Please recommend a headset for my needs

Footyslayer

Footyslayer

Footyslayer

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16 Mar 2009
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Hi everyone,

I have had my current PC headset for around 3 years now and need new ones as they hurt my ears after a while (Plantronics Gamecom Commander)

My primary use is gaming, all sorts of gaming really (FPS, sport, racing, platform, roleplaying, etc) but I do listen to music often and want a headset that is a very good all rounder, ideally something with good bass. Also noise cancelling is important as I am in my living room with my PC so need the missus and kids not to be heard and that they cant hear noise leaking from my headset.

For a long time I have had my eye on either the "sennheiser pc 363d" or the Philips X2 Fidelio (with V-MODA BoomPro mic).

However is there better out there now, can anyone help recommend anything suitable for my needs?

Ideally £150-£200 but I would be willing to go higher if the right option was there,

thanks to anyone who can help :)
 
If you don't want sound to leak from your headphone or hear the outside world, then that's all the open cans options out the window....including the X2.

You'd have to focus your option closed cans. I have the Sony MDR-1ABT, and would highly recommend it, as it has very good sub like bass, and can be used wired or wireless with Bluetooth, and it compare favorably to my X1 sound quality wise. However I would not recommend buying it at full price; I managed to pick mine up on Lightning Deal on the rainforest for £189, and some time later it even appeared on deal of the day for just £140 (though they sold out at the price very quickly!).

Alternatively you could considering the non-bluetooth version the Sony MDR-1A, or the Beyerdynamic DT770...or if you really want to spoil yourself, the Shure SRH1540 :D

You could also consider the Asus Strix 7.1 headset. This headset does not use virtual surround, but has physical 7.1 drivers (include subwoofer driver) is is supposed to performance very well for games and movies. When listening to music, it can be used in 2.1 mode, which will use the front channel drivers and the sub drivers...an although it will not be as great as good stereo headphone that are also around the same £150 mark, it still performance quite well. It's definitely worth considering if your focus much more on gaming than music. Just a heads-up due to the physical 7.1 drivers, the headset is fairly weighty at 450g. However as it has a flexible headband with thick cushion, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. You can see one of the reviews here:
http://www.kitguru.net/site-news/highlights/jon-martindale/asus-strix-7-1-headset-review/
 
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Marine, shame on you for mentioning 7.1 nonsense headsets; I thought you knew better. :p

If the OP can afford to spend in the region of £150 or more, then I wouldn't consider a headset unless he's looking to spend in the region of £70. HyperX Cloud I/II is the only gaming focused headset I'd consider; otherwise, headphones.

DT770 would probably be the ideal choice. Good headphones without spending too much. Good bass and are closed, so will isolate pretty well. Gaming performance wise, there are better choices available, such as AKG K702, but being open, are the headphone equivalent of a sieve. In other words, much leakage. :p

Even if the AKG's were a consideration, they need a decent amp though, so you'd have to factor that in as well. DT770's are efficient headphones, even the 250 Ohm, so will fare much better with onboard. Might be worth considering a sound card or an external DAC/amp though.
 
Thanks for the replies...

Noise cancelling is pretty much a necessity I need as my PC is in the living room. So I guess open backs are not for me :(

I also don't mind the headset/headphones being wired, saves on batteries and charging. but I do need a microphone attachment :)
 
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Antlion Modmic is a good alternative to the v-moda, for headphones that don't have a removable cable. Would mean having two cables though, so using the v-moda I imagine would be more appealing as you just end up with one cable.

Not sure of the choice of closed headphones with detachable cable that leaves you though. Shure SRH840 maybe?
 
Marsman said:
Marine, shame on you for mentioning 7.1 nonsense headsets; I thought you knew better. :p

If the OP can afford to spend in the region of £150 or more, then I wouldn't consider a headset unless he's looking to spend in the region of £70. HyperX Cloud I/II is the only gaming focused headset I'd consider; otherwise, headphones.
Click to expand...
Only suggested the Asus Strix 7.1 is may be also worth considering because OP's priority is gaming over music...wouldn't really suggest that if it was stated as required for music mainly :p
 
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How high are you willing to go? I don't care what anyone says, there's a difference with better headphones in gaming - maybe not competitively but audio quality wise games have really come a long way.

£100-£200

X2
HD600
K612
K701 or K702 or Q701
MA900
HD598

£200-£500

W1000X
1540
Nighthawk
HD650
K712
D2000
D5000


Look into those, you might like them.
 
Indeed closed back is important. Ideally no more than £200 but can go up a but for the perfect pair.

I have an Asus Xonar D2X, my 5.1 speakers are currently plugged into this so the line out or the input for my headset is used, the mic can go in fine but not the headset input, I can't keep plugging and unplugging them to switch between. My current headset has it's own soundcard and is plugged in via USB only.

What are my options here? USB headset only? Buy a seperate USB soundcard for the headset if it needs the two 3.5mm jack inputs?
 
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As you need to use both headphone and microphone you need an external sound card, an Asus U7 (£75) for example.
 
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