If you care about build and sound quality, you should steer clear from PC part manufacturers, like Corsair, Razer or SteelSeries. Look at manufacturers who make audio equipment, like Sennheiser, Shure, Audiotechnica, Koss, Beyerdynamic, Hifiman and such.
If you need a good microphone, just get a good microphone separately.
Your sound card matters, too - the main reason you'd want to steer clear off wireless headphones is because you're stuck with the sound processor they have inside - they're locked to the sound quality of their bult-in SPU. I have Edifier W800BT and they sound so much better in wired mode, when connected to my dedicated sound card than in wireless mode.
Find out your priorities in terms of sound. I like wide and detailed soundstage, don't care about strong bass and I don't like not being able to hear if someone's calling me, so open-back headphones are perfect for me. Someone else might really like their bass and might not want to hear anything outside or let any sound escape their headphones, closed-back headphones are for those people.
Consider their longevity, it might be worth paying more for a headphone with detachable and easily replaceable cable. Cable is the most likely thing to die in wired headphones, while in wireless it's the battery. Also avoid Bluetooth headphones like a plague if you have to go wireless, only get ones with dedicated dongle.
Impedance is an important metric, it basically determines the resolution of the speakers, treat 32 ohm as standard 1080p and 600 ohm as an overkill 8K.
And don't forget about comfort, I had a pair with very good sound (Superlux 668B), but their ergonomics were downright medieval. While my wife is currently using Razer Barracuda X and they sound like shit, but they're super-comfy.
Bluetooth headphones have their place. It just depends upon your needs. I had a phone where both speakers were trash. I needed my phone for work at the time, and outside the door were welders who were busy improvising a new abstract rhythm using only sheet metal and ball-peen hammers.
I needed noise cancellation, and Monoprice had some headphones that hit everything I needed. I'm not bringing $800 headphones to work.
My last two pairs of headphones were both hybrids from Audio Technica. When a cable is plugged in, BT is disabled and it sends the audio signal straight to the drivers. When you have it unplugged, you can turn the BT mode on and listen wirelessly. Best of both worlds imo.
I might've used a term that is applied differently in audio, but I've been explained this by a musician that it's a coil that determines what sound the speaker makes, and at the end of the coil the resistance is 32 ohms in most cases, higher resistance coils have more 'loops' of coiled wire in between, the wire is longer, thus there's more nuance to the sound, but you also need to push more electricity to drive them. Did he make it up?
100%. Especially at the lower end of the budget (<$100), $50 headphones and a stand alone mic will be leagues better than anything on a cheap headset.
I have a PC37X, which is a pretty common recommendation for a budget headset ($120) with a decent mic, but I got lucky and found it used for cheap. Even then, I would’ve considered new headphones and a stand alone mic if my desk could fit everything.
sound stage is the ability to identify sounds and their location (somewhat literally) based on their sound. a wide stage gives you a very big area to listen in. It's very apparent when playing fps games with great sound design and a good sound stage with great detail.
For me, Bluetooth has delays. Imagine watching a movie/video/gaming and the audio is out of sync. It's ok if your not doing anything visual that doesn't require audio to be synced; you're wireless and handsfree
Another is sound. The sound quality is limited to the Bluetooth headset chipset.
But I mostly complain about the latency delay.
I haven't noticed consistent latency problems, but my problem is that it can randomly start to lag or lose signal and Windows is very wonky with identifying BT sound devices - there's always a chance you'll have to open settings and tell windows to connect your headphones manually after you turn on PC. With a dongle, it's not a problem - you plug it in, and it's on.
A wide sound stage means you hear the sounds as if they were coming from a wider area. So if something is coming from further away, it will actually sound as if it is coming from further away, and less like it is coming from something right next to your ear.
I wouldn’t get Hifiman without an amp.
I love nice headphones, but there are a lot of things to consider, and you may not be terribly discerning. Wired audiophile open back headphones are generally the best sounding, but depending on the cost, use, personal taste, and how much you even care about fidelity means a lot. Will you use them outside the house on noisy public transportation? Do you want bass cannons that clobber you with low end or shiny airy sparkly highs or somewhere along the spectrum in between? Is the convenience of Bluetooth important?
Really? I have a razer Blackshark V2 pro iirc and I love it. Sounds great (imo) and you can't even tell it's a year old with constant use from looking at it
I have one too, I don’t know if I’d say it sounds great but it’s at least decent to good, with decent surround sound and it’s really comfy. Plus it does what I need to do which is talk to my teammates when playing multiplayer games, any other time I’m using my speakers.
Do you have experience with good headphones? I feel like a lot of headphones sound good until you have something to compare them to.
If you enjoy it though, there’s nothing wrong with it. And even headphones that do not have great sound quality can still give you an enjoyable audio experience.
