Gaming headsets

[Boltman]

Re: Gaming headsets

Get a regular pair of headphones and attach a mic to them. Astro sound isn't $300 sound. The mixamp is nice but the actual headset is just average.

Yea really.

You can get the Superlux hd681 for like 40 bucks, add the mic yourself and they're just as good as those expensive German ones.

[Artman22]

Re: Gaming headsets

I purchased the A50s months ago. I wasn't happy with the sound, firmware updates or mic quality so I dumped them. It doesn't help that their support is slow to respond.

I picked up my headphones based on this site.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-5-31-2015-beyer-cop-and-shure-1540-added

If I'm paying $300 for something then they shouldn't be rated "decent" in any category related to competitive gaming.

It's hard to say what's worth $300. Gaming headsets are almost always overpriced since you're paying for convenience. Who wants to use a USB mic? Or if you're looking for a truly wireless solution you don't have many options.

The Astro headset sound is mainly driven by the mixamp which you can buy on ebay for $40. The headphones couldn't even hold up to a pair of $150 headphones. Just find a pair of headphones with a large soundstage and you'll be well on your way.

In a way Astro headsets are the gaming equivalent of Beats headphones. Huge emphasis on bass while drowning out mids.

I honesty never had any issues with the Astros while on my ps4, but a lot of issues on the Xbox. Most of the time I used them with my Xbox my controller disconnects a lot. I do agree that these Astros should be around $150 not $300..


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[Phobia]

Re: Gaming headsets

Sbauer is correct. Granted they take more effort to use and you must own a setup which allows for their use.

Beyerdynamic DT990 - 250ohm - $240
Beyerdynamic - DT880 - 250ohm - $230 (Only closed back on this list, for those bass heads)
Beyerdynamic - DT770 - 80ohm - $170

AKG K7xx - 60 ohm - $200
AKG K612 Pro - 120ohm - $160 (My Current Cans)
AKG K701 - 60ohm - $170

Audio Technica ATH-AD900X - 38ohm - $150
Audio Technica ATH-AD700x - 32ohm - $100

Sennheiser HD598 - 50ohm - $150
Sennheiser HD558 - 50ohm - $100

This is just a very small sample size of common cans you will see used by pro level gamers serious about their FPS skills. Open back headphones will give a far FAR greater sense of spacial awareness than any "digitally created" 5:1 or 7:1 headset will. From a musical stand point to give you an example, say you are listening to a live Dave Mathews concert on a pair of common closed back headphones. Everything gets condensed inside of your ears and the pressure forces everything to sound in one place. On a pair of open back, if the guitarist is on the far left of the stage, you will hear the direction & distance. If the vocalist is on the right as this continues, you will be able to place each item's direction and distance from the original recording. Its something that must be heard and compared with a closed back right next to you, to truly hear the difference.

Now the thing that makes these more difficult for the average consumer,

1) Most need to be used with a PC setup which is situated at a desk because these are all corded. No wireless setup.

2) A separated mic is require, whether you use a attachable mic like a ant lion or a free standing like a blue yeti, none of these come with a mic.

3) Another draw back for common users is the fact several of these are not "plug and play". Their impedance rating will require a additional DAC/AMP to drive the larger more powerful drivers. This is what gives these cans their strengths, they can deliver every tiny nuance of sounds but will require the amperage to do so.

Now all these different models have different pros and cons. The DT990s have a great clean sound while supplying more bass than many open back headphones bring to the table. The AKG Series, is a very studio focused can, with a balanced sound aka reference sound. The Audio Technica are very light on bass but excel with their highs and fantastic positional sound. Then the Sennheisers are a warm clean sound focusing on the mids & highs.

If I had to recommend a easy plug and play headphone for anyone who wants fantastic sound. I'd say the Sennheiser 598's, they would be excellent for anything from movies, music, to gaming. Now if you just want to compete at a higher level in shooters, I'd say go with the Audio Technica AD900x's.

All in all, you guys are just touching the bottom of high end headphones when you talk about the sound quality of say the A50s. If you truly want to be blown away, grab any pair listed above and prepare to step you audio quality game up big time.

You can see my AKG 612 Pros in my setup pic, plus the Blue Snow ball mic hovering over the Corsair K70!!! Love my battlestation!!


Edit: I also want to say, like bolt mentioned. If you just want to dip your toe very lightly into what a open back headphone brings to the table, the Superlux hd681 is the cheapest pair you will find with good audio. The are not made that sturdy, but they have excellent sound for a $40 pair of cans.

