Author Topic: Recommend me some headphones (Read 1889 times)

pilonv1 · « **on:** March 17, 2011, 06:55:52 PM »

I'm getting sick of using my logitech headset for PC gaming, mainly because it's not very comfortable. I'd like to grab something between $100-200 to replace it, doesn't necessarily need to have a mic but that would help.

Any recommendations?

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:57:19 PM »

SHURE SRH840 is supposed to be a huge bargain. I've never used Shure headphones but my SE530 earphones were great.

choco parfait · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:01:23 PM »

Headphones or Earphones?
Do you care about audiophile-type issues or Just care about practicality?
Sound leaking into surroundings an issue or Not an issue?

pilonv1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:03:59 PM »

They're $250 locally, probably a little out of my price range

Quote from: choco parfait on March 17, 2011, 07:01:23 PM

Headphones or Earphones?
Do you care about audiophile-type issues or Just care about practicality?
Sound leaking into surroundings an issue or Not an issue?

Definitely headphones not earphones, more concerned with comfort and practicality. Sound leaking isn't really an issue either.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:04:29 PM »

You can find them for $200 or less online. Check out head-fi too. They've got some decent USED deals. Be sure to bargain though.

choco parfait · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:14:39 PM »

Quote from: pilonv1 on March 17, 2011, 07:03:59 PM

Definitely headphones not earphones, more concerned with comfort and practicality. Sound leaking isn't really an issue either.

I would take a look at Audio Technica headphones then. The ATH-A700s are probably around your price range, and the pads are pretty comfortable (and you can always replace them easily with fancier ones later on).

pilonv1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:22:51 PM »

I've been looking at some Audio Technica ones, specifically these

http://headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=178

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:25:03 PM »

I use Sennheiser HD-555's
i'm quite fond of them

Bebpo · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:26:08 PM »

I got the ATH-M50s last year. They're around $100 and sound awesome. I've been really happy with them.

But they are for people who are concerned about sound leakage and trade some comfyness and sound quality for closed environment. If you don't care about leakage, definitely get an open headphone.

choco parfait · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:31:04 PM »

Quote from: pilonv1 on March 17, 2011, 07:22:51 PM

I've been looking at some Audio Technica ones, specifically these

http://headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=178

Yeah, those would be the open headphone version of the ones I mentioned. They're definitely a nice choice, as long as you don't mind that people around you might hear what you're playing.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:39:28 PM »

The issue is I only have onboard sound, so it's either open + sound card or closed and on board at the moment.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:41:53 PM »

Headfonia.com and 6moons.com are really good resources for headphone info.

choco parfait · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:44:15 PM »

Then don't sweat it. Open headphones are usually more preferable to closed ones in terms of sound anyways. Just some people might want the convenience/privacy of closed headphones because they use them in public places/transport/etc. but they usually sacrifice a bit of sound quality in order to achieve that isolation.

OptimoPeach · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:58:25 PM »

I had the ATH-AD700s. Most comfortable pair of headphones I've ever owned, though they were pretty big and might seem a little too loose unless you have a big head. I think they're some of the best headphones you'll find under $100. I preferred them to anything Sennheiser had in the same price range

edit: Didn't even read the OP lolo. They would be perfect if you're going to be using them in shooters and stuff. It's so easy to pinpoint where sounds are coming from

The one thing I really didn't like about them was the bass was somewhat weak. It didn't bother me as much because I was upgrading from a really cheap pair of Shures that had zero bass to begin with

pilonv1 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2011, 08:11:28 PM »

I have a huge head so the AD700s sound perfect. Going to grab an Asus Xonar DG as well. Probably won't use them in many shooters (mainly TF2) but more for general gaming (rpgs etc).

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2011, 08:14:31 PM »

I really like the new Creative Titanium HD. For music, it sounds better than any of my portable media players. Creative is still the better option if you plan to play older games. Even stuff like The Witcher only has full sound effects on Creative cards.

