Etymotic makes great pairs of earplugs exactly like that for less than $20. I have a pair and I can carry on a conversation while wearing them at a concert. They aren't custom fitted like the expensive ones, but they are far better than the foam kinds.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0015WJQ7A/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00RM6Q9XW/

Got a really nice pair of sennheisers for $100, other than that wasn't too impressed by anything.

Edit: the headphones in question = https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B06WRMZZ45/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use these. Bluetooth, good sound quality and only $20

I use Etymotics and love them. Inexpensive, and pretty discreet. The other day I was at a small but loud show and with these in, I was able to tell a guitar was out of tune. With them out, all I heard was a wall of noise.

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

Audio Technica. This is a brand that deserves a lot more attention for making the best quality headphones at lower to mid price range...While searching for a good pair I checked amazon reviews and I had a hard time believing almost all their products had ratings of over 4.5 stars, from budget studio to ultra budget priced. Seriously, this is a company that leaves it's satisfied customers and product quality do the talking.

Edit: My co-worker has the ATH-M50 and they sound and feel GODLY, they deserve all the credit people are giving them... I still can't believe they are $120 headphones because the build and sound quality is unbelievable. Also, if you are a broke college student like me, you can't go wrong with the ATH-M20x or ATH-CKS55USBK in-ear earphones, just check the reviews.

I picked up the Sennheiser HD 202s a while back just because of the price. A fantastic-sounding and comfortable set of headphones for ~$20.

I'm putting this here because I don't want to flood the main sub with what I'm able to find. So here goes:

Headphones| Price
:--|:--
[ATH-M50x Headphones] (https://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=sr_1_1?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499757226&sr=1-1&keywords=headphones) |$150 in cart. $250-$300 everywhere else I check
[Sennhieser HD 598 SR Headphones] (https://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=sr_1_1?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499757356&sr=1-1&keywords=hd+598) |$109 Record low
[Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Headphones] (https://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica-ATH-M40x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR54/ref=sr_1_6?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499758834&sr=1-6&keywords=bose) |$180 - $38 = $141
[August EP650-Bluetooth headphones] (https://www.amazon.ca/August-EP650-Bluetooth-Wireless-Headphones-Leather/dp/B00F54Y6GU/ref=sr_1_2?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499759484&sr=1-2&keywords=headphones)| Was $99, now $58
[August EP640 Bluetooth Headphones] (https://www.amazon.ca/August-EP640-Rechargeable-built-Smartphones/dp/B00MHOFR78/ref=sr_1_1?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499772544) |was $80, now $37
[Prime Day Bluedio T2S Headphones] (https://www.amazon.ca/Bluedio-Shooting-Bluetooth-headphones-wireless/dp/B00Q2VIW9M/ref=sr_1_4?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499759635&sr=1-4&keywords=bluetooth) | Was $20, $21 in cart no tax
Prime Day Bluedio V Headphones | was $200, $140 in cart no tax
[AUSDOM ANC 7 Bluetooth noise cancelling] (https://www.amazon.ca/Cancelling-Headphones-AUSDOM-Bluetooth-Comfortable/dp/B01LZ7Q5R1/ref=sr_1_4?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499808109&sr=1-4&keywords=aptx) | was $100, now $50. Well reviewed!
[Sony Extra bass bluetooth headphones] (https://www.amazon.ca/Sony-MDRXB950B1-Extra-Headphone-Model/dp/B01N5UVZBP) | was $200, now $99


Earbuds| Price
:--|:--
[Aukey Arcs Bluetooth Sport] (https://www.amazon.ca/AUKEY-Bluetooth-Headphones-Microphone-Sweatproof/dp/B01EWUP4NQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499804815&sr=1-4&keywords=headphones)| was $24, now $14
[1MORE Triple Driver earbuds] (https://www.amazon.ca/1MORE-Headphones-Earphones-Compatible-Microphone/dp/B01KB9K9Z0/ref=lp_17037466011_1_4?srs=17037466011&ie=UTF8&qid=1499766067&sr=8-4&th=1) | Was $131, $106 in cart

Bluetooth misc| Price
:--|:--
[Anker Premium Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker ] (https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Bluetooth-Subwoofers-Portable-Wireless/dp/B0107WH8Q4/ref=sr_1_6?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499800448&sr=1-6&keywords=subwoofer) | was $130, now $60
[Trond bluetooth receiver] (https://www.amazon.ca/TROND-Bluetooth-Receiver-Headphones-Speakers/dp/B01M9I0LSK/) | Was $25, now $20. I have one its awesome
[Altman Bluetooth Transmitter/receiver] (https://www.amazon.ca/ALTMAN-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Receiver-Wireless/dp/B06Y25PGBG/ref=sr_1_1?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499803431&sr=1-1&keywords=aptx) |was $43, now $26



CPU Coolers| Price
:--|:--
[CORSAIR Hydro Series H100i v2 Extreme ] (https://www.amazon.ca/CORSAIR-Extreme-Performance-Liquid-CW-9060025-WW/dp/B019EXSSBG/ref=sr_1_1?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499757440&sr=1-1&keywords=corsair) |$110. Historic [all time low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/CrDzK8/corsair-cpu-cooler-cw9060025ww)
[Corsair Hydro Series H115i Extreme Performance] (https://www.amazon.ca/Corsair-Extreme-Performance-Liquid-CW-9060027-WW/dp/B019955RNQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499756838&sr=1-3&keywords=corsair) |$155 (temporarily out of stock)
[MasterLiquid Pro 240 All-In-One] (https://www.amazon.ca/MasterLiquid-Technology-Chamber-MasterFan-Radiator/dp/B01E5XNP5Y/ref=lp_16927652011_1_24?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1499766384&sr=1-24) | was $140, now $95 [Historic low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/sqmxFT/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-mlyd24ma20mbr1)

PSU| Price
:--|:--
[Corsair CS650M] (https://www.amazon.ca/Corsair-Modular-Efficient-Supply-CS650M/dp/B00GH9NA2I/ref=sr_1_11?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499757999&sr=1-11&keywords=corsair) |$110. Not the lowest but okay
[EVGA SuperNOVA 550 G3] (https://www.amazon.ca/EVGA-SuperNOVA-Modular-Warranty-220-G3-0550-Y1/dp/B01LWTS2UL/ref=sr_1_1?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499759891&sr=1-1&keywords=evga)| Was $130, now $99 [historic low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/sMM323/evga-supernova-g3-550w-80-gold-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-220-g3-0550)

Cases| Price
:--|:--
[Corsair 780T full atx case] (https://www.amazon.ca/Corsair-Graphite-780T-Full-Tower/dp/B00LA6POK4) | $189 in cart. Not an [all time low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/sNJwrH/corsair-case-cc9011063ww) but not bad
[Corsair Carbide 400C white] (https://www.amazon.ca/Corsair-CC-9011095-WW-Carbide-Compact-Mid-Tower/dp/B01F97W9ZM/ref=sr_1_12?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499813131&sr=1-12&keywords=corsair) |$105 in cart

HDD| Price
:--|:--
[Seagate Backup Plus Hub 8TB] (https://www.amazon.ca/Seagate-External-Desktop-Storage-STEL8000100/dp/B01HD6ZLQ6/ref=sr_1_3?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499758359&sr=1-3&keywords=hdd) | $270 - 51 = $219
[Seagate 4TB BarraCuda Pro ] (https://www.amazon.ca/Seagate-BarraCuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST4000DM006/dp/B01MSW4MNS/ref=sr_1_4?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499758359&sr=1-4&keywords=hdd)|$245-75 = $170 [Historic low!] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/qRtWGX/seagate-barracuda-pro-4tb-35-7200rpm-internal-hard-drive-st4000dm006)
[Seagate Backup Plus 4TB Portable] (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0196J43TE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1) | Was $160, now $135 [all time low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/NyQRsY/seagate-backup-plus-4tb-external-hard-drive-stdr4000100)
[Seagate Firecuda 2TB] (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01M1NHCZT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)| was $126, now $85 [Historic low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/zk7CmG/seagate-firecuda-2tb-25-5400rpm-internal-hard-drive-st2000lx001)
[Seagate Firecuda 1TB] (https://www.amazon.ca/Seagate-Firecuda-2-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000LX015/dp/B01LWRTRZU/ref=sr_1_1?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499767750&sr=1-1&keywords=ssd) | was $83, now $60 [Historic low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/w6x9TW/seagate-firecuda-1tb-25-5400rpm-hybrid-internal-hard-drive-st1000lx015)

Input Devices| Price
:--|:--
[Logitech G13 input pad] (https://www.amazon.ca/Logitech-G13-Programmable-Gameboard-Display/dp/B001NEK2GE/ref=sr_1_21?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499761901&sr=1-21&keywords=board+games) | Was $75, now $55 [Historic Low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/jbvZxr/logitech-keyboard-920000946)
[Corsair Gaming K70 LUX RGB MX Brown] (https://www.amazon.ca/Corsair-Gaming-Mechanical-Keyboard-Backlit/dp/B01ER4B7YM/ref=sr_1_6?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499770080&) | was $180, now $160 [Historic low] (https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/34M323/corsair-k70-lux-rgb-wired-gaming-keyboard-ch-9101012-na)


Networking| Price
:--|:--
[NETGEAR Nighthawk X8 AC5300 Router] (https://www.amazon.ca/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Tri-Band-Quad-Stream-R8500-100CNS/dp/B01A85Y9TE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499760240&sr=8-1&keywords=NETGEAR+Nighthawk+X8+AC5300)| was $499, now $290
[TP-Link AC3200 Tri band router] (https://www.amazon.ca/TP-Link-Tri-Band-Beamforming-Archer-C3200/dp/B00YY3XSSA/ref=sr_1_3?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499760450&sr=1-3&keywords=modem) | Was $249, now $175
[Netgear 16-Port Gigabit Switch] (https://www.amazon.ca/Netgear-16-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-Desktop/dp/B01AX8XHRQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499760948&sr=1-6&keywords=ethernet) | Was $106, now $75 in cart

MISC| Price
:--|:--
[Logitech C922x Webcam] (https://www.amazon.ca/Logitech-Stream-Webcam-Streaming-960-001176/dp/B01LXCDPPK/ref=sr_1_5?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499760799&sr=1-5&keywords=computer) | was $130, now $89. All time low
[Acer KG251Q 1080p Freesync monitor] (https://www.amazon.ca/Acer-KG251Q-bmiix-FREESYNC-Technology/dp/B06X6HJ1SF/ref=sr_1_6?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499762804&sr=1-6&keywords=monitor) | Was $230, now $170
[M9S PRO android tv box] (https://www.amazon.ca/Leelbox-M9S-Pro-Android-6-0/dp/B01MD0NZPK/ref=sr_1_2?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499767387) | Was $130, $98 in cart
[Cyberpower 600w UPS] (https://www.amazon.ca/CyberPower-CP1000PFCLCD-Sinewave-Compatible-Mini-Tower/dp/B00429N192/ref=sr_1_1?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499803529&sr=1-1&keywords=ups) | was $224, now $125


I'll try to keep tabs on everything but let me know if there are any errors or price updates. And as a side note, I'm actually getting downvotes for this? I can't see how there could possibly be a sane explanation for that.

 

EDIT: Updated 7:00pm EST!! Let me know if there's anything you see and I'll put it in here!

 

EDIT: I've put everything new as of Jan 11, 4:00pm in bold. Also, check this post on RedFlagDeals for a great big list of deal

 

EDIT: Its all over everyhone. Hope you snagged something cool beyond bitter disappointment this year!**


 

You don't have to spend that much on headphones and just about anything sounds better than ear buds. These Sennheiser's are only $30 and sound pretty decent.

Sennheiser HD555

They sound and feel awesome. You can have them on for hours without any fatigue. You should also consider that higher end headphones are made to last a lot longer than some 20 dollar pair.

I actually prefer this style:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00RM6Q9XW/
I have to wear earplugs 12 hours a day pretty consistently for work and they are much more comfortable long term. Even the foam ones will start to cause pain after a long day, these things on the other hand I've forgotten I was wearing.

Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar

Lifting Shoes - adidas adipower Unisex Weightlifting Boots

Protein Powder - ON Whey Isolate

Wireless Headphones

You really asked for a link after he gave you the retailer’s name, the product manufacturer, the model number and the price?? REALLY?

Here: Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, 1 pair, Polybag Packaging

Mouse: Logictech G502. It is widely considered to be the "best" mouse for PC enthusiasts.

Keyboard: Will heavily depend on your preferences, but I have a DASKeyboard 4 Ultimate with Cherry MX Blues (tactile click). I have also heard nice things about the Corsair K70, and Strafe. If you are new to mechanical keyboards, I would recommend checking out the subreddit /r/mechanicalkeyboards for more information.

Headset: I just use an old set of Turtle Beach X12s I've had forever, because I usually just use my soundbar, but a buddy of mine prefers to use a desk mic and some Audio-Technica headphones.

EDIT: Saw your budget in the other comments. You should probably go with the Strafe for your keyboard. Most others below $100 aren't as high of quality. Personally, I think you should get the Strafe, the G502, and the headphones/mic combo.

Since most of this thread is full of people asking for headphones, there are a few nice ones around $50, which seems to be everyones "budget".

Earbuds: $36: Yuin PK3. You can opt for the PK2 if you want better quality earbuds. No one else really comes close in this category.

Headphones:
$50: iGrado

$75: Grado

$100: Audio Technica AD700

I really suggest to get the PK3 if your budget is that low (below $50). Otherwise, everyone seems to like Sennhiser, Audio Technica, Sony and Koss.

Here is a good reference to look up known good headphones. It's a little outdated, as the prices have gone up on most of these.

I have the Audio Technica M50, and my friend has the M50S. The only big difference is a coiled cord on the M50S. Good luck, and enjoy your music!

Here's something that will change your life, my friend.

I do not remember that talk, however Giantbomb's go to headphones for there podcasts are Sennheiser HD 202 which are only $25 the only issue with them it that the audio cord is over 10 feet long.

The headphones that are used in the control room are the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro at $99 which are great headphones for the price.

And if you can find a pair the Sennheiser HD 419 which I use are awesome I have a large head and I can wear this for hours on end without issue. They go for about $30 - $40 if you can find them.

Sennheiser HD 202 - https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-202-Professional-Headphones-Black/dp/B003LPTAYI/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1484144599&sr=1-1&keywords=sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro - https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphone/dp/B00IT0IHOY/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Sennheiser HD 419 - https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-419-Headphones-Black/dp/B005N8W1MO/ref=pd_sbs_23_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B005N8W1MO&pd_rd_r=92GS26MYW5V4EHA49P09&pd_rd_w=BJHrW&pd_rd_wg=1tZvn&psc=1&refRID=92GS26MYW5V4EHA49P09

Get some high fidelity ear plugs; they are totally worth it. They actually make it easier to hear people in the club.

Get yourself a good pair of audiophile earplugs, you wont want to break the seal because they actually make most concerts sound better.

The Etymotic earplugs are tuned to let in a natural sounding frequency curve and will smooth out the harsh peaks that a lot of concert halls have.

Get these ear plugs. Should lower the volume down a tad and you can enjoy the movie without your ear drums bursting.

Bose QuietComfort 25 - $99 (Lightning Deal)

Surface Headphones - $189

AKG Q701 - $159

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x - $34.50 (Today Only)

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x - $51.75 (Today Only)

Audio-Technica ATHM40x - $74.25 (Today Only)

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBB Limited Edition - $99 (Today Only)

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT - $129 (Today Only)

Fostex TX1 - $35

AKG K511 - $39 (Today Only)

Sennheiser HD599SE (US) - $99

Sennheiser HD4.50SE (US) - $99

Sennheiser Momentum Free Special Edition - $149

HIDIZS Portable Headphone Amplifier USB Type C DAC - $33

Schiit Modi Multibit - $233

Brainwavz Headphone Desk Hanger - $9

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LP6CFEC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are really good without being pricey like the Bluebuds or beats. I only charge it once per week and I go to the gym 5 times a week for an hour each

The standard price of these is $79.99 USD for years. So still a deal, just not 50% off.

I'll take over. There is no such thing as 7.1 headphones. Headphones have two speakers, but given the proper construction and design, they can effectively reproduce the surround sound. You will want a pair of audiophile headphones to do this. You're looking around $100 minimum.

There are two types of headphones: closed back and open back. Open back phones like the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 and Sennheiser HD555 have a grill on the back of each ear which allows the sound to bounce and resonate more, creating a wide "soundstage" and effectively sounds like you aren't using headphones at all. These open headphones however may lack bass and they will leak a bunch of sound to the surroundings. Also, they wont isolate your ears from outside sounds.

Closed back headphones are what most headphones are. They have a solid back. A good pair will have a good soundstage, but not as good as a pair of open backed cans. They will have typically have more bass response and they will also isolate sound better, with less leakage. The Audio Technica ATH-A700 are a great pair of closed back headphones.

If leakage is a problem for you (say you play games in the same room your spouse watches television or works, or your computer fans are loud), or you really want a thumping bass, go for a pair of closed headphones. Otherwise, open cans will provide more of a surround experience at the cost of potential weak bass and lots of sound leakage.

I have a pair of ATH-A700 (closed back) and I love them. A lot of redditors like the HD555s and the ATH-AD700s as well, which is why I linked them. You will want a sound card with surround virtualization such as Dolby Headphone to fully take advantage of surround sound (this is what the logitech headsets use). I recommend a ASUS Xonar DG which can be found for $20 after MIR. It has surround in its drivers and also has a headphone amplifier, which will turn your headphones into a new beast. If you don't have a free PCI port, go for the ASUS Xonar U3 USB, which is essentially the DG in USB form minus a few things like 24 bit audio (games don't use this anyway) and speaker connections. Alternatively, you can use your onboard card, but it will not be nearly as good as a dedicated source.