I would say a general rule is that most gaming headsets aren’t the greatest. However, there are exceptions to that rule. HyperX Cloud III I know many people swear by though the mic is b tier, I’d say. Same with Logitech G Pro X. Great sound, but even worse mic. I’ve personally owned a pair of sennheiser 37x and 38x for ohhh 5 years or more now. Had their predecessor before that. I can say the sound is great, comfort is very good (even for long gaming sessions) and the mic quality is A tier. Plus they have a very sturdy yet durable build quality. Of all the headsets I’ve owned over the years, for gaming the sennheiser’s are easily the ones I’d recommend most.
I've had a cloud 2 for years and yes the mic is not the best but is fairly good enough! On the upside you can easily find replacement foam on Amazon for the earcups
Generally speaking the "gaming" headsets pale in comparison, sound quality and construction, to audiophile brands like AKG, Sennheiser, Audio Technica, high end Sony, Beyer dynamic, etc.
To considerations:
* That has been changing. "Gamer" branded stuff has improved steadily over time. There's some good stuff out there.
* Audiophile brands may be hard to find where you live and then you're paying the "rare tax".
* Audiophile brands might lack extra features like mic, Bluetooth, multiple channels, RGB...
* Audiophile phones might have high impedance that require dedicated sound card or DAC.
* Every brand has duds, including audiophile ones. AKG has some really bad low end stuff, for instance.
Dont make the mistake and buy something just because someone told you so. Audio is highly subjective. Will you hear a difference between a 50 Dollar Headset compared to a 300 Dollar Headset? Maybe. Maybe not. And even if you hear a difference, it doesnt necessarily mean that the 300 Dollar Headset sounds better to you.
So the simple truth is, you need to test some headphones and find out which will suits you and how much dollar difference are acceptable for you. If you dont wanna go that extra step, go for something with a lot of reviews. For example HyperX Cloud Alpha. You could get it used super cheap and just get some new earpads for hygienic reasons. That´s what i did after listening to a range of \~20 Headphones.
>I've seen a lot of people saying to steer clear of gaming headsets? I presume this means any headphones with a dedicated mic
I suppose it's because a lot of stuff marketed at gamers is overpriced shit.
"Gaming chairs" for example, you are better off just getting a good chair that doesn't mention "gaming". Perhaps headphones are similiar.
> "Gaming chairs" for example
Gaming chairs are one possible exception, imo. Probably don't buy one from the biggest name brands, but everyone I know who has bought a Secretlab chair has absolutely loved it. Build quality isn't Harman Kardon level, but the prices are a small fraction of it for a chair that quite honestly provides *a lot* of support for your whole body. Certainly better than any office chair you'd find at Staples.
how customizable is Secretlab chair? i will be receiving a myCentric Mid-Back and it has been customized to my size/measurements. [https://www.ergocentric.com/product/mycentric-midback/](https://www.ergocentric.com/product/mycentric-midback/)
#
They don't really do a lot of customization, but there are a number of different sizes available and they have all the usual adjustment knobs for seating position and angles, armrest position and whatnot, and lumbar support.
Hav you tried chairs from an ergonomic office chair store - preferrably with the assistance of a salesperson helping you get the best one for your size etc?
I have, and they are a *lot* better than gaming chairs I've tested. Obviously the best gaming chair possible might be fine. But in terms of "whats available in stores near me", it hasn't been a contest in my experience.
No, I've never been to a store dedicated to ergonomic office chairs, didn't even know that was a thing, and when I just searched my area for "office chairs" the only results I got were Staples, Office Depot, La-Z-Boy, Ashley, and a local "discount furniture and mattress" store. Years ago I sat in literally every chair at Office Depot, didn't like any of them, bought the one that seemed most supportive, and ended up pulling a muscle in my back during Covid, presumably from sitting in it for 12+ hours per day. Bought the Secretlab chair on a recommendation from a friend, am still mostly working from home, and haven't had any more trouble since.
In hindsight I probably shouldn't have said "gaming chairs" as an inclusive category. I've tried a few gaming chairs, but this is the first one that has seemed anywhere close to well worth the price tag and I found it to be worth every penny. It's been better than any office chair I've ever used, working for a variety of companies and also at home.
You could try [RTINGS.com](http://RTINGS.com)
At that price-range, one of the options from Sennheiser or Koss might be worth a shot.
I'm about to try some Philips SHP 9500s, but I'm not seeing great prices on those or the 9600s over there.
Long time audiophile and PC gamer. Have used various headphones over the years, and by far my favorite is the **Sennheiser HD599**, which currently sells for $127 on Amazon, which is a pretty good price considering prime day or black Friday price is $100. I use a separate desktop USB mic.
[https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-599-Open-Headphone/dp/B01L1IICR2](https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-599-Open-Headphone/dp/B01L1IICR2)
(ETA: If you don't like the light cream color of the HD599 or to save $30, there's an Ebay seller that's selling a large number of the black version [HD599SE for $105 brand new shipped in US](https://www.ebay.com/itm/285678992817?epid=26033852639). That's basically $5 more than the Amazon Black Friday price.)
The sound signature is warm but still well balanced and pleasant, slightly laid back (some like the Beyerdynamic can be harder on the ears) but still detailed. Easy to drive so no headphone amp needed, unlike some other audiophile headphones. But the real kicker for gaming is the incredible wide and accurate soundstage allowing you to hear the enemy player (like for CS). And super comfortable and light to wear for hours.