[Money99]

Re: Gaming headsets

Hoping you guys might be able to help me.
I'm looking to buy a wireless headset for my 12YO son.
I need it to work with both the PS4 and Xbox 360 (with the 360 taking precedence) and have a sticker price of around $75 or less.

I was looking at this one and it seems to be getting pretty good reviews:
PDP Afterglow Kral Wireless Gaming Headset.

What do you think?

EDIT: It'll be used for gaming but also as a headset for him to watch his TV shows in his room.

[Phobia]

Re: Gaming headsets

Hoping you guys might be able to help me.
I'm looking to buy a wireless headset for my 12YO son.
I need it to work with both the PS4 and Xbox 360 (with the 360 taking precedence) and have a sticker price of around $75 or less.

I was looking at this one and it seems to be getting pretty good reviews:
PDP Afterglow Kral Wireless Gaming Headset.

What do you think?

EDIT: It'll be used for gaming but also as a headset for him to watch his TV shows in his room.

I owned that headset. Decent little headset, my only issue I had was the clamping force. My ears and head would hurt after a while of playing. If he has a smaller head (12 yo) then it might not be to bad. Comfort wise, the turtle beaches were always better. For a 12yo you don't need the greatest sound out there, so I'd look into if TB has any models that do both PS4 & 360.

[Money99]

Re: Gaming headsets

I owned that headset. Decent little headset, my only issue I had was the clamping force. My ears and head would hurt after a while of playing. If he has a smaller head (12 yo) then it might not be to bad. Comfort wise, the turtle beaches were always better. For a 12yo you don't need the greatest sound out there, so I'd look into if TB has any models that do both PS4 & 360.

He's 12 but he has an adult head already compliments of my wife's side of the family.
Her extended family portrait looks like a pumpkin patch with arms and legs, haha.

I was looking at some of the TB headsets and they're very nice.
Just not sure they meet the price range.

Thanks for the advice!

[Sausage]

Re: Gaming headsets

Sbauer is correct. Granted they take more effort to use and you must own a setup which allows for their use.



Beyerdynamic DT990 - 250ohm - $240

Beyerdynamic - DT880 - 250ohm - $230 (Only closed back on this list, for those bass heads)

Beyerdynamic - DT770 - 80ohm - $170



AKG K7xx - 60 ohm - $200

AKG K612 Pro - 120ohm - $160 (My Current Cans)

AKG K701 - 60ohm - $170



Audio Technica ATH-AD900X - 38ohm - $150

Audio Technica ATH-AD700x - 32ohm - $100



Sennheiser HD598 - 50ohm - $150

Sennheiser HD558 - 50ohm - $100



This is just a very small sample size of common cans you will see used by pro level gamers serious about their FPS skills. Open back headphones will give a far FAR greater sense of spacial awareness than any "digitally created" 5:1 or 7:1 headset will. From a musical stand point to give you an example, say you are listening to a live Dave Mathews concert on a pair of common closed back headphones. Everything gets condensed inside of your ears and the pressure forces everything to sound in one place. On a pair of open back, if the guitarist is on the far left of the stage, you will hear the direction & distance. If the vocalist is on the right as this continues, you will be able to place each item's direction and distance from the original recording. Its something that must be heard and compared with a closed back right next to you, to truly hear the difference.



Now the thing that makes these more difficult for the average consumer,



1) Most need to be used with a PC setup which is situated at a desk because these are all corded. No wireless setup.



2) A separated mic is require, whether you use a attachable mic like a ant lion or a free standing like a blue yeti, none of these come with a mic.



3) Another draw back for common users is the fact several of these are not "plug and play". Their impedance rating will require a additional DAC/AMP to drive the larger more powerful drivers. This is what gives these cans their strengths, they can deliver every tiny nuance of sounds but will require the amperage to do so.



Now all these different models have different pros and cons. The DT990s have a great clean sound while supplying more bass than many open back headphones bring to the table. The AKG Series, is a very studio focused can, with a balanced sound aka reference sound. The Audio Technica are very light on bass but excel with their highs and fantastic positional sound. Then the Sennheisers are a warm clean sound focusing on the mids & highs.



If I had to recommend a easy plug and play headphone for anyone who wants fantastic sound. I'd say the Sennheiser 598's, they would be excellent for anything from movies, music, to gaming. Now if you just want to compete at a higher level in shooters, I'd say go with the Audio Technica AD900x's.



All in all, you guys are just touching the bottom of high end headphones when you talk about the sound quality of say the A50s. If you truly want to be blown away, grab any pair listed above and prepare to step you audio quality game up big time.



