Gaming speakers/ headphones

gash2024 · 27 Mar 2008 at 01:20

Whats best a decent set of speakers or headphones for gaming? ive got a XF-i extreme music card and play games mostly and a little music but the gaming side of things is more important so if anyone could sugguest anything i would be gratefull.
thx in advance

ryder · 27 Mar 2008 at 01:35

It all depends on your personal preference.
If you are using speakers, then voice communication in-game will probably be an issue because the sound from the speakers will cause horrible feedback through the microphone.
I have a Platronics headset with mic, and its good for gaming with mates and chatting whilst doing so, but it does get uncomfortable and my ears get hot. lol.

For a win/win situation, get a nice set of speakers, and get a headset to use when you need it.

morkfromork · 27 Mar 2008 at 17:49

As ryder says depends on what your pesonal preference is. I use a set of medusa 5.1 surround sound and they are fantastic for gaming and watching movies. That said they cost me over £50 so they need to be good.

badbob · 27 Mar 2008 at 17:54

There is no such thing as "gaming" speakers or headphones. If it sounds good in music, it'll sound good for gaming. I'm using av/Hi-Fi seperates for the gaming rig, sound fantastic and 100x better than the Creative FPS speakers I had.

Fubsy · 27 Mar 2008 at 18:16

There is such thing as "gaming" headphones, that's the name for overpriced, shoddily built, crap sound peices of crap.

I'll never look back since going the hi-fi route of amp/headphones/stereo speakers.

It's not top notch stuff but so much better than the "gaming" stuff I had before, including at the time what I thought were pretty good Medusa's (which I now think are utterly atrocious)

To start off go for something like a desktop microphone, or a clip on one.
Then grab yourself some good quality headphones, but it's a matter of personal preference this. I use some AKG 240s Studios for most of my PC use, but also have some Beyeydynamic DTX900's and some Grado SR80 and 60's which are more usually used with music.
Then later on look at a stereo amp and some speakers if you don't want to use headphones.

(and yes I now that Grado's fall to bits before anyone says it

)

badbob · 27 Mar 2008 at 18:43

and yes I now that Grado's fall to bits before anyone says it )

Mine don't.

Devil_Spawn · 27 Mar 2008 at 18:47

5.1 headphones are lame. ive had one and tried another, mine was super cheap, the other was a medusa, and the quality on both was great, but there just isnt enough difference to really distinguish surround sound from them.

Fubsy · 27 Mar 2008 at 19:07

badbob said:
Mine don't.

Well my right ear muff falls off sometimes, I just have to push it back on and it's fine, but it's annoying.

McMav · 28 Mar 2008 at 08:26

I got the creative fatal1ty headset to go with my xtreme music and I've been well impressed with them.

edgedemon · 28 Mar 2008 at 08:40

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-030-SN

These were recommended on this forum a while back, I bought a pair and haven't looked back since, comfortable and the mic works well, at least in TF2..

-Ad- · 28 Mar 2008 at 10:25

Fubsy said:
There is such thing as "gaming" headphones, that's the name for overpriced, shoddily built, crap sound peices of crap.

I'll never look back since going the hi-fi route of amp/headphones/stereo speakers.

It's not top notch stuff but so much better than the "gaming" stuff I had before, including at the time what I thought were pretty good Medusa's (which I now think are utterly atrocious)

To start off go for something like a desktop microphone, or a clip on one.
Then grab yourself some good quality headphones, but it's a matter of personal preference this. I use some AKG 240s Studios for most of my PC use, but also have some Beyeydynamic DTX900's and some Grado SR80 and 60's which are more usually used with music.
Then later on look at a stereo amp and some speakers if you don't want to use headphones.

(and yes I now that Grado's fall to bits before anyone says it )

This man speaketh the truth. Sorry to be harsh, but please ignore anyone advising you to get headsets that are good for gaming, msic, etc. All they do is produce sound, not even good sound for gaming. They are overpriced crap !!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Don't even get me started on 5.1 headsets, just stick to stereo headphones. People recommending these 'gaming headsets' will most likely have bought them because a gaming review site has said they are amazing, and will have never heard a respectable set of headphone sin their life.

Sennheisers headphones are good for gaming as they have a wide sounstage, so are excellent for hearing which way your enemies are coming, pretty much giving you an 'aural wallhack'

Some AKGs and audio technicas are also good for gaming, but Grados are crap for gaming becase they have a very different sonic signature with no real soundstage (called headstage). But I have some gorgeous HF-1s with a hybrid amp, and although they sound OK for gaming, I use them for music and tv.

For a mic, get a cheapy desktop mic or a clip on mic to gaffer tape onto your headphones if really needed. A good pair of headphones will also make you realise how great music can sound.