Feel free to ask any more questions. I recently bought headphones and a sound card, so I did a lot of research and can help out if you need. Also, browse Head-Fi for reviews and advice about headphones, and /r/headphones and /r/audiophile here on reddit.

Headphones in this Episode

Dodger: HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset for PC & PS4 - Pink (KHX-HSCP-PK) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y09G6H8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YX0rxb5MTJ2AM

Octopimp: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fZ0rxbCG8SH5D

Pluto: Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Professional Headphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NZ0rxb7AXQ378

Jesse: Some headset idk

The HD6XX is an HD650 with a custom "Massdrop" branding and color scheme.

The awesome part is that the HD6XX was available for only $200 + shipping and the 5000 units were sold out in less than 45 minutes when the drop went live and Massdrop ran into huge server issues.

Yep. Just bought myself a pair of Sennheiser HD 650's, and it was well worth it. Got a Schiit DAC and AMP to go with them.

HD 650's: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1537505538&sr=8-2&keywords=sennheiser+hd650

​

Schiit DAC: http://www.schiit.com/products/modi-2

Schiit AMP: http://www.schiit.com/products/magni-3

​

Now, back to the VTSAX!

​

Edit: Hah, looks like they released the Modi 3 in the past couple of days. The web site has been redone a bit as well, so the above links no longer go to the products. Try these links instead:

​

Schiit DAC: http://www.schiit.com/products/modi-1

Schiit AMP: http://www.schiit.com/products/magni-1

For around $100 you should be able to get some HD555s and perform this mod to turn them into 595s

Or if you have loud and annoying roommates, you could get some 280 Pros

I have these and I forget I'm wearing them often when gaming.

Wall of text ahead. Please, read only if you are really interested...


What I usually recommend when someone ask for advice about gaming headsets is: Gaming headset are crap 99% of the time. They provide very poor sound quality, and any good headphone (literally, even 40$ ones) will sound far better than expensive 300$ headsets. The question is not if headphones are better than headset (the answer is “Hell, YEAH”). The question is, are they better for you?


What are you planning to use your headphones for? Just for gaming, or for gaming and music listening?


If the answer is “just for gaming”, then ask yourself if a Hifi headphone is what you need. Usually games don’t really need high quality headphones, since they provide low quality sound, and you will be more concentrated gaming than listening. In that scenario, everything will serve you, and gaming headsets have the advantage of the integrated microphone.


So, if you want something good for gaming, and just for gaming, with integrated microphone, then the only two headsets with good enough quality sound (aka don’t suck) are:


HyperX Cloud (70$)


Sennheiser G4me One (170$)


Both are good choices. Or go with any fancy RGB headset you find (Logitech, Razer, Corsair, Steelseries, etc), you will most probably don’t notice the difference while gaming.


BUT, if you plan to use them for music listening besides gaming, then keep reading.


Hifi headphones for gaming have the disadvantage of having to deal with the micro thing. None of them have microphone incorporated, and you must either use a desk microphone like this, use a modmic like this one. or if your budget is tight, something like this. The first one requires desk space. The second and third one are detachable micro, with an extra cable you’ll have to deal with. Any of them are a nuisance. Any solution is annoying. All of them are an extra expense that must be accounted. If micro is a must and you are not willing to bother with this solutions, please, go back to HyperX Cloud or G4me One.


Ok, so, you really want some damn good headphones, that also can be used for gaming! Keep reading, please (are you bored yet?).


You can choose Closed back headphones (the classic ones you have already used. Closed back models offer good isolation and do not leak sound. This is your choice when there are people around you, or you want isolation from noisy a environment.) or Open Back headphones (Open back models offer next to no isolation and will leak sound -and allow you to hear what happens around you-, but they are the best sounding models). Open headphones achieve the best sound, soundstage (feeling that sound is coming from around you) and imaging (ability to locate the origin of one sound).


If you are here because you want to get a replacement for a gaming headset, I would recommend you Open back, but since they don’t isolate, you must choose. If isolation is required, get closed back, if that’s not a concern, go open.


Some closed back cans:


Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. 100$. Balanced headphones, very good feedback from lots of people. Typical entry level headphones to the rabbit hole.


Sennheiser HD 598Cs. 125$. Balanced, very very detailed, great instrumental separation. Comfortable as hell, Very recommended.


Beyerdynamic DT770. 160$. V-shaped signature (lots of bass and lots of treble). Great for explosions, movies, and rock. Treble can be harsh if you are sensible. Get the 32 ohm version, as the 80 (may) and 250 (do) need an amplifier to work properly.


Those are some examples of entry-mid level of closed cans. There are lots more, depending of your budget!


As for open cans:


Superlux HD668b. 40$. Those are THE CANS. The best quality for low budget you can get. Hands down. Great soundstage, Bass light. They are not too comfortable, but pads can be changed for a deluxe comfort (extra expense). You are not getting anything better at this price. For gaming in a budget, this are the headphones you were looking for,


Philips SHP9500. 80$. Mid-forward signature. Good soundstage, great comfort. Very detailed. Another amazing quality for the budget headphone.


Sennheiser HD 598 SR. 170$. Very similar to the HD 598Cs, but with open back. Wider soundstage, a little less bass. Very balanced headphones. Super-duper comfortable. Great for long gaming sessions.


Philips Fidelio X2. 250$. V-shaped signature. Those are in another league. Build quality is just.. OMG. Extreme soundstage and imaging. More comfortable than the HD 598. Bass is BOOOOOM!!!. A little pricey, and can be somewhat fatiguing to listen if you are treble sensible, due to high treble.


Well, that’s all. I have selected only headphones that don’t need an amplifier. Now is your turn to research, watch some Youtube videos, read some reviews, and give them a try.


All this headphones are GOOD. No trash here, and all them will make you open your eyes when listening your music if you are coming from standard headsets. You will notice sounds, instruments, that you never realized they were there, even if you had listened this song a thousand times before. Try them, and be amazed.


Welcome to the rabbit hole.

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.

Open-backed audiophile level headphones. Left For Dead on XBox taught me to use my ears.

 

For my part I cannot imagine how people play with FOV 120 or whatever the max is. The distortion is unbearable to me, aesthetically. I suspect it would also destroy my ability to headshot, since tracking distances become so variable.

 

Depending on the weapon, I'm typically putting up a 65 - 85% headshot to melee kill ratio. Upward of 200 headshots per map as often as not. North of 300 when team is not putting in work. Doubt I could do that through reverse fish eyes.

 

Even at FOV 120 you still have 260 degrees not in LOS. At most we're talking 67% blindspot instead of 82% blindspot. Either way yo gon' git stabbed in da butt, if you're not listening for the adorable little pitter-patter of rat feet.

 

EDIT: Dude, talking about this made me want to know what actual natural human FOV is so I looked it up. [210 per Wikipedia.] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_of_view) You would need some huge-ass display to make that work.

If you're willing to accept permanent hearing damage just because you don't want to be teased then by all means go ahead, I would strongly advise against it but it's your choice at the end of the day. Who are the people who tease you? I was having way more fun at the show with hearing protection than the people without it, everyone around me was sitting still and recording with their phones like zombies. I could care less what those people think of me while I'm at a show for a band I love. On the topic of hearing loss, I listen to 1000+ hours of music per year and I'd like to keep doing so as I get older without having impaired hearing. Shows are very fun but the music quality is never as good as through a nice pair of speakers or headphones at safe listening volumes. Our ears aren't meant to hear things at concert volumes and there are tons of great hearing plugs made for concerts.

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549145291&sr=8-3&keywords=etymotic+earplugs

Hey guys. I am a DJ and have been through my fair share of headphones for professional and personal use. Brands to watch out for are Pioneer, Sennheiser, Shure, Ultimate Ears. Brands to run from (in my experience) are Audio Technica, Yamaha, Sony (mainly on their lower end), weird brands like Coby and JVC, and for godsakes be weary of skullcandy; they may look cool but they are made from exceptionally cheap materials that result in poor build and sound quality.

Finally, it depends what you are looking for: in-ear, cans(over ear or open air), noise canceling etc.


In-Ear:
1-- Sennheiser CX200
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-200-Ear-Canal-bud/dp/B001OIK50C

3-- Shure E2c
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO


Open-air:
1-- Koss PortaPros (dorky but amazing sound for $)
http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH

2-- Sennheiser PX100
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PX-100-Collapsible-Headphones/dp/B000089GN3

3-- Grado SR60 -- 80 dollars but well worth it -- my favorite but read up on these before you buy
http://www.amazon.com/Grado-60-SR-60-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4


Over-ear:
1- Sennheiser HD-497
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-497-Over-Ear-Headphones-Silver/dp/B000065BPC

hope that helps :)
edited for readability. wtf reddit

I enjoy working out while listening to podcasts or audiobooks. It allows me to zone out but there isn't constant noise, which allows me to stay aware of my surroundings (I run really early in the morning).

I have a couple pairs of cheap Bluetooth headphones, just purchased off Amazon. I use these primarily: https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Headphones-Waterproof-Sweatproof-Cancelling/dp/B01G8JO5F2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541080894&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bluetooth+headphones&psc=1

Here's my copy/pasted response to this sort of question because it comes up so damn often.

---

Get a pair of headphones and a mic.

If you want surround sound with your headphones, go for the Asus Xonar DG($24) as your sound card. It is very inexpensive and offers Dolby Headphone(ie, it allows you to have virtual surround sound on any pair of headphones - certain headphones work better with this than others, check out this thread at Head-Fi for a plethora of headphones reviewed with Dolby Headphone in mind).

As for the microphone, the common choice is the Zalman zm-mic1($9). Another great choice if you want a better microphone is the Antlion ModMic($33).

As for the headphones, this is a very personal thing. Do you want to be able to accurately pinpoint the location of footsteps in first person shooters? Go for something that is reviewed well by Mad Lust Envy in his thread. Good choices would be the Audio Technica ATH-AD700, the AKG K701/K702/Q701, the Sennheiser HD558/HD598. All of these are open headphones, which tend to be better if you want positional accuracy, but if you'd prefer a closed pair, the Beyerdynamic DT770/DT880(partially open) are rather good. Keep in mind that the Beyers and the AKGs should not be used without an external amp. The other ones should be fine to run off the sound card.

If you don't need pristine positional accuracy in first person shooters, you could go for a huge number of different headphones to suit your tastes. Here is a great thread on Head-Fi comparing many different headphones.

---

Also,

>USB if possible.

You win all of my why for the day.

$40? Sounds like a set of Samson SR850 will be the best thing you can get your kid.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-SR850-Semi-Open-Back-Reference-Headphones/dp/B002LBSEQS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1525894323&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=Samson+SR850&psc=1

They are going to be far superior to any Beats or Skullcandy offering. They also look way better too (IMO.)

If you're just picking out what looks coolest, you're going to be replacing them often, as those particular brands aren't well known for quality of sound, or durability of construction.\




There's also the Koss PortaPro ( https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-koss-porta-pro-x-headphones ) , Koss KSC75 (https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525894494&sr=1-7&keywords=Koss+portapro ) , Sennheiser HD206 ( https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-206-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B06X92G8HG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525894606&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd206), Monoprice 8323 (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8323&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8IqH4LD52gIVHLjACh1L1Am4EAQYASABEgJxY_D_BwE),


for headsets (headphones with an included mic): Logitech G230, is a good low-budget option.

You don't even have to go that far.

Samson Go Mic: $40

Sennheiser HD 202: $25

Bam, you're already significantly better than your average gaming headset.

> They work the same as the other headphones.

No, no they certainly don't. They work the same as something like these. They have garbage sound quality. Headphones are not all created equal. These in particular are incredibly shit. I need a dongle to plug in a decent pair of headphones like these. That's why removing the headphone jack makes no sense.

Oh, and bluetooth has limited audio quality, you can clearly hear the difference.

In order of price:

• Creative Aurvana Live! (NOT THE LIVE 2).
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH-WS1100
  
  
• Phillips Fidelio X2 The Fidelios L1 are also good on bass.
  
  
• Beyerdynamic DT770
  
  
• V-MODA M100
  
  
• Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 (Mahogany have the best bass, Purplehearts have the most bass, Ebony have the most controlled bass)
  
  
• Fostex TH900 Simply, the best bass headphone money can afford. Its craaaaaazy.
  
  
  There are others that people like to recommend the old Denons, specially the D2000 that can be found cheaper in Ebay, but its a pain in the butt to find, same with the MDR-XB1000.
  
  
  Some people will also mention some JVC ones, but i havent had the chance to try them. Btw some people will recommend the HE400i and please no stay away from them. Stay away from Planars in general if you want Basshead levels of Bass, the LCD-2 Pre-Fazor being the only exception (i tried it like a year ago so i dont remember a lot but i liked it).

dildos

Nah jk. in single-mediums ive seen A LOT of fitbits and THESE headphones. I dont know much. But i do know that this company is making bank

In single-smalls, books. A lot of books

Sennheiser HD-201.
I'm a musician and engineer and use them a lot. They're not entirely acoustically "flat" but they live in a place where build quality, design, sound quality and price meet up in a sweet spot.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0007XJSQC?pc_redir=1407217490&robot_redir=1

Don't get a "gaming" headset, instead get a pair of quality headphones by Audio Technica, Sennheiser, etc and a standalone mic. You can find something pretty cheap on Amazon like the ATH-M30x which is on sale for $70, but if you do insist on getting a gaming headset, then you can't go wrong with a Razer Kraken. I've owned one for 2 years with medium-heavy use before the right earpiece broke (still had sound).

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphones/dp/B00O2Y2MZG

About $200 on Amazon. The official site lists the recommended price at $300 though.

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549481414&sr=8-3&keywords=etymotic+earplugs

rock these, awesome ear plugs with minimal sound distortion

They hardly stick out at all and stick in pretty comfortably. If you're that concerned about em, they have ones with shorter ends too here

Taking "hi-fi" earplugs with you on flights, to concerts, and on the metro is a great idea. There's a bunch of product options now but here are just a few:

Etymonic ER20XS

Etymotic ETY-Plugs

I encourage you to head over to /r/headphones and have a look at some of their guides. Only do that if you really want to ask yourself a lot of questions about what you want in a set of IEMs.

I consult this buying guide whenever someone asks me or if I'm looking to purchase something new. Even if the recommended model doesn't have a a mic there usually is a different model number that does so definitely check on amazon.

Quick recommendations:

RHA MA450i

MEEAudio M6pro

Actually you've linked to the HD598 SE (Special Edition), which is actually also an older model. The price is high because that particular model is discontinued and hard to get your hands on. The newest model is the HD598 SR, which is a much more reasonable $169 currently.

[500% better headphones for 1/10th the price] (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-202-II-Professional/dp/B003LPTAYI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325285665&sr=8-3).

$20, gets you decent headphones: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-202-II-Professional/dp/B003LPTAYI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325285665&sr=8-3

$80 gets you amazing headphones: http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-SR-60i-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325292118&sr=1-1

Sennheiser HD 202s are a great buy at twenty bucks. Buy those and put the extra $30 aside for your next pair (if you ever need them).

Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LPTAYI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_J7v1wb63W1B7S

I use Sennheiser HD 650s with a Schiit Modi Multibit DAC and Schiit Magni Headphone Amp!

EDIT: formatting

EDIT 2: For a little bit better value than the HD 650s (and basically the same exact headphones), check these out!

You can get 650s new for under $350.. http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Headphones/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425841954&sr=8-1&keywords=hd650

And I personally prefer them a lot more than the HD600 but they're definitely comparable, some people like the HD600 more.

Okay. What I am going to recommend is two sets of headphones. One for nice, comfy, multi-hour home listening in front of the computer, and another set for when you're on the go. All of these sound good without any amplification.

Full-Size, Home Listening

• Audio Technica ATH-AD700 - nice, mid-level offering. Wonderful, open sound and definitely the #1 most comfortable headphones I have ever owned. These are fairly large, this is what they look like on me. They are reasonably light, and the design is completely open. You will hear sounds around you and if someone is sitting next to you, they will hear some of your music (or all of it, if you have the volume cranked). The pads are fuzzy and comfortable. Highly recommended for electronic music, chamber pieces, acoustic guitar and piano... well, just about everything. (~$100)
  
  
• Sennheiser HD-280 Pro - These are the heavyweight champions of the $50-$100 price range. Headfi (a major audiophile community) loves these things. So do I. Comfortable, with fantastic bass response and great isolation. Built like a tank - I DJ'd for quite awhile and my set is still going strong despite being dropped, stepped on, thrown in road cases, etc. The ear cups also rotate reasonably freely to allow them to fold "flat" and be tossed in a backpack. The pads on these are that pleather material which could cause a little bit of sweat, but nothing to really complain about. Excellent sound, overall, but particularly suited to drum n bass, dubstep, industrial, goa and other genres of trance and electronic dance music. My pair is actually in my lab at work, at the moment, so no photo of them, sorry! (~$90)
  
  
• Audio Technica M50S - Foldable, easy to toss in a bag. These are what I moved to after using the 280 Pro's for several years. Very smooth sound with a pretty surprising bass range. Definitely out-performed the 280's in some pieces of music when it came to the low range. Again, smooth, balanced sound overall. Great isolation on par with the 280's. The soundstage isn't as good as the AD700's, since these are closed headphones, otherwise I'd totally recommend these, flat out. These beat the Monster Beats Studio, hands down, for a third of the price. <3 Bass (~$120)
  
  Portables
  
  
• Koss Portapro - These things are classics for a reason. Very, very highly recommended by a ton of people. Comfortable, portable, built well, and excellent sound for the price bracket they are in. Unique styling. Those temple pads you see keep the pressure from the earpieces from becoming fatiguing on your ears. I've forgotton that I was wearing them on several occasions and tried to put on my hat over them. If you're cool with the style, I really recommend these. (~$40)
  
  
• Grado SR60i - I love Grados. They have a really classic look, they are very comfortable, and they have solid sound. More suited to articulate, dynamic music. Not a ton of bass. Would recommend these for home use as well, actually. If you want, you can step up to the SR80i, but I don't feel like you will hear too great a difference, out of an iPod or an onboard soundcard. (~$70-$100)
  
  
  Note: the Amazon links above are using my affiliate ID. What this means is that if you purchase a set through those links, Amazon gives me 4-6% of the purchase price as a commission. The price you pay is not affected in any way - that commission comes out of their end. You don't have to use those links, you can search Amazon for any of the models above. And by all means, you don't have to buy through Amazon.

