Headphones audio quality help? (On-board motherboard, DAC's suggestions)

Communities Audio Hardware & Music
1

A few days ago, I purchased the Sennheiser Game One headset (since my Plantronics GameCom 780’s head-strap broke)

I have noticed that from a $50 to a $150 dollar headset, there was barely a difference… The Game One provided a little bit of noticeable bass when listening to music/playing games. The microphones on both of them was barely noticeable. Both mic’s have the same loud static. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same headphone’s quality. So, now I’m kind of stuck and confused.

I have watched Gaming Audio Myths: Avoid The BS & Save Your Audio Life video… and I’m still stuck.

What I’m trying to ask is; what can I do to make these headphones come alive, show their true potential? I’m guessing that my on-board motherboard audio blows, since I’m using a gateway motherboard, and not a gaming motherboard that has good on-board motherboard audio quality.

Do I invest in buying a motherboard with better on-board audio, do I purchase a DAC too? Also, I would very much appreciate it if I could get a link to a motherboard with good on-board audio & DAC’s!

One more thing: The static issue from the microphone
I’m guessing that has something to do with inside my computer, correct? I’m not sure how that works, I’m a noob :frowning:

2

Look at the E10k. Should solve your problem assuming that your problem is actually bad onboard audio.

3

I wouldn't recommend getting a new motherboard purely for better sound processing, the motherboards that include high quality DAC/Amps tend to be really expensive and have a lot of other features that might not be useful to your particular situation, In terms of the microphone having loud static, I watch a review and noticed that it had static, it wasn't loud but it was noticeable, so it could be the mic but I'm not entirely sure. I would recommend Monoprice's Desktop Headphone Amplifier: http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=11567 I've been using it since May-ish and I personally really like it. It also has multiple inputs and outputs for different things, meaning in the future you could also use it for other purposes than just with your computer