someguydude said:

  Maybe some of us have a similar interest in microphones that we have in headphones.
 
I admit there's a weird irony in audiophiles dropping real money on headphones then using a garbage Snowball.

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Just curious what your pick would be at the same price as the Snowball.

someguydude said:

Maybe some of us have a similar interest in microphones that we have in headphones.

I admit there's a weird irony in audiophiles dropping real money on headphones then using a garbage Snowball.

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yethal said:

I feel the same every time I see a guy with GTX1080 and liquid cooled CPU using an onboard soundcard and Razer headset.

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This is how I feel when people ask about (or are recommended) top the line $1000+ headphones for gaming on a console.

change is good said:

This is how I feel when people ask about (or are recommended) top the line $1000+ headphones for gaming on a console.

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I have no issue if people are looking for something in that price bracket. Granted music reproduction should also be a huge factor. I've been playing with the M1060 lately and for $300, it's got a lot going for it. Should be modding them with vegan pads very soon, which people claim it makes them extremely good (along with some paper towel pieces).

mbyrnes said:

I have no issue if people are looking for something in that price bracket. Granted music reproduction should also be a huge factor. I've been playing with the M1060 lately and for $300, it's got a lot going for it. Should be modding them with vegan pads very soon, which people claim it makes them extremely good (along with some paper towel pieces).

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The price bracket isn't the issue, it's matching it with a console. You don't have many options for processors, there. So why drop that much cash for low cost gaming and audio devices.

The X7 and Realizer will work on consoles for top of the line headphones, but it will most likey need to be on a desktop setup. Most console players don't play on a desktop.

change is good said:

The price bracket isn't the issue, it's matching it with a console. You don't have many options for processors, there. So why drop that much cash for low cost gaming and audio devices.

The X7 and Realizer will work on consoles for top of the line headphones, but it will most likey need to be on a desktop setup. Most console players don't play on a desktop.

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I've built quite the collection, and my Hifiman HEX V2 is the best headphone I have for surround. I use a creative X7, into a MicroZOTL2 and it's wonderful for gaming and movies. Far better than my Astro Mixamp. It's it as good as the A16? Hell no, but it is truly a great experience. Now I have other headphones that are good, but nothing at all like the HEX. Closest would be the M1060 or TH-X00 Ebony. Those are a big step up from DT990, AKG K702 Annies, or many other entry level/mid-fi level headphones.

Very impressed with the X7, especially with Sparkos op amps. Fed into the MicroZOTL2, the problem is the source, if anything. This setup beats most 5.1 surround sound systems I've ever heard, which is an extensive list.

Headphones IMO get a raw deal, they can easily outmatch many home stereo systems with ease. Many headphones, including low cost headphones and decoders that are a fraction of the cost, outperform their stereo counterparts.

I'm holding a meet in a two weeks in South Philly. I'm most excited about showing surround sound gaming on an entry level system. I'll have movies on Blu-ray as well. City living kills true surround systems here. You don't have to give it up, and it may be better than what a similar priced stereo would cost.

Well, here goes my attempt in reviewing the SHP9500.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/philips-shp9500/reviews/18245
 
Hope you all enjoy the read! 

I dunno about you guys, but I game with a Shure KSM27 and KSM8. Also a Sennheiser AVX MKE2. And the Blue Snowball, Blueberry and Kiwi. And a cheap-as-chips generic dynamic from some company I cannot remember.

fonkepala said:

Hi there. Would like to get more clarification on this. So tell me if I'm getting this right.... Does the PS4 recognize the Blue Snowball as a USB mic and does voice chat work as intended this way? All other in-game sounds can be heard on your headphones with no issue?

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Yes, the PS4 recognizes the Blue as a USB mic, and since it's just an input, all the chat and game audio go out through HDMI and optical (I hook up the optical to my X7, and sometimes I hook up my Mojo to the X7 just because I can).

yethal said:

I wouldn't bother with the desktop ones unless make money with your voice.

Pick one that's least painful to setup.

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I agree with this sentiment. I'm mostly just talking to friends, so far never trying to make money with my voice, so I just need a mic that is clear enough and doesn't cause an annoying background whine. If someone is streaming a lot, or DOES want to make money with their voice, then yeah get a nice mic, but a nice Mic will cost plenty more than a USB Snowball (~$35 used) or 3.5mm lapel mic as I used to use (~$7 for a 3-pack).

I game with my PC & PS4 at a desk because a monitor is more responsive than a TV, and I can leave out all my kit at the ready. Others might prefer to play on a couch, where a headphone-mounted mic or lapel mic is easier to position.

someguydude said:

Maybe some of us have a similar interest in microphones that we have in headphones.

I admit there's a weird irony in audiophiles dropping real money on headphones then using a garbage Snowball.

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One could do FAR worse than a snowball...
But if you have different goals than me, by all means spend your money there are GREAT mics out there that sound fantastic. Someday, I might get one of those Sennheisers and a proper shock-mount.

napalmhardcore said:

Just curious what your pick would be at the same price as the Snowball.

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That's the thing, not many decent options at the Snowball's low price. I guess something from Samson, if you want the streamlined approach of USB? Or if you're using an X7, for about the same cost you can just use a Creative BT-W2 and the X7's built-in mic. If you want better, it costs more in cash and sometimes setup complexity.

I don't know how relevant this is, but it looks like Best Buy has lowered the pricing of the 558 by another $10 online, making them $69.99. 
 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sennheiser-audiophile-over-the-ear-headphones-titan/1700513.p
 
These + the aftermarket sennheiser cable with boom-mic built in would run about $92 or so after all is said and done. 
 
