[invite]

Sorry if all of you thought I had a product to share, but it's actually going to be a question instead of a hook to introduce an awesome product. 
 
I play CS:GO, and the sound engine is meh.
 
I used Siberia V2s for a while and I barely could here any footsteps in the game. Everything was too bassy, it seemed like it muffled all the footsteps..
 
I recently did some research and I heard AD700x's were great for positional audio, so I picked up a headset version, ATH-ADG1, since it was super cheap ($240).
 
I also just bought a Creative Sound Blaster Z to pair w/ my ATH-ADG1 and I really like the settings and positional audio I'm getting from playing the game. The mic on the ADG1 was really clear when I used my on-board sound, but when I plugged it in the Sound Blaster Z, the mic quality decreased a lot (not sure why..), which is why I'm looking for a new headset/headphone. The ATH-ADG1 is really uncomfortable for me as well. 
 
 
Can anyone recommend some excellent headphones/headsets to play CS:GO with? Closed or Open. I don't have a preference tbh. I just want the best sound setup I could get, hopefully under $300.
 
I'm really new to the audiophile scene since I've used over hyped gaming hardware all my life until now, so I hope someone could help me out.
 
Thanks in advance!

 

[Hawaiibadboy]

/

 

[Brooko]

 
Can anyone recommend some excellent headphones/headsets to play CS:GO with? Closed or Open. I don't have a preference tbh. I just want the best sound setup I could get, hopefully under $300.
 
I'm really new to the audiophile scene since I've used over hyped gaming hardware all my life until now, so I hope someone could help me out.
 
Thanks in advance!

 
Try this thread - MLE has heard a lot of headphones particularly targeted at gaming.  He always answers questions - and although he's more console based, I think you'll find the info is exactly what you're after .....
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-update-4-17-2014-akg-k612-and-k712-pro-added-edits

 

[invite]

   
Try this thread - MLE has heard a lot of headphones particularly targeted at gaming.  He always answers questions - and although he's more console based, I think you'll find the info is exactly what you're after .....
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-update-4-17-2014-akg-k612-and-k712-pro-added-edits
 

 
Thanks for the reply, but I've already looked into that thread already. I wouldn't have made a thread myself if I haven't found a solution.
 
It also seems like the OP of that thread has a lot of great info for the casual - semi competitive gamer. 
 
I've googled and searched a lot of threads about this topic, but there honestly isn't any good answers at all. 

 

[Brooko]

OK - from my own experience (I'm just a casual FPS gamer) - if you are looking for detail and very good imaging - try the Shure SRH1840.  Bit higher than you want to go - but I have seen them once or twice in the FS section for ~ 300-350.  You'd have to mod-mic them, but might be worth looking at.
 
For cheaper - I really enjoyed AKG's 612.  It has a little more bass than the 701/702 series - but I personally thought the sound staging was a little more realistic.
 
I currently use the HD700 and T1 - unfortunately a little out of your price range - but both are very good with imaging.
 
All of the above I have actually owned and used extensively.
 
As far as source goes - I'm just using a SB Titanium X-Fi PCIe card - then SPDIF out (optical) to an NFB-12.  That way I get the DSP for gaming, and can turn it off for music.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I also just bought a Creative Sound Blaster Z to pair w/ my ATH-ADG1 and I really like the settings and positional audio I'm getting from playing the game. The mic on the ADG1 was really clear when I used my on-board sound, but when I plugged it in the Sound Blaster Z, the mic quality decreased a lot (not sure why..), which is why I'm looking for a new headset/headphone. The ATH-ADG1 is really uncomfortable for me as well. 

 
When you installed the SB-Z, did you disable the motherboard's on-board audio? in the BIOS.
Having both the SB-Z and motherboard's input enabled at the same time might be the issue.

 

[q2klepto]

I like the sound of my HE400s w/ Aune T1 - super clear audio and wide soundstage due to them being open backed.  I'm not sure how positional "5.1" and "7.1" audio actually helps with headphones but i get a sense of positioning while playing BF4/Titanfall and have the sound set to "headphones".  I'm guessing theres some binural processing going on.

That and AMD's "TrueAudio" is meant to work with headphones. 

 

[DaemonSire]

  Sorry if all of you thought I had a product to share, but it's actually going to be a question instead of a hook to introduce an awesome product. 
 
I play CS:GO, and the sound engine is meh.
 
I used Siberia V2s for a while and I barely could here any footsteps in the game. Everything was too bassy, it seemed like it muffled all the footsteps..
 
I recently did some research and I heard AD700x's were great for positional audio, so I picked up a headset version, ATH-ADG1, since it was super cheap ($240).
 
I also just bought a Creative Sound Blaster Z to pair w/ my ATH-ADG1 and I really like the settings and positional audio I'm getting from playing the game. The mic on the ADG1 was really clear when I used my on-board sound, but when I plugged it in the Sound Blaster Z, the mic quality decreased a lot (not sure why..), which is why I'm looking for a new headset/headphone. The ATH-ADG1 is really uncomfortable for me as well. 
 
 
Can anyone recommend some excellent headphones/headsets to play CS:GO with? Closed or Open. I don't have a preference tbh. I just want the best sound setup I could get, hopefully under $300.
 
I'm really new to the audiophile scene since I've used over hyped gaming hardware all my life until now, so I hope someone could help me out.
 
Thanks in advance!

AKG Q701 are excellent gaming headphones and can be had for around $150-200.  You will likely need to pick up an amp to go with them.  I have a Matrix M-Stage amp which is an excellent pairing with them...that goes for around $200 used I believe.  If you want a tube amp, the Schiit Vali ($120) or Little Dot 1+ ($140) are supposed to be good pairings too (I haven't heard these personally but you can read about them and ask over in the Q701 thread).