OK here's the deal. I'm correctly using a Sound Blaster Z sound card for my computer, and I recently bought my first set of "real" headphones..coming from a G930 Logitech Wireless set. I bought the V-moda Crossfade LP2, I listen to a lot of bass rich heavy music and prefer some nice bass when playing FPS' xD. I also have a Bravo Audio headphone amp. I have my sound card installed in my computer, the red/white audio cables from the amp to the headphone jack on my rear mounted sound card, and my headphones going to the 3.5mm on the amp...I'm assuming I've done this right because it works through the amp, the headphones that is. So, my problem is I'm not sure how to configure my headphones with the Sound Blaster Z Series Control panel. There are so many setting's I just don't know where to start. First off should I be using the virtual 5.1 surround sound settings? Even though my headphones are stereo? Will that cause bad sound or can you easily do that with most stereo headphones? I have the "crystalizer" way up and that seems to be helpful making the music and game sounds very crisp, and I have the bass on normal setting, about 50% through the software. Not sure where to go from here. Sorry for the short story but I need help here I'm an audiophile NEWB!
You can turn virtual surround on if you want because virtual surround is designed for stereo speakers. As far as sound quality goes virtual surround shouldn't degrade quality because its program dependent meaning only programs that support surround will make your headphones broadcast surround. So if you want to use surround go ahead use it as quality should not be hurt by it at all.
Source: had a Creative Tactic3D Wraith for 2 years, I have plenty of experience with virtual surround
Also I hope you enjoy those V-MODA headphones, they may not be the absolute best sounding headphone ever (the bass response is the best part about V-MODA headphones), but man they are tough as fuck. (Proud Crossfade LP owner)
Do you think you could give me your best EQ setup? I'm having a hard time getting them to sound really good. The other question I have is, is the Bravo Audio amp better than the Sound Blaster Z amp? I know they both have amps (obviously) but is one better than the other? Now what happens since there is 2 amps running into my headphones? Or does the external amp take over the SBZ amp? How does that work? Thanks so much for your help!
As far as amps and things go I'd play with it and see what you personally like (I'd also be careful about putting the bravo amp into the headphone jack on the sound card because you could wind up with saturation, I'd personally try your bravo amp in the front speaker jack instead of the headphone jack). For the headphones you will need to play with your EQ to find what's right for you but I will say that V-MODA headphones have a bias towards the bass so you will want to play with the mid and high frequency EQs if you find them to be not to your liking