AKG-702's typically as they are fucking awesome, although as a gamer I also have a pair of Logitech G35 headphones which I used to use which aren't as bad as you might expect.

I also have some Klipsch Image S2's which I like for work where I can't have sound blasting around

Dude, don't overthink it. I'm pretty satisfied with this single wireless bluetooth earbud that was $12, and before that I was using these $20 bluetooth headphones that were also nice. A note about the headphones, I still have and use them often but they REALLY block out all sound which has led me to the single bud option, I like being able to hear around me.

If just headphones are something you'd consider, you can get these for £55 and then a studio condenser mic with everything to get you going for £30.

Audio-Technica ATH-M30X Professional Headphones - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6cOyCbH9CD120

I got these for Christmas and they're amazing.

DD DOES NOT MATTER, ALL YOU NEED IS STEREO You're better off with this:

• [These Headphones] (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=pd_sim_e_13?ie=UTF8&refRID=196X6Q76SFWTCDKEXB8T)
  
• [This microphone] (http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_38?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1406253103&sr=1-38&keywords=microphone)
  
• [This converter] (http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011412&p_id=10251&seq=1&format=2)
  
  Edit: use [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-PC-Headset-Adapter-PC35-Xbox360/dp/B0035AMM76)

I'm baffled that I never see more than 2 or 3 other people wearing plugs at shows.

These are a good starter pair. If you have more coin to spare, I'd recommend getting custom fit.

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Fidelity-Earplugs-ER20XS-Standard/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ - if you search around amazon for this brand, you can find additional sizes, I've linked to standard fit.

I think bahrainisniper is just a false flag operation by /u/yaserharga & /u/beefjerking to get more people to comment on the sub. WAKE UP SHEEPLE!!!


In other /r/Bahrain "hey where can I find..." news, does anyone know where I'd be able to get a pair of non-disposable earplugs (like these or these )?

I don't know much about headphones. Just lurking trying to learn, but when comes to price (via Amazon) their is a price difference. The Shure SE215 are 99.99 USD and the Audio-Technica ATH-IM70 are 130.99 USD. Why is it worth the $30 extra price tag?

You can't just say

> Because they're better

You have to list ways that they're better. And the only reason I know you're right is because I googled and found a post.

> My IM70 arrived Tuesday, first impressions are very good
> Due to the square profile they will not fit the at-hpp33 case but my Shure SE215 do so I swapped cases
> Unfortunately I broke my arm on Monday so the full SE215 vs IM70 contest will have to wait a while
> Pre burn in the IM70 beat the SE215 in detail and clarity easily the IM70 is all round a much higher quality sound
> I have run them direct from an Ipod classic which powers them easily, through my full triple stack classic-clas-fireyeHD they really lift to a higher level coming close to my Ety er4s
> Output impedance does not appear to be an issue I cannot detect any problem areas in the spectrum with the Fireye HD and it has a rated output impedance of 10Ohms
> Fit is good the included T500 are a little small but they do not seem to be overly seal sensitive I have some large T500 on the way so will report back on any difference

-Dogmatrix on Head-Fi.org

EDIT @ 15:18:01 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time): Sorry if I sound hostile.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-Open-Back-Dynamic-Reference-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482429761&sr=8-1&keywords=akg+702

SAW THIS ON MASSDROP DISCUSSION. K702 for 150 shipped!

>i dont want online buys.

This is going to hurt you pretty bad if you don't have a store near you that will sell quality headphones.

Beats by Dre have sound quality that is rivaled or trumped by $100-$150 headphones. On top of that, they are exhausting to listen to. I got a pair as a gift a year ago or so, couldn't have been more disappointed. The only reason to get them would be if you don't care about the quality of bass, existence of treble, and you desperately need to look cool.

I have a pair of these and the sound quality is night and day. Incredibly comfortable, much more accurate bass.

You don't need to get those specifically. Check out the sidebar for the headphone recommendations. You also need to decide what is important to you in your headphones.

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.

This promotion doesn't have a direct link, so I linked an item with a promotion link.

I noticed this earlier today and wanted to make sure that everyone was informed. Amazon hasn't made any public releases for this, it only shows up on specific items, and the promotion text is badly placed.

Amazon Harmony is a recent promotion for musical instruments. Certain high value items that are sold by Amazon have this promotion text:

>Speak with an Amazon Harmony associate for discount codes and to learn more. Call me

If you click the link, you can receive a call from Amazon. If you ask them for the Amazon Harmony discount, they'll ask you for some information and then read you a code to enter at checkout. They can also e-mail the code to you.

Here are the details:

• The link only shows up on certain higher value items. However, the code works on almost every musical instrument. It doesn't have to be used on a specific item.
  
• The item has to be directly from Amazon. It doesn't work for items that are fulfilled by Amazon.
  
• The promotion value changes weekly. The highest value is 20%. The lowest value is 5%. The current value is 15%.
  
• The code is unique and saved when used. The expiry date is longer than seven days.
  
• The code has no limit for qualifying items. It works on this piano.
  
• The code stacks with other coupons or promotions. It stacks with earlier codes.
  
• The code works for all qualifying items at checkout. However, you can request more codes from Amazon rather than placing one large order.
  
• The code works for most microphones. Microphones are often categorized as musical instruments.
  
• The code doesn't work for most headphones, headsets, monitors or amplifiers. It does work on some headphones like the Sennheiser HD 650. It's unlikely to work for any item that doesn't show up for a "Musical Instrument" search.

For most audiophiles?

All of them... except the SE215 and maybe the B&W P7.
With the rest it's down to preference, they're all top-tier.

Like, I'm very happy with my HD 650s and a couple hundred dollars worth of amp/DAC. He's got these (and all the other ones) and thousands of dollars worth of amp/DAC. Basically when he listens to music with headphones or earbuds, he's putting $500 in each ear, then using thousands of dollars to send music to them.

FWIW, they're also $315 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI

Delivery time is significantly shorter than Best Buy's if you have Amazon Prime. Dunno how the return policies compare.

While people are recommending headsets that come with the mic. I'm going to recommend something else. Get a high quality set of over the ear headphones. I'm talking something like the Audio Technica ATH-M50S, Audio Technica ATH-AD700, Sennheiser HD555/595 (The 595's are very similar to the 555's but sound better, there are links around that you can mod your 555's to become 595's), or Sennheiser HD380 Pro. And then attach a Zalman Mic to it.

I have a pair of HD595's and absolutely love them, I can wear them all day and not feel it. They are built like tanks and have amazing sound quality. With my Zalman mic, I not only have a headset that has much higher sound quality than any gaming headset, but I can also use it for VOIP.

I used to have a pair of Creative Fatal1ty MKii, but after picking up my Sennheiser's I can't go back to them. The comfort and sound quality is literally night and day.

Although slightly out of your price range, the two companies make extremely high quality audio equipment. If you look through their offerings you'll definitely find a pair of headphones that will fit your budget. If you watch Amazon you can find that they cut prices dramatically from time to time, I picked up my 595's for around $150, and now they're almost $250.

I'm using a pair of HD555s that I got for $88 with a zalman mic.

Before that I was using a pair of AD500s.

At this price point (if you compare them to the current ATs) you are bumping against Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pros $499 territory and if you're going to spend this much you might as well as bite the bullet and invest the extra hundy.

That $100 difference is literally night and day if you properly amp it with a clean source to almost everything: sound stage, sound separation, noise ratio, freq response.

The ATs aren't terrible but compared to the BD 1990s it's like comparing a suped up camaro vs a porsche turbo. Both have raw power but the latter is MUCH more refined in almost every way and a better day to day experience.

• Portable amp recommendations would be fiio A5
  
  
• relatively cheap high quality home amp would be the Beyerdynamic A20
  
  I still think personally if you are going to get very similar priced cans, then the Sennheiser HD650s will blow the ATs away

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphones/dp/B00O2Y2MZG/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482095706&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=fidelio+x23

Fidelio X2's are 198 + S&H with the $50.00 coupon going on now. They rival some top tier cans and are amazing for music and gaming. Skip the garbage phones and get this + a Boompro or ModMic

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW

These make things a little bit muddy, but it's worth keeping your ears working imo

I have a pair of these and really enjoy them.

When earbuds break it is indeed usually the wire that goes.

My solution is to use earbuds with replaceable cables - I use these for the gym https://www.amazon.com/MEE-audio-Universal-Fit-Noise-Isolating-Detachable/dp/B00SLVB71Q (come with a replacement cable, I've used maybe 2 or 3 cables in 2 years, the headphones should sell for ~30 USD at a sale) and these for home/sleeping: https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ (I've worn out two cables in ~two years, they cost 10-20 USD to replace).

Get a case to carry them around in, stick the wire inside your shirt, and you're mostly fine. Both of those also have bluetooth accessory cables to buy separate if you decide you do want to go with a bluetooth solution (as do most other decent in-ear headphones).

They're not perfect, but the MEE Audio M6 Pro's are not bad and they're super cheap. They come with Comply tips which make a huge difference in isolation over the typical silicone buds.

I'm a big fan of the Sennheiser HD598s as an all around consumer headphone. They can be worn basically forever without getting uncomfortable, sound generally lovely, and provide a fantastically "open" soundscape. They are open-backed, and as a result bleed a lot of sound, making them bad for public use. But I find that closed-back headphones have an almost claustrophobic sound that doesn't sit well with me so that's a trade off I'll make.

Samson SR850s + Zalman Mic. The samsons are amazing and blow every other headset I've heard out of the water. They are the same headphones as the Superlux 668Bs, so perhaps you can find them on ebay more cheaply than amazon.
Here's a head-fi review of the SR850s.

If you want something more expensive, see this Head-fi thread.

I've done a fair amount of research on this lately, and the Sennheiser HD 518 headphones seem perfect for me. Expensive enough that you know you aren't getting crap, but not too pricey at $68, either. Open-ear design for positional audio. They also have a detachable 2.5mm to 3.5mm cord, so you can get a shorter one for Vive.

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

A pair of sound-dampening headphones. I got a nice pair a few years back from Audio-Technica and it's the best purchase I've ever made. Way cheaper than Bose (I paid $70) and the sound quality of a headset is unlike any other headset or earbuds I've owned. It blocked out noisy studio-mates in grad school and now it blocks out loud phone calls and neighbors from the surrounding cubicals at work. 10/10.

Second on the AD700. Grados might be good for the lighter end of metal, not great for dubstep though (unless you can find a pair of the Alessandro MS1 version for less than their usual $100 tag.) They're not the most comfortable but it's like you have nothing at all covering your ears.

One note on bigger headphones, even open ones. If you're listening to the world around you, it's not a problem. But I have noticed that people will not talk to me if I'm wearing big open headphones, like the Beyer DT 880. Even though I can hear everything like I'm not wearing giant Princess Leia buns, the sight of them is a deterrent. Not a problem for you monitoring them but since the work environment sounds interactive I wanted to bring it up. Seems to be less of a problem with Grados; they appear smaller even with the circumaural pads put on.

Personally I'm a bigger fan of closed headphones (it leaks less sound out and so on).

But I would've gone for the Grado-Prestige-SR-60i or the Sennheiser HD448. I bet you could find them at a cheaper price somewhere else though. :)

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-Reference-Open-Back-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536164154&sr=8-1&keywords=akg+702

Lol, that 1 guy is the gate keeping Newegg from making any further sales.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480869276&sr=8-1&keywords=m20x

One does not enter the matrix with cheap ass headphones lol. Check them out here (Retail price is $499)

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-9969-HD-650-Headphones/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406806634&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=senheizer+hd+650

This was interesting to me at first glance, but is it really much of a deal? Senn HD 650s are $320 on Amazon right now and might go lower during black friday sales, and Sonarworks Studio Edition is $250. Add in the $25 flat shipping fee for the bundle and it doesn't seem great?

edit: also, sonarworks itself went on sale for like $80 off a few months ago according to this sub's history

edit 2: also, if you just want headphones and a tool for mixing/mastering on headphones, it might be cheaper to use the headphone edition of sonarworks rather than the studio edition.

Standard recommendation for high quality headphone/microphone combo is a Sennheiser HD555 with a Zalman Clip-on Mic.

I have them both and I find they work well and that they work well together.

We bought the Etymotic ER20XS ear plugs last year on recommendation from /u/F1GUR3 and we love them. They did wonders at the Excision show.

Rhett Schull has several good videos about this on his YouTube channel. Several brands offer earplugs tailored for music; I bought the two listed below and they’re both good but you might need something stronger.

Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, 1 pair, Polybag Packaging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jtVDCbS0HY495

Alpine Hearing Protection MusicSafe Classic Earplugs for Musicians https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032BYCWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_muVDCb92CK9SR

I've heard good things about these

$39.95

$36.97 I own these, and they are pretty great.

$25.99

---------

It really isn't that expensive unless you only look at Sennheiser, AirPods, and Beats.

If you're looking to spend about this much on headphones, consider the Sennheiser HD 598SR or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.

Ok, so based on the suggestions you've gotten so far, my suggestion might be too expensive. Having said that, I'd still like to make the case for them.

The headphones you should buy are the Shure SE215s.

Now, before you look at the $99 price tag and completely balk at them, let me explain why you should consider them.

First, comfort. Shure manufactures several sizes and types of cushioned ear tip sleeves. This means that you can find a size and type that works best for your ears and gives you the most comfort with the best possible seal. If you're anything like me and you live in your headphones, this is massively important.

Second, sound quality. This is a professional pair of headphones. Sure, they're definitely on the entry level side of things if you're talking to an audiophile. But if you're coming from Apple headphones they will reveal parts of your music that you've never heard before and might be good enough to shatter you emotionally for a while.* If comfort matters, then so does the actual quality of the thing you're listening for.

Finally, and most importantly, the cable is detachable, replaceable, and damn near indestructible. This means that while your initial investment is higher than it would be for a pair of skull candies, you make up for it by actually being able to repair the headphones long term. Additionally, you shouldn't have to replace the cable that often, it's kevlar reinforced and can survive almost anything you throw at it. The pair I currently own I've had for almost 3 years now, and I've only had to replace the cable once (which I did for ~30 dollars).

If your goal is to buy it for life, I honestly can't recommend the SE215s enough.

It looks like its only for the clear ones https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PO10E2?th=1
Edit: and the discount really only makes them almost the same price as the black pair. http://i.imgur.com/dAd1yrV.jpg

Here's a few that are in your price range and pretty well known for their durability:

Beyerdynamic DT 770

Sony MDR 7506 (Also check for the price on the V6 as they're both very similar and just as durable)

AKG K240

Shure SE215

get the HD 518 has a better soundstage(what you want in gaming) and smoother bass than the m50 and only $105 http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1IBG3SEKR4SFO&coliid=INUVAPYN63IXA

You're welcome. This is the set I bought recently. Leagues better than the cheap ass 15$ chinese headset I had been using previously.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042A68R8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

EDIT: They were on sale when I bought them for about 80 bucks.

I don't have these, but loved the Shure SE215-CL before they broke on me. It's a cheaper version of the 535s, instead of triple drivers, it has a single driver. It's also on sale for $89, which is a much better price point =)

>Headphones

I'm tempted to get a pair of Axent Wears, but I'm nowhere stylish ^^nor ^^cute enough to pull off the look.

Honestly, "gaming" headphones aren't renowned for sound quality. IMHO, it's better to get an affordable pair of audiophile high quality earphones like the MylarOne Bijous/Westone UMPro10s/Shure SE215s and then get an attached microphone (Zalman and Modmic are good choices for those). This is purely my opinion though :)

Regardless, Black Friday is coming up, so keep a lookout on Amazon for good deals!

Amazon.ca has them. I would check out headphonebar.com as well though. They don't have the 900x, but they definitely have the best selection in Van afaik.

• Get a shade tent (tailgate / pop-up tent). Yeah, it costs money. It's worth it.
  
  
• Bring tapestries/sheets/blankets and spring clips or tie-wraps to make a privacy and sun barrier.
  
  
• Bring big jugs of water.
  
  
• Get up early and go poop and shower before the crowd gets up, then take a nap under your shade as the day heats up.
  
  
• Battery powered Fairy lights, christmas lights, etc are fun to hang around your campsite.
  
  
• Be sure to talk to your neighbors! Bring some trinkets or kandi bracelets to give away!
  
  
• Buy earplugs. https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW are worth it
  
  
• If you do deals, do them in your tent, not out in the open.

I use the Etymotic ER20s and really like them. They do fit snug in my ears and they do get sore at first but once I've had them in for a couple hours I hardly notice they are there. I bring a few pairs with me since I've lost them on more than one occasion. If you're concerned about how much the HEAROS stick out try the ER20XS, same plug as the ER20 but with a shorter stem.

I've used a set of HEAROS and didn't care for them much either but I think that was more due to size since they also have a version of the ER20s that's rebranded.

