nicobombai

ad700x itself are easy to drive, so getting an "amp" is not necessary.. You don't NEED G5 or GSX 1000, its a WANT actually from my prespective. For gaming, 700x gets the job easily done, virtual surround sound are mostly software and gimmicky they sound like hollow tin cans, you can download them free on the internet. Sound engines in games are getting better (ex: BF games) so you don't need any of those 2, unless or until your pc audio board is super duper crap or comes from the stone age.

I don't think amp is necessary, your phone can easily drive the headphone. But they do benefit from them. Sound wise i'm quite sure they are up to your liking, but like i said, try them on first in a local audio shop if possible, don't just blindly buy them. OR get Philips X2? Super fun headphone, with great bass, open back, good mids if you like em. Compatible with Vmoda boompro to make it a great gaming headset! Try having a sound demo from Z-reviews on youtube. Yes hes not the most reliable source of reviews, but his sound demo videos provides a general idea of what the sound sig of the headphone will be.

I think DT880 / DT990 might fancy you. But if possible, do try them out first at the local store before buying them..

+1 on SHP9500 + Vmoda Boom pro, best "headset" in the price bracket, none from your list can match the sound provided by this combo. BUT if you don't like or can't get em, cloud alpha is a good solution. The rest are still inferior to alpha imo. Stay away from Razer especially in the Audio department, i have never heard any good audio stuff from them..

Cloud 1 got extra velour cushion if you want to swap out the leather pads. On the other hand, like i said, seek out SHP9500 + boompro if you can, its an open back headphone, with great soundstage, sounds way better than any of the above mentioned headsets..

HyperX Clouds are the headsets to go, you can choose from Cloud Core or Cloud 1 (if you need the extra accessories), they are a rebrand of Takstar Pro80 with slightly modified drivers. There are plenty of reviews regarding this headset. Arctis 3 can be an alternative for when you are not able to find HyperX Cloud / Core. I would not even touch razer headsets at all, just no, a big no. You know what i'm saying if you have tried their "gaming" headsets. However if you can find this combo: SHP9500 + vmoda boompro, it would beat any to almost all gaming headsets under $100 (amazon us price as a benchmark).

Haven't tried the alpha's yet, but seems interesting. I read some changes here and there (physical wise) but nothing major in terms of sound. As for the sound card, you're better off not using them. Cos its so bad, it makes everything sounds like listening to a hollow can. CSGO HRTF sound engine is actually quite good, that should be more than enough "surround sound" for you. You don't need an extra useless sound card.

IIRC, 559 are a newer version of 558, and suppose you can get a good deal with 558 + modmic (or something similar), you should go for it. The difference between 558 & 598 are very minimal, and suggested above, you can do a simple mod (tutorials on youtube) and turn your 558 into almost identical to 598. But with that being said, i haven't tried the 559 personally, its just based on my observation about that product cos 559 haven't reached here at all. G4me series uses 558 drivers with slight modification, attach a boom mic and sold at a hefty price cos of the "gaming" tag.

770 - closed back. "The headphone that should be hyped instead of the ATH-M50X. Broadly similar V-shape to the M50X with more treble and less boosted bass. Excellent soundstage for a closed headphone. High comfort due to velour pads. Non removable 3.5mm cable." 990 - open back. "Similar to the DT880 Pro in sound, but with a more V-shaped sound signature, adding much more midbass in particular. Shares the same pad models with the DT880 Pro and the rest of the Beyerdynamic DT line. Non-removable 3.5mm cable." I personally vouch for 770 if you're going to be a casual gamer and doesn't want noise leakage, it also has superb sub-bass. One of my fav headphones for all around enjoyment.. Sauce:

I would like to add up my opinion, G4me series from my experience are using the HD558 with slight modification in terms of sound. The PC37X from massdrop are using the HD598 with slight modification..

I would go for Cloud Core or Cloud 1 if you need the extra accessories. But if its possible, like the others may have already recommended, SHP9500 + vmoda boompro will the best gaming headset in the price bracket imo..

TH-X00 with modmic, super fun headphone to play games or watch movies with!

It should be fine. Great? nope. Enough? yes..

