I am SO confused about headphones...

[cryptonomicon]

i'd say grado sr-60 or sr-80 or up if you don't walk around with headphones in public much.

edit: actually closed-cup would be much better for gaming. something with alot of bass is fun for gaming too I think you would be more happy with.

 

[yosuke188]

HD280 is only $73 on Amazon. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: cr0ssfiresnip

I'd say that's a pretty good roundup. About the DT770, my local Guitar Center sells them for $200, so I'm sure you can find them for cheaper (because GC overprices stuff...).

I am, however, very surprised at the A900 price. I thought it was $200 as well.

Hm... upon further review, it seems like there's a sale on them right now. Ten bucks off before Dec. 1st. Get them quick!

 

[davidober]

Wow. Thanks so much for the write up on the head phones. Much appreciated. Finally got my gaming rig ordered and I'll be buying the headphones soon...

 

[you2]

You should also consider the HD555. They are very close to the HD595 (very similar not sure of the exact sound difference).

The other thing you should be aware is that most of these headphones take a while to break in. They will not sound that greate from the box (well rephrase it - not as great as they will sound).

 

[jondl]

Wow. I've always been interested in getting the DT770 but have been happy with my HD595s and held off for about half a year now. Well, after reading this thread, i found myself making an offer on ebay for the DT770! Now i'm looking at the Supermicro IV amps.. I guess everyone is getting cheaper gifts this year! Ah well!

 

[Jagercola]

Best quality sound.... Check out the Alessandro Music Series One
http://www.alessandro-products.com/headphones.html

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: jondl
Wow. I've always been interested in getting the DT770 but have been happy with my HD595s and held off for about half a year now. Well, after reading this thread, i found myself making an offer on ebay for the DT770! Now i'm looking at the Supermicro IV amps.. I guess everyone is getting cheaper gifts this year! Ah well!

What are you using your headphones for? The HD595 is an amazing headphone, and definitely beats the DT770 in sound quality (for the most part, and IMHO). This is due mostly to the fact that it is an open headphone, and it reproduces sound much better. While the HD595 is a very musical and balanced headphone, the DT770 has comparatively harsh highs and crazy bass. Some may prefer this, but I believe a good majority of people will like the sound of the HD595 over the DT770. If you don't need closed headphones, try not to get them, because they will almost always sound worse than their open counterparts.

 

[jondl]

I mainly use my cans for music and the HD595 does a VERY nice job. The only problem i have is with the open style since i love listening to music while studying or doing hwk at the library but its IMPOSSIBLE with these and my e2c's just aren't cutting it for me anymore. When i purchased the HD595 i knew they leaked sound but i didn't realize it was going to be a mini speaker for the rest of the world to hear Anyway, the DT770 seems like a good choice for me since i do listen to a bit of hip hop and sometimes want a break from the subtle sounds of the HD595 (a little coloration wouldn't hurt once in a while). I also play games when i have free time and these are known to pretty good at it. Musically, i'm sure the HD595 is better but sometimes i just need that PUNCH to keep myself happy. So in the end, i just need an affordable closed headphone and at $145 on ebay, its' hard to pass up.

And to the op, i would DEF recommend the HD595 if open aired isn't a problem. They sound absolutely AMAZING. My favorite past time is sitting back and listening to some Norah Jones. Nothing relaxes me more. I purchased my HD595s about a little over a year ago from an authorized ebayer for $160 shipped. If you need the seller, PM me.

 

[xinoxide]

I use a pair of Ultrasone proline 750's, the most expensive in their line of closed back headphones excluding the very limited edition series. this pair was about $400, BUT ultrasone has alot of other designs for specific uses (changes in EQ curve), and if you want high quality i recommend you go to a local audio store such as a guitar center and ask them to let you test headphones. for gaming and general listening, from ultrasone i recommend you the ultrasone DJ1's or the hfi 550's (ultrasone makes a custom enclosed pair for alienware known as the alienware ozmas')

they offer safe hearing, excellent sound isolation, and a truely remarkable out of ear listening experience, depending on the transparency of your hardware, and the quality of the source (mp3 wav etc) it will feel like you are ina room surrounded by speakers. the stereo accuracy is positionaly VERY accurate. and being a counterstriker myself, it puts me that much closer to actually killing terrorists and defusing bombs.

i have personally tested every pair of ultrasone headphones (minus the edition 9's i would have had to buy them for $1500 then return them for a $750 refund, just to geta taste) including alot of other studio quality headphones such as higher end offering from AKG and sannheiser, if you have a question, id like to help you out as much as possible.