Not sure if even Amazon Prime is fast enough for this notice, but here's one option.
Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, 1 pair, Polybag Package

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to visit it when I want to upgrade or need to replace. I just ordered these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00HVLUR18/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Heard nothing but good reviews and I know the bran is up there with the best.

Ooooh misinterpreted the replacement suggestions lol I'm looking at the Sennheiser HD 598 open back here but the closed back are cheaper and might suit you better, you can buy something like this if you need a mic.

Here are some good headphones for the price.

Koss PortaPros - $50 (Usually you can find these for like $30, not sure why Amazon has them marked up)

Grado sr60i - $80

Sennheiser HD555 - $190

Audio Technica is another manufacturer to look into but I'm not familiar with their products. I only use open back headphones.

I think the Grado's are the best deal. I use sr80i's.

Ordered!

​

Not as great of a deal, but the Grado SR60i's popped up for $35.50 today as well.

​

Edit: My order was canceled :(

Razer makes good mice, not headsets. Get a Sennheiser
Lower priced
Higher Priced

And just use this mic. It works great, and is very clear. I have never heard of pulsewave as a competitive brand, and that headset doesn't look as sturdy as most Sennheiser's.

So the Wii U supports any kind of wireless headset that uses inline interruption, i.e. that it basically gets plugged in between your audio cable and the TV. The Sony Gold Wireless headphones have their own USB receiver to work over wireless, and since Nintendo doesn't have any drivers, nor anyway to install the USB drivers, it won't work over wireless. Xbox One is the same way, to those who say it works. Works great plugged in via 3.5mm though. Now, that being said, the Wii U has the capability to support wireless headsets though bluetooth, but Nintendo hasn't released or licensed any as of yet.

If you want to try some wireless cans though, maybe give these a shot: Sennheiser RS120. While I can't vouch for these particular pair, I do know that Sennheiser makes a good pair of headphones, and these will work with just about anything with RCA (red and white) or Headphone out.

As to a pair I can vouch for, while these are wired, they're spectacular, and they come with a 7ft cord: Sennheiser HD201. There certainly are better headphones if you wanna spend a bit more, but they're great for what they cost.

Hope this helps mate!

Sennheisers aren't all expensive. 200 series headphones go for around $20. Here's the HD-202 and the HD-201. There are also lots of deals to be had with Sennheiser, like foundsleeping said. I similarly got a pair of $180 phones (HD-555) for $70 on Amazon. Just keep your eyes peeled.

And yes, just about any Sennheiser product is worth the price they charge. They make fantastic products.

Here are the specs:

Type|Item|
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i7-4820K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler | Corsair H105
Thermal Compound | Prolimatech PK-1 5g Thermal Paste
Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-X79-UP4 ATX LGA2011 Motherboard
Memory| Corsair Dominator Platinum 2133MT/s C9 4x 4gb
Storage | SAMSUNG 840 EVO 250GB
Storage | SAMSUNG 840 EVO 250GB
Case | Corsair Graphite 760T in White
Power Supply | Corsair RM1000 80+ Gold
Operating System | Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (64-bit)
Monitor | Asus PB278Q 27" 2560x1440 PLS
Monitor | Asus PB238Q 23.0" Monitor
Keyboard|Filco Ninja Majestouch-2 w/MX browns
Keyboard | Keycool 84 (white body) w/MX black
Keyboard | KBT Pure Pro 60% w/MX blues
Keyboard|KBT Pure 60% w/MX reds and blue LEDs
Keyboard|Leopold FC660M (gray keycaps) w/MX greens
Keyboard| KBT Pure 60% w/MX whites
Mouse | Mionix Naos 5000 Wired Laser Mouse
Video Card| XFX 290 DD Black edition
Video Card| XFX 290 DD Black edition
Headphones| AKG K702
Headphones| Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250Ohm
Headphones | Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 250Ohm
Headphone stand| Woo Audio HPS-HB
Headphone stand| Just Mobile Aluminum
Microphone|Samson Meteor Studio Mic
DAC| Schiit Modi
AMP|Schiit Magni
Speakers|JBL LSR305 5-inch Two-Way Pair
Fan| 3x Corsair SP120 Quiet edition PWM
Fan| 3x Corsair AF140 Quiet edition
Router|Netgear AC1750 R6300v2
Modem|Motorola SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem
Custom Cables|Made by /u/Lavins

Big thanks to Corsair for sponsoring most of this rig.

Here's the review of the case I released a couple of days ago

I’m a big fan of the Sennheiser HD650s they price around $310-320 usd

Edit: they have a pretty solid sound, and they are extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Amazon has the HD650 for $337 new.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI

Wondering whether the HD650/600 will have a Black Friday deal.

Is $320 with shipping good enough for you ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00018MSNI/ref=s9_simh_gw_p267_d2_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=9T1C9TRFZSX3FH6Y6WV8&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=867551827&pf_rd_i=desktop

Isn't this a better deal?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00018MSNI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

233 Pounds to US is $310 US, shipped, all in. No import/custom fees. I can buy it here in Canada for $400 CAD shipped.

You could upgrade to HD555 for about $30 more.

If you do some research, you'll actually see that you can mod these in your own home to be the HD595 exactly, meaning a $150 ($350 before discount) pair of headphones for $70.

I got lucky and found a used HD555 for 40 bucks, which was a steal!

do you NEED wireless?
i donut in 90% of my gigs so i use wired in ear monitoring. I send the mix to these

They are cheap and effective and can blend two input signals together if needed. They DO NOT have any limiters on board so if you need that function, you can route your mix to a comp/limiter first, like I do.

Couple those with These Monitors

And you have a $100 / person in ear system.

I love mine

I'm currently using a Yeti Blue and a pair of Sennheiser HD598SRs. Planning on switching to a Modmic 5 in the future, for more easy plug-and-play with a straight headphone jack, rather than messing around with a USB mic that I have to unplug to switch my audio back to speakers.

Keyboard: WASD 61 Keys with custom cap colors (built on their site)

Headphones: Sennheiser HD 598 SR with open backs.

Pen: Baoer 388 with a medium nib

I want to buy a nicer pen but for right now this one (with Noodler's black ink) works perfectly. I use numbers a lot at work, so I plan on making a separate number pad soon, and I also am probably going to purchase a trackball to place between the keyboard and number pad. The headphones I bought on Prime Day for half their normal price (at the time).

+1 for sennheiser.

These are the headphones I have, absolutely AMAZING for gaming, and extremely comfortable as well. I'll play for hours and forget i'm even wearing headphones.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540220439&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd598sr

The Sennheiser HD 598.

They work perfectly with the PS4 and you can choose between the open-back (SR) and the close-back (CS) option.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45

Please don't rely on Z Reviews for an understanding of how things sound. His views are, at best, inconsistent, and he has a high penchant for large amounts of bass over anything else.

The problem with the T50RP-Mk3's is that they are uncomfortable and don't sound very good out of the box. They are easy to mod, which is why they became as popular as they did. But even if you had an amp you knew could drive it, it's really not a good idea without at least different pads.

Something like the Sennheiser HD598 would be a much safer bet. Or for a crazy value, the HD558 is on sale at Best buy right now. They won't be as bass-heavy as the LP2's you have right now, but the rest of the frequency response will be much less weird / more even.

For more thoughts, you could always post in the daily Purchase Advice thread.

Would anyone be able to tell me how these would compare in quality to Audio the Technica ATH-AD900X Open-Back Audiophile Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S331VU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wT-tzbQTE56H7 ? Been kindof browsing around and looking for a good set of over ears.

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

>svi balkanski narodi su skloni muzici, i audio uređajima

To jesu, u smislu da imaš gomilu ljudi koji non-stop kupuju nove zvučnike da bi imali 'više vati'. >_>

Al' ozbiljno, ja gledam sebi da kupim uskoro nešto ovakvo, da mogu da slušam muziku ko čovek. Dosadilo mi je da stalno guram bubice u desktop, mada ove Pioneer koje sad koristim i nisu toliko loše.

Get any Sennheiser product that suits your budget, if stops working within 2 years, you can replace that with a brand new same product from their service center.

I'm using this Sennheiser HD 202 II model since last 3 years, replaced my old one last year when it stopped working, just before the end of 2 years warranty period.

These. They sound amazing

I'm not the only person who has complained about this issue...

These are on sale for 100 Euros right now. If you can afford it, I'd suggest these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-518-Circumaural-Headphones/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474669386&sr=8-2&keywords=sennheiser+hd558

I will be playing this game the day it comes out, wearing these. Can't wait.

To expand a little bit on what ImKrimzen is getting at...

This community is really, really hardcore about headphones. I say this in an affectionate but matter-of-fact way: we are a bunch of elitists who mostly look down our noses at products like the one you're asking about. Most gamers here prefer to use an awesome pair of headphones with a regular 3.5mm audio hookup, and then attach something like this mic to it. This tends to give you better value for your money than buying an overpriced gaming headset. Now, playing on console is a little more complicated...I've never even used a mic when console gaming, but if you can find a way to set that up via a bluetooth mic or something, then you can always just use the PS4 controller's headphone jack to plug in a regular pair of headphones and then go to town. (Or alternatively, your TV's aux out if it has one, or optical digital out through a DAC.) Here are a couple of relatively inexpensive headphones that have an absolutely stellar reputation around here for gaming. (And will also bring your movies and music to another level.)

Less expensive

More expensive

Most expensive (or actually not, because they're on sale)

Edit: Oh, just one important thing to note: this is /r/headphones 101, but since you're new, I'm just going to assume you may not realize that all those options I linked are open-back headphones, which means that they do not isolate sound well and they leak your sound out. In other words, other people around you can hear your stuff and you can probably hear noises in your environment, so if you need sound isolation, get a closed-back pair like this. But the advantage of open-back is that you generally get better-quality sound for your dollar, and the sound stage is always better, meaning the locations of sounds in your 3D headspace are very detailed and precise. This is really awesome for immersive gaming and movie-watching, so people love open-back headphones for those uses.

You are right, and you also sound like you haven't used "open" headphones before. That's essentially exactly what they are, and they sound amazing for it. It's mostly for listening by yourself in a quiet room, not for anything actually portable.

Try anything "open" from Audio Technica or these as a classic intro to the genre.

I use these when I'm out and about and these when I'm at home. Turns out I can get the first pair to fit if I press down firmly and it sort of "locks" the headphones in place. Not surprised about the Grados not fitting, the jack on those is quite large, but I pretty much just use those at home so no big deal there. Might be able to keep the case without messing with it after all. I'll just have to give it a real-world test run to make sure my headphones stay in place when I'm actually moving around.

EDIT: Headphone cutout diameter is about 7mm for anyone worried about this issue.

If you're looking for something really affordable with great sound, check out the Grado SR-60i - read the reviews... for sound, and price, they can't be beat.

For a good alternate set that are really portable, get the Koss Portapros - cheap, great sound, and they have a lifetime warranty. I fold these up and toss them in my backpack every day, and when they break I'll just send them back to Koss for a new set.

Or just buy the K702s from Amazon now and get them primed to your house tomorrow for ~£30 less…

I'd recommend these.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8/

I wouldn't recommend 'Gaming' when going for headphones.

if you are a audiophile. Audio-Technicia is way to go. lower price version still little bit expensive but worth the price. you will not regreat.

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00HVLUR18

get a pair of good headphones and buy a separate mic. Most gaming headphones are shit. I have a pair of audio technica ath-m20x and I love them. They are very comfortable and sound good to me. Cord is a bit to long but other than that I cant think of any cons. http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18

Just did this yesterday evening! Coming from a OnePlus One, I had to figure out how to run with a large phone last year.

I use these bluetooth headphones and use a flipbelt to hold my phone, wallet and keys (if I drive somewhere to run, otherwise just my phone).

I bought the flipbelt at REI, so there are options to get it locally if you'd like to see it in person.

Shure SE215. The ear buds sound great and are removable from the wires. You can buy all types of wires on amazon for them including bluetooth. There's a prime bluetooth wire (red cable) there for $29 that lasts 6 hours on a charge.

If your wire gets damaged, buy another one and plug the earbuds into it.

You can find the SE215s with different wires and they are around your price range. I paid $129 for this one and the wire has lasted me half a year so far. To add bluetooth its another $29 for an off-brand one that I use daily. Get about 6 hours use out of it each time and so cheap I am thinking about buying a second one to extend my usage to 12 hours before charging.

I used to go through headphones every six months...this one is buy it for life.

I highly recommend you go this route. I bought so many headphones before I found these.

More fitting at /r/bapcsalescanada , looks to be a alright price for it being in CA.

edit : This should take you to the $99 listing, the one OP posted takes you to a $125 listing.

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004PO10E2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB

NVX XPT 100 (also badged asBrainwavz HM5, Fisher Audio 003, Jaycar Pro) based on the OEM: Yoga CD-990 ( [amazon link]
(http://www.amazon.com/NVX-Over-Ear-Headphones-ComfortMax-Cushions/dp/B0093PVTPS) )

Ordered these today! Hopefully will have them this weekend.

If you don't want to worry about an amp, the Fidelio X2's come to mind. They're efficent (no need for an amp), have a fun sound signature, and have a very wide soundstage that you will really benefit from when gaming.

Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, 1 Pair, Polybag Packaging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vkNkDbCW0ZRX9


Didn't search further on Amazon, but I know they used to have different filters, and not all 20dB. I have used these though and they work great for music/concerts.

Etymotic High Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, Polybag Packaging, 1 pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_OecYrlZ1jUAdo

I used these for freestyle and they worked wonders. I ruptured my ear drum river diving, and the bass caused me to feel the scar tissue, which hurt a bit. Using these, you can hear the music and everything else clearly while protecting your ears with no pain from all that wonderful bass

If you don't know what size will fit (I have small ear canals so normal fit me), I recommend buying the $25 pack that gives 3 diff sized plugs (6 total, 2 are foam)

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW

I've used these at their concerts and they work perfectly. They block enough noise while still allowing some of those mids to come in smoothly. Also they are clear and discrete, so nobody will notice them.

Sennheiser 598 SR on sale in the USA!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WRMZZ45/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499781847&sr=1-1&psr=PDAY&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Sennheiser&dpPl=1&dpID=41X8ZPjlKJL&ref=plSrch

Open-backed:

• SHP-9500s + VModa BoomPro
  
  
• Fidelio L2 + VModa BoomPro
  
  
• Sennheiser 598 + Microphone
  
  Closed-back:
  
  
• ATH-M40x + Comfy Pads + Microphone
  
  
• Brainwavz HM9 + VModa BoomPro
  
  
• VModa Crossfade + VModa BoomPro

'Gaming' is just a term companies use to cater to people who play video games (gamers). You don't want to buy from someone like Logitech who makes mice, keyboards, webcams, desktop speakers, 'gaming' headsets, etc.

You want to buy a pair of quality headphones (not headset) from a music company like Audio-Technica (Japan), Sennheiser (Germany), AKG, Grado, Shure, Bower & Wilkins (UK) and so on. These companies (besides maybe Sennheiser) don't really advertise to gamers, so you're kind of stuck in the loop of Logitech, Corsair, HyperX, Creative, etc.

I'm not sure what kind of music you're into, so I can't make any suggestions but I can give you starter things to look into. Check out the suggestion thread over in /r/headphones. Add a standalone mic or a V-Moda Boom Mic.

Philips SHP9500

Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X (also the 700X)

Sennheiser HD598

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

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.

I currently use this combo:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD555-Professional-Headphones-Channeling/dp/B0001FTVDQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1323130988&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323130978&sr=8-2

I have had plenty of headsets over the years, and this one has been my best purchase. My friends on skype tell me the voice quality is fine.

You are also going to get way better sound quality through headphones rather than a headset.

Grado SR-60i and Shure SRH240 are both very good. I have owned both and I liked the Grado's more.

Surround sound cans are gimmicky at best; you'll be best off with a higher quality standard stereo pair than an equivalently priced 5.1 or 7.1 pair. That said, I have a pair of Grado SR-80i's that retail for about $100 and are incredible for the price point for music. They work well enough for gaming on sound quality alone, but they're open-air which may be an issue if you are trying to block out external noise. I love the closer soundstage they offer though. There is also slightly cheaper version, the SR-60i which is ~$80 on amazon. Both are low enough impedance to work well without an amp but will benefit from one if you're that interested in getting into the audiophile music experience.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend them for gaming as a primary usage, but for music they really whip the llama's ass. They're pricier than you mentioned, but the difference in quality from $50 to the $80 sr60i is HUGE, and well worth the $30 in my opinion.

Agreed, and give yourself a few minutes to get used to the sound with earplugs in before dismissing them. It may be an odd sensation at first but once you get used to them it is so worth it. I can personally recommend these. And if you ever forget them at home, many venues give away foam earplugs for free.

Maybe the MEE M6 Pros. They're designed as musician's in ear monitors and get really loud and have a wider sound stage than most earbuds. From my experience with forgetting to check the volume when playing a song and scaring the shit out of myself, I think they'll do well.
https://www.amazon.com/MEE-audio-Universal-Fit-Noise-Isolating-Detachable/dp/B00SLVB71Q

I'm going to vouch for the MEE audio M6 PRO. I bought mine in October of 2015 and have used them almost daily. Currently I use them while snowboarding and I've got 50 days with them in so far this season.

They come with two sets of wires as the actual ear phone piece is detachable. It comes with plenty of different sized pieces that go in your ear so you can find which is most comfortable for you.

I'm not the most careful with my headphones so these things have taken a beating and the only thing wrong with them is the extra support on the 3.5mm male end has broken away, I can take a photo if you'd like. Unfortunately after a night out I stepped on them so the one detachable ear piece broke and spins around freely but still plays music just fine.

They also have a bendable wire inside so you can shape it to how you want behind your ear and it'll stay that way.

