Recommendations for Gaming Headphones (Long but serious post)

[boopboopboop]

Hello All!
 
I have been wanting an upgrade to my current headset for a few months now but never got around to searching for something new. I currently have Razer Kraken Pro's. From that I think you can imagine that I use it mostly for Gaming, PC Gaming. I recently asked on THIS thread about recommendations, as well on reddit (r/headphones) and a got a large variety of answers for what would work best for me. I will lay out what I'm searching for and past recommendations, which you could hopefully approve or disapprove.
 
-------------------------------<< copied from reddit comment>>-----------------------------
Budget - Up to 150 CHF (MAYBE extend 10-20 more, but better not to)

Source - 95% Desktop PC

Requirements for Isolation - Some. 95% used at home at PC, 5% on transport

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-Sized, Circumaural (Cupped around ear)

Preferred tonal balance - First priority is for gaming, specifically positional Cues in FPS's. Second is for music which is specified below

Past headphones - Currently using Razer Kraken Pro's. Personal opinion: comfortable, no apparent issues, just looking for audio upgrade as these sound "fair".

Preferred Music - Dubstep, rock, progressive house, epic [no judging ] 

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Overall audio upgrade as well as better in-game immersion and positional cues.

Location - Switzerland 

Price/Product Search tips in relation to location: 

- en.toppreise.ch 

- amazon.(fr/de) 

- general search with "ch" at the end.

-------------------------------<< copied from reddit comment >>-----------------------------

 

Headphones recommended previously:

- Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro's

- AKG K550

- Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro's**

- Audio Technica M50X

 
**(Lately, I have been keeping a close eye on the DT990's)
 
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Some Questions you might have:
 
Opened or closed back?
- I don't Personally mind, I most use them at home with rare usage on trips (plane or car)
 
Impedance?
- I was initially thinking of low impedance headphones so I could use them with my portable devices on those rare occasion, but even in those case, the DT990's for example, seem to do an alright job without an AMP. I don't listen to music loudly (compared to lots of other people I know)
 
Amp/Soundcard?
- I know that onboard audio isn't great, but I have currently have THIS (msi z87 g45 gaming) motherboard which is stated to have a decent integrated amplifier. Any comment son this will be welcome, but keep in mind I DO know an AMP would be slightly/marginally better or even a sound card for that manner.
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I know this is a lot, but I value this community all the time and effort put into helping others. Thank you all who are willing to contribute to this request.

 

[serman005]

You are not going to want to take an open headphone on an airplane. Even if you listen on low volumes, they will still leak. Maybe if you listen at whisper-quiet levels it would work, but otherwise, if you want something for the plane, you are looking at a closed can.
 
I would add the SoundMAGIC HP150 to your list. It is a very good closed can with a nice soundstage for closed and should be around 150 CHF. Should be good for gaming. Good luck.

 

[boopboopboop]

  You are not going to want to take an open headphone on an airplane. Even if you listen on low volumes, they will still leak. Maybe if you listen at whisper-quiet levels it would work, but otherwise, if you want something for the plane, you are looking at a closed can.
 
I would add the SoundMAGIC HP150 to your list. It is a very good closed can with a nice soundstage for closed and should be around 150 CHF. Should be good for gaming. Good luck.

Thank you for your time.
 
I did some research and this is what I cam up with
1. Price of at least 200
2. They appear to be fragile and the metal on the cups scratches VERY easily
3. The time I will be using my headset on the plane will be closer to 0.5% actually. If anything I can suffer for a few hours with my apple earpods :/

 

[serman005]

  Thank you for your time.
 
I did some research and this is what I cam up with
1. Price of at least 200
2. They appear to be fragile and the metal on the cups scratches VERY easily
3. The time I will be using my headset on the plane will be closer to 0.5% actually. If anything I can suffer for a few hours with my apple earpods :/

In that case, you might check out the Sennheiser HD598. Extremely wide soundstage and very good imaging. Popular with gamers as a result.  You also might look at the Audio Technica ATH-AD700x, which also has a quite large soundstage. Is a bit bass-light, which some gamers like. Also quite popular with gamers. Some thoughts.

 

[Xamdou]

Closed Back: https://www.amazon.fr/Audio-Technica-ATH-AG1-Casque-ferm%C3%A9e-syst%C3%A8me/dp/B00H95X98O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460514311&sr=8-1&keywords=athag1
 
Open Back: https://www.amazon.fr/Audio-Technica-ATH-ADG1-Casque-Hi-Fi-Noir/dp/B00H8NS1K8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460514533&sr=8-1&keywords=athadg1
 
Review for Open Back: http://headphones.reviewed.com/content/audio-technica-ath-adg1-gaming-headset-review
 
From what I read, the sound is just like A700X(for closed back) and the built in mic which I heard the mic test from youtube sounds quite good as compared to some of the gaming headset.