headphone reccomendation

[Liamwasbezet]

So I was looking at some new headphones, mainly for gaming and media. My budget tops out around 200 euros. With so many options out there, I've come here to once again ask for your help.
 

Currently, I'm using a Razer BlackShark V2, but it's showing signs of wear and making some weird crackling sounds sometimes. For travel, I'm using the Sony MX4. Quality-wise, both have been solid for me.

I've seen people suggesting not to buy gaming headsets because they're "overpriced plastic". However, I need a microphone. Is it better to buy them separately? If so, any recommendations?

 

[filpo]

8 minutes ago, Liamwasbezet said:

I've seen people suggesting not to buy gaming headsets because they're "overpriced plastic".

you've just got to find the right one

 

9 minutes ago, Liamwasbezet said:

So I was looking at some new headphones, mainly for gaming and media. My budget tops out around 200 euros. With so many options out there, I've come here to once again ask for your help.

any preference on closed or open? (open lets noise, or at least some of it in, whereas closed is more 'closed' but not fully isolated)

Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Headset (981-000971) - PCPartPicker

Logitech PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Headset (981-001262) - PCPartPicker

[Liamwasbezet]

5 minutes ago, filpo said:

any preference on closed or open? (open lets noise, or at least some of it in, whereas closed is more 'closed' but not fully isolated)

Honestly, I've never really tried open-back headphones. But thanks, I'll look into your suggestions.

[Agall]

21 minutes ago, Liamwasbezet said:

So I was looking at some new headphones, mainly for gaming and media. My budget tops out around 200 euros. With so many options out there, I've come here to once again ask for your help.
 

Currently, I'm using a Razer BlackShark V2, but it's showing signs of wear and making some weird crackling sounds sometimes. For travel, I'm using the Sony MX4. Quality-wise, both have been solid for me.

I've seen people suggesting not to buy gaming headsets because they're "overpriced plastic". However, I need a microphone. Is it better to buy them separately? If so, any recommendations?

 

I really like the HyperX Cloud Wireless, I have the version 2 but I think there's a version 3 out now.

 

Its a basic wireless headset that lasts more than a day on battery. No fancy software or other BS. Microphone is really easy to tune for Discord by just adjusting the auto on sensitivity. 

 

I have the wired version too that I use for my Steam Deck.

 

In 2024, I see no reason to go wired when wireless ones last more than a day. If it dies while using the headset, then you either didn't charge it or you should really re-evaluate your life choices.

[rippy4500]

Get a Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm, it'll give you better quality than any consumer gaming/wireless headset.

Or if you want to try open back you can get the DT 990 Pro 80 ohm. They're both similar teir sound quality wise but the open back will sound cleaner if you don't mind that you're giving up sound isolation. They're both about the same price.

[saintlouisbagels]

I recently switched from headset microphone to external USB microphone and I'm a lot happier with the sound quality.

https://www.amazon.com/FIFINE-Microphone-Headphones-YouTube-AmpliGame-AM8/dp/B0BMFQP2ZZ

https://www.amazon.com/FIFINE-Microphone-Podcasting-Voice-Over-AmpliGame-AM8T/dp/B0C74GYW3J/

FIFINE's AM8 is great - the AM8T-model comes with desk clamp arm. It uses a USB-C input, and there's an XLR input if you choose an XLR interface in the future.

 

For headphones, I'm a big fan of the DT770 Pro 80ohm for fun bass and a wide soundstage, while also being closed back. I have a huge head and huge ears, and these are the only headphones I've ever owned that was comfortable to wear for 8hr gaming nights. There are other headphone recommendations that @Cocococo is more knowledgable about, but I don't have experience with them.

 

- - - -
The best value in audio quality is in Chinese IEMs if your ears are compatible (lol). Pro gamers use IEMs during tournaments, so it's not like wearing over-ear headphones is essential to gaming performance.
 

