Don't buy a "gaming headset" 99% of the time they are okay headphones with a (usually) shitty mic, with a huge markup because they are "gaming headsets".

Instead buy some real headphones, and get a cheap mic, like the Zalman Clip on mic which attaches to your headphone cable, which will be good enough for most people.

For under $100 I recommend the AKG K240s Amazon

or the Audio Technica AD500X Amazon

Also, check out /r/headphones

Well technically closed or open back alone doesn't really make a headphone better or worse for positioning, tuning also plays a big role in how headphones make sounds, because while some headsets may share the same guts as another pair of headphones (as is the case here and the hd500 series), one pair can be tuned to have more bass and the other can be tuned more towards the high end to help identify footsteps or whatever.

Biggest thing is usually soundstage and imaging get better as more air vibrations are allowed in and out of the headphones. Soundstage is the feeling of how sound isn't coming from headphones, but the illusion that it's from outside the headphones. Imaging is how well individual sounds, like footsteps or gunshots in games or instruments in music, can be identified within the soundstage. Opening the back up does come with a disadvantage of reducing lower frequencies. Because there is nothing stopping the air behind the driver in open back headphones, you don't get pressure there, like a sub woofer, and that means you can't have the rumble effect you usually get with a lot closed backs. That being said if you're more focused on competitive gaming, emphasizing on high and mid frequencies will make footsteps easier to locate.

If you're really interested and want to dive into what makes headphones different and have the time, watch this video. It's a long video and the guy is typically pretty scatterbrained, but this video offers a lot of insight in one place.

I haven't heard these specifically, but I've heard the hd558 and hd598, which both use the same drivers as this headset and those have a decently wide soundstage and pretty good imaging, so I'd say positioning for the price is B+ maybe an A-. If you really want to soundwhore in games and don't care about the mic, the AD Series from Audio Technica are ridiculously accurate, but the version with the mic costs quite a lot.

Decent Review on the AD500x, which is one step below this. There is not a $40+ difference between them so if you want best bang for buck, get the 500x for ~$80 with free shipping.

Others to consider are the AKG K240 and the currently on sale Sennheiser HD518

I hate how expensive headphones are in Canada. Everytime I look the price is almost double compared to the US and I just lose any interest in getting a new pair.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B009S333U4/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S333U4/

$140 CAD... compared to $80 USD, when $80 USD is $105 CAD.

Well I have Sennheisers and Beyerdynamics with amps and stuff and always listen to the boys.

You don't want headphones that overemphasize bass (beats or skullcandys, etc) because the bass will literally muddle all the other fine details of the music. If you like bass, that's great. But listening to their music the way they intended it to be heard and as crystal clear as possible is IMO the best way to listen to the boys. Plus, some nice headphones can give you your bass AND keep the mids and highs super clear.

If you want dope ass headphones that sound great I recommend these

Buy nice headphones, and then attach a modmic. Ill edit in links once I'm home, maybe fifteen minutes.

Sorry, that took a while. Here's a headset I love, and works well with the modmic. I don't have one on this headset, as I use a studio mic, but I have one on my other pair for my laptop. http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4

The guy below me posted the modmic link.

It's basically a Audio- Technica AD500 or AD700 (The AD700X and AD500X sound essentially the same, as far as I can tell, while the X versions might have slightly more bass). The AD900 would be an improvement on this sound signature towards neutrality, whereas something like an AKG K7xx would be a substantial increase on the low end of this sound signature, and a decrease in the peakiness of the treble, which creates an overall similar sound signature, but one which is much more pleasing to most people.

In terms of an actual label- it's mids focused, with a 10k peak.

Link to measurements- AD500

Link to Amazon- AD500X

[Link to measurements- AD700]
(http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AudioTechnicaATHAD700.pdf)

Link to Amazon- AD700X

What kind of price range?

What sound signature?

What I can guess based on what you have stated: you want open back over ear headphones.Something to keep in mind, a lot of open back headphones lack a punchy bass so if that is a big thing for you it may be better to go with closed. They do have a major advantage when it comes to positional audio though.

For around $75 some good options are Philips 9500S or audio technica ath-ad500x. Both of those options have phenomenal positional audio, but as I stated before, lack somewhat in bassiness.

If you want to look at some more options you can check the link in the sidebar for purchase advice.

Because the vast majority of the time buying a pair of headphones and a separate mic gives you better quality hardware for the same or less money.

It's like building your own pc vs buying a prebuilt.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S333U4

Is a good example. these are far better than the hyperX cloud 2 in terms of quality and comfort.

Then buy a separate mic, such as https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01D4HTIOY

And you will have a much better pair of headphones and an equal quality mic. (People love to recommend the zalman clip on mic, it's like $5-6, and for that price I guess it's good, but it's honestly terrible)

If you can increase your budget another $20, you can get a blue snowball which is a far better mic, or you can get the antlion modmic, or look into the V-moda mic which is very similar. (The modmic and Vmoda attach to headphones to make them a headset if you don't like stand up mics. But are $30-45)

The lower end hyper x headsets (core/stinger) are actually pretty decent overall. Since at that price range you are basically stuck with a $5 mic.

There are also a few other exceptions such as the Sennheiser headsets (pc350/360 and game zero/one), if you can find them for like $120 or less, they are a solid choice.

Edit:
But I do want to make it clear, even at a low budget range, it's still better to buy separate. Even if you are stuck with a $5 zalman clip on mic that is likely worse than what comes on the stinger, you have the choice and ability to upgrade the mic to a modmic/Vmoda or anything else.

If you purchased a $50 pair of Sennheiser headphones with a $5 mic, the headphones will be drastically better even though mic sucks. But say 6 months later you can choose to upgrade the mic. And you will always have that mic available if you choose to upgrade the headphones.

