Open or closed back headphones for FPS

[L8CS]

I'm mostly a FPS kind of guy and have always used closed back headphones, mainly for the noise isolation properties. My old pair of Sennheiser HD280's finally bit the dust, so it's time for some new cans.

I'm was going to buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x but my research showed a consensus for open backed headphones for gaming. I understand the "Soundstage" concept and the reason for open backed cans when using mics during co-op and such, but in a single player FPS environment, wouldn't the closed back be better?

The only real noise that affects my hearing is my Swiftech H220 ramping up during gameplay, so that's why the closed back works better for me. But I'm really leaning towards the open backed Sennheiser HD598's.

So, what do you guys think are the best style of headphones for FPS.

 

[imaheadcase]

It really just depends on person. I use both kinds, i prefer closed ones myself to isolate sounds in game. I use open ones for music/movies.

I also use wireless ones, but they only have 10 hour charge so always forget to charge them. lol

 

[norseamd]

Umm no actually the AD-700 are considered perfect for FPS because of the soundstage. HD598 would also be good headphones to buy or any top notch open-back headphones.

 

[videogames101]

Unless you really care about music sound quality, go for closed imo. The isolation starts mattering when fans spin up during gaming. That being said, I have HD598s and love them. I do not love them being open.

 

[futurefields]

for FPS I like closed back but for TPS I like open back hahaha no i kidding

genre doesnt make a difference here

 

[mnewsham]

For FPS I prefer the larger soundstage you can get from open back headphones, makes directional audio much more apparent. I play CSGO and it is very easy to hear enemies walking around and which direction they are and how far away.

I use AKG K712 for gaming, I also have Denon AH-D2000 which are closed back, I tend to use those for movies though.

 

[CP5670]

I use a beyerdynamic DT990 and prefer open headphones unless I'm in a public area and need the isolation. The sound quality and positional audio tend to be better at the same price point, and they are also more comfortable for longer gaming sessions since your ears don't get sweaty as easily. You do need to make sure you don't have a loud video card though, as it can be easily heard through them. Games have a lot of quiet periods unlike music and don't drown out the fan noise.

 

[TechBoyJK]

I was going to recommend DT770's. =)

 

[futurefields]

I like how my Sennheisers bring out the woodwinds in Skyrim, but they have a little too much high end for Wolfenstein The New Order, which I really prefer the woodier tone of my AKG's

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

There are a fair number of closed-back headphones that have pretty a pretty danged good soundstage, eg. AKG K550/1, AKG K545.

I use a Denon D600 at work, and AKG 550 with ModMic at home.

 

[mnewsham]

There are a fair number of closed-back headphones that have pretty a pretty danged good soundstage, eg. AKG K550/1, AKG K545.

I use a Denon D600 at work, and AKG 550 with ModMic at home.

Yes but compared to equally priced open back options they don't really compare sure they still have decent soundstage but open back headphones will always have an advantage on soundstage due to the increased movement of air through the drivers.

 

[DigDog]

the difference between closed and open is:

one is closed, the other is open.

generalizing, we can say that closed are easier to manufacture, give a better result for the money, and make your ears boil.
opens are cooler.

none of these issues are strongly characteristic of opens or closed. meaning you can have opens with great sound, closeds with wide soundstages, opens that cook your ears, because the differences between models is bigger than the difference between types.

i would go for opens because i HATE cooking my ears, and i'm less likely to get that.. but not guaranteed.

opens are more sensitive to external noise, which should not be a problem anyway if you are in your cave.

 

[L8CS]

I bought a pair of Bose QC25's to replace the 280's a few weeks back because I had $125 credit at Dell and had to use it by June. They are a great Noise Cancelling headphone and love them for my iPad & phone but they're pretty flat sounding. But they are extremely comfortable and lightweight, but they just aren't what I want for PC gaming.

I was locked onto the ATH-M50x's but then I got caught up in the open/closed debate. I understand about the open backed design allowing the sound to dissipate faster which contributes to the better positional sound, but I've never really had a problem with discerning the direction of footsteps etc: With that said, I haven't used an open back headphone before, so I don't have a baseline to compare the two.

I was also looking at the Bear DT770 / DT990's and some of the AKG's and of course the Senn's. But the main issue with my Sennheiser HD280's besides wearing out, was the clamping force. I could only wear them about (2) hours before suffering gray matter loss. I've read that's a common problem with Senn's so I probably wouldn't consider them unless I got a steal on the price.

Anyway, thanks for all the input.

 

[CP5670]

The Beyer DTxx0 Premium models are fairly loose fitting and feel very comfortable. The Pro versions are internally identical and quite a bit cheaper, but have a tighter clamp.

 

[Oyeve]

Closed cans. Still using my mdr-v6. 28 years now.

 

[Biggu]

Closed for me,

I have the ATH-M50 and love them for all around headphones. I like closed because it allows me to block out external sounds and get immersed in the game.