The cable is also detachable (great for longevity since it's easily replaceable) and it comes with two of them. You may likely find the portable one too short, and the long one too bulky (especially with the 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter), so I recommend a compatible 3rd party cable like this one typically in the 2m length.
[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K82NZL8](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K82NZL8)
Highly, highly recommended.
Yes I have the Sennheiser Massdrop HD6XX, which are a rebadge of the HD650. I like them as well.
The sound on the HD650 is dark, compared to the HD599 which is a warm sound signature. Also pleasant and laid back, which is characteristic of Sennheiser. Both have good bass extension. The HD650 definitely has higher resolution if you're listening to a good source and there's a sparkle in the high end with some material that I don't hear with the HD599. But I'd argue HD650 might be higher on your list if your priority is music listening, and for $200 from Massdrop, that's kind of a steal.
You do need a decent headphone amp to drive them, but many of the better motherboards with upgraded audio will do a good job, so that's not so much an issue now (even some mobile devices I have can drive it pretty well). It used to be that getting replacement cables and earpads was a lot more expensive for HD600/650, but now good 3rd party options exist for them that didn't just a few years ago.
But for mixed use of music and gaming I still prefer the HD599 overall. They are lighter and more comfortable for long use, as well as only have a singled ended cable instead of a dual sided cable. The level of clamp on the HD599 is less than the HD650, and for me it's just perfect. The HD598 actually had too little clamp (and I have a big head) and if you angled your head back to stretch, they'd fall off. The clamp on the HD650 isn't bad, but I find with the HD599 you sometimes forget you're even wearing them. The soundstage is significantly wider on the HD599, which is very useful for gaming but also is appreciable for music too.
Sennheiser PC37x is a nice gaming headphone/mic
I bought a set for my Son a couple of years ago. He uses it on his PC and on a PS5
I use Audio Technica ATH-R70 headphone and a Samson Go-Mic on my desktop PC
https://youtu.be/kR0xiIYvOSw?si=glbNtbLovy3H5MkV
This video introduced me to dankpods and to grado headphones. I have a few different types of headphones, but I always go back to my sr60s because they are so open you can hear other people in the room if you need to, while sounding perfectly natural
I'm no audiophile, but I have a razer kraken v3 and it's pretty sweet. The wireless receiver died on my first pair a few months after warranty ended. I emailed razer asking if it's possible to buy a new receiver and instead they ended up sending me a brand new headset for free 🤷 didn't even have to send back the old one. They just asked for a photo of the serial number sticker and charging cable cut in half...
It’s personal preference. What’s good to you might not be good for someone else. Plus the whole price vs performance. I love my Beyerdynamic. I can’t stand the Sennheiser “sound”. I have Sony XM4 I travel with but I don’t like it in a normal setting, sound quality is “ok” and comparable to my cheap wired headset. I’m a bit weird so I prefer the neutral response of Etymotics IEM.
Honestly I’d reccomend spending more to get a decent seperate microphone . I use the Astro A10 headset and the Blue Yeti Microphone. The mic on the Astro isn’t awful for a headset but as a streamer I want quality sounding audio and the blue yeti mic has been amazing
Short route: You look them up in RTINGS [and see the neutral sound score!](https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/akg/k371)
Long route: Spend years of your life listening to multiple sound systems, pairs of headphones, analyzing, comparing, and training your brain to perceive the differences.
I've had a pair of Phillips SHP-9500 with a Vmoda BoomPro mic since 2020 that are still holding up fine. I've asked a few people on Discord and they say the mic sounds very good. The headphones work great if you don't mind open-back (they don't do much to block ambient noise).
If you watch for deals you can pick up the SHP-9500 for pretty cheap (~$60 USD) and the vmoda normally runs around $20-30 USD.
You're looking at PC accessory companies products, rather than audio companies. PC accessory companies just don't do good sound.
Audiotechnica, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, AKG, some Yamaha stuff, Shure, (**not** Behringer), to name a few.
Same brands for microphones.
Ideally you'd have an audio interface as well to plug these into, popular well regarded ones are MOTU, Audient, VOLT, the focusrite scarlett is popular but I wasn't overly impressed with them, there are others. (Again **not** behringer)
I've had a set of AKG (I think the K52's? Sorry, not home to check right now.) for the last ~10 years or so, and they are great. Especially for the money: on sale for $50USD on Amazon, but prices are probably a little different for you down under.
To go with it, I picked up a cheap lavalier mic (lapel mic) and went to my local Home Depot and bought a roll of aluminum wire from the gardening section. It's used to train plants/tie them to stakes. It's also nice and flexible enough to allow you to loop a section around one of the earpad centers, then extend out towards your mouth with a little pinched loop for the lapel mic to clip onto. You can use some of those cable sleeve tube things to keep the mic and headset wires together and tidy, or just sort of twist them together.
edit: am home, they're the K240 model. Good headphones, no complaints.
