headphones Not at all audiophile (or even close) needs help selecting Headsets/Headphones

[shejan0]

Hello Linus Tech Tips Forum,

 

I am going to be very straightforward, even though I love hearing Linus fill my ears with his lovely talk about how an in-ear or an over-ear headphone/headset may sound. Instead of actually gathering or comprehending the knowledge thrown at me, I just bask in the glory of thinking of how it may actually sound like. 

 

I also want it to be known now that I have been wearing my Turtle Beach Call of Duty Ghosts Limited Edition Spectre Headsets as my main over-ear design, and ASUS ZenEar AHSU001 as my main in-ears. Even though I have heard about how garbage they are compared to other sets and that I can do much better, I have had absolutely no complaints, that is an example of how low my standards are, I really care about the sound, flashiness is also key, but mainly, the relaxation of the sound is what I am aiming for. I know that is really not the focus of this forum, but I am hoping a fellow audio techy can help me find the set for my want

 

That being said, my main over-ears (Turtle Beach Spectre) have sadly gone through the usual wear of a Turtle Beach product over the last 3-years, and the right ear-cup is left dangling from a single wire. So it is that time of life again where I must beg my uncle for a new set (as he did provide me the Spectres as a gift). My personal favorite feature of those sets was the inclusion of a rebranded Turtle Beach PX22 Amplifier, that using USB power was able to change volumes for Audio In (3.5mm), Voice Chat (USB Audio), and the reverb (the input from the mic piped back to the speakers to be able to hear yourself and surroundings), and for the Audio In, separate Bass and Treble settings. I am not really sure if that Amplification was necessary, as the "Mobile connector" (4 pinned 3.5mm to the S-Video like connector of the actual sets) was relatively quiet just playing from the sound capabilities of my phone (LG-H631). But that kind of amplification I am planning on having on my next set.

 

I have looked at the pinned Forums about "The Audio Board's Recommended Gear", and "The Audio Board's Frequently Asked Questions", but simply I do not have knowledge or brain capacity to decipher from text and words I see with my eyes, to a sound that I hear with my ears. I want a set of over-ear headphones (a microphone is a plus), that has the amplification, and ease of use to connect to multiple devices like my Turtle Beach Spectres, but with equal or better sound quality, outside reverb or the ability to hear the outside world is a must. Please try to keep the sound as flat (in terms of EQ) as possible.

 

I know I might sound a bit convoluted and confusing, but please leave comments if you need more details or clarification, I would love to help narrow your search. Price is a little bit of a concern, but right now I am willing to put that aside in the name of audio quality. This has been eating at me for a couple of months now, and my lackluster knowledge is driving more and more insane by the minute.

 

 

[EsaT]

1 hour ago, shejan0 said:

and the reverb (the input from the mic piped back to the speakers to be able to hear yourself and surroundings

If you have quiet environment and don't need to isolate external noises, you can hear yourself the natural way with open headphones.

 

How many source devices you would need to get connected?

I guess PC would be primary source device and gaming main use?

[shejan0]

11 hours ago, EsaT said:

If you have quiet environment and don't need to isolate external noises, you can hear yourself the natural way with open headphones.

 

How many source devices you would need to get connected?

I guess PC would be primary source device and gaming main use?

Mainly PC Audio, and a separate input for game chat, Skype chat, or basic voice chat to use for most applications. I can work out Audio Input later on.

 

The Turtle Beach Spectres were a noise-isolating design,so they put the reverb to hear yourself.

[EsaT]

Sound cards don't usually show themselves as multiple playback device, so you need to set relative volumes with Windows mixer.

Though while Discord lacks it Teamspeak would have hotkey option for controlling its volume.

There would be also utility which can be used for setting hotkeys for various things, including application specific volume:

http://blog.nirsoft.net/2011/02/25/how-to-control-the-volume-level-of-specific-application-from-command-line-on-windows-72008vista/

http://ibraransari.blogspot.com/2017/01/how-to-create-shortcut-or-hotkey-to.html

 

 

Anyway after setting volumes right haven't found need to change those, though never used cheap trinket headphones.

And actual audio makers don't really make USB stuff.

 

 

[Max_Settings]

So you are basically looking for a gaming headphone?

[NinJake]

Headphones for listening to music on a PC is much different than gaming headphones that also work on consoles. So keep that in mind.

[shejan0]

On 6/22/2018 at 4:22 PM, Max_Settings said:

So you are basically looking for a gaming headphone?

 

On 6/22/2018 at 4:26 PM, NinJake said:

Headphones for listening to music on a PC is much different than gaming headphones that also work on consoles. So keep that in mind.

Well I am aware of that, but to @Max_Settings, it will be used primarily for gaming, but music consumption and video production are a common pass time of mine.

[Max_Settings]

13 minutes ago, shejan0 said:

 

Well I am aware of that, but to @Max_Settings, it will be used primarily for gaming, but music consumption and video production are a common pass time of mine.

What is your budget for an entirely new sound setup?

[kokakolia]

I just read the OP... 

 

Boy! You’re really pitching these Turtlebeach headphones... Why don’t you just buy them again? You got 3 years out of those and they don’t cost a fortune. I’d say that’s admirable. 

 

So you’re willing to pay more for better sounding headphones? Do they have to be gaming headphones? 

[shejan0]

21 hours ago, kokakolia said:

I just read the OP... 

 

Boy! You’re really pitching these Turtlebeach headphones... Why don’t you just buy them again? You got 3 years out of those and they don’t cost a fortune. I’d say that’s admirable. 

 

So you’re willing to pay more for better sounding headphones? Do they have to be gaming headphones? 

I do appreciate the banter. I would like better-sounding headphones, gaming or not gaming unless there is a difference I am not understanding, and gaming does affect it.

On 6/25/2018 at 10:38 PM, Max_Settings said:

What is your budget for an entirely new sound setup?

I mean as long as I see 2 separate outputs in Windows, and that I can force programs to use one specifically, I am open to options, I have been honestly thinking of going go with a (what Linus calls 'Janky' and 'ghetto' but should be called 'outside-the-box', or 'smart-shopping') that I have been planning on doing for years. But I am open to hearing what the community theorizes.

[kokakolia]

2 hours ago, shejan0 said:

I do appreciate the banter. I would like better-sounding headphones, gaming or not gaming unless there is a difference I am not understanding, and gaming does affect it.

I mean as long as I see 2 separate outputs in Windows, and that I can force programs to use one specifically, I am open to options, I have been honestly thinking of going go with a (what Linus calls 'Janky' and 'ghetto' but should be called 'outside-the-box', or 'smart-shopping') that I have been planning on doing for years. But I am open to hearing what the community theorizes.

Just get this little dinghy: 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1530079953&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=3.5mm+to+usb&dpPl=1&dpID=51QY728wxCL&ref=plSrch

 

Then you can use regular headphones. You don’t have to spend a fortune on headphones to get good sound. Do you want them open or closed?