Headphones or Headset? confuzzled!

Secret_Window

Secret_Window

Secret_Window

Soldato
Joined
10 Aug 2006
Posts
5,207
Hi guys,

I'm have a pair of Icemat Siberias at the moment (gaming Headset) which has done me proud for a long, long time in both games, music and movies. Recently, the right side speaker has stopped working so I'm in need of some new headphones/headset.

What I can't decide is whether to opt for some headphones this time or just go back to what I know, like going with a gaming headset for example - as some headphones work just as well for gaming also.

So the ones that have interested me are:

Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset
SteelSound 5H v2
Razer Piranha Gaming Headphones

Sennheiser HD555
Goldring DR150
Goldring DR50

The problem is, I tend to be more inclined to believe frequency response is the most important (for gaming) so I feel spending more on something with a better frequency = better. The Icemat Siberias for example have a 28000hz frequency response which has served me pretty well. But because this is just for the gaming side of things, I've become ignorant to overall sound quality for music and movies, which is where you guys fit in.

So I'm looking for the best all round headphones/headset. I don't really want to spend above £50 but I will consider it if going for something more expensive is justified well. The Goldring DR50's interest me but with being so cheap, how do they compare to other more expensive headphones/headsets?

Thanks
 
the DR150's are probably going to be pretty awesome all round, but they're quite expensive at the moment. The headsets aren't as good for quality as the headphones, you're better off with decent headphones and a mic. I think even the DR50's would give better sound than the Fatal1ty headset. Personally I have a fatal1ty for gaming and some Goldring NS1000s for music/movies/mp3 etc.

HD555 might be a good bet too, depending on how expensive they are now.
 
I just don't know if the price difference between the DR50's and DR150's is worth paying or not, since I have no idea what the sound quality is like. Again with the HD555's they seem to be priced higher than the DR150's and I have no clue how these compare.
 
I think the general consensus is the NS1000s are comparable to the 150s and sometimes better but a lot more fussy and fiddly to setup to get the best from them.
 
Also remember the NS1000 are closed, so if you are going to use them for gaming, keep in mind if you like to hear what you are saying, then they may not be a good choice. I don't like talking with closed phones on, it makes me want to talk louder to hear what I am saying, and at night loud is not good.
 
Rroff said:
I think the general consensus is the NS1000s are comparable to the 150s and sometimes better but a lot more fussy and fiddly to setup to get the best from them.
Click to expand...

How are they more fussy and fiddly to set up?

Marsman said:
Also remember the NS1000 are closed, so if you are going to use them for gaming, keep in mind if you like to hear what you are saying, then they may not be a good choice. I don't like talking with closed phones on, it makes me want to talk louder to hear what I am saying, and at night loud is not good.
Click to expand...

LOL! I can imagine that. I'm not too bothered, most people where I live are either out at night or in such a deep sleep they don't hear anything anyway.:p
 
The NS1000s can be more picky on the source with regards to needing to be amped to sound good, and with the added complication of noise cancelling, though it can be subjective, and not so close cut.

I got them because they were £50 which is amazing, and that I needed some decent closed ones so I don't disturb others.
 
Have a read of this thread.

It's said the NS1000s have a 'hiss' with noise cancelling on, and don't sound great with it off UNLESS you stick an amp in too. There is a suggestion for a small battery-powered amp that would do the trick though, and put the price about the same as the DR150s. If you're not using it with an mp3 player or when travelling or in a quiet environment, you might be better off with the DR150s.

I'm quite new to the world of hi-fi, but I think that's the consensus.
 
You could always pick up some DR50s now, which are great for such a cheap price, then if the DR150s ever come down a bit you can grab some then. No idea how the DR50s compare to your current headset though.
 
I think you're right. The DR50s will probably serve me well for the time being until the DR150's hopefully drop again in price. Plus anything will beat using a headset with only one speaker working. :p
 
Update:

Ok, that didn't go to plan (getting the DR50's) as I got distracted and started thinking a microphone for my gaming needs (Left4dead2) is a priority - simply because my team keep moaning at me to get one which I agree would be useful.

So now, I'm thinking a 'headset' is going to be more up my street. However the Goldring DR150's are such an absolute bargain that I'm still undecided about whether to go with them or a headset.

My budget is now around £50-70 so I'm far more spoilt for choice (hence the inability to make a decision :p).

The headsets/headphones I'm now interested are:

Sennheiser PC161 Headset
Goldring DR150 Headphones

The reason for the interest in the PC161's is not the just the fact it has a microphone, it's because the headset has been considered by many gamers a very reliable and pleasurable piece of kit. However I have concerns with how well they perform at playing music and movies so that makes things more difficult as I keep reading mixed reviews. I already know the Goldring DR150's will probably be fine in this area but again like the PC161's I don't know how they perform in other applications like gaming - which is probably where the PC161's might have the edge.

It's all rather confusing really. :o
 
Simples, get DR150, get desk microphone. Everyone is happy. :D You can talk to friends, plus you get great phones, good for gaming, good for music. :D
 
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