Hello there. I’m Andrés.
I’ve only just recently started moving up the headphone-quality ladder, so please bear with me. Truth be told I don’t think I’ll ever really become a true audiophile (constantly trying new headphones, know about all the different terms, etc.), but I have acquired a taste for good quality audio.
My year and half [COLOR=222222]Audio-Technica’s [/COLOR]ATH-M50x leather is starting to crack (functionally it’s still perfect), and I’m building a gaming PC (back from a four-year console-only journey), which is making me start looking for a really, really good solution for music-gaming, while leaving the M50x just for my commute and at work.
Thank you all for being here and answering so many questions; to be honest, I registered to make some of my own.
Thanks again, and keep it up!
Howdy Andrés,
I actually got sucked into high-end audio thanks to my gaming PC. I wanted a 3D surround setup for gaming, and I saw a review that said "don't pay a bunch of money for a bunch of cheap drivers (like the Razer Kraken 7.1, which has 5 drivers per ear to approximate a 7.1ch speaker system)... pay a bunch of money for two really amazing drivers, then use virtual surround." Because of that recommendation, I ended up with the Sennheiser GAME ONE headset, which opened my eyes to a whole new world of amazing audio. From there I went on to the HD650's for my music. If I am playing multiplayer games I use the GAME ONE's for their amazing microphone. If I'm playing a single-player game, I plug in the HD650's.
To drive these headphones/headsets, I got the Sound Blaster E5, which doubles as a mobile DAC and headphone amp when I want to use my iPod Touch. With my desktop or laptop, it also provides amazing positional audio in 3D games. I've been accused of "wallhacks" and "esp" cheats (among others) simply because I can actually hear from where other players' footsteps are coming.
I would suggest that you choose headphones based on the music you listen to and your preference between warm or analytical audio. If you cover your music tastes, I think the way your games sound will fall in line. I chose Sennheiser for their neutral sound signature, but the HD650s because they at least lean towards the warm side. When I'm gaming, I use a completely flat EQ, but I will throw a V-shaped EQ in the mix for most of the music I listen to (lots of electronic stuff, industrial, and then an ecclectic Jackson Pollock-esque splattering of every other genre -- except classical or opera).
I can't recommend the Sound Blaster E5/ Sennheiser GAME ONE combination high enough, but if that is too far outside of your price range you can save some money by getting the Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1. It might not have as good a DAC, and the headphone amp isn't as high quality as the E5, plus it isn't mobile (it doesn't have a battery, so it always has to be plugged into a computer), but it does give you the same amazing positional 3D virtual surround as the E5. So you get great 3D gaming use out of it, and it can drive headphones with impedences up to 600ohms.
Hope this helps, and welcome to the audiophile fold!
P.S. - I recently discovered the Antlion ModMic 4.0, which lets you add an easily detachable boom microphone to your favorite pair of headphones. I haven't tried it out myself, but it does get good reviews. I may end up getting it for my HD650's and retiring the GAME ONE's if the mic is good enough for voice comms in game.
I Currently use JBL cinema 610 and a HK AVR 151 in my bedroom.
