Looking for headphones/ headsets

[Isaac_1999]

I am looking for headphones, gotta use them for playing fps, mmo, moba games.
Hd429
Ath-m30
Ath-m40
Or is there anything better? My budget is below $150

 

[basroil]

Might want to add the HD558 and ATH-AD500X to that list. Both are under 130, so you still have a bit more to put into a mic or nice headphone rack

 

[atrix396]

I personally love the Logitech G633, but I myself own an Audio Techina M50X with a mod mic on it.

 

[ssddx]

m50 is not ideal for gaming due to small soundstage though sound quality is not bad if you get them closer to $100. the m50 is so much nicer than the m30 [i gifted the m30 a few years back and own the m50].

for gaming though i'd definitely look at basroils suggestions. i will mention that the 558 shares the same drivers as the 518 [and 598] so you can get the same sound quality for cheaper. what you pay for is build quality though [which is greater on the 558 and 598]. the ad500x [and 700x, or a500x/a700x closed cans] are going to have a bass light sound which makes them more advantageous [hearing footsteps] at the expense of being less impactful and exciting. the 558 [518 and 598 too] will be about average and more neutral and are fairly easy listening.

if you wanted a complete headset.. the game one [neutral, based on the hd598] the game zero [bass light, more like ad500] are good if you get them on deep discount though you may need to stretch the budget. for cheaper than $100 the hyper x cloud isnt a bad choice [its based on the takstar pro 80 headphones] though i think some of the hifi headphone choices above are going to be a bit better.

 

[atrix396]

m50 is not ideal for gaming due to small soundstage though sound quality is not bad if you get them closer to $100. the m50 is so much nicer than the m30 [i gifted the m30 a few years back and own the m50].

for gaming though i'd definitely look at basroils suggestions. i will mention that the 558 shares the same drivers as the 518 [and 598] so you can get the same sound quality for cheaper. what you pay for is build quality though [which is greater on the 558 and 598]. the ad500x [and 700x, or a500x/a700x closed cans] are going to have a bass light sound which makes them more advantageous [hearing footsteps] at the expense of being less impactful and exciting. the 558 [518 and 598 too] will be about average and more neutral and are fairly easy listening.

if you wanted a complete headset.. the game one [neutral, based on the hd598] the game zero [bass light, more like ad500] are good if you get them on deep discount though you may need to stretch the budget. for cheaper than $100 the hyper x cloud isnt a bad choice [its based on the takstar pro 80 headphones] though i think some of the hifi headphone choices above are going to be a bit better.

Ive had no problems with the m50x except for bass? however ill take your opinion as I am thinking of upgrading soon. What exactly do you mean by small soundstage?

 

[shotgunz]

I've heard most of the mentioned headphones and found the AKG K612 to out-perform the ~$150 contenders.

Beats HD558 in bass quality, bass extension and clarity.

While the AD500x/700x are bass light, they have a recessed and somewhat veiled lower and mid treble which can hamper the clarity of foot steps. K612 doesn't have this weakness.

Soundstage is the perceived amount of space around you a headphone can make sounds appear to come from. Some headphones do a better job than others of making sounds appear like they are not in your head, but instead around you. You'll need to listen to a headphone with a large soundstage to truely understand though. Roughly where do you live? We can help you find a audio store with good headphones to try out.

 

[atrix396]

I've heard most of the mentioned headphones and found the AKG K612 to out-perform the ~$150 contenders.

Beats HD558 in bass quality, bass extension and clarity.

While the AD500x/700x are bass light, they have a recessed and somewhat veiled lower and mid treble which can hamper the clarity of foot steps. K612 doesn't have this weakness.

Soundstage is the perceived amount of space around you a headphone can make sounds appear to come from. Some headphones do a better job than others of making sounds appear like they are not in your head, but instead around you. You'll need to listen to a headphone with a large soundstage to truely understand though. Roughly where do you live? We can help you find a audio store with good headphones to try out.

Idk if your willing to help me as it wasnt a reply, however it does seem like it was directed towards me! Thanks for telling me what soundstage is, also isnt that essentially virtual surround sound like 7.1? Im in the Ontario, Canada area. So if you could help that be pre awesome.

 

[ssddx]

atrix, if you're looking for headphone advice please start your own thread so the OP can have his here [no thread hijacking]

i'll pm you clarification in the meantime.

 

[Isaac_1999]

If i buy one of these headphones, what mic would you guys recommend?

 

[Isaac_1999]

Do i need to use amp/DAC to power these? Their impedance is quite high.
PS: I am using laptop.

 

[basroil]

Do i need to use amp/DAC to power these? Their impedance is quite high.
PS: I am using laptop.

High? All given are under 75ohm, so practically anything should be able to drive them properly. Most modern audio codecs only start having issues above 150.

As for mics, depends on how much you want to spend and how good of sound quality you want. If you want studio recording level equipment, it'll end up being $150+ by itself. If you want a headphone mounted boom, something like the modmic should work quite well.

 

[ssddx]

mic:

modmic would be ideal [preferably unidirectional model]. the moovmic is similar but cheaper and not as good. you could always use a lavalier microphone with an adapter too if you like.

dac/amp:

agreed, in most cases even laptops should handle many of the suggestions made [but likely not the akg k612] unless of course you have fairly poor onboard audio on your laptop in which case it really depends. at minimum something like the fiio e6 would allow you to power easier to drive headphones if your onboard isnt capable and doesnt break the bank. the fiio a3 is a better choice. if you want to bypass your onboard audio completely the e10k is a good choice. well, or you could get an external soundcard like the creative omni.

as long as you are not looking at very hard to drive headphones i would get headphones first then check if you have issues powering them. if you do, then buy an amp or soundcard. if not, i wouldnt worry about it.

 

[Isaac_1999]

is hd429 good?

 

[ssddx]

http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-429-headphones-black
you may want to read what they have to say about it

the hd429 is not a bad 'budget' can. if you're looking for something cheap and you like how its sound is described then its worth reading up on. be aware that its closed not open which means a bit more sound isolation but less soundstage and a more closed in feel.

open cans are often recommended for gaming for soundstage unless of course you have specific requirements for closed cans due to noise concerns.

if you're looking for budget priced cans.. superlux 668b are another option perhaps though there are some others out there as well. depends on what you are really looking for.

 

[Isaac_1999]

do i need a wide soundstage if i am only playing moba and mmorpgs?

 

[Isaac_1999]

Plus, i've tried nearly every gaming headset i can find around my area, they doesnt fit my head, ex: siberia v series, razer kraken, hyperx cloud 2.
The ones that can fit my head are the ones you guys have listed.
There are some that fits my head, but its over my budget.

 

[atrix396]

atrix, if you're looking for headphone advice please start your own thread so the OP can have his here [no thread hijacking]

i'll pm you clarification in the meantime.

Sorry new to the thread, however I just asked because he was explaining soundstage and I asked about soundstage. But will do!

 

[Isaac_1999]

How about hd439? Are they good?