Bildi · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2011, 07:33:47 AM »

I have AD700s (I bought them from headphones.com.au as well). They are VERY light on bass as everyone says but they do sound great as long as you are happy with that. They sound real rubbish with a crap source like an iPod, but I use them on my stereo and my Macbook and they sound great off those.

You also may need to bend them to get a decent fit. I have a huge head, but I still needed to do this: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/432491/ad700-headband-mod/15#post_5916430 I think mine are even more tightly bent.

If you want something that'll sound awesome off any source good old Koss Portapros are great. They are much heavier in bass so sound great with a shitty iPod. I bought my Portapros from www.hifiheadphones.co.uk - they cost something like $60 or $70 compared to double that in Oz.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2011, 07:25:38 PM »

Forgot to mention this, http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Xense-Premium-Acoustics-Sennheiser/dp/B0040YJNSW

Probably the best deal if you're looking to upgrade soundcard and headset at the same time.

Trent Dole · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2011, 07:58:44 PM »

Quote from: Bildi on March 18, 2011, 07:33:47 AM

If you want something that'll sound awesome off any source good old Koss Portapros are great.

...and they're cactaur approved, too!

Flatwoods · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2011, 08:24:16 PM »

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on March 17, 2011, 07:25:03 PM

I use Sennheiser HD-555's
i'm quite fond of them

These are what I'd recommend as well

chronovore · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2011, 12:40:59 AM »

Is KOSS an actual audio manufacturer? I thought they were the Radio Shack fakey brand, like CostCo has "Kirkland"...

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on March 17, 2011, 07:25:03 PM

I use Sennheiser HD-555's
i'm quite fond of them

+1

And I bagged mine for US$140, which is nicely in the specified range.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2011, 10:34:40 PM »

shure srh440's are great for $100-$125.

FatalT · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2011, 10:47:46 PM »

I picked up the Turtle Beach X41 headset today but didn't really like it so I'm returning it tomorrow. I'm thinking about getting some Skullcandy Skullsplitters just for kicks since they're supposed to have insane bass. The Sennheiser HD-555's are $85 on Amazon. If/When I end up returning the skullsplitters I might get those. I've just heard that they have barely any bass at all. I <3 bass.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2011, 01:47:39 AM »

So many people recommended the X41s, I'm just so weary of cheap components in those fake 5.1/7.1 sets.

Ended up getting the AD-700s and an Asus Xonar DG today, cheers all

FatalT · « **Reply #24 on:** March 21, 2011, 05:52:17 PM »

I returned the Ear Force X41s and picked up a pair of Sennheiser 428's. I got em for only $30 with my employee discount so I can't complain. They sound really great and I'm impressed with the bass in them. I'm thinking about getting a headphone amp now and from the recommended things to purchase with the Sennheiser 595's, it looks like the FiiO E5 is the amp to get. I need to get an attachable microphone too so I can use voicechat on the PC (right now I'm using a Logitech desktop mic but it picks up too much) and I'll probably get a Zalman mic for that.

Headphones:
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD428-Closed-Circumaural-Headphone/dp/B002DGTGNG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1300744210&sr=8-1

Portable Amp:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E5-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B001P9EQH8/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b

Zalman Mic:
http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Microphone-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1300744328&sr=8-2

Pilon, what do you think of the AD-700's? Those look amazing but they're pretty pricey! If I get anything I'd rather get it at Best Buy since I can get a major discount on them. The Sennheisers I picked up today were the best one my store carried and I didn't really feel like going anywhere else today.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #25 on:** March 21, 2011, 05:59:53 PM »

Amping is a waste of money for phones less than $200. Headphones/speakers always impact the sound much more than the electronic components.

FatalT · « **Reply #26 on:** March 21, 2011, 06:39:37 PM »

Quote from: Smooth Groove on March 21, 2011, 05:59:53 PM

Amping is a waste of money for phones less than $200. Headphones/speakers always impact the sound much more than the electronic components.

