[sammed92]

Hello everyone!
 
I'm in a real dilemma here. I am a FPS gamer and music enthusiast who is slightly low on budget. I only have enough money to buy one of Audio Technica M50X and Audio Technica ATH-AD700x. Both are great headphones and have their strength and weaknesses.
 
Please recommend me which headphone should I buy. If you have any better solution under ~$180 which is great for competitive gaming and music, please post that too.
 
Thank you!

 

[jodgey4]

Howdy. If you can use open-air headphones, they almost always have a better soundstage, which is important for gaming. The M50X's have almost no soundstage. Search for Mad Lust Envy's guide to gaming for more suggestions.

 

[Trunks159]

The Sennheiser HD558 is my top recomendation.  The AD700x is good for nothing but gaming, and the M50x is really only good for gaming.  The HD558 provides great middle ground.

 

[sammed92]

  The Sennheiser HD558 is my top recomendation.  The AD700x is good for nothing but gaming, and the M50x is really only good for gaming.  The HD558 provides great middle ground.

Thanks for the help. I will look into the Sennheiser HD558.  Have you ever listened to all three yourselves in music and games? What is you review on them?

 

[cel4145]

Howdy. If you can use open-air headphones, they almost always have a better soundstage, which is important for gaming. The M50X's have almost no soundstage. Search for Mad Lust Envy's guide to gaming for more suggestions.

I agree.

The M50s have a fairly narrow soundstage. However, they do win out over the AD700X on bass impact and extension.

Based on what I have read, the HD 558 should do a better job with bass AND give you great soundstage

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks for the help. I will look into the Sennheiser HD558.  Have you ever listened to all three yourselves in music and games? What is you review on them?

 
HD558 are good all around headphones, not bass heavy, but more bass then the AD700s (and I'm assuming AD700Xs).
You might be able to find used ATH-AD900Xs with in your budget.
Here are some new ATH-AD900Xs for $190.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD900X-Open-Air-Headphone-Japan-NEW-/371060664998?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item5664f06aa6
 
Used  ATH-A900X (closed) headphones are selling for a low as $130.
Hifiman HE Velour ear pads ($16) work great with the A900Xs.

 

[Trunks159]

  Thanks for the help. I will look into the Sennheiser HD558.  Have you ever listened to all three yourselves in music and games? What is you review on them?

Yes.  The Ad700x doesn't isn't balanced enough for me anyways in the bass department, and I'm definitely not demanding when it comes to bass.  The M50x's soundstage isn't good but they are kind of musical (though I'm not a fan of the U shaped sound signature).  The HD558 is pretty neutral, and good for gaming.  The A900x as was said before is also a great option.

 

[SunTanScanMan]

Personally, I did not find the AD700X lacking when playing music. It has a bright and airy tone, which translates to clarity in for example, string instruments (both acoustic and electronic) and perceived large soundstage. I think the large drivers which are also angled may also add to this effect. (fyi I've some photos in my profile of the inside of the AD700X)
 
I listened to and enjoyed the AD700X with all genres of music, and for its price range I generally found them excellent. The mids and bass was quite well defined, but I agree that AT phones are not neutral sounding, and many people do prefer more bass. 
In a gaming environment, the thinner tone certainly was helpful in detecting sounds, in particular footsteps and movement of enemies nearby. You would think mid and bass tones would be more important for footsteps, but personally I found the treble sound more easier to detect - footsteps have more definition, as well as the rustling of clothes and vegetation etc. (think of battlefield 3 and 4)
 
 
What I would say is that the headband design on the AD700X may not be comfortable for everyone. I found the AD700X did not fit me very well, and the earcups ended up sliding down my head and resting on the ears. The headphones are very light, but it was still uncomfortable and annoying. The AD900X may share the same headband design, though I'm not 100% certain. 
 
The cable also never fully straightened out which can also get irritating.
 
Good luck with your purchase!

 

[sammed92]

I agree.

The M50s have a fairly narrow soundstage. However, they do win out over the AD700X on bass impact and extension.

Based on what I have read, the HD 558 should do a better job with bass AND give you great soundstage

May I ask a noob question? What do you mean exactly by the term extension?

 

[cel4145]

May I ask a noob question? What do you mean exactly by the term extension?

How low in frequency response there is usable bass output. For most music, 30hz would be pretty deep (except for some organ music); some EDM, hip hop and rap might go that low. Movies and gaming can have bass effects that go even deeper.

By usable I mean that often headphones are rated to go down to a certain frequency, but that they may be rolled off with how much volume they put out relative to other frequencies so much that the response isn't something you would hear very well. AD700s are known for rolling off pretty hard in the sub bass. HD558s should do better.

 

[sammed92]

How low in frequency response there is usable bass output. For most music, 30hz would be pretty deep (except for some organ music); some EDM, hip hop and rap might go that low. Movies and gaming can have bass effects that go even deeper.

By usable I mean that often headphones are rated to go down to a certain frequency, but that they may be rolled off with how much volume they put out relative to other frequencies so much that the response isn't something you would hear very well. AD700s are known for rolling off pretty hard in the sub bass. HD558s should do better.

Thanks!! I wasn't aware of that! I think I'm leaning towards HD 558s

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks!! I wasn't aware of that! I think I'm leaning towards HD 558s

 
Here s an aftermarket cable ($21) for the Senn HD558, comes stock with a 3.5mm jack.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261255113290?var=560313338477&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[sammed92]

   
Here s an aftermarket cable ($21) for the Senn HD558, comes stock with a 3.5mm jack.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261255113290?var=560313338477&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

These sure look cool! but are these absolutely necessary? I mean, are stock cables bad or something so we need to buy aftermarket ones?

 

[jodgey4]

It's probably better built, and you can choose the length you want. Plus, it's not too expensive.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  These sure look cool! but are these absolutely necessary? I mean, are stock cables bad or something so we need to buy aftermarket ones?

 
Nothing wrong quality wise with the HD558s stock cable, but it does come standard with a 1/4" plug, so you have to use the adapter that comes with it, to plug it into a 3.5mm jack.