Which Headphones are best for gaming?
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Shocktrooper




Posts: 4593

PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 19:31    Post subject: Which Headphones are best for gaming?
Below 200€
Should I get a dedicated 7.1 gaming headset, like the Logitech G930 or the Sennheiser PC360?

Other sources recommend regular stereo headphones (like the Sennheiser HD series) and using CMSS-3D (I have a X-Fi card) to get the surround effect.

Most important for me is the directional localization and a good, strong bass.
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Immunity




Posts: 5629

PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 19:43    Post subject:
I've never had 3d headphones (found them too bulky, dislike that they fully encompass the ear rather than sit on top), but of all the 2d headphones I've owned nothing has ever come close to Sennheiser in terms of directional localization. To be honest, they've put all the other brands I've tried to shame. Problem is, they're expensive and oftentimes the build quality isn't the best.


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Shocktrooper




Posts: 4593

PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 20:05    Post subject:
The HD 558 are priced reasonably and supposed to be moddable to a more expensive HD 598 by removing some cotton inlays.

http://www.amazon.de/Sennheiser-HD-558-Stereo-Kopfh%C3%B6rer/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356890915&sr=8-2

They are "only" stereo however, and I dont mind bulky.
So at the end it all comes down to how good the 3d effect is and which one has the best. I want to shit my pants in horror games!
Also there does not seem a way to adjust the bass level in Sennheiser headphones, the gaming headsets of other brands are able to do that.
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MinderMast




Posts: 6172

PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 20:24    Post subject:
If sound is done properly in the game, a decent pair of stereo headphones will have great directionality. Open back headphones (like the HD555/HD558) are, allegedly, best suited for that.

I have been using the HD555 (HD558 predecessor) for a few years, and never felt that I need some "surround" ones. Works great in BF3 for me.

Then again, I can't really compare since I have never used the surround ones. Sound quality always took priority to me though, so "gaming" headsets were not an option Smile
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Kurosaki




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Location: germany
PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 20:47    Post subject:
Plantronics GameCom 780
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fisk




Posts: 9145
Location: Von Oben
PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 21:35    Post subject:
Best for gaming ought to be the same as best for music, or?

You can't go wrong with the upper tier of Sennheiser or AKG.


Yes, yes I'm back.
Somewhat.
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SpykeZ




Posts: 23710

PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 23:36    Post subject:
God I'm sick of repeating myself on this issue lol. PLENTY of threads already asking the same thing.

surround sound and "gaming" headphones are garbage. Always will be garbage and have no future of competition with quality stereo headphones. You're going to be paying more for less quality.

Surround headphones use multiple smaller speakers to work with the "surround sound" idea. Problem is they have to be small enough to fit in the cup so the quality of the sound is vastly limited. 2nd off, the distance of the drivers are too close to your ears to provide the benefit of real surround sound. They all sit above the ear, not in the front of you, not behind you, not a sub under you, all the drivers are on top of your ears.

Get quality stereo headphones. The sound will be MILES better and you'll still get sound placement but with much better sound.

As fisk says, Sennheiser and AKG are great. I'd also ad AudioTechnica to that list.

I personally like using Reference headphones. The difference being is they aren't pre-mixed for sound. Thy're pretty much flat all the way across and are used by DJ's so the sound they hear is near 1:1 so they can mix properly. I'd rather do the mixing myself on audio rather than getting a static mix that was done on the headphones already.


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SpykeZ




Posts: 23710

PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 23:44    Post subject:
Also if I remember correctly, open sided headphones provide a better gaming experience due to it having a better "sound stage" giving you the perception of the 3d sound but close offers better base for very action like games.

I personally like closed because I play a lot of games with loud explosions and gun fire. Gives a more solid hit on the bass.

Using Sennheiser 280Pro's

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356907423&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+280+pro

The cups are huge and will eat your ears, they're comfortable as hell, collapsable to a pretty decent size and will make you look like a damned retard lmao. I luff them.


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SpykeZ




Posts: 23710

PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 23:48    Post subject:
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SpykeZ




Posts: 23710

PostPosted: Sun, 30th Dec 2012 23:56    Post subject:
Now if you ever switch to laptop for music and shit, most laptops have an absolute garbage sound chip. Even gaming laptops. So when I'm out of town going mobile, I use a FiiO DAC with my headphones, it bypasses the crap audio chip on the laptop to use the DAC's which is superior in all ways.

What I have:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B003N0XDT4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1356907804&sr=8-4&keywords=Fiio

with

http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E9-Desktop-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B004M172FY/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356908051&sr=1-9&keywords=Fiio+e10

The new one that came out this year that I want
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Headphone-Amplifier-Docking-Interface/dp/B0070UFMOW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1356907804&sr=8-7&keywords=Fiio

[img]https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/459444_10150806561734606_655898315_o.jpg[/img]

edit: argh fuck it, just copy paste the picture, I remember the days when hotlinking wasn't such a pain in the ass on this site.