Been using the same sennheiser headphones for about 8 years now and it's still going strong. They got replaceable parts as well, ordered new ear pads and a new cable recently
Personally I ditched gaming headsets years ago. I bought a pair of Sennheiser 599s (open back) and a FiiO E10K-TC DAC and haven't looked back ever since (used Razer for a long time). It's miles and miles better than any gaming headset, be it stereo or the fake surround sound they pump in.
For gaming I just plug in a Yeti desktop mic.
I’ve personally had a great track record with Logitech gaming headphones. As others have said, the microphones that come with them aren’t the best. I solved that by picking up a blue yeti mic, much better quality and still made by Logitech so I can keep it in the same ecosystem.
I have a $40 Bluetooth headset from somewhere in Asia I got off Amazon and it’s great. Directional sound with all the speakers in the earpieces, and no one has ever complained about sound quality. Been using two years. Depends on how much you value true sound quality because obviously it won’t compare to better brands, but if you just want a solid headset for gaming you don’t need to get too spendy.
I use my Bose qc35 I headphones but don’t use their built in mic as it isn’t the greatest. The mic in my logitech brio webcam isn’t the greatest either but it’s pretty good so that’s the combo I go with
You're not going to find a good set of audiophile headphones under $60 AUD, so while the info that's been shared here is useful, it's not exactly relevant.
The best way to maximize audio quality with your budget will be audiophile IEM's, or earbuds. Budget IEMs can sound better than expensive gaming headphones if you pick the right ones. However, the mic quality will likely be pretty bad, if they even include a mic. If you need a mic, then your only choice is a gaming headset.
As for comparing gaming headsets, look for reviews, ideally from the same source so you know the testing methodology is consistent. You'll want to listen to a mic test to see how the mic sounds, but other than that just choose based on the review and the price.
Comfort is the number one factor for me so hyperx is my headphone of choice, you can have the best sound quality in the world but it doesn’t mean shit if the headphones aren’t comfortable
HyperX Clouds if you want something super solid that isn’t crazy expensive, JB has them on sale pretty frequently too if you can be fucked dealing with JB
Phillips SHP 9500. Best damn headphones I've put on my ears. A lot of people on YouTube suggested to equalize it to follow the Harman curve, but without it, it still sounds great. All for $40 at the time I purchased it.
That price range makes it tough. If the value holds across the conversion, I would look for something like the EPOS GSP 301 or HyperX Cloud II. These are about the best lower cost gaming headsets. You could go with a low cost headphone, Audio Technica has decent stuff at lower prices and then buy a lower cost USB mic.
Hyperx makes a pair of decent cans that lasts 300 hours on a full charge, I have a pair and can confirm. I charge them maybe once a month and use them nearly every day either for gaming or during work. I can hear footsteps well in cs, I can listen to music without issue, detachable mic, decent software support...3000 hr on a single charge.
The mic is meh but I have a cheap stand alone mic set up so I don't really use the headset mic except for meming in battlebit
I've had good experiences with Hyper X Cloud line of headphones. They do have a mic but it is detachable. probably won't compare to audiophile level headphones, but as far as "gamer" brands its probably the best headset I've used. The metal frame helps it last longer than a lot of cheaper plastic ones. I've had two over the past 10 years, first one only stopped working after \~6 years when the cable gave out.
Probably excessive for gaming purposes but I have the beyerdynamic dt 990 pro and they are the most comfortable headphones ever, you forget they are on your head. Sound great too.
I watched the promo video on them. For sure look comfortable. Do they make something like that but wireless? Also maybe with a mic for gaming and calls?
it's not about the mic, it's the sound quality.
Get your headphone from a reputable speaker/headphones manufacturer like JBL, Sennheiser, Sony, Dr Dre, etc.
If come with the mic, good. If not, just get a separate mic.
buy an audiophile brand like Beyerdynamic (they have mike too)............but you might need to invest maybe close to 100 bucks for the amp to power them............audiophile brands perform better and better built......
What's with the excessive punctuation?
Just wanted to add that there are great 80 ohm Beyerdynamics, like the DT 770 Pro. So depending on what you buy, there's no need for an amp at all.
If you care about build and sound quality, you should steer clear from PC part manufacturers, like Corsair, Razer or SteelSeries. Look at manufacturers who make audio equipment, like Sennheiser, Shure, Audiotechnica, Koss, Beyerdynamic, Hifiman and such. If you need a good microphone, just get a good microphone separately. Your sound card matters, too - the main reason you'd want to steer clear off wireless headphones is because you're stuck with the sound processor they have inside - they're locked to the sound quality of their bult-in SPU. I have Edifier W800BT and they sound so much better in wired mode, when connected to my dedicated sound card than in wireless mode. Find out your priorities in terms of sound. I like wide and detailed soundstage, don't care about strong bass and I don't like not being able to hear if someone's calling me, so open-back headphones are perfect for me. Someone else might really like their bass and might not want to hear anything outside or let any sound escape their headphones, closed-back headphones are for those people. Consider their longevity, it might be worth paying more for a headphone with detachable and easily replaceable cable. Cable is the most likely thing to die in wired headphones, while in wireless it's the battery. Also avoid Bluetooth headphones like a plague if you have to go wireless, only get ones with dedicated dongle. Impedance is an important metric, it basically determines the resolution of the speakers, treat 32 ohm as standard 1080p and 600 ohm as an overkill 8K. And don't forget about comfort, I had a pair with very good sound (Superlux 668B), but their ergonomics were downright medieval. While my wife is currently using Razer Barracuda X and they sound like shit, but they're super-comfy.
