Chasing Gaming Auditory Nirvana: ie200 + G6/G3

Submitted by LokiLittle t3_10rgfxo in headphones

My top priority is immersive gaming for single player games. After testing and buying several mid-range headphones/IEMS, I've found a setup that works well.

ie200:

IE200 is new and I think it's imaging and detail beat out my a4000 and s12. To get a good seal with other IEM's I've been using the "large" size of SpinFit tips but on the IE200 the stock mid size sound the best. Perhaps the small size and shape of the IE200 work for me for than other IEM's. (I had the ie300 a few months ago but found it lack luster and returned it.)

Sound Blaster Setup:

I tend to stay away from anything tagged "gamer" but this thing worked for it's intended use.

I've setup both the G3 and G6 on my pc to act as 7.1 surround sound speakers. Everything else I turn off like the SBX mode, bass boost etc.

For this to work on any game console I run an optical cable from my TV to the G3/G6. My TV output is set to 7.1 uncompressed. (Dolby causes a delay.) I setup my consoles to output 7.1 audio. Any game I play I set the audio options to home theater or 7.1 and turn off 3d audio options.

I did a lot of A, B, testing between 3d audio, SBX, Dolby Atmos Headphones, and found the G3/G6 in 7.1 mode the most natural and increase sound stage and seperation.

Both the G3/G6 save the settings to memory so as long as they get power you can use them as pretend 7.1 speakers. The G3 plugged directly into the usb-c of my steamdeck will recognize it as a 7.1 setup. You can also save EQ profiles that you can toggle on with an IOS app. Movies sound great with this setup as well.

If anyone has more knowledge I'd be curious if the G3/G6 are emulating 7.1 or actually receiving more data than a stereo setup.

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Comments

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[deleted] t1_j6vwzgs wrote

7.1 with headphones is just DSP trickery that works for some people but not everyone.

If it works for you, great.

Even if you were to listen to a movie with a 7.1 audio track, you would not get real 7.1 surround, because your headphones only provide you with 2.0 setup. One left and one right channel that's it. DSP just uses a bunch of time delay and crossfeed to simulate a 7.1 experience.

I think all those plugins sound utterly horrendous, especially with stereo music, but if you like that, then more power to you I guess.

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LokiLittle OP t1_j6w00kl wrote

SBX is the G3/G6 faked 7.1 and I don't care for it. SXFI is another attempt by them and I also don't like it. Voices become metallic robots and everything sounds like you are in a massive cave.

All that stuff turned off and just receiving 7.1 signal seems to up clarity and seperation. Perhaps I'm just getting a less intrusive DSP that I find pleasing.

I agree about stereo music, or rather I'm not focused on music with this setup.

I will say the ie200 sounds better in games like Doom Eternal when a soundtrack kicks in vs the a4000.

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neliste t1_j6wh98p wrote

You can also try hesuvi, if your soundcard is read as 5.1 / 7.1 in windows you can use it for almost no latency.

For an extra, tried iSine10 for gaming, it was really good because openback.

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Toronto-Will t1_j6wyj8q wrote

I hope you have more luck than I did with SoundBlaster, I gave away my AE5 sound card because it kept inverting my left and right channels. Other than that, I did think they had a fun variety of sound processing options.

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LokiLittle OP t1_j6xpz7m wrote

SoundBlaster software for the G3 and G6 is buggy, especially on the Mac. G3 is a $45 USB Dac so I'm out very little if it fails me in the future.

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Toronto-Will t1_j6xsel1 wrote

I uninstalled the software thinking that was the issue--nope! I set the software to its most basic "direct" audio mode, still happened! Suddenly flipped audio while playing FPS games. I could reset it by toggling the direct mode on/off again in the menu, but it was massively irritating.

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abc133769 t1_j7jjlh8 wrote

How's the soundstage vs s12?

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LokiLittle OP t1_j7lj7y4 wrote

ie200 has a larger soundstage and more separation than the s12. I hear the location of enemies better.

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abc133769 t1_j83kpmo wrote

Nice! Was it a big difference? I'm honestly leaning towards s12 cause it seems like a good allrounder when you factor in music and cheaper price.

But if ie200 are significantly better in gaming I might lean the other way

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LokiLittle OP t1_j84yfdt wrote

It is not a huge difference. I have happily played games with both.

I have very small ears and the s12 always slowly fall out. The ie200 fit is better for me and stay put. I may be biased just because the fit is better on the ie200.

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