*TPU's Gaming Headphone/Headset Thread*

[Hayder_Master]

hello guys, im look for best of the best gaming headset, not wireless
thx

 

[majestic12]

What's your budget?

I can recommend $100 dollar headphones, $500 headphones, $1,000+ headphones, etc. It's a really big market!

 

[n-ster]

best of the best would technically mean unlimited xD

 

[Frizz]

Its personal preference!

 

[majestic12]

If I had a really high limit for my budget, I would choose a Sennheiser HD800 with a WooAudio 5 amp and a Headroom Ultra Micro DAC. The headphones run about $1300-$1400 USD, the amp is about $3000 USD, and the DAC is a bargain at around $700.

With a smaller budget, I'd go with a Sennheiser HD650 with a WooAudio 6 amp (or a little dot MKIV with better tubes) and probably use the DAC built into the sound card.


If an external headphone amp isn't much of an option, I would most likely go with Audio Technicas. The better models with open designs include the ATH-AD2000 which is amazing and work their way down to the AD700 or A700 (closed design) which are the lowest you'd probably want to go with. Don't get headphones that are targeted as "gaming headphones". A quality set of cans will blow them away in quality almost every time.

Edit: Another option for unamped headphones if the Sennheiser sound is wanted would be the HD595s. They're about to be switched out to a newer model (the HD598) which will translate into a lower price for the 595s. Their retail price varies quite a bit.

 

[AhokZYashA]

FWIR the ATH M50 is pretty balanced with a slight bump in the sub-bass section.
how is it for music and gaming?

 

[Frederik S]

They are alright for gaming as well. I slightly prefer the AD700s due to their better sound stage but they do not have the low end presence of the M50s.

 

[inferKNOX]

hello guys, im look for best of the best gaming headset, not wireless
thx

Roccat KAVE 5.1

 

[AhokZYashA]

@Frederik S :
what headphone are you using for music?
what amp/DAC?

 

[Frederik S]

I am using the following setup at home:
HifiMAN HM-801 (via line out) -> Head-Direct EF1 (with sylvania grey plate tube) -> HifiMAN HE-5LE

On the go:
HifiMAN HM-801 (via line out) -> RSA Tomahawk -> Westone 3 / JH|16Pro

For gaming:
X-fi -> Audiotechnica AD700

 

[AhokZYashA]

wow...
thats quite an equipment you have there....
want to share hows your impression with them?

 

[Frederik S]

You can find the reviews of the pieces here:
http://techpowerup.com/reviews/?q_reviews=&p=1&pp=25&order=date&category=Headphones

And there will be an article about the other stuff soon.

 

[catnipkiller]

i have a logitech g35 and its great its only usb but has great sound and bass. it also comes with a build in voice changer i will try to make a review when i get the time but its my fave head set so far.

 

[Wulfgar]

I am considering the AKG K99 which is currently $69.99 at a local store:

http://www.long-mcquade.com/product...Headphones/AKG/K99_Semi_-_Open_Headphones.htm

What's best for gaming beween semi-open and closed ? Does anyone have any experience with AKG headphones ?

Btw, today I tried out the Sennheiser HD280Pro and the highly rated Audio-Technica AH-M30 on a high quality amp and rock music.

The Sennheiser sounded very good but it was too heavy and not very confortable overall. The M30 sounded like crap with distorted and muffled sound and the confort level was horrible. This made me realize that you can't trust online reviews when looking for headphones. Overall the K77 was the most confortable with decent sound (not up to 280 Pro quality). That's why the K99 might be a better choice, unfortunately I coudn't try them.

 

[AhokZYashA]

i think the one that highly rated are the M50 not the M30
the M30 sound is not that good..

for gaming i can suggest the ATH-AD700 for its massive soundstage.

 

[Wulfgar]

I couldn't find AD700 anywhere in Montreal Canada so those are pretty much out of the question.

So I went and bought the K99 and here are my impressions:

-very good for music and movies, solid bass
-decent for games
-decent noise cancelling aka I can't hear the PC rumbling

After a few hours of Mafia 2, the weapons lack some punch. The voices and the engines can be heard very clearly though.

The major dissapointment is the confort level. Don't get me wrong, some people might have no problem with these since they're very light. It pretty much depends on the shape of your ears. I have average size "wide" ears as opposed to large flat ears (for which they might be better suited) and the outer cartilage rubs against the inner part of the headphone. Therefore, after 30 mins or so my ears are burning and I have to take them off. I wish they were wider or maybe they should've added some soft padding inside the cans.

Since the store has a 10 day return policy, I won't be keeping them around for too long.

 

[n-ster]

Hey, I'm from MTL too I suggest you get your headphones from the US

 

[raptori]

does the Ear Force HPA2 5.1 still good competitor what should I consider if I'm Looking for something better ? I've read most of the this thread trying to make a decision but it's still hard and was surprised that creative SB Arena took the 1st place in Best Gaming Headset @bit-tech.net although many users reviews says its flimsy and lack sturdiness so its not considered for me.


budget :60-80$
purpose :1st gaming 2nd music

 

[Hayder_Master]

does the Ear Force HPA2 5.1 still good competitor what should I consider if I'm Looking for something better ? I've read most of the this thread trying to make a decision but it's still hard and was surprised that creative SB Arena took the 1st place in Best Gaming Headset @bit-tech.net although many users reviews says its flimsy and lack sturdiness so its not considered for me.


budget :60-80$
purpose :1st gaming 2nd music

guys me too, but for me add more budget range up to 120$

 

[Kursah]

Well raptori, the beginning of your post makes no sense.... "does the Ear Force HPA2 5.1 still good competitor what should I consider...". But I can manage as I am pretty sure I get what you're asking.