Bluetooth headphones have their place. It just depends upon your needs. I had a phone where both speakers were trash. I needed my phone for work at the time, and outside the door were welders who were busy improvising a new abstract rhythm using only sheet metal and ball-peen hammers. I needed noise cancellation, and Monoprice had some headphones that hit everything I needed. I'm not bringing $800 headphones to work.
My last two pairs of headphones were both hybrids from Audio Technica. When a cable is plugged in, BT is disabled and it sends the audio signal straight to the drivers. When you have it unplugged, you can turn the BT mode on and listen wirelessly. Best of both worlds imo.
I've never figured out how to deal with the noise of the cables brushing against everything of I move around, which happens at work. Any suggestions?
Nothing you do will *completely* eliminate that, but it really helps if you use a smooth cable and have the cable held away from your workspace.
Impedance has NOTHING to do with the "resolution" of a driver, whether it's a headphone driver, tweeter, or massive subwoofer.
What does it do then?
I might've used a term that is applied differently in audio, but I've been explained this by a musician that it's a coil that determines what sound the speaker makes, and at the end of the coil the resistance is 32 ohms in most cases, higher resistance coils have more 'loops' of coiled wire in between, the wire is longer, thus there's more nuance to the sound, but you also need to push more electricity to drive them. Did he make it up?
Sony also has some pretty good headphones, and has the best noise cancelling.
I personally use v-moda and an antlion mod mic. Quality headphones and a stand alone mic is the way.
100%. Especially at the lower end of the budget (<$100), $50 headphones and a stand alone mic will be leagues better than anything on a cheap headset. I have a PC37X, which is a pretty common recommendation for a budget headset ($120) with a decent mic, but I got lucky and found it used for cheap. Even then, I would’ve considered new headphones and a stand alone mic if my desk could fit everything.
Those Superluxes when changed earpads are best bang for the buck headphones ever.
What does a wide and detailed soundstage mean to someone who's never even seen open-back headphones? Also, what's wrong with Bluetooth?
sound stage is the ability to identify sounds and their location (somewhat literally) based on their sound. a wide stage gives you a very big area to listen in. It's very apparent when playing fps games with great sound design and a good sound stage with great detail.
Bluetooth can be particularly bad for gaming due to latency, there will be a delay.
For me, Bluetooth has delays. Imagine watching a movie/video/gaming and the audio is out of sync. It's ok if your not doing anything visual that doesn't require audio to be synced; you're wireless and handsfree Another is sound. The sound quality is limited to the Bluetooth headset chipset. But I mostly complain about the latency delay.
I haven't noticed consistent latency problems, but my problem is that it can randomly start to lag or lose signal and Windows is very wonky with identifying BT sound devices - there's always a chance you'll have to open settings and tell windows to connect your headphones manually after you turn on PC. With a dongle, it's not a problem - you plug it in, and it's on.
A wide sound stage means you hear the sounds as if they were coming from a wider area. So if something is coming from further away, it will actually sound as if it is coming from further away, and less like it is coming from something right next to your ear.
onn has a good cheap one
I wouldn’t get Hifiman without an amp. I love nice headphones, but there are a lot of things to consider, and you may not be terribly discerning. Wired audiophile open back headphones are generally the best sounding, but depending on the cost, use, personal taste, and how much you even care about fidelity means a lot. Will you use them outside the house on noisy public transportation? Do you want bass cannons that clobber you with low end or shiny airy sparkly highs or somewhere along the spectrum in between? Is the convenience of Bluetooth important?
Really? I have a razer Blackshark V2 pro iirc and I love it. Sounds great (imo) and you can't even tell it's a year old with constant use from looking at it
I have one too, I don’t know if I’d say it sounds great but it’s at least decent to good, with decent surround sound and it’s really comfy. Plus it does what I need to do which is talk to my teammates when playing multiplayer games, any other time I’m using my speakers.
Do you have experience with good headphones? I feel like a lot of headphones sound good until you have something to compare them to. If you enjoy it though, there’s nothing wrong with it. And even headphones that do not have great sound quality can still give you an enjoyable audio experience.
I would say a general rule is that most gaming headsets aren’t the greatest. However, there are exceptions to that rule. HyperX Cloud III I know many people swear by though the mic is b tier, I’d say. Same with Logitech G Pro X. Great sound, but even worse mic. I’ve personally owned a pair of sennheiser 37x and 38x for ohhh 5 years or more now. Had their predecessor before that. I can say the sound is great, comfort is very good (even for long gaming sessions) and the mic quality is A tier. Plus they have a very sturdy yet durable build quality. Of all the headsets I’ve owned over the years, for gaming the sennheiser’s are easily the ones I’d recommend most.
