Best High End Gaming Headset/Headphones

[S7ewie]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for recommendations for the best high end gaming headset/headphones available today. 

 

 

The reason I've said headset/headphones is because I'm currently undecided on whether to go with headphones and buy a separate mic or a full headset. Headsets are generally more convenient but my primary concern is sound quality and I don't want to surrender to a headset when there are much better sounding headphones on the market. 

 

I like having surround sound but I want the option to quickly and easily be able to turn it off. I also want easy volume control. 

 

I'd also like to have some kind of software for customization but not vital.

 

I currently have Astro A40s with Mix Amp. Decent headphones, comfortable, bit of a loose fit, mixamp is very good when it works etc. The only issue is that its been a bit of a pain getting them working. The surround sound only works with dolby digital live compatible sound cards which like .. nothing is! There are drivers that can make it work but u gotta find them, and setting it up to work properly is a pain. LOT of time spent googling to try and get it working without issue. Then out of the blue it will decide to get really crackly and you'll spend hours reinstalling drivers and switching things around to try and source the problem. They're great headphones but I sometimes feel they're more hassle than they're worth.

 

I'm interested in Sennheiser but there are a few options about so I wanna see what people suggest  

 

Thanks guys

[Majestic]

HD800's.

[S7ewie]

Wow, okay didn't know they went that high. 

 

Should probably say I'm looking in the £100-£300 price range

 

Thanks

[Majestic]

Yes that was purely to say "you forgot to add a budget m8"

 

But i'm not quite sure what you're expecting in terms of surround out of a decent pair of stereo headphones. And most of that is controlled by the source anyway.

What sound signature are you after?

[Elfuego]

HD 550s are pretty nice.I dont remember their RRP though.

[S7ewie]

Haha, well cheers for pointing that out

 

Well I'm certainly no expert, hence why I'm asking for the help but I have used a couple of gaming headsets in the past with decent "virtual" surround. The Astro A40s for example are pretty good when they work. I play a lot of open world first person survival games and it really helps in determining which direction a certain noise came from.

 

Thanks Elfuego, 

I'm actually looking at the HD 558s as one of the options without mic. Seen quite a few people recommending them.

[Elfuego]

Can grab a modmic :)/

Personally I use a Vengence 2100 Headset, for the money £65 - Its a pretty decent wireless headset. The mic is pretty god-awful compared to my Yeti Pro though .

[S7ewie]

Yeah I've herd of modmic. That's another option I guess. Ahh yeah? I'm prioritising, high quality sound and virtual surround over anything else at the moment but I'll check it out.

I've thought about getting a proper decent mic like a yeti but I think it might be a bit overkill for what I do unless I start streaming or youtubing.

[Nomy]

Yeah I've herd of modmic. That's another option I guess. Ahh yeah? I'm prioritising, high quality sound and virtual surround over anything else at the moment but I'll check it out.

I've thought about getting a proper decent mic like a yeti but I think it might be a bit overkill for what I do unless I start streaming or youtubing.

I went for the following combination for my setup:

headphone: Sennheiser HD 598

microphone: Blue Snowball Ice

 

I couldn't be happier with both, the headphone is pure bliss on my head/ears and the microphone is excellent, friends say that they can hear my voice crystal clear.

[S7ewie]

Thank Nomy. I have herd a lot of good things about those headphones! And the sound quality is good? Does it have virtual surround? I think it's what markiplier the youtuber uses.

Do you just use the mic for voice coms?

[Elfuego]

Yeah I've herd of modmic. That's another option I guess. Ahh yeah? I'm prioritising, high quality sound and virtual surround over anything else at the moment but I'll check it out.

I've thought about getting a proper decent mic like a yeti but I think it might be a bit overkill for what I do unless I start streaming or youtubing.

 

I literally use the Yeti for teamspeak and occasional work stuff (mostly skype), but I have it so when we start doing Devlogs I dont need a new mic.

 

I got it for £76

[xtroria]

Grab K7xx with modmic, I'll be surprise if you still want software surround sound with that headphone

[S7ewie]

Okay been thinking about this a lot lately.. Still haven't ordered anything yet though. Still need a little more advice.

What do people think about the virtual surround vs not? I like having the surround on my Astros. I play a lot of survival games and it's very helpful in targeting which directing a specific noise came from. However the sound can be very "tinny" at times. It needs more base and atmosphere.

I think I'm just gonna order the ATH-M50x. There's too much hype over them to not give them a try, and they aren't too expensive .

However I've read that after an hour or so they start to become uncomfortable and my gaming sessions tend to last a lot longer so I also want something a little more comfortable. I'm still thinking about either the Sennheiser 558s or 598s so can anyone else recommend eithe of them? I also have a pair of over ear Sennheiser momentums which I use for listening to music on my iPhone. The volume range is a bit limited and they too can get uncomfortable after a while but the sound is great. Can anyone compare them to them?