The HPA2 5.1 was by far the best gaming headset I had experience with (see the OP for my reviews)...but even the cheaper JVC HARX700's were better...though they were driven by an old Sound Blaster sound card...onboard is horrid in comparison from my experience. That CAN make a difference with gaming headsets and true headphones. I still support and stand behind the get the cheaper headphones, get the cheap Zalman Clip-on mic when you have a sound card or even also get a sound card for the same price as a mid-high-end headset and in reality but MUCH happier with sound volume, quality, position, ability and pretty much every area for much longer with much better durability (JVC HARX700 vs HPA2 for example...I have had both).

Step one, get a damn sound card...many will say no..but in reality they have cleaner output power which translates into better sound, crisper, deeper, higher, harder hitting, larger sounding, etc....then get the headphones...get what you can. Gaming headsets are good, and some are getting better...but I've still yet to hear any gaming headset that would deter me away from STILL recommending the JVC HARX700 + Zalman clip-on mic + old Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music combo...gaming headsets are the easy way...and for many work well and are good enough...until they hear what the same money could've achieved...then like me you're annoyed with lesser decisions and move on, do it right and get over it. Not all gaming headsets blow...but you'll spend dearly to attain one worth it and really "true 5.1" while impressive isn't great, and when an X-Fi with emulation and stereo headphones does just as good for less overall...why not go that route?


Just some food for thought. Please do read the OP, I have multiple links to different posted reviews in this thread along with my reviews in the OP.

 

[raptori]

Kursah your right but I didn't explain it all

1:HPA2 5.1 released as far as I know in jun 2007 at least thats what reviews say and till now there r tons of headsets released since then so thats why the non-sense question "does the Ear Force HPA2 5.1 still good competitor"

2:the shipping cost for separate products (JVC HARX700 + Zalman clip-on mic) are expensive especially when it shipped from USA to our country(25$ for 1 pound of shipping weight), I know it looks like steeling but we r still lucky to get what we want considering all the rubbish in our market + we can get some small discount on overall cost

3:I've already read most of the posts in this thread and thats what makes me focus on all in one cost effective(in shipping) and good solution .

and thanks for all the efforts.

 

[Frederik S]

Raptori I think if you make one order on amazon you only pay shipping once. And the JVCs are sold on there as far as I can remember.

So maybe it is worth trying?

 

[raptori]

Raptori I think if you make one order on amazon you only pay shipping once. And the JVCs are sold on there as far as I can remember.

So maybe it is worth trying?

they are available now both the 700 and 900 JVCs
JVC HARX700 @35$
JVC HARX900 @59$

 

[Kursah]

Kursah your right but I didn't explain it all

1:HPA2 5.1 released as far as I know in jun 2007 at least thats what reviews say and till now there r tons of headsets released since then so thats why the non-sense question "does the Ear Force HPA2 5.1 still good competitor"

2:the shipping cost for separate products (JVC HARX700 + Zalman clip-on mic) are expensive especially when it shipped from USA to our country(25$ for 1 pound of shipping weight), I know it looks like steeling but we r still lucky to get what we want considering all the rubbish in our market + we can get some small discount on overall cost

3:I've already read most of the posts in this thread and thats what makes me focus on all in one cost effective(in shipping) and good solution .

and thanks for all the efforts.

HPA2 5.1 rev2 was released in late 2008, it uses USB power for the amp instead of 120v wall socket power. But around 2007 sounds right...I caught wind of them around the time CoD4 was released, prior to that I used garbage headsets.

Some like the Roccat Kave 5.1 (iirc that's the name) more... You did say your market is rubbish...but maybe theres a diamond in the rough somewhere over that way?

The JVC's are a good, affordable, and durable start for all around listening with decent gaming abilities. But if you're set on the HPA2's, they are pretty good and will sound louder and a tad crisper when connected directly to onboard audio due to having the in-line amplifier. Where as the JVC's will only use the power from the 3.5mm audio output...which is why a sound card with more power out would do both good. One thing about the HPA2's is that they're an open headphone...so sound leaks in and out. That's why I prefer closed like the JVC's (the 700's are semi-open, with a very, very small ring vent...but isolate decently). In my application I gotta have closed back 'phones to keep more sound in and intrusive sound out...that and keep my roommate sane lol. But the HPA2's can go very loud even off of onboard audio, and while some have done it, I really don't recommend the JVC's (which are pretty easy to power...the 700's at least are) without a dedicated sound card to push 'em.

Keep doing some research and asking questions, you'll get something that'll do the trick!

 

[raptori]

I just want to share some updates
I found a Sennheiser store but its kinda more dedicated towards TV channels products and here what I've found :
HD280 @ $125
HD215 @ $65
HD202 @$50

I think non of them will do the job especially at those prices but they have some good quality gold plated cables for future needs and here what I'm settled with

1-HPA2
2-JVC700 or 900 + clip on mic if I get good shipping discount

I'll give my review as soon as I get any of them