Gaming: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro or Audio-Technica ATH-M50?

Supposedly both are equally bad for gaming

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envy-aka-shin-cz-s-guide-to-headphone-gaming-particularly-with-dolby-headphone

Heya,

Neither. Why would you want either of these headphones for gaming? They have cramped sound stages.

I imagine you need closed headphones for privacy, based on your choices here? Open and semi-open tend to have better sound stage and imaging for gaming specifically. If you're looking for closed headphones, I'd point you towards the Beyer DT770 PRO and Ultrasone HFI 580 for gaming in that price range. Otherwise, something like the D2000 at a higher tier for everything (including gaming). For open, if you consider it, I'd point you directly to the Fischer Audio FA-011, then DT880/DT990 or HD595/598 at higher costs depending on taste.

Very best,

I love the DT770 Pro 80 for gaming headphones, the perfect balance of soundstage/clarity for competitive gaming & a big wow-factor for fun gaming. 

Try the Samson SR 850, afaik they're amazing for gaming. I have the hd595 and they get the job done, plus i enjoy them for music. As long as you're staying home an open headphone is going to give you a much much better soundstage compared to a closed one.

the 595s do not need amping in the least bit, pretty much anything will run them, but amped they get a lot bassier (from my experience) So yes, they would be fine to plug straight into the comp

The 598 shouldn't need any amping either, as for the prices, ive found both within $10 of eachother, so just pick on which one you like the looks of, and I think there are a couple threads comparing the 595 vs 598. afaik they should be almost similar but i haven't actually compared the two

Heya,

Get the HD595 and a Xonar DG sound card. Very inexpensive and very boss way to get great audio and good gaming experience (Xonar DG has dolby headphone which will play a huge roll in your gaming). The HD598 is just a little different from the HD595. I wouldn't say it's better or worth the money specifically, more just a different sound, so it's more up to you and what you think you want. The HD598 has lots of mids and is otherwise a bright sennheiser, but doesn't have gobs of bass. If that doesn't sound like what you're after, then get the HD595 and you're set. Definitely get a Xonar DG or something similar, get off the onboard, the DG is only $30, and it's got a built in amplifier and has dolby headphone. That will take your experience way forward compared to onaboard with a nice set of headphones, especially while gaming.

Very best,

x2 the dolby headphone will be a great improvement, giving more of a surround sound from the headphones, i can't believe i didn't recommend one. (sorry if my post about them not needing amping was confusing, to clarify, they don't need amping to sound good but amping brings them to another level of awesome)

The 598 are excellent for private gaming (in a quiet room) .. great comfort and soundstage .. very good details retrieval

No amping needed ,, but if you can get a Dolby Headphone/CMSS-3D Headphone Surround device like the Astro Mix amp or an external XFi sound card,  that would be nicer.

I've been using the pc350's for almost 2 months, and i have been pleased with its performance on gaming.