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Post by Coolverine on Aug 9, 2020 5:14:54 GMT -5
I just discovered on my PC, I've had my sound set to 24-bit/48000hz when it could've been set to 96000hz. It seems louder on my surround speakers after I changed it, I think the sound quality is better too. My soundcard can go up to 192000hz but it's limited to stereo, I'll have to try it with my headphones some time and see if there's a difference there. I have some studio quality Sony headphones, nothing too fancy but they sounded great last time I used them.
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Post by ForRealTho on Aug 9, 2020 11:25:46 GMT -5
I just discovered on my PC, I've had my sound set to 24-bit/48000hz when it could've been set to 96000hz. It seems louder on my surround speakers after I changed it, I think the sound quality is better too. My soundcard can go up to 192000hz but it's limited to stereo, I'll have to try it with my headphones some time and see if there's a difference there. I have some studio quality Sony headphones, nothing too fancy but they sounded great last time I used them. You don't actually need 96000hz. 16/44000hz is plenty for the human ear. There is a fantastic technical explanation of it that is the gold standard on explaining how audio works but I can't find the link. This is similar: www.soundguys.com/high-bitrate-audio-is-overkill-cd-quality-is-still-great-16518/They will market stuff "up to 384kHz" but that is just marketing stuff. It doesn't actually add anything. |
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Post by Coolverine on Aug 10, 2020 6:50:58 GMT -5
That's interesting. I could swear I do hear a difference. I even had to turn down the crystallizer in my soundcard's control panel, it was tinny after changing to 96k.
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Post by ForRealTho on Aug 10, 2020 8:12:00 GMT -5
That's interesting. I could swear I do hear a difference. I even had to turn down the crystallizer in my soundcard's control panel, it was tinny after changing to 96k. Wow Crystallizer thats a blast from the past lol. Before I went laptop only I was using an X-Fi Elite Pro soundcard I paid $400 for. Crystallizer wasn't bad but I left it off. Now hardware is different. Notoriously back in the day Audigy soundcards has a horrible resampler so music which is recorded at 44.1 khz would have to be resampled to 48 khz and it introduced all kinds of noise and such so there were plugins for Winamp and Foobar to do it in software. Changing the sample rate to 96 khz may introduce other problems or issues depending on the hardware. A lot of times people have enhancements running under the enhancements tab and don't realize it or other stuff messing with the audio signal. Music recorded at 44.1 khz should sound bit perfect at 44.1 khz unless there is a weird config issue. |
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Post by Coolverine on Aug 10, 2020 9:49:30 GMT -5
I have the Soundblaster Z, I'm surprised they still sell it, it's a pretty old soundcard now but still really good. Only thing is I can't use optical for surround sound, the sound cuts out after anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, unless I set it to stereo. I've tried 3 different optical cables but it still happens.
I did have to disable audio enhancements which actually that may have been what caused the sudden improvement, it's definitely louder and clearer. Before, I could only turn up the output volume in Windows to 45% otherwise there was some distortion, I have it at 56% now and haven't noticed it. I'm gonna put it back at 48000hz, there probably won't be a difference if turning off Windows' audio enhancements is what improved the sound quality.
I bought an EVGA Nu Audio on clearance earlier this year but the software made my PC bluescreen and I lost everything, I took it back and exchanged it for a new motherboard. I've heard this is supposed to be a really good soundcard, especially for headphone use. Not sure what happened with the software, even EVGA's tech support was baffled by it.
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Post by ForRealTho on Aug 10, 2020 11:05:45 GMT -5
When I still had a Creative card it had an audio creation mode that turns all that stuff off. Also using WASAPI in your music application should ensure you have a pure stream without an filters or anything.
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Post by ForRealTho on Aug 26, 2020 18:43:34 GMT -5
You guys think I'm crazy with the headphones? This dude got 5 copies of the same headphone cuz he likes it so much with "more on the way"  |
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Post by Coolverine on Aug 26, 2020 19:46:35 GMT -5
I guess on the plus side, if he ever rages and breaks a pair of them, he's got spares.
