Headset/Headphones

[HellTiger]

I'm in need of a really good headset. So far I'm favoring the HyperX Cloud 1 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826468001&cm_re=hyperx_cloud-_-26-468-001-_-Product or the new Cloud Revolver http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826738008&cm_re=hyperx_revolver-_-26-738-008-_-Product. I'm still not sure though. What headphones/headsets do you all recommend.

 

It has been a while since I've used a headset so I don't really know what's good any more. I used to always use Sony or Sennheiser. I don't need a mic. I just need excellent headphones.

 

What headphones / headsets do you all recommend.

[CplAh]

I use the Sennheiser PC 363D. They are 7.1 surround and the sound quality is amazing. I've been through a lot of head sets, these are the best in my opinion.

[JohnnyNashville]

Astro 50, 7.1 wireless....best of the best!

 

http://www.astrogaming.com/a50-headset/A50-GEN2.html

 

I have a set I never use....they mess up my hair....100 dollars plus shipping

 

aj

[HellTiger]

I feel the Astro 50 is over priced. For that price I should get a professional studio headset instead.

[HellTiger]

I think I'm going to go with studio headphones and a headphone amp.

 

BeyerDynamic DT-770: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-250-ohms/dp/B0006NL5SM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462744148&sr=8-2&keywords=dt770

 

Focusrite Scarlett Solo Headphone Amp: http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-Compact-Interface/dp/B00MTXU2DG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

[Lazy House Cat]

I use and old pair of Senn HD580s http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-580, a Steinberg CI1, http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/audio_interfaces/ci_series/models/ci1.html, which is similar to the Scarlett, and an Electro Voice 767a mic, http://www.electrovoice.com/product.php?id=85.  Those Beyers come in several ohm levels, if you choose a high resistance model you will also need a headphone amp.  I use a Schiit Audio Magni, http://schiit.com/products/magni-2.   The Beyers look like a good choice.  A good set of earphones and interface will make music sound incredible as well.

 

Edit, I see that you are referring to the Focusrite as a headphone amp.  It is not, it is a USB audio interface that bypasses your onboard sound or sound card.  You will still need an amp for the 250ohm headphones.  If you use the sound in your PC case just get an amp.

Edited May 9, 2016 by Lazy House Cat

[HellTiger]

yeah you are right the magni 2 would be perfect for what I'm going for.

 

I won't be finalizing my purchase until June so feel free to keep suggesting choices.

Edited May 9, 2016 by HellTigris

[Lazy House Cat]

Surf around http://www.head-fi.org/,  there are tons of recommendations for headphones and amps at every price point.  If you think PC overclockers are nuts, they look tame compared to the guys who buy $50,000.00 analogue stereos, including $100.00 a foot speaker wire, to listen to their old vinyl.

[Sammy]

Sure must be nice to have lots of money to throw at expensive copper wires.

[ChknFngr]

but do you have any external sound card ?

i wouldnt waste money on high end headphones without a good soundcard to get a decent sound first.

I had some Beyer dynamics, still have a few of them that i should repair, but im now on KRK 6400 and i really do like em, very lightweight studio monitors and good for the price. only thing is the cushion   material isnt as good as the Beyer were.

[HellTiger]

Why do I need an external sound card if I buy a product that is both a DAC / AMP?

 

EDIT: Actually I will probably have to buy the AMP and DAC separately, I don't see any quality AMP/DAC. Schiit has one "Fulla" but no one really likes it.

Edited May 9, 2016 by HellTigris

[Elmo]

if you can find a pair! that are the best headphones in the world bestested! http://www.amazon.com/CSDC-EDI-135-Edimensional-Audiofx-Headset/dp/B000TMI0GA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

[HellTiger]

if you can find a pair! that are the best headphones in the world bestested! http://www.amazon.com/CSDC-EDI-135-Edimensional-Audiofx-Headset/dp/B000TMI0GA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

That headphone definitely no longer exists

[HellTiger]

Also an amp makes waaaay more of a difference, a DAC just cleans up the signal a bit. But if you use a good amp, it shouldn't be a problem.
 

[Lazy House Cat]

You can always add a nicer sound card or external audio later, the kit is all modular.  The higher end or professional grade stuff tends to last longer than the "made for gamers" models as well.  I paid $200.00 for my headphones 15 or 16 years ago and they still sound fantastic.

[HellTiger]

So far I think this is best for my needs.

