[Flying-Squirrel]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here. Ok so I have browsed around on many different forums and looked at the various posts but I have yet to come to a definitive answer because it seems like 1 post disagrees with the next. The question is......

What is the best possible pair of headphones dedicated to fps gaming and specifically for Counter Strike?

I currently have a pair of a500's, medusa 5.1 pro gamers, Sennheiser pc166's.

I have come to the conclusion that I much prefer to have a REALLY good pair of headphones and a cheap clip-on mic rather than a poorer quality, less comfortable headset with built-in mic.

So the main sets I have been looking at are the HD555's, the HD 595's, the SR 325i's, and the a900's.

Most reviews all babble about sound quality, but then ones that were sounding great get a review by someone saying they are bad for gaming. So I really am looking for someone that isn't 15 who actually has had funds to use some of these higher end headphones and has experience with them as they pertaining to gaming and in-game positioning of opponents from sound.

Also please keep in mind I am more than happy to get a headphone amp but have never had one before and know nothing about them.

So what I am looking for here is the Best Possible Gaming Headphones and any headphone amp that is needed to run them at their peak performance. I of course would like to keep the price tag low, but performance is by far the most important factor (I am not rich, please try to keep things less than $500).

Thanks!

 

[Gurra1980]

Senn 555/595 use to be good for watching video, due to good soundstage that gives a good surround feeling, I don't think the Grado will make it at all for this purpose, you don't need a amp for 595/555, but it will make them a little bit better, ask for a amp in the amp forum.

 

[spraggih]

Welcome...sorry about your wallet.

I am not a gamer. But I was game to see if I could help in any way.

Have you seen these threads:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...g+headphone%2A

Also this specific post covers some head-fier comments along with posts to other threads on gaming headphones.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...1&postcount=16

It is possible you checked all of these threads already as you mentioned you have been crawling the site for some time but I hope this somehow helps.

Best!

 

[003]

Flying-Squirrel....... Flying-Squirrel...... where have I seen you before??? Or am I totally drawing a blank here?

 

[003]

Oh FYI, neither the HD595, 555 or A900 will do any better for gaming than the A500.

You might try the beyer DT770 Pro, but even that would just be a side-grade for gaming rather than an upgrade.

 

[Flying-Squirrel]

003!! Long time no see, I actually first met u back on the tech-forums.net I believe back when I built my first computer and I then later bought the x-fi fatal1ty soundcard from you and you also recommended the a500's that I have.

I have upgraded various parts and I had hoped I might find a headset that would be a good upgrade as far as headphones that might improve performance even more.

DT770 Pro? Any info on it for me

Any other suggestions? or should I just stay with the a500's for gaming

 

[Flying-Squirrel]

From the posts that spraggih linked it looks like perhaps the DT770 might be the best bet for me.

I'll look into em a bit more. Anyone else have any comparison info between a500's and DT770's?

 

[StealthR6]

Its really doesn't get much better then the A500's for gaming. The DT770's would maybe give you a little more bass but a soundstage increase wouldn't really be noticeable. And you'd need to amp to get the most out of the DT770's.

 

[Flying-Squirrel]

I don't understand, if people say the Beyer DT770's are better for gaming than the a900 then how would they not be much improvement over the a500's? And if I got an amp would it then be much improvement? From what I am reading it seems like I would definitely need to get an amp for the 770's.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying-Squirrel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello everyone, this is my first post here. Ok so I have browsed around on many different forums and looked at the various posts but I have yet to come to a definitive answer because it seems like 1 post disagrees with the next. The question is...... What is the best possible pair of headphones dedicated to fps gaming and specifically for Counter Strike? I currently have a pair of a500's, medusa 5.1 pro gamers, Sennheiser pc166's. I have come to the conclusion that I much prefer to have a REALLY good pair of headphones and a cheap clip-on mic rather than a poorer quality, less comfortable headset with built-in mic. So the main sets I have been looking at are the HD555's, the HD 595's, the SR 325i's, and the a900's. Most reviews all babble about sound quality, but then ones that were sounding great get a review by someone saying they are bad for gaming. So I really am looking for someone that isn't 15 who actually has had funds to use some of these higher end headphones and has experience with them as they pertaining to gaming and in-game positioning of opponents from sound. Also please keep in mind I am more than happy to get a headphone amp but have never had one before and know nothing about them. So what I am looking for here is the Best Possible Gaming Headphones and any headphone amp that is needed to run them at their peak performance. I of course would like to keep the price tag low, but performance is by far the most important factor (I am not rich, please try to keep things less than $500). Thanks!

Truthfully, I'd say the 340's.. I'd use a decent integrated amp to drive them (I know theres a HK model that is getting rave reviews here on how well it drives HP) The 340's can be bought used from 130-265. I went hardcore for my FPS rig, (see sig below) & found that the 340's performed better then my balanced SA5000, especially in detail which surprised me. The 340's have a wide sound stage, & picks up detail like a vaccum. Even the smallest audio nunance can be picked up with ease..Has good weight to the tone, a great mid range, & the audio postioning, & imaging is fantastic.. They are hard to drive, but my DAC1 amp does a admirable job with these cans.. The volume on gaming is fine..

I used the 595/701s/650's/SA5000 for gaming.. All are good with the right equipment..But none offer the whole package like the 340's do.. & they can be easily modded to improve the sound even more..

 

[003]

Ah yes I remember I sold you the x-fi on TF! I left there due to the nazi moderation. I was not banned but left in disgust.

The x-fi I sold you happened to be the best x-fi you could have quality wise, it was one of the very few with the crackling fix implemented but before they switched to lower quality DSPs that required a heat sink. If you still have it I would check out this:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229350

The A900 is not worse than the DT770. It is different. The A900 has a little bit bigger soundstage and less bass slam, where as the DT770 has more bass and a slightly smaller soundstage. The A900 could be better if you are playing competitively and do not want things like footsteps drown out by bass, but that may be nit picking. The A500 is supposed to be very much like the A900 but with looser bass. I have not heard an A500 but I do not like the A900 or DT770 at all for music. I do not think it is worth it to "upgrade" to either one.

And while we are suggesting 340s, let me throw K1000s into the mix, though out of your budget, are they BEST gaming headphone I have EVER heard. The soundstage is HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE and they image with width and DEPTH. They are also the best headphones I have ever listened to music on.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying-Squirrel /img/forum/go_quote.gif From the posts that spraggih linked it looks like perhaps the DT770 might be the best bet for me. I'll look into em a bit more. Anyone else have any comparison info between a500's and DT770's?

The 770's have the best gaming bass out of the phones that I & others here listed..Not the most accurate..But a lot of quantity & boom, which is great for non competitive gaming.. Of course, modding them turns the bass into a whole other beast..

Any headphone you choose from our list is better then 99% of PC gamers playing CS..Even better then those 5.1 headphones..

 

[003]

If not only for fun, here ya go squirrel:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=246196

 

[judas391]

I play a lot of CS. Trust me when I say that the A900s are the best positional gaming headphones I have tried. I've tested Siberia Icemats, Steelsound and Medusas. And yes, I am 15.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by judas391 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I play a lot of CS. Trust me when I say that the A900s are the best positional gaming headphones I have tried. I've tested Siberia Icemats, Steelsound and Medusas. And yes, I am 15.

for 15 you have great taste in headphones..

Too bad many young gamers have been engulfed by the, 5.1 headphones are better then stereo headphones for gaming BS.. Great marketing..