Audio Technica AD500x(114$) - Open Back Headphones

https://www.amazon.com.au/Audio-Technca-Ath-Ad500x-Audiophile-Open-Back/dp/B009S333U4/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=audio+technica+ad500x&qid=1556534148&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Audio Technica AD700x(144$) - Open Back Headphones

https://www.amazon.com.au/Technica-ATH-AD700X-Audiophile-Open-Back-Headphones/dp/B009S332TQ/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=audio+technica+ad700x&qid=1556534388&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

​

Audio Technica M40x(129$) - Closed Back

https://www.amazon.com.au/Audio-Technica-ATH-M40x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR54/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?keywords=akg+m40x&qid=1556533775&s=gateway&sr=8-2-fkmr1

​

The difference between open back and close back is that open back headphones have the advantage of having better positional audioBut the disadvantage of typically lower bass quantity(although more accurate) and you can hear people around you(irl). The AD500x and AD700x are probably some of the

best headphones for positional audio at 150$ and below except for the that are a bit more expensive 144$. They also have good higher frequencies meaning that you'll be able to hear footsteps behind you

Where the enemy that shoots at you is located etc.

Closed backs on the other hand typically has a more punchy bass(low end frequencies) but at the sacrifice of positional audio.

​

I am sure there are others around that has good alternatives here as well, but those are my picks in that price range.

Your post is going to be removed due to rule #1.

🎧 Headphones

Personal recommendations:

• AKG K52
  
  Sound: Has a large soundstage, good imaging, clarity and detail retrieval and decent separation. It doesn't over- or under-emphasize the bass or treble. The bass can sound a little muddy in e.g. blasts and explosions. I've explained the sound characteristics further down.
  
  Build: Is closed-back and over-ear. Durable and very lightweight. The cups tilt and swivel, so they should adjust to the shape of your head nicely. The earpads have decent quality and are soft and removable, but they're shallow.
  
  
  
• Philips SHP9500
  
  Sound: Has a medium soundstage, good imaging, separation and detail retrieval and very good clarity. It doesn't over- or under-emphasize the bass or treble.
  
  Build: Is open-back and over-ear. Durable and lightweight. The cups tilt and swivel and the cable detaches. The earpads have good quality and they're soft and removable, but they're shallow.
  
  
• Superlux HD668B
  
  Sound: Has a large soundstage, I'd say 50% bigger than SHP9500. It has very good imaging, separation, clarity and detail retrieval. It has emphasized treble and a small boost in the mid-bass.
  
  Build: Is semi-open-back and over-ear. Sturdy and lightweight. The cups tilt and swivel. The cable and earpads are detachable. The earpads have bad quality and are shallow, so I recommend replacing them with pads from HiFiMAN.
  
  
• Superlux HD681 EVO
  
  Sound: Has the same soundstage as HD668B. It has very good clarity and good detail retrieval, but has poor imaging and separation. It's warm sounding with deep bass.
  
  Build: Is semi-open-back and over-ear. Durable and lightweight. The cups tilt and swivel. The cable and earpads are detachable. The earpads have decent quality and are soft and detachable, but they're shallow and the drivers stick out quite a bit, so I recommend taking out the loose felt inside the cups, unless you're sensitive to treble, and replacing the earpads with pads from HiFiMAN or pads from Brainwavz.
  
  

  
  

  
  I also compare to AKG Q701, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990 (600 ohms), HiFiMAN HE400i, HyperX Cloud, Monoprice Monolith M1060, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD700. I strongly advise against HyperX Cloud / Cloud II / CloudX if you don't need closed-back. I recommend K52 over them for closed-back. My evaluations derive mostly if not only from gaming (so take it with a grain of salt for music listening). I can't emphasize enough that perceived performance in headphones is relative.
  
   
  
  Highly regarded alternatives:
  
  

• Audio-Technica ATH-AD500x (open-back)
  
• Status Audio OB-1 (open-back)
  
• Status Audio CB-1 (closed-back)
  
• Superlux HD681 (semi-open-back)
  
• Superlux HD669 (closed-back)
  
• Superlux HD662 (closed-back)
  
   
  
  Terminology:
  
  
• Closed-back
  
  Headphones that have cups with solid shells that largely isolate sound from passing in and out.
  
  
• Open-back / semi-open-back
  
  Headphones that have cups with perforations/grills that allow outside sound to freely pass in and sound from the drivers to freely pass out. How loud you hear outside sound and how loud people around you hear the sound emanating from the headphones depend on your volume, of course. The sonic benefit to open-back is generally a big soundstage.
  
  
• Soundstage
  
  Perceived space and environment of sound. It can be compared to virtual surround sound; both attempt to produce the same spacious, three-dimensional effect. VSS can sound more ambient and immersive, which depends on the processor (CMSS-3D, Dolby, SBX, etc.), but it degrades the sound quality and diminishes detailing due to compression from digital processing. You might also experience less accurate imaging and separation if the headphone already has good imaging and separation. Note that a deep soundstage is equally important as a wide soundstage.
  
  
• Imaging
  
  Determines how accurately sounds/objects are positioned across the soundstage. And I mean where they are positioned and not merely what direction they come from. This distinction is important because being able to tell only what direction objects come from isn't good enough to me when playing against people.
  
  
• Separation
  
  Separating individual sounds from a range of sounds. Good separation makes it easier to filter out or discern overlapping sounds from other sounds and track them.
  
   
  
  ---
  
   
  
  

  🔊 Microphones
  

  
  

  
  

  
  Attachable to headphones:
  
  

• Antlion ModMic 4
  
  Uses a clasp system and is easy to attach and remove. Is compatible with all headphones. Comes with and without a mute switch.
  
  
• Massdrop Minimic
  
  Uses a clasp system and is easy to attach and remove. Is compatible with all headphones. Has a mute switch and is modular. Is only available via drops on Massdrop.com. I recommend requesting it if you want to wait for it.
  
  
• V-MODA BoomPro
  
  Connects to the headphone's jack, replacing the headphone cable. Is compatible with Philips SHP9500 and Status Audio CB-1. Has a mute switch and a volume control.
  
  

  
  

  
  Alternatives:
  
  

• Neewer
  
  
• Sony ECMCS3
  
  
• Zalman ZM-Mic1
  
  
• Blue Snowball
  
  
• Samson Go
  

The King of Weeb Trash

>Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X or Audio-Technica ATH-M30x

Out of the two, I'd go for the AUD, which I'm assuming is the same as the ATH-AD500X. It's an open-back headphone, which tend to have superior soundstage. This is good for gaming, especially shooters. Bear in mind that sound leakage will be quite high, both in and out, meaning if you're going to be gaming in a noisy environment, you'll be able to hear the noise around you quite easily. If sound isolation is important to you, the M30X is a better option, or the M40X/M50X if you want a detachable cable.

