Headset vs Studio Mic/Headphones for PC Gaming

[Andriokz]

Alright so my PX 22 Turtle Beach headphones died very randomly and I'm in the market for a new headset. Problem is the headset choices are so many to choose from. I'm looking to spend 80-200$.

The bigger issue is I've seen studio mics and studio/mixing headphones recommended over gaming headsets since they supposedly have better sound quality. I'm not sure if they beat headsets hands down so was wondering if any PC gamers here had any advice.

These were the choices so far

Madcatz FREQ 7 ( I can get these half off)
http/www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-F-R-E-Q-Surround-Headset/dp/B00BCSYZWI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1396847501&sr=1-1&keywords=madcatz+freq+7

Then the combo of KRK KNS8400 Studio Headphones & Samson Meteor USB Mic

http/www.amazon.com/KRK-KNS8400-Studio-Headphones/dp/B004ARUO2S

http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MF39YS/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004MF39YS&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwtwi0ab-20

Thanks for the help

 

[jFiveNYC]

If I may be so bold; the real question is whether or not you want a mic on your desk or attached to the headset.

If you would like the headphones without a mic, consider where you would place the mic relative to your mouth. The further away from your mouth, the more you will need to increase the microphone gain. An unfortunate consequence is that you'll be increasing the level of background noise introduced from your room, i.e fans or animals, children, etc. But this can be somewhat avoided with background noise canceling features of the software or hardware.

 

[ssddx]

a better question would be if you need surround sound or not. keep in mind that most so called surround sound gaming headsets only use 2 drivers so are not real surround and use software to fake it (which can be done with ANY stereo headset mind you). if you are okay with stereo headsets then studio headphones might interest you.

as far as mics are concerned there are products like the modmic which clips on to your headphones with a nice mount and acts in the same way as a normal headset mic. its also easy to put a single zip tie and 3.5mm female cable end on your headphones and use any of the various 3.5mm "removable" mics which are purchaseable as a repair part for any of the headsets which have removeable mics. another alternative is a clip on mic. of course the last option is a desktop mic and even though it is true that it could pick up on other noises the quality difference between some of the good desktop mics and cheap headset mics is quite pronounced.

while i do not play many games on my headphones since i have a hifi system at home, i did play a bit when i was traveling and stereo studio headphones work fine for that. i've listened to some of the demo versions at stores for pc headsets and i've never been impressed to be honest. either they are reasonably priced and they work fairly well but without stellar sound or are far overpriced where you can do better for the cash. the term gaming applied to any product tends to do that. depending on what you are coming from it could be a night and day difference or just modest difference, its hard to say.

as far as quality difference is concerned i suppose it depends on what you are comparing them to. in general a decent studio headphone set sounds quite a bit better. i know that i would never give up my headphones for anything less. i can hear subtleties in music and other sounds that i never heard before on headphones.

i personally use a pair of audiotechnica ath-m50s and they are a steal for the $99 you can get them for on ebay as an open box but new deal. even the retail price is worthwhile for them. however for gaming perhaps the beyerdynamic dt770 is a better option since it purportedly has a wider soundstage.

 

[audioranger]

ssddx is right - a good pair of studio monitors will spoil you against 'gaming' varieties. good stereo > gimmicky surround. there are some that do simulated surround well, but most do not, and offer no advantage over a good stereo set of headphones

I'm also a huge fan of the ATH-M50. big ups for audio technica. still possibly the best midrange going. wouldn't trade mine for any of that razer/tritton/turtle beach CABBAGE out now..

i've only tested the dt770s for a short while, but man can they pull out mids well. loved em

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

dt770 review:
http/www.engadget.com/products/beyerdynamic/dt-770/pro/