gamers, do you prefer headphone or speakers?

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Headphones will always produce more resolution and detail (and usually imaging) than speakers, which is very important in gaming. However, you should stay away from the so-called "5.1" headphones - they usually sound like crap and a decent stereo headphone will usually give you the same amount of soundstage and imaging, better sound quality, for cheaper.

True, some headphones that advertise themselves as "5.1 headphones" really aren't. But the Zalmans aren't "so-called 5.1 headphones"... they actually have 6 speakers that provide the surround sound. Sounds great in games - for example, I can tell when someone's firing behind me in Prey.

Have you tried a pair of decent stereo headphones? 5.1 headphones do have 6 speakers, but do you really need them?

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: potato28
5.1 headphone's have lower impedance compared to something like A-900's, DT-880's, or HD-555's/595's. I love my HD-555's, and they blow away everything for the price that I paid for them.

The A900's have an impedance of 40ohm...a computer soundcard or even onboard sound is more than enough to drive them properly.

 

[TallBill]

While headphones are great, if you game for long stretches of time, you'll appreciate speakers. Headphones get annoying if you wear them for many hours.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Oy! Where's 4.1 and 4.2?
<= 2x 2.1 Klipsch Promedias = tight, bone shaking bass + sweet mids + highs.

 

[thegimp03]

Headphones...some Audio-Technica ATH-700s. They're nice, big, and comfortable.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I have Sennheiser HD470 'phones and my beloved Yamaha YST-M40 speakers. You HAVE to have both.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Headphones. You hear a lot better, even if they're cheap earbuds. Sure surround headphones give you a nice experience, but you need like silence around the house to play well. When you've got traffic out your window and roommates, you can't get hte best gaming experience unless you disturb some people (and also people who live above and downstairs).

It's just a lot nicer. Otherwise you kidna sit there and try to look focused on your speakers when you're trying to hear footsteps...

 

[her209]

I like speakers because I can play a lot longer.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: potato28
5.1 headphone's have lower impedance compared to something like A-900's, DT-880's, or HD-555's/595's. I love my HD-555's, and they blow away everything for the price that I paid for them.

The A900's have an impedance of 40ohm...a computer soundcard or even onboard sound is more than enough to drive them properly.

Yep, and their soundstage will slap pretty much all the surround headphones I've heard to death. Pair it with something like an X-Fi and you'll do a better job of pinpointing people than surround headphones. You'll also get a very very good headphone for listening to music and movies.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: ksaajasto
Headphones are so much better... anyone else sucks...
KS

Speakers are people too.

 

[bleuless]

what do you guys think about the noise canceling headphone? seems a good way to kill 2 birds in 1 stone. (something for traveling on airplane, and something for staying at home for gaming)

 

[Q]

I'm a gamer and I don't even know WTH a 5.1 headphone is

 

[pennylane]

A properly configured 5.1 speaker system in a quiet environment is the best (ie, in a home theater and not computer speakers).

If that's not achievable, then 2.0 speakers FTW.

 

[Kirby]

I prefer speakers (5.1) for gaming and headphones for music.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: bleuless
what do you guys think about the noise canceling headphone? seems a good way to kill 2 birds in 1 stone. (something for traveling on airplane, and something for staying at home for gaming)

Psst, look into the Audio-Technicas that have been recommend several times. They're closed and so offer isolation but happen to be very good heaphones, especially for gaming.

As for your question, I assume you're talking about say IEMs? In general I wouldn't recommend them for gaming, as most of them aren't that good for that. I personally find IEMs to be uncomfortable to wear. I just hope you're not talking about Bose QuietComforts.

 

[Staples]

Speakers because I am deaf in my right ear and I can't hear the mono channel on headphones.

And 2.1 speakers for PC because they don't take up much space and 5.1 for the TV because I havew more space to waste.

 

[CorCentral]

If you want decent sound for games and music, stay away from any "PC" tweeter type setup with 1 big Sub. Pick up a cheapy $300.00 Onkyo or Denon reciever and 2 decent $300.00 bookshelf speakers like Polk or Infinity and you'll rock the house and blow all those crappy pc speakers out of the water.

Btw----- Sharper Image= Crap
They claim everything & provide nothing in all their products. Just like Bose

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: bleuless
what do you guys think about the noise canceling headphone? seems a good way to kill 2 birds in 1 stone. (something for traveling on airplane, and something for staying at home for gaming)

Active noise cancelling like Bose sucks balls. Actually anything Bose pretty much sucks.

But if you're talking about just isolation (like earmuffs) then there are a lot of nice cans out there that have closed backs and offer good sound quality. Beyerdynamic DT770, DT250, Audiotechnica A500, A700, A900, Sennheiser HD25, just to name a few.

Then there are the very expensive ones, like Audiotechnica W5000, L3000, Sony R10, JVC DX1000, etc. But that's only if you want to drop a grand or more on headphones

 

[RallyMaster]

currently using 2.0 headphones but would like to try some of those 5.1 things.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Headphones will always produce more resolution and detail (and usually imaging) than speakers, which is very important in gaming. However, you should stay away from the so-called "5.1" headphones - they usually sound like crap and a decent stereo headphone will usually give you the same amount of soundstage and imaging, better sound quality, for cheaper.

True, some headphones that advertise themselves as "5.1 headphones" really aren't. But the Zalmans aren't "so-called 5.1 headphones"... they actually have 6 speakers that provide the surround sound. Sounds great in games - for example, I can tell when someone's firing behind me in Prey.

Have you tried a pair of decent stereo headphones? 5.1 headphones do have 6 speakers, but do you really need them?

The 5.1 headphones I have work well, so I haven't tried anything more expensive. Whether I need all 6 speakers, I have no idea - I only know that when a sound is occurring behind me, it sounds like it's occurring behind me.

 

[fLum0x]

i have 2.1 klipsch's but i prefer my sennheiser 590s with Audigy 2 plat pro

 

[Philippine Mango]

Originally posted by: swtethan
noobs use 5.1




2.0 sennheiser headphones give me the edge

I disagree, in an environment such that of a FPS, having 5.1 really does help because it allows for more directional sound, letting you know where things are coming from. The reason this is important is because sometimes something or someone will be moving and with stereo its very vague as to where it is while 5.1 can really help in determining if its happening behind you or diagonally, etc...

 

[Shawn]

2.1 speakers!

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Where's the option for 2.0 speakers?

 

[PremiumG]

how the hell does 5.1 headphones work? How can they emulate 5.1 w/ just 2 speakers?