Budget Gaming Headset Recommendation

[AldiPrayogi]

Hi guys, I'm looking for a new budget gaming headset. My budget is around 900k Indonesian Rupiah (60 USD).

 

I'm looking for a good sound quality, would love to get a wireless option but I don't know if there's one available within my budget.

 

Based on my research, I narrowed it down to these options:

 

1. Redragon Icon H520

2. Razer Kraken X

3. Logitech G435 (wireless)

4. Logitech G431

5. HyperX Cloud Stinger

6. Corsair HS50 PRO STEREO

 

Right now I'm kinda leaning for the Redragon. I have purchased their product before and their after sale support was great, plus it seems like the product itself is great.

 

I can squeeze in another 10 USD I think if you guys have other recommendations.

 

Thanks!

[crakddx]

Razer Barracuda Xs are on sale rb, and as an owner, they are perfect. Don't get the Krakens, I find them super uncomfortable.

[AldiPrayogi]

7 minutes ago, Mr-G-Man said:

Razer Barracuda Xs are on sale rb, and as an owner, they are perfect. Don't get the Krakens, I find them super uncomfortable.

Ah that option is too expensive here in Indonesia. Almost double the price of the Kraken X.

[RONOTHAN##]

I can't really comment much on the others, but I can say you probably shouldn't get the stingers. They're fine and everything for a basic headset, but their ear cup material is very uncomfortable and have they're just a creaky mess. The Corsair unit does look promising, as I have borrowed a pair for a few minutes from a friend and they felt fine, but can't comment on the audio/mic quality so don't take this as a recommendation for them. 

[Aereldor]

These are all wrong answers. If you want the best audio and microphone quality, 'gamer' headphones aren't going to work. What you'll want is the Koss Porta Pro Communication Headset. The Porta Pros are renowned for their astonishingly good audio quality (I have two, the hype is real), but the communication edition comes with an astonishingly good mic that is only rivaled by the HS80, which is $130. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Koss-Double-Sided-Communication-Hands-Free-Collapsible/dp/B095TS1G9H/

 

Mic test - 

 

 

[Aereldor]

1 hour ago, AldiPrayogi said:

Ah that option is too expensive here in Indonesia. Almost double the price of the Kraken X.

If you live in Indonesia, ask for recommendations in your native currency in a local store instead of USD, that pricing and availability only applies in the US. Send us a site that you're comfortable buying from and a budget in the local currency. 

[AldiPrayogi]

8 minutes ago, soundlogic said:

If you live in Indonesia, ask for recommendations in your native currency in a local store instead of USD, that pricing and availability only applies in the US. Send us a site that you're comfortable buying from and a budget in the local currency. 

https://www.tokopedia.com This would be the site with a budget of around Rp. 900.000.

[Aereldor]

20 hours ago, AldiPrayogi said:

https://www.tokopedia.com This would be the site with a budget of around Rp. 900.000.

So in this situation especially with the availability, I would recommend a pro audio setup like podcasters and streamers have. You can actually save a lot of money and get professional sound quality. I use this mic and had these headphones, and all my friends have this mic arm. 

 

Headphones - Superlux HD681 (Rp. 435) https://www.tokopedia.com/promusik/headphone-superlux-hd-681-original?whid=0

 

Microphone - BM800 (Rp. 93) https://www.tokopedia.com/astrafoto/taffware-bm800-bm-800-pro-mic-condenser-mikrofon-kondenser-studio-gold-ce8d?src=topads

 

Mic stand - Rp. 11 https://www.tokopedia.com/valueacc/stand-mini-tripod-microphone-stand-mic-mini-universal?refined=true&whid=0

 

Total - Rp. 537

If you wanna spend Rp. 30 more, you can get a mic arm instead. The mic sounds better when it's close to your face, but it's not essential.

Mic arm - Rp. 42 https://www.tokopedia.com/arvonik/arm-stand-mic-condenser-bm800-original-taffstudio-nb-35-untuk-mikrofon?whid=0

 

I used those headphones for 4 years as a professional musician and part-time producer, and I still have that mic and use it for everything. Being an electret condenser, you don't actually need the USB version, the 3.5mm version works fine. 

 

Pros of a professional setup over wireless gaming headphones-

• Infinitely better sound quality for games, movies, music
• A professional mic makes a huge difference in this era of work-from-home, online classes, discord calls etc. 
• Will last you longer- even cheap professional audio things are built better. My BM800 mic has been through hell - hit with drumsticks, dropped, sat on, grabbed by my dog - and it's still as good as new.
• More comfortable- again, even cheap pro audio stuff is designed to be worn for a really long time. Audio engineers spend more time with their headphones on than gamers, there's a reason they're built the way they are. The Superlux HD681 are copies of headphones like the legendary AKG K240 which are extremely comfortable for long hours.
• Extremely versatile- if you ever decide to record music, do a podcast, voice acting, anything for which you need a professional microphone, you'll already have one. 