 

[PorscheMaD911]

I previously owned a, Sennheiser HD-595 and my AKG K-501 absolutely *canes* it in terms of clarity, soundstage, realistic tonality and balance. IMO they absolutely wipe the floor with the Senns, for games, music, movies, everything. My HD-595 hit eBay that very day lol!

You can pick the K-501 up for $99, which I would thoroughly recommend doing (if you can find one). For gaming they're fantastic, the soundstage is just awesome!

I would add a couple of caveats:
- Some consider them to be bass shy; I'm not one of those, they sound perfect to my ears;
- They are quite power hungry, so you might have to pick up a headphone amp down the track (hint: the K-501 loves tubes); and
- They are quite open, and leak a fair amount of sound.

At $99 they are an incredible bargain, they are a very special headphone.

 

[xinoxide]

the k501 is a discontinued model, wich means people looking to buy them will be looking at prices around $200.

im still going to press the idea that you at least go to a store and test a pair of ultrasones, the offset drivers offer an amazing effect, instead of fusing your head with a soundstage, the ultrasones put the soundstage around you.

Ultrasones Offset Drivers offer safer listening by not biraging the eardrum with pressure changes directly, and ported sound allows your outer ear to feel the music as well, wich dramaitally broadens and expends on the soundstage. It basically feels like im listening to a row of JBL LSR series studio monitors.

we have a pair of AKG k701's and a pair of K601's in our studio for producers that rent out from us. along with them we have 3 pairs of ultrasones. proline 750's, 2500ULE's and HFI 700's, the pair of k701's have been used by only one producer, and that was a girl. our most used pair is the closed back proline 750's. 2 of our event DJ's have ultrasone DJ1 pro cans. wich they decided to buy after mixing in the studio with the proline 750's.
hell, even i baught a pair of proline 750's after hearing them, and i was saving my pennies for the K701's. these arent loud cans, they dont have the best EQ curve i have ever seen, but they do offer a very natural feeling sound, its like being put in the environment where the recording was done(depending on the quality of the recording - hence: i only listen to well produced music).

i admit, a pair of headphones can sound too good. to the point where they bring out the flaws in recording and production.

 

[PorscheMaD911]

Originally posted by: xinoxide
the k501 is a discontinued model, wich means people looking to buy them will be looking at prices around $200.

Ah yes, my mistake, all the run outs have vanished by now. I'd still happily pay the $200 though.

 

[xinoxide]

you could probably pick up a used pair for $100, BUT it would be broken in on someone elses methods, i wouldnt stand for that.

 

[Ika]

While we're on the topic of the K501, I'd like to say something - they're definitely not everyone's cup of tea. My friend has a K501 hooked to a 220ohm resistance adapter to an Eddie Current Lunchbox tube amp (low price, great sound). I tried it out one day with a bunch of my stuff, but I wasn't too big a fan. Coming from a Grado SR60 (which are basically my favorite headphone sound; I'll be upgrading to a SR225 soon), the K501 sounded very "muted". The bass (and especially drums) sounded weak and anemic, and rock/techno wasn't very satisfying. I'm sure these are GREAT headphones for classical, because the soundstage was HUGE, the midrange was smooth, and the trebles were nice, but I really don't like them for gaming or anything. Another thing that I didn't like about it was it's reproduction of cymbals/hihats/drums, but I guess coming from a Grado headphone, that was probably to be expected.

Sometimes you have to give some ground to make some ground, so headphone selection really depends on what you like. The K501 may be the holy grail for some people, but for others like me, it wouldn't be used very often. I guess I'm just a grado junkie, through and through.