They're definetly affordable at $59.99 Canadian.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00SLVB71Q/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_pE0IAbMYH1FMP

From top to bottom

1. Me electronics m6 pro's https://www.amazon.ca/MEE-audio-Universal-Fit-Noise-Isolating-Detachable/dp/B00SLVB71Q
   
   
2. One plus x bamboo case https://oneplus.net/ca_en/oneplus-x-protective-case
   
   
3. One plus x https://oneplus.net/ca_en/oneplus-x
   
   
4. Herschel supply CHARLIE WALLET http://shop.herschelsupply.ca/products/charlie-wallet-lead-green-black
   
   
5. swiss army knife (not sure exact model but looks close to the spartan https://www.swissarmy.com/ca/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Medium-Pocket-Knives/Spartan/p/1.3603#accordion-prod-details-2 i also dont bring this with me to school)
   
   
6. zebra f-402 pen (found this at school and decided to keep it)
   
   
7. keys, with a 32gb usb 2.0 drive, house and garage key, car key, bike lock key, all on my school key chain.
   
   
8. pebble time on all black nato strap with a dbrand skin on the bezel.

I use these. The sound quality isn't amazing but they're lightweight, don't get int the way of practice and were cheap. They have volume and a button that can be used to play/pause.

I'm bringing these this time around they're by etymotic but a little more(+ $8) and they're supposed to be a little better and more discrete.
Also if comfort is more important to you than sound attenuation then the Earasers are pretty good from what I understand and after a while don't feel like anythings there

http://www.amazon.com/MEE-audio-Universal-Fit-Noise-Isolating-Detachable/dp/B00SLVB71Q

MEElectronic M6 Pro?

i bought these pre-AW, but live with headphones in my ears 90% of the the day and got sick of constantly fighting the tangle of the cords ... immediately bought myself a second pair and bought one for my gf.

Edit: originally linked logged into my amazon account, please don't rob me. thanks.

I would go wireless and I 120% reccomend these. For the price you can't beat them. Battery life is great, and I only need to charge them once a week. Plus if something does go wrong, they're only 40 bucks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G8JO5F2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_N3Xczb7MJNWXZ

Please don't buy any hyperx logitech gamer shit look into sennheiser.

A little over your budget but > https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500185999&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=sennheiser+headphone&psc=1

Here's the TL;DR of differences between Gibson and Philips for the Fidelio X2 manufacturing:

Philips sold the plant to Gibson, and now Gibson manufactures the headphones. Gibson tried using glue to hold the earpads better to the cup, and they said it didn't affect the sound quality, but was a QC issue. Gibson has said that because this interfered with the removable earpads, they would revise this going forwards. Some new stock and some used pairs might have the glue issue, but this is only important if you plan on using aftermarket earpads (or if you plan to use it long-term and might need to replace the stock earpads later down the line).

Sources:

(Reddit thread with a guy who works on the Fidelio X2 team confirming an error in QC.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/3xhwmf/recent_philips_x2_buyers_beware_qc_issues/

(Zeos compares the differences in a video.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4OoNS7wkfg

(Picture of the glue before and after being removed, courtesy of Massdrop.)

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/philips-fidelio-x2/talk/345868

(Head-fi thread/topic about the issue. Likely the least helpful link here. View at your own discretion.)

http://www.head-fi.org/t/791723/philips-fidelio-x2-defects-on-amazon/30

For a time, Amazon's product page for the Philips Fidelio X2 mentioned that some earpads might come glued, and if so, to contact customer support for a replacement. (The warning is no longer there, now.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O2Y2MZG

Read the most helpful reviews on the Amazon product page, if you'd like to. One talks about QC issues and customer support. Others mention the product's quality. This should help you make up your mind.

Hope all these links are helpful for ya. Cheers,

They're on sale again, in case you missed the Amazon Prime Day deal last week.

There appears to be two versions of the X2HR on Amazon (the X2HR/00 and X2HR/27). Not sure if there's a difference but this is the X2HR/00 version.

Camelcamelcamel price history for the X2HR/00 and the X2HR/27. Also the discontinued X2/27 for comparison.

I use a high fidelity earplug in my left ear when I practice. They were $20 on amazon. It takes the edge off the volume and frequency but does not compromise the quality of the sound and I can still hear the harmonics and nuances (subtle sympathetic vibrations and "ring-tones" of my sound that are muted by a practice mute or regular foam earplug) of my sound. I already have tinnitus from years of exposure to damaging noise (aircraft and vehicles, weapons etc) from the army so I want to preserve the hearing I do have left. As violinists we do have less to worry about than percussionists but the high frequency directly in the left ear shouldn't be dismissed; in my opinion a good quality earplug in the left ear for practicing sessions is wise. Hope that helps!!

Edit: link to earplugs I use

Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, 1 pair, Polybag Packaging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3vj.zb6KH6JW0

You can even get superb results from a stock pair of high-quality earplugs designed for music professionals like these. I now use something similar that I bought at a local music store years ago.

I think you should look into ear-plugs, the ones used in concerts that attenuate the sound but not block it, like these or similar to it: https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_10?__mk_pt_BR=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=etymotic&qid=1570838213&sr=8-10

I bought the "Etymotic Research ER20 High-Fidelity Earplugs" for live shows. They work well. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0015WNZ9K
There is a new version that does not stick out as much.
http://www.amazon.ca/Etymotic-Plugs-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=pd_bxgy_121_img_2
I have not tried it.

Get some Etymotic reusable earplugs (the standard size seems to be smaller than "standard" according to reviews and personal experience). Lowers the volume of the concert without muffling the sound. It actually makes some shows sound better in my experience, specifically bass heavy hip hop shows. You really should wear earplugs to every live music show you go to.

Pro tip. A set of musicians earplugs help a lot with terrible arena sound. I took my plugs out during a few songs to see how it was and it was pretty painful. The plugs filtered out a lot of the garbage. Not to mention it saves your hearing. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RM6Q9XW/

Budget - $125. Really don't want to spend more than $100 unless you can convince me.

Source - Dell laptop

Requirements for Isolation - All the isolation. I don't want to hear around me, and I don't want them to hear me.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Closed. See above. I want solitude and I don't want to bother others with my music.

Preferred tonal balance - Probably can't really tell the difference in mids and highs, but I love bass.

Past headphones - Grado SR80i. Sounded great, but they're open so they didn't block out noise and everyone could hear me even at low volume, which is not what I want. Also the pads pressing against my ears for awhile hurt pretty quickly.

Preferred Music - Alternative Rock, Hip Hop, Ambient/Post Rock, Trip Hop

Misc - I tried my friend's Audio-Technica ATH-M50 and it was incredible. A little big, but I did like the coiled cable. The cable on my SR80 has gotten twisted a lot from storing it in various places. I will use these primarily for studying and occasionally watching TV or movies on my computer. I love the M50, but the price tag may be a bit too high. Should I go for the M40x or the M30x? How much "worse" is the M30x than the M50? Are there alternatives that are better for the price? Also I have Amazon Prime which is why I keep linked to Amazon haha. Saves 10-15 bucks.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484834750&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+m20x

So, my strongest recommendation is going to be to get a regular headset and run either the integrated mic if you're on a laptop, or use a cheapo USB mic. For whatever reason, headsets are more expensive for decent quality fidelity.

​

I'm going to circlejerk Sennheiser: $50, $70, also 70$

​

And AudioTechnica: 50$

​

Especially if you're planning on streaming, you can get a great non-mic OEs for midrange price, and splurge on the mic.

I use these.

Never had an issue with them, they're built well, don't feel cheap and they sound great.

I have these wireless earbuds:

http://www.amazon.com/SoundPEATS-QY7-Bluetooth-Lightweight-Headphone/dp/B00LP6CFEC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1457501623&sr=8-3&keywords=wireless+bluetooth+headphones+soundpeats

I go running with them and they don't fall out. There is a small wire that goes behind your neck but that's it. You can control volume/skip tracks on it + it has a microphone.

Oh, and they're $20!

Anker makes a cheap pair (sorry, only have US dollars to compare to) as does Sound Peats (the pair I have).
The Sound OK, but I am going to get a pair of Anker buds soon because I want to get rid of the inner ear part (they have a pair that does not go into the ear) do to some ear / health problems I have.

I recently purchased a pair of SoundPeats QY7's off of Amazon for about $20. Wireless, great sound, easy to use, and stay in my ears. Definitely a great deal!

Personally, every time i've tried to make music on an iOS device I've given up in frustration. It might be fun for fooling around, but the interface drives me crazy and makes me want to do just about anything else. This is just my opinion maaaan.

In terms of software, I'd start out with REAPER as a DAW because you can get started right away on your gaming rig for free. It has a 60 day evaluation period, which can be extended until you are overcome by guilt. You're going to have to dig around the net for free VST virtual instruments and sounds, but they're out there. Buy a cheap USB audio interface, and a cheap mic and start working on your own music. You can record acoustic instruments, vocals, and random sounds with one of those mics. I'd find a cheap pair of open back headphones for mixing, and use whatever closed back sound isolating headphones you have lying around for monitoring while you're recording.

I think the best way to learn music production is to force yourself to produce music on the regular. To that end I'd suggest learning about songfight.org, which is an online songwriting and production contest that happens roughly every two weeks. There is nothing like a firm deadline to inspire you to create. You're given a title, and you write, record, and produce a song with that title. People on the Internet vote, and there's a winner. Folks on message boards will often give you feedback on your song so you can improve. Also there is a podcast that reviews the current batch of songs, so at the very least you're gonna get some feedback from those jerks. Disclaimer: I am one of those jerks.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Reddit's very own r/Gameofbands which does something similar, and might hook you up with folks to collaborate with.

IMO the best affordable closed headphone is probably the Takstar Pro 82 (or 80, AKA Cloud II), but to keep it under budget you need to order via AliExpress.

And the best open headphone under $50 would probably be the Samson SR850.

What? IEMs are In Ear Monitors which means earphones that have a flat response curve (bass and treble not exxagerated to get sound close to source) So are you looking for Headphones? If so these look good $32 used.

If you want to save money and only care about performance/price ratio try this combination in the sub 75 dollar range, which should be sufficient for most gamers. This will net you better quality than anything that is marketed for gaming:






Sennheiser HD 202

Zalman ZM-MIC1

You can't go wrong with a pair of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003LPTAYI?cache=d733496d13fd2dc564ded12a3116bf27&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1404779906&sr=8-2#ref=mp_s_a_1_2

Honestly anything made by Sennheiser is a good choice. Just make sure to check the specs, 60hz is all you really need for low end, everything below that just messes up the mix anyways. You can also find cheap speakers and a mini sub for cheap (40$ or so). It's always a good idea to have multiple speakers so you can hear it on multiple different platforms.

Are you looking for $50 $75 $100 $150? Whats your price range? The last one is $169 shipped and I just picked it up three weeks ago. Holy balls. Just do this.

If you don't have a bigger budget, I recommend looking these up: Grado SR60i
I personally find them great.

Video games!

Alternatively, if you enjoy music and can spare 15$, a decent "starter" audiophile headset.
^(If you can afford it though, I'd jump for the SR-80i. [99$])

I wouldn't buy gaming headsets. Just buy a nice pair of headphones (eg. Sennheiser HD 201) + a nice external mic.

As for keyboards, I'd look into buying a mechanical keyboard.

Mice are personal preference

EDIT:

Here are some link

Sennheiser HD 201

MonoPrice Mech. Keyboard

As for mice as I said it's preference. it also depends on wheter you are a claw-gripper, palm-gripper or whatever. Maybe if you have a store like BestBuy or something around go there and test some mice.


Nice Zalman Mic.

Sennheiser HD201 Lightweight Over-Ear Binaural Headphones $20

Zalman Zm-Mic1 High Sensitivity Headphone Microphone $10

Those are the only budget headphones and mic I'd consider. It will sound much better than any gaming headset at even twice that price.

I'm going to go ahead and link to a bookmarked post i have for playing live. Great great advice from /u/champaignthrowaway. His original post that can be seen here is locked, but toss him an upvote for the great guide if you see him around.

> Nutshell guide to IEMs for drummers:

> The most affordable way into it is a pair of Shure SE215s. They are inexpensive, sound very good in comparison to any normal consumer earbud on the market, and the generic fit actually does work 90% as well for most people. I use the foam tips on mine and they isolate completely and have never fallen out. They don't sound quite as good as full blown, custom molded, dual/triple/quad driver IEMS, but stuff like that is more in the $400-800 range and these are a measly hundred bucks. These come in clear or black, but obviously clear is the only real option since it looks so much more expensive and professional (haha).

> Moving into the custom realm, things can get pricey very quickly but it is absolutely worth it if you're going to use them a lot (bear in mind as well that you can use these for just listening to music and stuff too). The most affordable custom option that I'm aware of is taking your pair of Shure SE215s and having Sensaphonics make a set of custom sleeves for them. To get them made, you need to have impressions taken either by a local audiologist (any doctor who makes hearing aids can do this for you for a low fee) or by actually going into Sensaphonics in Chicago for a consultation. They'll take the impressions, help you figure out what you want exactly, and do a very extensive hearing test for you.

> Custom molds will fit well for anywhere from 3-10 years from what I can tell. Your ears do actually keep growing throughout your entire life. If you're a teenager you'll probably have to have them refitted after a few years. If you're older, the growth is very slight and they'll probably fit comfortably for a very long time.

> InEarz and 1964 are other popular companies that make a good product. Personally I prefer Sensaphonics because they are, as far as I know, the only company making them with 100% silicone, which is extremely soft and comfortable. The downside is that Sensaphonics is a bit more expensive than most other options. You honestly can't even feel them in your ear after a few minutes. Generic fit IEMs and custom molds made from harder materials usually get uncomfortable after thirty or forty minutes.

> If you want to use them live, there are some things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is of vital importance to have some sort of body pack with a volume control and a built in limiter. You are putting these things inside your freaking ears and giving some stranger behind the board control over what sound they make. If you have no safety measures in place and the engineer brainfarts out and grabs the wrong aux send, you are going to have a very, very bad night. You can seriously hurt yourself that way. Most sound guys wouldn't even agree to give you an IEM mix without you having a personal limiter of some sort, but it's worth mentioning because there are some idiots out there. I recommend the Behringer P1 bodypack. There are nicer options out there, but the P1 is cheap, simple to use, and will get you up and running.

> Secondly, it will be a bit of an awkward adjustment period especially if you are not in a position where your band is running it's own monitor mix (and if you are in a band like that, you're probably not reading this because you already know all of this stuff). Some engineers will know how to deal with IEMs and can give you a good mix complete with ambient/crowd noise, some will just throw everything up to the same level and leave you in some weird sounding isolated freakish space. At smaller venues that don't mic everything you'll obviously be missing some stuff. Not having overheads is weird - unless you get a lot of cymbal bleed through your other mics you might tend to over crash. Some live engineers like to gate the hell out of all the mics as well, which exaggerates the problem. It just takes some getting used to. You know how vastly different a show feels when your monitors and stage sound are good compared to when they are shitty? Yeah, well your monitors are now inside your freaking head and everything is even more exaggerated. So communicate a lot with your sound guy/girl and hopefully they will do you right. Oh, and at least once you're going to stand up and walk away from the kit without remembering to unplug and you'll probably knock something over or damage a cable. Live and learn, haha.

> * Last small thing - if everything goes right you'll have an awesome IEM mix at your show. That's awesome. That also means you'll probably hear every single mistake your bandmates make. So be ready for that, so that you don't get thrown off or make a funny face when the guitarist botches a note or the singer is half a step off.

> edit: Thanks for gold, kind stranger. If the mod/s want this in the sidebar or something that's fine by me. Somebody let me know if that happens and I'll clean it up a little bit.

A good pair of headphones and a microphone (separate)

I just like the peace of mind that comes with being able to hear spies decloak behind you, footsteps, and clearer voices.

Also, better music listening, of course.

When you're in a Mumble, you really want to get a clear representation of what someone's saying, so you spend less time deciphering it and more time acting on calls. The microphone is to make the same thing easier for your teammates.

If you're hearing "push now" instead of "don't push," and your mic is extremely unclear, all because you've got a pair of crappy earbuds, you're not going to last long without frustrating everyone, including yourself. Even worse, you're using speakers.

I'd recommend these for headphones, since you don't like over-ears. They are IEMS, meaning there will basically be zero background noise. At the same time, they have the same profile as earbuds, so glasses are more comfortable.

I'd also recommend this for a great high-value mic. It's a cardoid mic, meaning it won't pick up anything outside of a short cone (pointed at your face, of course), lessening background noise.

While we're on the whole philosophy of "reducing background noise," try to cut down on distractions on your desk. Take papers and everything else not essential away from your field of view. Folders, drawers, whatever. Flashing lights are also really annoying. The purpose of this is to make sure nothing has your focus at the moment but the game itself. It should be you and the monitor, not the monitor, strobe lights, and late homework everywhere.

While 120hz monitors, great mice, keyboards, and other upgrades might help, they will not be as helpful as complete immersion in the game. And that's something that is most easily done through audio, because it doesn't matter what monitor you have if your parrot is screaming his head off.

Beats are generally terrible, the studios are meh at best, and the m50s are a big step up but they aren't the greatest thing since sliced bread like some would have you believe. If you want a great sounding pair of headphones go for the brainwavs hm5 or their less expensive clone the nvx xpt100 (reviews: Brainwav hm5 audiotechnica ATH M50)

imo "gaming" headphones are a waste of money. You're better off getting a dedicated pair of headphones like this, and then get a separate microphone like this. The sound, comfort and build quality are so much better. I will never buy another pair of gaming headphones again.

> What difference occurs when there is only one sided cord in headphones, and when there are cords on both sides? I personally prefer the one-sided type. Am I missing out on something?

