Audio Technica

[Shock93]

Hi everyone, 

 

Just a small question...Does the Audio Technica ATH M40x sounds great for who wants to play PC game as well?? I watch movie and listen to the music as well, but if they are that great as all the reviews on the net is saying about it then is possible to replace my MadCat F.R.E.Q. 5 for my gaming pc with those??

 

I use my F.R.E.Q. 5 for mostly FPS game...

I don't have any sound card but I'm planning to get one soon, someone can suggest few with the reason also why I should take it? I was looking for the Asus Xonar line... 

[theodoro]

1st don't buy a sound card. It's better to buy better headphones. 
2nd The M40X are one of the most neutral headphones i have ever heard. That's a great thing for me, but some people might find it "boring". I really like the sound of the M40X and i believe they can replace easily any headset. 
They are not the most comfortable headphones though. After 3-4 hours they are a bit uncomfortable. 

[Shock93]

1st don't buy a sound card. It's better to buy better headphones. 

2nd The M40X are one of the most neutral headphones i have ever heard. That's a great thing for me, but some people might find it "boring". I really like the sound of the M40X and i believe they can replace easily any headset. 

They are not the most comfortable headphones though. After 3-4 hours they are a bit uncomfortable. 

So...You think I may save extra bucks and buy the elder brother M50x?? instead of m40x + sound card? 

[Pomfinator]

So...You think I may save extra bucks and buy the elder brother M50x?? instead of m40x + sound card? 

The M-series don't have a good soundstage, as long as you don't plan on bringing them out and about, looking at something open will be better.  Whatever you do don't get a soundcard.

[theodoro]

So...You think I may save extra bucks and buy the elder brother M50x?? instead of m40x + sound card? 

Well... they are equally uncomfortable but with a more V-shape sound. In my opinion the M50X sounds better than the M40X + Sound card, but i would suggest some open headphones like the HD598.

Open headphones like the HD598 are great for gaming and they are a lot more comfortable than the Audio Technicas. The M50X have a detailed agressive sound that some people find it a bit fatiguing, when the HD598 have a more natural relaxing sound, which is great for long listening periods. 

Also the soundstage of the HD598 is ridiculously bigger than the audio technicas, so that can help for gaming/movies. 

[Jack H]

The Audio Technica ath-m40x/m50x are closed headphones. When gaming, you want headphones with the biggest soundstage possible, for better positional audio, so you can tell where things like footsteps and gunshots are coming from. Open headphones have a much larger soundstage and better positional audio. If you're using them for gaming, I'd say go Sennheiser HD518 or HD558, which are open, unlike the audio-technica's, which are closed. IMO, Sennheiser HD558 is worth the extra money for improved comfort and slightly better sound. Neither of the Sennheiser's would need a soundcard, you should be fine with your onboard audio.

[Fred Castellum]

I'm legitimately surprised non one recommended AKG open and closed headphones. They make some quality cans with great soundstages(open ones).

[NannerBeans]

Open headphones would be better for positional accuracy. The Audio Technicas are pretty bad for gaming. 

[Balverine]

For (bass-heavy) music? Yes.

For gaming and movies? No.

 

A week ago I had the opportunity to compare my M40x with my cousin's AKG K601. While I prefer my M40x for music, the K601 are so much better for movies and especially gaming (because they're open). The K601 are also much more comfortable (but I guess that's true for every pair of AKG headphones with velour earpads and that kind of headband. The M40x have quite some clamping force on them and can become very uncomfortable after a few hours, while I could wear the K601 for days without a break.

 

Before I was able to try a pair of open headphones I was like "I don't get why everyone (especially Logan from TekSyndicate) advocate/recommend open headphones for gaming so much. The M40x are just fine for that." But man, you really want open headphones for gaming. The soundstage is so much bigger.

 

Also, as long as you're onboard soundcard ain't broken or utter crap you're gonna be fine with it. The M40x are have an impedance of 35 Ohm while the K601 have 120 Ohm. But even with that much impedance my onboard soundcard (Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec) had no trouble driving the AKGs.

 

Just keep in mind that you'll need a microphone if you replace your headset.

 

Logan and Tyler made 2 videos about replacing a headset with headphones + mic for $50 or less and $150 or less ( -> https://www.youtube.com/user/razethew0rld/search?query=gaming+headsets+suck ).

[creatip123]

Open headphones would be better for positional accuracy. The Audio Technicas are pretty bad for gaming. 

 

Their AD series are quite good for positional, though.

[xtroria]

I'm legitimately surprised non one recommended AKG open and closed headphones. They make some quality cans with great soundstages(open ones).

 

AKG sound signature though, not for everyone. and you'll need amp to drive AKG open headphones properly