Headphones or Headset?

[TheIceCage]

So I'm having a little bit of trouble here..

 

My Logitech G35 passed out a week ago. So now I need a new headset / pair of headphones.

 

Now, I know that many of you guys in the forum consider good headphones and a standalone mic to be better then a headset. But being on a budget of around 160€, I don't know if I can get a good pair of headphones and a non-clip-on mic. I just dont like the ones like for example the modmic. 

 

So has anybody an idea of a good combination of something like this:

http://www.thomann.de/de/the_tbone_sc440_usb.htm

with a pair of headphones for around 160€ that gives quiet a decent quality for recording some voice or should i just go for a headset like this?:

http://www.amazon.de/Sennheiser-Special-Edition-Headset-schwarz/dp/B008O510Y8/ref=pd_sim_computers_1

 

 

Note: Headphones preferably closed.

 

Thanks for any advice you can give!

[ANUPLUCIFERGAMER]

it's upon you. if you (as you said above) want to call someone(videocall) or you know like record your voice etc, go for an headphone. if you don't and you only game or anything that you do without your voice, go for and headset. if you want one for gaming go for an gaming headset. simple

[prodigydoo]

I personally went with the option of a nice quality condenser mic with some descent headphones. For me it was because i needed a descent mic to do voice overs on videos. I prefer high quality speakers over headphones so if I didn't need a good quality mic. I probably would have stuck with a gaming headset because I do all my music listening via speakers.

[Kevinkt]

Headphones would serve you better and last you longer. I got some cheap ass ten dollar desktop mic and it sounds better than my old 70 dollar headset.

 

So something like http://www.amazon.de/Kinobo-USB-Mikrofon-Desktop-Computer/dp/B0052SBAEU/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1375184485&sr=1-3&keywords=desktop+mic

 

And http://www.amazon.de/Technica-ATH-M50s-Limited-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B006L404KU/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1375184671&sr=1-1&keywords=headphones

 would be better than headset you can buy for the price. Buying Sennheiser headsets is just overpriced just for a mic built in.

[LAwLz]

it's upon you. if you (as you said above) want to call someone(videocall) or you know like record your voice etc, go for an headphone. if you don't and you only game or anything that you do without your voice, go for and headset. if you want one for gaming go for an gaming headset. simple

I think you got headphones and headset mixed up in that first part.

And no, he shouldn't get a headset even if he want to play games.

 

Here are some headphones you should consider:

Sony MDR-V6 ($88)

Audio Technica ATH-AD700 ($100)

Audio Technica ATH-M50/M50S ($140, the S means straight cable)

Shure SRH840 ($150)

Sennheiser HD 558 ($150)

Beyerdynamic DT-770 PRO, 250 ohms ($175)

Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Headphones, 250 Ohm ($221)

AKG Q701/K702 ($234/$253)

 

Please note the ones I have listed above are very different. Some are open, some are closed. Some lack bass, some are quite bass heavy, and so on.

 

For the source I recommend the FiiO E10 or if you want something more high end the FiiO E17. If you want something lower end then maybe one of the cheap Asus Xonar cards will be good.

 

For the mic you can get for example the Zalman Zm-Mic1 ($8.50), Modmic ($33), Blue Snowball ($50), or the Blue Yeti ($96). You might also want to consider a shotgun mic such as the Audio Technica ATR-6550 ($56) if you don't want an omnidirectional mic.

[whatthe_fuzz]

I think you got headphones and headset mixed up in that first part.

And no, he shouldn't get a headset even if he want to play games.

 

Here are some headphones you should consider:

Sony MDR-V6 ($88)

Audio Technica ATH-AD700 ($100)

Audio Technica ATH-M50/M50S ($140, the S means straight cable)

Shure SRH840 ($150)

Sennheiser HD 558 ($150)Beyerdynamic DT-770 PRO, 250 ohms ($175)Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Headphones, 250 Ohm ($221)AKG Q701/K702 ($234/$253)

 

Please note the ones I have listed above are very different. Some are open, some are closed. Some lack bass, some are quite bass heavy, and so on.

 

For the source I recommend the FiiO E10 or if you want something more high end the FiiO E17. If you want something lower end then maybe one of the cheap Asus Xonar cards will be good.

 

For the mic you can get for example the Zalman Zm-Mic1 ($8.50), Modmic ($33), Blue Snowball ($50), or the Blue Yeti ($96). You might also want to consider a shotgun mic such as the Audio Technica ATR-6550 ($56) if you don't want an omnidirectional mic.

do you think this would be a better option than an amp with onboard audio?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

which one of the headphones listed are the best for deep heavy bass? I like the m50s but idk how heavy they are

[Frix]

If your not looking for the best sound possible then headsets are your better bet if you are gaming as they are the ones with microphones, if you need the better sound quality headphones are better and you can always buy and external microphone.

[Youbetternot]

Headphones would serve you better and last you longer. I got some cheap ass ten dollar desktop mic and it sounds better than my old 70 dollar headset.

 

So something like http://www.amazon.de/Kinobo-USB-Mikrofon-Desktop-Computer/dp/B0052SBAEU/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1375184485&sr=1-3&keywords=desktop+mic

 

And http://www.amazon.de/Technica-ATH-M50s-Limited-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B006L404KU/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1375184671&sr=1-1&keywords=headphones

 would be better than headset you can buy for the price. Buying Sennheiser headsets is just overpriced just for a mic built in.

what ten dollar mic?