Just aesthetic preferences from the company.

> There are several headphones like HD600 and HD650 which are open sided and therefore the sound "leaks". While this can be a hinderance if someone wants to listen to music in a public place, what's the benefit here?

Open headphones tend to have a more speaker-like sound, often having a wider and more realistic presentation of sound over closed headphones, which some people describe as "cave-like" sounding. Open headphones will almost always have a better sound quality to performance ratio compared to a closed headphone of the same price because of the limitations of the enclosure.

>Also, cable. What's the optimum length? I have only used Sennheisers and they usually tend to have very long cables. Are extensions available and if yes, do they affect the sound quality?

Extensions are available and won't effect sound quality and optimal cable length is determined by what you are comfortable with.

>What causes bass distortion? Is there a cure for it?

Poor mastering, poor driver performance, and bad EQ settings are what I can think of. If it's the mastering there's nothing you can do about it (unless there's another mastering), if it's the headphone drivers then the headphones aren't able to accurately reproduce them, and if you have EQ on you could be introducing the distortion yourself. Do you use EQ?

Razer is a gaming company that makes products suited towards gamers. I owned a pair of Razer headphones for gaming years ago and the sound was okay, but they aren't made for music, their frequency responses and sound will be tuned for the gaming experience, generally. It's not that they're necessarily bad, but they have no purpose in a music setting if that's why you're buying them.

As for what you want, how much are you looking to spend? These might be great for you, as would be these if you don't mind dual sided cables.

Sennheiser Momentums
-Less than half the price of beats.
-Sounds better than anything beats can crap out.
-Good for the average user, no amp needed.

If you're willing to spend Beats money but want to get your money's worth you can go with Sennheiser HD650 or B&W P7. But remember with these, you're going onto audiophile territory and some need headphone amps. The higher you go, you hit diminishing returns. In the end, for the average person you just don't need to go spending that much on headphones for decent quality.

Massdrop is a site that features group buys. Basically they gauge interest in a particular product, approach the manufacturer with that data and get a sweet deal for anyone who wants to buy it. Usually there is only about a week window to buy any item and shipping takes forever.

This instance was a few months ago when they sold a special version (made of plastic instead of metal, but same audio components) of the Sennheiser HD650 headphones (normally $350-$400) for $200.

Edit: wording

Lowest amazon sold them for was $326.00.

Just so you know if you Link an amazon item a bot will come and do a price check for you.

Get the camelcamelcamel browser extension and you can set up alerts for when items hit all time lows, or whatever % you want of it

Also 650's are $449.

https://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-HD-650-Headphones/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482731498&sr=8-1&keywords=hd650

I don't know where you are looking, but they are available on Amazon as of now (27.09.2017, 19:21 UTC+1)
https://www.amazon.de/Sennheiser-HD-650-analog-Kopfh%C3%B6rer-Silber/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506532845&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd+650

It would be a really stupid business decision to remove the HD650 from the lineup...

The Story

In under two weeks of discovering this sub, a massive amount of research, and looking deep inside myself, I took the plunge. Being a huge listener of vinyl and high quality masters, in addition to the amount of music I consume mixed with the environment I'm usually in (working at home), getting cans of this scale made a lot of sense. I'm coming from M50x's which are great, but I've been ready for the next step in ultimate aural enjoyment.

Originally, I thought that step would be HD650's, especially after they're so raved about here and were only ~$315 at the time. I had a pair of HD250's before my AT's and loved em'. But I'm not exactly brand-loyal and willing to experience what others have to offer. Frankly, the first time I looked at Audeze, I kind of brushed them off as a Beats model using hype and certain "keywords" to make everything sound better than it actually was. Luckily, this doesn't seem to be the case!

The Score

Here they are. For me, this is a huge win. Scored these LCD-2.2f's for ~$500 from an awesome dude at /r/avexchange at the tail end of 2016. Got them one year in, so warranty still in effect. These things are in fantastic condition; literally look brand new and hardly used.
Grabbed the Schiit stack (Modi/Magni) directly from the source. Amazon seemed to be more expensive for the Uber models (which both are). Using Mogami cables (was going to get PYST) based on great recommendation from a producer friend. For now, I just got the cheap Omega stand which suffices well, although a little off in color (walnut stand with bamboo headphones).

The Aftermath

I listen to a decent variety of (sub)genres from Rock to Death Metal to EDM to Pop Punk etc.. They all sound absolutely amazing with these cans. I'm a bassist so I enjoy the lower frequencies hence the lack of neutrality is appreciated here, and really, it does give everything that warm, enjoyable tone everyone mentions (I frankly don't really "notice" it). I think the defining moment was turning on one of my favorites, Sussudio, and literally being unable to not headbang+drum. Between hearing things I've never heard before and the amazing clarity, I think one of the biggest differences is the definition of beats, vocals, and other elements that don't exactly pop, but sound "complete". I seriously feel like I'm in the studio with the artist.

Overall, the experience is amazing. This result is exactly what I was hoping/going for. Music should make you feel something by being dynamic and captivating your senses, not being a progressive background noise. For anyone wondering if they should take the next step, think about how much you value the experience of the media consume, not just the idea of "listening" but truly "witnessing". Ok, I'm out of inspirational wordage ;)

Very nice, I hope you enjoy them. It seems like not too long ago when I started this stuff. My first pair of good speakers was a pair of Swans M200MKii connected to an Auzentech soundcard. ~This must have been about 7 years ago now. Then about 3 years ago I got interested in IEMs and headphones and got a pair of HiFiman RE-0s and a Sennheiser HD555. And now, I've blown more money than I thought I ever would... Bower and Wilkens 686Bs with marantz receiver for one computer, Xonar essence stx connected to a Hifiman HE5 Amp and HE500 headphones to another computer, and Westone 4R IEMs.

In short, say good bye to money... it'll go soon, and it'll go fast.

Not buds nor are they small but I love my Sennheiser 555s. I got them for around $90. Great build quality. I've had them for awhile now and no signs of wear or tear.

Koss PortaPro are loved by pretty much everyone for their incredibly low price and great sound quality. They fall under "small cans."

I've got Sennheiser HD-555's, and I love 'em! From Beethoven to The Who, the sound is all-around excellent.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Right now I'm deciding between Sennheiser HD-280 and the Grado Prestige SR-60i.

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.

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.

100% get headphones and a microphone separately. You'll get better sound quality on both fronts, and for less money too.

This is always an excellent choice.

Sennheiser is known for making the best of the best.

I bought these when they were $60, and they're fantastic.

I use these mics, and they're really, really good for the price. See the video review.

The HD598 is good, but I'd also look into the AD900X if you liked your old headphones. The bass and treble extension should be much better, and the soundstage will remain very nice and open.

A good amp/dac to consider is the FiiO E07K which has EQ settings for bass and treble, so you can flavor your music even more to your tastes.

Just bought a set of Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-80-ohms from guitar center for 220, they are the best headphones I've ever used and the most comfortable. They block out all sound and also keep all your sound in, even at max volume. Couldn't recommend them enough, I've been wearing them 6+ hours at a time with no discomfort. Also, since they are 80 ohm, they open you up to possibly getting an amp in the future. I didn't even know something like that existed until I bought these, but it's nice to know the upgrade is there.

be warned they pack a lot of bass, which some people find a problem. I however, think its amazing sounding. But I love my bass.

4th ninja edit cuz I love my cans: I have a smaller than average head, so a lot of headphones sag, or feel like they could fall of my head easily. I returned the AD900x, $200 for that reason, the 770s fit great

Do you need it for the sound quality or the mic? Gaming headphones have frankly very poor quality when it comes to sound reproduction compared to audiophile headphones, even cheaper ones.

Something like this https://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD900X-Open-Back-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S331VU will sound leagues better than any gaming headphone you can buy.

If you need the mic you can look at the offerings from sennheiser or audeze as they are both upper tier headphone suppliers.

I don't want to come off as an audiophile but listening to music I heard things i didn't hear before. Most especially in gaming with Scout mode on you can hear grenades bounce, foot steps and shells drop to the floor.

I guess you would call that sound stage. I'm using These cans BTW

Hi! I'm by no means an expert on the subject but I did learn a few things while pursuing a quality audio experience and its kind of turned into a new hobby.

Simulating surround sound was something I wanted to achieve as well when shopping for headphones a while back. Something I learned is that the headphones themselves can't really do this. The right kind of headphones (and sometimes software) can help this effect but you can't magically turn 2 channels (I.E. right and left) into 4 or more to get multi-directional sound. In gamery types of headphones, the marketing makes all kinds of claims that its the total fault of the headphones but it's simply not true.

The only real way to get a simulated surround effect in your headphones is if the source had this in mind from the get go. And after that good quality headphones can help a bit further. This can be easily demonstrated with this video. Plug in ANY pair of headphones in your house and for added effect? Close your eyes. Seriously even 3 dollar earbuds from the dollar store will work. And what you'll notice is a full high-quality multi-directional, surround sound experience from just youtube and whatever headphones you happened to try. Neat! But how?

Games and movies ect need to have an audio engineer design the sound with this concept in mind known as binaural. In games, this is usually the "headphone" mode in options settings. Or it'll just be on by default. There are times where a game simply won't have it and no amount of software can change that going into your headphones. Software can't magically know that the bullet was supposed to be behind you instead of in front of you.

What does this mean? That you can get virtual/simulated surround sound from pretty much any pair of headphones? Yes! Learning this concept to me was the beginning of something new. I started looking at simple high-quality headphones that could help make the effect even more dramatic.

I learned about open vs closed back headphones. Closed back headphones make you feel like the sound is sort of coming from inside your own head. This is fine especially if you want to block out other sounds from your room or house ect. Open back headphones let sound in your headphones from the outside, allowing for a more natural 3D effect in most cases. I did a lot of research on open back headphones. I ended up getting the AD900x's. I know this might be expensive-ish but there's a good option for optimal sound on a budget.

I got this combo deal for my fiance. You'll get an open back experience to help further the 3d effect you're after and ontop of that these headphones sound fucking GREAT for the money. Seriously makes me mad that I was buying gaming headphones for all these years leading up to what I learned. Check it out.

• Headphones
  
• Replacement earpads. (optional) The stock ones made me and my fiance's ear sweat like crazy. Not comfortable.
  
• Microphone.
  
  Now, this is just a suggestion. Just use whatever you thought sounded better when it came to your logitech's or Beats after making sure headphone mode was on in the game you're playing. Hopefully, I've given you enough to do your own research on the subject. But. For the money? I found this combo to be amazing for gaming and surround sound. Just make sure you always turn on "headphone mode" in games and you'll get the 3D experience you're after. Learn more at https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/
  
  ----------------------
  
  TLDR; Some audio nerd info. I'd personally just use whatever you thought sounded better when it came to your logitech's or Beats after making sure headphone mode was on in the game you're playing. Seeing as the surround sound effect is mostly due to the source. If you ever want to try and make the 3D effect more dramatic I linked a suggestion on a budget.
  
  

• Budget - Around 200 bucks Canadian ( Maybe a little more)
  
• Source - My desktop and my Fiio E17K
  
• Isolation - None needed, less isolation is a bonus because I want to be able to hear others, but it doesn't matter that much.
  
• Public? No, purely for home use.
  
• Preferred type I prefer over-ear, but am open minded for on-ears
  
• Tonal Balance Emphasis on mids or highs, don't care too much about bass. Also want to avoid reference/ neutral headphones.
  
• Past Headphones I use these for gaming [ATH-AD900X]
  (https://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD900X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S331VU)
  and these for travel and school Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear. I like them both for their purpose, but I'm not particularly fond of the Sennheisers shrill highs, and I feel the Audio Technicas are a little too neutral for my music.
  
• Music I listen to a good amount of nu-metal bands like Slipknot, Avatar, Korn, Ghost, System of a Down, and Megadeth + plus a little bit of jazz like John Coltrane
  
• What would I like to improve I'm just looking for headphones that are a bit more specialized for jazz and metal, unlike my current audio gear.
  
• Location I live in Canada, so prices in Canadian would be appreciated. Thanks.
  
  I've also been looking for headphones myself but am stuck between the Motorhead Iron Fist, the ATH-M50X, and the Grado sr80e, any new suggestions are welcome, though.
  

Nice dude, I might be ordering one here really soon.

Does anyone know how the TrackIR ProClip attach to headsets?

I have an [ATH-900X] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009S331VU/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687542&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0006OQY2S&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=08VS4ECZHG4EG69K42JK) and I'm wondering if it'll work?

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.

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.

>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.

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
  

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.

I've always been told to buy a decent mic(blue snowball)and a separate pair of headphones(Audio-Technica ATH-M30x) because you get so much more quality for your money

These are pretty legendary: http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-SR-60i-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4

But these are what I love, since I like to block out all other sound: http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SCL4-W-Isolating-Earphones-Headphones/dp/B000TUZOAC/ref=sr_1_11?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310575278&sr=1-11

(I got these for $60!!!!!! on clearance at guitar center a couple years ago...look for a good sale, or go for the cheaper model. They're all good.)


Could probably get all of these on ebay. Always look for sound deals on ebay/cragislist, because good equipment pretty much lasts forever and doesn't change over time, unlike receivers.

That's a huge reason why computer speakers are a bad move...they integrate all the components. If you buy everything separately, you can only upgrade what you need over your lifetime. There are people that will keep speakers for 20 years and just get a different amp/receiver every few years as technology gets better.

I also own these, and they sound as good as they did when I got them about 10 years ago: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V700DJ-DJ-Style-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00001W0DH

I beg to differ. Fuck anything that are not these headphones.

Exactly right. I bought these SR-60's a while back and can't believe the sound. You did say you want "good" bass so I'm going to assume you mean a lot of bass. In that case, these aren't for you. The Grado's are a much more even mix of frequencies with a nice wide range. You will hear things in music that you, unless you have had great headphones before, have probably never heard. Just look at the reviews on Amazon, I'm pretty sure they are some of the highest rated pair of headphones they have to offer.

I haven't personally tried these yet but they've been sitting in my Amazon wishlist for a while. Reviews seem to be mostly favorable.

Absolutely. If you must get a gaming headset then go with a Razer Carcharias, but you'd be better off keeping your mic and better headphones, eg

• Superlux HD 668B
  
• JVC HARX700
  
• Grado SR80i
  
• Audio Technica ATH AD700
  
• Creative Aurvana Live!
  
  And dozens more. Check out Head-fi for more info and reviews.

I had a pair of Grado SR-60i's. They were great, and the general consensus on Reddit as well as Amazon is that if you don't need isolation, they're the best headphones you can get in that price range.

You might get better responses over at /r/headphones.

Could you review the Sennheiser HD201's as a pair of budget headphones? They're $16 on Amazon.

Close enough

You wrong though

For those wondering his budget in $ is about $7070

Info I dug up on the games

League of Legends recommended:

• 3 GHz CPU or better
  
  
• 4 GB of RAM
  
  
• GeForce 8800 or better
  
  
• 12 GB of disk space
  
  
• Windows OS
  
  SMITE recommended:
  
  
• i5-750, 2.67 GHz or better
  
  
• 4 GB of RAM
  
  
• GeForce GTX 560 (or 768 MB+ of VRAM (DirectX 11 Compatible) )
  
  
• 10 GB of disk space
  
  
• Windows OS
  
  Counter Strike Global Offensive recommended:
  
  Valve says you could basically make do with a computer from 10 years ago but let's be honest you probably don't want everything on the lowest of settings.
  
  
• 3 GHz CPU
  
  
• 4 GB of RAM
  
  
• A graphics card from the last 5 years
  
  
• 8 GB of hard drive space
  
  ----
  
  I'm not too great at picking out parts but I'll see what I can do about other things that others aren't taking into consideration such as monitors.
  
  So just as a heads up this is going to be tricky because you live in Italy and I have no idea what kind of price increase you can expect or who ships there or what.
  
  Place I would look for buying bulk:
  
  
• Ebay
  
  
• Amazon
  
  
• Alibaba
  
  Have you also considered maybe asking companies to sponsor you? If you could get a few to send you keyboards, mouses, headsets, whatever it would really help lower your costs without having to resort to inferior products.
  
  Companies I would try contacting:
  
  
• Logitec
  
  
• SteelSeries
  
  
• Razor (I don't care for their products but they do this kind of thing quite often it seems)
  
  
• Cooler Master
  
  
• Corsair
  
  You have I would say two choices when it comes to the OS, Windows 8.1 Full or Windows 8.1 OEM. OEM will save you about $13 a piece but it is a non transferable license and if say someone gets over excited and spills a big glass of soda all over the computer and just frys it you will have to rebuy Windows. Personally I think it is worth the extra $13 to know that you won't have to rebuy if worse comes to worse. Assuming you go with the Full version that's going to run you $1052
  
  However you could probably get that in bulk as well from Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.aspx
  
  Monitors are another thing one can typically buy in bulk. Personally I would go with something like this Acer for $120, 21.5 inch, 60Hz, it does only have 5ms response time but unless you have very very high ranked players it shouldn't make a huge difference to most people and going to a lower response time is going to increase the price. Plus this is something you can always easily upgrade in the future and sell off the old ones. Buying refurbished monitors isn't a bad idea either.
  
  Sites that sell bulk monitors in addition to the above:
  
  
• http://www.liquidation-lcd.com/
  
  
• http://dellrefurbished.com/bulk-computers-computer-reseller
  
  Keyboards and mice. So you can definitely buy these in bulk but they will be the kind you would see in an office, probably not what you would want to game with. Personally I would contact companies like Logitec and Steel series and see if you could work out a deal and have them cut you a price cut for maybe putting up posters and advertising their product. But hey both Logitec and Amazon sell some really cheap wired keyboard mouse combos for $15.
  
