Best audio set up for around £3-400 (gaming and music)

DTUOHY96

DTUOHY96

DTUOHY96

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Ireland
Hi,

I currently use the hyperx cloud 2's and while they're decent I want to upgrade it as much as my budget allows.

My only real requirements are closed back headphones (open back isnt really an option when people are sleeping) and a mic for discord.

I mainly listen to a lot of heavier music (rock, metal, punk, rap etc) and I mainly play open world single player games (Assassins creed, ghost recon, cyberpunk when it releases etc)

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, thank you!
 
Beyerdynamic DT770 would be good closed headphone for gaming.
Though unless other people are in same room, sound leakage of open headphones isn't problem...
Or you're listening at seriously hearing dangerous volume for any longer term use.

ModMic gives easy mic modding for any headphone.
Alternatively if mic doesn't need to be detachable, MMX 300 is version of DT770 with factory built in mic.


Then for good immersion you'll need binaural sound simulation like from sound card.
Creative is selling B-stock Sound BlasterX G6 for £70.
 
EsaT said:
Beyerdynamic DT770 would be good closed headphone for gaming.
Though unless other people are in same room, sound leakage of open headphones isn't problem...
Or you're listening at seriously hearing dangerous volume for any longer term use.

ModMic gives easy mic modding for any headphone.
Alternatively if mic doesn't need to be detachable, MMX 300 is version of DT770 with factory built in mic.


Then for good immersion you'll need binaural sound simulation like from sound card.
Creative is selling B-stock Sound BlasterX G6 for £70.
Click to expand...
I realised that about open back after posting, would the DT990 be a better option in that case?
 
DTUOHY96 said:
I realised that about open back after posting, would the DT990 be a better option in that case?
Click to expand...
If you're now open to open-backed headphones, I would recommend something like Hifiman Sundara + modmic USB (£374) or Sennheiser HD560s + modmic USB (£244). All this assuming you already have a decent AMP/DAC.
 
southernorth said:
If needing the DAC/AMP also, would have to skip the Sundara option to stay within budget. And yes, it's a good unit to pair with - can drive either headphone easily. If you wanted to save £20, you get a Modmic Uni instead of USB (as the G6 has a mic input).
Click to expand...
Honestly if it’s worth it I can go a bit over budget, I’ve looked at that many options it’s starting to make my brain melt a little
 
DTUOHY96 said:
Honestly if it’s worth it I can go a bit over budget, I’ve looked at that many options it’s starting to make my brain melt a little
Click to expand...
Headphones are quite subjective unfortunately, so recommendations can be a bit hit and miss. The Beyerdynamic headphones linked above are seen by some as 'sharp' (pronounced treble) and Sennheiser's are 'boring' (due to a flatter frequency response). The Sundara's sound amazing by most accounts, but are let down by Hifiman having mixed build quality. Just buy from somewhere with a decent returns policy and see what works for you.

All should be a step up in clarity, with the Sundara likely the most due to planar magnetic driver used - like the ones' used in Audeze Mobious and HyperX Cloud Orbit (both headphones with mic built in).
 
HyperX cloud Orbit get great reviews bettering a lot of mainstream audio headphones. I recently got some Orbit S and thdy're great.
 
southernorth said:
Headphones are quite subjective unfortunately, so recommendations can be a bit hit and miss. The Beyerdynamic headphones linked above are seen by some as 'sharp' (pronounced treble) and Sennheiser's are 'boring' (due to a flatter frequency response). The Sundara's sound amazing by most accounts, but are let down by Hifiman having mixed build quality.
Click to expand...
My initial instinct was beyerdynamic since they seem the most popular in the gaming space, I think I might need to utilise mr Bezos’ refund policy until I find the suitable pair
 
DTUOHY96 said:
My initial instinct was beyerdynamic since they seem the most popular in the gaming space, I think I might need to utilise mr Bezos’ refund policy until I find the suitable pair
Click to expand...

it’s what I did to get a setup I was happy with.

I tried Beyer DT990 pro (bit sharp and cooked my ears).

Fidelio X2HR (to heavy for long gaming sessions. Wish I would have keep them at the £109 I paid, would have been a great 2nd pair).

PC37X, as gaming headphones these were amazing. Very good at music too. Just not great.

I settled on a pair of HD600s. Lovely sounding set of cans.


Amp wise. I tried the K5 Pro, K3, Zen, DX3 Pro. I’ve settled on the E30/L30 stack.
 
Don't forget the AKG k702s. Bit more rounded and even sound vs the beyers mentioned. Comfort is preference again, they're big! But probably the biggest soundstage available at a reasonable price. Not even sure the £1k headphones can best them there, but been a long time since i listened to such things.
 
kidloco said:
it’s what I did to get a setup I was happy with.

I tried Beyer DT990 pro (bit sharp and cooked my ears).

Fidelio X2HR (to heavy for long gaming sessions. Wish I would have keep them at the £109 I paid, would have been a great 2nd pair).

PC37X, as gaming headphones these were amazing. Very good at music too. Just not great.

I settled on a pair of HD600s. Lovely sounding set of cans.


Amp wise. I tried the K5 Pro, K3, Zen, DX3 Pro. I’ve settled on the E30/L30 stack.
Click to expand...
I went with the DT770 and K5 pro. Will see how I fare with those and go from there. I think I’ll still try find a good pair of open backs but for night time closed back made more sense.

maybe DT1990’s or sundaras? I’m not sure yet though
 
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