Headphones for gaming and music!

[maplevirus]

In the market for a new pair of headphones. I use Rebel BTs for on the go purposes, and cheap on-ear headphones at home. These aren't comfortable and hurt my ears. 

I would use them for playing games, listening to music and possibly music production in the future. 

I play games like DoTA 2, CS;GO and RoTMG.

I would use them on my laptop, it's a Asus ROG GL553VD. I don't think I'd use them on my phone, unless I go wireless, because the pixel 2 xl doesn't have an audio jack.

 

I see Audio Technica M-50x headphones being recommended on the daily so I'm wondering whether or not I should get those ones.

I've also had an eye out for the Steelseries Arctic line. The white variants look very nice.

 

White is the colour of choice.

Canadian dollars.

 

[AskTJ]

Not a headphone expert but I own a pair of Blueant Pump Zone's, the Red and Black scheme, and they sound amazing. The bass is like having a subwoofer in your ear, they get very loud while keeping clear sound, have NFC and bluetooth, and the battery lasts a long time. It can be found for around $90 - $100. 

[Max_Settings]

M50Xs are awful headphones. What’s your budget?

[Wh0_Am_1]

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50Xs are a solid pair of headphones, they are balanced and can produce a natural sound experience, due to their level response curve, they are the favorites of many and the enemy of many, though if you are concerned about comfort you are probably going to want some of these. I honestly enjoy that series of headphones but many disagree.

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro looks really awesome - I'd get one but I can't justify it to myself (My Cloud IIs work fine RN)

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

Just now, Wh0_Am_1 said:

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50Xs are a solid pair of headphones, they are balanced and can produce a natural sound experience, due to their level response curve, they are the favorites of many and the enemy of many, though if you are concerned about comfort you are probably going to want some of these. I honestly enjoy that series of headphones but many disagree.

 

5 minutes ago, Max_Settings said:

M50Xs are awful headphones. What’s your budget?

Fight Fight Fight

[Wh0_Am_1]

1 minute ago, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

 

Fight Fight Fight

LOL. 

 

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

2 minutes ago, Wh0_Am_1 said:

LOL. 

 

 

[maplevirus]

7 minutes ago, Max_Settings said:

M50Xs are awful headphones. What’s your budget?

I was thinking $200 CAD would be enough. 

[Max_Settings]

2 minutes ago, maplevirus said:

I was thinking $200 CAD would be enough. 

Take the ATH-WS1100iS

[Wh0_Am_1]

3 minutes ago, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

 

I never said that they are amazing, but they are solid, they are the jack of all trades master of none, there is a reason why these are use professionally. Basically if you are all about dat base, then don't get these, and if you want to be total audiophile don't get these either, but if you want a good pair of reliable, accurate, rugged, closed back headphones they are hard to beat. Generally speaking though these are made for DJs and Studios,  so that one can here a fairly accurate representation of the music in a loud environment. 

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

2 minutes ago, Wh0_Am_1 said:

I never said that they are amazing, but they are solid, they are the jack of all trades master of none, there is a reason why these are use professionally. Basically if you are all about dat base, then don't get these, and if you want to be total audiophile don't get these either, but if you want a good pair of reliable, accurate, rugged, closed back headphones they are hard to beat. Generally speaking though these are made for DJs and Studios,  so that one can here a fairly accurate representation of the music in a loud environment. 

Yeah I know, he says wearing a pair of Cloud IIs

[GamerDude]

I don't get how that reviewer (MKBHD) can describe the sound as 'balanced'. Thinking it through, I don't think he meant it as neutral per se, rather, I think he'd meant that it had good bass and highs, perhaps laid back mids.....hence, the sound signature sounded 'balanced' to him. Regardless, 'reviewers' like him and 'Z' are less credible to me than reviews from fellow forum members here and SBAF as well as from good review sites like InnerFidelity.

 

I'll admit that sound appreciation, whether for enjoyment or more analytical listening, can really vary from person to person. I own a number of cans, and one can I was told that should be in my collection was a 'woody' from Audio Technica. Perhaps I chose wrongly, but I'd gotten an ATH-W5000 because, 1) it was an Audio Technica woody, and 2) it was gorgeous. To say that the sound signature disappointed me would be an understatement. It sounded hollow, flat and dead to me.....I couldn't quite fathom what the hoopla was over AT woodies.

 

I'm not hating on AT (despite my dislike for the W5000 and M50X) as I do own an ATH-A900X Ltd Ed, ATH-R70X and an AD700X and I do like 'em for what they do well. I was told to get a Yamamoto tube amp that does very well with AT woody, but I was not keen to spend about $1000 or more for an amp JUST for one headphone. Besides, I didn't believe that any amp would improve the W5000 sound to the extend that I'd start liking it, the can was simply too flawed for me (sound-wise), but damn, it was a sight to behold, AT woodies are things of beauty.

[Max_Settings]

1 hour ago, Wh0_Am_1 said:

I never said that they are amazing, but they are solid, they are the jack of all trades master of none, there is a reason why these are use professionally. Basically if you are all about dat base, then don't get these, and if you want to be total audiophile don't get these either, but if you want a good pair of reliable, accurate, rugged, closed back headphones they are hard to beat. Generally speaking though these are made for DJs and Studios,  so that one can here a fairly accurate representation of the music in a loud environment. 

M50Xs suck at everything. Please don’t go off of popularity. 