  Mousepads are all over the place and you can even make them yourself if you are feeling thrifty enough. $5 each seems reasonable to me for a decent mouse pad so $50 altogether.
  
  Headset I would go with over the ear cheap so when they get nasty you can just toss them and not feel to bad. For $20 you can't do much better then these Sennheisers I feel.
  
  For microphone I would maybe go with some clip ons like these or maybe a cheap desk stand one. You could go for an all in one headphone + mic but price to quality wise you are going to be spending more then you could if you got them separate I think.
  
  So just as an estimate I would say without even building the PC's you are looking at probably somewhere in the area of $2,400 just for things like monitors and peripherals. Please tell me you already have table and chairs because that's going to kill your budget if you don't.

The Monoprice 8323 is only a couple bucks more and is well received by the headphone/audiophile community iirc. Of course, I recommend checking out /r/headphones and looking around there or checking the links on their sidebar.

EDIT://
Also I don't know how generous you're being with that $20 figure, but you can still find the Sennheiser HD 201s on Amazon for ~$25 if you're still interested.

Right now I am using an audioquest dragonfly black dac, ath m50x headphones, and my macbook pro when I am home and a galaxy s7 and my ath m50x when I am not. I just ordered AKG Pro Audio K702 headphones so that will replace my ath m50x for home use.

What you're missing is the AKG K702, which is 124 GBP on amazon.co.uk. You'll need to use a mini-XLR to 3.5mm jack to fit the BoomPro. And yes, it's worth going over 100€ for them.

Since you're in Germany I have to point out that there's a seller offering Logitech UE6000 for 35€ on amazon.de. Excellent value for money and they fit the BoomPro. Not in the same league as K702, but if you're looking to save money it's an amazing deal.

The AKG K702 are a good alternative in the same price range.

Audio Technica ATH-M30x is a great option. My friend has it and I have used it a few times. Great headphones with amazing build quality at that price. If you find it hot with the earpads that come with, get some foam earpads as replacement.

There is also the Sennheiser HD449 which is the same in sound quality. Altough I felt this had a little more bass than the ATH-M30x. This one comes with foam earpads and has more comfortable clamping than the ATH-M30x personally. This too belongs to another friend but I had limited use with this one.

I use the Sennheiser HD439 which I couldn't find in the Canadian Amazon. It's cheaper than the above two but provides almost similar sound quality, but has the added benefit of having detachable cables and comes with 2 cables. If you prefer that, then go ahead and look into it.
P.S Bought mine at a discounted USD 46.99 about a year ago.

Good Luck.

This year I made an amazon wishlist, and the nice thing about it is you can add items from any website to it (there's a google chrome extension but you can do it from your amazon wishlist, as well.) Some things that I added:

• Gift cards to Etsy and places I like to buy clothes from
  
• A new pair of cheapo earbuds for my purse
  
• These nice headphones
  
• A new ambidexterious gaming mouse (I game right handed but prefer to do everything else on the computer left handed and I don't want multiple mice)
  
• Crafty things (wool, painting supplies, watercolour paper)
  
• Food/candy items for stocking stuffer ideas
  
• A 64gb usb 3.0 drive
  
• A new ipod charging cable
  
• Some stuff from Sephora
  
• A few cool adult colouring books like this
  
• Some art related books (painting, hand lettering) that look interesting but I would never think to buy for myself (my family is big into books)
  
• Sheets, a mattress topper, and a mattress pad
  
• Cards Against Humanity
  
• A link to my steam wishlist
  
  
  
  I basically just took a few hours one evening and surfed the web and added things that looked cool, then revised it the next day and removed anything I didn't actually want. A lot of it is stuff I probably wouldn't buy for myself but I'd enjoy having. I tried to add a variety of stuff in the price range department and I thought listing out gift cards to specific places for clothes/etsy stuff was a better idea than them picking it out because that's usually hard.
  
  
  For etsy itself, I have a few different lists - things I'm going to buy, things I'll probably buy, and things that are maybes. If certain people (my mom, my sister) wanted to see it and pick something out from it I'd let them and that's part of the reason I've organized it that way (and so I know what I like from which stores without having to search through the whole store)

If on a budget:

I like the Behringer q802usb for a mixer $65

2 ATR 2100 Mics $80 a piece

If you want to spend more on a mic that won't pick up as much noise:

Sennheiser E835 Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Microphone $100 a piece - but doesn't come with stand or pop filter...

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Headphones to monitor sound or edit. $70

If you want your partner to have headphones, you will need a headphone amp $25 and chord $7

If you have any questions I have a Facebook Group for beginners: Podcasting Made Simple

Return and get another.

ATH M30s are pretty good, better than the PS headset.

Modmic for the microphone.

Both of these will give you vastly superior audio quality for only $20 more.

Decent mic arm

Pretty good mic

Phantom power supply which you need because this is a condenser mic and requires external power to operate

Pop filter because duh

Decent Headphones imo

Total: 132.55 with sales.

Audiophiles will probably jump down my throat for this list but this is an okay starting point if you want decent equipment. The mic's a little quiet but this can be fixed computer-side.

Get this one http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8 its on sale now. i'm sure lots of people can confirm that these headphones are worth every one of the 54 dollars you'll pay for them

The ATH-M30x

With some tweaking on the equalizer they are nice and fit my needs. They are pretty trebly without the eq

There are not many noise cancelling earbuds out there most have noise isolation. I currently have a pair from etymotic and they are good but not great. Active noise canceling is terrible at blocking random noise it does much better with things like engine noise.

Best thing I have found is headphones + white noise+ ear plugs. I have worn it for 8-10 hours a day for the past 5 years.

For white noise I use
https://simplynoise.com/

And I have a tab for each color full blast.

For ear plugs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EPQ86A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

For headphones
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HVLUQW8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And then there's these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20X-Professional-Headphones-Black/dp/B00HVLUR18

Not exactly £30, but close enough.

Get headphones and a mic that can be on an arm. I made a budget combo ($100) that would blow any headset out of the water.

Links below


Mic: https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-Condenser-Recording-Streaming-669B/dp/B06XCKGLTP
Pop Filter: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Microphone-Stabilizing-Recordings-Broadcasting/dp/B01N21H9WY
Arm: https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Microphone-Suspension-Broadcasting-Voice-Over/dp/B00DY1F2CS
Headphones: https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18

I personally would go for a desktop microphone with a pair of nice headphones.

Blue Snowball Microphone (£49.99)

Audio-Technica ATH-M20X (£32.99)

Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Professional Headphones + Zalman ZMMIC1 (€55.87)

:)

this

or

this

I'd also recommend the MDR-V6 if you can find it on sale.

Those are good choices for $50. Unfortunately you cannot plug headphones into the xbox 360 cotroller, only the xbox one. The cheapest way to connect them is to use this. You will have to plug in the audio cables to this connector and then plug your headphones into the other end.

This wont work if your friend only has an hdmi cable, there is another way to connect them but you will have to spend another $50 for an adapter. Still I bet your friend would appreciate a nice pair of headphones that they can use with all other devices.

I use these I’ve had them for about 2 years now and can’t complain. Pretty durable and I use them for a lot of my mixing projects in school and out of school. Sound translates pretty well to different monitors and headphones.

We are looking at setting up an very basic, in-home podcast studio. Would anyone mind weighing in on what we are considering?

​

The podcast is primarily two hosts with an occasional guest (3 ppl max). Its all conversational. It doesn't need to be perfect, we are just hoping for a reasonable audio quality. We aren't trying to break the bank. So my research has been low end but quality items.

​

Here is the purposed setup:

• Mac Mini - It will be dedicated to the podcast. My understanding is that I can set it up to have multiple audio inputs.
  
• Audacity/GarageBand - We currently edit and do some single channel recording with Audacity, and my research indicates it can be set up for multi channel. But I'll explore GarageBand as well.
  
• Mics - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001R747SG - This is what we're considering purchasing for our three mics.
  
• Mixer - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00I2J4TWG - This is what we're considering purchasing.
  
• Headphones - https://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica-AUD-ATHM20X-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18 - This is what we're considering purchasing.
  
  ​
  
  I'd love to get some feedback. Thanks!

I only heard good things about jaybird, so if you have the money for it, why not. I couldn't justify spending that much money on them, so I bought Soundpeats QY7. I'm satisfied with them, good sound, never falls out.

Amazon has really nice bluetooth 4.0 earbuds for $20 with a great battery life. This will solve all your problems (not an ad) https://www.amazon.com/SoundPEATS-Bluetooth-Headphones-Earphones-Sweatproof/dp/B00LP6CFEC/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1473332476&sr=8-13&keywords=bluetooth+earbuds

Booo!

Though, if I may recommend a cheap replacement? https://www.amazon.com/SoundPEATS-Bluetooth-Headphones-Earphones-Sweatproof/dp/B00LP6CFEC

Soundpeats QY7

These are really good bluetooth headset. Especially for running and all.

You get tons of accessories for big or small ears too.

I got these : SoundPEATS Bluetooth Headphones Stereo Wireless Earphones for Running with Mic (6 Hours Play Time, Bluetooth 4.1, IPX4 Sweatproof, Secure Ear Hooks Design) - Black & Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LP6CFEC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_SqJkybDGDN6VF

They come with the ear fins and fit really well. Took a few tries to get it to fit perfect but I can run, jump, lift, etc with zero issues.

http://imgur.com/a/8jZAS
Thats my pebble.

http://www.amazon.com/Soundpeats-Lightweight-Bluetooth-Headphones-microphone/dp/B00LP6CFEC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426155510&sr=8-1&keywords=bluetooth+headphones
Those are my headphones

If you want a cheap pair to see if wireless works for you, I ordered these and enjoy them so far

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LP6CFEC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks a bunch for all the info. I'll have to do some research into the planar headphones. Until I did a quick search I had no idea what those were.

Are these the Fidelio x2s you were talking about: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphone/dp/B00O2Y2MZG

They're currently 160 on Amazon. Not sure what they normally run for.

I have always used these, bought multiple pairs (because I lose them easily lol) and they are amazing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Custom molded plugs with inserts are the best, but pricey. You can try, as a stop gap, these from, Etymotics:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
They are marketed as musical earplugs, in that they have a flat response. I use them when I practice and it takes the edge off but I can still hear the notes and ringing sound of the instrument clearly. I like it much better than using a mute, which I only use these days to spare my family from vibrato practice.

You don't get a second chance with your hearing, I keep earplugs with me at all times.

My thoughts exactly, clear plastic, detachable, and $50.
http://www.amazon.com/MEE-audio-Universal-Fit-Noise-Isolating-Detachable/dp/B00SLVB71Q

These are pretty good, and not very expensive. Commonly used by drummers, and those who don't want to spend the extra cash for a pair of Shure se215 IEM.

https://www.amazon.com/MEE-audio-Universal-Fit-Noise-Isolating-Detachable/dp/B00SLVB71Q

The SENSO bluetooth headphones on amazon are the best all around headphones for the price imo. I lifted heavy with them for 4 months before I lost them
but anyways heres a link https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Headphones-Waterproof-Sweatproof-Cancelling/dp/B01G8JO5F2

These are the ones I use. The sounds is alright and they're a little bit insulatory. I've been using them for erging, cycling, running, and snowboarding for three years now with no issue.

> Oh yeah, I can totally see people ditching their cheap jack-powered headphones for more expensive Bluetooth ones. Especially when their battery dies in the middle of a song/conversation.

Bluetooth headphones aren't more expensive than wired by any appreciable margin though. The best set of cheap headphones I've ever used cost $25 on Amazon (Symphonized NRG 3.0 if anyone cares), these are 4.5/5 rated with over 11,000 reviews, and are an ) $11 premium over the wired set. It's not an issue.

Not to mention that as more phones remove the headphone jack, competition amongst Bluetooth headphone makers will significantly increase, leading to even cheaper higher quality products. I completely disagree with your point here.

> Have I mentioned the fact that they're way easier to lose?

I'm not talking about Airpods, those are proprietary. If you meant generic headsets, why would they be harder to keep track of than wired?

> Tech enthusiasts lament so that "regular" people can see that companies try to force changes that shouldn't be accepted - in this situation removing one of the key features with nothing in return.

I think removing wires is a return, even if you disagree that it's worthwhile for you personally

I just got these that are still deeply discounted on Amazon.

I like them a lot and use them both for running and for when I'm in the lab working. Pretty good at blocking out noise and have decent sound quality. Plus, they're inexpensive right now!

If you're cheap like me, I highly recommend these headphones.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G8JO5F2

Save up a bit more

• Sennheiser HD598
  
  I also like these
  
  
• ATH M50x

> u/AlphaFemaleNerd: Good headphones.

1000000x yes. And not a gaming headset. Proper audiophile headphones like the DT 990 Pros, Sennheiser 598s, or the less-expensive 558s. Pair those with a modmic and you're good to go.

Also:

HWMonitor/CPU-Z: HWMonitor for quick access to temperatures (usually over/under by a couple degrees), and CPU-Z for frequencies and such.

Surge protector: Useful when you need it, ease of mind when you don't. Covers $300k worth of equipment in case anything is damaged, as well. Gotta love Belkin.

Mechanical keyboard: Much longer lifespan than some typical office keyboard, pretty lights, clickity-clacks, etc.

Good mouse: Same case as the keyboard: Much better than an office mouse, better tracking, button customization, etc.

Your hardware's respective software: Whether it's Ryzen Master, your SSD's storage manager, blah blah blah, it's useful.

UserBenchmark: See how your build stacks up to others, and/or if it's performing as it should be. Fun little thing.

Some greenery: Adds color to your battlestation. Nice little accent piece. Not necessary, but I like it.

HD 598 SR

I would recommend the Sennheiser HD598sr. It is an open-back headphone with only 50 ohm impedance so it can be run directly from a mobile device-the volume level just needs to be a bit higher than you may currently be using.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yzrqDbD7YSAZ0

Also, if you’re in the US, Amazon has a ridiculous sale on the Philips Fidelio X2HR for $150. These are amazing, especially at that price. Great soundstage, open-back, less neutral, slight bass emphasis. These are only 30ohms as well, and can definitely be run from any mobile device.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5VHLUG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AwrqDbWJAE7YR

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500900915&sr=1-1&keywords=hd598

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500900944&sr=1-1&keywords=samsung+microphone

Sennheiser 598's with Antlion modmic. Amazing pair of headphones with a detachable mic to avoid strange looks in public. You will need this splitter as well!

Sennheiser HD 598 open cans: Sennheiser HD 598 SR Open-Back Headphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OLj5BbS4137C5

Plus an attachable mic: Antlion Audio ModMic 5 Modular Attachable Boom Microphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCYRKY3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TNj5BbSS22PEZ

I wish there were other options than the Antlion though. Mine failed after a year, altgough i did drop it a few times. This is still the best option though i think.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Cs-Headphone/dp/B06WRMZZ45?th=1

Will absolutely change your life. You can probably find them for cheaper too.

Currently Using a blue yeti nano, but modmic is also an option that is cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/d/Computer-Microphones/Antlion-Audio-ModMic-Attachable-Microphone/B00R98JVVU/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1541908190&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=mod+mic&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499471223&sr=8-2&keywords=hd+598

So since I did a lot of searching prior to purchase but couldn't find anything - to anyone else considering using the Ikea Fredde desk and the X34 together, the the monitor stand just barely doesn't fit on the raised shelf and so I had to screw a small metal plate to the back to accommodate the rear foot of the stand. It's a fine solution and I can't see the plate during regular use so it's seamless.

I'm super happy with the monitor besides some minor bleed in the corners but UNF I just can't get over that colour accuracy and encompassing view! With this addition to my setup I feel like I'm at max level, i.e. can't "level up" (at least not very far), with regards to my audio/video setup.

Anyone with a nice ultrawide monitor shouldn't skimp out on audio too! I see a lot of ascension posts featuring $100 Logitech speakers, which are fine but you can improve on audio as much as video! To anyone looking for an excellent performance to value ratio mid-fi 2.1 audio solution to complement their ultrawide I can't recommend this combo highly enough: Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers + S8 subwoofer.

EDIT: Forgot about headphones! My point still stands, don't be afraid to spend more for a better experience! I love my Philips Fidelio X2 for both gaming and movies. If you're in the market for some cans head on over to /r/headphones and ask for purchasing advice in the sticky.

If you’re on a budget. Plug directly into the controller.

Gaming Headset for PS4 Xbox One PC, Beexcellent Noise Reduction Crystal Clarity 3.5 mm Professional Game Headphones with Microphone for Laptop Tablet Mac … (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DNTTC24/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1XRIBbPMSABXA


If you’re not on a budget.

Philips X2/27 Fidelio Over Ear Headphone, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O2Y2MZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UZRIBbGZWYMCC

V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-ZRIBb3SBMMXB

Creative Sound Blaster X7 High-Resolution USB DAC 600 ohm Headphone Amplifier with Bluetooth Connectivity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3XLGLU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_t0RIBb23BH4QC

Philips X2 are probably the best choice. They have a slightly "V" shaped sound signature, which puts the drums slightly forward in most mixes, and really are known for complimenting electronic music because of their sound signature. They are a great balance between "forgiving" and "revealing" meaning they can still make poorly mastered recordings sound good, and can still show quite a bit of detail that most headphones will not be able to show. Before their release Sennheiser's HD600, were the main champ of the "mid-fi" range, but after the X2's were released plenty of people say they prefer them. They're really known for their very good bass and mids, what I really like about them is their soundstage is 3-D meaning sounds can be perceived as not only appearing around you, but above and below you and I've heard this very frequently in Aphex Twin songs, specifically the drums in IZ-US and the slow monophonic synth at around 2:30 in Mt. Saint Michel's Mix.

