Headphone recommendations

[velis]

I need a new headphones set to replace my falling apart old one, Zalman RS6F - which was a totally missed purchase, BTW.

I have two considerations for the new headphones:
1. 5.1 vs stereo
2. wired vs wireless

I want good sound reproduction, above else. I'm no audiophile, but I can certainly hear if a channel is not being reproduced (like the above Zalmans), any crackling, poor bass and treble.
On top of that, the headphones should be able to handle louder volumes as well.

I used to have a really cheap Philips stereo headset which reproduced sound 100x better than the Zalmans I have now. They were an uneducated attempt at surround... Though the mic is really good

The headphones will be coupled with Auzentech X-Fi Prelude.

I have been looking at the following models so far:
Sennheiser HD-515
SennHeiser RS-180
Speedlink Medusa NX 5.1
Something in €100 range, can be more expensive if it's really good.

About the above considerations:
1. 5.1 vs stereo: I'd really like to have a surround headset for my gaming, but my experience with the Zalmans makes me wonder if it's worth it. The Zalmans never gave me any surround effect that I could detect. I'm wondering if this is also the case for any other set. Though it's true that the Zalmans lack a couple of channels + they focus primarily on stereo (front / rear is way quieter than left/right).

2. Wired vs wireless: The cable bothers me a lot, so I would prefer a wireless headset, but not if that costs me a lot in sound quality. Lots of reviews mention problems with wireless headsets in this regard.

Please recommend me a good set.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2069435

and multiple drivers in headsets tends to be a joke. better to rely on the games or soundcards hrtf.

oh wait i now see your money sign...
so much for the hotdeal.

 

[tweakboy]

Look @ my signature ,

 

[velis]

This Megalodon set looks awesome. I've been looking at it a while back.

But it goes around my Auzentech card. I'd take it no questions asked if it had 4x3.5mm jacks.
I'm also using the card for connection to my Logitech Z-5500s.
If I installed this set, I'd have to switch sound outputs constantly.

Unfortunately, the Charcharias model they have on offer, which uses same specced components is only stereo

While looking around for a set similar to Megalodon, I eventually stumbled upon Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA2. Are these any good?
Darn, they too either have 3.5mm jacks on cables or USB crap wireless. I definitely like the X4 model if it wasnt so XBox-ish
I haven't really looked into it, but I don't think I can use both digital connections on my card for output.

 

[0roo0roo]

forget the gimmickry, just get the senn 350

 

[velis]

Darn. These are insane!!!

What stupid nomenclature does Sennheiser have that allows a 350 model have better specs than a 555???

I sure wish Sennheiser would do a nice 5.1 set

As it is, I'll probably just grab these @ €135 - seems a fair price.

 

[Nebor]

I've been pretty impressed with the logitech g35s I just got. They're USB though. Not bad for $100. I have HD600s back home, but the g35s are leaps and bounds better for games and movies.

 

[terentenet]

Denon AD-D2000. Cheap, great sound. Enough said.

 

[velis]

Denon AD-D2000. Cheap, great sound. Enough said.

You call $350 (€330 here) cheap?
Can I PM you my account number?

They look good though. And the specs are insane

 

[velis]

I've been pretty impressed with the logitech g35s I just got. They're USB though. Not bad for $100. I have HD600s back home, but the g35s are leaps and bounds better for games and movies.

Here they are €120. Also show-stopper USB.
I would guess not as good as Senn 350.
How are they better than HD600? Looking at specs, they don't seem to be.

 

[0roo0roo]

Darn. These are insane!!!

What stupid nomenclature does Sennheiser have that allows a 350 model have better specs than a 555???

I sure wish Sennheiser would do a nice 5.1 set

As it is, I'll probably just grab these @ €135 - seems a fair price.

once again, stop fixating on the fake 5.1, audiophiles never buy those for good reason, headphones are two drivers only for best sound, better to spend the resources they do have on higher quality drivers than 6 or whatever sh*t ones. fake virtual from 2 drivers is pretty standard supported on most soundcards or in software for media players and games, so it matters more the quality of the headphones than if its got some silly multiple driver setup. gamers probably prefer regular sets as well, the balance of audio queues is probably better controlled using hrtf than through some dodgy angled drivers.

 

[0roo0roo]

Here they are €120. Also show-stopper USB.
I would guess not as good as Senn 350.
How are they better than HD600? Looking at specs, they don't seem to be.

its a headset, which is kinda necessary for some games. different from pure musical listening use.

