Do gaming headsets make games more immersive?

lawrence281

lawrence281

lawrence281

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Just wondering, if using a gaming headset, with a good sound chip, would make gaming more immersive, or feel like you're actually there if its good quality.

I currently use Senheiser earphones, but just wondering, if so, any good headphones for value about?
 
Probably not depending on what Sennheisers you have & if your not using onboard.
I've got a pair of Sennheiser PC360 & xonar sound card, they are nice for games as they are comfortable for long periods. I've got a pair of soundmagic HP 200 & they sound is good but the Sennheisers are better I find !
 
Andi-C said:
Probably not depending on what Sennheisers you have & if your not using onboard.
I've got a pair of Sennheiser PC360 & xonar sound card, they are nice for games as they are comfortable for long periods. I've got a pair of soundmagic HP 200 & they sound is good but the Sennheisers are better I find !
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If you are using the Xonar with the hp200's then you are probably suffering from high output impedance. I have the same headphones and running them straight off a soundcard they sound not great, i've since bought a small headphone amp which ive modified to have no gain and an output impedance below 2 and this improves them immeasurably.
 
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lawrence281 said:
Just wondering, if using a gaming headset, with a good sound chip, would make gaming more immersive, or feel like you're actually there if its good quality.

I currently use Senheiser earphones, but just wondering, if so, any good headphones for value about?
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Depends on the earphones you have. Some earphones will be better than others for gaming, but in general full size headset or headphones are much better for gaming.

One thing that makes earphones not a good choice for use straight from computer audio output, is what andybird has described. Like the Soundmagic HP200 headphones, earphones also have low impedance. Audio output on computers is higher, which as he described, doesn't sound great. Buying just a sound card for earphones is rather pointless as they do not have setting for low impedance. Only the Xonar Essence STX II does, but that's £170+ and you'd need some pretty expensive earphones to make that a worthwhile purchase.
 
I have no issues with the HP200 in the card ? I just find the Sennheiser better for gaming & the HP200 for music. The Sennheisers are much more comfortable, there light & airy on the ears. The HP200 do clamp & I get hot ears, the cups don't hava a large depth to them ether so my ears touch the back pads. Overall I'm happy with my set up for now until my headphone envy leads me elsewhere...

I did say in another thread I'd get a Headphone amp but would get the headphones first so I can pair them with the right amp...

:)
 
In my opinion it is a bit of a tricky question. If you go and listen to headphone x's The Dark Knight rises, Man of Steel or Interstellar soundtracks by Hans Zimmer you will be left startled by the amount of immersion, and though I haven't actually heard the latest Turtle Beach headsets that support Headphone X, I am left thinking, my god! if this is what it does for music, I can't wait to hear what it would do to/for games? It is the aim of DTS to configure headphone x with any headset eventually (by various means):

http://games.highdefdigest.com/1288..._z60_surround_sound_pc_gaming_headset_pc.html
 
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I don't think I've ever gamed and not been immersed with my headphones. A gust of wind blowing in your ear. Rumbling bass as you blow up schiit. Birds and other virtual wildlife making noises in the distance. The sound of rain as you walk through a field and you hear it all around for miles(In game world)

How can it not? with the right headphones anyway. A combination of good mids, extended treble and extended bass to the lowest octave will provide an amazing experience with your games. Do you feel that you are there, not really but I'm immersed to the point I forget what else is going on which is what I aim for.

My K501 don't sound like headphones, they sound close to how you would expect environments to sound with good recordings.
 
With my trusty AKG K702s and Dragon Age Inquisition set to headphone (straight stereo on the sound card) I am right there in Thedas with my team. :)
 
A good set of headphones and razer surround ( http://www.razerzone.com/gb-en/surround ) actually works surprisingly well - not as good as CMSS-3D IMO but the latest update is quite impressive, sadly pro isn't free at the moment.

Dunno who makes the drivers used in Razer headphones but would be nice if they teamed up with say Sennheiser for a lineup using their surround software - wouldn't be cheap but it would be so worth it.
 
lawrence281 said:
It doesn't have a mic, that would help, but im not sure if i need headphones, my senheiser earphones are pretty good haha but whatever :l
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By earphones, do you mean ones that sit in your ears, or go into your ear canal?

Get the CAL! and grab a £1.56 clip on mic from dx.com... Or up your budget slightly/wait for sales and get a HyperX Cloud :)
 
Cookeh said:
By earphones, do you mean ones that sit in your ears, or go into your ear canal?

Get the CAL! and grab a £1.56 clip on mic from dx.com... Or up your budget slightly/wait for sales and get a HyperX Cloud :)
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I've heard good things about the HyperX cloud, it's one of the best gaming headsets for price right? and when exactly would the sales be?
 
lawrence281 said:
I've heard good things about the HyperX cloud, it's one of the best gaming headsets for price right? and when exactly would the sales be?
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You just have to keep an eye on the "this week only" deals, we have no more idea than you of when, or even if they will be discounted.
 
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