[Aphexx]

what ten dollar mic?

zalman clip on mic. I got mine for $7 and could have negotiated lower via ebay

[LAwLz]

do you think this would be a better option than an amp with onboard audio?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

which one of the headphones listed are the best for deep heavy bass? I like the m50s but idk how heavy they are

I would go for the FiiO E10 I linked. It is a DAC and an AMP in one unit. The soundcard you linked does not have a headphone AMP.

It depends on what you mean by deep and heavy bass. The AD700 has next to no bass. The K702 has tight and accurate bass, but it does not have that "punch" you get with a subwoofer. The beats by Dre has exaggerated and muddy bass.

If you want bass and one of the headphones on my list, then your best bet is probably the Audio Technica ATH-M50. A lot of the headphones on my list are a bit lacking in the bass department, but the M50 are bass heavy.

Audio Technica ATH-M50 (149 euro)

Fiio E10 (76 Euro)

The DAC/AMP and headphones I linked above are (in my opinion) fantastic for entry-level audiophile. The problem is that it's above your budget and no mic. As some other people have said, you can get the cheap Zalman mic if you want. The Fiio E10 can be bought later. That's what I would do.

[TheMail]

The quality I get from my Zalman clip-on mic is actually pretty great.

The only problem is they're not noise cancelling, so you can sometimes hear background noises.. but for about $10 it's pretty kickass

[Aphexx]

The quality I get from my Zalman clip-on mic is actually pretty great.

The only problem is they're not noise cancelling, so you can sometimes hear background noises.. but for about $10 it's pretty kickass

+1 for $7 or $10 or even lower it really is a no brainer and is a great fallback device in case something goes wrong with your primaries. 

 

cheap and works great.... its nice to have extra options even if you already have a good mic. 

[TheMail]

+1 for $7 or $10 or even lower it really is a no brainer and is a great fallback device in case something goes wrong with your primaries. 

 

cheap and works great.... its nice to have extra options even if you already have a good mic. 

i absolutely agree, its one of the few things in this world that is underpriced

[whatthe_fuzz]

I would go for the FiiO E10 I linked. It is a DAC and an AMP in one unit. The soundcard you linked does not have a headphone AMP.

It depends on what you mean by deep and heavy bass. The AD700 has next to no bass. The K702 has tight and accurate bass, but it does not have that "punch" you get with a subwoofer. The beats by Dre has exaggerated and muddy bass.

If you want bass and one of the headphones on my list, then your best bet is probably the Audio Technica ATH-M50. A lot of the headphones on my list are a bit lacking in the bass department, but the M50 are bass heavy.Audio Technica ATH-M50 (149 euro)Fiio E10 (76 Euro)

The DAC/AMP and headphones I linked above are (in my opinion) fantastic for entry-level audiophile. The problem is that it's above your budget and no mic. As some other people have said, you can get the cheap Zalman mic if you want. The Fiio E10 can be bought later. That's what I would do.

I wouldnt mind spending a little more on the fiio e17 if its worth it.

would you suggest the sony XB-500 or XB-800 over the audiotechnica?

[LAwLz]

I wouldnt mind spending a little more on the fiio e17 if its worth it.

would you suggest the sony XB-500 or XB-800 over the audiotechnica?

I haven't used the Sony XB-500 or the XB-800, but from looking at reviews and graphs, they seem waaaay too bass heavy, to the point where they are inaccurate and will make a lot of music sound bad. It's better to get some slightly more neutral headphones like the Audio Technica (which are a bit bass heavy to begin with) and then use an EQ if you feel like you want more bass.

 

I am not sure if the E17 is worth the extra cost over the E10. It has a better AMP, a battery (so that you can use it as an AMP without having it plugged into USB) and separate control for treble and bass (the E10 only has a little switch which increases bass, while the E17 can change treble and bass in several steps). Both will be good, but someone with a bit more knowledge about the E10 vs E17 will give you a better answer than I can.

[ObeseWalrus]

Good headset like the Beyerdynamic Custom One's and a good external mic like a Blue Snowball

[whatthe_fuzz]

I haven't used the Sony XB-500 or the XB-800, but from looking at reviews and graphs, they seem waaaay too bass heavy, to the point where they are inaccurate and will make a lot of music sound bad. It's better to get some slightly more neutral headphones like the Audio Technica (which are a bit bass heavy to begin with) and then use an EQ if you feel like you want more bass.

 

I am not sure if the E17 is worth the extra cost over the E10. It has a better AMP, a battery (so that you can use it as an AMP without having it plugged into USB) and separate control for treble and bass (the E10 only has a little switch which increases bass, while the E17 can change treble and bass in several steps). Both will be good, but someone with a bit more knowledge about the E10 vs E17 will give you a better answer than I can.

I have the XB500 and they are like subs on your ears. they shake your head. I love them though. I listen to alot of electronic/d&b/dubstep so its really nice. the highs dont sound too bad. especially for the spectrum of lows it reaches. I'll consider the M50s I just di t know how they can compare with the comfort of the XB series

[h264]

I wouldnt mind spending a little more on the fiio e17 if its worth it.

would you suggest the sony XB-500 or XB-800 over the audiotechnica?

 

If you really want something nice get an O2+ODAC

[ShearMe]

Do you even need a source other than your on board?

V-Moda Crossfade LP headphones are bass heavy without being too bass heavy, and V-Moda sells a boom Mic as well. I'd link you if I wasn't on my phone.

[Gorgatron]

For the mic you can get for example the Zalman Zm-Mic1 ($8.50), Modmic ($33), Blue Snowball ($50), or the Blue Yeti ($96). You might also want to consider a shotgun mic such as the Audio Technica ATR-6550 ($56) if you don't want an omnidirectional mic.

To be comparable to a headset, a dynamic microphone sounds better than a condenser. I have the yeti and it is way too sensitive.