dylan43270

I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure the S model is the same, with just an inline mic added.

How to Allocate a Budget
Under $200: Get the headphone you want. Under $1000: Get the headphone you want and an amp. $1000 and up: Get the headphone you want and split the difference between an amp and DAC. If on a tight budget: only buy a DAC if your onboard has issues; only buy a soundcard if you want the software features.
 
Make Any Headphone Into a Headset
 
Over-Ear Headphones
$50 or less
 
$50 - $100
 
$100 - $300
 
$300 - $500
 
$500 - $1000
 
In-Ear Monitors (thanks to @KaminKevCrew)
$100 or less
 
$100 - $300
 
$300 - $500
 
$500 - $1000

IEM Cables
 
Headphone Amplifiers and DACs
 
 
Suggestions and Stuff Not on the List
This list is not exhaustive. It is intended as a good starting point for someone with limited knowledge of the personal audio space. I highly recommend doing research, including reading this thread for additional ideas. This also means that I may decline to add some headphones that I deem to be too expensive, too niche, or too unfriendly to the inexperienced. If you have additional suggestions, post them below. Unless your suggestion is monumentally off-base, we'll try to work it in. This list is not exhaustive and will change over time. It is not intended as an official endorsement of any product or company and does not reflect the views of official LTT staff.

If you do get them, I'd recommend the VModa BoomPro over the modmic.

$300? Easy. Get a Dayton Sub-1000 and Micca PB42x. Instant 2.1 setup.
 
Or, JBL LSR305. No sub, but probably not needed anyway and you get overall higher fidelity.

I found this recently, and really enjoyed it. Don't hate me if it is already here, I am not going to search through the 30 pages so far.
 
 

For $100 the Micca OriGen. For $200ish the Schiit Magni+Modi or O2+ODAC. 

You are such a trooper. I am surprised you haven't just given a "yeah sure" response by now.
 
Also to OP, unless you are looking for that one to help support Mayflower Electronics, you will most likely have money by getting a Schiit Magni/Modi or get the Massdrop version of the O2+ODAC when it is available.

Literally the open version of the Clouds without a mic since they are the open version of the Takstar Pro80s ( What the HyperX Clouds are made from). For competitive gaming they would be a better option since they have better soundstage and imaging. Unfortunately they have recently gone over a revision recently and are now more expensive.
 
If you can find some  Philips SHP9500s that would always be my best suggestion for a gaming headphone (and headset) as long as they stay under $100, which you can add a Vmoda BoomPro for a mic easily. 

Technically an amp will be more like the power supply. As long as you have enough power to drive them you will be fine.

They both sound the same. The Cloud II have more features with the 7.1 dongle, but that is not needed. The Cloud II does have a better mic, but not by much.

Whoa buddy, hold your horses. The BoomPro will not work with the NVX since they are dual plug instead of single 3.5mm input for the cups. 
 
Edit: If you really like the BoomPro apparently these have pretty good soundstage for closed headphones, and are decent for gaming. They are a little more pricey though, but are available for a little over $130 used.

Lets start off with a background about the company.
Omega is a small company, specializing in single driver speakers. They are all hand made by a guy in Connecticut. He designed them all from scratch, and built them.  He has over 34 years of experience. All of the speakers made are high end, $500+ per pair.
 
Now, the Mini Me. They seems to be made around 2005-2007ish. They are a set of smaller speakers (8.5"x12"x7") with 3" drivers. From what I can tell, they are 4 ohms, unknown sensitivity, but it seems pretty high. They seems to come in all sorts of finishes. My particular set has this lovely black wood swirly shiny thing that just looks and feels very premium. They look even better in person than the pictures show. The feature 5 way binding posts for banana plugs, a big must for me.
 
As for the sound,
They are quite good. The drivers may be small, but they still seem to have relatively good bass. You will want a sub with these however. But, the mid bass and drum region is superb with these, great "punch". They seems to have quite good stereo imaging. The mid range and highs are great, very clear. Detailed sound. Sometimes cymbals are not quite the best, such as in the Boston track Hollyann but better than anything else I have heard, as most times I hear that track I have to cringe at the cymbals.
I really like them so far, much better than my previous speakers. Even though they don't extend down to far they seem to have great punch in the upper bass/drum region, and my sub covers the rest. The difference in impedance did not seem to be a problem as they are the same volume, or even louder than my previous speakers at the same setting, probably due to their higher sensitivity.   It is worth noting I got these used for $110     More Pics

NVX XPT100 is a great closed solution, I would not and do not recommend the AT M series for use with games due to it's soundstage.

You do understand that the noise levels were increased to show the difference? Do you really think AMD stock cooler sounds like a leaf blower?

NVX XPT100 for closed, SHP9500 for open.