Don't know how it'd compare to something like the SHP9500 and a boom mic.
 
Additionally, HyperX Cloud Pro's, which could be used on your PC, XBO and PS4 is on sale on Amazon for $63.00
 
https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Cloud-Gaming-Headset-Line/dp/B01MTLMV89/
 
Both really tempting deals. I think the non-removable cable kind of kills the HyperX option for me however. 

napalmhardcore said:

 
Just curious what your pick would be at the same price as the Snowball.

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Cad U37 or Neewer NW-700, most likely. The Neewer isn't USB but it comes with an XLR -> 3.5mm that a buddy of mine says works pretty well.
 
Look, I like Blue mics, I have a Blue Spark sitting to the left of me, but their USB line (Snowball, Yeti, Nessie) leave a LOT to be desired. Frankly, if you HAVE to go USB, my suggestion remains the AT-2020+, best bang for the buck USB mic out there. And heck, if you go with the other cliche headphone pick of the M50x you can basically make yourself a full Audio-Technica setup.
 
Blue's cheap USB mics are just plain dodgy. The number of people I've had to help try and get the settings right because they couldn't find a balance between "keeps blowing out" and "is barely audible" is amazing. 

axelcloris said:

  I dunno about you guys, but I game with a Shure KSM27 and KSM8. Also a Sennheiser AVX MKE2. And the Blue Snowball, Blueberry and Kiwi. And a cheap-as-chips generic dynamic from some company I cannot remember.

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OMG you have a Kiwi. The jealousy is real...

someguydude said:

  OMG you have a Kiwi. The jealousy is real...

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I don't personally, but we have one at the office courtesy of Blue. It's an incredible mic. Sadly, as much as I love their sound, condensers aren't as suited to gaming as the dynamics I've used because of their weaker noise rejection. Without processing, the Kiwi picks up every single brush of a key or click of the mouse no matter which pickup pattern I choose. Great in the studio, not as much for Overwatch.
 
I'm still wanting to get my hands on an Electro-Voice RE320 or RE20 to see how they fare for gaming. I'd imagine damned well since they're a broadcasting standard.

m3t4lm4n222 said:

  I don't know how relevant this is, but it looks like Best Buy has lowered the pricing of the 558 by another $10 online, making them $69.99. 
 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sennheiser-audiophile-over-the-ear-headphones-titan/1700513.p
 
These + the aftermarket sennheiser cable with boom-mic built in would run about $92 or so after all is said and done. 
 
Don't know how it'd compare to something like the SHP9500 and a boom mic.
 
Additionally, HyperX Cloud Pro's, which could be used on your PC, XBO and PS4 is on sale on Amazon for $63.00
 
https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Cloud-Gaming-Headset-Line/dp/B01MTLMV89/
 
Both really tempting deals. I think the non-removable cable kind of kills the HyperX option for me however. 

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The 3rd party boom mic, is it the ~$20 one from amazon? I just ordered it last Thursday its due to come tomorrow.. I can let you guys know if its decent (it has very mixed reviews). I have a Vmoda boom pro mic to pit it against.
 
edit: wanted boom for both my headphones so if a friend is over we can both play online with chat

This https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IRCXC9S/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_2_w

axelcloris said:

   
I don't personally, but we have one at the office courtesy of Blue. It's an incredible mic. Sadly, as much as I love their sound, condensers aren't as suited to gaming as the dynamics I've used because of their weaker noise rejection. Without processing, the Kiwi picks up every single brush of a key or click of the mouse no matter which pickup pattern I choose. Great in the studio, not as much for Overwatch.
 
I'm still wanting to get my hands on an Electro-Voice RE320 or RE20 to see how they fare for gaming. I'd imagine damned well since they're a broadcasting standard.

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Oh yeah, for sure. My Spark picks up every little clickety-clack of the mech keyboard. It's not USUALLY an issue in Overwatch for me because it's not like I'm rapid-fire typing, but if it becomes a problem I just swap to PTT. I do Twitch/YouTube so the clarity of a condenser is optimal, at least for me. 
 
The RE20 is good, but IMO the SM7B (which is THE broadcasting mic) does a better job for less money. But you will need a pre-amp of some kind. The Cloudlifter is kinda the go-to for it. 

someguydude said:

 
Oh yeah, for sure. My Spark picks up every little clickety-clack of the mech keyboard. It's not USUALLY an issue in Overwatch for me because it's not like I'm rapid-fire typing, but if it becomes a problem I just swap to PTT. I do Twitch/YouTube so the clarity of a condenser is optimal, at least for me. 
 
The RE20 is good, but IMO the SM7B (which is THE broadcasting mic) does a better job for less money. But you will need a pre-amp of some kind. The Cloudlifter is kinda the go-to for it. 

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The SM7B is certainly a classic microphone, and I do enjoy its sound signature for vocals, but with Shure mics I'd probably reach for their KSM8 with its dual diaphragm instead. Being able to have use a dynamic without worrying about the proximity effect is just one less thing to think about for a streamer. And IMO it's more attractive than the SM7B, which will probably appeal to some streamers as well.
 
For $400 I'd most likely grab the RE320 over the SM7B and put the remaining $100 towards something else. Easier to drive, a tad more linear tonality, less proximity effect and cheaper. At $500, between the RE20 and KSM8, now that's a tough call.
 
Of course, your average gamer doesn't have the other gear necessary for these mics, so something like a Snowball or the humble BoomPro would be plenty for most.