Best gaming headset under $100?

[hohyss]

What headset do you think is the best?

 

[zerogear]

Hmm. Personally, I'd invest in a separate headphone + mic. Most headset sounds are horrible. For example audio-technica's ATH-AD700 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...6402014&Tpk=ATH-AD700) and a Logitech USB Mic.. Headsets, well, there are a few, but none with really good quality sound.

 

[Mojoed]

I completely agree with zerogear.

I had been using 20 year old $400 Sony Studio headphones and a standard desktop mic since the late 90's. I thought I was missing something so I bought the Creative Labs Fatality professional series headset for $40. (Retail $99)

Well the thing is a total piece of trash. Sound quality is WAY lower than what I grew accustomed to with my Studio Sony's. The max volume is also way less than what the Sony can do.

Anyway, go with high quality studio headphones and a mic like zerogear suggested.

 

[hohyss]

I am thinking of getting headphone Sennheiser HD 280pro.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826106328

What do you think?

 

[yhelothar]

ultimate headphone buyers guide

I don't recommend getting a closed set of headphones unless you really need the sound isolation. While closed designs blocks out outside sounds and doesn't leak as much sound, it tends to have a closed off sound.
The HD280 is weak on bass if you're ok with that.

 

[angry hampster]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826106020


I have an older set simiilar to these and love them. They're comfy enough to wear for hours without your ears feeling funky from lack of air.

 

[Juked07]

Originally posted by: Mojoed
I completely agree with zerogear.

I had been using 20 year old $400 Sony Studio headphones and a standard desktop mic since the late 90's. I thought I was missing something so I bought the Creative Labs Fatality professional series headset for $40. (Retail $99)

Well the thing is a total piece of trash. Sound quality is WAY lower than what I grew accustomed to with my Studio Sony's. The max volume is also way less than what the Sony can do.

Anyway, go with high quality studio headphones and a mic like zerogear suggested.

Do you really use max volume on your headphones? Wouldn't your ears implode? O_O

 

[LOUISSSSS]

def consider seperate headphones of ur choice and regular desktop mic

 

[zerogear]

I just bought myself ah audio-technica ATH-AD900 (http://www.audiocubes.com/cate...0_Air_Headphones.html) and an ATH-PRO700 (http://www.audiocubes.com/cate...nitor_Headphones.html). Too bad its because I stepped on my current one and one of the cans is dangling around T^T


Open headphones, produce clearer midranges (provided you listen to music that demands it.. classical/jazz, etc or even just games). While Closed provides sound-isolation and heavier on the bass (techno, heavy metal, etc). It really boils down to what you want from your music. And yes, I am a fan of audio-technica.

These were my old set: ATH-PRO5MS (http://www.audiocubes.com/cate...nitor_Headphones.html)

 

[hohyss]

So whats the difference between open headphone and closed headphone?

 

[zerogear]

With closed headphones, the ear is completely sealed off from outside noise (pressure chamber principle). Typical features of closed headphones are the acoustically sealed housing and the ring-shaped (circumaural) pads that completely surround the ear. The sealing around the ear has a decisive influence on the sound reproduction of closed headphones.

Open headphones are popular for normal headphone use because they sound "more natural". Further, other people can talk to you while you have them on. People who have to concentrate on what they are listening to prefer closed headphones. The problem of sealing does not exist with open headphones, which have foam ear pads that rest on the ears, or ring pads that surround the ears. In this design, the space behind and in front of the diaphragm lets through sound. Therefore, open headphones allow sound to pass straight through the diaphragm without being "muffled", thus resulting in a more transparent and natural sound

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
They're comfy enough to wear for hours without your ears feeling funky from lack of air.

Sweaty ears FTL!

I value comfort over sound quality because I use speakers at home and headphones/headset only at LAN parties which can get noisy. I actually have some headphones which sound great, but give me sweaty ears so I hardly use them. I prefer open ear ones with foam... better yet ones with some type of cloth (but not leather/vinyl) over the foam. So, for the OP, after you figure out whether you want open or closed, then figure out the next most important thing to you. Sound quality? Comfort? Price? You may not be able to get all that in one headset so you'll have to prioritize.

