Headset for gaming laptop

[michty_me]

Morning all,

I'm currently looking at buying a new headset for use in gaming and listening to music. A mic would be beneficial too but not a must and I assume for a decent headset/headphones, I would require a DAC?

On my Desktop at home I have a Roccat Kave 5.1 set which are ok but they are old and could probably be doing with something better.

As for requirements, The following would be nice:

- Fairly portable but sturdy for baggage weight.
- They will be used for gaming when off shift at work on a laptop and to use when I am on my desktop at home also.
- I think a budget for a headset and DAC I would consider around the £150-£200 but unsure if it would be more of a low end unit for that amount. I may consider upping it.
- If it matters, I would mainly be playing FPS games, Music wise, A wide variety really.

 

[michty_me]

I went from a Kave 5.1 to a Fiio E10K and pair of CALs (Creative Aurvana Live). Was honestly the best thing I've ever done!
Initially went with a really cheap clip on mic but you have multiple options for microphones, antilion modmic as an example.

Excellent, At least you'll know what the Kave is like. I'll have to look at reviews of the items you've mentioned but the first one I read for the CAL's does look good.

 

[michty_me]

I've been trying to read @EsaT posts as he seems to have good information on this subject too.

 

[michty_me]

The key thing here is portability. You need to transport everything, use them at work and home, and also want decent audio for gaming and music.

Either get some easy to drive headphones with a detachable mic and just plug them straight into your PC's, or get an all in one solution that will be better for gaming, but a little less good for music, like the Sennheiser GSP 550.

You get get little gaming DAC's like the Cyrus gaming soundkey, but it cuts so far I to your budget, you will be better off getting better headphones or headset.

Hi Papalazaru. Thanks for your input. And well noted!!
I don't mind spending a little more plus I don't have to stick to really small headphones as I do take two bags away with me.
I'll have a look into the Sennheiser GSP550 as suggested. Have you used the yourself?

High praise, thanks. Things have moved on a a lot since, and whilst they are still a very strong combo (I still use two E10Ks actually!), there are other options for £150-200. I'm a bit swamped at the minute but I will revisit this thread soon and give a more useful reply. In the interim I'm sure others will chime in with excellent info - like PapaLazaru for example who is incredibly knowledgeable.

Not a problem Cookeh, I'm not in a major rush to buy so I'll await your input also. Thanks.

 

[michty_me]

I have a few different setups. High end dac and headphones for music at home, some AKG bluetooth headphones for out and about and the older version of the GSP 550's for gaming, the PC373D's.

That's good to hear then!!
I'll certainly look into them as I would say they will be used maybe 70-80% for gaming when I'm away. When I'm home that may be a different story though and possible more music. I'll need to see what I mostly do when I'm home.

 

[michty_me]

I've noticed the GSP500 is on sale direct from Sennheiser for £135 delivered.

 

[michty_me]

Such non-detachable mic is just risk when headphones are carried constantly.
Some retractable or separate mic would be safer for avoiding risk of mic snagging into something when putting them into/taking out from bag.

That is a good point! Maybe headphones and separate mic would be a better idea.

 

[michty_me]

Feeling flush today so I'm gonna go with £150-£200 for headphones/headset then whatever on top for a DAC if needed.

 

[michty_me]

Any further recommendations for headphones in the £200 range? I'm hoping to pick up a black friday deal.

 

[michty_me]

Any thoughts on AKG702 or Philips Fidelio X2?

 

[michty_me]

X2's are less fussy and a better all rounder in my opinion.

Thanks, I'll see if I can find a shop that may sell these models and give them a test.

 

[michty_me]

Thanks for some explanations on this.
I have been getting rather confused with terms used such as a fun sound or bright/dark etc. I'm not really sure what a lot of the words are in reference.

But as with all things audio/visual, it does definitely come down to personal preference.
I have found a small AV shop about 10 miles from my house. They seem to stock a lot of names that you wouldn't find in John Lewis. I am tempted to go try the AD700X and AD900X there as they have been recommended a couple of times to me.

What's your thoughts on Sennheiser HD598SR? I can get them for approx £100.

Edit: I see quite a lot of recommendations for the Beyerdynamic 770/880/990 also.

 

[michty_me]

Yeah, these terms used in audio can get confusing. I understand some, but there some I don't.

My understand is:-

Fun usually means a headphone with a V shape sound signature. Basically elevated treble and bass. It varies depending on the headphone, but 'fun' to me suggests the sound signature leans more toward elevated bass, than treble. Fidelio X1 and X2 fit into that category, I would say.

Bright is referring elevated treble. Elevated treble gives more detail, but too much treble can be overbearing for some people and painful to listen to for extended periods, while others like that kind of sound. Beyerdynamic 770/990 you mention, could be described as 'bright'. They do have a V shaped signature, but lean toward more treble than the Fidelio's do for example, so I think they'd be described 'bright'. Probably 'fun' as well, if you like that kind of treble.

Dark means the treble is not pronounced, maybe even recessed, with more emphasis placed on lower frequencies; at least that's how I understand it.

Neutral is pretty balanced across the frequency spectrum, but for some people, that can be pretty boring. Personally, I like neutral sound signature. I've got some Sennheiser HD600's, which are great for that.

