Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › ISO: Some top choices for quality gaming/music Headsets! ($200~ budget)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

ISO: Some top choices for quality gaming/music Headsets! ($200~ budget)

post #1 of 10
1/21/12 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 

Not sure if this is the right section but I didn't happen to see anything on headsets, forgive me if I did something wrong. I don't post here often, but I do find useful information here. AKA in like 2001 I was suggested from these forums to get the Audio Technica ATH-900's (I think that's the model I got.) Great isolation, rich bass, loved em. They lasted about 6-7 years. The speakers are still probably great but the plastic parts of the headband broke so many times that the set is being held together in the most awkward way with duct tape and no longer being used.

 

As title said, I'm looking for a really good gaming headset. I do mostly competitive gaming, MMO/RTS, and sometimes FPS. I also listen to a lot of music, and occasionally watch movies.

 

Key desires in order of most appreciated.

 

Audio quality - *****

Mic quality - ****

Build quality - ****

Isolation - ****

Comfort - ***

 

ATM I'm using the onboard (Asus p8p67 pro) 7.1 audio, but that could very well change when funds permit. It's not bad though, at least that I've noticed. Also have the Corsair SP2500 2.1 speaker setup: (http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Gaming-High-Power-Speaker-CA-SP211NA/dp/B004H0MQYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327174062&sr=8-1) Which I'm pretty satisfied with got general use. Was using a $15 logitech desk mic with that setup.

 

But I "rented" a Turtle Beach xbox headset from best buy and my mic quality improved a lot, and I missed having the nice isolated sound of good cups on my ears. Though this $129 pair from best buy is hardly what I want to settle on.

 

Looking for any good suggestions for under or around $200. Also curious of opinions on sound cards and if needed an amp or receiver. Was for a while, when I was building my computer, looking at the ASUS Xonar Essence STX (http://www.amazon.com/PCI-Express-XONAR-ESSENCE-STX-90-YAA0C0-0UAN00Z/dp/B001OV789U/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327174380&sr=1-1)

And the Asus Xonar Xense audio set card+headset (http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Premium-Acoustics-Powered-Sennheiser/dp/B0040YJNSW/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327174380&sr=1-5) which doesn't look too shabby.

 

A key note is that any sound card I get has to be the PCI-E x1 connector, as in the Xonar Essence STX. Really the only available slot left in my comp.

 

Anywho before I ramble too far off topic.. Headsets? =)

 

Thanks.


Edited by Ezero50K - 1/21/12 at 11:45am
Reply
post #2 of 10
1/21/12 at 11:53am

Good isolation and good sound for gaming don't go hand-in-hand. 

 

Your preference for isolation is going to work against your preference for audio quality (where gaming is concerned).

 

Isolation  = closed = small soundstage,

                 open   =  larger soundstage  =  good for gaming

 

The two best headset for gaming are the Sennheiser PC360s and the Beyerdynamic MMX300:  One of which is for sale in my sig below wink_face.gif

Reply
post #3 of 10
1/21/12 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 

Good points. I'm not sure if I've ever really had a good trial with any open design headphones. I've really liked good isolation though that's for sure. My gut tells me that an open design will sound more hollow and lighter, less deep and "immersive'. Am I wrong?

 

Edit: Also is that combo a good value? Asus Xonar Xense set. The Xense card with the rebranded Sennheiser pc350s. Which are closed. about $300.


Edited by Ezero50K - 1/21/12 at 12:45pm
Reply
post #4 of 10
1/21/12 at 12:52pm
Thread Starter 

I guess I should also add that another option I'm considering, if the increase in audio quality is there and not the huge price difference, is to buy a good set of headphones, and a good desk mic.

Reply
post #5 of 10
1/21/12 at 2:58pm

 

Quote:
is to buy a good set of headphones, and a good desk mic.

 

Yes its the best choice.

 

For 300$ i would have said the pro900, really excellent with games and movie. The K550 can be very good too with its big soundstage but much less bassy. DT990 05 can also be a good pretender.

 

For 200$, the DT770 pro can be very good, comfortable, bassy and huge soundstage for a closed headphone.

 

For 100$, the srh750 is also very good, good bass, clear mids and big soundstage.

Reply
post #6 of 10
1/21/12 at 4:02pm
Thread Starter 

Checked those Pro 900s on amazon, they appear to have the same connector style that my A900's had, the thin plastic crescent connecting the cups to the headband. They were the weakest point on my headphones and broke more than once. Are they any more durable on the Pro 900s?

 

(Ultrasone PRO 900 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Headphones) Assuming those were what you meant.

 

Also I'm open to trying a pair of open cans if you guys think it's really that much better. Might as well give it a try since I never have.

 

PC360's are looking like a tempting budget option. Headphones + good desk mic is the road that seems most appealing.


Edited by Ezero50K - 1/21/12 at 4:09pm
Reply
post #7 of 10
1/21/12 at 5:21pm

 

Quote:
the thin plastic crescent connecting the cups to the headband. They were the weakest point on my headphones and broke more than once. Are they any more durable on the Pro 900s?

 

I never heard a problem like this on the pro900. The pro900 is a sturdy headphone.

 

 

Quote:
Also I'm open to trying a pair of open cans if you guys think it's really that much better. Might as well give it a try since I never have.

 

Why not the HD598.

Reply
post #8 of 10
1/22/12 at 2:43pm
Thread Starter 

Let's transition this thread a little.

 

I want a pair of headphones that compare to my ATH-A900s since they're all I really know in audio-phile kingdom, and I liked them a lot. Isolation, great bass that didn't ruin the rest of the sound stage or muddy anything up. $200~ is about my budget, could push upwards toward like $280 if they're really worth it.

 

My biggest peeve with the ATH-A900s was that after a few years putting them over my big head, the weak points in the plastic crescent connectors broke. (Do you think it would be possible to hit up Audio-Technica for replacements? If that part is even removable?)

 

And I want a really nice quality desk mic for about $40-$80

 

the Ultrasone 900 Pro's look like a pretty good match, a little steep on price though, and it seems their bass might be a little overpowering. Has anyone used both ATH-A900 and Pro 900's able to offer some insight on how they compare?

 

Might start a new thread in this direction.

 

Eventually I'll get a nice sound card and external receiver to help improve things. Any tips there are also welcome.


Edited by Ezero50K - 1/22/12 at 2:45pm
Reply
post #9 of 10
1/22/12 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 

Asus Xonar Essence STX -> Ultrasone Pro 900s

 

Looks like what I'm leaning toward. Mic still undecided.

 

Curious how does comfort compare between the ATH-A900 and Pro 900s?


Edited by Ezero50K - 1/22/12 at 9:10pm
Reply
post #10 of 10
1/23/12 at 7:18am

 

Quote:
Curious how does comfort compare between the ATH-A900 and Pro 900s?

 

ATH-A/AD series headband are more comfortable imo but velour pads from the pro900 are more comfortable than the bad pleather from A900.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › ISO: Some top choices for quality gaming/music Headsets! ($200~ budget)