Best gaming headphones?

[OGTaken]

What are the best headphones without a mic on the market right now, for gaming purposes? Wireless and for PC.

[Cocococo]

Best full stop are the Sennheiser HD800S, but those are super expensive open backs, do you have a budget in mind? Or at least a rough idea of what you're looking for? Like open back, closed back, earpad material, circumaural or supra-aural fitment? 

[OGTaken]

I would say 500 or less for a budget, preferably closed back, (not super strict on that) no preference on ear pad material, and over ear.

[Cocococo]

Audeze maxwell, every other closed back headphone up to like $1000 is completely irrelevant in comparison to them

[SpookyCitrus]

I have the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless from Steel Series with aftermarket earcups and love them. My GF got the Audeze Maxwells and tbh while both are nice I prefer the Novas. Hotswappable battery(two included), ANC if you want it, multi device connectivity, and a few other features the Maxwells don't have. The sound is slightly better on the Maxwells out of the box, and the built in mic is better, but having both side by side and the customizability of boths soundstage, they're not far off from each other. I don't think you could go wrong with either one. Those would be the two I'd recommend for wireless gaming headphones within your budget.

[Psittac]

Typically choosing wireless greatly reduces your choices so far as "audiophile" headphones are concerned.  If you were to consider wired I would say go open back and of the ones I've owned I'd say that the Harmonic Dyne Zues Elite is probably the best thing you could get without needing an amp and under $500usd, even have room for a small clean dac/amp like a Fiio.  The Zues (non-elite) which I have is excellent for soundstage and imaging, probably the best I own.  Only drawback is the weight, it's not noticeable until you look down to pick something up and they fall off.  And for music they're excellent as well.

 

Second to that, meeting your parameters and not needing an amp is the Phillips Fidelio X3 or X2HR, this is a warmer sound but has amazing soundstage and imaging.  The X3 fit's really well and is comfortable with it's auto adjusting configuration.

 

Third I would recommend the Rode NTH-100, being a closed back the soundstage isn't so great but the imaging isn't shabby.  It's one of my favorite headphones regardless of price while also being among the cheapest on my wall.  It'll run on anything and sound amazing doing it.  Comfortable and the cooling gel pads actually keep you from sweating in the heat.  Drawbacks being that parts aren't readily available including the proprietary pads.

 

If you were to get an amp ontop of your budget (and a dac) I'd recommend the Beyerdynamic DT1990 pro, but together that put's you in another price bracket.  They have almost the best imaging and soundstage of everything I own in the $500+ category only being beaten by the Focal Elex

 

(the link to the DT1990 pro is $100 off, that and a schiit fulla might be a good match)

 

While it can be argued that the 1990pro doesn't need a dac/amp, I prefer it.  The last two to mention certainly need an amp though.

 

Audio-Technica ATH-R70x refine is supposed to be about as good as it gets for a gaming headphone, I'll know in a couple days when mine arrives.  It's limited edition so I've had to wait for my place in the queue, been a couple or few months.  It doesn't need a lot of an amp but it'll need an amp with it's 470ohm rating.

 

Hifiman Edition XS has received a monumental price cut and is touted as the best deal in audio right now.  I have these on order as well, supposed to be here within a week if it'll finally ship.  Would probably need something like a schiit magni with a dac module in it, it's not as technical as the R70x but is supposed to be amazing.

 

Lastly if you need wireless and/or closed back there is the Maxwell which is said to be excellent.