Preferred Headphones

[seldridge1960]

Well, it seems I'm going to be in the market for new headphones. The ones I have were just a cheap pair of Koss brand phones. The left channel is flaking out and the earpads are disintegrating.

So I was interested in what some of the other members here are currently using, and what you might recommend in regards to headsets with an integrated mic. My price range is up to about 200 U.S. dollars.

 

The main things I am interested in are:

 

1. How comfortable are they on your head during those long missions?

 

2. How are they holding up after say, a year of usage? Mine lasted me for three years which I guess is good considering how cheap they were. But Koss doesn't sell replacement earpads for that model.

 

3. How well does the Track IR Pro clip on to them? I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 pro headphones, but the band that goes across your head is kind of "thick". The Track IR clip seems to just fit around those, but I feel it is putting too much stress on the plastic "hinge" on the clip.

 

4. How well does the embedded Mic work (feedback issues)?

[BTTW-DratsaB]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Fatal1ty-Detachable-Noise-Cancelling-Microphone/dp/B000P5VR16

 

These are the best gaming headphones I have used. So good I have bought a second pair to replace the ones I have when they eventually die.

 

1. very comfortable, no ear aches etc after hours of use.

2. mine are about 3-4 years old. I have had to repair (easy to disassemble) them once about a year ago due to a loose wire where the main wire goes into the can.

3. No probs attaching a TCP.

4. Mic boom is removable and has a wind shield and is articulated. Never get any complaints from TS users.

5. Ingore the crappy marketing, I usually "roll eyes" at "pro gamer" sponsored products, but these are actually really good.

Be aware there is a new version of these headphones. I haven't tried them, but the look over complicated and are over priced. And are missing some of the nice features of this model (removable mic boom).

Edited August 4, 2012 by BTTW-DratsaB

[6S.Duke]

Hi! I use the Roccat Kave headphones and they are very confortable for long missions. Also they have 5.1 system and you can modulate the sound by a small mixer put on the desktop.

 

http://www.roccat.org/Products/Gaming-Sound/ROCCAT-Kave-5-1/

[BIGNEWY]

I would recommend

 

http://steelseries.com/products/audio/steelseries-5hv2

 

outstanding sound and quality and they unplug on a short lead for use with my ipod when I am mowing the lawn :)

[MTFDarkEagle]

+1 for the 5Hv2! Have been using that headset for a long time now and I love it. One thing I think is missing: some good bass for music. But apart from that, it's brilliant!

 

*Blurp, regarding the bass: turns out the headset needs some amplification to generate the bass. I'm running it straight from the MB which obviously does not have the oomphf to do so :)

Edited August 4, 2012 by MTFDarkEagle

[Wolf Rider]

These

http://shop.steelseries.com/en/steelseries-siberia-v2-full-size-headset.html

 

or

 

These

 

http://www.dv247.com/headphones/beyerdynamic-dt-109-black-400-ohm-double-sided-headset-microphone--5019

Edited August 4, 2012 by Wolf Rider

[Panthro]

although I have mixed feelings and experiences with "gamer" brands I can recommend these http://www.razerzone.com/tiamat/en

 

I listened to these on demo at a tech show and they sounded great!

but if you dont need/care for a mic. go for some serious audiophile stereo headphones.

[ChandlerUSMC]

I care about how things sound so was generally disappointed with the oddball equalization settings of "gaming" headsets that tend to favor certain frequencies that degrade or at least color the quality of the audio. So asked my brother (who, at the time was an audio engineer for Telarc) and put me on a path to what I recommend to you now. I must say, however, that I have not used one of the latest gaming headsets since I went to the audio companies for my audio needs and never looked back. Gaming headsets (from companies like Razer) may be good now-- I don't know.

 

Without further ado, I own both of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-350-Collapsible-Microphone/dp/B0012XFDWO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346957321&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+pc

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-360-Headset-Gaming/dp/B003DA4D2U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1346957321&sr=8-4&keywords=sennheiser+pc

 

Those two Sennheiser are what we use for multiplayer gaming where voice is required. The 350 is a closed headset so it's engineered to block out noise outside of what you're hearing. The 360 is an open design which I figured out that I prefer which is why I now own both. They are light but not as light as the below AKGs. You can wear them for a number of hours (hardcore raiding in World of Warcraft is a testament to that back in the day). They both have independent volume and mute controls for convenience. The microphone on both of them is FANTASTIC and has been used by many podcasters before they invested in a professional equipment. I recommend the PC360 over the PC350. You can wear the 360 longer, so it's worth the $50 extra.

 

 

Where a microphone isn't required, I'd go with the AKG242HD - I also own the AKG240 and 272.

