Hello Head-Fi!
 
After lurking and researching through the amazingly helpful forums and reviews, I decided it was time to get some direct guidance before I commit to my first quality audio set-up.
 
I'm looking for some open headphones primarily for single-player gaming, movies, and music. (in order of importance.)
In regards to gaming, I play pretty much everything, but I'm not terribly concerned with competitive features or fancy mics. I mostly want something with detailed and immersive audio, so you feel like your there instead of your mom's basement.
 
I listen to all sorts of music, but primarily Pink Floyd, Queen, Led Zeppelin and the likes. The only vaguely decent quality headset I've owned is a Steelseries Siberia V2 (with the usb soundcard) that I had for a year before it died on me, so I don't have a lot of past experience to know what I want in a set. I like to be able to distinguish each individual instrument/track being played on its own, and I like my bass to have a little impact without overshadowing the rest of the sound.
 
I've been looking around for a while and there are a couple pieces of gear I keep coming back to. The Beyerdynamic DT-990-Pro-250 headphones seem appealing to me from what I've read, and they're half price on amazon right now! And since these will reportedly need an amp, I like the look of the Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1, which seems like a good solution for my PC and multiple consoles. Everyone seems to recommend it for beginners and I like that it has upgrade potential.
 
Those two will come out to around $350 if I get everything at current price, which is about the extent of my budget. However, if it is strongly recommended I go for something a little pricier, I don't mind saving up. Also, I certainly don't mind if it is suggested I pay less.  
 
In regards to my location, I will be using them in a fairly isolated room. There is someone staying in the room next to me, but he will either be gone or using his own closed headphones whenever I am playing. But just to be sure, does anyone think the open headphones could possibly be a bother for someone in the next room if I'm listening at a comfortable level?
 
So, if anyone has and advice or suggestions for a complete beginner, I would love to hear what you have to say! Thanks in advance for all your help! 

You might consider getting the Creative Sound Blaster Z (SB1500 or SB1502) PC sound card, currently $100.
And an Astro Mix-amp for any gaming console.
 
The Maverick Audio does not provide any Headphone Surround Sound.
 
Check out the AKG K612 Pro headphones.

Thanks for the advice. I've heard it argued that surround sound with headphones usually isn't worth the loss of quality associated with it. I'm not sure if this is because headphones made for surround are bad, or if the surround kills the quality. I can't imagine the Mixamp provides comparable sound to the Maverick, but I could be wrong. Would I be sacrificing a considerable level of sound quality to get surround using either of the options you suggested?
 
Also the headphones you suggested do look very nice, though if I went for them now, they would be more expensive then the DT-990. Do you think they are superior to the seemingly higher-end option?
 
Sorry for my nitpicking, and thanks for the help.

flamingantsbear said:

  Thanks for the advice. I've heard it argued that surround sound with headphones usually isn't worth the loss of quality associated with it. I'm not sure if this is because headphones made for surround are bad, or if the surround kills the quality. I can't imagine the Mixamp provides comparable sound to the Maverick, but I could be wrong. Would I be sacrificing a considerable level of sound quality to get surround using either of the options you suggested?
 
Also the headphones you suggested do look very nice, though if I went for them now, they would be more expensive then the DT-990. Do you think they are superior to the seemingly higher-end option?

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No one is forced to listen to something in surround sound, you always have an option of setting a sound card (or game console) to basic 2-channel stereo audio. Just use whatever setting your ears like best.
Usually the headphones with 5 or 6 speakers in each cup is not going to have great audio quality, you would have to use really low quality diaphragms, because of cost.
The Astro mix-amp would not be able to match the Maverick audio for sound quality.
But I believe most gamers are not will to pay the cost for better quality anyway.
 
The AKG K612 Pro (120-Ohm) headphones are lower Ohms then the DT990 (250-Ohm).
So the K612 might be a little easier for a Mix-amp to drive.
Normal price on the K612 is $200 (on sale for $160) and normal for the DT990 is $160.
The K612 should offer a more balanced sound, where the DT990 is more Bass/treble.

Ok! Thanks for the breakdown. I think I will follow your advice and give those a shot.

flamingantsbear said:

  Ok! Thanks for the breakdown. I think I will follow your advice and give those a shot.

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Feel free to read up on any reviews on those headphones.