Looking at the HD598SR; looks like they are HD598 with a smart remote. There was a closed back version of the HD598, which from what I've seen, wasn't as good as the standard open back HD598. The normal open back HD598, which the SR seem to be based on, are good headphones. Easy to drive, good for gaming and have a sound which has been described at 'laid back'. To me that suggests a slightly more elevated than neutral signature, but not so much as they'd fit into any other category. If £100 is a new price or very good condition used, then that's a good price. New they are £200 on the jungle site, which is too much. It's Sennheiser though; they like to over charge for some of their headphones.

Beyerdynamic DT880 are semi open back headphones and are more neutral than the 770 and 990.

As for the Audio Technica's; AD700 was, and probably still is, one of the go to headphones for competitive LAN gaming. Great detail, but not a good choice if you like bass. AD700X is the open back variant; not sure how the AD900X compares.

Certainly worth trying all the headphones that you can. Only then will you get a better idea of what type of sound you prefer. All these audio terms don't really mean a great deal if you don't have a point of reference.

Wow!! Thanks for the detailed explanation of everything. Thats helped me understand a great deal of the descriptions and at least gives me half an idea of what people are talking about.

The AD900X are essentially the AD700X with a bit more bass. The only thing that puts me off is the fixed cable which would mean a different solution if I were to add a mic.

The DT880's are on a short list for me but I don't think I would be able to find any locally to test really.

As for the HD589SR, They are from the Manufacturer for that price albeit a manufacturer refurb with 2 year warranty. I'm tempted to get them just for having a cheaper pair to transport about.

I think I will hold off until I can try some in person. No point in potentially spending hundreds on a blind purchase.

I guess all the headphones an be adjusted a little using EQ to a certain extent?

 

[michty_me]

Quick one, Would you spend an extra £40 on the Sennheiser HD58X compared to the HD598?

 

[michty_me]

Well I ended up buying a SoundblasterX G6 and Sennheiser HD58X, then today also bought a pair of Fidelio X2HR as they were going for £105.
Be as well just start a collection now

 

[michty_me]

I've had a chance to sit down and play a few hours of the new modern warfare using both sets connected to the G6.
Overall, Not very impressed to be honest
With the Sennheiser 58X, I couldn't hear any footsteps, A player was following me through part of the map (running) then shot directly behind me, Missed then followed me again and killed me, I was oblivious.
I switched to the X2's and it was much better, I could hear footsteps easier and a better direction.
Both I find really quite bass heavy.
I must admit, This is the only game I've tested them in so is most probably garbage sound created from it.

 

[michty_me]

Personally, from my experience, if its footsteps etc that are crucial for you in game sound, then neither of those headphones are ideal. Fidelio have too much bass imho for taking FPS games seriously and the 58x also aren't ideal. I sold both sets on.

I'd suggest something along the lines of the AKG K702 or Audio Technica AD700x would fit the bill better as they have a sound signature more suited to hearing these effects. Be warned though, you may find they sound a little cold or bass light after the 2 you have tried.

Also worth checking what settings you have on your G6 - maybe try resetting all settings and checking there are no EQ tweaks that have been setup. Perhaps trying the sound in direct mode may help before deciding on sending the headphones back also.

I was originally coming from Roccat Kave rubbish which were really quite base heavy so I expected to be a bit of a drop in the bass.
I've just been googling the K702 and K712 as I'm sure I read previously that they were best. However, I decided against them as many reviews said they had no base at all which concerned me and why I opted for the Sennheisers to start with as they were pipped as naturally well balanced with a little base but I'm finding them a bit bass heavy. The bass actually sounds the same on the X2HR's.

I was under the impression the SBG6 didn't store settings and was controlled through software so I presumed plugging them into a PS4 would 'default' as it were. I should get it hooked up to my PC before making any decisions then.

 

[michty_me]

Yea the G6 with the PS4 will use the last stored settings. I'd double check what settings those are though on PC as there may be something not ideal there.

Could try the Audio Technica ADG1x (on sale if you search). Close to the AD700x but I found them to have a bit more base than the K702 but still great for directional awareness.

Also, Sennheiser Game One or Beyerdynamic Tygr 300 (direct from Beyer) - Sennheisers have built in mic that you may not want but great for situational sounds but again with more bottom end that the K702 etc without edging towards the more 'bloated' X2s. The AKGs do really need an amp to give their best imho anyway and might sound a bit 'thin' else?

So I have gone and ensured I'm on the latest firmware, Done a factory reset and gone through different profiles to which all were rubbish in Modern Warfare. However, I had one game of Battlefield 1 and the difference was insane. I could hear people coming a mile off, Knew where they were by the sound of grass being run through etc. The Sennheisers were defintely better I think and much more comfier to wear.
I may return the X2HR at this rate and also buy one of the others you mentioned.
It has me wondering if any headphones would be able to distinguish the different cluster of noises in Modern warfare.

 

[michty_me]

Well after a few beers, I found a set of AKG702 which are manufacturer refurbs with warranty for £69. Be as well eh!!
I queried the sound issues on reddit and the suggestions were just to buy a turtle beach headset as they work better

 

[michty_me]

While you can use the V-Moda with the K702, you'd need an adaptor, as AKG uses a mini XLR connection. A mini XLR to 3.5mm adaptor adds bulk and does add distance between headphone and microphone. Not the neatest solution.

I don't suppose anyone knows of a good adapter for a Boompro mic? Is the adapter required a female end (The pins are in the headset itself?)