Jump to content

Looking for nice, all-round headphones

Techicolors
By Techicolors
in Audio
 Share
Posted

What I mean by "all-round" is that I can use it for games, movies, and music. But if that's too hard to narrow down, I'll mostly be using it for games. I don't like a lot of bass but I like at least a little. Since I'll be using it at home, open cups are fine, but if there are closed cups that can achieve an open soundstage but still have isolation, let me know. My main aim here is a balanced, crisp sound. I'm not a audiophile so I just use my onboard audio codec. I would like virtual surround sound for games too. My budget is less than $100. 

 

I did a bit of research and narrowed it down to a JVC HARX900, Creative Aurvana Live!, & Sennheiser HD 439 / 518s. But if there's better headphones, let me know. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

HD 439 doesn't isolate, so skip them if that's why you're considering them. Pioneer SE-A1000 is my go-to recommendation.

ATH M50s

Haven't been under $100 since the holiday sales...

PC Build in LTT Gallery - JBL J88 - Fostex T50RP (Modded) - Pioneer SE-A1000 vs audio-technica ATH-AD500X - Skullcandy Aviator  
audio-technica ATH-T400 - CHC Silverado and Laredo - Clip-On Headphone Roundup - Sony LinkBuds

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Turtlebeach for PCs is a brand that I like.  And they have just about what ever bells and whistles you want.

 

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/headsets/pc

      4+ Years on Steam - Profile Name: Nimbus ~l~ Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit ~l~ ASUS Z87 Pro ATX Intel Motherboard ~l~ Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz Processor ~l~


EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Superclocked w/ACX Cooler 3072MB GDDR5 Video Card ~l~ Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR3-1600 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 8GB Memory Modules) ~l~


Samsung 840 EVO 120GB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ~l~ Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7,200 RPM Internal Hard Drive ~l~ Corsair RM Series 750 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply ~l~ NZXT Crafted Series Phantom 410 Mid Tower ATX - Black

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

What I mean by "all-round" is that I can use it for games, movies, and music. But if that's too hard to narrow down, I'll mostly be using it for games. I don't like a lot of bass but I like at least a little. Since I'll be using it at home, open cups are fine, but if there are closed cups that can achieve an open soundstage but still have isolation, let me know. My main aim here is a balanced, crisp sound. I'm not a audiophile so I just use my onboard audio codec. I would like virtual surround sound for games too. My budget is less than $100. 

 

I did a bit of research and narrowed it down to a JVC HARX900, Creative Aurvana Live!, & Sennheiser HD 439 / 518s. But if there's better headphones, let me know. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-990-Pro-250-Professional-Acoustically-Applications/dp/B0011UB9CQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393797169&sr=8-2&keywords=beyerdynamic+dt+990 [chose the 250OHM pro version].

 

They're somewhat over your budget, but they're very good headphones and you can replace basically any part of them yourself once you're out of warranty which makes them extremely durable.They're open back ^^

Frost upon these cigarettes.... lipstick on the window pane...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

The link I gave has a ton of headsets..... they dont all have mics

      4+ Years on Steam - Profile Name: Nimbus ~l~ Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit ~l~ ASUS Z87 Pro ATX Intel Motherboard ~l~ Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz Processor ~l~


EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Superclocked w/ACX Cooler 3072MB GDDR5 Video Card ~l~ Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR3-1600 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 8GB Memory Modules) ~l~


Samsung 840 EVO 120GB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ~l~ Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7,200 RPM Internal Hard Drive ~l~ Corsair RM Series 750 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply ~l~ NZXT Crafted Series Phantom 410 Mid Tower ATX - Black

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

The link I gave has a ton of headsets..... they dont all have mics

 

Turtle Beach is crap nonetheless ^^

Frost upon these cigarettes.... lipstick on the window pane...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

ATH M50s

 ........ over-priced garbage, not meant for gaming or long term listening.

 

so Ummmmmmm......

 

no.

      4+ Years on Steam - Profile Name: Nimbus ~l~ Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit ~l~ ASUS Z87 Pro ATX Intel Motherboard ~l~ Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz Processor ~l~


EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Superclocked w/ACX Cooler 3072MB GDDR5 Video Card ~l~ Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR3-1600 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 8GB Memory Modules) ~l~


Samsung 840 EVO 120GB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ~l~ Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7,200 RPM Internal Hard Drive ~l~ Corsair RM Series 750 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply ~l~ NZXT Crafted Series Phantom 410 Mid Tower ATX - Black

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-990-Pro-250-Professional-Acoustically-Applications/dp/B0011UB9CQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393797169&sr=8-2&keywords=beyerdynamic+dt+990 [chose the 250OHM pro version].

 

They're somewhat over your budget, but they're very good headphones and you can replace basically any part of them yourself once you're out of warranty which makes them extremely durable.They're open back ^^

 

It's a bit too over. This was one of my choices but I found it to be too expensive. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

It's a bit too over. This was one of my choices but I found it to be too expensive. 

 

Cut down from 300$, so it's a good deal actually hehe.

