Well, my headphones just broke, and I have about $100 to spend on some good over the ear headphones. Comfort is a must, and I use these mostly for gaming so I would definitely like to have a mic. Music is a very distant secondary, if that matters at all. So, what should I be looking at?
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Best headphones for ~$100?
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topdragon147
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I would say get some HD485s with a Zalman clip-on mic
Do you need some kind of amp with that headset, and if you do why type?
It does benefit from one but if you have say an X-Fi you don´t desperately need one. It depends on how HI FI you get 
.
MisterX here make amps you can ask him.
You could go for the Audio Technica A700 but myself I would go for the DT 770 PRO.
I have the A900 and the DT 770 PRO and they are very close. But the DT 770 PRO have more power in the low registers which helps in most games.
Both have really good soundstage but the A900 feels a little bit more open and it does have better surround but it do lack bass when gaming on the Xbox 360 and the PC a bit. On the PC you can compensate a bit with the equalizer but not on the Xbox 360... Unless you get an amp that lets you play with the bass levels but I guess that gets more expensive then lol.
DT 770:S they are more sturdy though both is of high quality of course.
.MisterX here make amps you can ask him.
You could go for the Audio Technica A700 but myself I would go for the DT 770 PRO.
I have the A900 and the DT 770 PRO and they are very close. But the DT 770 PRO have more power in the low registers which helps in most games
.Both have really good soundstage but the A900 feels a little bit more open and it does have better surround but it do lack bass when gaming on the Xbox 360 and the PC a bit. On the PC you can compensate a bit with the equalizer but not on the Xbox 360... Unless you get an amp that lets you play with the bass levels but I guess that gets more expensive then lol.
DT 770:S they are more sturdy though both is of high quality of course.
Nope, they'll work right out of your sound card just dandy. There may be a little room for upgrade though, if you decide to continue down the high end audio path in the future.
Personally the Grado SR-80, though all of the headphones recommended are also good. The Grado has a brighter more detailed sound, so if you really enjoy hearing barely audible things in music they are a good choice. On the other hand the Grado's are really not worth the money if you have all of your music encoded in anything less then 192kbps, there just isn't the detail there to hear, and no headphone is going to change that. Also if you have X-Fi you can get a brighter sound anyway by turning on the crystalizer.
If you like a more laid back and perhaps wider soundstage then I'd say the Sennheiser's are a good choice.
EDIT: I'm selling my HD595 if you're interested, check over in FS/FT.
If you like a more laid back and perhaps wider soundstage then I'd say the Sennheiser's are a good choice.
EDIT: I'm selling my HD595 if you're interested, check over in FS/FT.
Avoid the graod's for gaming. They suck so much when it comes to gaming! (music is another beast altogether).
And just as a heads up, some people find the stock grado ear pads to be uncomfortable. I personally couldn't wear them for more than 30min without tearing them off. There are mods though that allows for more comfort such as the headphile (headphile.com) C-pads.
Just a heads up.
Thanks for the help so far guys, I really appreciate it! I do have an xfi card already, and really what I'm looking for is a headset I can just plug in and use. I don't need an amplifier or anything, and a mic with the headphones is really important to me since I use ventrillo a lot.
I use vent all the time too, but a built in mic just doesnt cut it, the zalman clip on works better. Generally, Headsets have terrible sound as well. For under 100$, go for a used ATH-A700 / A500. The Beyer 770's are good but are easily (140$ + mic + amp ~ usually recommended for a dt770) way more than 100$. The Audio Technicas definetly don't NEED an amp. If you are want to get equipment worthy of that 100$, you are gonna have to stray away from headsets.
p.s. If you ABSOLUTELY HAVE to have a headset (definetly not worth it IMO), the Steelsound v5 or Icemat Siberias are cheap alternatives.
I have the Zalman clip I think it sucks a bit...
I had the plantronics A90 headset before. Awesome mic but not that good quality.
If mic is number one priority I think you would be very happey with the Edimensional Audio FX.
It´s afterall designed for flight sims like FS 2004
I had the plantronics A90 headset before. Awesome mic but not that good quality.
If mic is number one priority I think you would be very happey with the Edimensional Audio FX.