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Post by Emig5m on Sept 12, 2020 14:09:35 GMT -5
I'm actually now using wireless bluetooth with my new mobo (my first mobo with bluetooth built in). I don't even know what codec it's using but I hate to say it, it really doesn't sound worse than the Schiit Modi 3/JDS Atom (technology just keeps advancing). It's so nice not to have a cord hanging down your side and be able to get up and walk around without removing your headphones and the top notch noise canceling of the WH-1000XM3s really keep you into the sound environment that you're in blocking out all background noise be it a air conditioner unit or a rain storm. I just think that blue tooth was the wrong tech from the beginning for audio and don't understand why lossless higher bandwidth wi-fi wasn't used from the beginning. Actually I could hear a difference between the bluetooth and wired using a HD blueray movie. Wonder if its a playback software setting as music and games sound OK. Oh, it seems that the bluetooth on the mobo is locked at 44.1 kHz so probably poor resampling?
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 13, 2020 16:53:55 GMT -5
I'm actually now using wireless bluetooth with my new mobo (my first mobo with bluetooth built in). I don't even know what codec it's using but I hate to say it, it really doesn't sound worse than the Schiit Modi 3/JDS Atom (technology just keeps advancing). It's so nice not to have a cord hanging down your side and be able to get up and walk around without removing your headphones and the top notch noise canceling of the WH-1000XM3s really keep you into the sound environment that you're in blocking out all background noise be it a air conditioner unit or a rain storm. I just think that blue tooth was the wrong tech from the beginning for audio and don't understand why lossless higher bandwidth wi-fi wasn't used from the beginning. Actually I could hear a difference between the bluetooth and wired using a HD blueray movie. Wonder if its a playback software setting as music and games sound OK. Oh, it seems that the bluetooth on the mobo is locked at 44.1 kHz so probably poor resampling? Audio is complex as it is. Not sure exactly why you won't or will hear differences. Now there are plenty of snobby idiots out there that would be like "maybe you can't hear the difference between bluetooth and wired but I can right away!" and they are just talking smack. Just like the people who claim they can tell the difference between 256k mp3 and FLAC "100% of the time". Of course they can......... |
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Post by Coolverine on Sept 13, 2020 17:03:29 GMT -5
My truck does bluetooth pairing for phonecalls and playing music, I also had heard that connecting it with the auxiliary input would sound better than Bluetooth but I don't hear any difference.
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Post by Emig5m on Sept 13, 2020 17:41:44 GMT -5
My truck does bluetooth pairing for phonecalls and playing music, I also had heard that connecting it with the auxiliary input would sound better than Bluetooth but I don't hear any difference. Depends on the vehicle and the codecs, compression and stuff. My 2011 Camaro's bluetooth was absolutely horrid. My Sony WH-1000XM3 + S20 Ultra using LDAC at full bitrate (980Kbps or something like that) sounds as good and clear as CD audio. On my PC until I get a bluetooth transmitter that uses LDAC I'm just going to stick with wired for now. Blueray movie with HD sound I can really tell the difference. Still don't understand why sound quality wasn't first priority when initially designing wireless audio.... |
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 13, 2020 18:28:46 GMT -5
My truck does bluetooth pairing for phonecalls and playing music, I also had heard that connecting it with the auxiliary input would sound better than Bluetooth but I don't hear any difference. Depends on the vehicle and the codecs, compression and stuff. My 2011 Camaro's bluetooth was absolutely horrid. My Sony WH-1000XM3 + S20 Ultra using LDAC at full bitrate (980Kbps or something like that) sounds as good and clear as CD audio. On my PC until I get a bluetooth transmitter that uses LDAC I'm just going to stick with wired for now. Blueray movie with HD sound I can really tell the difference. Still don't understand why sound quality wasn't first priority when initially designing wireless audio.... Like a lot of stuff bluetooth was kinda hacked together. My Kenwood 2015 without Android Auto sounds OK AAC bluetooth but wired sounded a lot better. Too bad Android 9.0 stripped it out and Android Auto is the only way to go. I have debated getting a new double din car stereo that supports LDAC and Android Auto and all the latest stuff but it still sounds good not terrible so I haven't bothered. |
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 14, 2020 7:39:15 GMT -5
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Post by Emig5m on Sept 19, 2020 16:57:18 GMT -5
Ok so I found this info how to install and enable AptX on Windows when using a Intel combo WiFi/Bluetooth adapter which my mobo has....
