What headphones?

sniffsunder

sniffsunder

sniffsunder

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My Zalman ZM-RS6F surround sound headphones have finally given up on me after 5 years of some very good service. I now want to buy a new set of cans for gaming, I'm not really interested in the USB connected cans as I have a sound card.

The thing is there are so many good products to choose from and I've read so many reviews that my brain is now fried with information. I've probably made my mind up anyway on the Astro A40 headset and Mixamp but thought I would post here to get some feedback from the masses.

So the questions:
1. Has anybody got any experience with the Astro A40 package?
2. What headsets are you all using and would you recommend any of them?
3. Has anyone got the Sennheiser PC350 or PC360, are they any good?
4. Should I look for a setup with two speakers or more?

I've got about £250 to spend but could push for a bit more if anyone has a good recommendation.

Cheers
Sniffs
 
For that budget, I would suggest the Audio-Technica ATH-A900.

Top end of your budget at £250 but can be had for a little cheaper.

Are a closed pair of cans.
 
I get the impression that you definitely want a built in mic for online gaming? Otherwise, there are far better choices of headphones.

For me personally, I wouldn't spend £200+ on anything that wasn't beyer, akg, audio technica, sennheiser or grado. I would be looking to have headphones for both music and gaming. Unless of course you have separate headphones for music that you already use. You probably won't get quite the frequency range with the astro you can get with audiophile class headphones, nor the quality of soundstage. I've been using my Sennheiser HD580 precision for years and they're still amazing. And it's like wearing the softest pair of slippers over your ears, you just don't notice they're on. Awesome sound too. If you can pick up any of the Sennheiser HD series (555, 595, 580, 600, 650), I'd go for that. You could defintely spend less money on a better name than the astro 40 and get better sound quality.

Some gamers swear by the Audio-technica ATH-AD700 headphone.
 
Sennheisers are generally good all round. I have the HD650's and they produce very clear accurate sound and the build quality is top notch. Highly recommend them or something similar.
 
I have the Sen PC350's and love them. There are some negative reviews regarding bass but a few adjustments in creative control centre and it's not a problem. I would say it's the best choice in the price-range for atmospheric audio and music. Extremely bass-intensive games may be best suited to another pair though.
 
For £250 there are a world of options.

I would recommend Beyerdynamic DT880s over most things but you'll be needing an amp with them which would push you over the top of the budget.

AD700s did me really well until I got my current set up.
 
I have the 555s and am considering trying that, but no way do the 595s and the 555s use the same driver as that video implies.

Also, the foam he removes is apparently there to prevent something poking through and damaging the driver (as unlikely as it seems).
 
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To consider spanking anything over £100 on a pair of headphones when your audio system is not up to scratch is utter madness.

It is like buying a Dell UltraSharp 30' monitor when you are plugging in a crummy old mid nineties rig. Total waste of time.
 
Robbie G said:
I have the 555s and am considering trying that, but no way do the 595s and the 555s use the same driver as that video implies.
Click to expand...

There's an ongoing argument regarding whether they use the same driver. Having heard both I believe that it's plausible. Here's someone that dismantled them for comparison: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/sennheiser-hd555-hd595-internal-comparison-shots-403963/

To the OP - I vote Xonar (not DS) for Dolby Headphone and headphones with two drivers. On current prices I'd recommend Goldring DR50 (for uber low budget) or NS1000. Maybe DR150 but they're nearly double what I paid for mine at the moment.

HD555 and HD595 just seem overpriced to me at the moment (I regard DR150 as superior and it's cheaper). As for HD515s - steer well clear. It's not that I don't like Senns - I have IE6s and HD600s - but unless you get them at discount a lot of them aren't great value just now.
 
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I own a pair of HD650s which I love for music but after gaming with the DT770 I much preferred those, I just need to find the cash for 'em ;)
 
Headphones have a life expectancy of around 6 weeks in my house. Thats Kids for you.:mad::D

I cant see me buying a pair for £250 even if I wanted to. £5.99 cheepy's from the local supermarket for me.:D
 
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