What's your budget and where are you from? I suggest you check out this headphone buying guide.

Yes. That will be more than adequate to run Stellaris, lol. Get him a good mouse and some nice headphones to go with it, the Stellaris soundtrack is phenomenal. Audio Technica make really high quality headphones for a reasonable price. Sennheiser, too, but they are more pricey.

My philosophy is to find the best price-to-performance ratio.

$20 and under: Monoprice 8283 DJ Headphones (closed-back, about the cheapest I would recommend)

$50 and under: Superlux HD 681 EVO (semi-open back, great value, a sweet spot for budget headphones)

$75 and under: Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X (excellent soundstage)

$100 and under: Sennheiser HD 559 (classic laid-back Sennheiser sound, good soundstage, great all-rounder)

$125 and under: [Sennheiser HD 579] (https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-579-Open-Headphone-x/dp/B01L1IIF1K) (slightly improved 559, you may not notice a difference)

$150 and under: [Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee] (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones) (excellent all-rounder, a noticeable upgrade from the 559/579, another sweet spot for price-performance ratio)

$175 and under: [HIFIMAN HE4XX] (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-hifiman-he4xx-planar-magnetic-headphones) (planar magnetics - a much different sound signature with more bass impact)

$200 and under: [Sennheiser HD 6XX] (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx) (pretty much the best 99% of people will ever hear or want or need)

After the HD 6XX, you really start to experience diminishing returns IMO. In my experience, all the pairs I listed are very comfortable, especially the midrange Sennheisers.

The fitting of these will take a tiny while to get used to but they're absolutely amazing :)

Audiotechnica headphones are great for gaming.

For audiotechnica i'd recommend This and This

I also recommend these by sennheiser

These will give you much better audio for gaming then a gaming headset ever could.

I would recommend open back and suggest Audio Technica ATH AD500x. I found a pair on Amazon for 72$ so hopefully thats close enough.

I have the 900x ( their big brother) with sheepskin ear pads and I love them. The soundstage is vast and precise and I hear that they Are great for gaming

Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S333U4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zhQSCbZC68XB1

Well said. Although there are quite a few high end users who seek better sound with something like a Sennheiser One/Zero. I'm sure many of those would be better off with some $200 headphones and a $50 mic as well as a $50 dac/amp. It was more meant for those type of people, although you can also get good sound on a budget with something like Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X with a V-MODA BoomPro for a total of about $100. Still more than the budget $50 headset, but if you're rocking a GTX 1080, you might as well go for better sound as well for a better overall experience.

And that's where you guys come in. I know nothing about good audio, but I have recently started following this sub. When I saw that post, I immediately thought that this is r/headphones material. I may well have been wrong though :)

A home theater system is good for parties or casual players, but you'd be able to hear the songs more clearly if you went with headphones IMHO. Get an HDMI audio extractor (about $30) and a Behringer MicroAmp ($25) and the appropriate cables and you're good to go. I'd recommend open-ear headphones like THIS.

And here's a cheaper alternative.

If you're in a noisy environment though, closed headphones might be better.

http://www.amazon.in/Technica-ATH-M50X-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421391232&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+ath-m50x

http://www.amazon.in/Technica-ATH-M40X-Professional-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR54/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1421391341&sr=8-14&keywords=audio+technica

http://www.amazon.in/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD500X-Audiophile-Open-Air-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421391395&sr=1-3&keywords=audio+technica

These will give you a phenomenal soundstage (instruments will appear to be separated spatially, giving the feeling of listening to a live performance from nearby).

http://www.amazon.in/Audio-Technica-ATH-WS77-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B009FRPN4M/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421391395&sr=1-10&keywords=audio+technica

These should have good bass.

http://www.amazon.in/Sennheiser-HD-558-Over-Ear-Headphone/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_19?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421391474&sr=1-19

This Sennheiser will give you god-level sound, but you'll need to use the equalizer if you want very strong bass.

It's hard to say what headphone or headset is perfect for you as you perceive audio different as others do. So we can only help you with what a good option is, but you'll eventually have to make priorities and make a decision. It's smart to first decide whether you want a headset or headphone. To do so let's take a look at the pro's and con's of a headset:

Pros:

• Virtual 7.1:
  It's really the only reason I like headsets. Some of these can produce some amazing "soundstage" effect, which can be important while gaming and very interesting for watching "concerts". (Most modern headphones have a very decent soundstage as well).
  
  
• Comfortability:
  While they are quite heavy most of them are very comfortable.
  
  Cons:
  
  
• Weight:
  Damn, these things are so heavy compared to many headphones.
  
  
• Audio quality:
  Compared to headphones headsets are far behind on audio quality. They don't reach the Frequency response of a headphone even if they tried... They are so big and heavy and still unable to provide you with the most important feature of headphones and headsets...
  
  
• Price:
  The prices are ridiculous.
  
  For me the Cons outweigh the Pros of the headset with ease and you should make a choice as well. What is more important?
  
  For $350 you should definitely invest in a dedicated DAC + Amp aswell as a headphone! The overall audio quality will be so much better!
  
  Check out the Shiit Modi 2 DAC and the Shiit Magni 2 Amp. Shiit just released the new 2nd version of the Modi and Magni! You pay $200 in total for this combo and you'll see a huge audio quality improvement over onboard audio or soundcards! They are definitely worth the price!
  
  Then you have like $100 to 150 left to invest in good headphone. Here are a few great options:
  
  
• The Shure SRH750DJ. These aren't the fanciest looking headphones and they aren't the most comfortable either. The audio quality coming out of these headphones outperforms most of the $200+ headphones! I own these and love them! They are great for electronic / bass heavy music and they provide you with an amazing "soundstage" as well!
  
  
• The extremely popular Audio Technica ATH-M50. It's a more comfortable and better looking headphone as the SRH 750. The overall frequency range is not as good. The quality is still superior over the best headsets available though.
  