I guess there's the Cooler Master MH751 and MH752, but the mic really sounds awful and I would avoid it.

 

At this budget, a wireless headset with good audio and mic quality is basically impossible, esp. with a nice sounding mic. 

 

[AldiPrayogi]

1 hour ago, soundlogic said:

So in this situation especially with the availability, I would recommend a pro audio setup like podcasters and streamers have. You can actually save a lot of money and get professional sound quality. I use this mic and had these headphones, and all my friends have this mic arm. 

 

Headphones - Superlux HD681 (Rp. 435) https://www.tokopedia.com/promusik/headphone-superlux-hd-681-original?whid=0

 

Microphone - BM800 (Rp. 93) https://www.tokopedia.com/astrafoto/taffware-bm800-bm-800-pro-mic-condenser-mikrofon-kondenser-studio-gold-ce8d?src=topads

 

Mic stand - Rp. 11 https://www.tokopedia.com/valueacc/stand-mini-tripod-microphone-stand-mic-mini-universal?refined=true&whid=0

 

Total - Rp. 537

If you wanna spend Rp. 30 more, you can get a mic arm instead. The mic sounds better when it's close to your face, but it's not essential.

Mic arm - Rp. 42 https://www.tokopedia.com/arvonik/arm-stand-mic-condenser-bm800-original-taffstudio-nb-35-untuk-mikrofon?whid=0

 

I used those headphones for 4 years as a professional musician and part-time producer, and I still have that mic and use it for everything. Being an electret condenser, you don't actually need the USB version, the 3.5mm version works fine. 

 

Pros of a professional setup over wireless gaming headphones-

• Infinitely better sound quality for games, movies, music
• A professional mic makes a huge difference in this era of work-from-home, online classes, discord calls etc. 
• Will last you longer- even cheap professional audio things are built better. My BM800 mic has been through hell - hit with drumsticks, dropped, sat on, grabbed by my dog - and it's still as good as new.
• More comfortable- again, even cheap pro audio stuff is designed to be worn for a really long time. Audio engineers spend more time with their headphones on than gamers, there's a reason they're built the way they are. The Superlux HD681 are copies of headphones like the legendary AKG K240 which are extremely comfortable for long hours.
• Extremely versatile- if you ever decide to record music, do a podcast, voice acting, anything for which you need a professional microphone, you'll already have one. 

I guess there's the Cooler Master MH751 and MH752, but the mic really sounds awful and I would avoid it.

 

At this budget, a wireless headset with good audio and mic quality is basically impossible, esp. with a nice sounding mic. 

 

Hey man thanks for the reply.

 

I just asked the seller for availability and they said that the HD681 is not in stock. They recommended the https://www.tokopedia.com/promusik/headphone-superlux-hd668b-original, are they good? Plus, one more question, have you tried gaming using the headset? How'd they sound? Thanks!

[Aereldor]

15 minutes ago, AldiPrayogi said:

Hey man thanks for the reply.

 

I just asked the seller for availability and they said that the HD681 is not in stock. They recommended the https://www.tokopedia.com/promusik/headphone-superlux-hd668b-original, are they good? Plus, one more question, have you tried gaming using the headset? How'd they sound? Thanks!

Well, I had the HD681-EVO, which is just the HD681 with a few tweaks and new housing. The HD668B is similar to the 681 too, but with a headband that works better for really big heads. They're reference headphones and sound unbelievable. 

Thankfully, the Samson SR850 is identical to the Superlux HD681 (they're just sold under different brands). I've found listings for those between Rp. 384 and 475

 

Rp. 384 - https://www.tokopedia.com/destinysound/samson-sr850-unpacking-professional-studio-reference-headphone?whid=0

Rp. 399 - https://www.tokopedia.com/hademusik/samson-sr850-professional-studio-headphones-eceran?src=topads

Rp. 475 - https://www.tokopedia.com/bigboxstore/headphone-samson-sr850-sr-850-sr-850-proffesional-studio-headphone?whid=0

 

Pick whichever seller you trust more, idk much about this site. 

