Looking for Good Headphones for music and gaming (Got A900's!)

The Audio Technica ATH-AD700 is considered the "gaming headphone" around here, but I've never tried it myself so I can't comment any further. You can search around the forums about those headphones. They are open and won't provide any isolation. If you are looking for some isolation then maybe the Audio Technica ATH-M50 is a great place to start. It is a great headphone for its price, and I also only use it for music, so I can't comment on it for gaming. The Beyerdynamic DT770 might be another you could try for a closed headphone, but you have to search around for information on those to see if it's right for you. These are just some good entry headphones that many recommened here for what you are looking for.

 

Oh ok, I don't think open headphones will be any problem for you then unless you like to max out your volume on your headphones . I've read the AD700 is very comfy if you have a big head. My Beyer DT990 is very comfy so maybe the DT770 will be the same as well. Or you could just get the DT990 (open headphone) as it has great (almost sharp) highs, good punchy bass, and most importantly (for gaming) a nice soundstage. I think they'd be nice for metal music as well, but I definitely prefer the Grados for any type of rock music. Beware though, the Grados don't exactly have the best comfort and I don't think they are great for gaming as well. The M50 has more clamping power, and it does get kind of hot after a while of use because of the pleather pads. I'd say the AD700 is probably your best bet as it has a wide soundstage, is clear, and detailed, but I've read it is lean on bass, and maybe you'd like to have emphasis on the bass with metal music? It really comes down to trying it out and seeing if it's your sound or not.

 

Edited by sysfail - 3/24/11 at 12:55am

Was u implying that someone sleeps in the same room as you? The ad 700 bleed a hell of a lot so other people are gonna hear everything coming out of them, secondly metal and gaming aren't going to have that bass response you will be wanting to come out of them, on a plus note they can be worn endlessly they are that comfy

To me the Audio Technica ATH-AD700s are the best for comfort, and going all night long.

If she goes to bed in another room behind a closed door (or two) you could get away with open headphones (like the ATH-AD700s).

If in the same room, it would have to be closed headphones, like ATH-A700s.

or start out with something cheaper, like the JVC HA-RX900s.

 

x2 on Audio Technica for closed headphones. Friend of mine went thru' uni using his ATH-A900 (the closed ones, don't get confused with AD900), and some of his course mates found them excellent for FPS gaming.

Not sure of any other headphones that might fit your needs. I'm pretty sure the HD595 would work out just fine, but I don't know too much about it so you'd have to look around. The DT990 would of been good, but it's not within your budget. Maybe a DT770 would be pretty good, and you could take a look at the Ultrasone HFI/PRO's as well. They are all closed headphones.

 

Ehhh, just to clarify for OP's sake:

HD 595, DT 990 -- OPEN headphones

DT 770 -- CLOSED

Ultrasone HFI/Pro -- it depends on the model

 

Thanks Eric, didn't clarify enough lol. I think there are comparisons between the AD700 and AD900 and I've read that it does everything better but not enough to justify the price difference. But that's the AD versions which are the open ones. I'm not sure about the A700 and A900.

EDIT: The A's should have better bass response since they are closed phones.

If you want to be safe than you should try the A700 first, and if it's not for you then just sell it here and search for something else. If you like it you could also sell it and then get the A900, or if you are satisfied you could just stick with the A700 :) There are also the new upgraded models of the HD555/595 which are the HD558/598. You could read up on those and see if they are for you.