  
• the Grado SR80e has fairly small cans, but does provide good audio quality. Especially for very busy music (think of rock / metal and similar).
  
  
• The Audio Technica ATH A500X. Another good headphone. They do better for gaming than the alternatives IMO. Although they don't block outside noises... There is a closed version that costs 100$ instead.

The Yeti is a really nice mic. I think you will want a pop filter. They are cheap.

If you want a boom desk stand instead of using the provided stand this is nice for the money....
http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Broadcast-Microphone-Suspension-Scissor/dp/B00AK7SKL4/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1418501765&sr=1-2&keywords=yeti+stand

Headphones depends on what you wanna spend. Heres some that arent crazy priced but sound better then any gaming headset you would be getting.

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042A68R8/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B009S333U4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1YR2XXW4X035MHS2KQAM

http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8

I would return or sell the soundcard for as much as you can get for it and pick up an external DAC/amp. I'm currently using a FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier with a pair of Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X's and I couldn't be happier. The audio is super clean and the FiiO can drive the headphones way louder than I could ever want.

Never buy a headset. They are overpriced and low quality. Marketed towards gamers, they cram in a mic with the headphones which raises costs and forces the company to make lower quality products to fit them in the headset and to lower prices. Buy a quality pair of headphones and get a separate mic, either one that is stand alone or one that attaches to the side of your headphones. Here are some headphones that I would recommend. Not sure what is "too pricey" for you, but these are some good products. Please don't buy some overpriced piece of hardware like beats or turtle beaches. If you want to know more info or want something a little cheaper I would recommend watching this.

I was just about to edit my original post they are actually the 9500s and apparrently they went up in price from when i bought them but these were the headphones i had before i bought the 9500s and they are semi open backs so they kinda split the difference between closed an opened but if you wan to take full advantage of open head phones these audio technicas are closer to the price range and are pretty good quality as well

Sennheiser HD558s or Audio-Technica ATH-M50s ATH-AD500X / ATH-AD700s then. With the above mics. :)

EDIT: ATH-M50 unendorsed by /u/ARE_U_FUCKING_SORRY

General consensus is to get the headphones and mic separate. Gaming headsets have too many compromises.

I use these and they are great. And this is a very popular mic.

I'm at work anyway so time flies here. :P

Do you need a mic with the headset? If so, we might go back to gaming-based headsets because they have one built-in.

One gaming headset that's 'pretty good' and has all the features with mics and all is the Hyper X Cloud.
https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Cloud-Gaming-Headset-PS4/dp/B00SAYCVTQ/

Going back to Audiophile headphones, a step-down from what I purchased:
https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4

That's an open-back headphone again, suitable for FPS games which you play too. You'll love playing Battlefield with it as well, hearing those gunshots whiz by. Big downside for open-back headphone is the bass is not that good.

Close-backed ones are, the opposite. One good headphone is :
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M40x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR54
You're going to love the bass on this one, especially on intense gaming moments.

Another choice is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L1IIF1K/ref=psdc_172541_t1_B01L1IIEKM

Overall, there's a lot of headphones out there that might suit your needs. Those ones encloses your ears so they're pretty big. So feel free to research about these audiophile headphones that will work for you.

I've heard the nvx xpt100 have good soundstage at $80-$100, but they are closed. Nothing will beat open headphones except speakers for soundstage. I think the 558 is a solid choice. The at ad500x is $100 as well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009S333U4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1422742736&sr=8-2&keywords=audio+technica+ad&dpPl=1&dpID=41mWX5TgK8L&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

Ended up going with these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009S333U4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . I'll post my feeling on them in case somebody searches for head phones in here later.

Edit: Open back headphones are dope for home theater use. Instead of all noise seeming to come directly from your own skull, the sound is directional. A sound originating from the left of the screen that would usually come from the left speaker actually sounds like it's coming from the left of the screen. They also don't blot out all noises from the house, so you can still be aware of your environment. Multiple times I've taken the headphones off trying to figure out if a noise was from the movie or inside the house.

Some notes about these specific headphones: Clarity is really good at all ranges - better even than my 5.1 set up, and I kind of prefer them now due to both said clarity and also the directional quality. Somehow sounds can even seem to originate from behind or above me, which my surrounds on each side of the couch just don't do. Trade off is base. When there's an explosion, my 300 watt sub'll make me feel it. I doubt there's any headphones that'll do that, but these open back ones have even less than my older and cheaper closed back Phillips'.

Does this look a good headset for gaming within the $75 price range?

Dis

Sorry you could get these and a zalman (if you don't have these try the senheiser hd 518)
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009S333U4/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1?qid=1419881693&sr=8-1-spell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

I am buying a new headset to use for VR, gaming, and for music. I am done using cheap $20 USB headsets. My kids are at the age I can tell them not to touch my headphones. So this is my into into good sound.

I have settled on an open backed headset from reading many reviews and because I hate the feeling of suction cups on my head.

Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones
Seemed like a really nice option in my price range.

I would also probably get: Antlion Audio Muted ModMic I like the ability to clip it to my monitor or headset if I like.

I have an on Board HD VIA AUDIO (VT2020) on my GIGABYTE (GA-Z77X-UD3H) motherboard.

Should I also save up for a better sound card?

Any other recommendations with:

• price range ($200CAD)
  
• open back (heard it sounds better and I need to hear those damn kids)
  
• stereo (no need for weird 5.1/7.1 as I will be using this for VR as well)
  
• Mic (I like ModMic 4.0 or built in mic)
  

You could go for a pair of AD500X's with a mic, but if you can afford, then the AD700x's are a bit of a jump in sound quality. These are both open headphones, you'll be getting much a better sound stage than any headset on the market.

this is what i went with for my headphones. they are absolutely amazing. then i popped a modmic onto them and used this for the wiring. best "gaming headset" ive ever had.

There is cheaper and more expensive options. but i really liked the aluminum frame, and open stage. its a sound like ive never had before. doesn't feel like my games audio are being injected into my ear, but more like im there.

Here's what you do. You use you Razer Kraken Headphones as your mic. So keep it plugged in and right click the sound icon then "recording devices" making sure your Kraken is set as default.