Tried back to back in stereo music to the Schiit Modi/JDS Atom and the sound sounds exactly the same to me. I'll have to check for latency in videos and games and also see if BluRay HD sound still sounds bad or is better now. What's cool about this driver is that it gives you a notification that you're using AptX so you don't have to guess/pray what codec you're using:
Still not LDAC but a step in the right direction and I guess better than nothing/default codec...
They really need to get on the ball with high quality bluetooth audio support that doesn't require finding some random dell driver to enable and works right out of the box. I feel like PCs are falling behind even smartphones. BTW, EQ APO works like a charm using Bluetooth audio.
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 25, 2020 8:09:41 GMT -5
So way back in 1991 the best consumer headphones from Sennheiser were the HD560 Ovation. For really old people they are legendary but being from 1991 they have lower standards then todays headphones.
They are relaunching it as the HD560s, people are going nuts about them. I already have enough headphones lol
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Post by Emig5m on Sept 27, 2020 8:40:27 GMT -5
So way back in 1991 the best consumer headphones from Sennheiser were the HD560 Ovation. For really old people they are legendary but being from 1991 they have lower standards then todays headphones. They are relaunching it as the HD560s, people are going nuts about them. I already have enough headphones lol Sennheisers are so overrated IMO. I don't understand missing out on certain frequencies, mainly the bass with Sennheisers. They're like buying a set of great high end tower speakers and then disconnecting the bass drivers.  I've been to many concerts and none of them sound like they only use midrange drivers. I know what a lot of bands sound like live and the bass-less Sennheiser sound ain't it. Then you bother anyone around you with open back - might as well just use a full size sound system at that point. And I'm loving noise cancellation, it really brings you into the gaming environment. You really don't notice how much ambient noise can be around you until you use some of the best noise cancelling headphones out there, especially on rainy stormy days. I doubt I would take a set of open back headphones ever again if they where given to me...lol. Even the highly acclaimed Beyerdynamic DT770s that I have I think are shit compared to the more modern Sony WH-1000XMS3. The Beyerdynamic bass will start to distort when trying to boost it like a woofer with no suspension and low power handling and the mids and highs aren't all that great (for the price). Even if you try to boost the bass with EQ it's not the same as having drivers that just flat out do it better like you can't add the torque of a diesel truck engine to a Honda Civic no matter how you try to tune it, the capability just isn't there. You can only do so much with EQ... I hate the fact that I'm praising a Sony sound product because I've never like them before but the Sony WH-1000XMS3 is truly current gen. Why would you want 1991 performance repackaged? Sometimes it's hard to step outside the box, I'm guilty of that too...lol... |
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 27, 2020 13:49:37 GMT -5
Why would you want 1991 performance repackaged? Sometimes it's hard to step outside the box, I'm guilty of that too...lol... It isn't the same as it was in 1991. They are reusing the name but it is a new driver based off of the current HD660s. I think in that video he had charts. People complained about the sub bass so it is boosted in that region. Sennheiser has dozens and dozens of headphones, have you ever heard their models in the 6XX line? This thread is so long I don't remember. When I listen to bass heavy tracks sound good its just a matter of emphasis. |
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 27, 2020 14:21:40 GMT -5
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Post by Emig5m on Sept 27, 2020 22:54:42 GMT -5
I have yet to hear earbuds that sound as good as full size headphones. It's like comparing a cell phone camera lens/sensor to a full size camera lens/sensor. Never heard the 660s...maybe I'll look into them sometime but I like noise canceling. |
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 28, 2020 9:15:16 GMT -5
