Gaming headphone/set

[midrim]

My headset broke, don't ask why. So I'm looking for a new one.

Some questions (will use it mainly for gaming):

Is dolby surround worth it?

What will my music sound like if it has surround?

Should I just get a headphone and save a bit for a separate mic or

Should  I get a headset instead?

What about wireless?

What about ones that offer USB only input?

 

Budget is less than $150

I've liked my vengeance but I want to try something new.

I've been eyeing on Steelseries Siberia v2 as it has been popular with Steam users for a quite a while. Anyone using it? Is it good?

I'm no expert on audio (roughly translates to I'm retarded when it comes to sound) so what is the basic equivalent of price to performance ratio when looking for headphones?

 

I prefer ones that will fit in my tall ears and can effectively block outside noise.

In short, I just want a headset that will make me go "Wow! I thought that sounded like real life!" without hurting my pocket.

 

Lastly, no Razer/Beats.

[Paralectic]

The SIberia V2 is pretty nice.

[AMICLG]

The SIberia V2 is pretty nice.

For the price they're not worth it when you can buy headphones that sound much better for the same price. Like the HD 518 http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398437994&sr=1-1&keywords=hd+518

[Paralectic]

For the price they're not worth it when you can buy headphones that sound much better for the same price. Like the HD 518 http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398437994&sr=1-1&keywords=hd+518

But not a quality microphone.

[AMICLG]

But not a quality microphone.

You can spend like $10 on a mic and get the same quality. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029MTMQ/?tag=linustechtips

[nixproducer]

But not a quality microphone.

the zalman mic has the same if not better quality than most headsets

 

For the price they're not worth it when you can buy headphones that sound much better for the same price. Like the HD 518 http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398437994&sr=1-1&keywords=hd+518

why those the HD558's are in his budget http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-504631-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398438505&sr=8-1&keywords=HD558

[midrim]

I'm really liking these Sennheiser suggestions, best part is they opened a store not far from where I live. :lol:

They don't look as stylish as I thought they would be though...

[Kaasgeelheid]

Don't get tricked by surround sound, stereo is all you need for headphones, and if you're looking for surround software, there's free software to do that as well (Razer surround, breaking the no razer rule here), although I prefer using no surround software at all.

And please, don't get a headset, it's mostly marketing crap directed to gamers who want ease of use and are too lazy to do their research, with some exceptions:

- Sennheiser PC360 (only if it's less than $40 more expensive than the HD558)

- and headsets from Audio-Technica and Beyerdynamics, but they tend to be incredibly overpriced (talking about double the price compared to their headphone counterparts)

 

Wireless will only add cost and problems, so I'd stay away if possible.

 

Seeing your motherboard is quite recent (1150), the onboard is all you need for now.

 

Do you really need the isolation? If yes, I think my recommendation would be the DT770 Pro, I have one on my head right now, and I'm happy with it. 

If not, my recommendations would be the DT990 Pro 250 Ohm or the Sennheiser HD558, both for a fun listening experience. 

If you want a cheaper option, check out the Pioneer SE-A1000 as well, although I haven't listenend to them personally. Some members here have, though.

 

What I would do, is first decide on headphones, and then see what you have left over and get a mic with that. A "good enough" microphone can be had for as little as $10---> Zalman ZM-MIC1.

 

Last edit (lol), try out as many headphones as you can, eventually it will all come down to personal preference.

[creatip123]

Don't get tricked by surround sound, stereo is all you need for headphones, and if you're looking for surround software, there's free software to do that as well (Razer surround, breaking the no razer rule here), although I prefer using no surround software at all.

And please, don't get a headset, it's mostly marketing crap directed to gamers who want ease of use and are too lazy to do their research, with some exceptions:

- Sennheiser PC360 (only if it's less than $40 more expensive than the HD558)

- and headsets from Audio-Technica and Beyerdynamics, but they tend to be incredibly overpriced (talking about double the price compared to their headphone counterparts)

 

Wireless will only add cost and problems, so I'd stay away if possible.

 

Seeing your motherboard is quite recent (1150), the onboard is all you need for now.

 

Do you really need the isolation? If yes, I think my recommendation would be the DT770 Pro, I have one on my head right now, and I'm happy with it. 

If not, my recommendations would be the DT990 Pro 250 Ohm or the Sennheiser HD558, both for a fun listening experience. 

If you want a cheaper option, check out the Pioneer SE-A1000 as well, although I haven't listenend to them personally. Some members here have, though.

 

What I would do, is first decide on headphones, and then see what you have left over and get a mic with that. A "good enough" microphone can be had for as little as $10---> Zalman ZM-MIC1.

 

Last edit (lol), try out as many headphones as you can, eventually it will all come down to personal preference.

 

This.....Now this is quality answer....

