Lightweight open back headphones for gaming

Proc

Proc

Proc

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Currently using Steelseries Arctis 7P that I originally bought when the PS5 was released. While they are decent headphones and no real issues with the sound quality, I do find them a bit on the heavy side after a few hours gaming. Also having recently moved my setup to a different room I am thinking about going open back.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced say under £150, lightweight (<325g), open back headset for gaming, mainly single player stuff with the odd mp and the occasional tv, movie?
 
I’d normally recommend the sennheiser hd599 but quality has really gone down imo since the buyout, but they are light and comfortable.
 
They don't have a microphone, you can add a antlion, but I really like my AKGK702, very light, amazing neutral sound plus with a mini xlr adapter easy to get different length cables, I have the standard and bought a shorter one for when I plug into my xbox controller
 
Proc said:
Cheers for the suggestions, managed to grab a pair of the Tygr 300R for £65 so super happy with them so far, just deciding whether to get a dac now.
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Nice pick-up! They are one of my favourites for gaming, but one of the reasons I didn't respond was because some of the suggestion were so on point; HD 560S, TYGR, PC38X etc.

Apologies as you may already know this, but it is fairly easy to get new parts (polar.uk.com is the official distributor, but there will be others) including the TYGR EDT earpad bundle that includes the earpads and new inner foam disc that the TYGR uses. Depending on stock levels you can also get the foam headband too. So all very serviceable.
 
Timber said:
Nice pick-up! They are one of my favourites for gaming, but one of the reasons I didn't respond was because some of the suggestion were so on point; HD 560S, TYGR, PC38X etc.

Apologies as you may already know this, but it is fairly easy to get new parts (polar.uk.com is the official distributor, but there will be others) including the TYGR EDT earpad bundle that includes the earpads and new inner foam disc that the TYGR uses. Depending on stock levels you can also get the foam headband too. So all very serviceable.
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Cheers that great to know, been interested if any other earpads make any differences to the sound, but have to say they’re amazing so far.
 
Proc said:
Cheers that great to know, been interested if any other earpads make any differences to the sound, but have to say they’re amazing so far.
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Np.

The stock Beyerdynamic ear pads; EDT 990 VB & the foam disc from the Omiron/TYGR/'some' Pro X line, will not alter the sound. I suspect that any third-party ones that use a similar foam material will also not alter the sound.

However the likes of the Wicked Cushions and Dekoni; heavier density pads will change the profile of the sound. Inducing more bass and potentially ruin that balance they have. That said I'm sure there will be reviews and videos on the better alternative pads out there. Although I do think Beyer's and bit like Sennheisers the stock pads are very good to begin with.
 
faheemrazzaq said:
Sounds like a steal. How is the noise isolaation?
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I know you've asked @Proc but I have mine sat next to me and would say pretty close to zero isolation. But they are an open-back so they do let air in and out to get that sound which is their strength. Just wearing them on the PC typing this post there is near-zero difference in background sounds (usual household noise, or this quite loud mechanical keyboard) coming through.
 
Yeah the noise isolation isn’t bad, don’t get me wrong you can hear some slight sound coming from them when in front of me or next to me on the desk, but it’s not loud by any means. Actually very similar to the Steelseries I had which were closed back, I will say I had to have the volume cranked on my old ones to get decent sound out of them, but the Tygr I’ve got on about 30 as I think they are much louder.
 
siumatfung said:
Yes dac will go nicely with them and lots of budget options out there
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Not sure what to go for as like you say there’s a lot to choose from, maybe save that for another thread, but currently looking at a Creative Sound BlasterX G6 I’ve seen going cheap. Last time I had something by Creative was a Sound Blaster card back in early 2000’s :p
 
Proc said:
Not sure what to go for as like you say there’s a lot to choose from, maybe save that for another thread, but currently looking at a Creative Sound BlasterX G6 I’ve seen going cheap. Last time I had something by Creative was a Sound Blaster card back in early 2000’s :p
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The games moved on a lot it's all. About the usb external dacs now

Fiio ek10k small but packs more than enough of a punch
 
I know this is potentially another thread, but looking around a dac’s I’ve seen the Creative Soundblaster X G6 and the Ifi Zen Air for about the same price, what would people go for.

It would be primarily for gaming and I know Creative stuff comes with all the software shenanigans etc but would the Zen produce a better sound?
 
Proc said:
I know this is potentially another thread, but looking around a dac’s I’ve seen the Creative Soundblaster X G6 and the Ifi Zen Air for about the same price, what would people go for.

It would be primarily for gaming and I know Creative stuff comes with all the software shenanigans etc but would the Zen produce a better sound?
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In short, yes in theory.

Of course it's difficult to answer without knowing price and condition etc. Both will be close particularly with the TYGRs. The iFi will be a slighty warmer sound that you may find more pleasant with music. The G6 is going to be more neutral. The iFi is going to be basic stereo with no extra's where as the the G6 will have mic input and software features for surround sound, Dolby Digital decoding etc.

The caveat is that I don't know exactly where the Zen Air is cut down to the normal Zen DAC. I know the Zen Air wasn't as well received in reviews, but I suspect part of that is/was the price. iFi Zen DAC used to be cheaper and a lot of value for feature/quality. The Creative is micro-USB and the solftware is on the older Command suite (I'm not sure how much Creative are updating this) but I always found it very versatile and that's why I had one for just over 4 years. Although I do like the iFi Zen house sound.

One warning is that there's a plethora of iFi models released over the years, so just make sure that it's an iFi Zen Air DAC and not a CAN/Phono - apologies if I'm stating the obvious. The iFi Zen Dacs do go for close to £100 secondhand so if the Zen Air's get too close to that I would personally go for the iFi Zen DAC instead. I came close to getting a secondhand V2 with USB silencer for around £110 (mint) when I needed a balanced DAC a month, or so ago.
 
Proc said:
I know this is potentially another thread, but looking around a dac’s I’ve seen the Creative Soundblaster X G6 and the Ifi Zen Air for about the same price, what would people go for.

It would be primarily for gaming and I know Creative stuff comes with all the software shenanigans etc but would the Zen produce a better sound?
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Check out the Fosi Audio K7
 
jonneymendoza said:
Check out the Fosi Audio K7
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If the budget allows, I think under £200 and need a mic input, 4.4 balanced out, PS5/Switch compatibility (although most do this these days) with on-board EQ the Fosi Audio K7 is the best choice. It's basically going to be endgame and one-and-done for a lot of buyers that just want an one box for gaming and music. It's good enough for both. The Schiit Gunnr is available in the UK atm but is £50 more at £220. I'm not sure I see a reason to go for that above the Fosi K7.

That said it's going to be more that the Zen Air/SBX G6 asked about earlier - particularly secondhand ones of those.
 
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