Audio Interface vs Mac Sound card - just how much better?

[chk071]

Since you are going to be using the headphones for mixing and monitoring, I'd recommend something, uh, better. Not to say those cans aren't good for the money but you might want to stick to established studio brands like Sennheiser, Shure, Audio-Technica, even Sony. Personally, I think $150-$200 is the sweet spot for quality to price ratio for a good set of headphones.

A good set of cans will open up your mix just like a good set of monitors. Don't cheap out too much.

This is just some dude's opinion though.

Did you actually heard Superlux cans by any chance?

Not everything that is twice expansive is twice as better, it's not even better in some cases, think we finally reached saturation point of market where we have actual choice, Adam T7's, Nektar keyboards, Behringer audio interfaces, Superlux cans, good ratio of quality and price, everything beyond that cost twice as much and you gain almost nothing really.

To add to this: Superlux actually produce headphones for some of the more expensive brands, AFAIK. So, yep, they know what they're doing. They just don't have the brand name i guess.

[Zexila]

To add to this: Superlux actually produce headphones for some of the more expensive brands, AFAIK. So, yep, they know what they're doing. They just don't have the brand name i guess.

Well, they are getting recognition, those cans we got are best bang for the bucks and beyond, it's just matter of time they really get famous and "industry standard".

[chk071]

All i know is that i really enjoy mine. Have 'em on right now listening to some music. Definitely the best 30 € i ever spent on headphones. Don't ask how much worse equally priced Sony headphones were in comparison.

You know, i'm sure some 200 € and more headphones are better, but, i'm also pretty sure that these are better than a lot of 100 € headphones. At least i wouldn't hesitate to give them a try, especially for such a low price.

[Zexila]

You know, i'm sure some 200 € and more headphones are better, but, i'm also pretty sure that these are better than a lot of 100 € headphones. At least i wouldn't hesitate to give them a try, especially for such a low price.

Exactly, same goes for interfaces in this case, none of ~200 euros range will give him anything better for his traveling-cans hobby setup than his on-board solution, I bet he have smarter ways to spend his money.

[perpetual3]

My recommendation is Superlux HD 681, also Macbook's on board sound card is great and can drive that cans nicely, If anything, Mac's are known for good on board sound cards.

The on board sound chips (not cards) are the same cheap ones (or comparable) that come in any Korean manufacturer MoBo.

The only thing "premium" on a Mac these days is the price. I can't believe someone who spent that kind of money on a Mac for audio is now trying to save on the audio interface.

Re-read my original post - the computers on loan from my university.

But even if it wasn’t, why can’t you believe it? You can’t believe that circumstances can change, for the worse, in 6 years? If that’s the case, good for you man, you must have it good.

Peace.

[perpetual3]

I will definitely check out the Superlux headphones at that price. Thanks for the heads up - didn’t even know they existed.

[perpetual3]

You know, i'm sure some 200 € and more headphones are better, but, i'm also pretty sure that these are better than a lot of 100 € headphones. At least i wouldn't hesitate to give them a try, especially for such a low price.

Exactly, same goes for interfaces in this case, none of ~200 euros range will give him anything better for his traveling-cans hobby setup than his on-board solution, I bet he have smarter ways to spend his money.

I appreciate this. Thank you.

[perpetual3]

Ok - getting the headphones then.

I read in Sound On Sound reviews of audio interfaces, and tons of reviews and feedback on gearslutz.

If you can, check them out in person. Some sound great but can be really uncomfortable. Some are expensive but don't sound as good as cheaper options.

If you can't check them out in person be sure to read reviews and especially watch YouTube reviews. Pretty much every professional headphone out there is reviewed on YouTube. At least videos give you a better sense of how they might fit/feel.

Thanks man. Will do.

[perpetual3]

The on board sound chips (not cards) are the same cheap ones (or comparable) that come in any Korean manufacturer MoBo.

Thanks for the info, good chip and Core Audio drivers than.

I can't believe someone who spent that kind of money on a Mac for audio is now trying to save on the audio interface.

Hi!

Just how much better can I expect a sound card to improve my music?

I’ve got a mid 2012 13” MBP, 2.9ghz i7 with 16gb RAM. I can’t upgrade the RAM (it’s a university computer that I’ve been using on loan until they ask for it back).

