Any suggestions for a first-time headphone purchase?

[Coyle]

Looking to buy over ear headphones and have no idea what to get.
As for size, I have a small head so smaller are better.
Comfort is very important to me, good padding, non-sticky earpads etc.
Since they are my first ones I would like them to be nice, so good sound quality.
They'll be connected to my PC, planning on trying out gaming and don't want to bother others with the noise.
The PC does have 7.1-channel audio, don't know how that relates to headphones but ones that can take advantage of those kind of features are preferred.
Price isn't so much an issue but would like to keep it in as low a range as practical.
Any suggestions are much appreciated, Thanks!

 

[geek707]

It would be hard to go wrong starting with Sennheiser 5xx or 6xx series phones if you can afford them.
I would keep in mind quality control on cheap (you get to decide on a number) phones is not great, so piece to piece variations can be an issue.

 

[dunring]

For closed back you can power with onboard sound, the Beyerdynamic MMX300 or Hyperx Cloud Orbit just used a USB plug. Both can be found on eBay for a good price most times. The new MMX300 pro x are even easier to power, but newer and more expensive. All have a boom mic, fun for gaming.

 

[zuio]

Sony MV1 or Sennheiser HD560S. Buy used.
Get a headphone amplifier and dac from Schiit.

 

[ardilla]

Check out the Fiio FT1 at 149 usd. Bests much more expensive gear.

 

[cpugh9]

seconded getting a headphone amp and dac from schiit! I have the modi/magni combo and it's a dream

 

[Coyle]

Yes, it does support virtual surround.
I could go either way regarding open or closed back.

 

[DigitalJust]

I have the hd 400 pros (same as the hd 560s). For under $200 they sound pretty great. I only use them in stereo, but id imagine they'd sound great for gaming and movies. They are comfy, lightweight and plenty adjustable for a small head.

They don't need a ton of power. Often i plug them into my smartphone when i don't want to be in my listening room (listening on lcd-x) and they do well.

 

[kjasonl]

Looking to buy over ear headphones and have no idea what to get.
As for size, I have a small head so smaller are better.
Comfort is very important to me, good padding, non-sticky earpads etc.
Since they are my first ones I would like them to be nice, so good sound quality.
They'll be connected to my PC, planning on trying out gaming and don't want to bother others with the noise.
The PC does have 7.1-channel audio, don't know how that relates to headphones but ones that can take advantage of those kind of features are preferred.
Price isn't so much an issue but would like to keep it in as low a range as practical.
Any suggestions are much appreciated, Thanks!

There's a pretty large pool of entry level headsets out there. Ears are different. Hard for me to recommend. I stay around $200ish. I have Fiio ft1s. I'm pretty happy with them (closed back dual wire). Another member recommended them too. They're on the big retail site. But definitely get yourself a headphone dac/amplifier. A must.

Check out the Fiio FT1 at 149 usd. Bests much more expensive gear.