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MinderMast




Posts: 6172

PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 00:02    Post subject:
Oh my god, somebody stop him before it gets out of control! Very Happy
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farne




Posts: 3737

PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 00:29    Post subject:
SpykeZ wrote:
Now if you ever switch to laptop for music and shit, most laptops have an absolute garbage sound chip. Even gaming laptops. So when I'm out of town going mobile, I use a FiiO DAC with my headphones, it bypasses the crap audio chip on the laptop to use the DAC's which is superior in all ways.

What I have:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B003N0XDT4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1356907804&sr=8-4&keywords=Fiio

with

http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E9-Desktop-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B004M172FY/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356908051&sr=1-9&keywords=Fiio+e10

The new one that came out this year that I want
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Headphone-Amplifier-Docking-Interface/dp/B0070UFMOW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1356907804&sr=8-7&keywords=Fiio

[img]https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/459444_10150806561734606_655898315_o.jpg[/img]

edit: argh fuck it, just copy paste the picture, I remember the days when hotlinking wasn't such a pain in the ass on this site.


Would you say that getting a good cable is important for a good audio experience, or will stock cables make-do just as well?
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SpykeZ




Posts: 23710

PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 00:53    Post subject:
farne wrote:

Would you say that getting a good cable is important for a good audio experience, or will stock cables make-do just as well?


hmm honestly never heard of people replacing the cables, so I would just leave the stock cables. The higher quality brands aren't going to have the crappy weak audio connection like you'd get with something like skull candy. The nice thing about Sennheiser however, is they USUALLY come with details instructions on how to disassemble (...i just thought about Johnny 5 from short circuit..NO DISASSEMBLE!) the cup where the cord goes in to replace it in case of any issues. Most companies don't do this for their customers. So in the end, ya, I would just leave the stock cable.

MinderMast wrote:
Oh my god, somebody stop him before it gets out of control! Very Happy


lol IM SORRY! This happens everytime someone needs help with audio.


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MinderMast




Posts: 6172

PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 01:08    Post subject:
SpykeZ wrote:

MinderMast wrote:
Oh my god, somebody stop him before it gets out of control! Very Happy


lol IM SORRY! This happens everytime someone needs help with audio.

Oh, it's all good - you post a lot of useful info Smile
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SpykeZ




Posts: 23710

PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 01:55    Post subject:
haha you should see my cousins set up at home. He thought he had to stick to crappy logitech speakers. He's got some nice polk audio floor standing speakers he got on sale for 100 bucks each hooked up via optical to his pioneer receiver <3

I'm still working on my setup. Been shopping for Dayton subs to finish off my Polk bookshelf speakers



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Werelds
Special Little Man



Posts: 15098
Location: 0100111001001100
PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 12:33    Post subject:
SpykeZ is into audio like I'm into PSUs Laughing

I need new headphones as well, or rather, I want new ones (because I could just replace the padding on my Sennheisers). I'm hoping CES will bring some new goodies; I've recently had a chance to use an RS220 set and that thing is actually really fucking impressive. I don't know how the fuck Sennheiser managed it, but it sounds at least as good as an HDR555 and I even dare to say that it rivals a 650. On wireless headphones. No hiss, no interference, clear and crisp sound.
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Shocktrooper




Posts: 4593

PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 12:44    Post subject:
thanks for all the input Spykez, then I will definitely go for stereo headphones

the Sennheiser HD 558 (598) I posted before seems to be a price/performance wonder, it has an open design though.
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Ankh




Posts: 23359
Location: Trelleborg
PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 13:32    Post subject:
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-q701-quincy-jones.php


Not under €200 though!


shitloads of new stuff in my pc. Cant keep track of it all.
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KillerCrocker




Posts: 20503

PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 13:38    Post subject:
SpykeZ will kill me.
While I agree that Polk speakers are wonderfull, as for headphones, I have Creative tactic sigma 3D and they are great. bass is loud and deep, so is the sound.
Also very comfortable.

But I am not using it's 3d functions, because I don't really catch a 3d drift. stereo was always just fine for me

tho for 200E You can get something much better I think. not sure what


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bushwacka




Posts: 2990
Location: Vienna
PostPosted: Mon, 31st Dec 2012 15:36    Post subject:
does anyone here have experience with the logitech g930 or corsair vengeance 2000? i'm thinking about getting a wireless headset, and inb4 "sound quality blah blah": i already have damn nice akg headphones for playing guitar, mixing/production and generally being an audiophile faggot, so i basically just want a nice wireless headset with decent sound and mic quality
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Axeleration




Posts: 814

PostPosted: Sun, 20th Jan 2013 00:00    Post subject:
a little thread hijacking.