 

headphones: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-250-ohms/dp/B0006NL5SM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462744148&sr=8-2&keywords=dt770 and sound card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102049

[Lazy House Cat]

The SoundBlaster cards are popular among gamers, audiophiles tend to like the Asus Xonar ones.  I don't know about the amp, but that can probably be replaced down the line if it needs to be.  Also, audiophile headphones only have one speaker per ear, two channel, so you don't need 7.2 surround, etc. unless you are hooking up speakers.  Of course the other option would be to go with lower impedance cans, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0126HISOO/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

[HellTiger]

The sound card is 5.1 and I have a 5.1 surround speaker system. I need something that will also work with my headset and provide the power that it requires to operate at its best and still be able to provide 5.1 for my speakers.

 

 

Also ASUS has a bad selection and has nothing like what I'm looking for. I'm sure ASUS is good, but I have a feeling ASUS has nothing on Sound Blaster. ASUS has only been in the sound card game since 2008 and people still prefer Sound Blaster over ASUS. The Sound Blasters have been around since 1989 for a reason.

 

To get anything close to the Sound Blaster I picked out, the ASUS equivalent would be http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0AJ3UB7489

 

If I'm going to spend $250+ on a sound card I would get an HT Omega, but I simply don't need an HT Omega. That's just going over board for music listening and gaming.

Edited May 9, 2016 by HellTigris

[Lazy House Cat]

What are using for sound now?  And what do you want the headphones for?  Just gaming, or gaming plus music, or music plus late night gaming?  You can always just get the headphones plus amp and then upgrade the sound card later.

[HellTiger]

onboard sound and logitech Z 5500 http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-THX-Certified-Digital-Surround-Speaker/dp/B0002WPSBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462824001&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+z5500 and no I did not spend $1000 on these speakers

 

I don't own any headphones and I'd like to have one pair. I'm going to use it for gaming and listening to music. I've been talking to my brother who makes his own music and he uses the BeyerDynamic DT-770 80 ohm model headphones and I don't know what he uses for monitor speakers. He uses http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462824291&sr=8-1&keywords=focusrite+scarlett+2i2+usb for his headphones, speakers, microphone, and DJ keyboard.

 

I just don't understand why you are against a sound card that is also an amplifier.

[Sammy]

No expert here but I suppose one of the considerations is multiple amplifiers in the same line, so to speak. Otherwise you are amplifying an already amplified sound. Instead of doing it only once directly from the source. Commonly seen in headphones with their own built in amplifiers but I dont know about external speakers.

[Lazy House Cat]

I'm not against the Creative sound card, but I don't know if the amp they supply with it is any good.  For music you could use the Focusrite and a lower ohm headphone, or if you want a lower noise floor (higher ohm phones) then get an amp.  For gaming get the Sound Blaster card, it will work for music too.  I just don't know if you will want to upgrade the amp.  What you want in the end is good sound processing, good amplification and good headphones.  But you don't need to buy it all at once.  Like I said, it is modular and can be done piece meal.  The good things about a nice set of cans is that they will outlive your PC by many years, and can switched from your old obsolete computer to your sparkling new one.

[HellTiger]

Since gaming is my #1 thing, most people recommend the sound card first and an amp later.

 

I'm going to get the 32 ohm because I just noticed the 250 ohm has a coiled cord and the 32 and 80 ohm have straight cords. I don't need an 80 ohm.

Edited May 9, 2016 by HellTigris

[Lazy House Cat]

Then you don't need an extenal amp.  Like I said, the sound blaster will do fine for music.  Just get the lower ohm Beyers, AKGs, Senns, etc and you will be good to go!

[ChknFngr]

well i have an old focusrite as soundcard, its a bigger version (4i4), but its a firewire version, i like it a lot for the price, but i dont see why u would need something like this for just gaming and listening to music. i used mine for music producing and video editing. the sound is kinda clean, but not high end audiophile like. But yea sound is way cleaner than it would be with onboardcard of course. the XLRs inputs are giving me headaches on this one, i dont even think they are neutric ones, they sucks. But yea i still like the card, dont get me wrong.

the preamps sucks too, in fact they really low, so even for recording a mic for example u got to get a mic preamp.

There are better options out there for you, i dont know how u would set up that one for 5.1 either as its a 2 out. and u 'll need studio monitors or an adapter jack to whateverinput u have on your monitors, anyway this will cause problems too. For me, u need something else, and i can't really help you there coz i never had a look at headphones amp / dac