You can see my AKG 612 Pros in my setup pic, plus the Blue Snow ball mic hovering over the Corsair K70!!! Love my battlestation!!





Edit: I also want to say, like bolt mentioned. If you just want to dip your toe very lightly into what a open back headphone brings to the table, the Superlux hd681 is the cheapest pair you will find with good audio. The are not made that sturdy, but they have excellent sound for a $40 pair of cans.

I'm interested in dipping my toe into what an open back headphone brings...I found a pair of the Superlux HD681 for 32.00; I would use them for gaming on both consoles (One/PS4).

Do these headphones need anything else to work to its full potential and BOLTMAN if you read this, I would like to hear from you as well...since I believe you own a pair.

Thanks

[sbauer318]

Gaming headsets

You can see my AKG 612 Pros in my setup pic, plus the Blue Snow ball mic hovering over the Corsair K70!!! Love my battlestation!!

Very nice choice.

Right now, I'm rolling with Philips Fidelio X2 and an attachable mic. I use them for gaming on console and PC, but also use them for music and conference calls for work. They're a bit pricey, but I picked them up on sale and I use them for just about everything. I also have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50X when I want something with a closed back.

Here's my current setup.

[Boltman]

Re: Gaming headsets

I'm interested in dipping my toe into what an open back headphone brings...I found a pair of the Superlux HD681 for 32.00; I would use them for gaming on both consoles (One/PS4).

Do these headphones need anything else to work to its full potential and BOLTMAN if you read this, I would like to hear from you as well...since I believe you own a pair.

Thanks

Great choice to start out on a quality sounding open back set of cans.

You will need to get a clip on mic and since their ohms aren't too high I think you'll be ok. But you can always buy a dss2 on the cheap to go with the headset.

I'll send you a link with more specifics thru pm.

[Sausage]

Re: Gaming headsets

Great choice to start out on a quality sounding open back set of cans.

You will need to get a clip on mic and since their ohms aren't too high I think you'll be ok. But you can always buy a dss2 on the cheap to go with the headset.

I'll send you a link with more specifics thru pm.

Thank you Bolt!! I'll keep my open for the link.

[23]

Re: Gaming headsets

Very nice choice.

Right now, I'm rolling with Philips Fidelio X2 and an attachable mic. I use them for gaming on console and PC, but also use them for music and conference calls for work. They're a bit pricey, but I picked them up on sale and I use them for just about everything. I also have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50X when I want something with a closed back.

Here's my current setup.

With set ups like this.... how do you guys stop the hot air from the consoles and pcs from blowing in you're face

[sbauer318]

Re: Gaming headsets

With set ups like this.... how do you guys stop the hot air from the consoles and pcs from blowing in you're face

I don't do anything special. All the vents are exposed. The consoles don't generate as much heat as my PC, but it's on the floor so I don't ever notice it. I can't say that I notice the consoles either. I can honestly say that I've never had hot air in my face because of them in this setup. I think the room might have something to do with it. The area that I game in is pretty cool so it's not like I'm in warm attic in the middle of summer.

[23]

Re: Gaming headsets

My hhh pc under my desk comes out at least i can tell its hitting my eye because they start burning

Only when gaming from it though

[Phobia]

Re: Gaming headsets

@sbauer NICE pair of cans and funny enough was my first choice. I spent weeks trying to score a pair in the $150 range but never got lucky. I think they come down a little, but still riding the $280 to $250 zone. Nice setup too.

@23 Honest I've never noticed that issue with heat. Granted i've never found either to generate a lot of heat.

@sausage Your set will largely depend on how your going to use them. Their ohm usage is very low making them plug and play even on small devices like your cell phone.

On a PC you would simply plug into your sound card. Since neither your X1 or PS4 has a audio connection for them you will need to also acquire a DAC to have a connection.

There is other ways around this but take creative thinking. For instance a surround sound receiver could be used, run optical cable from console to receiver then plug headphones into your front jack on receiver.

Another way and how my setup is. Sound Blaster Z sound card in PC, then console runs into the sound card. Naturally plug headphones into the sound card. This setup allows me to use the headphones with PS4 and PC and no cable swapping or unplugging. At this point my setup is pretty much easier than a wireless headphone to use.

Basic version, access how they will connect and figure out your best plan on attack. After you have the easiest connection route then its smooth sailing, simply plug them in.


Sent from da lil phone.

[mgoblue]

Re: Gaming headsets

Not really in the market, but any input on what the most comfortable cheaper ones are? I just plug into my controller and don't need fancy...comfort is key, some are heavy or tight on ears

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