Useless, i haven't heard any good TRUE 7.1 headsets, the transition from 1 driver to another are still horrible and they sound muddy. They are expensive cos of the wireless and "GAMING" tag on it, remove that, and it will probably be around 40-50 bucks tops. Personally, if i have to buy something for myself, i would get gaming headset up to $50, above that i would just stick to a headphone. It's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than any gaming headset anytime of the day.

Nope. Its all emulated through a software, you can even use your iphone/samsung earbuds and use the virtual surround sound if you want to, you can download it for free on the internet example: Razer surround sound. It makes the sounds bad and hollow imo. Just do have a thought or so, look at the expensive headphones, such as HD650 or maybe HD800, do they have this 7.1 surround sound feature? nope, cos its all marketing gimmick to help sell the gaming headset. Before you point the pitchforks, yes i know i'm comparing a headset to a good headphone, its just an example..

Neither imo. Get Cloud core or cloud 1 (if you need the extra accessories) and save cash in the process. 7.1 is a huge gimmick to sell "gaming" headsets to the market.. However, if you're able to get SHP9500 + Vmoda boompro, that will be the best gaming headset in the price bracket imo. But it's an open back headphone, so mind the leakage both in and out of the headphone..

Cloud Core is a good choice for the price. If you're willing to shell out more, you can get SHP9500 + boompro, that is a superb headset solution at the price point BUT its an open headphone so sound will leak in and out.. Senn Game series are basically HD558 (with slight tweaks, iirc) + a boom mic and sold at a hefty price (if there are no good deals and assuming they're following the msrp standards). PC37X (HD598 with slight tweaks) is also a good solution at $120 (massdrop). TLDR: Get SHP9500 + Boompro if you're willing to shell out little bit more for a superb headset at the price point..

Ah i was using US Amazon for base price searching, never knew that is super expensive there. AD700X costs $100 in Amazon which is a great price imo.. With that being said, HD598 is a good choice. You don't need asus xonar, you can get something better later on (if you have extra cash laying around)

I would go for SHP9500 + boompro or Takstar Pro82 + boompro. Note: Takstar pro82 is the newer and better design than the pro80 which hyperx clouds are made of with minor tweaks to the sound.

I had the A40, its slightly better than g230, a little bit on the heavy side, too pricy and not worth it. Looks cool tho, i have to admit that. HD598 doesn't require an amp/dac but it can benefit from one. ATH-AD700x is also a great headphone for gaming, do have a look.

HyperX Cloud Stinger is okay for the price, light & comfy, sound wise its in the gamery side with lots of bass. Although if you can shell out more, Philips SHP9500 + vmoda boompro is an excellent combo, no headset can match the SQ provided by that combo, especially in the price bracket. But do note that SHP9500 is an open headphone so sound will leak in and out of it..

Hmm.. Your mobo is actually capable to provide enough power for the headphone.. Is the mobo settings properly configured? Just curious.. BUT IF you really want to get an amp, Schiit fulla 2 is a great solution for $100.. Cheaper one is Fiio K1, its okay (not good nor bad), just to deliver that extra power when needed.

For pure gaming especially fps gaming, ath-500x / 700x are great, but the wing design doesn't fit everyone. But for overall usage HD558 is a better choice imo..

Hi dude, this will be a little bit off topic, but what nubajj said was right, Cloud (core, 1 & 2) has Takstar pro 80 internals with slight modification, both internally and externally and sold as a gaming headset in a lower price. I knew a guy who opened both and found out they're almost identical, Sound wise, the mids and highs are a little bit recessed on the clouds, the bass quantity is a tad more in the clouds. He mentioned that in better setups, the difference are more noticeable. I can search the post if you want me to From what i notice, since hyperx clouds released, takstar immediately discontinued the pro 80 in the same exact year, i assume kingston bought the rights for it? (just a wild guess).. With that being said, its a good gaming headset, the only gaming headset i can recommend, still inferior sound quality to audiophile headphones but you get your moneys worth imo. Note: just 2cents of mine, you may agree or disagree, its all up to you.. -------------------------------- Dear OP, HD280 will do you good, i tried them for a few weeks, its a good headphone!

TH-X00 is mostly closed back, the open part is super small for the bass reflex iirc. It gets a good seal cos of the leather pads, but the sound leakage is super minimal, you wont even notice it when using the headphone. You can have a look at the open part if you're curious about it.. You see the gap between the wood and the black part? that is the gap which i'm talking about. Any who, good luck on the hunt for the headphones!