Quality Gaming Headphones / Mic Questions

[Totori]

Hi!

I've been using a crappy pair of $40 headset for awhile now. My roommate came home with some Astro350's and they just blew me away. I couldn't believe the quality difference and was ashamed I never thought to spend the extra money on something I use upwards of 18 hours a day sometimes.

I generally only play games, watch videos and music, nothing too serious! Comfort is a major thing due to how long I use these for, though!

I went to order a pair then realized how much they actually were. Now, I don't mind paying good for quality but since they are so much I'd like to be sure I'm buying the right pair =)

I would prefer wireless, but wired works as well if the price/quality is better.

Anyway! These are some main questions I have:

Are there any downsides to Wireless?

How much do I have to spend to get a noticeable quality difference. I mean, how much worse is a pair at $180 compared to a pair at $300, just as an example.

Should I be getting a pair with a mic attached or should I be getting an attachable or on-desk mic? I use voice a lot, so quality here is important.

Any recommendations on something that will fit my needs?

Thanks!

 

[gus6464]

Do you have any special requirements like Dolby Headphone or surround sound for your headphones?

There is nothing wrong with wireless headphones but you will pay more for a quality headphone that compares to a wired one.

 

[el-Capitan]

I always go for Sennheiser. My budget then gives me the options. The reviews push me to an order, and Amazon will take it back if I dont like the sound (careful, shop at Sennheiser authorized resellers only!)

Ref the microphone. I have a cheap and small $15 mic that I stuck behind my screen. Works very well. This has the advantage that i can use my headphones on plane/ train/ where ever without looking like an idiot.

 

[aigomorla]

if u have fans in the background... look for something with background noise filters.

also u may want a shaped mic depending on where your speakers are due to feedback.
If your PC supports bluetooth, u can also connect a cellphone bluetooth unit directly to your PC, as those do have active background noise filters.

downsides to wireless...
If your on a GSM cell phone type carrier... if its near your wifi reciever, each time it goes for a signal, you may lose your wireless...
You may forget to charge your device overnight and its out of batteries and not replaceable.
Wireless means u may lose connection / requires recharge, which can be more painful in the longer run of things then the short simplification of your desk.

 

[gus6464]

You want to be in BF4 surround nirvana? This setup will blow your roomate's Astro setup away with Dolby Headphone.

Asus Xonar DGX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829132052
Audio Technica A700X
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...eywords=ad700x
ModMic
http://www.modmic.com/collections/frontpage/products/modmic

It's wired but for $200 this would be a fantastic setup.

 

[aigomorla]

u know what i never understood..

how do you emulate surround on 2 speakers...

and those headphones with like 7 speaker layouts... its still in the same location capsulated.

So how does something have true surround sound from 2 capsulated units?

 

[gus6464]

u know what i never understood..

how do you emulate surround on 2 speakers...

and those headphones with like 7 speaker layouts... its still in the same location capsulated.

So how does something have true surround sound from 2 capsulated units?

Most is just basically software trickery. There are some headphones that have multiple drivers that act like a speaker based system but I have yet to hear one that sounds as good as a good headphone with Dolby Headphone.

The key to a super detailed surround gaming environment via headphones is using a headphone with a flat-ish freq response. Also open air cans tend to excel at this better than closed ones. The 2 best cans you can buy for a pure gaming setup are:

AKG K701
Audio Technica AD700 (now replaced by AD700X)

You will need an amp for the K701 though.

These 2 threads are basically make up the gaming headphone bible:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/593050/the...-audio-with-binaural-headphone-surround-sound
http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad...aming-guide-updated-9-2-2013-sony-ma900-added

 

[ViviTheMage]

Logitech G930

I've got some nice audio technica's, but I go to my G35, just because I love the wireless. I also like the microphone quality is much better then my desk mic. I can also mute it very quickly by just sliding the mic boom up and out of the way, and automatically mutes it...they make a cheaper, wired version too... G35

 

[vbuggy]

G930's not as good. G35 struggles musically in comparison to it's similarly priced headphone-only peers, but as a gaming phone IMO does really well in that price range, as do the Corsair USB headsets (more readily available now I think). I've compared running similarly priced (and up) headphones off an Asus STX and also running Razer Surround but the depth of sound layering just doesn't compare.

