300 $ Headset options?

[Gnutz]

Hello, this is my first time posting on the forums. I hope you guys can help figure out what is the best headset (headphones and a mic) option around 300 $.

I currently have a razer carchrias headset, which is giving me all kinds of problems. So I've decided to toss it away and buy a new one, and I would like to do it properly this time. But I've gotten confused by the amount of options and advice. I started looking for a gaming headset, and according to some the Sennheiser PC 363d is the best option. Initially I found that it got a lot of praise, but then seemly most say its not worth it's price in terms of sound quality. Searching a bit more I found it to be a broad agreement that gaming headsets are trash compared to quality headphones. The advice is then to buy a good set of headphones (open?) as well as a standalone mic. All this is fine but I don't feel any wiser on what to buy with so many options available.
I know most headphones and even high-end headsets will be an improvement compared to my current headset, but I would like to do more than just slightly improve. Since it will be my only audio output, I will be using it for gaming as well as listening to music and when watching movies and tv-series on netflix and HBO, I would like to get this right and get a pair of quality headphones with great sound, if possible. 
When I game, i'm often in a voice call with my friends so I need a mic as well (they currently tell me, the sound quality of my mic is really bad), whether it be part of  a headset or standalone. - I was thinking of perhaps going with a modmic solution or maybe a snowball microphone.

I currently do not have a sound card in my build, but I might add one later. My motherboard is a Asus MB Z97-AR if that matters (I don't know if it will have problems powering some headphones?) I don't know enough to spot which price range is necessary to get a great product, that said I'm looking for a solution around 300 $. I don't mind spending more if need be though, but definitely not more than 600 total.

[MrKickkiller]

Personnaly I would buy something in the range of a 

- AT m50x (Great audio according to reviews)

- AT 2020 (Good mic)

[minibois]

If you really still want a headset you should have a look at the Senheiser G4me series. Heard they are pretty good.

If you want a good headphone+mic combo you should look into the Audiotechnica ATH M50 and some of Beyerdynamic's offering. 

Add a Audiotechnica AT2020 to it and you have a very good sound setup

That would ~270 USD IIRC. You can add a mic stand for ~60 USD to it too so your microphone doesn't pick up as much noise from typing and stuff on the keyboard.

[SeanBond]

Hello, this is my first time posting on the forums. I hope you guys can help figure out what is the best headset (headphones and a mic) option around 300 $.

I have the sennheiser 363d myself, fantastic pair of headphones with what seems like the best on headphone microphones I have personally heard. However I suggest getting the game zero's or game one's instead. They are much cheaper and basically the same headset minus the in line sound card. The sound card is for the most part pointless unless you have a really old bad motherboard. The game one's and zeros are typically around 200 or less.  Oh and the difference between those two is one is open back and one is closed.

[Faceman]

If you aren't afraid of used headphones, the Philips Fidelio X1s are incredible for $120-$180. They sound very good from my motherboard, also a Z97-AR. Of course they are even better with an amp.

[ShearMe]

Sennheiser HD 558 or ATH-AD500X

Blue Snowball Microphone + Mic Boom Arm

 

You can spend a lot more if you really want, but it's pointless if you're not deciding based on some inkling of experience.

[Gnutz]

Thanks for the responses everybody. I had some trouble getting back to the topic. The first couple of days I were just really busy, and then I had a few days, where I couldn't access the page. - But thanks for all the answers!

I will probably go with some kind of headphone modmic combination. I really like the idea of the AT2020, but I think it might get too extensive with something like that and a boom arm on my desk. 

 

I will probably look more into some of the Sennheiser models and the ATH-AD500X model. I've also been considering The Beyerdynamic DT990 or DT880, or even something as the HiFiMan HE-400.

Thanks again.

[ym1453]

At you price range Hifiman he300 are a great option and mod mic for mic( or any other option like that) that will allow you to later on get an amp if the he300 aren't loud enough but they most likely be.

[Gaben the Great]

Sennheiser HD 558 or ATH-AD500X

Blue Snowball Microphone + Mic Boom Arm

 

You can spend a lot more if you really want, but it's pointless if you're not deciding based on some inkling of experience.

 

Hey, are the 558s or the 500xs better? I'm due to buy the AT2020 and one of these two headphones.

[SSL]

Hey, are the 558s or the 500xs better? I'm due to buy the AT2020 and one of these two headphones.

Probably not.

[Gaben the Great]

Probably not.

 

What do you mean by that? 

[NannerBeans]

Hey, are the 558s or the 500xs better? I'm due to buy the AT2020 and one of these two headphones.

 

That depends on what you're looking for. They sound different but I wouldn't say one is specifically better than the other. I personally would probably prefer the HD558 over the AD500x though because the AD500x lacks bass. I think the Phillips SHP9500 is the clear winner though in the under $150 open category so I would pick that instead. 

[Gaben the Great]

That depends on what you're looking for. They sound different but I wouldn't say one is specifically better than the other. I personally would probably prefer the HD558 over the AD500x though because the AD500x lacks bass. I think the Phillips SHP9500 is the clear winner though in the under $150 open category so I would pick that instead. 

 

Looking for: Gaming + casual listening to music at home and whilst walking to and fro school as it takes me 30 mins to get home.

[NannerBeans]

Looking for: Gaming + casual listening to music at home and whilst walking to and fro school as it takes me 30 mins to get home.

 

Yeah that's not what I mean. It depends on what kind of frequency response you're looking for. But since you're using it for commuting, a closed set would be better. Look into used Sony  MDR 1R. 

[ym1453]

Look into used Sony MDR 1R.

In general buying headphones used is the smartest thing you can do and in this case in particular I agree 1r is the best if you are looking for a warm headphone for bright portable headphone check out the audio technica msr 7

[Gaben the Great]

Yeah that's not what I mean. It depends on what kind of frequency response you're looking for. But since you're using it for commuting, a closed set would be better. Look into used Sony  MDR 1R. 

In general buying headphones used is the smartest thing you can do and in this case in particular I agree 1r is the best if you are looking for a warm headphone for bright portable headphone check out the audio technica msr 7

 

 

Thank you. I'll decide tomorrow and purchase one of the headphones you've provided (Sony, Phillips or AT)

[NannerBeans]

Thank you. I'll decide tomorrow and purchase one of the headphones you've provided (Sony, Phillips or AT)

The phillips is open. It's not good for portable use but it's also amazing for use in quiet places and better than the Sonys for surround.