Ah, fair enough. That seems reasonable to me. I'll skip the amp and just pick up the mic then. I haven't even listened to them on my iPhone yet which is what I should probably do in the first place to even see if I need an amp. They sound great on the PC though.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:06:58 PM »

Quote from: FatalT on March 21, 2011, 05:52:17 PM

Pilon, what do you think of the AD-700's? Those look amazing but they're pretty pricey! If I get anything I'd rather get it at Best Buy since I can get a major discount on them. The Sennheisers I picked up today were the best one my store carried and I didn't really feel like going anywhere else today.

I'll let you know on the weekend when I get them (birthday present $:-\$ ). I wont get to test them with the new sound card until Monday though.

FatalT · « **Reply #28 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:08:31 PM »

Quote from: pilonv1 on March 21, 2011, 07:06:58 PM

Quote from: FatalT on March 21, 2011, 05:52:17 PM
Pilon, what do you think of the AD-700's? Those look amazing but they're pretty pricey! If I get anything I'd rather get it at Best Buy since I can get a major discount on them. The Sennheisers I picked up today were the best one my store carried and I didn't really feel like going anywhere else today.

I'll let you know on the weekend when I get them (birthday present $:-\$ ). I wont get to test them with the new sound card until Monday though.

Sounds good. I probably need a better sound card as well since I'm just using my motherboard's integrated one. Ah well, I don't have the big bones for that type of thing!

ch1nchilla · « **Reply #29 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:24:01 PM »

Beats by Dr. Dre Studio <3

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #30 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:26:01 PM »

Quote from: ch1nchilla on March 21, 2011, 07:24:01 PM

Beats by Dr. Dre Studio <3

You have a pair? How do they work with music other than hip hop?

ch1nchilla · « **Reply #31 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:31:18 PM »

Quote from: Smooth Groove on March 21, 2011, 07:26:01 PM

Quote from: ch1nchilla on March 21, 2011, 07:24:01 PM
Beats by Dr. Dre Studio <3

You have a pair? How do they work with music other than hip hop?

I have a pair (got 'em for Christmas) and they honestly might be my favorite possession. IMO they're better for music other than hip-hop, because hip-hop often isn't mastered well or whatever to begin with aside from shitloads of bass. The clarity with electronic music (and rock, and whatever) is great, real talk I hear shit I didn't even know was in the song pretty often, little nuances in the music or whatever. I'm sure there are haters out there for whatever reason (Beats are popular, haters gon hate), and I can't get all technical and shit with it because I'm a casual listener, but I highly recommend them.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #32 on:** March 21, 2011, 09:51:58 PM »

Quote from: FatalT on March 21, 2011, 07:08:31 PM

Quote from: pilonv1 on March 21, 2011, 07:06:58 PM
Quote from: FatalT on March 21, 2011, 05:52:17 PM
Pilon, what do you think of the AD-700's? Those look amazing but they're pretty pricey! If I get anything I'd rather get it at Best Buy since I can get a major discount on them. The Sennheisers I picked up today were the best one my store carried and I didn't really feel like going anywhere else today.

I'll let you know on the weekend when I get them (birthday present $:-\$ ). I wont get to test them with the new sound card until Monday though.

Sounds good. I probably need a better sound card as well since I'm just using my motherboard's integrated one. Ah well, I don't have the big bones for that type of thing!

Yeah I'm just using integrated at the moment.

@ the prices of those Beats.

Bildi · « **Reply #33 on:** March 22, 2011, 07:07:13 AM »

Quote from: chronovore on March 20, 2011, 12:40:59 AM

Is KOSS an actual audio manufacturer? I thought they were the Radio Shack fakey brand, like CostCo has "Kirkland"...

They're a legit brand, but I never see anyone recommending them aside from Portapros. So I'm not sure if they're particularly highly regarded for the most part. But the Portapros are definitely legendary for their price/sound quality ratio.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 28, 2011, 03:32:25 AM »

I nearly came in my pants listening to some Beatles FLACs this afternoon with these headphones and sound card

I think I'm quickly becoming an audiophile

Also my front panel was producing some shocking hissing when I was using it for the headphones. Moved them to the back and it's crystal clear, total eargasm. They're also so comfortable it's like having a pillow on my head.

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Author Topic: Recommend me some headphones (Read 1889 times)