Best headphones for sound staging and imaging?

[Starvald]

I have an antlion modmic, wired version, and it's pretty good. The wireless version has battery issues, and since it's completely enclosed, it's a pain to replace. There's a v2 coming at some point in the 2nd half of this year.

The Headphone Show did a review of Fractal Designs Scape gamining wireless headset. Resolve thought hightly of it. It's on for pre order here at OCUK. It has a mic, so its 169.99 price might be attractive. Sorry to put another option in there, but I only became aware of it yesterday, when the review went up.

 

[fraps]

I have an antlion modmic, wired version, and it's pretty good. The wireless version has battery issues, and since it's completely enclosed, it's a pain to replace. There's a v2 coming at some point in the 2nd half of this year.

The Headphone Show did a review of Fractal Designs Scape gamining wireless headset. Resolve thought hightly of it. It's on for pre order here at OCUK. It has a mic, so its 169.99 price might be attractive. Sorry to put another option in there, but I only became aware of it yesterday, when the review went up.

These prices seem a little crazy for a microphone, I’m not too fussed about how I sound as long as I can be heard. It’s hard to stomach spending £60 on a mic for a pair of £100 headphones.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Alright, I’ve settled the list down to 3 candidates. I’ve got the PC38x, HD560s and TYGR 300R.
PC38X
Pros: All in one headset
Cons: Pain to actually purchase
HD560s
Pros: Some say it has slightly better imaging than the PC38x
Cheaper and more accessible
Cons: no mic
TYGR 300R
Pros: similar imaging to the Hd560s slightly better or worse depending on who you ask
Cons: no mic
£140 vs the £100 of the HD560s
Less retailers sell it

So I’m leaning towards the HD560s and a saharagaming microphone off the rainforest. Antlion modmic are £60 which is a little silly. Anyone got any thoughts on the selection?

If the headset is a 3.5mm set, you can always add this to make it a gaming headphone, not cheap though.

BOOM MIC

Turn your headphones into a premium gaming headset with the Meze Audio omnidirectional boom microphone. This detachable microphone offers clear sound and easy in-line controls for gaming and remote work.

mezeaudio.com

 

[fraps]

If the headset is a 3.5mm set, you can always add this to make it a gaming headphone, not cheap though.

BOOM MIC

Turn your headphones into a premium gaming headset with the Meze Audio omnidirectional boom microphone. This detachable microphone offers clear sound and easy in-line controls for gaming and remote work.

mezeaudio.com

Oof, pricey. One thing with the Sennheisers is that they’re 2.5mm. The Sahara gaming mic and the Antlion modmic plug just clip on the headset. It is another wire but it doesn’t seem too bad.

 

[Timber]

Alright, I’ve settled the list down to 3 candidates. I’ve got the PC38x, HD560s and TYGR 300R.

I think that's a very solid selection. Of the three I personally lean towards the PC38X with the TYGR a very close second. I didn't like the HD 560S as much, but part of that was it's performance with music and the fact the hinge bulges on the inside of the HD 560S ear cup touched my ears. Which is odd because the HD 598's never did that, or at least I don't remember them doing that years ago. So because of that they were never as comfortable for me, but I'm probably an outlier in that regards.

The PC38X has a frequency response, tuning that I really gel with. For gaming it's the best headphone I've heard. Technically no where near the best, but it just does what it's meant to very well. The TYGR has the best imaging, probably of any headphone I've heard. Again under 300g, very comfortable and this one has barely any clamp. Unfortunately an attached cable, but at only 1.6m the nicest of the classic DT's I've owned. The HD 560S has the most detail retrieval. For gaming it is fantastic and with a removal cable you have the option of the boom mic for less wire clutter unlike the TYGR.

In short you can't go wrong - which I doesn't help.

The Headphone Show did a review of Fractal Designs Scape gamining wireless headset. Resolve thought hightly of it. It's on for pre order here at OCUK. It has a mic, so its 169.99 price might be attractive. Sorry to put another option in there, but I only became aware of it yesterday, when the review went up.

I watched that review as it was in my feed and I thought it was very 'un-headphone show' like video. In that it felt very much like a sponsored review and similar to what you can get on other channels. i.e. don't say too much bad. I also disagreed with the premise of the Audeze Maxwell setting this bar, or trend. All of these wireless gaming headsets are doing something similar where they tend to use 2.4g wireless with simultaneous bluetooth, charging bays etc. And have been for years. And good gaming headsets aren't new. Just my opinion but I think headphone show Youtube channel is at it's best when they are doing some of their editorial content.

Albeit that new Fractal headset has reviewed well elsewhere and does look interesting for the price. Don't want to suggest it's a bad product. It seems there's a trend when certain companies not known for headphones/sets seem to get it right on the first try; i.e. Rode, Coolermaster etc. And Fractal have put out a good wireless headset.

 

[fraps]

I think that's a very solid selection. Of the three I personally lean towards the PC38X with the TYGR a very close second. I didn't like the HD 560S as much, but part of that was it's performance with music and the fact the hinge bulges on the inside of the HD 560S ear cup touched my ears. Which is odd because the HD 598's never did that, or at least I don't remember them doing that years ago. So because of that they were never as comfortable for me, but I'm probably an outlier in that regards.

