New Headphones/Headset advice.

arc@css · 12 Mar 2018 at 16:39

Hello,

I'm looking for a headset of good quality. My budget is around £150, though I can go higher if it's worth the extra. I suppose I would like the option of a headset over headphones due to the inclusion of a microphone (maybe a silly question but I assume you can elect to turn the mic off if need be?). It would also be a plus if the headset mic was of a good quality too.

My main uses for it will be gaming & films. Another added benefit will also be sorting out the problem of my primary microphone picking up the sound of the speakers when recording.

Am I right in thinking that AKG and Beyerdynamic are among the best to consider?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/beyerdynamic-custom-game-gaming-headset-black-sp-00a-by.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/peripherals/audio/headsets?ckSuppliers=23&ckTab=0&sSort=2

Another option that seems to be popular?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/peripherals/audio/headsets?ckSuppliers=281&ckTab=0&sSort=2

Thanks.

EsaT · 12 Mar 2018 at 17:41

If you don't have noisy environment open headphones are better.
Especially those good for binaural sound are insale much better than typical closed gamnig trinket headphones:
With proper binaural sound besides 360 direction you can literally also sense distance.
Something at which typical closed design gaming brand trinkets are total "head in bucket under water" garbage.

So from Beyerdynamic DT990 would be the option.
If you like above neutral punchy bass it's very good in balancing that "fun factor" with still good details and notch below top soundstage.
Beyer's design is also easy to DIY mic mod with some 3,5mm plug mic:
https://imgur.com/gallery/bKU4H
And Beyer's replacement ear pads are priced very reasonably unlike AKG's ear pads.

For maximum "competitiveness" in picking out details AKG K702 with neutral bass and top level sound stage is at absolute top level for gaming.
Bass is still there if you listen for it and actually goes respectably low for open headphone. It just simply takes back seat to details.
K712 is AKG's vision of that more fun sound.
Fun factor is little behind DT990, but that means bass not covering details so easily and sound stage is basically at K702 level.
Price again is closer toward £200.
Myself own those three. (found good price couple years old K702)

According to Mad Lust Envy's guide K612 has little bit less sound stage and little more bass than K702, but not at fun level.

For mic besides ModMic detachable cable AKGs could use V-Moda Boompro with adapter which can be foudn with this name:
BGS 3 Pin Mini XLR Female to 3.5mm Female Stereo Headphone Jack Adapter with AKG Wiring

Takstar made HyperXes should be around at level of Superluxes and lot better than typical gaming brand trinkets.
But as closed design those likely aren't any competition for AKGs and Beyer DT990.
"Semi-"open HD-330 Superlux which I bought just as experiment is step below DT990 in sound stage size and bass feels to be still more emphasized.

As for finding out gaming fitness of headphones, first minute of this is excellent quick test for sound stage with gun shots at different directions and distances:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1_20T8x_OI
Binaural sound just has lot harsher than any stereo music requirements, so with bad headphones it feels like having head in bucket with no distance to sounds.

arc@css · 12 Mar 2018 at 22:35

Thanks for the detailed response.

I'll have to spend a bit of time digesting that info and reading up a little.

PapaLazaru · 12 Mar 2018 at 22:56

What will you be plugging them into?

arc@css · 12 Mar 2018 at 23:00

PapaLazaru said:
What will you be plugging them into?

That's something I hadn't really thought about. It'll either be from the jack out the back of my PC or if possible, via the speakers (Edifier 1600).

PapaLazaru · 12 Mar 2018 at 23:29

And what motherboard is it? Just seeing if you might be better off going usb.

arc@css · 12 Mar 2018 at 23:34

PapaLazaru said:
And what motherboard is it? Just seeing if you might be better off going usb.

Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 3.

EsaT · 13 Mar 2018 at 09:21

arc@css said:
That's something I hadn't really thought about. It'll either be from the jack out the back of my PC or if possible, via the speakers (Edifier 1600).

I don't think those speakers have headphone out.
Headphone output is usually feature of speakers dedicated for PC use.

arc@css said:
Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 3.

That motherboard is actually good for headphone gaming, because it comes bundled with Creative's software set with good binaural sound simulation.

arc@css · 14 Mar 2018 at 16:16

I can't say I'm bothered about the performance from a competitive gaming aspect.

Perhaps it's worth mentioning that when it comes to desktop speakers, I'm not a lover of too much bass, so maybe that is something to bear in mind where headphones are concerned.

Closed headphones might be the way for me to go.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/beye...s-and-modmic-microphone-bundle-bu-0ae-og.html

EsaT · 14 Mar 2018 at 22:55

arc@css said:
I'm not a lover of too much bass, so maybe that is something to bear in mind where headphones are concerned.

Dynamic driver open headphone can't reproduce strong lowest rumbling bass.
That's specially what closed design can do easily.
Above neutral bass open headphones have that bass in "punchy" part instead of that lowest rumble.
And with bigger sound stage they can do that without instantly starting to drown lots of details unlike closed designs.