"Gaming" Headset vs Headphones?

[Zonus]

So I've been using my A40's for nearly a year by now, and in terms of comfort and sound quality they are superb! Better than my Sennheiser, Corsair or Marshall headphones. The reason I'm posting is due to me feeling that"gaming" brands are more about gamer-bling and LED's, where as the A40's are nothing like that. So I want to ask the forum about their experiences with Astros, Have you have any bad experiences? Does they seem better to you than a bunch of 300$ headsets?
 

[Dude]

Astro aren't the best from what I've heard. They're mostly popular due to "gam3r 5w@g".

 

Not sure what Sennheiser headphones you're using but that shouldn't be the case. Marshall headphones from personal experience are pretty bad - Too quiet, uncomfortable and ridiculously tiny. Corsair headphones... Well I wouldn't expect them to be top quality anyway because Corsair make gaming headsets.

[PillowSmoke]

Well I haven't personally used the astro's. But actually going out and buying a microphone + Headphone combo is waaaay better. I do think they are inferior to say a pair $300 headphones. Since those headphones are suppose to be geared towards gaming, a microphone boom, and some good aesthetics and done. Now even though they don't compare to $300 headphones, they do get the job done so.... But in my opinion they are not worth it at the price.

[DIV1D3]

Most gaming headsets get crushed against audiophile headphones + a ModMic. 

Over the past year I've observed that the gaming oriented headsets are sound a lot better, with less compromises, and better build quality, but if you get that extra $100/200, and some really decent headphones along with a ModMic, you'd be a changed person.  

[IamPaddy]

I own a pair of Astro A40's, and personally they are great. The sound is nice, the mic whilst not being the best is decent. The build quality for my pair is excellent(I have heard different opinions though) . I have dropped them, thrown them and used them extensively everyday and they are still going strong. The price is what brings them down. You really do pay for the brand. 

There are better options for the amount of money they cost. But if you need a headset for different platforms they are great.

[IamPaddy]

Most gaming headsets get crushed against audiophile headphones + a ModMic. 

Over the past year I've observed that the gaming oriented headsets are sound a lot better, with less compromises, and better build quality, but if you get that extra $100/200, and some really decent headphones along with a ModMic, you'd be a changed person.  

That's really true. Going with a decent pair of headphones and throwing a ModMic on seems to be a very practical thing. This way you get the best audio and microphone quality!!!

[TheKDub]

A pair of headphones and a modmic will almost always be better than any of these "Gaming Headsets" out there.

[DIV1D3]

That's really true. Going with a decent pair of headphones and throwing a ModMic on seems to be a very practical thing. This way you get the best audio and microphone quality!!!

Exactly. 

Only other option I'd take is the HS-260 imo. Has a superb mic, and the audio is pretty dam good too. 

[Zonus]

I've thought about getting audiophile headphones, but cash is always a problem for a 15 year old techie
I'm currently saving up for a GTX 970 and K70 RGB, so a new headset isn't going to happen soon.
For the record: I'm using HD 429's. I know it's not fair to take 300$ headsets up headsets half the price, but I just wanted opinions.

[BoredErica]

Well if you're going to talk about the $300 price range, it's pretty sad to be getting a headset at that price range. $300 would get you Sennheiser HD600 and almost HD650 (well, for used on Amazon anyways). For quite a few people these are already end game headphones. That's definitely "audiophile territory". Under $100 I get why somebody would get a headset... but anybody who is serious enough about audio (for headphones and/or microphone) to spend $300 should be willing to get a desktop microphone or at least paste a modmic onto a headphone.