I am SO confused about headphones...

[davidober]

Okay, now I'm REALLY confused!!! LOL.

For starters, I do not see myself getting an amp for my headphones. Second, these will be mostly for gaming, though I will listen to music on iTunes quite a bit with them also. If I'm not mistaken, the sound quality of music purchased on iTunes is not very good, though, right? So I really don't need the best of the best to listen to music that way, right?

Also, I'm really confused about the open/closed thing still. Why would I want open vs. closed? And what is "sealed"? Is that just another word for "closed"?

Still totally befuddled and flummoxed...

David (who just figured out what "OP" means)

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: davidober
Okay, now I'm REALLY confused!!! LOL.

For starters, I do not see myself getting an amp for my headphones. Second, these will be mostly for gaming, though I will listen to music on iTunes quite a bit with them also. If I'm not mistaken, the sound quality of music purchased on iTunes is not very good, though, right? So I really don't need the best of the best to listen to music that way, right?

Also, I'm really confused about the open/closed thing still. Why would I want open vs. closed? And what is "sealed"? Is that just another word for "closed"?

Still totally befuddled and flummoxed...

David (who just figured out what "OP" means)

Sealed is closed. What kind of an enviroment are you playing or using your computer in? If it's noisy, buy a set of closed headphones(A-500's or A-700's). If it's quite, buy a set of Sennheiser HD555's or HD595's. Maybe you should take a swing over to head-fi.org.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: davidober
Okay, now I'm REALLY confused!!! LOL.

For starters, I do not see myself getting an amp for my headphones. Second, these will be mostly for gaming, though I will listen to music on iTunes quite a bit with them also. If I'm not mistaken, the sound quality of music purchased on iTunes is not very good, though, right? So I really don't need the best of the best to listen to music that way, right?

Also, I'm really confused about the open/closed thing still. Why would I want open vs. closed? And what is "sealed"? Is that just another word for "closed"?

Still totally befuddled and flummoxed...

David (who just figured out what "OP" means)

Sealed - a pair of headphones that blocks out outside noise so you can hear your music without distractions. All sealed headphones are closed headphones, but not all closed headphones are (very) sealed. This is my definition of sealed.

Closed - a pair of headphones in which the drivers are not drawing air from the outside world. This means that you can isolate the drivers of the headphones and the sound quality will not change by much.

Open - these headphones essentially "pull in" air from the outside world, meaning that they leak sound in and out from the environment, but as a result, sound much better. You know headphones are open if you see holes in the enclosure, and if you put your hands over the enclosure, the sound quality will change, usually drastically for the worst (Grado headphones are like this - put your hands over the holes and the sound will become tinny and basically unlistenable).

Sound quality on iTunes may not be that great, but it's good enough that you can still tell the difference between a set of bad headphones and good headphones. Also, choosing headphones is a matter of what kind of music tastes you have. There are many differences between headphones from different manufacturers and no matter how bad the quality of the music you're listening to is, you'll be able to tell a difference (once your ears have become "trained", which doesn't take long).

If you'll be reading this anyway, davidober, just pick up a pair of Audio-Technica A500s. I guarantee you you'll be satisfied for a long long time. I'd say the A500s are some of the best middle-of-the-road headphones you can get, because they're closed and half-sealed (from my definition, anyway), have a very balanced sound signature, are fun to listen to, and are great for gaming. The A500s are useable in more places than the Sennheiser HD555s are, so you won't be as concerned with outside noise.

 

[Tegeril]

I'd strongly suggest open headphones, going from closed to open for me was a significant difference. I also find the ventilation to the ears makes them easier to wear for longer periods of time. I've got the Sennheiser HD590s and couldn't possibly be happier.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Tegeril
I'd strongly suggest open headphones, going from closed to open for me was a significant difference. I also find the ventilation to the ears makes them easier to wear for longer periods of time. I've got the Sennheiser HD590s and couldn't possibly be happier.

QFT. Open headphones also allow for better sound reproduction. If you get the right kind they're also really comfy

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: jcwagers
You should be able to find a pair of Sennheiser HD280's for well under $100. They are closed and I've been very happy with mine. There is a Zalman clip on mic that can go on the cord if you need a mic to go with it. I think the Zalman mic is around $7 plus shipping and I'm sure that newegg has it and they probably still have the HD280's in stock too.

