Headset help: gaming comfort, affordability and quality

[foxflyer]

I have had a pair of Audio-Technica QuietPoint ATH-ANC7b headphones for about a year now and have enjoyed them immensely. Now after an unfortunate accident which broke a headphone cup from the headband, along with normal wear and tear that comes with use, I would love another one. With many..many..many headsets available to me with a multitude of prices, brands, specifications, features, etc. I would like some feedback about a few different possible choices, and maybe if someone has any different, possibly better ones that I could go with, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm trying for a max budget of $175USD.

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153130
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826265254
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826816028
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104399
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2E113B5712

Again, I'm looking for something that will be comfortable to use in long gaming sessions or music-listening..ness. Big features I am looking for are 7.1 surround sound, circumaural ear cups, possibly looking for wireless without sacrificing quality and compatibility with my PC and my phone with either a Bluetooth wireless connection or a 3.5mm wired one, or if worse comes to worse, I have a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter.

Thank you for any help, suggestions, referrals etc. in advance!

 

[audioranger]

you were right to start with audio-technica; they make excellent midrange headphones. and their stereo models (m50 / ad700) beat most other gaming varieties out there

honestly if your budget is $175 I'd go with the ATH-M50s. They're still better than just about any headset you'd find in that range. the positional audio is excellent and the soundstage is pretty airy. low impedance too so they'll work with mobiles

http/www.headset-ratings.com/audio-technica-ath-m50-professional-studio-headphones/

razer i'm not too fond of. plantronics makes the 780 (a great budget headset), so I'd assume the Commander is good as well. g930 is good for wireless but won't produce sound anywhere near the level of wired ones like audio technica. my two cents

good luck man. happy listening

 

[foxflyer]

Thank you audioranger for the reply, that's definitely cut the amount considerably

I am split between two different ones now. The Plantronics Gamecom Commander and the Audio-Technica M50. Both have great reviews and both are in my budget. The M50 has no microphone, but I can go with the recommended one in the M50 review shown.

A question I have is how much of a difference would I experience between the "stereo" M50s and the "7.1 surround sound" Commanders? If there is not much of a difference, I would probably go with the M50s, otherwise because there is a mic on the Commander, along with the 7.1..I would go with that.

Is there much of a difference or is it just personal preference? Also, if going with the M50, would there be any suggestion for a good external mic?