 

[Nebor]

once again, stop fixating on the fake 5.1, audiophiles never buy those for good reason, headphones are two drivers only for best sound, better to spend the resources they do have on higher quality drivers than 6 or whatever sh*t ones. fake virtual from 2 drivers is pretty standard supported on most soundcards or in software for media players and games, so it matters more the quality of the headphones than if its got some silly multiple driver setup. gamers probably prefer regular sets as well, the balance of audio queues is probably better controlled using hrtf than through some dodgy angled drivers.

I use my HD600s for music, but these logitech G35s are way better for games and movies. Not even close. The drivers\software for them does a great job with surround sound.

 

[0roo0roo]

thats the thing..the g35 only has 2 drivers only reason it could sound better than your 600 is if the soundcard was better.

 

[SmCaudata]

I have a pair of Audio Technica headphones that I like. Good sound reproduction and I feel about 30% cheaper than Senn or Bose for the same quality. They have a wide range of prices so check out their line to see if there is anything that you like.

 

[Nebor]

thats the thing..the g35 only has 2 drivers only reason it could sound better than your 600 is if the soundcard was better.

Well since it's USB, and it's own sound device, I assume it is in fact much better than the Realtek solution in my laptop.

If they really only have 2 drivers, then logitech has written some very impressive software.

 

[Cheesetogo]

The Sennheiser 350 looks pretty nice, but you might want to check out the Audio Technica AD700. It only runs about $85, but I think it's probably a better sounding headphone. As 0roo0roo has said, stay far away from anything that says 5.1. -- it's just a stupid gimmick.

 

[0roo0roo]

Well since it's USB, and it's own sound device, I assume it is in fact much better than the Realtek solution in my laptop.

If they really only have 2 drivers, then logitech has written some very impressive software.

hrtf is pretty standard now. i somehow doubt logitech wrote anything, this stuff was worked out during the 3d sound wars a long while back, its probably all licensed tech now.
and yes, its only 2 drivers, its probably easier to do on 2 drivers, you don't have to worry about interactions and different sound characteristic of tiny front and rear drivers and all that mess.

earliest 3d sound from headphones was pre computers, just record a stereo signal with a microphone setup based on a human head, and it worked pretty well. they didn't use 5.1 microphones

 

[velis]

The Sennheiser 350 looks pretty nice, but you might want to check out the Audio Technica AD700. It only runs about $85, but I think it's probably a better sounding headphone. As 0roo0roo has said, stay far away from anything that says 5.1. -- it's just a stupid gimmick.

Comes at €220 here. Their own website lists £135...

Anyway, Sennheiser 350 ordered.
Will let you know how it works in a few days

 

[velis]

Well, had the Sennheiser 350s for a few weeks now.
I must say, the sound simply rocks
Bass is strong, details perfect. Had to turn on EQ in my X-Fi Prelude to achieve this though. I had to quiet down the mid frequencies by 6dB.

Though at times I wish I had an amplifier between them and my sound card. When some quiet audio is played, I can't crank up the volume far enough. Even with max volume sound source I'm getting nowhere near 100dB, let alone 109 - not that I want it to go that high though I'm guessing maybe 75 - 80dB. Bass is just starting to give me the vibration feeling.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea sometimes u get what u pay for...senn does their higher end stuff well

 

[Ika]

Just as a consideration - think about how big drivers in "audiophile" (read: real) headphones are. Even Koss KSc75 drivers are like an inch and a half in diameter. Now try stuffing three or four of those into a headset. Do you really want to wear that thing? And think about the price! A koss KSC75 is like $15 for two drivers. If you want six or seven drivers that'll be like $90 for drivers alone.

In other words, a real 5.1 headset that provides even mediocre sound will pretty much never exist. This is why none of the established headphone companies are making "surround-sound headsets", they're gimmicky and sound terrible.

 

[Rifter]

Just as a consideration - think about how big drivers in "audiophile" (read: real) headphones are. Even Koss KSc75 drivers are like an inch and a half in diameter. Now try stuffing three or four of those into a headset. Do you really want to wear that thing? And think about the price! A koss KSC75 is like $15 for two drivers. If you want six or seven drivers that'll be like $90 for drivers alone.

In other words, a real 5.1 headset that provides even mediocre sound will pretty much never exist. This is why none of the established headphone companies are making "surround-sound headsets", they're gimmicky and sound terrible.

This X2

 

[velis]

Amen to that.

Now I only need to find a decent USB powered cmoy