Headphones recommendations for a newbie

Voy06

Voy06

Voy06

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26 Dec 2005
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Location
Liverpool
Hi guys, I'm looking for a pair of headphones for gaming (PS3, XBOX 360 and PC) and other general PC usage for example listening to music.

I have never owned a pair of headphones before for the reasons stated, hence why I need a few recommendations, pointers.

My set-up is as follows:

Creative Gigaworks S750 7.1 speaker system.
Creative Labs Creative DDTS-100 Decoder
PS3
XBOX 360
Soundblaster X-Fi PC soundcard

(Please note as you probably already have realised the above equipment is all connected to the decoder)

Now I need headphones that will presumably just connect to the decoder or to the speaker system Audio Control Pod.

I trhink I would prefer a wired solution as opposed to wireless but will consider wireless. If wired the length of cable will have to be 4-5 metres maybe less at a guess definatley no more.

I have a budget of about £70.

Thanks for your help.
 
£70 budget there's probably only two choices really, the goldring dr150 or sennheiser hd555.
 
Voy06 said:
Thanks for your quick reply. Only two choices? Are headphones really that expensive?
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No, just that with that budget those are the only two most people would consider although there is also the Alessandro MS1 (modified Grado SR-60s, supposed to be better though).

There's also the Audio Technica ATH-A500 if you want closed headphones, personally I went for Sennheiser HD555.
 
Raikiri said:
No, just that with that budget those are the only two most people would consider although there is also the Alessandro MS1 (modified Grado SR-60s, supposed to be better though).

There's also the Audio Technica ATH-A500 if you want closed headphones, personally I went for Sennheiser HD555.
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Thanks so far guys. I noticed open and closed headphones, what is the difference?
 
Wouldn't recommend the grado / allesandro for anything but music listening really they aren't too comfortable but do sound great.
But they are for music only really as they don't really have a soundstage, I'd stick with the sennheiser hd555 or goldring dr150.
You wont be disappointed with either and they are both the best you'll get for your money.
 
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Voy06 said:
Thanks for your quick reply. Only two choices? Are headphones really that expensive?
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Headphones can be ultra cheap or ULTRA expensive. My Grado RS-1 have an rrp of £750 in UK and my Denon AH-D5000 retail at £500 in the UK. I didn't pay nearly that much though for either as I didn't buy from England. More like £400 and £300 respectively. The Denon D5000 is easily the better of the two.

However this is still not the extreme of headphone expense. Certain sets cost into the thousands... Sony MDR-10, Sennheiser HE-90, then certain headphone amps can cost many more thousands like the Luxman.

The sweet spot where you get best bang for the buck is probably around the £150-£200 mark. Grado SR-225 is highly regarded midrange phone. Beyerdyamic have some really good choices around this price point as do AKG, Denon and Audio Technica.

Regard your purchase as an investment and go for one at that price point.

You won't ever need to exceed this price point unless you have a real appreciation for the natural/authentic reproduction of instruments and their perceived imaging within a soundstage etc. Just stuff for either music lovers or idiots who get caught up in the hobby and lose sight of the initial goal.
 
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Buying Grados in the UK is a bit silly as they have a massive price premium, where Grado turn the $ into a £. MY Sr60s cost me £90 over here, and although they can be picked up for £70+ now, they still cost much less in the USA, and the allessandro MS-1 are better and cost $99 delivered anywhere in the world. Either buy them second hand from the american users on Head-fi forums, or buy the modifed/tweaked varieties from allessando which are better.

ALessandro MS-1 > sr60/80 and about the same as the 125, all for $99 :eek::D

But I would not recommend Grados for gaming. I use my HF-1, but with quite an expensive DIY amp, plus a modified emu 0404 soundcard, and my koss ksc-75 clip ons (£14 RRP) sound better for gaming. This is because the Grado sound is very 'In your head' so are not that great for giving the feeling of space and a soundstage. Not a bad trait, but just different, and my amp and soundcard make them jsut about ok for Css, Tf2 etc. But still i use my cheap clip ons with my amp because of their better positioning of sounds.

Definately stick for open headphones unless you need isolation, for example, PC in the living room so might disturb other people in there.

Check out the likes of sennheiser (especially the HD-600 if you can get the 2nd hand, or the 595, or the 55 if your budget is limited). Then also try out the Goldrings.
 
I would go for the DR150s or HD 555

I just got a pair of HD 580s that sound absolutely stunning..but they are discontinued so finding them is not easy. They are more or less equivalent to HD 600s but the price tag on those is quite hefty, even used.
 
Right guys I'll be going for the sennheiser hd555 as they can be had on the bay for around £60. Just a couple of more questions if you don't mind.

1) I presume they are a good all round headphone for gaming and music?
2) I presume I just plug the audio cable into the headphone socket of the speaker system or Decoder?
3) If cable doesn't turn out to be long enough I presume you can buy longer cable online. If thats the case whats the cable called.

Thanks again.
 
why risk the bay for the sake of £2 with free delivery they are £62 here delivered
 
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make sure you link your forum account to your buying account to get the free delivery
still think you should get the goldring dr150 though, couple of people have owned both and said they like the goldrings better.
 
C64 said:
make sure you link your forum account to your buying account to get the free delivery
still think you should get the goldring dr150 though, couple of people have owned both and said they like the goldrings better.
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Yep all done. As the headphones are mainly gunna be used for gaming will there be much difference in sound quality between Sennheiser HD555 and Goldring DR150?
 
I see Audio Technica prices being slashed everywhere and rumours that they will out with a new product line soon. If you have the possibility of buying from the US, the A700 line is now around $100 for the open and $120 for the closed version. Amazon US had a great dead on AD900's but seem to have sold all their stock.
 
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