Then order these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009S333U4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

And use them as your default playback device since that doesn't have a mic. (right click sound icon, playback devices and select the headphones as default device and default communications device)

That way you're using your kraken as a mic, while hearing all audio from the headphones.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009S333U4/ref=ox_sc_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Thoughts on that + a mic?

He's right, you know. If someone attempts to convince you that some sound product labelled "Gaming" is worth buying, they are lying or stupid.

If you don't want to spend the time watching the linked Video for $50 budgets or the Video for $150 budgets, just buy these headphones and this microphone and attach, yes literally attach, the two.

These headphones will produce the highest quality audio you have ever heard, and your teammates will always understand what you say. Based on the current USD to GBP conversion rate you shouldn't go over about £100... maybe £110

It's not exactly within budget, but hear me out. I used to swear by the Siberia V2, for me its comfort trumped everything else, but I recently found the ATH-AD500X. I got them through Amazon for $75 from some cheapo Japanese etailer. They have a similar design to the Siberia V2, much better audio quality, and they are waaaaay more comfy.

Currently the cheapest you can get it for on Amazon is $95, but keep an eye on it once you've got some left over cash.

Here's a link to the Amazon page.

Edit: spelling.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426936005&sr=8-2&keywords=hd598

http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-Series-SR80e-Headphones/dp/B00L1LXOWS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426936043&sr=8-1&keywords=grado+80e

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426936069&sr=8-1&keywords=ad+500x

ATH AD500x

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4

GameZeros.. minus the mic :D

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8

Excellent good cheap mic..

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=pd_sim_e_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0B25Q0Q1M27ZXEYAJ11H

Gonna need a number for the budget, medium and high mean very different things to different people.

Open headphones are generally better for competitive gaming due to a larger soundstage. From Audio Technica, that'll be their ATH-AD series which ranges from the 500X to the 2000X. In between them are the 700X, 900X, and the 1000X, each costing more than the previous.

Order it on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD500X-backed-Hi-Fi-headphones/dp/B009S333U4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506275219&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+aud+athad500x

You can try getting a directional shotgun mic, but when using speakers you're always going to broadcast your game sounds to everyone else. It's basically unavoidable.

Why would using headphones be a compromise? You can get some stupid good headsets for not a lot of money these days, same goes for dac/amps. I'm using the Monoprice Modern Retro headphones (replaced the pads with Brainwavz XL) through a Fosi Audio Q4 dac/amp and it's a killer combo. The Modern Retros hit way way way above their weight class in terms of price, if they sold for 4x as much they'd still be a good deal. If you want open back look at something like the Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X (or the 700X or the 1000X depending on budget), but open backs may leak a lot of sound too depending on your listening volume.

There's a reason why headphones/headsets are commonly used when gaming and voice is involved. There's really no way around blasting people with your speakers every time you talk (and heaven forbid if you use open mic).

I'm looking to get some headphones rather than a gaming headset but I know next to nothing when it comes to looking for headphones, from researched I think I should be getting open back headphones(?)


I've been looking at Audio-Technica AH500x but not too keep on the headbars going over the top


Also looked at Beyerdynamic DT 990 which look like they'd be comfy but not sure how they'd be for gaming

Lastly looked at the Audio-Technica M50s now these are closed back so don't know if that would be good or bad for gaming?


Anyone with some experiences for these?

These are all round my rough budget and will be getting plugged into my Audio-Technica mic (may get an amp at some point)

Shit is getting expensive here. I managed to buy my pair of m50x for 120 not that long ago on amazon.ca. But I doubt you will be able to find them for that price now.

I can list a few options for you based on popular products.

Closed headphones:

Sennheiser HD 280 PRO
They are 112 right now, so a good deal. The only thing with them is that they are super analytical, so they have a very flat response.


Audio Technica ATH-M40X
The little borther to the m50x. Still a good pair of cans. A little less bass but still have the same sound stage as the m50x. Going for 130.

Open Headphones:

Audio Technica ATH-AD500x
These are a no brainier if you want them for gaming. Open sound stage really makes for good location accuracy. Still great sound quality for other uses. They are super open, so they won't be good for walking around. 130.

In Ear:

RHA MA750
No one will argue with these. They sound amazing, come with all the tips you could want. Have a great sound stage for in ears. A little pricey at 150 but so worth it.

Shure SE215
I loved these. I used them until they fell apart, then I upgraded to the MA750. Warm mid forward sound. I would recommend getting some comply tips for them. They go for 125.

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4

+

http://www.amazon.com/Speedlink-SL-8691-SBK-01-Spes-Clip-On-Microphone/dp/B004YEWC22

mic test here: https://youtu.be/5KXgqhEhboc?t=227

I've been looking at these two for about a week for an inexpensive (about 150) headset upgrade.

Audio Technica ATH-AD500X Not very strong on the bass, but very clear mid and high ranges. Very open sound stage.

Sennheiser HD 558 Decent quality in all ranges. Open sound stage, but not as much as the Audio Technica.

I've got the Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X's and I'm wondering if I should get a DAC, specifically the DacMagic XS. Is it worth it if I mainly stream music from this site and non-premium Spotify and movies?
Thx in advance :D

Alright. Would a set up like this be better?

Headphone: https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1482986852&sr=1-2&keywords=open+back+headphones

Mic: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Snowball-iCE-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B014PYGTUQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1482987136&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+ice+condenser

OP, Since you like sennheiser This

Others:
Behringer HPS3000


Audio-Technica ATH-M30x

Audio-Technica AUD ATHAD500X

Can vouch for the Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X. Have had a pair for almost a year now and the quality is excellent. The open design creates a good soundscape for positional audio. Not the best for listening to music (bass is a bit weak), but for gaming they do really well at a pretty good price.

I slapped an Antlion Mod mic on the side and it holds well. Was worried the mesh design wouldn't provide enough surface area for the mic's adhesive backing, but it hasn't so much as wiggled.

Problem: not living in the US often leads to (very) higher price ranges.

Example:

• Behringer HPS3000 Studio: 28.88€ ->30.69$
  
• Sennheiser HD429S (HD429 isn't available on amazon italy): 83.99€, while on amazon.com it's [69.95$]
  (https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-429-Headphones-Smartphones/dp/B009HQTORS/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1481573974&sr=1-1&keywords=Sennheiser+HD+429+s).
  
• Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X: a whopping 134.01€, which is 142.44$.
  
  About mics:
  
  
• Zalman ZM-Mic1: 7€ to 12€. Which means 7,44$ to 12,75$.
  
  
• Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone: 59.99€, the equivalent of 63.76$.
  
  Don't get me wrong, I'd go for a good headphones + mic any day, but i'm bound to my headset for the time being (skullcandy slyr + Xonar DGX). Unless it breaks, I'm not changing for the moment.
  
  But still, prices are a very regional thing. As you can see, I'd have to spend quite more than you to get your same equipment. In Audio Technica case, price is literally doubled.

By the way: do you happen to know the difference between these two?

https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD500X-backed-Hi-Fi-headphones/dp/B009S333U4

Thank you! After looking into them and watching reviews I will go with these and a modmic

It's truthfully the best sound that you can get for the price. Watch Tek Syndicate's review

EDIT: Also if you stretch you budget a bit you can get these.

I believe the Audio Technica's you are referring to are the ATH-AD500x

These: www.amazon.com/dp/B009S333U4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_9aKHub1A2NY00

Super comfortable like the most comfortable things I've ever put on my head. I have the 700's and they are awesome sounding and great for gaming.

Under $100 there's a lot of options from what I've seen. Among open-backed ones (generally better sound, but lacking noise isolation) the commonly backed ones are the Philips SHP9500s, Sennheiser 5x8 series on sale (I personally use the 558, great value), Audio-Technica AD500X (mind the wings, some people like or dislike them), etc.


Obligatory /r/headphones plug. But the SHP and 5x8 are both compatible with some boom mic cables as well for about $30 extra (V-Moda BoomPro and generic for the SHP/5x8 respectively).


EDIT: Besides some comfort complaints (can be modded to a degree), it looks like people enjoy the 668B though. If you're strapped for cash go for it.

Hi guys, I am looking for headphones ideal for gaming, especially FPS (primarily CS:GO). My two top picks are Audio-Technica's ATHAD500X and the Sennheiser HD598. If you have any other suggestions that you think are better, then please recommend them.

Isolation-None

Budget - Flexible, however, ideally nothing over $200.
Source - PC Aux port

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No.

Preferred tonal balance - I'm a noob when it comes to auditory specifications. All I know is I need headphones with ideally large soundstage and clarity to hear distinct, yet soft noises (e.g. a sudden footstep).

Past headphones - I borrowed a friend's ATHAD500x (listed below). I liked it, but I was wondering how it would compare to the Sennheiser HD598.


Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones

--OR--

Sennheiser HD-598

Assuming price is not a significant factor, would the Sennheisers provide me significant better soundstage and clarity and a better overall gaming experience than the AT's listed?

Superlux is rather a 30$ target and for that they are quite good, my brother has some.

With you budget there are these for 66$

https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499907797&sr=8-3&keywords=open+headphones

review:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/audio-technica-ath-ad500x.21460/

or these for 50$

https://www.amazon.com/AudioMX-HS-5S-Headphones-Recording-Replacement/dp/B01M0ILBLS/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1499907993&sr=8-19&keywords=headphones+open

reviews:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/audiomx-hs-5s-studio-monitor-over-ear-headphones-for-recording-hi-fi-stereo-headset-with-42mm-dynamic-driver-replaceable-connector-3-5mm-6-3mm.22110/

Headphones you really can't go wrong with these Sennheisers

or these Audio Technicas

I'd pair those with a microphone, I recommend:

Mod mic

Zalman

Samson Go Mic

Well since the Roccat you had before was worth $150, I'll use that as a baseline. If you're willing to spend the same amount for only headphones, I'd say go with the Audio Technica ATH-AD900X. If you want to get a mic with it, get this Sony ECMCS3. if you wanna save some cash, you can go with the AD700X or AD500X and buy the sony mic i linked. Another alternative is the Philips SHP9500 (which is what I use for gaming) with a V-Moda Boom Pro Gaming Mic. if you also wanna step up your microphone game, you can also get a ATR2100. I say that mic and not a blue yeti or snowball because the 2100 is a dynamic mic, which means it doesn't pick up a lot of background noise. This is useful since the AD series and the SHP9500 are all open back headphones so the sound leaks out. this is great for gaming though, since it provides a wider sound stage and helps with positioning in games.

I own these Audio Technica ATH-AD500x.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a replacement earpads that I c an buy from amazon bonus points if they're leather.

My head and ears are big. Anything I buy, they are small and tight.

Looking for: bluetooth, less than $100, around the ear.

I purchased Cowin E-7, August EP650. Both tight. Cowin E-7 sounds better but tighter.

Any suggestions?

Seems like I need bluetooth version of:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S333U4/ref=twister_B01MRBHRCL?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

or

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=psdc_12097479011_t3_B003JOETX8#CustomerImages

I couldn't find anything so far.

Thanks for the in depth response.

I do use separate headphones and microphone. I have a Blue Yeti and use some Klipsch IEMs

However I do not have a dedicated sound card. I use my motherboard's built in one, and then I use an analog to USB adapter since the standard cord on my earbuds is too short. I was thinking about getting a pair of open back headphones like these since I'm usually in a quiet room.

Hello wondering if these are any good for gaming?
Audio Technica ATH-AD500X On-Ear-Kopfhörer (6,3mm Klinkenstecker) schwarz https://www.amazon.de/dp/B009S333U4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_imPszbG3G000Z

And open- vs closed back what would you advice for gaming?

Audio Technica ATH-AD500x

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4

The m50x are really good headphones, you can actually buy either a modmic or a VMODA boom mic they sound really good, you can find reviews on youtube, and use them with your m50x's.

What i did was, i bought the modmic and the ATH-AD500x, which are open back headphones, that gives me a really nice sound stage since there's air going in and out with the sound, the only problem is that they will leak a lot of sound, so if you share your gaming room with someone else they will probably hear everything.

> Sure I can run a headset from my phone while listening to the game through my stereo system...

I know you are just making a (valid) point but if anyone is actually looking for a solution, open-air headphones are fantastic.

