micrófono y audífono -> extension de macho a macho 3.5mm -> Entrada de Audio del SBX G6. SBX G6 conectado a un cargador USB externo.


Así, podrías usar audífonos de alta impedancia con el MixAmp a través del SBX G6 y con la perilla de Chat Mix regular el volumen entre el sonido del juego y del Chat Party (tus compañeros de equipo). Es muy importante que uses el SBX G6 en Modo Directo, sin Surround ni ningún, filtro sonoro SBX sino el sonido se distorsionaría aun más.

Pero esa no es la manera correcta, es más no necesitas el MixAmp para nada cuando tienes el SBX G6, este DAC/Amp es mejor en todos los aspectos.

Así es como lo puedes conectar:
Conecta el SBX G6 por USB a tu consola,
Salida Optica SPDIF de tu PS4 a la Entrada Óptica SPDIF del SBX G6.

Después en: Configuración / Sonido y Pantalla / Opciones de Salida de Audio, En Puerto Primario de Salida, Principal Selecciona DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL), activa la casilla Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch y Aceptar.

Siguiente, en Formato de Audio (Prioridad), selecciona Bitstream (Dolby).

Después en Configuración / Dispositivos de Audio, asegúrate que Sound Blaster X G6 este seleccionado tanto en: Dispositivo de entrada y Dispositivo de Salida.

Importante: En la opción Salida de Auriculares selecciona: Audio del chat

Hasta aquí ya tienes todo listo. 

Ahora, así es como vas poder controlar el volumen entre el juego y el audio del chat:
En la sección Sonido/Dispositivos en la opción Control de Volumen (auriculares) -este es el audio del chat- ajusta el volumen del audio del chat a tu gusto, el audio del juego no cambia, seguirá claro y presente; mejor que la perilla del MixAmp.

Sé que fue mucha info, espero que me halla explicado bien.

-TL;TR Short Version in english, for everyone-
While you can use the SBX G6 as external headphone amp with MixAmp, is not necessary or optimal. Is better to use SBX G6 alone, you need to use the Optical SPDIF output on the SBX G6 input, set Audio to Chat Party and you can control the Chat party volume through the Headphones Volume option, game sound volume source is coming from the OPTICAL source and it won't be affected.

Thanks a million Alan!  You are God in this section !!  I don't know how to thank you for this information .... A big hug

7

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 01:24 PM - 12/05/19 »

Sorry for my English, I am Spanish
Very thanks for your dedication

8

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 01:21 PM - 12/05/19 »

I need help for my audio headset !!  I am a Pubg player on Ps4 in a short time I will start playing competitively and I need to acquire the best sound combination for Pubg and other FPS games.  I have seen many recommendations in this thread but I would need more personalized help.  I am open to any suggestions.  Currently my headsets are astro a40 + mixamp gen3.  My budget to buy my new headset is 200 euros approx.  I need an urgent change because I can't hear my enemies accurately and in competition it is a disadvantage.  I need to hear the footsteps of my enemies as accurately as possible.  I usually play in a noisy tournament in the background since I have the play in the living room because of space problems and not having a gamer room.  Thank you very much in advance to all xim gamers.  a greeting

In you case closed-back headphones/headset might be more situable.

These will be your options:

Sennheiser HD558 or HD598Cs, decent mids, good treble, excellent sound imaging. (sound positioning)

HyperX Cloud Alphas, great mids, weak treble, excellent sound imaging

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, regular mids, best treble, decent sound imaging.

Now, for sound whoring this depends more on the game audio design. Most games, like CoD, Overwatch, Battlefield, Apex Legends, footsteps sound cues are in the mids (mid-range) and in the lower treble. Other games like R6S, Fortnite, PUBG footsteps are in the upper mids and mainly in the treble. From the headphones above the HD598Cs or HD558 (discontinued) might be your best bet, follow by the DT770 Pro.

These headphones are in 80 to 120 euros.

A Headphone Amp, is a must if you want the best detail and sound detection even if these are from 50 Ohms impedance to above.

Same as my other recommendation Monolith Liquid Spark will be great, if you can find the Sound BlasterX G6 under £100 might be another great option. Its "Scout Mode" what it does is to kill the bass, and highly insanely the upper mids and treble for footsteps detection.

I have a SBXG6 it has better sound delivery (dynamic range) than the most expensive X7 BUT... its DAC kind of makes the soundstage feel narrower, makes anything that is a mid distance or close, sound very loud.

What I mean with narrower soundstage: soundstage is like on visuals will be your Field of View, how much of the environment you can see. Soundstage is how much of the environment you can hear.