Crinacle has an extensive list of recommendations
https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/
I would get the 7Hz Salnotes Zero if I wanted another pair of IEMs right now, but I currently have too many lol.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/7hz-salnotes-zero-iem-review.50226/

https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-7Hz-Zero-Composite-Detachable/dp/B0B76YF5CY/

Or the Zero 2

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/7hz-x-crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/

https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-7Hz-Crinacle-Zero-Earphones/dp/B0CMZVZPCF/

[191x7]

Fiio JT1.

 

Sennheiser HD 560S + a cable with a microphone or a standalone microphone. 

 

IEM-s like Simgit EM6L, Truthear Crinacke Zero + an external microphone. 

 

With any of those you'll have a huge audio upgrade over anything you've tried.

[Cocococo]

If you're just going to be PC gaming an external USB mic is the way to go, most $50 USB mics sound better than the mics on my Audeze Maxwells. If you're planning to console game then finding a compatible inline mic with whatever headphone you buy is your best choice (headsets are built very cheaply without sound or mic quality in mind) This being said if you're in the USA i've found a very good combo, Sennheiser HD6xx are $179 on Drop, throw in a $20 USB mic or even a mic cable (amazon listings will say HD600, HD650, HD660, HD580, HD58x and HD660S2 for 3.5mm cables compatible with these headphones) and you've got unbeatable sound with good enough mic for people to hear you in games. If you want a safer solution (not every PC can do 3.5mm mic input and audio output through the same port, it's stupid) then Sennheiser HD560S plus a standalone mic, or if you're on console a PC38x (this is a Sennheiser HD560S with a built in mic) 

 

If you try open back headphones somewhere and decide you don't really like them, you'll be looking at closed back headphones and IEM's, IEM's are very easy, Simgot EM6L are great, Truthear Nova are great, Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED are great (their high sensitivity will make you turn down volume on whatever you plug them into, standalone mics work just fine (some mic's even have a inbuilt DAC for monitoring purposes, this also works as an audio output, my Samson Meteor has this feature and so will a lot of other music brand designed microphones)

For closed backs you're pretty limited, if you want an inbuilt mic the Rode NTH-100M are untouchable (the M variant ships with a great boom mic and mic compatible cable, normal NTH-100 doesn't) AKG K371 and Shure 840A are different flavours of great, the K371 are surprisingly detailed for closed back standards and will sound very immersive for games, the Shure 840A's have more bass and are nigh indestructible (also Shure customer service is AMAZING) so you'll always be able to get replacement earpads (much as i think the K371 are the best sounding of sub-maxwell priced closed backs, AKG are a nightmare to try and get new earpads from, compounded by how great Shure are to get new pads, Rode are also pretty good with spares if you're leaning towards the NTH-100's) 

[Psittac]

I can agree with everything said so far, at least the parts that I have personally experienced.

 

DT-770-80 is a solid headphone and almost indestructible, plus Beyerdynamics replacement parts are great

NTH-100 is amazing and sounds great without a dac/amp and Rode will 100% stand behind their product, a pleasure to deal with them (has an optional M variant with a mic and TRRS cable)

IEM's are great but might pick up system noise but with how cheap they are you could get a baby dac/amp that'll be cleaner

I would look at some other Beyerdynamic's like the Tygr and MMX300

AKG K361 is a great headphone but the stock pads are a little slim, easy enough to get thick plush oval pads for.  The build quality isn't the highest, a little creeky but durable.

 

Sennheiser offers a ton of excellent headphones, however I'm a snob with mine and if it's not a clean dac and powerful amp I don't want to listen to them, or tubes lol.

 

I would out of best practices attempt to avoid the TRRS (4-pole 3.5mm) wire if at all possible, I don't hear about people having an issue with it but I always have a problem of output bleeding over to input.

 

Look at the antlion modmic products, can't remember if that's only in north america this can be found.

 

Perhaps consider a desk mounted boom arm mic or a blue yeti etc, it'll cost you more in the long run but will avoid what you're dealing with now of throwing it all out when something goes bad.