Headset/Headphones + Desk Mic options....help

[Whorax]

Hello,

 

I'm back again in the Audio forum after just posting here yesterday, but I think I've got my choices all figured out as to the mics/headphones/headsets I'm thinking about purchasing sometime this holiday break. Sooooooooooooooo, here we go.

 

Budget is about $300. I'd like sound that isn't complete shit (I've got Turtle Beach x12s, so just about anything will be an upgrade I assume ), and I'd like a mic that is something I wouldn't be ashamed of if I were to put up videos on YouTube, for instance.

 

Also, I'd need these things, whatever I purchase, to be PS4 compatible as well. Since I plan on playing some PS4 exclusives when they come out...like Kingdom Hearts 3.

 

Now, could I get some input from you guys here? Depending on the headset, I'd have to choose between open or closed back, so if anyone has insight on which is better I'd appreciate that as well. I don't plan on playing in an environment where I'd be a bother to others, and which one is generally better for games such as CS:GO?

 

Here's what I'm considering:

-Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1 or Audio-Technica ATH-AG1 (according to reviews, the mic on these things are absolutely sublime)

-Sennheiser G4ME ONE or Sennheiser G4ME ZERO

-Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X & Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Cardioid Desk Microphone

-Astro A40 + Mixamp Pro

 

Also, while I'm on about this dilemma, do any of these options come with a mixer of sorts to balance out chat/game volume like the Astro Mixamp does? I kind of like that type of option on my headsets...it's quite the luxury.

 

If you actually got though reading all of that, thanks!

If you got through reading it all and you have some advice to give, thanks even more! :lol:

 

EDIT: Shoot! I forgot to add that I prefer ear cups that aren't leather/fake leather. I find something more like cloth to be more breathable and better for longer sessions.

 

EDIT2: Okay, so this is where I'm at now. I'm leaning towards the Sennheiser G4ME ONE w/ the Y adaptor (thanks Gamer1406 for telling me about this), and I think I'm going to also get the Astro Mixamp for that chat/game volume mixer. And then probably this summer I may pick up that AT2020USB mic that I want.

 

Thanks.

[TheKDub]

For a mic I'd go for the at2020, great quality, and Tek Syndicate (Logan) uses it in his videos, very clear high quality audio.

[xtroria]

Recommending headphones with that budget is easy. Recommending a headphone at that will work with PS4 shortens the list by a large margin. All i can think of are SRH840, M100, beats solo 2 (forgive me), M50x

[Gamer1406]

I'm no audio expert but here is what i have to say is:

 

-Sennheiser is awesome their products are amazing(from other people and my own experience too) to use with the ps4 you will need an adapter sennheiser sells these (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PCV-05-Combo-Adapter/dp/B00IM36VU0) for they do not come in the box. Barnacules reviewed this headphone

-Audiotechnica AT2020 alot of youtubers use this and from what I hear in all of them mic tests this mic sounds awesome

-Astro mic is terrible linus has a vid on this though this is the a50s not the a40s

[Whorax]

For a mic I'd go for the at2020, great quality, and Tek Syndicate (Logan) uses it in his videos, very clear high quality audio.

Would you happen to know if the AT2020 USB works with the PS4 as well?

 

Recommending headphones with that budget is easy. Recommending a headphone at that will work with PS4 shortens the list by a large margin. All i can think of are SRH840, M100, beats solo 2 (forgive me), M50x

I know. Damn these high quality non-shameful audio devices that aren't made to work with consoles! :wacko:

[Whorax]

I'm no audio expert but here is what i have to say is:

 

-Sennheiser is awesome their products are amazing(from other people and my own experience too) to use with the ps4 you will need an adapter sennheiser sells these (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PCV-05-Combo-Adapter/dp/B00IM36VU0) for they do not come in the box. Barnacules reviewed this headphone

-Audiotechnica AT2020 alot of youtubers use this and from what I hear in all of them mic tests this mic sounds awesome

-Astro mic is terrible linus has a vid on this though this is the a50s not the a40s

Oh I see, that's great that there's a Y adaptor out there. So that essentially combines headset/mic input and output into one jack, then I could plug this into the PS4 controller?

Also, would you happen to know how the mic quality is? Chances are if I get the G4ME ONE/ZERO I'll be holding off on getting a standalone mic until I'm sure I've got the funds for it.

[xtroria]

I know. Damn these high quality non-shameful audio devices that aren't made to work with consoles! :wacko:

 

Well, there is a way. You'll need to plug audio from controller to an amp then to your headphone if you want to get an insensitive headphone

[Whorax]

Well, there is a way. You'll need to plug audio from controller to an amp then to your headphone if you want to get an insensitive headphone

Sounds semi-complicated...and more money consuming...lol.

[Whorax]

Okay, so this is where I'm at now. I'm leaning towards the Sennheiser G4ME ONE w/ the Y adaptor (thanks Gamer1406 for telling me about this), and I think I'm going to also get the Astro Mixamp for that chat/game volume mixer. And then probably this summer I may pick up that AT2020USB mic that I want.

 

Does that sound like a pretty decent plan?

[Gamer1406]

Oh I see, that's great that there's a Y adaptor out there. So that essentially combines headset/mic input and output into one jack, then I could plug this into the PS4 controller?

Also, would you happen to know how the mic quality is? Chances are if I get the G4ME ONE/ZERO I'll be holding off on getting a standalone mic until I'm sure I've got the funds for it.

Barnacules has a mic test on the video I linked in the post before

[Whorax]

Barnacules has a mic test on the video I linked in the post before

Yeah I saw. It's strange. On some videos the mic sounds fairly acceptable, then on a few it wasn't exactly good.

[Gamer1406]

Yeah I saw. It's strange. On some videos the mic sounds fairly acceptable, then on a few it wasn't exactly good.

on some videos? he was only using it for the review not all of his videos he uses AT2020 for his normal vieos. I'll try to link some other videos 

Hardware Canucks - Here

welp thats the only other that I could find from a trusted reviewer(personally) I hope I can be of help 

[Jack H]

For gaming, you always want open back over closed unless you need sound isolation. Open backed headphones have a bigger soundstage and better positional audio, so they're better for gaming.

[Whorax]

on some videos? he was only using it for the review not all of his videos he uses AT2020 for his normal vieos. I'll try to link some other videos 

Hardware Canucks - Here

welp thats the only other that I could find from a trusted reviewer(personally) I hope I can be of help 

Oh I meant other videos from other people, I guess I didn't quite say that properly.

 

For gaming, you always want open back over closed unless you need sound isolation. Open backed headphones have a bigger soundstage and better positional audio, so they're better for gaming.

Yeah, I do think I'm definitely going with open back. The breathability sounds nice, and I prefer cloth/whatever the material is on the ear cups as opposed to leather you see on a lot of closed back designs.