 

[hohyss]

I really want to be able to distinguish the difference between

behind/front/top/down when playing fps games like bf2 or call of duty 4.

Seinheinner hd280 does look like a very good headphone.

But my concern is that it is still stereo headphone and im not sure whether

it would provide me with those kind of immersion compared to a 5.1 channel headset.

Is there anyone who actually played fps games ( like css, bf2, cod4 )

with surround headset or high end headphone like sein hd 280?

Whats the difference?

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: hohyss
I really want to be able to distinguish the difference between

behind/front/top/down when playing fps games like bf2 or call of duty 4.

Seinheinner hd280 does look like a very good headphone.

But my concern is that it is still stereo headphone and im not sure whether

it would provide me with those kind of immersion compared to a 5.1 channel headset.

Is there anyone who actually played fps games ( like css, bf2, cod4 )

with surround headset or high end headphone like sein hd 280?

Whats the difference?

5.1 headset is a load of bullshit because it only has two speakers still. It's all marketing and you're eating it up. Check out the Senn's that I linked above -- they're very nice for the buck. ..and yes, I can distinguish behind, above, left/right and everything else when playing a FPS. They also are amazing with my Sansa Clip.

 

[yhelothar]

A good set of 2 channel headphones will sound far more surround than anything
In fact, it'll make your music turn 3D too.
That's actually the first thing I noticed when I got my set of high end earphones, the music started to have depth. Listening to live music felt like I was there if I closed my eyes. I could hear exactly where each holler is coming from behind me, and where each music instrument is coming from in front of me.

I'd personally recommend the Sennheiser HD555 or the Audio Technica AD700 recommended in this thread if you're not set on getting a closed design.

If you're getting a closed design, the HD280 are decent, but quite lean on the bass compared to all the other headphones I've heard. I'd go for the Sony MDR-V6 instead(note NOT the V600).

 

[videogames101]

I <3 my sennheiser PC166's, nearly the same thing but cheaper... http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826106157

 

[CKent]

Don't get hd280s, the headband will crack. It's a notorious problem, you can treat them like your baby and it'll still happen.

Don't get 5.1 headphones, they're a crock of shit.

Get a $10 boom mic, this will let you concentrate on getting quality headphones. First decide whether you want open phones or closed, then use the buyers guide another poster linked.

Quick primer: Closed phones keep music in and outside noise out. Bad choice if you need to hear what's going on around you (doorbell, phone, etc.). They also trap moisture (even if you're not sweating) and that can get annoying after a while. Open phones let music out and sound in. Bad choice if you have a roommate or want to use them on public transportation.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826106020


I have an older set simiilar to these and love them. They're comfy enough to wear for hours without your ears feeling funky from lack of air.

Or you could always save money and get one of these if these are mostly only going to be used for gaming. The reviews seem to indicate that they're bassy, and you don't exactly need hi fidelity crystal clear sound for gaming.
Some oomph however, usually makes it a lot more exciting.

 

[yhelothar]

BTW, a similar thread over at head-fi
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/...ound-100-bucks-363453/

Slightly different criteria though. You may want to get more bassy/oomph headphones for gaming.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: astroidea
I'd go for the Sony MDR-V6 instead(note NOT the V600).

+1. I bought my first pair about 17 years ago, those are at work. Bought my second pair about 8 years ago, only one place online was selling them, and I didn't want to miss getting that second pair. At the time, the 7506 was the obvious successor, but for some reason Sony flooded the market again with the V6.

And yeah, steer clear of the V600.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: hohyss
So whats the difference between open headphone and closed headphone?

open headphones are open...they leak sound in other words. closed are like cups clamped over your ears which is good for some applications where you must block ambient noise or be considerate to others around you. for a given price open headphones tend to have a better more open soundstage. closed headphone engineers have to get around the sound problems produced by having sealed plastic cups over your ears with the resonance of the materials and such. plus i find it more comfortable to wear open headphones, air circulation...and since you can hear ambient noise..less paranoia

go to headfi org or whatever to get more info