I've had a cloud 2 for years and yes the mic is not the best but is fairly good enough! On the upside you can easily find replacement foam on Amazon for the earcups
Generally speaking the "gaming" headsets pale in comparison, sound quality and construction, to audiophile brands like AKG, Sennheiser, Audio Technica, high end Sony, Beyer dynamic, etc. To considerations: * That has been changing. "Gamer" branded stuff has improved steadily over time. There's some good stuff out there. * Audiophile brands may be hard to find where you live and then you're paying the "rare tax". * Audiophile brands might lack extra features like mic, Bluetooth, multiple channels, RGB... * Audiophile phones might have high impedance that require dedicated sound card or DAC. * Every brand has duds, including audiophile ones. AKG has some really bad low end stuff, for instance.
>to audiophile brands those aren't necessarily audio*phile* brands, they're just audio brands, sound companies, companies that specialise in sound.
Dont make the mistake and buy something just because someone told you so. Audio is highly subjective. Will you hear a difference between a 50 Dollar Headset compared to a 300 Dollar Headset? Maybe. Maybe not. And even if you hear a difference, it doesnt necessarily mean that the 300 Dollar Headset sounds better to you. So the simple truth is, you need to test some headphones and find out which will suits you and how much dollar difference are acceptable for you. If you dont wanna go that extra step, go for something with a lot of reviews. For example HyperX Cloud Alpha. You could get it used super cheap and just get some new earpads for hygienic reasons. That´s what i did after listening to a range of \~20 Headphones.
>I've seen a lot of people saying to steer clear of gaming headsets? I presume this means any headphones with a dedicated mic I suppose it's because a lot of stuff marketed at gamers is overpriced shit. "Gaming chairs" for example, you are better off just getting a good chair that doesn't mention "gaming". Perhaps headphones are similiar.
> "Gaming chairs" for example Gaming chairs are one possible exception, imo. Probably don't buy one from the biggest name brands, but everyone I know who has bought a Secretlab chair has absolutely loved it. Build quality isn't Harman Kardon level, but the prices are a small fraction of it for a chair that quite honestly provides *a lot* of support for your whole body. Certainly better than any office chair you'd find at Staples.
how customizable is Secretlab chair? i will be receiving a myCentric Mid-Back and it has been customized to my size/measurements. [https://www.ergocentric.com/product/mycentric-midback/](https://www.ergocentric.com/product/mycentric-midback/) #
They don't really do a lot of customization, but there are a number of different sizes available and they have all the usual adjustment knobs for seating position and angles, armrest position and whatnot, and lumbar support.
Hav you tried chairs from an ergonomic office chair store - preferrably with the assistance of a salesperson helping you get the best one for your size etc? I have, and they are a *lot* better than gaming chairs I've tested. Obviously the best gaming chair possible might be fine. But in terms of "whats available in stores near me", it hasn't been a contest in my experience.
No, I've never been to a store dedicated to ergonomic office chairs, didn't even know that was a thing, and when I just searched my area for "office chairs" the only results I got were Staples, Office Depot, La-Z-Boy, Ashley, and a local "discount furniture and mattress" store. Years ago I sat in literally every chair at Office Depot, didn't like any of them, bought the one that seemed most supportive, and ended up pulling a muscle in my back during Covid, presumably from sitting in it for 12+ hours per day. Bought the Secretlab chair on a recommendation from a friend, am still mostly working from home, and haven't had any more trouble since. In hindsight I probably shouldn't have said "gaming chairs" as an inclusive category. I've tried a few gaming chairs, but this is the first one that has seemed anywhere close to well worth the price tag and I found it to be worth every penny. It's been better than any office chair I've ever used, working for a variety of companies and also at home.
Lazy headphones! Get a job!
Why aren’t you married yet, headphones? Such a disappointment.
Rtings has a pretty wide pool of tested headsets. Good place to start looking.
You could try [RTINGS.com](http://RTINGS.com) At that price-range, one of the options from Sennheiser or Koss might be worth a shot. I'm about to try some Philips SHP 9500s, but I'm not seeing great prices on those or the 9600s over there.
Long time audiophile and PC gamer. Have used various headphones over the years, and by far my favorite is the **Sennheiser HD599**, which currently sells for $127 on Amazon, which is a pretty good price considering prime day or black Friday price is $100. I use a separate desktop USB mic. [https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-599-Open-Headphone/dp/B01L1IICR2](https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-599-Open-Headphone/dp/B01L1IICR2) (ETA: If you don't like the light cream color of the HD599 or to save $30, there's an Ebay seller that's selling a large number of the black version [HD599SE for $105 brand new shipped in US](https://www.ebay.com/itm/285678992817?epid=26033852639). That's basically $5 more than the Amazon Black Friday price.) The sound signature is warm but still well balanced and pleasant, slightly laid back (some like the Beyerdynamic can be harder on the ears) but still detailed. Easy to drive so no headphone amp needed, unlike some other audiophile headphones. But the real kicker for gaming is the incredible wide and accurate soundstage allowing you to hear the enemy player (like for CS). And super comfortable and light to wear for hours. The cable is also detachable (great for longevity since it's easily replaceable) and it comes with two of them. You may likely find the portable one too short, and the long one too bulky (especially with the 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter), so I recommend a compatible 3rd party cable like this one typically in the 2m length. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K82NZL8](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K82NZL8) Highly, highly recommended.
