looking into headphones.

[splintitan]

i currently own the sony MDR-V300 and was looking into something better. i saw these Panasonic for $14 shippied and was wondering if anyone thinks i should stay with what i have over them.
ideally i would get the SENNHEISER HD-280 pro, even over the HD-555. but $70 for headphones does seem like much.
ayn insight would be great, thanks.

sony: http://www.buy.com/prod/audio-visual-ac...v300-headphone/q/loc/101/90049593.html
pioneer: http://www.buy.com/prod/Panasonic_RP_DJ..._Bass_System/q/loc/58207/90124803.html


EDIT:
also any ideas on a good gaming headohne (with mic) would be nice, just to throw a name - the Tritton AXPC.

 

[Whirlwind]

Not sure about the head phones you mention, but those Sennheisers would be sweet for gaming.

 

[dawza]

Head-fi.org would be the place to go for all things audio, but they will probably convince you to spend far more than you initially planned. In general, though, you will be better off in terms of sound quality if you buy a good set of headphones and use a separate mic, as there are (to my knowledge) no headphone/mic combos that can compare to a solid pair of 'phones.

For gaming, I have used the HD-555s and feel that they are well worth the money. They are open-air, which means that they do not provide any reduction of external noise- likewise, they will also leak sound. Thus, if it is critical that you not disturb others while using them, you want a set of closed headphones. The 555s do have great soundstaging, so you will be able to accurately locate sound directionally, and are an excellent value in terms of sound/music quality. There are arguably better choices in the sub-$100 range if music is your main thing, but the 555s are, IMO, the best option if you want a balance between gaming and music.

I have no experience with the 280s, so I cannot comment there.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: dawza
Head-fi.org would be the place to go for all things audio, but they will probably convince you to spend far more than you initially planned. In general, though, you will be better off in terms of sound quality if you buy a good set of headphones and use a separate mic, as there are (to my knowledge) no headphone/mic combos that can compare to a solid pair of 'phones.

For gaming, I have used the HD-555s and feel that they are well worth the money. They are open-air, which means that they do not provide any reduction of external noise- likewise, they will also leak sound. Thus, if it is critical that you not disturb others while using them, you want a set of closed headphones. The 555s do have great soundstaging, so you will be able to accurately locate sound directionally, and are an excellent value in terms of sound/music quality. There are arguably better choices in the sub-$100 range if music is your main thing, but the 555s are, IMO, the best option if you want a balance between gaming and music.

I have no experience with the 280s, so I cannot comment there.

The 280's are ok for gaming, but the A-500's are much better.

 

[Ages120]

Well for a headset there are two things to avoid. One is that Headsets that connect via USB always have some cheap AC97 spec codec. The next is if you don't have an audigy 2 series or up video card, games are going to sound very dull without a sound card to simulate surround sound on a stereo speaker headset.

If your going just for stereo Sennheisers has very nice headsets.
PC151
Is a good headset. I used to have the PC-150, but there was a flaw. The mic wire that runs though the cable is very thin compared to the wires going to the speakers. As a result rolling over the cord or pinching it can sever the wire somewhere in the line. Had to return mine twice to newegg because the mic went out.

If you want 5.1, which to me makes the world of difference in FPS games to movies there is a thread about it where I posted a fairly good assessment.
5.1 Discussion Thread

 

[Cerb]

If you want something cheap to start you off, you can hardly go wrong with any of Koss' 60-ohm models (except the KSC-55, as they aren't comfy). You got the KSC75 (clip, with big and crappy volume control), UR40 (ear-covering), PortaPro (more bassy, will pull hairs), and SportaPro (cheap, more hair-friendly).

As good as the HD555? No. The HD555 is currently the only headphone I've heard that feels like a worthy upgrade to KSC75 (properly amped). Desire for more music keeps me from such equipment, though 😛.

The Senn probably will be best for gaming, though. The cheap Kosses have nice soundstage, but not very natural, and it works horribly for fake surround.