Spec me some Gaming Headphones

Nitrojan · 19 Aug 2008 at 18:29

Ok, so I'm looking for a nice set of gaming headphones as my current ones are rubbish to say the least. I dont mind the budget but nothing too excessive preferably lol. If any of you already have a pair of headphones that you recommend then please also let me know

I mainly play CSS but sometimes widen my scope to other FPS games.

Hope I can get some recommendations from you guys,

Adam

Margaret · 19 Aug 2008 at 18:56

Sennheiser HD555

Mansize_tissue · 19 Aug 2008 at 19:21

We really need a more specific budget before we can make suitable suggestions. Oh and it seems like these threads pop up daily now, it wouldn't hurt people to do a bit of research themselves

Nitrojan · 20 Aug 2008 at 00:12

Ok well say.. around £50 budget..

lay-z-boy · 20 Aug 2008 at 00:29

Jihad said:
Sennheiser HD555

This.

x Darkchild · 20 Aug 2008 at 00:31

lay-z-boy said:
This.

Senn 555 however if you want to pay a bit more and get something that will do movies and music better than the 555's id reccomend the senn 595's or the BayerD - DT770pro's (they are SWEEEET for bass - and i physically abuse people when i play xbox 360 Coc of dooty 4 with these on)

Tetsu · 20 Aug 2008 at 00:37

+1 for senn 555

Nitrojan · 20 Aug 2008 at 00:51

The 555's look amazing, but I was looking for something with a mic aswell preferably - I should have put this in my original post, sorry

Mansize_tissue · 20 Aug 2008 at 00:57

Nitrojan said:
The 555's look amazing, but I was looking for something with a mic aswell preferably - I should have put this in my original post, sorry

I'd just get a pair of stereo headphones and then a separate microphone. If you want to combine the 2 then you're looking at headsets aimed at the "PC gamer" market which tend to be of much lower quality in pretty much every way.

I'd go for the HD555s and either a clip on (Elara/Zalman) or desktop (Logitech) microphone.

lay-z-boy · 20 Aug 2008 at 00:58

Nitrojan said:
The 555's look amazing, but I was looking for something with a mic aswell preferably - I should have put this in my original post, sorry

Use a separate (USB) mic, you won't regret it.

Nitrojan · 20 Aug 2008 at 00:59

Thanks for the advice.. I will do this ^^

Another thing that struck me is that at the moment, I'm using onboard sound (well.. optical) from the Maximus Formula motherboard (SupremeFX II HD somethingorother) and I also have the logitech z5500.. Would I benefit from upgrading the sound card, or would I get along sufficient with just buying the headphones now.. and then maybe a card later?

lay-z-boy · 20 Aug 2008 at 01:18

Get the headphones first, wear them in and get used to them. After you come into some more money, get a Xonar DX and be amazed.

Nitrojan · 20 Aug 2008 at 01:22

Good advice

What microphone do you advise?

lay-z-boy · 20 Aug 2008 at 01:34

I use a Logitech desktop usb mic, very well constructed with a lit mute button.

Nitrojan · 20 Aug 2008 at 04:27

I just did some more research and it seems that others recommend 5.1 gaming headsets over stereo.. I have been told that those headphones (mentioned above) would be better for music/movies but not so good for gaming due to the lack of drivers..

mmm.. oh and also, apparently they come with a larger jack?

Wouldn't something like this suit my style slightly more? Slightly overbudget but would rather pay more for quality.

PinkFloyd · 20 Aug 2008 at 07:25

Nitrojan said:
Wouldn't something like this suit my style slightly more? Slightly overbudget but would rather pay more for quality.

They're not as good as the HD555s.

They do indeed come with the larger jack, but there is an adaptor. If you run them through a decent amp with it plugged in on the large connector it seems to have a lot more punch.

5.1 headphones are poor quality and the clarification between channels isn't clear, if you want surround sound, by a proper 5.1 set. Using a decent stereo set and using something like the creative virtual surround sound works brilliantly, although, still not as good as a proper 5.1 set.

Nitrojan · 20 Aug 2008 at 08:10

What decent 5.1 set would you recommend?

-Ad- · 20 Aug 2008 at 09:37

Nitrojan said:
I just did some more research and it seems that others recommend 5.1 gaming headsets over stereo.. I have been told that those headphones (mentioned above) would be better for music/movies but not so good for gaming due to the lack of drivers..

mmm.. oh and also, apparently they come with a larger jack?

Wouldn't something like this suit my style slightly more? Slightly overbudget but would rather pay more for quality.

The people who would have recommended these are little gamer boys who love their poorly made and crap sounding fatality branded icemat headsets, or whatever mouse maker now makes headphones. They would not have heard a good set of stereo headphones and realised how much better they are.

5.1 might initially seem better with more drivers in the headphones, but they are soo cheap and crappy that you will be disgusted by them after heariung stereo headphones. Plus with stereo headphones you can also listen to you tunes and watch films as well as hear better in games.

I use a £7 set of clip on koss headphones (over ear) and would never dream of swapping them for a headset. I also sometimes use my nice headphones, but with them being grados, they arn't suited to gaming as they have a worse soundstage than the likes of sennheiser, goldring, or beyer dynamics.

If you want to try a good set of phones then buy the goldring headphones off OcUK that cost ~£50 and you will not be disappointed (or get the senn 555 as recommended). Listen to them and use them for a while then try a friends headset, and laugh at them

Wouldn't something like this suit my style slightly more? Slightly overbudget but would rather pay more for quality.

Nope, waste of money for a name and some fancy glowing lights. You would be paying more for less quality. Stick with stereo headphones, many people on here have been converted from gamer headsets and are very happy to have done this.

Fubsy · 20 Aug 2008 at 09:43

Nitrojan said:
I just did some more research and it seems that others recommend 5.1 gaming headsets over stereo.. I have been told that those headphones (mentioned above) would be better for music/movies but not so good for gaming due to the lack of drivers..

mmm.. oh and also, apparently they come with a larger jack?

Wouldn't something like this suit my style slightly more? Slightly overbudget but would rather pay more for quality.

Nitrojan · 20 Aug 2008 at 12:15

-Ad- said:
The people who would have recommended these are little gamer boys who love their poorly made and crap sounding fatality branded icemat headsets, or whatever mouse maker now makes headphones. They would not have heard a good set of stereo headphones and realised how much better they are.

5.1 might initially seem better with more drivers in the headphones, but they are soo cheap and crappy that you will be disgusted by them after heariung stereo headphones. Plus with stereo headphones you can also listen to you tunes and watch films as well as hear better in games.

I use a £7 set of clip on koss headphones (over ear) and would never dream of swapping them for a headset. I also sometimes use my nice headphones, but with them being grados, they arn't suited to gaming as they have a worse soundstage than the likes of sennheiser, goldring, or beyer dynamics.

If you want to try a good set of phones then buy the goldring headphones off OcUK that cost ~£50 and you will not be disappointed (or get the senn 555 as recommended). Listen to them and use them for a while then try a friends headset, and laugh at them

Nope, waste of money for a name and some fancy glowing lights. You would be paying more for less quality. Stick with stereo headphones, many people on here have been converted from gamer headsets and are very happy to have done this.

Thanks! Very interesting post