Speakers or Headphones?

[Pia]

To those people using headphones, do you use a separate amp? I don't see how headphones could possibly sound very good running straight off the line-out.

As far as I know, most phones are designed to not need an amp. High-end hifi phones are a different matter. The DT880s I'm thinking of getting apparently do need amping, but then, some high-end soundcards (Xonar Essence STX) now have proper headphone amping built in.

 

[sandorski]

Headphones are better. Even if I was living somewhere that my 5.1 Ultras could be used, I'd still use Headphones for Gaming. A month ago I picked up a pair of Corsair HS1 USB 5.1/7.1 headphones to replace my Sennheiser 433s and am very pleased with the improvement.

 

[BFG10K]

To those people using headphones, do you use a separate amp? I don't see how headphones could possibly sound very good running straight off the line-out.

The Panasonic headphones I use have low resistance (24 ohms). Even an iPod has no trouble pushing their 40 mm drivers and producing great sound.

When they’re in my PC they run straight out of my X-Fi’s sound out.

 

[Anubis]

kinda shocked at the amnt of people using headphones

I use speakers always have prov always will

the only time i used headphones was in college when i lived in the dorms, and even the that was only at night

 

[Lonbjerg]

I use these:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/multimedia/display/creative-gigaworks-s750.html

As both the 3D positioning and bass of headphones are subpar.

 

[skace]

I have these:
Headphones: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/dynamic-stereo-headphones-high-sound-quality_500319
Speakers: http://www.harbeth.co.uk/uk/index.php?section=products&page=p3esr&model=P3ESR
(Both running off of separate AMP/DAC)

Given that, Headphones 90% of the time. It allows better focus (even with open air ones) and is the only way to go in voice enabled games. A good pair of headphones dominates speakers in environments where only 1 person is listening to the sound, it is a flawless sound stage. The biggest reason is that headphones tend to immerse me into a game and let me zone out the world around me better, which becomes more and more important in competitive games.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

In about a month I will be upgrading my sound setup from Xfi Prelude>FiiO e9> Audio Technica AD700's to Xfi Prelude/astro mixamp>Schiit Lyr> AKG k702's. All for the price of a new computer! Going to be so worth it too lol.

 

[Maleficus]

To those people using headphones, do you use a separate amp? I don't see how headphones could possibly sound very good running straight off the line-out.

I use this: http://schiit.com/products/asgard/

 

[IGemini]

To those people using headphones, do you use a separate amp? I don't see how headphones could possibly sound very good running straight off the line-out.

No separate amp, though my X-Fi has a decent array of internal amps and DACs. Probably not as good as an external would be, but pretty good for internal. The low-end is definitely there and all the ranges sound balanced. A friend of mine who is used to hearing audio cranked through both Onkyo 7.1 and Logitech Z-5500s think mine sound pretty good for headphones.

 

[zebano]

Speakers, unless I"m on vent.

this

 

[dfuze]

If I don't have to worry about keeping the kids up, I use the speakers, but late at night I'll switch to my headphones.

 

[CraigRT]

Headphones.. I love my Logitech G330's for gaming. The mic works awesome too, so say my team mates.

 

[Compddd]

Maleficus

I'm using an Onkyo HT-S6200 system hooked up to my PC right now through a Auzentech HTHD sound card. Could I hook up a pair of good headphones to my Onkyo receiver? Would that mean I wouldn't need the schiit amp?

 

[BudAshes]

Wireless headphones are the best thing ever.

 

[CVSiN]

Logitech wireless G930 headphones love them so far.

typo wrong headset..

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/webcam-communications/internet-headsets-phones/devices/7248

 

[Brainonska511]

Bought Sennheiser HD555

I just got these 2 weeks ago. Incredibly comfortable and sound great. I can wear them for hours without my ears hurting, unlike my older Sennheiser PX100s.

I also have a set of Klipsch Promedia 2.1 speakers, but I'm trying to get rid of them. I don't use them that much since I live in apartments and will continue to for at least the next few years.
----
No amp used for my headphones. Just connected straight to the headphone jack on my desktop (on-board audio). Don't really see the need for an amp, as the output volume level isn't even at 25%.

 

[zokudu]

I use a Logitech G35. Honestly i will say the aren't worth the money and I prefer my Klipsh ProMedia 2.1s but I tend to use the headphones so as not to disturb anyone. I'm also on vent 24/7 so they're my mic. I might go with a high end audio headset and a desk mic next though.

 

[Compddd]

What are better for gaming, open or closed headphones?

 

[Brazen_NL]

Headphones, so I don't bother anyone else.

 

[MustangSVT]

in general speakers.

but when I was playing CS 1.6, headphones were a must. I could hear ur noob ass coming and pin point you. and looking at bullet patterns to see where you might be hiding after a gun fight.

sigh im such a nerd. xD

 

[MustangSVT]

in general speakers.

but when I was playing CS 1.6, headphones were a must. I could hear ur noob ass coming and pin point you. and looking at bullet patterns to see where you might be hiding after a gun fight.

sigh im such a nerd. xD

 

[QueBert]

Koss DJPRO100 headphones + an M-Audio XLR mic for in game voice chatting. If I had the money right now I'd get the Astro A40's, tried a pair at a LAN party and they blew away any PC speakers I've heard.

 

[Scotteq]

What are better for gaming, open or closed headphones?

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


Closed offer better Isolation (you can't hear outside noise), and can exaggerate bass response.

Open offer more "transparent" sound, and tend to be higher end. People outside will be able to hear some of the sound, and you will be able to hear sound from outside.




Mine are Open, since I like to be able to hear the telephone and I use my headphones for more than just gaming.




{edit} May as well answer the OP's question: For the money, GOOD headphones.

 

[uhohs]

In about a month I will be upgrading my sound setup from Xfi Prelude>FiiO e9> Audio Technica AD700's to Xfi Prelude/astro mixamp>Schiit Lyr> AKG k702's. All for the price of a new computer! Going to be so worth it too lol.

will the Lyr even be good for the k702? it's designed for extremely power hungry orthodynamic headphones. and Schiit's earlier Asgard was reportedly not a good match with the k701/702.

I use my k701 with a M3 or Dynalo and it's great.

 

[iCyborg]

I use headphones the vast majority of times. Decent budget ones like Grado SR-80 I have are a lot better than any speakers in that price range (~$150), you'd probably have to shell out $1000+ to get better quality sound from speakers.
I prefer open headphones, not sure this matters much for gaming, but for music listening it makes a difference.