In the past I used the first MOTU 828 and then years later an Apogee One. I don’t have money for a new 828 and don’t even want one with so many inputs at the moment because years of traveling made me go 100% ITB. I wouldn’t buy an Apogee One again because the build quality on the first one was so poor. My budget is about $350 anyway, and I’ve only got a Roland V-Synth now that I’m not traveling again.

I’m wondering just how much better my music will sound upgrading from the stock sound card to an interface in the $150-$350 range. I’m using old Tannoy Reveal monitors connected to an amp I can’t remember the brand off. No acoustic treatment in the room, but I make electronic music, influenced by lots of dub techno, deepish tech house, lofi sloppy beats, ambient often using cheap headphones, so I haven’t considered it a priority (I know it’s far from ideal, and my mixes prove it, I often have to re-mix based on playback on a stereo, cell phone, car, etc. It’s also a hobby, so I’m not too keen on permanently installing treatment since I rent.)

Yeah, shocker, he is now poorer and don't have money for RME, just some old Mac and Tannoys...well, welcome to real world, I got poor too, sold almost all my gear because of health issues and everything I got left is late 2006 Macbook and old PC, old Roland PC 180, work for 250 euros a month, getting gear now on installments, only one local dealer give that option and I can't spend much there too, should I kill myself because I can't afford RME&co for my hobby and I have Macbook that costed fortune in 2006?

Man, I totally feel you. I also had some bad luck and recently some health issues that my insurance doesn’t cover despite initially telling me they did - I went to the university health center with some pain in my arm and they “authorized” me to go to the emergency room because it could have been a heart problem and I ended up getting hit for over $4000 (hence my meager budget). Welcome (back) to the USA!

Like you said, it’s a hobby. More power to those that can spend $$$$ on gear for their hobby, that’s great, but I can’t do that right now.

[fmr]

Yeah, shocker, he is now poorer and don't have money for RME, just some old Mac and Tannoys...well, welcome to real world, I got poor too, sold almost all my gear because of health issues and everything I got left is late 2006 Macbook and old PC, old Roland PC 180, work for 250 euros a month, getting gear now on installments, only one local dealer give that option and I can't spend much there too, should I kill myself because I can't afford RME&co for my hobby and I have Macbook that costed fortune in 2006?

Wel,, I regret your situation, and hope you get better.

But there's no need to go to RME. There are cheap alternatives, that cost around $100 and will be way better than the built-in Mac audio. And you will be able to have your monitors connected and still use your headphones, and will have preamps if you want to use a microphone. The Mac audio is just for listening to the built-in sound warnings, and maybe MP3 on iTunes.

[Zexila]

Wel,, I regret your situation, and hope you get better.

I got better as health is concerned and got new gear too, thank you.

But there's no need to go to RME. There are cheap alternatives, that cost around $100 and will be way better than the built-in Mac audio. And you will be able to have your monitors connected and still use your headphones, and will have preamps if you want to use a microphone. The Mac audio is just for listening to the built-in sound warnings, and maybe MP3 on iTunes.

Partly agree/disagree, in this thread OP will just use cans and it's not way better for that, I had audio interfaces before, I have one now, it's not way batter at all, I know it's hard to believe that on board chip can drive that cans good, but it can, if anything, half of the new interfaces that cost beyond 100 bucks (Focusrite&co) actually can't and folks end up buying an amp.

As I said, even ~200 bucks solution isn't really going to give him much over his on-board one for his hobby lappy-can's setup, there's really no need to spend money that way, Core Audio drivers are good enough, latency is acceptable and comparable to what he can expect in ~200 bucks solutions.

[Zexila]

Man, I totally feel you.I also had some bad luck and recently some health issues that my insurance doesn’t cover despite initially telling me they did - I went to the university health center with some pain in my arm and they “authorized” me to go to the emergency room because it could have been a heart problem and I ended up getting hit for over $4000 (hence my meager budget). Welcome (back) to the USA!

Like you said, it’s a hobby. More power to those that can spend $$$$ on gear for their hobby, that’s great, but I can’t do that right now.

Yeah, I'm really happy for everyone and I would too, but I can't really either, on other hand I really appreciate every piece of gear I got, feel I didn't wasted single buck on any piece, everything is massive bang for the buck.

I will definitely check out the Superlux headphones at that price. Thanks for the heads up - didn’t even know they existed.

You are welcome.