[EsaT]

6 hours ago, GamerDude said:

I'll admit that sound appreciation, whether for enjoyment or more analytical listening, can really vary from person to person. I own a number of cans, and one can I was told that should be in my collection was a 'woody' from Audio Technica. Perhaps I chose wrongly, but I'd gotten an ATH-W5000 because, 1) it was an Audio Technica woody, and 2) it was gorgeous. To say that the sound signature disappointed me would be an understatement. It sounded hollow, flat and dead to me.....I couldn't quite fathom what the hoopla was over AT woodies.

From look of frequency reponse I can imagine them calling it "woody", because banging pieces of still wet wood together likely produces as dull sound.

Dry firewoods would certainly have more lively sound than that upper mid hump...

[maplevirus]

10 hours ago, Max_Settings said:

Take the ATH-WS1100iS

A bit late, but do I need a DAC/AMP for these headphones?

[Max_Settings]

1 hour ago, maplevirus said:

A bit late, but do I need a DAC/AMP for these headphones?

Not required, but always recommend. 

[EsaT]

1 hour ago, maplevirus said:

A bit late, but do I need a DAC/AMP for these headphones?

38 ohms impedance means they draw current and hence power very easily from low signal voltage.

And 100 dB/mw means they then make quite a lots of dBs per electric power.

So likely ridiculously sensitive and wouldn't wonder if touching contacts of plug with ends of some wire loop would give AC hum.

[maplevirus]

1 hour ago, Max_Settings said:

Not required, but always recommend. 

Are there any cheap options, or are they all above $100?

Alternatively I could go for a good dac, and get the status cb-1 headphones which I've seen you recommend on other threads.  

[Max_Settings]

49 minutes ago, maplevirus said:

Are there any cheap options, or are they all above $100?

Alternatively I could go for a good dac, and get the status cb-1 headphones which I've seen you recommend on other threads.  

FX Audio DACX6 or Schiit Fulla 2 is a good starting point.

[maplevirus]

3 hours ago, Max_Settings said:

FX Audio DACX6 or Schiit Fulla 2 is a good starting point.

What about the FiiO E10K? 

[Max_Settings]

1 minute ago, maplevirus said:

What about the FiiO E10K? 

E10K is overrated, but if it's cheaper than the X6 then I guess it's not bad. Better than nothing. 

[Wh0_Am_1]

20 hours ago, Max_Settings said:

M50Xs suck at everything. Please don’t go off of popularity. 

I disagree, some local DJs I know who researches everything audio, has tried, tested, and compared all sorts of headsets, but he has yet to find such high quality, closed back headset, that is also rugged and reliable as the ATH-M series, I and I have come to agree with that opinion, also I do l know that in a headset popularity isn't everything, I mean there are some pretty trashy and expensive headphones out there that sold quite well, and there are some amazing value options that haven't sold at all. These headphones are not for everyone. But, that doesn't mean that they are garbage, because when it comes down to it, for it's roll the ATH-M series is tough headset to beat. 

[Max_Settings]

37 minutes ago, Wh0_Am_1 said:

I disagree, some local DJs I know who researches everything audio, has tried, tested, and compared all sorts of headsets, but he has yet to find such high quality, closed back headset, that is also rugged and reliable as the ATH-M series, I and I have come to agree with that opinion, also I do l know that in a headset popularity isn't everything, I mean there are some pretty trashy and expensive headphones out there that sold quite well, and there are some amazing value options that haven't sold at all. These headphones are not for everyone. But, that doesn't mean that they are garbage, because when it comes down to it, for it's roll the ATH-M series is tough headset to beat. 

Then I bet they are some pretty trash DJs. I would like you to explain why the M50Xs are good.

[Wh0_Am_1]

1 hour ago, Max_Settings said:

Then I bet they are some pretty trash DJs. I would like you to explain why the M50Xs are good.

Wow you are going to trash talk people like that? I'm disappointed.

Anyways if you have ever been before you know that they are LOUD, and for that reason they require versatile headsets with decent passive noise canceling, so that they can find the right song from their libraries of 10,000+ songs for the mood that they are trying to create, while they are listening for glitches distortions and etc in their setups and read how well their songs are being received by their audience, that means that they also need multiple hinges so that they can hold the headset up to their ears, wear the headsets half on and half off and etc.. They also need to be rugged, because I don't know about you but I have never seen a DJ treat their headsets with care, they don't have the time to, they got to quickly pickup and go for their next party, dance, what have you, (they trip on their cords all the time as well)  which necessitates a rugged frame like unto the M50X or the M40X (I know some DJs that prefer that headset as well due to their better high frequency response and better value, but because of the fact that they only have 90 degree swivel and their less desirable low frequency response I seen others that won't touch the things)  and removable cables so as to prevent solder joint failures, and allow for different sized cables, the lightness of the plastic headsets is also desirable, but some replace the ear cups due to degradation, and discomfort (I know one or two who also prefer the additional colors for personal use). (Yes I know that this has been all material design so far, but that is important to a DJ) The M50x also has low average resistance of only 38 ohms, which means that the M50Xs also sound pretty good on their smartphones and laptops allowing for more flexibility of use over other competing headphones that generally have a resistance of 50+ohms (and many of them carry around Samsung, or Apple phones). They also need headphones with a somewhat level sound curve, for the different genres of music that they use in different events. And for all of those reasons, many DJs I know carry the M50Xs (or to a much lesser extent) the M40Xs. I could go on but I have other things that I need to do. Now their soundscapes may not be the best for the price, even for closed back headphones but they are still better than many competing headphones.