With I had a headphone store nearby where I could try a few but doesn't seem to exist anymore

[SSL]

Okay been thinking about this a lot lately.. Still haven't ordered anything yet though. Still need a little more advice.

What do people think about the virtual surround vs not? I like having the surround on my Astros. I play a lot of survival games and it's very helpful in targeting which directing a specific noise came from. However the sound can be very "tinny" at times. It needs more base and atmosphere.

I think I'm just gonna order the ATH-M50x. There's too much hype over them to not give them a try, and they aren't too expensive .

However I've read that after an hour or so they start to become uncomfortable and my gaming sessions tend to last a lot longer so I also want something a little more comfortable. I'm still thinking about either the Sennheiser 558s or 598s so can anyone else recommend eithe of them? I also have a pair of over ear Sennheiser momentums which I use for listening to music on my iPhone. The volume range is a bit limited and they too can get uncomfortable after a while but the sound is great. Can anyone compare them to them?

With I had a headphone store nearby where I could try a few but doesn't seem to exist anymore

 

You're making a mistake if you order the M50x, especially for gaming.

[RazerZ]

I would look into the DT 770 PRO and 990 PRO instead of the m50x. Both would work great for gaming and with UK pricing they cost around the same as the m50x on amazon. They would be an easier transition from your Astro headset compared to going to a more neutral and bass light headphone like the 558/598.

[Fluffinator]

Okay been thinking about this a lot lately.. Still haven't ordered anything yet though. Still need a little more advice.

What do people think about the virtual surround vs not? I like having the surround on my Astros. I play a lot of survival games and it's very helpful in targeting which directing a specific noise came from. However the sound can be very "tinny" at times. It needs more base and atmosphere.

I think I'm just gonna order the ATH-M50x. There's too much hype over them to not give them a try, and they aren't too expensive .

However I've read that after an hour or so they start to become uncomfortable and my gaming sessions tend to last a lot longer so I also want something a little more comfortable. I'm still thinking about either the Sennheiser 558s or 598s so can anyone else recommend eithe of them? I also have a pair of over ear Sennheiser momentums which I use for listening to music on my iPhone. The volume range is a bit limited and they too can get uncomfortable after a while but the sound is great. Can anyone compare them to them?

With I had a headphone store nearby where I could try a few but doesn't seem to exist anymore

Gross, waste your money as you please.

[S7ewie]

Oh okay .. That's weird. Everything else I've read on here is full of people recommending the ATH-M50x .. Fair enough, won't order them, don't like the look of them anyway

I'll have at took at the Beyerdynamic ones

[Fluffinator]

Oh okay .. That's weird. Everything else I've read on here is full of people recommending the ATH-M50x .. Fair enough, won't order them, don't like the look of them anyway

I'll have at took at the Beyerdynamic ones

You'll be very happy with the DT 990's if you like bass, I have both the M50x and the DT 990, and a bunch of other ones too, the comparison between the M50x and the DT 990 is night and day, so yeah go with the DT 990 over the M50x, especially for gaming since you want a bigger soundstage, open>closed is preferable when gaming always.

[S7ewie]

You'll be very happy with the DT 990's if you like bass, I have both the M50x and the DT 990, and a bunch of other ones too, the comparison between the M50x and the DT 990 is night and day, so yeah go with the DT 990 over the M50x, especially for gaming since you want a bigger soundstage, open>closed is preferable when gaming always.

Awesome! Yeah that's what I'm after, a big soundstage and more base. If an explosion goes off I wanna feel a "boom"

The 558s and 598s are also open right? Would you rate the DT 990s over these for gaming?

[Fluffinator]

Awesome! Yeah that's what I'm after, a big soundstage and more base. If an explosion goes off I wanna feel a "boom"

The 558s and 598s are also open right? Would you rate the DT 990s over these for gaming?

If you're after bass you'll be dissapointed with the 558 and 598, so I would suggest going with the DT 990's.

[JS998]

Just a random question... which are more comfortable? HD 558 or DT 990 pro? 

[Fluffinator]

Just a random question... which are more comfortable? HD 558 or DT 990 pro? 

In general I would say the DT 990.

[S7ewie]

If you're after bass you'll be dissapointed with the 558 and 598, so I would suggest going with the DT 990's.

I just want something that sounds brilliant for gaming. Big soundstage, I guess bass is pretty important. I wanna feel like I'm in the game surrounded by the sounds and hear every detail. I want it to sound real. I know that's not much to go on .. I know what I'm after, just don't know how to describe it

[RazerZ]

Just a random question... which are more comfortable? HD 558 or DT 990 pro? 

990 PRO, velour pads are more plush, superior headband padding as well.

[RazerZ]

I just want something that sounds brilliant for gaming. Big soundstage, I guess bass is pretty important. I wanna feel like I'm in the game surrounded by the sounds and hear every detail. I want it to sound real. I know that's not much to go on .. I know what I'm after, just don't know how to describe it

The 990 PROs would fit that description. They are open back and will leak sound though, meaning others around you will be able to hear what you are listening to.