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-242-HD-High-Definition-Headphones/dp/B0028N78J8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346957369&sr=8-1&keywords=akg+k242

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-272-HD-High-Definition-Headphones/dp/B0028N78KC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346957369&sr=8-2&keywords=akg+k242

 

What I love about the AKGs is that they are deceptively light- I mean really light. They are can headsets (over-ear) and they are really light. You can wear them all day comfortably. Have I mentioned how light they are? The sound quality- well now, the sound quality will knock your socks off. A couple of years ago it was the best you could get for that price range where they competed favorably with headsets more than three times their price. In addition to simming, you'll love to use them just to play HQ MP3/M4A or plug into your ipod and will be surprised to hear instruments and nuance you never heard before on songs/pieces you already know. I can't recommend them enough. If they ever broke, I'd buy them again. I've dropped all three and run over their wires with my chair over the years and they still work great.Of the three I prefer the 242HD because they sound better than the 240s and are open design vs. the 272 which is similar sound quality but closed design. Closed design are best for noisy environments so I suppose if you have noisy children, the 272 may be better. YMMV

 

Hope that helps.

Edited September 6, 2012 by ChandlerUSMC

[joey45]

Pah.. Wires are sooooo last year.

 

Logitech G930, got mine reconditioned from Amazon for about 90 quid. Fantastic range and good audio.

[BIGNEWY]

I used to use a wireless headset was great not having wires, but you can not beat the sound of a decent headset and your pc sound connected to a amplifier :)

[Kegetys]

I have Sennheiser HD555 (modded to HD595) with a 5e desktop microphone attached to them with trackclip pro's clip. Works very well, though the three wires makes a bit of a thick cable :)

[Bricks]

Same here. Technics HiFi-Headset with excellent sound connected to an amplifier. I attached a 5 € mike to it to make it the best mix for half the price of the Sennheiser 360 GAME.

[aaron886]

...on a path to what I recommend to you now

 

Sennheiser brought me out of my audio dark days as well. Great company with some high quality products.

[cichlidfan]

Sennheiser brought me out of my audio dark days as well. Great company with some high quality products.

 

Agreed. Don't have them on the PC but for the stereo they are a must.

[hegykc]

G930 here, wireless, 7.1 surround.

Great base too, you can feel them rumble on your head if you increase the base.

I'm having them on for 8-10 hours straight, no problem with comfort.

 

Turning your head in game, and having the sound of engines move from one ear to the other... immersion!

Edited September 6, 2012 by hegykc

[mr_mojo97]

Turtle Beach Z1's for me. Cheap, good quality and comfortable for ages with a good mike too. Also fits Trackir pro very well

[joey45]

Turtle beach are awesome for consoles...

[seldridge1960]

Hey I just wanted to thank everyone for their input so far.

After some reviewing of the recommendations I will probably go with a nice pair of Sennheisers. I have used them in the past for audio mixing and was very pleased with the way they fit. Very comfortable and sounded killer.

[cichlidfan]

I just ordered a set of the PC 350s. Amazon has some refurbished for almost half price with warranty.

[seldridge1960]

That's good to know Cichlidfan. That was the model I was checking out!

[cichlidfan]

That's good to know Cichlidfan. That was the model I was checking out!

 

I don't actually need them but it is too good a deal to pass up. I've been using a pair of Sennheiser RS130 (wireless) on the home entertainment setup for several years now.

[WildBillKelsoe]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Fatal1ty-Detachable-Noise-Cancelling-Microphone/dp/B000P5VR16

 

These are the best gaming headphones I have used. So good I have bought a second pair to replace the ones I have when they eventually die.

 

1. very comfortable, no ear aches etc after hours of use.

2. mine are about 3-4 years old. I have had to repair (easy to disassemble) them once about a year ago due to a loose wire where the main wire goes into the can.

3. No probs attaching a TCP.

4. Mic boom is removable and has a wind shield and is articulated. Never get any complaints from TS users.

5. Ingore the crappy marketing, I usually "roll eyes" at "pro gamer" sponsored products, but these are actually really good.

Be aware there is a new version of these headphones. I haven't tried them, but the look over complicated and are over priced. And are missing some of the nice features of this model (removable mic boom).

 

^ I second all of these.

[Deigs]

Buy a set of Hi Fi headphones, and just get a $10 clip on zalman microphone that clips onto the cord. I'm using some Audio Technica's and after a gaming session here 3 of my friends ran out and bought them. Those AKG's that was suggested are great also.

 

Gaming headphones aren't the best.

[Succellus]

Had serious problem with Zalman mic cord....i bought old mic....I love a lot the 5.1 Zalmann but i think they ain t on the market anymore.

For gamming, if it haven t a 5.1 you re loosing situation awareness... So its out of question.

Gaming sounds aren t that sofisticated as a symphony anyway...