Need a new Headset.

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14 Nov 2008
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114
Currently using some Plantronics Gamescom 780s and while they have been ok, they are starting to hurt my ears and I'm not using the Xonar sound card I have at all.
I'd like to get a headset (with Mic if possible) that will plug into my soundcard and provide me with better audio quality, I mainly game and listen to music but there will be the occasional movie etc.

Budget is around £60-£70
Oh and I won't touch the Roccat Kave. Bought it, first was faulty, replacement broke within 6 months. Swore to never touch that brand again.
 
sennheiser HD 595 or pioneer SE-A1000 or sony mdr-706 or creative aurvana live

+

£2-£3 clip on mic from dx or £7 zalman mic from amazon


or you could get sennheiser 558's second hand and then import a v moda boom pro mic which replaces the removeable cable on the 558's with another which has a mic built in, but you may need to use a splitter on the soundcard end for it to work.
 
Hmm, well I've just started streaming. Are the clip on mics ok for this or should I go for an all in one option?
 
If your looking to get serious about streaming then go clip on mic for now and it will be fine.

Then if you want to greatly improve your voice input you could get a yeti or blue snowball desk mic later.
 
OK, after some investigating into the headsets it would look like the CALs may be a bit too small for my ears(ears are about 2.5inches big, so someone with the Cals know the cup size?).
So I'm thinking of choosing between the SE-A1000 or MDR-706, can anyone give me some advice on these? What's the positional audio like? Is it just personal preference over which is better for gaming and music? Would it still be worth getting the cals?
 
OK, after some investigating into the headsets it would look like the CALs may be a bit too small for my ears(ears are about 2.5inches big, so someone with the Cals know the cup size?).
So I'm thinking of choosing between the SE-A1000 or MDR-706, can anyone give me some advice on these? What's the positional audio like? Is it just personal preference over which is better for gaming and music? Would it still be worth getting the cals?

MDR-7506 aren't good for gaming heres a list from cheapest to expensive which are good for competitive gaming

Creative Aurvana Live
AD700x
DT 770 or DT 990 or DT 880
HD 598
Fidelio X1

The best all rounders would be CAL, HD 598 or Fidelio X1


the pioneer is only a good buy if you can get it for <£60 which means buying in america
 
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Hmm, well I've already ordered one of those dx clip on mics so I'm all set for a decent set of headphones. Need someone that can put up with a beating as I like to bounce about and head bang a bit listening to music. I am a bit tempted to splash out and get the 598s
 
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why don't you just look at mad lust envy's gaming guide?

it has a HUGE range of headphones which have been tested for gaming, etc.

he also has a list of top choices for competitive, fun and all round headphones.

the X1 is the best of the bunch if you want to spend more.
 
OK I'll take a look at that guide. Thanks for the help. I am thinking of maybe getting those x1s or 598s always bought the budget range of stuff and think I should finally try something better
 
well this is his top picks

MY TOP CHOICES (for quick reference)

Competitive:

K612 Pro
K701
Q701
SRH1840
HD598
PC360
AD700
SR-407
ESP-950



Fun:

D7000
LCD-2
Fidelio X1
DT990
Mad Dog v.3.2
HE-400
Alpha Dog
K702 65th Anniversary Edition
K712 Pro
MA900



All-rounders (for both uses):

D7000
Fidelio X1
LCD-2
Alpha Dog
HE-400
K702 65th Anniversary Edition
K712 Pro
MA-900
MrSpeakers Mad Dog v.3.2
DT990
ESP-950

google each headphone and it's price then find one that suits your budget, IMO you should be looking at the all rounders specifically.

but the HD 598 is a lovely looking headphone, never seen anyone wearing one in real life it's a rare sight to behold

also some of them are very hard to drive like the K701 and Q701, etc so you will need an amp for them.

the fidelio x1 are very easy to drive, HD 598 can be used without an amp but really do benefit from one's use.

fidelio x1 is the best bet if you don't want to buy an amp
 
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Currently using some Plantronics Gamescom 780s and while they have been ok, they are starting to hurt my ears and I'm not using the Xonar sound card I have at all.
I'd like to get a headset (with Mic if possible) that will plug into my soundcard and provide me with better audio quality, I mainly game and listen to music but there will be the occasional movie etc.

Budget is around £60-£70
Oh and I won't touch the Roccat Kave. Bought it, first was faulty, replacement broke within 6 months. Swore to never touch that brand again.

If you can up your budget or save you can get some fantastic headphones. I that price range most of the headphones are built like feathers. The CAL is fantastic for the price but the build is shocking just like the Denon before it.

I never recommend the CAL because of the build issues alone! I'm tempted to buy a set and just mod the hell out of it and make it more sturdy.

Best headphone I've heard at that price is the SRH440 but I think Shure have upped the price now!

Best option would be look for a used DT770. I've seen some for as low as £60 on gumtree.
 
can anyone reccomend an decent mic or headset and mic, i have a cheap clip on mic but if you stop talking for a few minutes it tries to aplify any sound so the people im talking to get a really loud hissing noise.


or could it be software fixable?
 
After looking at my sound card, I realize it's only a xonar dg, will these be good enough to take advantage of the x1s or should I upgrade?
 
The other question is, how much sound do the X1s bleed out due to being open? I have to use headphones so not to wake ppl up and obviously would not like to much noise going elsewhere in the house lol
 
for what it's worth, I have the pc360's but after trying to beyer dt770 all I can say is that a new order has been placed along with the zalman mic. no competition
 
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