Hello people, so, my friend recommended me to upgrade to a headphone with standalone mic. I already ordered the mic but now I’m looking for some headphones to go with it. I will use them mainly for gaming but also listening to music and watching some shows. I kind of panic ordered the HyperX Cloud II because I bought the mic but hadn’t chosen the headphones yet so I quickly bought these (I will refund it if you guys recommend something else). After researching some more I got to the Sennheiser HD 598SR or Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X.



• Budget - ~€120, I kept increasing my budget because found out my budget didn’t have good quality headphones.

• Source - Right into my desktop.

• Requirements for Isolation - Is not something I'm worried about.

• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - No, only on my desktop.

• Preferred Type of Headphone - Over-ear.

• Past headphones - Currently I’m using a Logitech G230(Got it for half the price as on the amazon link though). The thing I like about the G230 is that is it over-ear so that is what I’m going for again.

• Preferred Music - 80% of my library consists of stuff you find on Monstercat. The other 20% is stuff like this: [1] - [2] - [3] - [4] -

• Location - Location is in The Netherlands, so I can still buy from amazon.de if it's not available here.



So right now, my questions are:

1. Should I refund the Cloud II and get one of the two above?
   
   
2. In case 1., which should I take or is there something else that is better for my needs around or lower than my budget?
   
   
3. Or should I just forget about it and use my current headset and just disable the mic?
   
   
   
   Thank you!

My main headphones recently stopped working properly so I'm looking for a replacement. I would use them for gaming with a priority on immersion, and as I already have a modmic I don't need a headset. I do watch a lot of videos and sometimes films, so them being good for that would be nice as well, but it isn't strictly the priority.

Budget - I'd like to spend no more than £100 but if necessary I'm willing to go a little over.

Source - My computer, a DAC/AMP would be nice but that would likely be outside of my budget.

Requirements for Isolation - Only going to be used at home, I can use some other headphones when quietness is needed.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-sized

Preferred tonal balance - I think I'd want balanced?

Past headphones - Well my headphones that just broke were the Creative Aurvana Live! and I'm currently using Koss Porta Pros until I get a replacement. I can't really say what I like about them.

Preferred Music - Lately I've been listening to classical, and I would say it's my favourite, but I do also listen to Rock and occasionally Electronic.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Can't honestly say I know, I felt like something was lacking with my old headphones but I don't have the technical knowledge to pinpoint it.

Location - UK, mainly use Amazon Prime for purchases but if I can get it somewhere else for cheaper then I will.

Other - So I spent a fair bit of last night researching this and the headphones that got mentioned a lot were the SHP9500, the Audio Technica AD series, HD558/598 and sometimes the DT770/990.

The annoying thing is, while the SHP9500 are fantastic value over in the US, like $50-70, they're equivalent to $155 here, at least on Amazon. Now, I could get the 990 for about the same price (£109 for 9500, £104 for DT990) but I would have to get a DAC/AMP to power them, which would put it way over my budget, and the SHP9500's have a detachable cable, which sounds fantastic right now. However, I don't want to be spending money on headphones that are worse than others I could get for the same price.

I've seen the 559's but I don't know what the difference between those and the 558's is, but if they're the same, then I could get them for £89.99 from Amazon.

I've heard mixed things about the AD series and the cheapest ones are still expensive for my budget at £119, again on Amazon.

Trying to decide between these is honestly difficult considering that most of the reviewers and resources are from the US and so they're basing the "bang-for-your-buck" value on the prices of the items over there, where they're a lot cheaper. I'm not saying I'd only pick from these, just that they're the headphones that are mentioned the most when trying to find good open-back headphones for gaming on a small budget. If any of you guys can suggest headphones that are just as good, if not better, but at a better price for my region then I'd happily consider them. Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD500X-Audiophile-Open-Air-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4 this a good option

Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X or [Philips SHP9500] (https://smile.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=pd_lpo_23_tr_t_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SD1XX8H3XHXP5FBWKAE5)

Also wondering, im wanting these for a gaming headset (got a mic already, the V-moda) because what i have are closed and they hurt my ears after a long session, only thing that worries me is the lack of bass, since when i game i listen to hip-hop, wondering if its worth the trade off

250?! Okay then, this will be fun :)

Just remember though, that higher number in headphones series does not always mean better. eg DT880 > DT770 is not always true. Yours focus more on bass and treble, while the middle ground is left out, Also called V shaped headphone. While the 880's are neutral on most areas, while emphasizing mostly on the treble. Two completely different things, all comes down to taste :)


*****

• Audio Technica ATH-AD500X Open Back [$79.95] Permanent cable.
  
  *****
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH-AD700X Open-Back [$94 on sale.] Permanent cable.
  
  *****
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH-AD900X Open-Back [$138.94] Permanent cable.
  
  *****
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH-AD1000X Open-Back [$293.99] Permanent cable.
  Over budget I know, but this is also where we reach a new level. You can look at the Z-Reviews of the AD series headphones. He's missing the 700x's, but has most others :)
  
  
  All AD headphones are fantastic, they do get increasingly better up untill 900x. Where the 2000x, 1000x and 900x can come down to taste. I prefer the 1000's over the rest as they contain a bit of midbass, while the 2000's are super clear and analytical, where those who listen to classical music will absolutely orgasm over them.
  I've specifically bought AD velour earpads over the standard leather pads on my own headphones, because of the amazing comfort.
  
  
  
• Beydynamic DT990 Semi-Open-Back [32 Ohm] [$146.97] Permanent cable.
  
  
  *****
  
• Philips X2/27 Fidelio Premium [$254.18] Detachable cable. Replaceable earpads.
  Often compared with Sennheiser HD600 [$400]. People have complained that the sound of the X2's has been bad, but it turns out the headphones are actually exposing poorly mastered/rendered music. It also has a massive soundstage, this is a winner for games where listening matters. You can see impressions over at Head-Fi, these are people who own multiple headphones in the $1000 zone, so don't be afraid of a mediocre rating.
  30ohm, so even a phone can power them fine.
  
  *****
  
• Philips SHP9500 Open-Back [$75.95] Detachable cable.
  Said to be among the most comfortable objects one can place on the head. Also a very good soundstage, not in the X2's category, but still good.
  