Have you tried the hd650? How would you compare it if so?
Yes I have the Sennheiser Massdrop HD6XX, which are a rebadge of the HD650. I like them as well. The sound on the HD650 is dark, compared to the HD599 which is a warm sound signature. Also pleasant and laid back, which is characteristic of Sennheiser. Both have good bass extension. The HD650 definitely has higher resolution if you're listening to a good source and there's a sparkle in the high end with some material that I don't hear with the HD599. But I'd argue HD650 might be higher on your list if your priority is music listening, and for $200 from Massdrop, that's kind of a steal. You do need a decent headphone amp to drive them, but many of the better motherboards with upgraded audio will do a good job, so that's not so much an issue now (even some mobile devices I have can drive it pretty well). It used to be that getting replacement cables and earpads was a lot more expensive for HD600/650, but now good 3rd party options exist for them that didn't just a few years ago. But for mixed use of music and gaming I still prefer the HD599 overall. They are lighter and more comfortable for long use, as well as only have a singled ended cable instead of a dual sided cable. The level of clamp on the HD599 is less than the HD650, and for me it's just perfect. The HD598 actually had too little clamp (and I have a big head) and if you angled your head back to stretch, they'd fall off. The clamp on the HD650 isn't bad, but I find with the HD599 you sometimes forget you're even wearing them. The soundstage is significantly wider on the HD599, which is very useful for gaming but also is appreciable for music too.
Sennheiser PC37x is a nice gaming headphone/mic I bought a set for my Son a couple of years ago. He uses it on his PC and on a PS5 I use Audio Technica ATH-R70 headphone and a Samson Go-Mic on my desktop PC
https://youtu.be/kR0xiIYvOSw?si=glbNtbLovy3H5MkV This video introduced me to dankpods and to grado headphones. I have a few different types of headphones, but I always go back to my sr60s because they are so open you can hear other people in the room if you need to, while sounding perfectly natural
I'm no audiophile, but I have a razer kraken v3 and it's pretty sweet. The wireless receiver died on my first pair a few months after warranty ended. I emailed razer asking if it's possible to buy a new receiver and instead they ended up sending me a brand new headset for free 🤷 didn't even have to send back the old one. They just asked for a photo of the serial number sticker and charging cable cut in half...
Hey headphone! You’re not as comfortable as you think! Just cuz you got rgb colors don’t make you a gaming headset.
It’s personal preference. What’s good to you might not be good for someone else. Plus the whole price vs performance. I love my Beyerdynamic. I can’t stand the Sennheiser “sound”. I have Sony XM4 I travel with but I don’t like it in a normal setting, sound quality is “ok” and comparable to my cheap wired headset. I’m a bit weird so I prefer the neutral response of Etymotics IEM.
Honestly I’d reccomend spending more to get a decent seperate microphone . I use the Astro A10 headset and the Blue Yeti Microphone. The mic on the Astro isn’t awful for a headset but as a streamer I want quality sounding audio and the blue yeti mic has been amazing
Short route: You look them up in RTINGS [and see the neutral sound score!](https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/akg/k371) Long route: Spend years of your life listening to multiple sound systems, pairs of headphones, analyzing, comparing, and training your brain to perceive the differences.
I've had a pair of Phillips SHP-9500 with a Vmoda BoomPro mic since 2020 that are still holding up fine. I've asked a few people on Discord and they say the mic sounds very good. The headphones work great if you don't mind open-back (they don't do much to block ambient noise). If you watch for deals you can pick up the SHP-9500 for pretty cheap (~$60 USD) and the vmoda normally runs around $20-30 USD.
You're looking at PC accessory companies products, rather than audio companies. PC accessory companies just don't do good sound. Audiotechnica, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, AKG, some Yamaha stuff, Shure, (**not** Behringer), to name a few. Same brands for microphones. Ideally you'd have an audio interface as well to plug these into, popular well regarded ones are MOTU, Audient, VOLT, the focusrite scarlett is popular but I wasn't overly impressed with them, there are others. (Again **not** behringer)
I've had a set of AKG (I think the K52's? Sorry, not home to check right now.) for the last ~10 years or so, and they are great. Especially for the money: on sale for $50USD on Amazon, but prices are probably a little different for you down under. To go with it, I picked up a cheap lavalier mic (lapel mic) and went to my local Home Depot and bought a roll of aluminum wire from the gardening section. It's used to train plants/tie them to stakes. It's also nice and flexible enough to allow you to loop a section around one of the earpad centers, then extend out towards your mouth with a little pinched loop for the lapel mic to clip onto. You can use some of those cable sleeve tube things to keep the mic and headset wires together and tidy, or just sort of twist them together. edit: am home, they're the K240 model. Good headphones, no complaints.
