Looking for a Durable Gaming Headset

[Faceman]

Hello, I am looking to purchase my first "covered ear" gaming headset.  I am not looking to spend more than $40, and wont spend that much unless it meets all of my requirements.

 

Must cover the ears completely, so that I do not suffer any ear ache after hours of use.

MUST BE COMFORTABLE

Decent cord length

Has good sound quality*

Has a good microphone*

Retractable microphone would be a big plus and justify spending more

I AM OPEN TO BUYING A HEADSET AND MIC SEPARATELY

Looks are not important, functionality trumps everything else.  If I had a preference, it would be something black or white with blue highlights.

 

I would prefer to "cheap-out" on this purchase because I don't imagine myself using the headphones too often, I mostly use my speakers.  I will use the headphones for night time gaming sessions and to finally have a microphone to communicate with others.  Spending $15 for a serviceable, no-name brand, product seems a lot more appealing to me so long as it will work and be durable.

 

I am open to convincing as to why I should spend my max budget($40).  Reasons like reputable brand, durability and warranty will appeal to me, so point these things out when suggesting headsets towards the high end of my budget.

 

*I just need something usable.  I am not a sound expert, but I can tell the difference between poor and good quality, but not so much the good to excellent quality.  Hence the low budget.  I just need something reputable and serviceable.

 

Here are some options I have seen in my preliminary search, because I have zero experience with over-ear headphones, please steer me in the right direction.

 

Cosonic - $11

Kinbas Pro - $13

VP-X9 Headset - $15

E-Blue Cobra - $25

Creative Fatal1ty - $30

Turtle Beach Ear Force M5 - $32

Turtle Beach Ear Force Z11 - $36

[EmoRarity]

Well you budget is low and your demands are high, you aren't going to cover all of them at once. 

[Faceman]

Well you budget is low and your demands are high, you aren't going to cover all of them at once. 

Sure I will, its called being a savvy consumer.

[Fred Castellum]

Sure I will, its called being a savvy consumer.

Well then you have alottttt of searching to do. Your budget is reallyyyy low and hard to work with when trying to quality gear. 

[mvitkun]

@Faceman

Superlux 668B

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/superlux-hd668b-headphones

I got two pairs on massdrop,they supposedly rival $100-$150 headphones in sound quality,while falling short on aesthetic and build quality.

And for only $30 with free shipping you can't really go wrong.

[Faceman]

You both have been tremendously helpful

[Faceman]

@Faceman

Superlux 668B

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/superlux-hd668b-headphones

How are the 681HDs?

[mvitkun]

How are the 681HDs?

From what I've heard they bump up the bass more.

just read the reviews on headfi and watch the review on tek syndicate,it'll give you a decent idea of which ones you should go for.

[Faceman]

@Faceman

Superlux 668B

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/superlux-hd668b-headphones

I got two pairs on massdrop,they supposedly rival $100-$150 headphones in sound quality,while falling short on aesthetic and build quality.

And for only $30 with free shipping you can't really go wrong.

Thank you, I am really close to purchasing these as they have incredible reviews from people who are audio junkies, I certainly am not, so I will gladly use their expert knowledge to my benefit.  It seems like these are more tailored for music, but that wont make a difference for gaming, will it?  If anything maybe make it better.

 

Have you gotten them in hand yet or still waiting on shipping?

How comfortable are they?  Do they fit over your entire ear / Don't cause ear-ache

[mr moose]

Thank you, I am really close to purchasing these as they have incredible reviews from people who are audio junkies, I certainly am not, so I will gladly use their expert knowledge to my benefit.  It seems like these are more tailored for music, but that wont make a difference for gaming, will it?  If anything maybe make it better.

 

Have you gotten them in hand yet or still waiting on shipping?

How comfortable are they?  Do they fit over your entire ear / Don't cause ear-ache

 

The HD 681 are very comfortable, reasonably clear sounding headphone, but are lacking in the bass department, good for their prices but not award winning.  They are also an acquired taste so you will want to listen to them before you buy.

[Faceman]

I am going to go ahead and purchase the 668Bs, for $30 including shipping, its worth the risk.  Every review I have read has been outstanding, it has that "wow" factor.  Even if I don't enjoy it for gaming, my brother is a professionally trained musician and I am sure he wont mind an extra pair of headphones, that might even be better suited for his needs.

 

Now to find a $5 mic + stand

[iceballfunela]

Seriously, your budget is low as hell. You can't get much in this price range that will be durable for a year or 2(At least not with those shitty turtle beaches) and the audio quality won't be audiophile good. Your best bet is a Superlux 681 with a Zalman mic and clip it on the wire of the headphone. Its around 40 bucks I guess.

[mvitkun]

Thank you, I am really close to purchasing these as they have incredible reviews from people who are audio junkies, I certainly am not, so I will gladly use their expert knowledge to my benefit.  It seems like these are more tailored for music, but that wont make a difference for gaming, will it?  If anything maybe make it better.

 

Have you gotten them in hand yet or still waiting on shipping?

How comfortable are they?  Do they fit over your entire ear / Don't cause ear-ache

well since it's massdrop you wait until the buying period is over for them to ship it to everyone,and then the item becomes unavailable.brought it up because it's $10 off on massdrop vs amazon and any other place they can be found.

From what I've seen they're relatively comfortable,again comfort is sub par, and the pads on the headphones are made of a really tight material that makes the ears feel sweaty after long periods of time.

[ShearMe]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0041A3P5W/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=1395214882&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 is pretty great for the price. You can add a V-Moda BoomPro Mic for a total of around $45.