Another "best" thread - Need best Open Air <$500 for gaming

N

Nomad

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I play games and listen to music on my computer and am going to pick up an X-Fi but I want to also upgrade my headphones.

I require open air cans and am willing to spend up to about 500 on the headphones. I am leaning towards the HD650s but am open to others.

Thanks in advance.
 
so these will be only for gaming? and y does it have to be open? closed are generally better for gaming....

would be willing to use an amp?
 
Absolutely. I am new to the game of high end headphones - but I had heard really good things about the PA2V2. I am hoping that for an entry level amp this will help be to begin to appreciate using an amp for headphones.
 
Narius said:
closed are generally better for gaming....
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Why would closed be generally better for gaming?

I suggest an HD650 + Pimeta.

Or maybe a used HD600 + PPA? That is if you don't mind going used to save some $$$.

You can contact our resident amp-builder MisterX for some amp loving. :D
 
Audio Technica A900 with a nice amp maybe? Beyerdynamic DT770 are also great for gaming, and closed headphones will keep out outside noise.
 
skudmunky said:
Audio Technica A900 with a nice amp maybe? Beyerdynamic DT770 are also great for gaming, and closed headphones will keep out outside noise.
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Last I checked those were both closed. I need open air.
 
well if u can get closed then id go with the Beyerdynamic DT770 80 ohm. Make sure you get the 80 ohm version. it is available through guitar center or you could buy them off ebay.

As for the amp. Ya the pa2v2 is supposed to be awesome. I am getting mine soon. I know from expirience that Gary is one of the best when it comes to customer support. He responds to email's super fast. You will see this same thing over at head-fi. There have also been a lot happy people that use their pa2v2 + dt770. If you wanted to get a more expensive amp, mabye something like this would suit you well. http://www.headamp.com/home_amps/lite/index.htm

One thing though. Do you like bass? Becuase this setup will give you a lot of it. Not bad bass by any means, good base. Not bloated.
 
audio-technica ad2000.
retail price is around $750 but i think the street price is in the $450 range if you look at some of the importers.
 
Nomad said:
Last I checked those were both closed. I need open air.
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What do you need open air for? Closed have better isolation...

I listened to a pair of A500s the other day, and they blew me away. I usually can't afford high end, and even though those were the "low" end of AT's lineup, I was stunned by their quality, comfort, and isolation.
 
I only game at home (use them in my home office) and I have 3 small children and need to be able to listen for them / listen for my wife - trust me - it just goes better if I do.

As it is - I wear closed headphones over one ear and would like to have my cake and eat it too.
 
The hd595's are good open air phones and don't need an amp unless you want one plus aren't as expensive as the 650's. I personally love mine, and haven't used my speakers since i got it, but that's just my personal pick. Other users have their favorites so they can tell you about their phones.
You'll get like 100+ different responses from people in these forums over which phones are best, but personally, i'd just get the best headphones that seem to fill your needs...And your budget. Browsing the other headphone sites isn't a bad idea either like others have mentioned.
Just my 2 cents....
 
I've played games both semi-professionally and unprofessionally and I would say you don't need that high end of headphones. I have a soundblaster audigy 2zs platinum and it has an little amp on the front that I plug my HD590s into. I don't really think you'll notice the difference in games with the 600 or 650s just my .02 though. I also have a pair of hd555 that are great because they can reach higher volumes than my hd590s (because my hd590s would need an amp to match the volume) and they sound almost as good. If you're looking for comfort the hd590s are the most comfortable headphone I've ever tried on even more so than the hd600s in my opinion. Good luck with your search.
 
Byrnie said:
I've played games both semi-professionally and unprofessionally and I would say you don't need that high end of headphones. I have a soundblaster audigy 2zs platinum and it has an little amp on the front that I plug my HD590s into. I don't really think you'll notice the difference in games with the 600 or 650s just my .02 though. I also have a pair of hd555 that are great because they can reach higher volumes than my hd590s (because my hd590s would need an amp to match the volume) and they sound almost as good. If you're looking for comfort the hd590s are the most comfortable headphone I've ever tried on even more so than the hd600s in my opinion. Good luck with your search.
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But he said games and music.
 
Cyrilix said:
But he said games and music.
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These are just my opinions. I would actually do separate headphones for games and music. Think about this in games you want more mid and low range response over highs and you want them closed because this way you'll feel like you're in the game more. So i would do a pair of hd555 or higher for music and beyer's or audio technicas for games. Just my .02.
 
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