With the ARC and Micca Origen my soundstage is like 104 FoV, and with SBX feels like 70 FoV. Is not bad you must definitely can positioning audio cues, but I'm spoiled (used to). Wide soundstage gives me more awareness, I can hear someone coming from a far and have time get ready to attack, by contrast with a narrow soundstage I can hear someone coming when they are really close to me.

Hello Alan,
 First I want to thank you very much for the time spent looking for a great audio option like the one you propose!  I have various doubts?  Monolith Liquid spark is sold out ... I will buy SBX G6 !!
 Do I have to use Mixamp and SBX G6 simultaneously?

 And another question is regarding mixamp, is there any way to listen more to the game than the ps4 audio group chat without losing game volume?  If I turn the wheel towards the game under the volume of the voice chat but also the game and it is impossible to listen to the enemies when the classmates speak ... I need to listen loudly to the game and softer the voices of my classmates

 Sorry to ask you so many things but you are an expert in this audio and you are a Savior for the uneducated audio

 Thanks a lot again

9

General Discussion / Re: [Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

« on: 06:21 AM - 12/04/19 »

The mmx 300 is 32Ohm and for the hd660s would the arc be a good choice for it for console?

Headphones impedance is the half of the story, the other part is Sensitivity (measured in dB) which is the capacity of the headphone drivers to turn that power to an audible signal. Higher the sensitivity value, more loud will sound the headphone on its nominal power. The rule of thumb is anything below 100dB needs amplification.

Beyerdynamic MMX300 has only 96dB, needs an amp. Same happens with Hifiman HE-4XX are 32 Ohms but only 93dB contrarly to the GSP 600 is 28 Ohms and 112 dB.

Now you have the whole story: the volume of your headset/headphone doesn't depends only on its impedance or sensitivity, but both.

A good Amp will not only it made the sound louder also it will improve its quality and resolution. (like the 480p picture quality vs 2160p example). This is why we need an amp to power our headphones.

How much power your headset/headphones need to sound its best?
- you can use this Headphone Power Calculator

Would I be correct in presuming Sennheiser GSP 600 with ARC would be one of the best closed back setups for PS4 FPS (I'm a wannabe try-hard FPS player)? I love the Audio Technicas I got (and I'm keeping them!) but sometimes I think I need closed back because I live in a studio apartment with my gf.

GSP 600 + Arc = is the best for sound-whoring, no doubt. I prefer it over my HD660S. The middle are there but no dominant, treble is very noticeable (footsteps are very distinctive without been too loud) and the imaging is so accurate. One thing I notice even as a closed back, its sound-stage was wider than the HD660S, pretty amaze how Sennheiser tune up those cans.

With the HD660S, you have better sound quality experience due the open-back nature you hear like the sound is around you, without surrounding gimmicks, you can position sound cues easily, the sound-stage is a bit narrower, you can hear the footsteps but are very forward. With the GSP 600 the sound feels more inside of your head: focused, is not as detail and natural like the HD660s but GSP imaging is better and is more easy for my hears to recognize enemy footsteps sounds cues.

Hard to explain, but let's say you are in a middle of the mayhem in the frontline with explosions around you and friends avatars making call outs... with the HD660s you can appreciated all the details in the sound, very immersive experience, and you will hear the footsteps in the mix... with the GSP600 you will identify the enemy footsteps first for sure and sacrificing a natural sound detail and immersion. Not saying it sounds bad not at all, I'm saying are more focused.

I think in general, you should have both a Open-back and Closed-back headset/headphone, my favorites are open-back but I can't denied how handy and convenient are the closed-back when you are in either noisy environment or when you need to be quiet.

Hyper Cloud Alphas and Cooler Master MH751, are pretty good affordable alternatives.

If you like bass, maybe the audio technica ATH-M40x

I need help for my audio headset !!  I am a Pubg player on Ps4 in a short time I will start playing competitively and I need to acquire the best sound combination for Pubg and other FPS games.  I have seen many recommendations in this thread but I would need more personalized help.  I am open to any suggestions.  Currently my headsets are astro a40 + mixamp gen3.  My budget to buy my new headset is 200 euros approx.  I need an urgent change because I can't hear my enemies accurately and in competition it is a disadvantage.  I need to hear the footsteps of my enemies as accurately as possible.  I usually play in a noisy tournament in the background since I have the play in the living room because of space problems and not having a gamer room.  Thank you very much in advance to all xim gamers.  a greeting

10

XIM APEX Discussions / Re: pubg sniper montage

« on: 01:23 AM - 10/26/19 »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ab6SaXzN9E

Could you share your xim apex settings and DPI mouse?
Thanks bro

11

Shared Configs / Re: Apex Legends Best Advanced Tracking Settings! PS4 & XB1

« on: 03:09 AM - 04/25/19 »

Hello Mikki,
Would you be so kind to make a publication with the settings in mouse and xim apex manager on PUBG?
A million thanks