Gaming: Headset or headphones + clip on mic?

[Mr_Foo]

Hey guys, I was recently intensively researching (punching keywords into Google) getting a new pair of headphones for my new desktop computer. I mainly use it to play games like Overwatch and watch TV shows and movies, with music on rare occasions so a cinematic sound experience is key. After reading through tons and tons of threads and articles, I'm still confused as to what is better: to get a pair of gaming headsets or to get a pair of headphones and add your own mic. I did see head-fi.org being recommended multiple times as one of the best places for advice on headphones though, so here I am, seeking the help of you experts to quell my curiosities once and for all.

While I'm at it, it would be awesome to receive some recommendation for headphones. My budget is an extremely flexible 150. I'm happy to overspend if the difference in value is worth it. My source is the onboard sound on my Asus Prime B350-Plus ATX motherboard. I've read that an AMP or soundcard can improve the sound experience and get the most out of your headphones so one will be going into my shopping list eventually. I'm also looking at a pair of headphone stands. Does it matter what I use or is it basically a stick for me to hang my headphones on?

Apologies for all the questions and thank you to all you kind souls who take time out of your day to help me on this!

 

[serman005]

I think you are best going with a headphone and then adding a mic. Overall sound quality will be better generally than if you go with a gaming headset. There are many to choose from but two I like are the Senn HD558 and the ATH-AD700X. Both have good soundstages and very solid overall sound quality. If you want to spend a bit more, you could go with an HD598 (or an AD900X, for that matter), which does have superior sound quality, it just costs more. Do you have a mic selected already or in mind?

 

[squee116]

To add to what's been (558 is a solid choice IMO) mics have several ways to go, and "head set" config isn't necessarily the best.
That said, if that's what works for you, Antlion is a great way to go.
I prefer the sound quality and adjustments that a normal desktop or boom mounted mic offer. You can get a USB mic like a Blue Snowball or Yeti, or you can go for a traditional mic, and get a small mixing board for them. Either way, you'll have more ability to boost volume, adjust levels, etc. Additionally, there's less cables strapped to your head, and theoretically, should reduce microphonics.

As for headphones, I bought my friend a pair of used 558's off Amazon, and he likes them well enough. Based on his feedback, I think a few more headphones closer to 250 would really up your performance though. I love the ATH-R70X, AKG 7XX (or 712 if you can find them used), and Philips Fidelio X2 for your uses. I own all of them, and the AKG probably needs an amp, whereas I got away with onboard sound for the Audio Technica's and Fidelios. For long gaming sessions, I found the R70X and AKG's to be the most comfortable, while the X2's weight made them uncomfortable after a listening period over a couple of hours.

 

[squee116]

As a side note and anecdote: I had a friend who first purchased the Kingston Hyperx Cloud 2 against my sage advice. He was pretty happy with it, since it was the first time he spent more than 20 bucks on a headphone. I eventually snookered him into purchasing a Schiit Magni 2 and AKG 7xx, and for him, the difference was measurable and eye opening, especially when it came to music recordings and movie audio.

 

[Nicholas Seltzer]

I can imagine that a manufacturer might optimize a headphone for video gaming, probably biasing on the highs to give you the greatest detail. However, personally I wouldn't go that way. I use my HD650s on my gaming machine and I love them. The soundstage is wide enough to give me a good field of perception, but not so wide that it loses coherence. Also, the imaging is very important. You need to know where sounds are coming from. When using my old AKG K712 Pros I was running all over the battlefield like a chicken its head cut off. With the HD650s, I can feel confident that if I hear a noise from "over there", there is something happening over there. IMHO, get some good headphones with decent, but not excessive soundstage and perfect imaging. Then get a little mic to wear around your neck or something.

 

[squee116]

I can imagine that a manufacturer might optimize a headphone for video gaming, probably biasing on the highs to give you the greatest detail. However, personally I wouldn't go that way. I use my HD650s on my gaming machine and I love them. The soundstage is wide enough to give me a good field of perception, but not so wide that it loses coherence. Also, the imaging is very important. You need to know where sounds are coming from. When using my old AKG K712 Pros I was running all over the battlefield like a chicken its head cut off. With the HD650s, I can feel confident that if I hear a noise from "over there", there is something happening over there. IMHO, get some good headphones with decent, but not excessive soundstage and perfect imaging. Then get a little mic to wear around your neck or something.

This isn't wrong. The imaging is a bit "off" on my AKGs. But I can say, with certainty, that after trying gaming headsets from Senn and Beyer, if there is any form of tuning for gaming, it isn't for the better. In both cases, I preferred off the rack headphones from both companies more than their "gaming" head sets. (Beyer DT990 v. custom one pro, and Senn HD650 v. Game One)