[mascok]

So apparently the best gaming set-up is to have everthing seperate rather than just a dedicated gaming headset or something of simularity. So seperate headphones, seperate mic, soundcard, etc. I already have a good pair of iems... Sennheiser IE80's. Will iem's be ok for gaming? If not I will buy the Sennheiser HD8 DJ's. Now, outside of headphones I have a $400 budget for everything else. My question is, what is the best setup I can get for gaming that works coherantly with my already owned IE80's or HD8 DJ's? So the components I believe I need are a mic that sits on my desk, possibly a sound card, possibly a DAC or an AMP. The truth is, I don't really know what I need... All I know is I want the system to work and to be good. I like to feel immersed in the game and I appreciate a slight edge to the bass. I like the voices in the game to feel deep and strong like a subwoofer could accomplish. My room is quite so noise cancelling mics are not a priority and sound leak from the headphones won't matter. If by chance you believe IE80's or HD8 DJ's are not logical choices for gaming, I am open to any suggestions.

 

[cripple1]

I honestly liked the Sennheiser HD598 and AKG Q701 for gaming. They are open headphones that allowed accurate placing of everything in the gaming world (i.e. bullets, footsteps and what direction they are coming from, etc). They both might be too bright and bass shy for you though, if you want to use something like the HD8.. I don't have personal experience with these as gaming headphones, but I've talked with other head-fiers, and they all seem to like the Beyerdynamic DT990 because they are open AND they don't sacrifice any bass. Pair those with an Ant Lion mod mic and a Xonar Essence stx and you should be golden

Soundcard DAC/Amp: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010

Headphones
http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-990-Premium-250-Ohm/dp/B00193FT26

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Headphones-Burl-Wood-Accents/dp/B0042A8CW2/

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Signature-Reference-Class-Premium-Headphones/dp/B004444OFK/

Mic: http://www.modmic.com/

 

[Folex]

I'd pick beyerdynamic 990's. They are cheaper then most headphones ($140 new.) They have good impactful bass that will not distort the sound stage or other people's voices. These are by no means a bass canon but in my mind the most bass you can have without distortion. The only warning I can give is the first week you might dislike them. Half the people I see using the 990's at first complain that the sound is fatiguing and some even say it hurts. If you can endure the first initial week you will grow to love them for gaming and as a great all around pair of headphones. Another warning is the 990's leak sound and leak it BAD. I'd say 60% of the volume leaks out. 
 
 
If you like the sound of your IE80's and like it for gaming then all you'd need is a microphone. I personally like the Audio-Technica ATR2500 microphone for $66. It's complete overkill for what anyone would need but I like the looks of it, the quality of sound and if you have room enough to put it on an extender arm you can move the microphone to any place that feels comfortable.
 
I'm lazy with how I set stuff up so it looks like a mess. But this is how my setup looked a couple of months ago with the microphone. The extender arm is only $20.
 

 

[mascok]

Thanks guys, I'll give those products a look.
Also, don't the sennheiser PC363D have the same drivers as the HD596? Just out of curiosity.

 

[mascok]

After looking at the products...
I like your idea for a mic cripple1, but id rather have a desk prerogative mic encase I decide to use it for other things than gaming. So I'll go with the ATR2500 Folex suggested. The "ASUS Xonar Essence STX Virtual 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express x1 Interface 124 dB SNR / Headphone AMP Card" cripple1 showed looks good, therefor, I'll buy it. 
the beyerdynamic DT 990 look like a good choice, but I'm still not 100% sure on them yet though.

 

[Folex]

  Thanks guys, I'll give those products a look.
Also, don't the sennheiser PC363D have the same drivers as the HD596? Just out of curiosity.

 
I believe there is like 10 sennheiser headphones that share the same drivers, 555, 595, 596, 558 etc. It really comes down to what headphone you like the look of. Some might have more or less padding on it that will change the sound. In most instances removing it will give you a better sound. 
 
If you are looking for an all-in-one (headphone + microphone) you can pick the headphone you want and then have someone hardwire a microphone on it. If you do go this route they could also put better cables on, single-sided, dual entry, removable cable etc. 

 

[mascok]

I think I'll just stay with the ATR2500 for my desk so I can use it for other things also. 

 

[Folex]

  I think I'll just stay with the ATR2500 for my desk so I can use it for other things also. 

 
Just make sure you have a way hang the microphone. The ATR2500 comes with a desktop stand that is a joke. Its very unstable and being on the desk will pick up keyboard noise loudly. I've never tried the Sennheiser ie80 but judging from the reviews they seem like they are a good IEM. I would try the microphone with the IE80's for a couple of weeks and see how the setup works. From there if you don't like the microphone you can easily return it and if you like the microphone but want a pair of headphones you can then do a search for your ideal pair. 
 

For the life of me I couldn't keep this upright using the stand. 

 

[mascok]

So my setup so far...
 
Mic: Audio-Technica ATR2500 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QJREXM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
 
Soundcard: ASUS Xonar Essence (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Sound+Cards-_-ASUS-_-N82E16829132010&scpid=7&scid=scsho5456222)
 
Headphones: beyerdynamic DT 990 (http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-990-Premium-250-Ohm/dp/B00193FT26)
 
Do you guys believe this is the best setup I can get? Also, Folex, could you give me the name or link of the mic stand your using? Or are mic stands generic... One stand fits all mics?

 

[mascok]

   
Just make sure you have a way hang the microphone. The ATR2500 comes with a desktop stand that is a joke. Its very unstable and being on the desk will pick up keyboard noise loudly. I've never tried the Sennheiser ie80 but judging from the reviews they seem like they are a good IEM. I would try the microphone with the IE80's for a couple of weeks and see how the setup works. From there if you don't like the microphone you can easily return it and if you like the microphone but want a pair of headphones you can then do a search for your ideal pair. 
 

For the life of me I couldn't keep this upright using the stand

Sorry I didn't see this post before I posted my other post.

 

[mascok]

Ok so now here's my setup...
 
Mic: Audio-Technica ATR2500 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QJREXM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
 
Soundcard: ASUS Xonar Essence (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Sound+Cards-_-ASUS-_-N82E16829132010&scpid=7&scid=scsho5456222)
 
Possible Headphones that I'll try for a couple weeks before buying a differant pair: sennheiser IE80's

 

[mascok]

Here's my desk...

 

[Folex]

Do you use your computer for gaming with a high powered graphic card ? I only ask this because if you do the graphic card might draw so much power that the computer won't be able to power the audio card causing distortion.  If you have a good power supply in your computer this shouldn't be an issue. 

 

[Folex]

Here's my desk...

Such a clean desk.. mine is the biggest mess ever.
 

 

[mascok]

Such a clean desk.. mine is the biggest mess ever.

Whoa, those speakers looks sweet! what are they?