 

[Midwayman]

I'd choose more based on the environment. Are you in a room where leakage might matter and disturb others? Are you in a loud environment like the same room as a TV that on, etc? I've like the open ones I've had more than closed, but I'm off in my own room so no noise concerns. I use them mainly for the mic on vent.

 

[Oyeve]

I'm not a fan of using open ear indoors. My thinking is that if the open ear headphones leak why bother and use speakers. I see no need for open ear cans indoors. If you are alone then use speakers, if you are not alone then used closed. Just my opinion.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

AKGQ701's are by far the best "reasonably" priced set of cans for FPS/Gaming in general.

They have a more focused soundstage than the AD700's, and have far better sound quality and bass. Also very comfortable.

 

[sweenish]

I am absolutely enjoying how many people are over-generalizing and ignoring merits/situations in here to justify their purchases.

Just do your homework, figure out your situation, and pick a pair that suits your needs and addresses your situation.

My situation would demand closed-back headphones. One of my main reasons for getting headphones is to not disturb others, so open is just not an option for me. Your situation could easily allow open-backed headphones as an option.

 

[L8CS]

Just do your homework, figure out your situation, and pick a pair that suits your needs and addresses your situation.

In essence, this thread is part of my homework.

My gaming environment hasn't changed in years and I have a bedroom dedicated for it. It's nice and quiet until the family starts stirring. Even though I have a decent set of speakers, I don't normally use them for FPS. Speakers just don't give me the same experience as headphones, even if I'm running a 5.1 setup.

As I stated initially, I've always used closed back cans and been happy with the experience. I liked to be immersed in a game. I look forward to the hunt. I appreciate all the nuisances, like the sound of footsteps, water dripping in a cave, the wind blowing and the raw mayhem that goes with shooters.

The closed backs have done the job so far, but it's just human nature to wonder if there's anything better. I don't have access to a large music store that has several headphones that you can demo, so I'm relegated to online research, and where better to go then the forums. You guys are a valuable resource, and I respect your opinions more than user reviews on Amazon or YouTube.

Thanks

 

[sweenish]

If you want some actual reviews, head-fi would be the better site.

Generally speaking, open-backed headphones sound better. Free flowing air makes a huge difference. But you can hear everything in the room and they can hear you.

As for Youtube reviews, there is going to be someone who legitimately reviews cans on Youtube. You just have to find them. I agree that Amazon is largely a waste in this product category when it comes to sound quality. Build quality, sure.

Like I said, this thread doesn't appear interested in giving any objective reviews. Over-generalizations and some ignorance so they can defend their own purchase.

 

[Anteaus]

I greatly prefer open backed. Closed backs are definitely more boomy and in some designs can have better low response, but I find that the mid range suffers greatly and thus overall sound quality is lower. The downside is that open backed headphones aren't as convenient if you are sharing space with other people. The sound can and will project.

That's my subjective, unscientific comment.

Following are more subjective opinions which generally place open-backed as better sound quality in generally, yet not necessarily ideal for what people are looking for. Isolation is sometimes more preferable and some people are will to trade a slight drop in fidelity for it. With better quality phones, I don't think the difference necessarily obvious enough to debate. That said, on the cheaper end I'll take open-backed over closed-back any day. Cheap, closed-back phones are generally crap.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffreymorrison/2013/11/02/open-back-vs-closed-back-headphones/#

http://www.howtogeek.com/191416/ask...losed-back-headphones-and-which-should-i-get/

http://headphones.com.au/blog/open-vs-closed-headphones

 

[L8CS]

If you want some actual reviews, head-fi would be the better site.

I've visited head-fi, YouTube, Amazon, Newegg, Forbes, CNET, PC Gamer, headphones.com, overclocking.com and countless others. They've all offered valuable information regarding the products they reviewed, like this one: http://www.head-fi.org/t/665919/100...vs-v6-vs-modded-v6-vs-bose-oe-updated-6-19-13 For the most part they're geared towards music, mP3, DJ etc; and very few offer in depth reviews of headphones not headsets, for PC gaming. I don't know who else wears headphones/headsets longer than us gamers but I guess were not relevant enough to warrant serious reviews.

The reviews are like apples & oranges, an either/or thing and strongly favor open backed cans. (I guess that should tell me something) I've only found one review on YouTube regarding the ATH-M50X being used in gaming and it was pretty juvenile. I'm looking for a Headphone Shoot-off type review, like you find with CPU comparisons. Most of the time, the reviews are just the subjective analysis of the reviewer, and do not include graphs of freq. response, sound pressure level (SPL), sensitivity etc. Obviously closed back cans are in the minority and rightfully so if they're inferior in soundstage and positional audio.

The only issue I have with the open backed, is the noise infiltration. Like I said earlier, I don't have to worry about outgoing noise leakage from the open backs, it's the dual 120mm fans on my Swiftech H220 radiator ramping up, that bug me. That's why I'm in the forums looking for help, because there's got to be other gamers with water cooling setups that have the same noise issues as I.

 

[CP5670]

This head-fi thread is quite useful and is specifically about gaming. It's about surround mixer outputs, but most of the comments apply to regular stereo outputs as well.