 

To OP: I found that I get the most realistic sounds from open back headphones. I don't know, maybe I'm in too deep with open backs. I found that the wider the soundstage, the more realistic the sounds are. Best is to try out as much types/brands for yourself. Find an audio specialist store, where they have various demo units, and try them yourself.....

[NannerBeans]

Don't get tricked by surround sound, stereo is all you need for headphones, and if you're looking for surround software, there's free software to do that as well (Razer surround, breaking the no razer rule here), although I prefer using no surround software at all.

And please, don't get a headset, it's mostly marketing crap directed to gamers who want ease of use and are too lazy to do their research, with some exceptions:

- Sennheiser PC360 (only if it's less than $40 more expensive than the HD558)

- and headsets from Audio-Technica and Beyerdynamics, but they tend to be incredibly overpriced (talking about double the price compared to their headphone counterparts)

 

Wireless will only add cost and problems, so I'd stay away if possible.

 

Seeing your motherboard is quite recent (1150), the onboard is all you need for now.

 

Do you really need the isolation? If yes, I think my recommendation would be the DT770 Pro, I have one on my head right now, and I'm happy with it. 

If not, my recommendations would be the DT990 Pro 250 Ohm or the Sennheiser HD558, both for a fun listening experience. 

If you want a cheaper option, check out the Pioneer SE-A1000 as well, although I haven't listenend to them personally. Some members here have, though.

 

What I would do, is first decide on headphones, and then see what you have left over and get a mic with that. A "good enough" microphone can be had for as little as $10---> Zalman ZM-MIC1.

 

Last edit (lol), try out as many headphones as you can, eventually it will all come down to personal preference.

I personally think the pioneers lack bass but it is only $55 and the mids and highs are fantastic. PC 360 are nice but there aren't many left for sale. I have one in the classifieds if you're interested. I pretty much agree with everything you said except I personally thought the 558 were not as "fun" as I was told. I found those lacked bass as well. But the more I think about it, the more I think I'm just a basshead lol. After going to V3s, I can't go back. 

[midrim]

 Find an audio specialist store, where they have various demo units, and try them yourself.....

 

 

Most audio specializing stores I have ever seen in my area only sell hipster-grade headphones. That is, excluding brand stores like Sennheiser, AT etc.

 

It's annoying really, makes me cringe when I pass by them and see hipsters digging these weird colorful unfamiliar brand headphones.

 

A somewhat non-techie story : I once got tempted to try one since they're colorful as fuck and some use materials that feel good like soft touch plastic and leather but I once tried listening to one demo headphone and it fucking sounded horrible, like a usb speaker from 2007 and the hipster salesman insisted it was "clear" sound I was getting and what's funny it costs a whooping $280. With that price I would just get a trusted brand rather than a less-than-half-a-decade old brand from Seattle.

 

Also, what about Sony and Marshall? Are they good too?

[creatip123]

Most audio specializing stores I have ever seen in my area only sell hipster-grade headphones. That is, excluding brand stores like Sennheiser, AT etc.

 

It's annoying really, makes me cringe when I pass by them and see hipsters digging these weird colorful unfamiliar brand headphones.

 

A somewhat non-techie story : I once got tempted to try one since they're colorful as fuck and some use materials that feel good like soft touch plastic and leather but I once tried listening to one demo headphone and it fucking sounded horrible, like a usb speaker from 2007 and the hipster salesman insisted it was "clear" sound I was getting and what's funny it costs a whooping $280. With that price I would just get a trusted brand rather than a less-than-half-a-decade old brand from Seattle.

 

Also, what about Sony and Marshall? Are they good too?

 

I don't think that's an audio specialist store, lol. Sounds more like a lifestyle store, you know, like CD store, gadget store, something like that. Granted audio specialist stores are becoming more and more scarce, got hit by retails like wal-mart, online stores, and stuffs. 

 

There's 1 Sony that I really like, the MDR-1R. Closed headphone, with good sound and nice soundstage. It's a bit pricey though, $200 something in amazon. 

 

Tried Marshall, but didn't leave any impressions. Standard, I think (at least for me). I like the vintage box-ish design though...

[midrim]

The store's name had the word "sound" in it, 90% of what they sell are earphones, headsets, mini speakers a good portion of which has retro designs. Boggles me how big the hipster scene has gotten big enough for a store like that to open.

In a few hours I'll be mall hopping to get more opinions and choices.

I'm bringing with me my hipster friends. Bad choices I know, but they're the only ones available for today so wish me luck. 

And yes, by hipster I mean one still wears a fedora and the other friend is obsessed with Vinyl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I should make a rant/hate thread about hipsters though.

[D3AN]

My 2 cents on wireless. There will always be static (frequent or seldom.) The audio can sound very good and even comparable to wired (wired in terms of quality will always be better) Li-ion batteries can die. More tech features can lead to more problems.

 

I have a pair of TB PX5s they are really good, but the plastic used is bad. So mine broke after using it everyday.