[s_k]

I mayyyy be too late, but I needed one too, found one that I think is pretty nice value for money and made a review that actually talks about sound quality a bit more serious:

(already posted this just now as there's tons of people asking for this. Not sure if that's considered crossposting :D)

[Psittac]

Jual KOSS KPH30I HEADPHONES - Hitam - Kota Bandung - dyfa bandung | Tokopedia

 

Those sound great especially with these

 

Jual Ear Pad Earpad Replacement for Grado SR80 SR60 SR125 SR225 SR325 325i - Cup / G Cush - Kota Bekasi - sahftech | Tokopedia

 

*don't get the fosi dac-q4

 

[Aereldor]

5 hours ago, Psittac said:

Jual KOSS KPH30I HEADPHONES - Hitam - Kota Bandung - dyfa bandung | Tokopedia

 

Those sound great especially with these

 

Jual Ear Pad Earpad Replacement for Grado SR80 SR60 SR125 SR225 SR325 325i - Cup / G Cush - Kota Bekasi - sahftech | Tokopedia

 

*don't get the fosi dac-q4

 

 

They're alright, but nobody should pay that kind of money for KPH30is... You know those headphones cost 25 bucks overseas, right? That listing is marked up to double. It's basically robbery. 

 

They're also more fatiguing, they're on-ears but don't have that foam insert that Porta Pros have, and the clamping force of the plastic band is even harder than the already-tight KPH7s, and it's a little absurd to buy an amplifier for these haha. 

 

Interesting choice using the big ear pads to kind of turn them into over-ears, but that won't last long and they won't sound as good with a gap, they were tuned as on-ears so you'll see a drop in the lows, though maybe the mids would be better tbh...

[Psittac]

7 hours ago, soundlogic said:

They're alright, but nobody should pay that kind of money for KPH30is... You know those headphones cost 25 bucks overseas, right? That listing is marked up to double. It's basically robbery. 

 

They're also more fatiguing, they're on-ears but don't have that foam insert that Porta Pros have, and the clamping force of the plastic band is even harder than the already-tight KPH7s, and it's a little absurd to buy an amplifier for these haha. 

 

Interesting choice using the big ear pads to kind of turn them into over-ears, but that won't last long and they won't sound as good with a gap, they were tuned as on-ears so you'll see a drop in the lows, though maybe the mids would be better tbh...

I don't know about the value proposition, but I can wear mine for many hours and the clamping force isn't an issue for me, don't need an amp either.  The sound improves drastically with the ear pads too.  You take the original pads off too, that way you don't have to turn them up as high.  They're honestly one of my favorite pair of headphones but I understand that not everyone likes them

[Aereldor]

4 hours ago, Psittac said:

I don't know about the value proposition, but I can wear mine for many hours and the clamping force isn't an issue for me, don't need an amp either.  The sound improves drastically with the ear pads too.  You take the original pads off too, that way you don't have to turn them up as high.  They're honestly one of my favorite pair of headphones but I understand that not everyone likes them

I mean they're okay, but for that price you could just get Porta Pros which are better in every way including sound. Same earpads could fit them as well though IMO the Portas sound best with those fat orange Yaxi pads. The KPH30is just feel like more expensive KPH7s. And don't get me wrong I love them both but not at that price. 

 

Also if OP wears glasses then Porta Pros are a no brainer. By far, because they were designed for that. But if not I think the SR850es do sound better. Shame I didn't own that and my porta pros at the same time, a comparison would have been great.

[AldiPrayogi]

On 1/22/2022 at 2:44 PM, soundlogic said:

Well, I had the HD681-EVO, which is just the HD681 with a few tweaks and new housing. The HD668B is similar to the 681 too, but with a headband that works better for really big heads. They're reference headphones and sound unbelievable. 

Thankfully, the Samson SR850 is identical to the Superlux HD681 (they're just sold under different brands). I've found listings for those between Rp. 384 and 475

 

Rp. 384 - https://www.tokopedia.com/destinysound/samson-sr850-unpacking-professional-studio-reference-headphone?whid=0

Rp. 399 - https://www.tokopedia.com/hademusik/samson-sr850-professional-studio-headphones-eceran?src=topads

Rp. 475 - https://www.tokopedia.com/bigboxstore/headphone-samson-sr850-sr-850-sr-850-proffesional-studio-headphone?whid=0

 

Pick whichever seller you trust more, idk much about this site. 

Hey, I bought the Samson headphone. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

They sound great and the I wound up paying less than I otherwise would have, so that's always a welcome.

[Aereldor]

1 hour ago, AldiPrayogi said:

Hey, I bought the Samson headphone. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

They sound great and the I wound up paying less than I otherwise would have, so that's always a welcome.

Cheers. You get the mic too? 

[AldiPrayogi]

19 hours ago, soundlogic said:

Cheers. You get the mic too? 

No unfortunately. I don't have a use for them right now but I'll keep em in mind when the need arises.