 

Got myself the 880pros for home use and the Custom one Pros for on the go, and honestly, they're ear porn. And it's like 4 beers at a bar over the 100$ ^^'

 

But I've seen the Sennheiser HD 558 for about 120$ they're decent aswell, if that's not too much over your budget ^^

Frost upon these cigarettes.... lipstick on the window pane...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Turtle Beach is crap nonetheless ^^

I cant say that has been my experience.... Mine have lasted for over 2 years now with long term staying quality.  Separate software can equalize 'any' headset to sound better.  So there's no reason to pay more for the same thing you can get for less.

      4+ Years on Steam - Profile Name: Nimbus ~l~ Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit ~l~ ASUS Z87 Pro ATX Intel Motherboard ~l~ Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz Processor ~l~


EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Superclocked w/ACX Cooler 3072MB GDDR5 Video Card ~l~ Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR3-1600 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 8GB Memory Modules) ~l~


Samsung 840 EVO 120GB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ~l~ Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7,200 RPM Internal Hard Drive ~l~ Corsair RM Series 750 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply ~l~ NZXT Crafted Series Phantom 410 Mid Tower ATX - Black

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I cant say that has been my experience.... Mine have lasted for over 2 years now with long term staying quality.  Separate software can equalize 'any' headset to sound better.  So there's no reason to pay more for the same thing you can get for less.

 

I've never come across anyone who has less of an idea what they're talking about. EQ can change the volume levels of different frequencies of the sounds you're listening to. It can't stop your turtle beaches from sounding like ass

Feel free to message me if you want to chat!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I cant say that has been my experience....

 

My brother bought multiple of them cause "they look cool". Probably worst headphones ever. Sound like ass, are made of the cheapest of plastics, have pointless features that make them overpriced.

 

 

Separate software can equalize 'any' headset to sound better.  So there's no reason to pay more for the same thing you can get for less.

 

No, software can't.

Frost upon these cigarettes.... lipstick on the window pane...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

The link I gave has a ton of headsets..... they dont all have mics

None of those are headphones.

They are all headsets which all have mics, some may be removable but none of them are "...nice, all-round headphones"

Build Log: Monochrome

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K | Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87MX-D3H | Graphics Card: Asus HD 7970 DirectCU II | RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB | PSU: Corsair CXM 600 | Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB,2 Seagate Baracuda 3TB | Case: Corsair 350D Window

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

 ........ over-priced garbage, not meant for gaming or long term listening.

 

so Ummmmmmm......

 

no.

How are they not meant for gaming or long term listening? They are much better than anything from Turtle Beach at that price (or any price most likely).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

 ........ over-priced garbage, not meant for gaming or long term listening.

 

so Ummmmmmm......

 

no.

lel and turtle Beach isn't overpriced garbage?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Cut down from 300$, so it's a good deal actually hehe.

 

Got myself the 880pros for home use and the Custom one Pros for on the go, and honestly, they're ear porn. And it's like 4 beers at a bar over the 100$ ^^'

 

But I've seen the Sennheiser HD 558 for about 120$ they're decent aswell, if that's not too much over your budget ^^

 

I can only go under $100 - I'm cramped in money right now. 

 

How are the ones I chose in the OP? Are they good enough? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I can only go under $100 - I'm cramped in money right now. 

 

How are the ones I chose in the OP? Are they good enough? 

 

Well I don't know any of them, but I can tell you I've never had a bad experience with Sennheiser appart from the occasional break in period until they're really comfy ^^

Frost upon these cigarettes.... lipstick on the window pane...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I can only go under $100 - I'm cramped in money right now. 

 

How are the ones I chose in the OP? Are they good enough? 

 

The sennheiser 439 and 518 have good sound, but they are not isolating.  They are very comfortable too (I'm wearing the HD 518 right now).

Mystery is the source of all true science.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Well I don't know any of them, but I can tell you I've never had a bad experience with Sennheiser appart from the occasional break in period until they're really comfy ^^

 

Thanks. 

 

 

I forgot to say that I wear glasses too, so I prefer not to have the frames crush my temples. 

Also, is there a way to add virtual surround to an ordinary set of headphones? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Thanks. 

 

 

I forgot to say that I wear glasses too, so I prefer not to have the frames crush my temples. 

Also, is there a way to add virtual surround to an ordinary set of headphones? 

 

I think there's some razer software [u don't need a razer headset for it] but it's pointless in headphones anyways -> 2 ears need 2 speakers and there's no difference in space between the speakers to make for a realistic positional audio effect. ^^

Frost upon these cigarettes.... lipstick on the window pane...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

 

I think there's some razer software [u don't need a razer headset for it] but it's pointless in headphones anyways -> 2 ears need 2 speakers and there's no difference in space between the speakers to make for a realistic positional audio effect. ^^

 

So there's no way to have virtual surround sound? Not from a soundcard or an amp? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

So there's no way to have virtual surround sound? Not from a soundcard or an amp? 

 

Not sure, but usually it doesn't make sense anyways. ^^'

Frost upon these cigarettes.... lipstick on the window pane...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Audio

×