It´s afterall designed for flight sims like FS 2004
maverick777
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I'd get a pair of Sony MDR-XD400's,
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRXD400-MDR-XD400-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B0007N55OG
I've had them for about a year and a half. The bass is pretty good for phones under $100. Really nice for explosions and what not in games. Pretty good positional sound for Counterstike and such. Haven't had a chance to try the Senn 280 pros, but those should be good as well. I'd say get the Sony's and spend the rest on a good mic. Headsets with mics usually don't sound as good as "regular" headphones that don't have them.
You might try these if you can bump up your budget a little.
http://www.razerzone.com/Products/Gaming-Audio/Razer-Barracuda-HP1-Gaming-Headphones/
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRXD400-MDR-XD400-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B0007N55OG
I've had them for about a year and a half. The bass is pretty good for phones under $100. Really nice for explosions and what not in games. Pretty good positional sound for Counterstike and such. Haven't had a chance to try the Senn 280 pros, but those should be good as well. I'd say get the Sony's and spend the rest on a good mic. Headsets with mics usually don't sound as good as "regular" headphones that don't have them.
You might try these if you can bump up your budget a little.
http://www.razerzone.com/Products/Gaming-Audio/Razer-Barracuda-HP1-Gaming-Headphones/
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Bleedblue12345
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Well, if you gaming you dont really want an amp as it takes away from the x-fi's cmss3d, which can REALLY help in gaming, and has helped me win countless battles and tournies, hd 485, dt770, with zalaman clip mike or decent headset like icemat would do just fine, but NEVER go with anything below that, as the sound will get muddled, and you wont be able to hear the 3d processing very well.... so anything $50+ will do just fine for gaming, now audio is a different story...
Really? It must be personal taste. I honestly find Grados the most comfortable of all. They are so light that I can wear them forever, an entire day. I also think they're fine for gaming. They sound great in Doom 3, very scary. The positioning seems just as good as my brother's Sennheisers, even with exactly the same sound setup.
Just because Grados were not desinged or marketed with gamers in mind doesn't mean they are not good for gaming. If you think they might be a bit too bright and therefore fatiguing on the ears for gaming, I'd give you that point. Doesn't bother me though.
Which sennheiser does your brother have?
But no honestly, the grado's are so extreamly bad at games....... A 38$ PX100 has the same gaming ability of most Grado's sadly. A HD280pro/HD580 would be a huge step up, and the DT770pro would be an even better step up.
skeeder
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Senn: PX100 or HD280's For $20 more get the HD580's
Grado: SR60's or SR80's.
Grado: SR60's or SR80's.
Omegaslast
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ATH 500
or go with sennheisers and believe you did the right thing because thats the only name most people know when it comes to "high class headphones"
or go with sennheisers and believe you did the right thing because thats the only name most people know when it comes to "high class headphones"
ATH 500
or go with sennheisers and believe you did the right thing because thats the only name most people know when it comes to "high class headphones"
hey, now go easy on the newbies. Senns are okay if you're into the whole veil/dark sound anyway.
Its true, most people do know the Sennhesier name. Not just cause they make real nice cans, they also make pretty cheap cans. Which in turn gives them a mixed review on nice and very high end.
However with cans like the HE60 and HE90, i mean...those are very top quality cans that really only on the same level as the Sony R10s.
I personally recommended them cause i have a love for Senn sound. It started with the 555 and has led me to 580s, which i put woody upgrades on =)
Right now, the best bang for buck is prob the HD580s...which can be had for 125$ from Amazon.
I would also recommend Grado SR80s SR125s, MS-1s, MS-2s...maybe some Beyers? AKGs are also nice...but the 601-701 might be out of the 100$ price range...the 701s for sure, which run about 200-250$.
Just really hard to say...i know most people like the 555s to start with and move on to nicer Sennhesier cans. I for one, love the comfort of the senns over any other phones ive tried.
However with cans like the HE60 and HE90, i mean...those are very top quality cans that really only on the same level as the Sony R10s.
I personally recommended them cause i have a love for Senn sound. It started with the 555 and has led me to 580s, which i put woody upgrades on =)
Right now, the best bang for buck is prob the HD580s...which can be had for 125$ from Amazon.
I would also recommend Grado SR80s SR125s, MS-1s, MS-2s...maybe some Beyers? AKGs are also nice...but the 601-701 might be out of the 100$ price range...the 701s for sure, which run about 200-250$.
Just really hard to say...i know most people like the 555s to start with and move on to nicer Sennhesier cans. I for one, love the comfort of the senns over any other phones ive tried.
