Do you game with headphones or speakers?

[futurefields]

Digging the headphones. I think the main thing is they block out distraction. I cant hear other people in the house = more immersion in the game.

 

[thejunglegod]

I love gaming with headphones but I can't since it gives me a headache. I have the same problem if I wear glasses as well. Guess I'm just fcked up that way.

 

[Zorander]

Speakers mostly (Epos M5 out of Cyrus 8 integrated amp).

Sometimes I put on my headphones (usually HD650, DT880 or K1000 out of a GS Solo UL amp) but I find the Epos speakers do a good enough job most of the time.

 

[DefDC]

Speakers, 5.1 out of a receiver with decent equipment, but I usually have to keep the volume at a reasonable level.

Now, I'm you have me thinking into investing into some decent headphones.

 

[Karstein]

Headphones. Especially important for games which involve positional audio.

 

[mjd]

Headset with mic for team games like dota.
Speakers for everything else.

 

[Spidre]

Used to be speakers, then I got a pair of Sennheiser 360s. Speakers are still hooked up, but I never use them. even if I don't want to wear the headphones, I'll just turn them up and leave them beside me.

 

[Rhezuss]

Both. I have a set of Logitech Z-623 and the Razer Orca headphones.
When I don't want to annoy anyone I play with headphones...but I mostly play with speakers cause I like hearing what's going on around too like phone/door ringing or a thief wanting to backstab me...

 

[Keeper]

Headset with mic for team games like dota.
Speakers for everything else.

This is how I roll but I gotta say, reading this thread, I am wondering about a decent pair of headphones to be the main way.

Any suggestions? And NOT in the Bose $400 range either.

Here are two points/questions that are key to my headphone choice.
As metioned above, the blocking out the background noise is nice.
So the one ear piece sets... OUT. Yet my son and his GF LOVE those.
Postionial audio. I have a set of 5.1 Altech Lansing (Spelling I am sure). I do love the footsteps I hear behind me. HELPS a LOT. And no denying. LOVE my Sub Woofer. Though wifey does not.
There are headphones that can do positional audio?
CRIPES I am an old sheet... that would be clutch and the key sell point. Just not for 3 or 4 hundred LOL.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Matters what I'm playing. I have some really terrible speakers that are litteraly built into a USB Hub that I was given as promotional item from my work. If I'm playing a little indy game with basic sound, like Binding of Issac or Dungeons of Dreadmor, I use the speakers, and have the music off. If I'm playing anything else I use headphones.

 

[crownjules]

I've had a set of Logitech Z-5500 5.1 speakers for 9 years now. I occasionally throw on some headphones but that is very rare.

 

[Patre]

Not many people have heard of these Ultrasone Pro 750's Headphones, but they're the most accurate H-phones I've used. Even at very low volume levels, you can clearly hear the individual sounds. Once the initial period for the titanium drivers have been burnt in, the dimensional depth is just an incredible listening experience.

Of course, I purchased these cans to use in my recording studio (tracking vocals etc...) and now, the price has almost doubled since I got this about 5 yrs. ago.

 

[Midwayman]

I use a headset 'cause I need a mic. Localization is pretty good with a HTF in game. Without a mic I'd perfer speakers, but Wife acceptance factor is lower and I'd really need a surround system to get the same effect. When she's not home and I'm playing a game that I don't need to localize sound I use my stereo speakers.

 

[KeithTalent]

Headphones only

This.

I can't stand people who play multiplayer with speakers (when using their mic). The noise of the game in the background whenever they talk drives me nuts.

KT

 

[guskline]

Headphones only. Have Logitech G35s for both rigs below.

 

[goobernoodles]

If I'm gaming by myself, a lot of times I use my headphones (Sennheiser HD598) and speakers at the same time. I have Energy RC10's in 2.1 with a BIC F12 sub. Optical to a 5.1 receiver with the headphones plugged in. I just turn the speakers on or off using the receiver and the headphones work either way. It's nice to have the detail of the headphones with the impact/visceral feeling of speakers and a sub.

If I'm gaming with others, almost always headphones only as mic-reverb is annoying as shit for other people.

 

[Zak_]

This is how I roll but I gotta say, reading this thread, I am wondering about a decent pair of headphones to be the main way.

Any suggestions? And NOT in the Bose $400 range either.

Here are two points/questions that are key to my headphone choice.
As metioned above, the blocking out the background noise is nice.
So the one ear piece sets... OUT. Yet my son and his GF LOVE those.
Postionial audio. I have a set of 5.1 Altech Lansing (Spelling I am sure). I do love the footsteps I hear behind me. HELPS a LOT. And no denying. LOVE my Sub Woofer. Though wifey does not.
There are headphones that can do positional audio?
CRIPES I am an old sheet... that would be clutch and the key sell point. Just not for 3 or 4 hundred LOL.

Definitely don't need to spend that much for a good pair. I've been using a pair of Grado SR80's for over 10 years now, still going strong and deliver great sound, all for around $100. I've also heard good things about the audio technica m50's too, for a little less than $150. The Grado's are "open back" so you can heard the outside world pretty clearly, they don't provide much isolation. Depending on your situation that can be a good or bad thing. The m50's on the other hand are closed back, so they give you some better sound isolation.

 

[12andy]

Bookshelf speakers (two pairs of Dayton Audio B652s)
Alison AL10 subwoofer (equivalent to HSU STF2)
Denon 1609 receiver

Wouldn't have it any other way, once calibrated with Audyssey (Dynamic EQ on, over X-fi Dolby Digital Live DTS).

Granted, the lower-level bedroom is my dedicated "game room", so I'm able to position the speakers/ sub optimally. There's nothing like low pressure waves being played in a relatively small room during explosions and gunshots. Home theatre sound, but sitting at a desk.

Granted, I'll probably need to grab a set of cans soon, just so that I can mic it up with my friends/ cousins.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

speakers if i'm playing casually
headphones if i want to play competitively

 

[Sohaltang]

Both. Headphones when Im focused and gaming hard. If its casual then usually speakers.

 

[DigDog]

i can hear the other guy's footsteps while the rest of the team is shooting rockets.

speakers. i'm just THAT awesome

 

[thm1223]

I use both my HD-600s and Adam A7xs. Just depends on what I'm playing/the mood I'm in.

For example, I almost always play scary/suspenseful games with headphones. Planetside 2 though, I tend to use speakers.

 

[indy2878]

I Definitely use headphones for gaming. I try to take mini breaks as well as gaming on headphones with the volume up for too long is bad for your ear drums.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Depends, usually I use my old standby Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1s. Sometimes I use HDMI through a receiver and my HT setup but more rarely. I only use headphones late at night if I happen to still be playing.

 

[razel]

Ok, question for you guys. I love my setup for movies and games but if headphones are so much better, do you guys have anything in the $100ish range you would recommend for a gaming set of cans? I don't need audiophile level sound, but I would like something that can approximate surround. I am using a Yamaha RX-V373 with my setup, a fairly basic receiver that does the job for a room as small as mine. I assume that could power headphones that required an external amp?

+1 to the person who also loves their Grado SR80 headphone. I have the lower Grado SR60 that was $70 14 years ago and love it. It's butt ugly. Wear it outside with a leather jacket and you'll look like a 50's B2 bomber pilot or Nazi morse code ensign. But they are audiophile and the updated SR60i improve on them. I don't game anymore so I don't know how compatible it is with a gaming mic. Last time I gamed, I just used an old Motorola Bluetooth cell phone headset.

And yes, your Yamaha will drive headphones very well. It will not be worth upgrading to a dedicated headphone amp.