After new Audio devices (Headset vs Headphones + Mic later on)

[JebKerman]

I'm after a new pair of ~$150AUD headphones or headsets.

 

I currently have the Roccat Kulo headset which has unremarkable sound quality, the on-ear design makes it quite painful to wear for extended periods, and I'm apparently indecipherable on the rare occasion that I use the mic (especially in Elite: Dangerous, where a filter seems to be placed over your voice).

 

I was looking at the HyperX Cloud IIs at first, but given the fact that I don't really need a mic, I suspect I could do better with similarly priced pair of headphones, and maybe pick up a ModMic later on.

 

I think I'll use PCCaseGear as my preferred vendor, as I'm likely to be buying the parts for a new system from there soon-ish and it has a wider selection of decent headphones than the more common places like JB HiFi, and Dick Smith (who seem to be mostly focused around Beats-esque brands), if you know anywhere else, I'm open to suggestions.

 

As a starting point these were what I was looking at:

HyperX Could II: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_1660&products_id=30761

Audio-Technica ATH-A500X (Closed-Back): http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_1156&products_id=24336

Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X (Open-Air): http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_1156&products_id=24335

 

And, actually, another question. Since the primary difference between the 2 headphones listed is closed vs open ear-cups, what's the advantage of each and which would you recommend?

[Andrew Storlie]

Head phones + mic is best option, but it really only effects your listeners...

Headsets usually have good speakers, but a shitty mic, so anyone in a game or a live stream, whatever you do, you wont sound good, but getting a dedicated mic and separate headphones will give you a much butter sounding audio to whoever is listening to you... so you have to pick... do you care about what you sound like to others? Or are you just looking for good sound and something that works?

[Andrew Storlie]

Always go open unless your going to be listening in a noisy environment and need to block sound out