Open back vs Closed back - gaming

[skeeler88]

If anyone could tell me what is better for gaming on console and pc, I would appreciate it! I’m looking for a new pair of headphones that can help with directional sound as well as turn into headphones. I’ve looked at the Sennheiser 569 and 598 but I’m not sure if you can attach a V-Moda boom mic to it? Any help would be great!

[Ωhmbreon]

The main difference (That I see, at least) between open and closed-back headphones is that open back headphones allow more background noise to pass through the headphone body and into your ears, while closed-back prevent that. For gaming, I'd suggest closed-back.

[TheKDub]

Closed back will have better bass and less outside noise, whereas open back will have worse bass and more outside noise.

 

I know there are other pros and cons to each side, I just can't remember them at the moment.

 

Unless you don't want much bass and like outside noise, I'd go with closed back.

[Atmos]

It depends entirely on the environment.

If you have a loud background then closed back will prevent that from bleeding into the game so much.

If you have a quieter background then open back allow for a much wider soundstage and perceived direction/distance of audio source and over all better quality of audio.

 

There are semi-open headphones out there that sort of fall into the middle ground, kind of like the AKG k240. They will block out some sound, but still provide a more detailed audio experience than a standard closed back pair of headphones.

[GamerDude]

Honestly, it depends on your surrounding environment, whether you're gaming in just your room alone, or in a noisy area like a gaming tournament with many other gamers around. I game alone, in the privacy of my own room, thus I usually go for my open back cans like my HD6XX, DT990, or even my HD800/SDR mod. Open back cans are, imo, better for gaming simply because their are airier and have better soundstage vis-a-vis closed back cans. Open back cans leak sound both out and in, so they are more suited for a quiet environment.

 

I use my closed back cans only if I happen to have guests over and I don't wish to disturb them, nor do I want to be disturbed by extraneous noise as well. The other advantage closed back have over their open back cousins is better bass. Due to the nature on their construction, most closed back cans tend to have better bass, so it boils down to better sound isolation all round. I do have some closed back cans and I use them when it's raining heavily outside, or when I have a guest over. The DT770 and ATH-A900X Ltd Edition are my go to closed back cans.

 

BTW, if you think gaming with a HD800/HD800S is crazy, try the new Sennheiser closed back version of the HD800, the HD820, which is priced higher than its previous flagship, HD800S.

[KMASCII]

It doesn't look like the HD598's would be compatible with your Vmoda mic, but the HD569's (with their 3.5 mm plug) seem like they would be compatible.

 

I concur with what GamerDude says about how you game and the type of headphone you should use. I also agree with him that the open backs 'generally' having a slightly better reproduction of space (or airy as GamerDude says). Although there are closed backs that can be just as good with soundstage. I game using the open back HD600's in a closed computer room.