Can anyone recommend me a good non standard connection (like usb or even wireless) headset which is around 100-150€ ?
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Mchart




Posts: 7314

PostPosted: Sun, 20th Jan 2013 07:12    Post subject:
Everything that need be known has been said allready.

I have Q701's paired with a Essence STX myself. I use these with Dolby Headphone enabled for games/movies. For normal stereo sources I have a Marantz stereo amp plugged in which is driving my now 20 year old B&W 600's. Even these with Dolby Surround enabled are able to provide exceptional positional/3D performance.

I've always been a fan of spending money on truly great Stereo setups rather then spending potentially the same on a mediocre surround setup that will sound like shit anyways.
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Mchart




Posts: 7314

PostPosted: Sun, 20th Jan 2013 07:16    Post subject:
Ankh wrote:
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-q701-quincy-jones.php


Not under €200 though!


If the OP is in the states they are only $230 on sites like Amazon.

The Q701's are actually being phased out soon for a newer model which is why their price is getting slashed. For low $200 range they are an incredible deal.
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Mchart




Posts: 7314

PostPosted: Sun, 20th Jan 2013 07:23    Post subject:
bushwacka wrote:
does anyone here have experience with the logitech g930 or corsair vengeance 2000? i'm thinking about getting a wireless headset, and inb4 "sound quality blah blah": i already have damn nice akg headphones for playing guitar, mixing/production and generally being an audiophile faggot, so i basically just want a nice wireless headset with decent sound and mic quality


Then just use your AKG's and buy desk microphone / clip on microphone. (Or - http://www.modmic.com/ which is what I have)

I've got a Corsair 1300 and my god it sounds horrible. However, I bought it mostly because it does have decent build quality. Most headsets have horrible build quality. The Mic also works really good.

However, it makes my fucking ears bleed. It's also not very comfortable compared to the typical design you'll find on AKG's. (Which are so comfortable you forgot you are wearing them)
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Ankh




Posts: 23359
Location: Trelleborg
PostPosted: Sun, 20th Jan 2013 12:19    Post subject:
Mchart wrote:
Ankh wrote:
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-q701-quincy-jones.php


Not under €200 though!


If the OP is in the states they are only $230 on sites like Amazon.

The Q701's are actually being phased out soon for a newer model which is why their price is getting slashed. For low $200 range they are an incredible deal.


Two of my mates use the Q701 - as you said, they are an incredible deal. Brilliant sound for both gaming and music


shitloads of new stuff in my pc. Cant keep track of it all.
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Breezer_




Posts: 10843
Location: Finland
PostPosted: Sun, 20th Jan 2013 12:52    Post subject:
Tbh there aint good headsets available, its the mic that is shit, or the headphones itself. Just buy some high quality headphones + separate mic. Im using for gaming el cheapo Superlux HD681 headphones with AKG pads (these costs together like 40-50€) and beats the shit out from even expensive sennheisers (HD 595 etc...). Had 595s, and these really sound better in every aspect, especially bass response is much better on the superlux.
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SpykeZ




Posts: 23710

PostPosted: Sun, 20th Jan 2013 22:13    Post subject:
Axeleration wrote:
a little thread hijacking.

Can anyone recommend me a good non standard connection (like usb or even wireless) headset which is around 100-150€ ?


Rule of thumb...if it has as usb connection, don't buy it. USB connection bypass your audio chip and use whatever garbage the headset company put in it.

Also.....whatever Mchart said <3


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Mchart




Posts: 7314

PostPosted: Mon, 21st Jan 2013 06:50    Post subject:
Well, USB connection isn't bad if you go the external DAC route.

http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Grant-Fidelity-TubeDAC-11-D-A-Converter.html

These provide better audio quality then something like the Essence STX could.

That being said, you loose out on stuff like Dolby Headphone, etc. So if you have the spare PCI-E slot in your case it's best to just get the STX.
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Mr.Tinkles




Posts: 12378
Location: Reino de Suecia
PostPosted: Mon, 21st Jan 2013 10:50    Post subject:
I don't know, I'm absolutely happy with my logitech G35's.
The audio is actually quite good and does what it's supposed to in videogames, it locks out outside noise and I can hear everything in-games.

I just don't see the point in getting a pair of expensive headphones when still using onboard soundcard (not that they're bad, just that the plug-in ones are a bit better).

So honestly, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Logitech G35 which don't cost more than 80€...


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murgo




Posts: 1928
Location: Brezelcountry
PostPosted: Mon, 21st Jan 2013 17:56    Post subject:
what Prefetian said. i'm also very happy with my g35.


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