[mechtech]

Here's the scoop. For a long time I used speakers, but the time came when I needed to move to headphones for the sake of being quiet. When I moved to headphones, I used a tritton 5.1 headset with usb sound card (yuck).

My new computer will have a mid-range creative x-fi, and I'm looking for higher quality sound, not the muddy muffled 5.1 headphone crud.

The headset will be primarily used for gaming, so position/soundscape is important to me. I listen to music as well, but if it works for gaming, it works for music in my eyes.

I'll take other recommendations if you really feel strongly about another headset, but I'm mainly looking at these, and am looking at the 100$ price point.

Also, I have no experience at all with amps...do I need one for gaming? Are they expensive?

Thanks guys, after many mediocre headsets, I'm hoping this will be the end of the road (in a good way!)

Grados SR80 vs Audio-Technica ATH-A500 ring ring ring, fight!

 

[BrookR1]

I've never heard the A500, but I own the A900 and for gaming, the A900 smokes the SR-80. For music, the SR-80 smokes the A900. That's the tough part about headphones...for every purpose or music genre, there's a different headphone.

Just a note...for about $20 more, you can get the A700

 

[mechtech]

Alright, I've done a bit more research. Generally, the consensus is that the A500s are better for gaming/movies, while the sr80s are the best for music.

At this point I'm leaning towards the Audio-Technica ATH-A500s (the A700s are actually 40$ more from what I can see).

Has anyone here used the A500/700/900 for gaming, what are their experiences with the positional audio and sound quality?

 

[dagobah]

I'm happy with the positional accuracy and sense of involvement that my unamped A900 provides me while gaming. I use them almost exclusively for that purpose.

 

[SnooP_WiggleS]

I use a500 for gaming here, they work well generally, not quite 'pinpoint exactly where they are' but im never good at that anyways. nice and wide sound gunshots etc sound crisp.

 

[StealthR6]

A500 for gaming is very good. Thats why I bought one for, and I would do it over again. Its not a great music can, but if all your getting it for is gaming I'd go get it. Great 3d positioning, explosive bass and very comfortable. I run it right out of my x-fi, doesn't even need an amp. I have the SR225, its awful at gaming, so I can't even imagine how bad a SR80 would be.

 

[b0dhi]

SR80 is a poor choice for gaming. It only goes out toward the sides, no front/back/up/down.

 

[BrookR1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechtech /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alright, I've done a bit more research. Generally, the consensus is that the A500s are better for gaming/movies, while the sr80s are the best for music. At this point I'm leaning towards the Audio-Technica ATH-A500s (the A700s are actually 40$ more from what I can see). Has anyone here used the A500/700/900 for gaming, what are their experiences with the positional audio and sound quality?

eBay might have a deal or two on A700s...just an option.

 

[only500made]

I got a 2 wk old , flawless condition A700 for sale for cheap. drop me a pm

 

[mechtech]

At this point, everyone is saying that the ath-500/700s are great for gaming.

I recently discovered the Denon d1000 headphones though, and they have also gotten great reviews. Apparently they have a bit less bass, and better midrange.

Has anyone used the Denon D1000s that would care to comment?
If not, i'll probably take you up on that ath-700 offer brookR1...

 

[turkish]

I'm noticing that the ATH's are getting the nod for gaming, but how are they for music as well? Obviously not quite as good as the SR80's, but what if I'm about 50/50 on usage? Are the a500/a700 better at music than the SR80's are at gaming? Thanks

 

[warubozu]

I find the A500 or A700 to be fine for music. I haven't had the chance to audition a pair of SR80s so I can't give you a direct comparison between the two. Some have found that the mids to be recessed out of the ATs and it's bass extension not deep enough.