 

[fschris]

I just ordered these corsair vengeance dolby 7.1 headphones... I hope they are decent


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826816028

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Logitech G930

I've got some nice audio technica's, but I go to my G35, just because I love the wireless. I also like the microphone quality is much better then my desk mic. I can also mute it very quickly by just sliding the mic boom up and out of the way, and automatically mutes it...they make a cheaper, wired version too... G35

I have the G930 and have never been really satisfied with it. Its decent for gaming, but for music/videos I would go with something else.

PSA - if you get the G930 and it "pops" frequently, disable your onboard sound.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

I would look into these if I needed a gaming headset, but I just use a Shure 849 condenser mic (XLR) on a stand on my desk, and some crappy Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Per.../dp/B008O515CK

it's cheaper to buy the above headphones than all the components of my system, but I use them for other things besides coms for gaming.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I use the Sennheiser RS 180 for approx. $300.00.....

 

[Wall Street]

u know what i never understood..

how do you emulate surround on 2 speakers...

and those headphones with like 7 speaker layouts... its still in the same location capsulated.

So how does something have true surround sound from 2 capsulated units?

The distance between a person's left and right ear means that there is a slight delay in the sound reaching one ear compared to the other if the sound isn't coming from a perfectly centered sound source. This delay causes a phase shift which can be calculated in software. Also, the head itself blocks noise. It particularly tends to block high frequency noise what has a wavelength short enough that it can't "curve around" the head as effectively as bass sounds. This can also be calculated in software.

 

[vbuggy]

Google HRTF.

To add to what Wall Street said, the calculations are usually based on 'the average' head & ears. Since no-one (oh all right, maybe a couple) actually has an average head & ears, the efficacy of virtual surround is dependent on how close you are to the average.

Even solutions like Razer Surround, which offers customisation to a degree, seem to depend on an average measurement since while the direction cues can be adjusted for specific users, the apparent depth and layering of the sound seems to stay the same.

There are fully customisable solutions available but they are pretty expensive, like thousands and up.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Sennheisers or whatever favorite headphones, clip on mic, and razer surround. 7.1/5.1 headsets are not worth it. Not sure how the magical surround emulation works on a two speaker headset but it's very good.

Whatever you do DON'T get a set of turtle beach anything. The. Worst. Headsets. Ever. Period.

 

[billbobaggins87]

ive been looking into the astro a40 headset.. seems to be one of the best for the money

 

[vbuggy]

Sennheisers or whatever favorite headphones, clip on mic, and razer surround. 7.1/5.1 headsets are not worth it. Not sure how the magical surround emulation works on a two speaker headset but it's very good.

What I said above, and furthermore it has 'meh' depth layering compared to dedicated Dolby Headphone USB headsets. All the customisation does is rotate the soundstage in the Y plane.

 

[richaron]

Multi channel headphones are in my list of terrible marketing gimmicks above 3d monitors and case bay devices with a cup holder. Which I would never buy.

I bought a USB powered fish tank once, it had multi colored LEDs and a built in clock and played "nature sounds" through the sort of speakers they put in gift cards and children's toys. I have nightmares about strapping 7.1 of these speakers to my head (is that like 4 in each ear, or do I sit on one & balance the last on my nose?)

The fish died. But I could turn off the "nature sounds" and listen to real headphones.

 

[thegamer36]

Sennheiser with ZM Mic1

 

[rocket1420]

What about something like this? http://www.amazon.com/ASTRO-Gaming-A...ref=pd_cp_vg_0

I need a way for my headset to work with my PC and Xbox 360. Is the Astro Mixamp the highest quality way to make that happen? Should I get it and buy a pair of $80 Sennheisers and a $12 mic? Or will that link be just as good or better?

EDIT: Forgot to mention: Looks are not important, but music quality while connected to my PC is.

 

[Venomous]

I recently went with beyerdynamics DT880 600ohm with a v3.0 mod mic hooked into the new SB ZXR. Sound is truly awesome... Not a cheap setup by far but will definitely pay for itself long term. The modmic comes right off if you want pure headphone listening too

 

[alangrift]

Well the problem with wireless is that they tend to die very fast and need a recharge. So rechargable batteries are a must unless you want to keep buying batteries for it or it comes with a rechargable one. Even if it does come with one youll need batteries on stand by. And concerning the quality that depends on what mics you are looking at. I recommend trident headsets.