Best PC Headpones - For Gaming and Music

Happy · 8 Jul 2008 at 18:39

Ideally with a mic, I have been looking at the Sennheiser PC 350 gaming headset.

Are there any others that are very good for music and gaming.

Also I have gathered that the 5.1 headsets are a gimmick, and that a proper pair of stero headphones are better?

Please can you advise.

Hxc · 8 Jul 2008 at 18:41

I'd reccomend a pair of stereo phones with a standalone mic for sound quality.

Audio Technica Ax00, Senheiser HD5x5, Beyer Dynamics DT990, etc would all do a fantastic job as gaming/music phones, depending on your prefered sound tastes and budget

p4radox · 8 Jul 2008 at 18:41

What's your budget?

Happy · 8 Jul 2008 at 18:47

Well I was prepared to spend the £120 odd for the Sennheisers, so I guess £120 lol, although I may stretch if they're amazing

.

It's just that a certain forum page put me off them .... I'll see if I can find it.

http://www.forumopolis.com/showthread.php?p=2238030

@ Hxc - I would prefer to get a headset with a mic, if I am going to get a mic at all. Off to have a look at what you suggested

**Also I won't be using a Headphone amp**

bailey12856 · 8 Jul 2008 at 21:00

Beyer DT770 + Logitech Desk Mic

Mansize_tissue · 8 Jul 2008 at 23:08

bailey12856 said:
Beyer DT770 + Logitech Desk Mic

That's the setup I use; I cannot fault it.

A2Z · 9 Jul 2008 at 04:06

bailey12856 said:
Beyer DT770 + Logitech Desk Mic

Same as me basically, cant get better then that

Happy · 9 Jul 2008 at 13:23

At the above, do you use them for gaming, just if I'm going to spend a lot - I want to make sure they are worth it.

Mansize_tissue · 9 Jul 2008 at 14:56

Happy said:
At the above, do you use them for gaming, just if I'm goint o spend a lot - I want to make sure they are worth it.

I use my Beyers equally for music as I do for gaming. When I got them I only expected to use them for gaming, as I didn't really listen to music much. However, after using them, I realised that it made my music library sound fantastic (so much better than what I'd been using to listen to music hitherto) so I began using them more for that purpose.

Bear in mind, though, some people complain that the bass on these 'phones is a little overpowering. I find them fine, however; in fact given the genre of music I listen to and the types of games I play the bass impact these 'phones deliver is definitely welcomed!

For reference, I also own the Logitech Z-5500s and the Beyers blow them away for gaming. The lack of midrange the Z-5500s are capable of delivering is pitiful; there's so much you miss in games and music with them I can't stand even using mine anymore.

Margaret · 9 Jul 2008 at 15:15

Google "Elara clip-on microphone" for a cheap, compact and good quality microphone.

I use Senn HD595's and the Elara mic, can't fault it either.

Mansize_tissue said:
For reference, I also own the Logitech Z-5500s and the Beyers blow them away for gaming. The lack of midrange the Z-5500s are capable of delivering is pitiful; there's so much you miss in games and music with them I can't stand even using mine anymore.

I myself, didn't notice a difference switching from 5500's to my headphones.

Happy · 9 Jul 2008 at 15:32

Cheers for the all the replies, and @ Mansize_tissue I also own the Z5500

, and they are ok for gaming.

Will see if anyone else posts their preferences, before I decide.

Fubsy · 9 Jul 2008 at 15:47

All down to personal preferences I suppose.

I use Grado SR60's for music and AKG 240s for games/movies.

I've had some Beyers before and they were ok but I prefered the others.

bailey12856 · 9 Jul 2008 at 19:43

Happy said:
At the above, do you use them for gaming, just if I'm going to spend a lot - I want to make sure they are worth it.

yep I use mine for gaming, did have some HD595s however I due to these being "open" headphones it allows sound in and out, meaning it could be disturbing at home and also when at LAN you can hear everyone around. The DT770's are much better due to being "closed" headphones

Dingleberry88 · 9 Jul 2008 at 20:21

I got some AKG 240s quite a while ago and love them.

I use them mainly for films, but also listen to a lot of music and play CS:S fairly regularly.

They great thing about them (apart from the sound) is they have a detachable cord. This means if/when the cord starts to come apart, you can just switch it for a new one.

They come in way under your budget at around £70-£80 too.

Happy · 9 Jul 2008 at 21:24

Keep suggesting guys!, will be deciding this weekend, I'm leaning towards the HD595s, as if they aren't right; I'll be able to fob then off to my dad

.

Hxc · 9 Jul 2008 at 21:28

HD595s are VERY good headphones, my friend has them and we swapped for a week (A900s here), but I've got to say I honestly prefered, for games at least, the closed sound. Music did sound a bit nicer on the HD595s, however as they were open.

C64 · 10 Jul 2008 at 05:33

Goldring dr150 gets my vote at £60 delivered and according to most audiophiles about 90% as good as the sennheiser hd650 for a fraction of the cost.
They take a while to burn in but once there great little cans.

Sean_UK · 10 Jul 2008 at 13:32

Happy said:
Ideally with a mic, I have been looking at the Sennheiser PC 350 gaming headset.

Please can you advise.

Avoid, purchased a set and soon sent them back, sound positioning for gaming sounded slightly off. Imitation leather ear padding is very uncomfortable during prolonged use, on a positive the note the build quality + mic standard is very decent imo.

For what they cost you can do a lot better, such as the 595's which i now own, find them much better for gaming, very good for music and movies.

Still required a mic set though, so decided to purchase 161's aswell.

-Ad- · 10 Jul 2008 at 14:10

C64 said:
Goldring dr150 gets my vote at £60 delivered and according to most audiophiles about 90% as good as the sennheiser hd650 for a fraction of the cost.
They take a while to burn in but once there great little cans.

Really really need to hear a pair of them.

otherwise go the senns or beyers that your budget can afford, and won't be disappointed with either.

Happy · 10 Jul 2008 at 16:43

Sean_UK said:
Avoid, purchased a set and soon sent them back, sound positioning for gaming sounded slightly off. Imitation leather ear padding is very uncomfortable during prolonged use, on a positive the note the build quality + mic standard is very decent imo.

For what they cost you can do a lot better, such as the 595's which i now own, find them much better for gaming, very good for music and movies. Still required a mic set though, so decided to purchase 161's aswell.

These are currently my favourites

Thanks for all the help so far