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thoughts on gaming vs. normal headphones
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keyboard_arrow_downScrufboy
0
Dec 22, 2021
I entered the late game arena after I took a break from gaming to raise kids. I recently got back into things and bought a simple Logitech G935 headset. It was OK, I passed that down to my youngest son recently having really only used it a few times.
Surround sound gaming is a gimmick though. Don't listen to others here who swear by it. There were no benefits using a surround headset over my current high end setup. Does Ninja use surround headphones? Do any pro gamers?
Games already process their sounds to offer/deliver proper positional awareness.
Enter the Sony Wh-1000xm4
Even these, wired with a v-moda boom mic is better than any other gaming headset except for Sennheiser and a few others. Which I used exclusively back 12 to 15 years ago.
This is a bit over budget though.. But not by much. At $249, they are $100 off everywhere right now. It would be worth it due to the flexibility of the headphones.
I can hook them up via Bluetooth to anything... My laptop, phone, tablets, etc. Plus, as stated, you can get the mic another time. The regular v-moda boom was perfect and sounded better than their more expensive model.
The Sony offers noise canceling that is state of the art. On the go gaming, while eliminating the background noise was great!
Got a wife or a girlfriend? She can use these for her music and movie binging while you game through your speakers...
With that said... I now use a Beyerdynamic DT 1990 through a Schiit HEL 2e with an Antlion ModMic Uni or a Samson Meteor Mic while at home
The DAC changed everything. The DT 1990 Pro's totally enhanced that. I've since added an Aiyima A07 to drive the Schiit through to my speakers. I know use a reasonably inexpensive high end setup and I love it. Something to shoot for that you can do over time.
But back to the subject. The Sony headset set did great too. Still does! That bit of kit can plug directly into my laptop with the v-moda boom.
Just some thoughts from a "been there done that" audiophile type guy.
NewCoke
6
Dec 21, 2021
KSC75 with or without headband is all you need. See Crinacle's article or video on gaming headphones.
DavyJones
0
Jul 14, 2018
Well gaming type headphones with Dolby Surrond are nice since you can better tell the direction of sounds. And of course all gaming headsets have microphones built in, usually a boom type. It does work better if you talk. But if sound direction or talking are not your things then regular headphone, or even earbuds are just fine. I’ve used my Apple earbuds many times since for longer wear they are more comfortable to me.
Namott777
7
Dec 28, 2017
idk if anyone has said it yet but AD700x. your probably going to have to put a rubber band on them but so far the best soundstage which as you should know is great for gaming. I can accurately tell the position of a player just by sound, that is if the game had good audio positioning.
Buckbrick
521
Nov 5, 2017
I agree about how some headphones with great soundstage enhances the experience. But games these days are programmed with exaggerated sound effects in terms of positioning to work with any headphone. I use earbuds hooked to an amp for gaming. Although the soundstage is not wide but it's enough to make out where stuff are. Although open headphones have better spatial performance, I do find explosions underwhelming.
Perhaps if anyone can give a recommendation for a headphone with a balance of soundstage and impactful bass, I'd switch.
Perhaps if anyone can give a recommendation for a headphone with a balance of soundstage and impactful bass, I'd switch.
Noitatsidem
1
Aug 30, 2018
BuckbrickSennheiser HD 579 is really good for gaming. Punchy bass but the imaging/separation is good enough that it doesn't get in the way. The soundstage is really good too.
Edit: I use the newfantasia sheepskin earpads with them, brings out the bass a bit more but it's not eassential.
awi5951
87
Oct 29, 2017
Best gaming headsets for 200 dollars is the Monolith M560 Planars from Monoprice they are easy as crap to drive you just need a basic amp if you need one at all . You want to hear foot steps these are the all around king for music,movies, and games.
jm090
281
Dec 28, 2017
awi5951I don't have any experience with these but I highly doubt they are properly driven without an amp. Planars are always power hogs to get the best sound out of them. even with conventional drivers I believe you start seeing benefits around 40 ohm especially with closed back.
Flaunty
29
Oct 27, 2017
Usually these kinds of threads make me cringe, and rightfully so for the stuff people recommend. But here’s my two cents: Stop reading anything here that doesn’t have soundstage as a factor. Natural soundstage with an open-back headphone is the most vital thing you could use in most FPS games. Assuming you’re going to be playing something like PUBG, CS:GO, Fortnite or anything of the sort, you’re going to need some headphones that have great width, depth, soundstage and imaging.
The best option that I’ve come to for budget (and even non-budget for people that consider this high-end for choices in headphones, even though it’s really not), are the AD series from AudioTechnica.
YUCK, AUDIOTECHNICA, RIGHT? Wrong. AD series are some of the most accurate headphones (sub $300 I‘d say) you can get for imaging and soundstage + detailed highs and mids. iirc, the higher you go up the better soundstage, vocal presence, and general neutral frequency. I’d recommend these three for you: AD700X + Modmic (mute switch and newer version): $172 AD900X + Modmic (non mute switch, older version): $198 (best bet) AD900X + Modmic (mute switch and newer version): $218
The newer Modmic sounds better, by the way, as the old one is generally more nasally and doesn’t have as good of a freq response, plus the mute switch for convenience.
For gaming, you can’t beat these. They’re also pretty good for music if you want accuracy, but I wouldn’t find these enjoyable for listening to music since they’re just too bass-lite for me. Amazon prices below as of 10/27/17.
If you’re doing any other type of gaming (non-shooters) by the way, forget everything I just said and just get something like SHP9500 with a V-Moda since you don’t need spatial positioning.
YUCK, AUDIOTECHNICA, RIGHT? Wrong. AD series are some of the most accurate headphones (sub $300 I‘d say) you can get for imaging and soundstage + detailed highs and mids. iirc, the higher you go up the better soundstage, vocal presence, and general neutral frequency. I’d recommend these three for you: AD700X + Modmic (mute switch and newer version): $172 AD900X + Modmic (non mute switch, older version): $198 (best bet) AD900X + Modmic (mute switch and newer version): $218
The newer Modmic sounds better, by the way, as the old one is generally more nasally and doesn’t have as good of a freq response, plus the mute switch for convenience.
For gaming, you can’t beat these. They’re also pretty good for music if you want accuracy, but I wouldn’t find these enjoyable for listening to music since they’re just too bass-lite for me. Amazon prices below as of 10/27/17.
If you’re doing any other type of gaming (non-shooters) by the way, forget everything I just said and just get something like SHP9500 with a V-Moda since you don’t need spatial positioning.
Flaunty
29
Nov 5, 2017
It is compatible, since you don't have high impedance and you can get a y-split -> 4 Pole 3.5 mm converter that will make it work with the PS4 input on your controller. Just don't expect as much as performance as you would on PC, but it'll still be exceptional since you're getting naturally better headphones with open-back headphones and accuracy unlike other most other open-backs in the price range, too.
Here's a link of the adapter that's suggested: http://a.co/6gPshOp
Here's a link of the adapter that's suggested: http://a.co/6gPshOp
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I'm thinking about buying new headphones, and did some research. Quickly I came to the conclusion that normal headphones are better. What do you think about it?
And do you have a recommendation on which headphones to buy?
-not too expensive (I can't spend over 200 on it)
-mic is handy, but I can buy that apart too
thanks in advance :)
ps: sorry for bad english :s