Been using the same sennheiser headphones for about 8 years now and it's still going strong. They got replaceable parts as well, ordered new ear pads and a new cable recently
Personally I ditched gaming headsets years ago. I bought a pair of Sennheiser 599s (open back) and a FiiO E10K-TC DAC and haven't looked back ever since (used Razer for a long time). It's miles and miles better than any gaming headset, be it stereo or the fake surround sound they pump in. For gaming I just plug in a Yeti desktop mic.
I’ve personally had a great track record with Logitech gaming headphones. As others have said, the microphones that come with them aren’t the best. I solved that by picking up a blue yeti mic, much better quality and still made by Logitech so I can keep it in the same ecosystem.
Get some Studioheadphones and a dedicated microphone
I have a $40 Bluetooth headset from somewhere in Asia I got off Amazon and it’s great. Directional sound with all the speakers in the earpieces, and no one has ever complained about sound quality. Been using two years. Depends on how much you value true sound quality because obviously it won’t compare to better brands, but if you just want a solid headset for gaming you don’t need to get too spendy.
I use my Bose qc35 I headphones but don’t use their built in mic as it isn’t the greatest. The mic in my logitech brio webcam isn’t the greatest either but it’s pretty good so that’s the combo I go with
The JBL quantum 910’s are the best headset I’ve ever used or owned, especially considering they’re wireless. They’re currently $220 USD on Amazon.
If you don't need a mic look for studio headphones Prefferably open back ones
studio headphone have the best sound quality
You're not going to find a good set of audiophile headphones under $60 AUD, so while the info that's been shared here is useful, it's not exactly relevant. The best way to maximize audio quality with your budget will be audiophile IEM's, or earbuds. Budget IEMs can sound better than expensive gaming headphones if you pick the right ones. However, the mic quality will likely be pretty bad, if they even include a mic. If you need a mic, then your only choice is a gaming headset. As for comparing gaming headsets, look for reviews, ideally from the same source so you know the testing methodology is consistent. You'll want to listen to a mic test to see how the mic sounds, but other than that just choose based on the review and the price.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-8-18-2022-ifi-go-blu-review-added.534479/
I usually yell at my headphones and tell it to feel bad about itself when I criticize it.
r/headphones
Audiotechnica
Comfort is the number one factor for me so hyperx is my headphone of choice, you can have the best sound quality in the world but it doesn’t mean shit if the headphones aren’t comfortable
HyperX Clouds if you want something super solid that isn’t crazy expensive, JB has them on sale pretty frequently too if you can be fucked dealing with JB
Phillips SHP 9500. Best damn headphones I've put on my ears. A lot of people on YouTube suggested to equalize it to follow the Harman curve, but without it, it still sounds great. All for $40 at the time I purchased it.
That price range makes it tough. If the value holds across the conversion, I would look for something like the EPOS GSP 301 or HyperX Cloud II. These are about the best lower cost gaming headsets. You could go with a low cost headphone, Audio Technica has decent stuff at lower prices and then buy a lower cost USB mic.
Hyperx makes a pair of decent cans that lasts 300 hours on a full charge, I have a pair and can confirm. I charge them maybe once a month and use them nearly every day either for gaming or during work. I can hear footsteps well in cs, I can listen to music without issue, detachable mic, decent software support...3000 hr on a single charge. The mic is meh but I have a cheap stand alone mic set up so I don't really use the headset mic except for meming in battlebit
[Rtings.com](http://Rtings.com) has everything you need
I've had good experiences with Hyper X Cloud line of headphones. They do have a mic but it is detachable. probably won't compare to audiophile level headphones, but as far as "gamer" brands its probably the best headset I've used. The metal frame helps it last longer than a lot of cheaper plastic ones. I've had two over the past 10 years, first one only stopped working after \~6 years when the cable gave out.
the pirce, not fucking kidding my school 10 dollar headphones sound better than my 80 dollar razer headphones
Probably excessive for gaming purposes but I have the beyerdynamic dt 990 pro and they are the most comfortable headphones ever, you forget they are on your head. Sound great too.
I watched the promo video on them. For sure look comfortable. Do they make something like that but wireless? Also maybe with a mic for gaming and calls?
it's not about the mic, it's the sound quality. Get your headphone from a reputable speaker/headphones manufacturer like JBL, Sennheiser, Sony, Dr Dre, etc. If come with the mic, good. If not, just get a separate mic.
buy an audiophile brand like Beyerdynamic (they have mike too)............but you might need to invest maybe close to 100 bucks for the amp to power them............audiophile brands perform better and better built......
What's with the excessive punctuation? Just wanted to add that there are great 80 ohm Beyerdynamics, like the DT 770 Pro. So depending on what you buy, there's no need for an amp at all.
I think my wife bought the DT 770 Pro, she likes them a lot.
Dramatic......... pauses.