The PC38X has a frequency response, tuning that I really gel with. For gaming it's the best headphone I've heard. Technically no where near the best, but it just does what it's meant to very well. The TYGR has the best imaging, probably of any headphone I've heard. Again under 300g, very comfortable and this one has barely any clamp. Unfortunately an attached cable, but at only 1.6m the nicest of the classic DT's I've owned. The HD 560S has the most detail retrieval. For gaming it is fantastic and with a removal cable you have the option of the boom mic for less wire clutter unlike the TYGR.

In short you can't go wrong - which I doesn't help.



I watched that review as it was in my feed and I thought it was very 'un-headphone show' like video. In that it felt very much like a sponsored review and similar to what you can get on other channels. i.e. don't say too much bad. I also disagreed with the premise of the Audeze Maxwell setting this bar, or trend. All of these wireless gaming headsets are doing something similar where they tend to use 2.4g wireless with simultaneous bluetooth, charging bays etc. And have been for years. And good gaming headsets aren't new. Just my opinion but I think headphone show Youtube channel is at it's best when they are doing some of their editorial content.

Albeit that new Fractal headset has reviewed well elsewhere and does look interesting for the price. Don't want to suggest it's a bad product. It seems there's a trend when certain companies not known for headphones/sets seem to get it right on the first try; i.e. Rode, Coolermaster etc. And Fractal have put out a good wireless headset.

I think I’ve settled on the TYGR 300. They’re £140 right now so I’ll wait for them to drop a little. The Fractals look interesting, but I’ve seen a few people complain about the volume being too low. I’ll wait and see if they fix that and see if anyone makes any reviews comparing their imaging with an open back pair of headphones.

 

[Timber]

I think I’ve settled on the TYGR 300. They’re £140 right now so I’ll wait for them to drop a little. The Fractals look interesting, but I’ve seen a few people complain about the volume being too low. I’ll wait and see if they fix that and see if anyone makes any reviews comparing their imaging with an open back pair of headphones.

I bought a pair of TYGRs in June 2022 and they were £119. But ending up selling loads of headphones to try and reduce my collection to a couple of pairs. The TYGRs was one I regretted so ended up buying them again in April but this time for £139.99, which unfortunately seems to be the new RRP. You do see them pop up for secondhand auctions from time-to-time.

Regarding the Fractal Scapes; were the complaints of low volume on PC, PS5 or both?

I know in the past headsets like the Turtle Beach Atlas went through a patch with software issues/bugs where the volume was lowered, then fixed, for example. I think that it sometimes go with the territory on these all-in-one/firmware based wireless headset. That's is one benefit to being an old fashioned wired headphone/set.

 

[Starvald]

I only brought the Fractal Scrapes up, as they only appeared recently, and the Maxwells were mentioned earlier. I think Resolve mentions in his video there's an audio over BT issue, which he didn't get on PC via the 2.4ghz connection.

Didn't really share my opinion on all the others,m as others were sharing actual experience, but I think the Tygr is a good choice to make.

 

[Timber]

I only brought the Fractal Scrapes up, as they only appeared recently, and the Maxwells were mentioned earlier. I think Resolve mentions in his video there's an audio over BT issue, which he didn't get on PC via the 2.4ghz connection.

Didn't really share my opinion on all the others,m as others were sharing actual experience, but I think the Tygr is a good choice to make.

Indeed, good shout. Apologies I wasn't having a go either. I think Resolve is so watchable and clearly knows his stuff. Also has a nice character that comes across on camera, but some of their reviews just strike me as curious. I was probably musing too much!

 

[fraps]

I think it was on pc, given it’s their first headset you’d expect a few teething issues. They do look very nice for a wireless headset. Hopefully the TYGRs drop on Black Friday or I’ll check if I can get a good deal second hand.

I bought a pair of TYGRs in June 2022 and they were £119. But ending up selling loads of headphones to try and reduce my collection to a couple of pairs. The TYGRs was one I regretted so ended up buying them again in April but this time for £139.99, which unfortunately seems to be the new RRP. You do see them pop up for secondhand auctions from time-to-time.

Regarding the Fractal Scapes; were the complaints of low volume on PC, PS5 or both?

 

[Timber]

I think it was on pc, given it’s their first headset you’d expect a few teething issues. They do look very nice for a wireless headset. Hopefully the TYGRs drop on Black Friday or I’ll check if I can get a good deal second hand.

Ah OK. Just if it was PS5 I know why.

The Scapes look nice, almost portable wireless headphones in style. Everything is quite subtle.

 

[Starvald]

I admit I liked a lot about the Scapes. They look great, nice and clean.How the pads fix, and the driver housing are weird. they measure well. I'm violently opposed to the fabric used to cover the foam pads though. I reckon before too long there'll be plenty of mods for that. Don't know why they didn't go for something more traditional and proven.

 

[fraps]

I admit I liked a lot about the Scapes. They look great, nice and clean.How the pads fix, and the driver housing are weird. they measure well. I'm violently opposed to the fabric used to cover the foam pads though. I reckon before too long there'll be plenty of mods for that. Don't know why they didn't go for something more traditional and proven.

I think the best chance is if Fractal themselves make an alternative ear pad. They don’t seem mainstream enough for third parties to make an earpad.
They seem pretty damn good for the price, trading blows with the Astro A50 and Arctis Nova Pro which retail for £100 higher. If they iron out their initial issues like the pads you’ve mentioned, they could have a real powerhouse on their hands.

 

[Timber]

I'm violently opposed to the fabric used to cover the foam pads though.

It does give me sofa material vibes, but that might just be me.

 

[fraps]

Apparently the Scapes have fixed their volume issues with a new firmware update.