Headphones for gaming

[bloodandsoil]

Can anyone recommend an excellent set of headphones in the $50 to $100 range that will primarily be used for gaming? Sound card is a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer. Thanks!

[BenchZowner]

I'd go for the Sennheiser PC-155 :)
Got the PC-165 here for reviewing purposes, great sound, very good sound field & surround sound localization [ using a X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS ]

[syne_24]

is the wireless version any good? (Sennheiser)

[Drunner611]

Can you say lag? Stick with wired.

[BenchZowner]

is the wireless version any good? (Sennheiser)

Haven't tested any of their wireless sets yet.
Should be quite good.
Don't know if there'll be any noticeable lag, but one thing I can tell for sure is that the headset cable never bothered me :)

[ would bother if I wanted to speak with a friend while checking out my kitchen for food, but that's why I got a speaker set :P ]

[afireinside]

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphones.html

Best gaming headphones you'll find under 100, bar none.

[SaII]

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphones.html

Best gaming headphones you'll find under 100, bar none.

What about the open air version?

[bloodandsoil]

What about the open air version?

You talkin about these? http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Headphones,+Earphones_Audiophile,+Hifi/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-AD300_Air_Headphones.html

They are $30 less expensive. Here are the specs on the ATH-AD300 Air Headphones:

Specifications
Type: Open-Air Dynamic
Driver Unit: 40mm
Magnet: Neodymium
Frequency response: 20-25,000 Hz
Impedance: 32Ω
Max. Input Power: 300mW
Sensitivity: 96dB
Plug: Mini/Standard Gold plated 2 Way
Cord length: 3.0m (Single) (OFC)
Net weight (without cord): 250g

And here are the specs on the ATH-A500 Art Headphones:

Specifications
Type: Closed Dynamic
Driver Unit: 53mm, CCAW voice coil
Magnet: Neodymium
Frequency response: 5-30,000 Hz
Impedence: 64Ω
Max. Input Power: 500mW
Sensitivity: 100dB
Plug: Gold-plating stereo mini plug
Cord length: 3.0m (Wrapping / OFC)
Net weight (without cord): 290g

[SaII]

Nope, talking about these

http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Headphones,+Earphones_Audiophile,+Hifi/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-AD500_Air_Headphones.html

Same price.

The other one is closed, this one is open.

[[XC] DragonOrta]

I'd go with the closed, unless you're going to be doing LAN with your squad right next to you, so you can hear what they say.

For $150, the DT-770 Pro cans are utterly blissful

[bloodandsoil]

Got a question on the ATH-A500 Art Headphones...

Do they require a "burn-in" period? I have heard some people referring to a "burn-in" requirement of up to 1 year on high-end headphones. Apparently, only after the "burn-in" does the bass finally come to life...

Also, do they require an amp? Again, have heard that some high-end headphones require an amp. Would my Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer be sufficient, or would I need an amp?

[oqvist]

audio technicas generally run fine without amplification. I am playing with a A900 now have the DT 770 PROs since before. It´s great though it lacks bass a bit and it don´t fit my head as good as the DT 770:s. A bit to loose you can´t headbang with it ;)

[goatboy]

For just a little bit more you can get the Medusa 5.1 surround sounds. They are by far the best headphones I've owned yet. Better than the Sennheisers I had. With the Medusa's and Fatality, I can hear everything on the map now.

[SaII]

for 30$ more?
http://www.medusa-usa.com/medusa-51-progamer-edition-v2-p-896.html

no thanks

[Connectz]

Sennheiser HD 650's. Thats what I use. They are like sex to the ear lol!

[Spencer]

as a certified sound technician I strongly recommend against Sennheiser as they have the worst cables of the whole headphone market. Sound quality is indeed impressive but you can still find better elsewhere. And they make no 5.1 headphones for all I know.

[bloodandsoil]

Do you also recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-A500 Art Headphones?

Also, my budget increased :) I'm willing to spend up to $150.

[bloodandsoil]

Is it worthwhile to upgrade up to the ATH-A700 Art Headphones?

[Drag]

i think this one is cool because it has vibration
http://www.xfxforce.com/web/product/listConfigurations.jspa?series=Xgear+Headset&seriesId=48938&productId=49510
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/multimedia/display/xfx-headset.html

[MikalCarbine]

I'd go with the closed, unless you're going to be doing LAN with your squad right next to you, so you can hear what they say.

For $150, the DT-770 Pro cans are utterly blissful

Seconded, proud owner of a pair, it is hard to LAN with these though, they really muffle the sound of the outer world, but that's nice when you want them too ;)

[oshox]

I like open cans because they fatigue my ears less. I also don't care about isolation; it's nice to be able to hear what's going on around me.

I have a pair of Grado SR-125's and they're awesome, but they're not really gaming headphones. They're more the perfect MP3 player 'phones. I'm planning to purchase a pair of DT-800's with my new system. I'll let you know how they sound.

I would recommend browsing headphonereviews.org and head-fi.org. For gaming: You want accurate reproduction, bass, and soundstage.

[denmason]

ATH-A900's big and comfy cans.

[Kumakichi]

I like those headphones that you guys have posted links to. But what are you using for mic's? Anything cool out there that would work nice with one of these headsets or does any old mic work ok?

[HeelyJoe]

Headphones built for gaming almost always have poor quality speakers, and cost more, just so that they can look fancy.

In my opinion, you would be better off getting something like the HD555's, and just getting a separate microphone. I know it's over your budget, but there are cheaper ones that you can consider.

Also, don't get 5.1 headphones. They have worse sound quality than stereo, and are not any better at telling you where enemies are. Stay away from them. [LINK] (http://www.behardware.com/articles/497-8/5-1-headsets-comparative-test.html)

[GloryField]

assuming A900 is out of ur range, go with ATH-A500 from audiocubes

[MikalCarbine]

I like those headphones that you guys have posted links to. But what are you using for mic's? Anything cool out there that would work nice with one of these headsets or does any old mic work ok?

I'm using some $3 mic from my friend's shop

[Kobalt]

Please don't fall for the 5.1 gimmick. A quality pair of headphones will have an excellent soundstage and will be able to let you pinpoint exactly where people are even if its "2 channel".

Also, burn-in period is around 100 hours for high quality headphones...I don't know who the hell told you a year.

As for an amp, it totally depends on the impendence of the headphones. 75ohms and up and I would get a small amp...a CMoy or something similar for like 30$. This is provided you're going to use them for music as well, which I assume, because I don't know why you would spend 50$+ on headphones soley for gaming.

Here are suggestions for your price range:
Sennheiser HD 280s (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Dynamic-Collapsible-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-2029267-3575101?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1174423374&sr=8-1)
Beyerdynamic DT-231 (http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/all-headphones/beyerdynamic-dt-231.php)
Grado SR-60 (Aggressive headphones) (http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/all-headphones/grado-sr-60.php)

By the way, I have HD580s with a Headsave HomeVibe amp.

[tcG]

www.headphone.com