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

DTUOHY96 · 18 Oct 2020 at 22:03

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!

DTUOHY96 · 19 Oct 2020 at 16:16

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.

I realised that about open back after posting, would the DT990 be a better option in that case?

DTUOHY96 · 19 Oct 2020 at 16:39

southernorth said:
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.

both paired with the soundblaster g6?

DTUOHY96 · 19 Oct 2020 at 16:51

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).

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 · 19 Oct 2020 at 16:57

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.

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 · 25 Oct 2020 at 11:49

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.

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