NVX XPT100 for closed, SHP9500 for open.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant   CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2697 V3 2.6GHz 14-Core Processor  ($2549.99 @ SuperBiiz)  CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2697 V3 2.6GHz 14-Core Processor  ($2549.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Motherboard: Asus Z10PE-D8 WS SSI EEB Dual-CPU LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($543.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Memory: Kingston 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory  ($371.39 @ Amazon)  Memory: Kingston 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory  ($371.39 @ Amazon)  Memory: Kingston 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory  ($371.39 @ Amazon)  Memory: Kingston 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory  ($371.39 @ Amazon)  Memory: Kingston 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory  ($371.39 @ Amazon)  Memory: Kingston 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory  ($371.39 @ Amazon)  Memory: Kingston 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory  ($371.39 @ Amazon)  Memory: Kingston 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory  ($371.39 @ Amazon)  Storage: Kingston SSDNow KC310 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($403.20 @ B&H)  Storage: Kingston SSDNow KC310 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($403.20 @ B&H)  Storage: Kingston SSDNow KC310 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($403.20 @ B&H)  Storage: Kingston SSDNow KC310 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($403.20 @ B&H)  Storage: Kingston SSDNow KC310 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($403.20 @ B&H)  Storage: Kingston SSDNow KC310 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($403.20 @ B&H)  Storage: Kingston SSDNow KC310 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($403.20 @ B&H)  Storage: Kingston SSDNow KC310 960GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($403.20 @ B&H)  Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano 4GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  ($617.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano 4GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  ($617.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano 4GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  ($617.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano 4GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  ($617.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA T2 1600W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($393.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Monitor: Acer Predator X34 100Hz 34.0" Monitor  ($1299.98 @ NCIX US)  Monitor: Acer Predator X34 100Hz 34.0" Monitor  ($1299.98 @ NCIX US)  Monitor: Acer Predator X34 100Hz 34.0" Monitor  ($1299.98 @ NCIX US)  Monitor: Acer Predator X34 100Hz 34.0" Monitor  ($1299.98 @ NCIX US)  Monitor: Acer Predator X34 100Hz 34.0" Monitor  ($1299.98 @ NCIX US)  Monitor: Acer Predator X34 100Hz 34.0" Monitor  ($1299.98 @ NCIX US)  Monitor: Acer Predator X34 100Hz 34.0" Monitor  ($1299.98 @ NCIX US)  Other: Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano 4GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire) ($617.99) Other: Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano 4GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire) ($617.99) Other: Sapphire R​adeon R9 N​ano 4GB Vi​deo Card (​4-Way Cros​sFire) ($617.99) Other: Caselabs Mercury S8 ($553.95) Other: EK-Supremacy EVO - Full Nickel ($99.99) Other: EK-Supremacy EVO - Full Nickel ($99.99) Other: EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple) ($99.99) Other: EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple) ($99.99) Other: EK-FC R9 Nano - Nickel ($122.99) Other: EK-FC R9 Nano - Nickel ($122.99) Other: EK-FC R9 Nano - Nickel ($122.99) Other: EK-FC R9 Nano - Nickel ($122.99) Other: EK-FC R9 Nano - Nickel ($122.99) Other: EK-FC R9 Nano - Nickel ($122.99) Other: EK-FC R9 Nano - Nickel ($122.99) Other: EK-FC Terminal TRIPLE Serial ($27.49) Other: EK-FC Terminal QUAD Semi-Parallel ($33.99) Other: EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 PWM (incl. pump) ($153.99) Other: EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 PWM (incl. pump) ($153.99) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Black ($7.49) Other: Cablemod Cables (Not sure on price!!) ($100.00) Other: PrimoFlex Advanced LRT Flexible Tubing – 3/8in.ID x 5/8in.OD – Retail (10ft pack) – UV Pearl Orange ($24.95) Other: PrimoFlex Advanced LRT Flexible Tubing – 3/8in.ID x 5/8in.OD – Retail (10ft pack) – Onyx Black ($24.95) Total: $28099.53 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-03 05:02 EST-0500

IT Wertz WAN IP
 
We review things, so you don't have to
 
Gamers gone wild
 
This is serious un-serious business

I don't understand how these threads get bombarded with bad suggestions so quick.
 
M50x/40x are not good headphones for gaming, especially competitive gaming. They have no soundstage.
 
HyperX Clouds are a headset, and are good for the price, but if the OP only needs headphones there are better options for the money.
 
Anything with 7.1 no.
 
If you can find the Phillips SHP9500 in your budget, they will most likely be your best option. For gaming open headphones work best, but closed headphones with decent soundstage will work well too.
 
There are a lot of open headphones under $75 that will be good, it will just depend on what kind of sound signature you want, and what you think is comfortable. 
 
Takstar HI2050, Superlux 668B (will need better pads), Pioneer SE-A1000.

I don't understand how these threads get bombarded with bad suggestions so quick.
 
M50x/40x are not good headphones for gaming, especially competitive gaming. They have no soundstage.
 
HyperX Clouds are a headset, and are good for the price, but if the OP only needs headphones there are better options for the money.
 
Anything with 7.1 no.
 
If you can find the Phillips SHP9500 in your budget, they will most likely be your best option. For gaming open headphones work best, but closed headphones with decent soundstage will work well too.
 
There are a lot of open headphones under $75 that will be good, it will just depend on what kind of sound signature you want, and what you think is comfortable. 
 
Takstar HI2050, Superlux 668B (will need better pads), Pioneer SE-A1000.

Looks like they would.

The A2+ is beaten by a lot of speakers. The one thing they have going for them is their size. Other than that, the price and performance is middling.
 
For the pricerange, the only thing worth considering is the JBL LSR305, as long as size footprint isn't critical. However, the OP probably won't like their "Ascetics" so I can't help.

The JBL LSR305 are $100 per speaker right now. Pretty much a no-brainer.
 
No (convenient) physical volume control, though, be warned.

Just from the title I was going to say the trash.
 
All seriousness just find something to have it up until you can get a shelf. Even boxes should work.

Those do look like some poor choices.
 
Not sure why you are wanting wirelss stuff.
 
For speakers get normal speakers with a Chromecast Audio.
 
For headphones, get pretty much anything but those (even at their cheaper price) . Maybe some CAL! or Takstar Pro80s.
 
IEMS- never heard of that brand. For under $20 the Xiaomi Piston 3 are a decent option.
 
Actually for headphones get some Fostex T50RPs and get into modding. For $80 they are a steal.