 

[Mrvile]

Hmm, just found this thread.

I didn't really read through it, just glanced.

A few words...

First, I would not go with any over-the-ear phones like Grados or Alessandros. They sound great but for gaming, the soundstage is never very accurate which is always priority number 1. Also, they're not sealed (which some people consider important for gaming). I would also stay away from headsets and 5.1 phones, they all generally suck.

I saw that some people recommended the K501. These are my current cans and they have beautiful musicality, but for gaming I don't really like them...the soundstage is very wide but it isn't very deep, thus making the front and back feel too linear while the right and left go out very far. It makes for a weird effect so I would avoid this...also, since they are discontinued I wouldn't bother trying to get one. Your uses wouldn't give its sound qualities justice.

Some of the best gaming phones lie within the Audio Technica line. The $100 A500 makes a great sealed, intro-to-audiophilism headphone with excellent imaging and soundstage, and they don't sound too shab for music either. This is the first phone people recommend for those who want a gaming can. I've owned a pair of AD700 (which is an acoustically open slight step up from the 500 line) and I couldn't ask for more as far as gaming is concerned. Since it looks like gaming is your number 1 priority, I would go for a pair of sealed audiotechnica's, which can be had for $100+ at audiocubes.com.

Other good options include Sennheiser HD555 and HD595 with good soundstage and decent imaging, but again they aren't sealed which can be problematic for lans and such. The DT770 is another option but I personally haven't heard it so I can't really add anything.

As for myself, I've got a DT880 sitting under the christmas tree that I can't wait to hear...

Good luck.

 

[Molinjir]

You can get a DT880 for 150$ off B&H Photo. Great deal, if you can get a half-decent amp to power it. I'd personally go with the DT880 over Senn 595 or even K601.

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: Molinjir
You can get a DT880 for 150$ off B&H Photo. Great deal, if you can get a half-decent amp to power it. I'd personally go with the DT880 over Senn 595 or even K601.

I highly doubt the OP will even consider a headphone amp in the near future...

 

[Thetech]

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.

No offense Jcwagers,

I had a pair of the HD280's and didn't like them. The high end of the sound was a bit too hyped and the low end and some of the mid range was missing. I do realize that most headphones aren't going to give you full bass but at least with other pairs you can hear it. I tried using this pair on various equipment but alas I was still unsatisfied with the sound. I think I prefer a "warmer" sound from headphones.

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: Thetech

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.

No offense Jcwagers,

I had a pair of the HD280's and didn't like them. The high end of the sound was a bit too hyped and the low end and some of the mid range was missing. I do realize that most headphones aren't going to give you full bass but at least with other pairs you can hear it. I tried using this pair on various equipment but alas I was still unsatisfied with the sound. I think I prefer a "warmer" sound from headphones.

I agree. But I'm personally a warm-sound guy...I've got some of the warmest setups you can get and I love it

 

[Slitherythesnake]

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.

I second this choice. The only concern I have with mine is whether the plastic adjustible part will eventually break as I've read a few owners who have had that problem happen to them. Sure, they may not have the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, but considering what you pay for them, they are excellent pair of balanced and closed headphones.

 

[origami]

For that much money you can probably get a pair of the Bose Triports? You want headphones, not in-ear phones right? I love the B&O A8 headphones but I don't know if they are good for gaming, since they are meant for listening to music. But neither of these come with a microphone.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: origami
For that much money you can probably get a pair of the Bose Triports? You want headphones, not in-ear phones right? I love the B&O A8 headphones but I don't know if they are good for gaming, since they are meant for listening to music. But neither of these come with a microphone.

Suggesting Triports is like asking for death. I'm serious. Please erase the notion of Triports from your mind.

 

[imported_DarkPhantom36]

I have a pair of Audio Technica A-500s and they're great. http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Head...-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphones.html
I really like the bass response. While they don't extend as low as a good speaker/subwoofer setup, the bass is more defined and clean than my logitech z2200s.

 

[Xyclone]

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD280 Pro's. I LOVE them.