This guy wants gaming... AKA Grado = no-no.
I'd say Senn, AT, Beyer, and a few choice miscellaneous headphones are the best recommendations for gaming.
vincentfox
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I am very happy with Sony MDR-V6 units. They have been making these for 20 years now.
Are they bestest-best headphones ever? No. I am sure there are audiophiles on this board who have spent $300+ on headphones who will deride them. However, for $68 + free shipping from Amazon, they are DARN GOOD. I enjoy my gaming with them very much, they are comfortable, and considering the price range I think they are the best.
Are they bestest-best headphones ever? No. I am sure there are audiophiles on this board who have spent $300+ on headphones who will deride them. However, for $68 + free shipping from Amazon, they are DARN GOOD. I enjoy my gaming with them very much, they are comfortable, and considering the price range I think they are the best.
if you go with the HD5X5 series, which is what most gamers go with (if they want Senn) you don't get the typical house Senn sound. They are much more forward and at 50Ohm and decently high sensitivity they can be easily driven by a sound card or mp3 player. Yes, they are open, but they have a wide soundstage and are actually great for gaming.
My HD555 Senns arrived in the mail today from Amazon.com. I picked them new for $94 shipped. I "upgraded" from Sennhesier HD465s and I did not upgrade for the better sound but instead the comfort. I liked how the HD465's sounded, but they became painful to wear after a while as they mashed my ears into the side of my head. The HD 500+ headphones go over your ears, fully enclosing them so that the headphones rest around your ears and not on them. So the comfort on the HD555's is perfect in my opinion. However, I think I need an amplifier. They sound clearer, but more distorted than the HD465s. Although I am listening to them now, I have been using them for less than an hour and most people who use them mention a settling period of a few days. I think I need an amplifier as I am using the sound directly off my laptop and it could be better, sounds kinda distorted, as if there is a high-pass filter between my laptop and the headphones. But I do hear things with the 555's that would sound more blended with the 465s. I considered the 595's and 600, 650, but I was not convinced that the sound justified the price. At least I would want to listen to them before buying. Also, people mentioned that the 595's could be heard across the room. Unfortunately, this is also true of the 555s. I think I will be happy with the sound once I get an amplifier. The comfort is better than any other headphone I have used.
I was just saying, since person was talking about Sennheiser as the only option. I was just throwing a few brands out there that i would also recommend. Since they did want gaming, this is why i stated the 555s in my first post =), which he ended up getting.
Good choice man, you will enjoy them. They opened my eyes to a really expensive hobby...GL
From my experience it´s that they are so uncomfortable, lacks bass depth and is open leak like crazy
. And not having any soundstage whatsoever. This is SR 80 that I had for a month.In your face works for rock but not for gaming for me lol.
Buy a SR225 and DT770pro and then you will "understand". ^_^
'wavy'
I remember your post on Head-Fi. Just let them burn in, the HD555s are NOT in dire need of a super amp. Your money would be better spent on a usb soundcard if you want to better the sound. Which would, not only give you a better amp, but a better DAC as well. Are you using lossless audio and ASIO?
What sound chip set does your laptop have?
It's not a cult... at least in my case. I learned from experience that Grados are much better for just music and mixing than gaming.
From my experience it´s that they are so uncomfortable, lacks bass depth and is open leak like crazy
In your face works for rock but not for gaming for me lol.
Exactly...comfort is a major factor to me with hours of gaming...however personally i prefer speakers for gaming and my headphones for music only. I did think about going headphones fully for both, but i just really enjoy gaming with surround sound ......
We not saying they are awful for gaming, just not comfortable enough, nor do they have a nice large soundstage like the 555s, which is much nicer then a ear you ear type sound.
Again, its really all a personal choice...Im sure there are people out there who use Grado for gaming and love it. I was just explaining why i think it wouldnt be good. I have listen to alot of Grados and always thought it wouldnt be good for gaming.
When I got my 325s, I did find them a tad uncomfortable at first but once I got the band expanded a bit and the pads worn in, I can wear them all day with no real issues. Could use a lil more padding on the band but it doesn't hurt.
I can see how they can be more upfront but I guess it is just a matter of what you get used to or what you have available.
I do listen to a lot of music while I am gaming so I guess it all works out for me.
I can see how they can be more upfront but I guess it is just a matter of what you get used to or what you have available.
I do listen to a lot of music while I am gaming so I guess it all works out for me.
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