I have yet to hear earbuds that sound as good as full size headphones. It's like comparing a cell phone camera lens/sensor to a full size camera lens/sensor. Never heard the 660s...maybe I'll look into them sometime but I like noise canceling. Right now one of the big names is Campfire Audio. They supposedly sound amazing but have a hefty price tag: campfireaudio.com/There have always been high end earbuds, a couple of them you actually go to an audiologist and they measure your ear canals and make molds which are then send to the earbud people and they make custom tips for you. I haven't ever taken the plunge cuz I take earbuds in and out of my pocket/gym back/camelpak and toss them around. Plus I sweat a lot when I exercise so I don't know how well super high end earbuds would hold up. Someone wrote this big essay explaining why earbuds are superior technically to full sized headphones, I'm not an EE so I am not sure if they were right or not. |
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 28, 2020 10:32:04 GMT -5
Here is a chart showing the new HD560s, as you can see the HD650/6XX has subbass, its not missing just not super emphasized compared to V shaped headphones.  |
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Post by ForRealTho on Nov 2, 2020 21:51:06 GMT -5
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Post by ForRealTho on Feb 18, 2021 14:17:02 GMT -5
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Post by ForRealTho on Feb 22, 2021 11:15:05 GMT -5
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Post by sj on Jun 16, 2021 16:57:28 GMT -5
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Post by sj on Jun 18, 2021 16:04:59 GMT -5
I tried the Qc35 (version 1) a while ago. The wireless/bluetooth had way too much lag to even consider them for use with watching movies or gaming. However, they were very comfortable to wear and good sound quality (for pairing to your phone and streaming music). I'd recommend them for people who travel/fly alot. The noise cancelling is great for reducing droning sound of airplane engines, etc, and thereby reduce your stress while traveling. Unfortunately, there aren't many decent options for wireless gaming headphones. www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-usage/gaming |
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Post by ForRealTho on Jun 18, 2021 18:19:49 GMT -5
They make adapters/amps to convert non bluetooth into bluetooth. I haven't used one though.
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Post by Cop on Jul 4, 2021 15:56:12 GMT -5
I bought a new set of Sennheiser headphones because the ghetto-solution for the busted cable on my HD465 now too has been getting wonky and my other (cheaper) ones aren't really doing it for me anymore as far as watching movies is concerned. Wanting to have a good replacement laying around for when the cable decides to die completely, I went for the neat looking HD-599...  Well, they're definately another step up, as I found out while watching Tomorrow War (and the droning on the soundtrack of Saint Maud). I already liked the 465s oomph, these are even more intense. I've been alternating between the 2 because the 599s are pretty tight for the moment and watching a few movies in a row certainly is felt on the skull. I guess they'll loosen up a bit eventually, but as long as the 465s work, they'll do the trick for movies that aren't particulary bombastic in the sound department. |
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Post by ForRealTho on Jul 4, 2021 16:30:53 GMT -5
The 599 is a real gateway headphone, for most people its the most you will ever need. I got into headphones getting the Sennheiser 457 back in the day and then getting the 595 which is a precursor to the 599.
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I've been to many concerts and none of them sound like they only use midrange drivers. I know what a lot of bands sound like live and the bass-less Sennheiser sound ain't it. Then you bother anyone around you with open back - might as well just use a full size sound system at that point. And I'm loving noise cancellation, it really brings you into the gaming environment. You really don't notice how much ambient noise can be around you until you use some of the best noise cancelling headphones out there, especially on rainy stormy days. I doubt I would take a set of open back headphones ever again if they where given to me...lol. Even the highly acclaimed Beyerdynamic DT770s that I have I think are shit compared to the more modern Sony WH-1000XMS3. The Beyerdynamic bass will start to distort when trying to boost it like a woofer with no suspension and low power handling and the mids and highs aren't all that great (for the price). Even if you try to boost the bass with EQ it's not the same as having drivers that just flat out do it better like you can't add the torque of a diesel truck engine to a Honda Civic no matter how you try to tune it, the capability just isn't there. You can only do so much with EQ... I hate the fact that I'm praising a Sony sound product because I've never like them before but the Sony WH-1000XMS3 is truly current gen. Why would you want 1991 performance repackaged? Sometimes it's hard to step outside the box, I'm guilty of that too...lol...