  *****
  
  
• Z-Reviews: What makes Good Gaming Headphones? He also debunks surround headsets' marketing. It's not better.
  
  *****
  
  I know there is a boatload of things here to pick from, but promise me to research into these things and maybe find something else I haven't mentioned. Headphones or headsets for that matter are an investment and should last +5 years.
  
  Happy listening! :)

So I currently have a pair of Audio Technica ATH-AD500X open-air headphones. I've been using them for quite a while and I like them a lot, but I'm guessing by merit of the price tag alone these DT 770s would be a good upgrade choice if I wanted a closed back headphone option?

I Need something more comfortable to wear at home then my Sennheiser HD280 pro.

• Budget - I am hoping to spend between 75$ and 200$. But slightly flexible.
  
  
• Source - I will be plugging these into a PC or Phone.
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - I will be using these at home/work so not too much isolation is needed. Some is ok.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - On ear.
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - Balanced is preferred.
  
  
• Past headphones - Sennheiser HD280 pro: I replaced the ear-pads with velur ones and upgraded the headband. I like the sound and the isolation for some situations, however after a while they begin to hurt. I Need something more comfortable to wear at home or work that I can wear for longer without my head feeling squeezed and something with less isolation.
  
  
• Preferred Music - I listen to classical music: Symphony Orchestras, opera, piano and violin. Vivaldi and Beethoven are my favourite. I listen to folk rock like Elliot Smith, James Taylor and Joni Mitchel. And I listen to hours of podcasts and Howard stern. As well as some Jazz.
  
  
• Location - US and I would like to buy on Amazon
  
  after reading the http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide
  
  I am thinking I want:
  
  (MT) Audio Technica ATH-AD700x, $120-$160. Great comfort and decent build quality. Weak bass though it has some impact, detailed mids and highs with no fatigue. One of the best soundstages in the price range. #1
  
  or the cheaper:
  
  Audio-Technica-ATH-AD500X
  
  Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  

My headphones that I use are nothing near surround sound, but I can still locate people fine now, raise the volume a bit and see if that improves.

If you can get it loud enough IMHO it's fine.

I mainly got myself a cMoyBB solely because of bass boost and borrowing an Audio Technica ATH-AD500 New Model from a friend till it broke, unfortunately. Now currently driving an AKG K240S on the said amp and using a Koss PortaPro while on the go.

I am stuck between these two headphones. Looking to spend less than $80. If have any other suggestions please let me know.

1. Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X
   
2. Sennheiser HD518

I'm thinking Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X Open backed Hi-Fi headphones with Antlion Audio ModMic Attachable Boom Microphone, will I notice big difference between this and hyper x cloud in a game like overwatch?

Or sennheiser HD558

That's a tough question in this price range. The ATH-AD500x is around $70 and will offer substantially better soundstage and imaging at the price of bass.

The AKG K240 or M220 are between $60 and $70 and are harder to drive and a little more neutral.

https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519317404&sr=8-1&keywords=ath+ad500x

I'm not positive that they're the same drivers, but this would make them open back, could be a fun project if you could get a blown used pair on ebay

Since you're taking /u/klepperx's suggestions and saving some money, you could get a much better microphone and still stay under budget. Since you're getting a desk microphone, there's no need to get a headset (although the Cloud / Cloud II would definitely be the ones to get). What kind of fit and sound signature do you like? Do you need the headphone to be portable? What are your requirements for isolation? Here's my reccommendations at ~$100:

• Brainwavz HM5 - Closed back, over ear, neutral sound, not easily portable due to lack of folding hinge. Can also be found as Yoga CD880 and NVX XPT 100.
  
• AKG K240 Studio - Open back (provides much better positional audio than even most virtual surround, but leaks sound and provides little isolation from background noise), over ear, neutral sound, not portable due to amp requirement.
  
• Sennheiser HD 558 - Open back, over ear, neutral sound, not portable due to lack of folding hinge. These are my current headphones, and I can't say enough good things about them. They're very similar to the HD598, with the main difference being the material that they're made of.
  
• Sennheiser HD 598 Cs - Closed back version of the HD 598, which are virtually the same as the HD 558. I actually thought these cost more, so they're a great deal. Be aware that they will have a different frequency response (read: more bass) due to being closed-back.
  
• Audio Technica ATH-AD500x - Open back, over ear, bright (mid forward), not portable due to lack of folding hinge.
  
  If you don't like any of the headphone recommendations, try the /r/headphones purchase advice assistant.

Hey guys, I'm thinking about replacing my Skullcandy Slyr headset with a modmic and headphones. I'm kind-of between a few different options based on what I've found from various threads:

Audio Technica ATH500X / 900X

Sennheiser HD 598

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

--Info--

Budget: $150 or less (preferably less)

Source: Windows PC

Isolation Requirements: No requirements, I'll be using these at home

Preferred Type: Full sized, over ear, whatever you call them.

Preferred Tonal Balance: I like it a little heavy on the bass (but am unsure if I'll have to give this up since I play a lot of Overwatch and I think I need the soundstage?).

Past Headphones: Skullcandy Slyr

Preferred Music: Varies a lot, but a lot of Imagine Dragons

Looking To Improve: Sound quality.

I'm unsure about this open-backed thing (especially since I've heard the sound can bleed into a mic such as the modmic) and undecided on a soundcard because I'm still trying to figure how this virtual surround sound thing works. I wasn't going to get an amp because I don't like listening to music very loud. Thoughts?

My budget is <$100

I'm looking to pull the trigger tonight on some over-ear headphones and I think I've narrowed it down to these:

Audio Technica 500X: https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4

Philips SHP9500: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW

Satus Audio CB-1: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BDX1IVW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A30DTQ2AMNXSE

AKG K240: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001ARCFA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1FMHNVWMGI839


Which of these should I go for? Or is there some better option for a comparable price?
Also, does anyone have a headphone stand they recommend?

Well these Audio Technica ATHAD500Xs are a cheaper version of the ATH-AD700Xs and they're still pretty good, also it's within your budget.

They are the same price on amazon...
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD700X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4