Or save a lot of $$$ and go with a X-Fi Extreme Music + Grado SR60's or above

 

[Ika]

All you open headphone guys:

Read through the first few responses in the thread. The OP clearly wants closed headphones. Open headphones may sound better, but it doesn't matter how good the headphones sound if you can't hear them without turning up the sound to the point where your eardrums are blasted out.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Aflac
All you open headphone guys:

Read through the first few responses in the thread. The OP clearly wants closed headphones. Open headphones may sound better, but it doesn't matter how good the headphones sound if you can't hear them without turning up the sound to the point where your eardrums are blasted out.

QFT. I say the ATH-500's or ATH-700's. And that's probably the recommendation of most of the people in this thread.

 

[davidober]

I just made an offer on some used HD555's for $70 shipped. They're offered at $80 shipped. Would $80 shipped be a good deal?

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: davidober
I just made an offer on some used HD555's for $70 shipped. They're offered at $80 shipped. Would $80 shipped be a good deal?

$80 shipped is an okay deal, but you can get them on Amazon for $95 shipped. I probably wouldn't pay more than $75 for a pair, personally.

 

[davidober]

On a completely unrelated note: Does anyone know how I can make the font in my sig smaller?

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: davidober
On a completely unrelated note: Does anyone know how I can make the font in my sig smaller?

Can't unfortunatly... and good choice on the headphones. Be sure to burn them in for a few hours, as it greatly improves the sound quality.

 

[davidober]

Just thought I'd thank everyone for their advice and give an update:

I purchased two pairs:

1) A used set of Senn HD555's for $75.00 shipped (for music)

2) A new set of AT A500's for $95.00 shipped (for gaming)

Did I do okay?

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: davidober
Just thought I'd thank everyone for their advice and give an update:

I purchased two pairs:

1) A used set of Senn HD555's for $75.00 shipped (for music)

2) A new set of AT A500's for $95.00 shipped (for gaming)

Did I do okay?

Yeah you did fine but you might end up liking the Audio Technica's better for music :laugh:

Have fun with them.

 

[gneGne]

Just enjoy your gear dammit !

 

[Arcada]

I'd suggest only getting a headset with mic for gaming.

I use the Koss SB45. I used to use the Sennheiser PC160s. I think the Koss sound a lot better, more bass.. which is all game sound is really good for

(games just dont have great sound).. but you do need direction, and anything besides canalphones provide that. Tho canalphones have the best bass you can get... they have no direction thus are useless for gaming.

I like the Koss trademark sound, it has more impact (like a rock n roll smiley face sound on an equalizer).. while sennheiser is very lazy sounding wiht little emphasis.. but audiophiles love them for their balanced, detailed sound.

I dont, because I'm an audiophile.. But I am a gamer, and I've tested nearly every headphone on the market and owned many.
Sony MDR-V6s are to shrill for my taste, I noticed those were mentioned.

Get the Koss SB45 + Koss's in-line volume control for the headset if you want that. For a headset/mic its really the best out there.

The Plantronics stuff has had a lot of problems with plastic breaking ect... just stick with either the Senn PC160, or Koss SB45.

 

[Judechap]

I think you'd better buy a new one. If not a expert, you could not find some problems by listening.
A new HD555 is about $140, not beyond your budget.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Judechap
I think you'd better buy a new one. If not a expert, you could not find some problems by listening.
A new HD555 is about $140, not beyond your budget.

1. It's too late
2. There's nothing wrong with buying used if you buy from the right people/places.

 

[you2]

You can get the HD555 new for around 95$. Btw I really like my h555 for games/dvd movies. I also have the ath700, I let a friend try my ath700 and he promptly purchased a pair. I'm tempted to upgrade to the ath900 - but recently i've been using the hd555 ... (i use them with an xfi-xtteeme).

Hum. I should probably get one of those mics

 

[shortylickens]

I just made a little experiment. (Or took an experiment, whatever you prefer.)

Went to best Buy and got some Shure ES3's. They were about 180 bucks and awefully nice earbuds, but I just didnt think they were great.
Returned next day with no issues.

I wanna get one of the seinheiser professionals with a nice long cord for movie watching.
And a short cord for my computer.

Maybe I'll just go ahead and order them.