Spec me some headphones/headset

FML1990 · 19 Aug 2015 at 18:04

Once again I'm venturing into something I know very little about, and thats audio.

My birthday is on monday and my girlfriend doesn't know what to get me.
I nor her know nothing about headphones but I need a new headset for my computer. Preferably wireless. I'll mostly be using it for gaming.

Budget is around 150-200

I have no idea about virtual/real surround sound and which one is better.
I have no idea about sound cards/amps

If you could teach me a lesson while you give me your recommendations that would be great thanks ha

C64 · 19 Aug 2015 at 18:55

AKG K702 - Modmic v 4.0 Discount Bundle

Larry365 · 19 Aug 2015 at 19:00

Audio Technica do some pretty good gear. I haven't had first hand experience with their gaming headsets but they normal stereo headphones are some of the best out there. I've got a pair of ATHM40X (~£70) and they are incredible, especially for the price. My mate has a 200 quid pair for production and they are absolutely amazing. Have a look at some reviews, I doubt they would let you down.

rids57 · 19 Aug 2015 at 19:25

AKG K612 pro & Modmic bundle plus a Creative Sound Blaster Z (OEM) sound card to drive it.

Total cost: £165

The AKG K702 suggested above is an even better headphone but the total cost would be £230

FML1990 · 19 Aug 2015 at 19:51

So by the looks of things there is no point buying a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound headset

are there no good wireless headphones available? or are they crap/not worth the price

PapaLazaru · 19 Aug 2015 at 20:25

FML1990 said:
or are they crap/not worth the price

Both really. For the sake of a cable, it is just very much worth it.

rids57 · 19 Aug 2015 at 20:53

So you get a good, £150 headphone and then add a wireless transmitter, rechargable batteries, smart charging system and receiver, without degrading the sound, while maintaining a strong signal without drop outs and you might get a decent one for £300.

A headset is even worse as you have to factor in a microphone, another transmitter and another receiver plus stronger batteries.

There are plenty of cheaper options around but the vast majority of R&D costs will have gone on the wireless side of things, sound quality will be well down the pecking order.

Seems a bit extreme to go through all of that just to remove the very slight inconvenience of a cable.

FML1990 · 19 Aug 2015 at 20:57

rids57 said:
AKG K612 pro & Modmic bundle plus a Creative Sound Blaster Z (OEM) sound card to drive it.

Total cost: £165

The AKG K702 suggested above is an even better headphone but the total cost would be £230

Just bought the K702 with the soundcard you suggested.

rids57 · 19 Aug 2015 at 21:11

I use the K702 for all of my gaming and used the SB Z very happily until I went all in and got the Asus Xonar STX.

Did you get the K702 & Modmic bundle? Just checking because the K702 on it's own doesn't have a microphone.

FML1990 · 19 Aug 2015 at 21:17

rids57 said:
I use the K702 for all of my gaming and used the SB Z very happily until I went all in and got the Asus Xonar STX.

Did you get the K702 & Modmic bundle? Just checking because the K702 on it's own doesn't have a microphone.

Yes, I got the modmic as well.

What is the difference between the OEM soundcard and the standard one by the way?

rids57 · 19 Aug 2015 at 21:19

The standard one comes with a plastic shroud and a beam-forming mic.

The plastic shroud doesn't do a lot except make it look a bit prettier and you've bought a much better mic, so the beam-forming one is redundant.

FML1990 · 19 Aug 2015 at 22:04

rids57 said:
The standard one comes with a plastic shroud and a beam-forming mic.

The plastic shroud doesn't do a lot except make it look a bit prettier and you've bought a much better mic, so the beam-forming one is redundant.

beam forming mic?

rids57 · 19 Aug 2015 at 22:13

Its a kind of microphone that sits on top of your monitor

Psycho Sonny · 20 Aug 2015 at 08:17

K702 goes on sale @ 6.15pm today for prime members

FML1990 · 20 Aug 2015 at 15:13

Psycho Sonny said:
K702 goes on sale @ 6.15pm today for prime members

Can't seem to find that deal or what price it will be

Psycho Sonny · 20 Aug 2015 at 15:54

FML1990 said:
Can't seem to find that deal or what price it will be

daily deals page (under lightning deals)

and you won't know what price it will be until 6.15pm

Upcoming Deal
AKG K702 Open-Back Dynamic Reference Headphones
Starts for Prime members at 6:15 PM Prime Early Access Deal

if you don't have prime it will start at 6.45pm i believe by which time it may of sold out.

FML1990 · 24 Aug 2015 at 10:24

Think I'm going to buy a better soundcard. Or dac/amp

These seem to be abit on the quiet side.

PapaLazaru · 24 Aug 2015 at 12:04

FML1990 said:
Think I'm going to buy a better soundcard. Or dac/amp

These seem to be abit on the quiet side.

They do need a decent amp to power them fully.

rids57 · 24 Aug 2015 at 17:29

FML1990 said:
Think I'm going to buy a better soundcard. Or dac/amp

These seem to be abit on the quiet side.

In that case return the Sound Blaster Z and get an Asus Xonar Essence STX - it's a fair chunk more money but will drive the K702s to very high volume levels without breaking a sweat.

Reppyboyo · 24 Aug 2015 at 20:40

Got an STX on the way myself and I take it the K702's are definitely the way to go for gaming cans?

Any difference between the K701 & 702's?