Here's a good review, and a more entertaining, but far less objective review.

Other options to consider are Hifiman's HE-400s, I have heard mixed stuff about them from "meh" to "absolute game changer for $300". But they are certainly worth looking into.

If you're looking to spend less and get the headphones Richard says are his favorite for studio, the Sony MDR-7510 would be good to look into.

If you find you can't get your headphones to good listening levels, notice a lot of floor noise, or just want to spend more money to get a little better sound you should maybe look into getting a dedicated headphone amp. I personally use the Schiit Fulla for my Philips X2's, and I think they make a difference well worth the price. The next step up would be NwAvGuy's Objective2 Amp which is well known for competing against much higher priced amps and being very neutral.

If you want to do more of your own research I highly recommend using head-fi's popular headphone guide or posting a purchase advice thread in /r/headphones. Spending $300 is a big decision and there's a HUGE difference in the best headphones $300 can buy and the worst. I would definitely avoid noise-cancelling and blutooth unless it's an absolute necessity since it just redirects the price tag to additional technology instead of focusing on the driver. Also in pretty much any price bracket, open-back headphones will trump closed-back. Open back allow for a much larger soundstage and typically do everything better than closed. Before I made the move to open back I hated the idea, but after hearing how open back headphones almost feel like sitting perfectly in between two very nice speakers, I never can imagine going back to closed.

I will any questions you (or anyone else) have.

I've not listened to the Phillips Fidelio X2 but the ppl on this sub seem to recommend it often. Might suit your preference for bass.

My personal recommendation would be the HE-400S. Sits right in your budget, excellent mids and solid bass. The bass might not hit as low as other cans, but it sounds well defined and not muddy to my ears. Furthermore, the bass can be elevated using leather pads.

Also, I've also heard wonders about the HE-400i, if you can find it on sale, you should grab that. It's probably worth more than the X2 and the 400S. However, these cans need decent amping to work to its full potential.

dont use that garbage. it's better than nothing, but not great for your hearing

https://smile.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW

Can confirm, I have somewhat constant small amounts of tinnitus from Jazz games and/or playing live music. And I'm a young dude.

I sometimes wear something like this, they work better than the foam earplugs:
https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_25?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1524424326&sr=1-25&keywords=earplugs&th=1

here is a thread about it from a while back. I’ve seen some people recommend these, but I’ve also heard a lot of good stuff about these.

Edit: if you search “ear plugs” in the search bar, a lot of threads come up! Just FYI :)

Loud. Wear ear plugs if you value your hearing. I always recommend these Plugs by Etymotic

I also love my Ety's, although I've found that I prefer the lower profile ones. The stem on the original variation linked above sticks out pretty far on my ears but these are more discreet:

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1QYIK9BKQE0AR&keywords=high+fidelity+ear+plugs&qid=1567916745&s=gateway&sprefix=high+fid%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-8

​

Pick up a pair of high fid ear plugs. You will never regret it! You can re-use them so you'll never have to buy another throwaway pair again. They fit great too. You get the hear music super clearly without any pain/damage! I bought a pair for my first time at Coachella and I've used them for so many things since then.

Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, 1 pair, Polybag Packaging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yXi1BbC7CZ6E2

Honestly, quality earplugs don't really diminish the quality imo, rather the opposite. Gets rid of the harshness of high pitches and after a while I don't even notice that they're in.

I've got tinnitus and minor hearing loss (around 15% I think) as a result of concerts and frequent ear infections (more so the latter I think). Definitely invest in some ear protection my friends, tinnitus is a terrible thing.

​

These are what I use, make concerts (and the day(s)) following much more enjoyable.

Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs

I use etymonics.

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=etymonics&qid=1558479573&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I'm gonna repeat what /u/Diagonalizer said below and recommend you buy this pair by the same company: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/
They're a bit better sound reduction and actually fit flush with your ears. Those stubs sticking out of the blue ones hurt if I wore a mask/hugged someone too hard. :D

These guys?

I have a pair of Etymotics that are inexpensive and work great for me! You can also dig around on reddit, there are plenty of brands you can choose from.

I use a set of these: https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW

But I never mix in them. I wear them while setting up, and during the performance when I'm not mixing.

I personally recommend these; or if you need a cheaper option, these

These ones are pretty good. I've used them but I have a pair of Bose SoundSport wireless earbuds that I use. They're really comfy.


Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, 1 Pair, Polybag Packaging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gf0SDb15XCATX

I don't go to shows without ear plugs anymore. I invested in these and I absolutely love them. Don't listen to what anyone says, ear plugs are a fantastic way to protect your ears. And like /u/PresidentSuperDog said, they will make the music sound even better.

AKG 701/702's or Senn 598's are both good choices in the $250 to $280 price range. The Senn's are more comfortable for long listening (headband on the AKG's can be hard on the head) but I prefer the sound of the AKG's. I will note that the AKG's require quality amplification. Laptops/sound-cards/MP3 players aren't going to do these any favors.

ATH-M50's are a popular choice more in the price range of the mdr-xb500's. Not having owned either of the Sony's or the M50's I can only go off reviews. I get the impression however that they have about the same bass accenting characteristics.

The ATH-AD700's I think are a really good all around headphone, especially at just over $100. The purple throws some people off, but it grows on you. I use this set for everything from late night gaming, tv/movie watching, and of course listening to music.

I'd recommend using these as a starting point. Read some reviews on Head-Fi or amazon (many head-fier's post reviews there, especially on quality or popular headphones).

Here's a pair for about $50: http://www.amazon.com/Samson-SR850-Professional-Reference-Headphones/dp/B002LBSEQS/ref=pd_pgd_B0001ARCFA_B002LBSEQS?pf_rd_p=1889190022&pf_rd_s=cp-merchandising-top&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0001ARCFA&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0M690T343QJDYBBV1RYA

Don't get Beats, they're overpriced.

I'm using a pair of Samson SR850 that is just $50. It seems to be having great reviews and it is working quite good for me. The highs are quite bright but after some break-ins it should fix itself.

Here's a pretty in-depth review

They're also $6 cheaper on Amazon

BTW I'm not sure if you've seen this, but check it out. First I noticed the samson headphones for $50 look identical, but open. Also, the focusrite package includes a rebranded version. Not sure if there are differences in those. http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Studio-Interface-Recording/dp/B00AW91CPG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1415404096&sr=8-7&keywords=focusrite

I would recommend headphones like these(comfy, great soundstage, crystal clear sound) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samson-SR850-Professional-Reference-Headphones/dp/B002LBSEQS

And an external mic. You ll get the best of both worlds.

Superlux 668b are an alternative as i just saw those were euros, not sure about local pricing.

I went for these in the end, probably completely wrong! http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002LBSEQS/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LBSEQS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For the price these are insane. They are built for mixing, are comfortable and sound incredible. I have 2 pairs.

For about $75.00 you can get these.

Blue Mic



Nice Headphones

HD202 is also discounted, dropped $41.01 from 59,99 to 18,98.

They should be fine. If you want a cheap, yet good sound quality and comfortable over the ear pair of headphones (without a mic) I'd suggest these. They're only $25.

I was going through this thinking that I guess I don't really have any brand loyalties, but I think this one applies. Really though, if anyone is looking for a great set of headphones the HD202s are a phenomenal set in the 25 USD range. I've had mine for about 7 months and couldn't be happier.

They also make higher-end stuff. That being said, the entry-level stuff is great for the layman, and the more expensive stuff is probably just for the most affluent audiophiles.

I've been using these for the past 3 years. Didn't find any others that sounded better, the highs and the lows sound perfect on this, also many famous recording studios use this. They went recently out of stock on Amazon and Flipkart. Should be back soon, I guess. I got them for Rs. 1800.

https://www.amazon.in/Sennheiser-HD-202-II-Professional/dp/B003LPTAYI

Location: India

Budget: Indian ₹6,000 (~US $100) Hard limit. It's a big amount to me. Most mid-range android phones cost between ₹8,000-₹15,000.

Source: 50% Laptop and 50% Android phone

Requirements for Isolation: I will be using it both at home and on public transportation, so headphones with sound leaks are not preferable.

Preferred Type of Headphone: I would prefer over-ear rather than on-ear or IEM.

Preferred tonal balance: Overall balanced pair

Past headphones:

• Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Over-Ear Headphone (Black)
  
• Sennheiser PX 80 Over-Ear Headphone (Black/Silver)
  
• Sennheiser CX 275 S In -Ear Universal Mobile Headphone With Mic (Black)
  
  Preferred music:
  
  
• I listen to a LOT of rock, metal, heavy metal and listen to classical music (usually Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven) on public transportation. I do not listen to rap or pop music.
  
  What I would like to improve on from my current set-up:
  
  
• I have a Sennheiser CX 275 S In -Ear Universal Mobile Headphone With Mic (Black) right now.
  It's an amazing pair, but at high ranges, it tends to lose its charm. Somehow, I feel like there's something missing. The wire is too flimsy and the part near the 3.5 mm jack is broken and frayed now.
  
  
• The Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Over-Ear Headphone (Black) was great, but its cord was way too long and it wasn't very practical outside the house because of its weight and how hot it became.
  
  
• The Sennheiser PX 80 Over-Ear Headphone (Black/Silver) was never to my satisfaction. The foam was too thin, there was a lot of sound leakage and my ears hurt after usage (I have comically large ears)
  
  Extra points if you can get me a pair with in-built mike and buttons.
  
  I am kind of a Sennheiser fan and I have narrowed down my search to 2 alternatives:
  
  
• [Sennheiser HD-461-G Over-Ear Headphones for Android (Black)](http://www.amazon.in/Sennheiser-HD-461-G-
  Over-Ear-Headphones-Android/dp/B013UTN6EE/)
  
  
• Sennheiser HD 4.20s Around-Ear Headphones (Black)
  
  A website that may help whoever wants to help me: Headphone Zone India
  
  Can r/headphones help me buy a good pair? Are there any alternatives in their price range?
  I would love to switch to other companies.
  
  I cannot take international delivery.

Here's my recommendation for a podcast starter kit:

• Microphone: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB
  
• Pop filter: This one.
  
• Headphones: Sennheiser HD 202 II
  
  
  The ATR2100 USB is a dynamic mic that sounds good, and has both USB and XLR options.
  
  ​
  
  If you have a bit more money, I'm currently using this setup:
  
  
• Pre-amp: Behringer UMC202HD
  
• Microphone: Audio-Technica AT875R
  
  ​
  
  A pre-amp will improve the amount of gain you get from a dynamic mic (like the ATR2100). The biggest complaint about dynamic mics is they don't always produce a lot of volume.
  
  ​
  
  I've written a longer beginner's guide here.

My son is 17. A senior in high school and a 4.0 gpa student takeing honors classes. He plays trombone, bass guitar and drums. He is a model student and exemplary human being. He has not asked us for much because he is old enough to see when our last dollars go to groceries. And to notice when we stop answering the phone. This kid deserves a few presents under the tree.

He would like these headphones
Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LPTAYI/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_Xu7xwbVWX9TTH

Found at the bottom of this list

https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/27F0DH54EZVUL/ref=cm_sw_r_other_an_wl_o_ut7xwbSY58V01

Sennheiser HD202s are £25 including delivery at Amazon at the moment. I highly recommend them - great sound, especially for the price.

Headsets (phones + mic together) pretty much always suck.

Get some 518's and shop around for a decent usb mic.

see that link clark-kent posted

i own the following open:sennheiser hd 518 and closed: sennheiser hd 280 pro and can recommend both

both are circumaural (earcups surround the ear and rests on the skull) and very comfortable and sound great

i don't own these, but this is a great pair of headphones (near legendary) for an awesome price audio technica ath-m50

If you want a nice USB surround sound one, get this one Logitech G35. I personally vouch for it, others do as well.

If you want one with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, these are nice Steel Series Siberia.

A lot of people will tell you to go with a non-gamer headphone and a clip mic. As you get a bit more bang for your buck.

This is all according to preference though. My preference is in the order I listed, the surround sound is quite impressive. Hope this helps.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_3

They're at the high end of your price range, but I'd seriously recommend checking out a pair of Sennheiser HD 518s - they are a very solid pair of headphones for the price (without going too far into audiophile snake-oil territory) and will stay cool and SUPER comfortable for as long as you wear them. ~$65 on amazon right now, a great price.

Only thing to bear in mind is they are open-air headphones, so you will be able to hear stuff "through" them. Some really like that, some really don't.

Edit: everyone else is linking theirs, so... Link

These? https://en-us.sennheiser.com/best-audio-headphones-high-end-stereo-hifi-hd-600

If you haven't dived into the world of ultra-high end headphones yet, I'd recommend against anything with that high of an impedance (300 ohms, in this case, actually the same impedance as the HD 800s), unless you're going to do a lot of research, and probably spend additional money on an amp. There's definitely no way they'd work on a cell phone or anything portable, without an amp, and I'm not 100% sure if the little portable AA battery amps would drive them properly. They may or may not work with a computer, 300 ohms is kind of right on the line of what a computer can potentially handle. Depends on your sound card, desired volume, etc. Other sound equipment, yeah, that's something you need buckets of research to figure out (or just buy an amp).

I ended up going with lower impedance headphones rather than try to figure out amps, personally. Specifically, the older version of these: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ Those are basically the best it gets without needing to worry about an amp. 50 ohms, while most cheap headphones are about 16-32. The 598s I can recommend very highly, they sound a bit better than my "THX certified" Klipsch Promedia speakers, for sure (not that I have any complaints about those either, for the price they're excellent). The only possible complaint about the 598s is that the sub-bass is almost non-existant, so no dubstep (sounds like that's a non-issue!). Regular bass, however, like string bass, cello, etc., sounds excellent.

edit: They may also be a tiny bit quiet on devices where you already have to crank the volume to 100% on regular headphones, but a little AA battery amp should be fine.

Edit edit: On the other hand, if you do want to go for the HD 600s, this amp appears to be highly recommended for its price: https://www.amazon.com/Objective2-Headphone-Amplifier-JDS-LABS/dp/B00E0DMCO0

These are my headphones. I love the soundstage they deliver, because it really adds another level of immersion.

Is there a good sense of directional audio with the Rift headphones?

I would just go with these https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WRMZZ45/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504050693&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=hd+598&dpPl=1&dpID=41X8ZPjlKJL&ref=plSrch . It’s from Sennheiser and 20 dollars more than 150 is worth it to me than to possibly get a bad product. I looked for a pair of IEM from eBay and bought them new from a highly rated store and got refurbished product. Just pay a bit more for what is known

I personally use Beyerdynamic DT990s 250hm along with a FIIO E10k amplifier but if you're looking for something a little cheaper then I would recommend that you look at Sennheisers HD series such as the 518s or the 558s. Check out /r/headphones they will also have some more recommendations over there.

Sennheiser HD-518 are great. And if he does want a mic, the ModMic by AntLion is a solid choice.

You would probably want something like this RCA to headphone adapter then you can use any headphones you like.

I have a crappy pair of Behringer headphones I got with a practice amp kit I had bought early on in my guitar learnings, but here's some Sennheisers that look pretty nice.

Works with anything that has RCA audio out.

How big of an improvement are they over this? https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8

How convenient, I've been looking for a good pair of headphones all week! I've been looking at the M50, M30, and the Sennheiser 518.

I wouldn't call myself an audiophile, but I play bass and listen to music a lot, so I will appreciate good sound quality. That said, the music I listen to is all in mp3 format and has a 320kbps quality at most. I very rarely listen to FLACs or any other higher quality format. Any recommendation is appreciated. Thanks!

Agreed, according to /u/PriceZombie, these are usually closer to $80.
Amazon Link

The Sennheiser HD598's are very comfortable for wearing hours at a time and can be had for £75 whenever Amazon does a lightning deal for them (has happened a few times now), but they're an open design so may not be the best for streaming depending on whether you think your microphone might pick up the loop or not (most good microphones shouldn't).

If you don't want to wait for a sale, you can pick up a pair of Sennheiser HD518's for only £50 at the moment:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0042A68R8/

They have a similar design to the HD598's and sound very similar too. Of course they're not the same quality, but buying a pair of HD598's at their regular price simply isn't worth it considering the value of the HD518's. I have the Sennheiser HD558's which is the product between these two and couldn't recommend it highly enough, though it's at a terrible price-point right now.

Shure SE215 changed my life. They reduce road noise so you don’t go deaf and can listen to music/podcast at a reasonable volume. I plug them into a Sena/Cardo which pairs with a phone.

Yep, I have a pair of Shure SE215s and they work great.

Look for some in-ear monitors. They’ll give you a truer mix than any earbuds.

These are a classic choice. I use a pair of these and have been happy with them

Return them and buy something better quality that actually goes a bit farther into your ear canal. For $80 these are total shit and you should get some Shure IEMs instead:

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-CL-Sound-Monitor-Clear/dp/B004PO10E2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346278059&sr=8-1&keywords=shure+SE

You'll never have such issues with these.

You are going to want something that goes properly deep in side your ear. I don't know what your budget is, but in terms of sound isoloation, Etymotic is the best there is.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B003S3RFJ0/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1376231272&sr=1-8&keywords=etymotic

This is their entry level earbud, just warning you they will take a while to get used to because they go so deep into your ear. If the depth is something you are not looking forward to, you can sacrifice alittle isolation for the foam ear tips they provide or you can step to Shure.

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-CL-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B004PO10E2/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1376231486&sr=1-2&keywords=Shure

The Shures will be much more comfortable and isolate just as much. Like I said though, I don't know what your budget is, so I do not know what you want. These are two more hardcore earbuds and will work for everyday use also because they sound great.

Source: I own both the Etymotic ER4P and Shure SE535

I use the same ones and never have any slippage: SE215

I'd recommend the Shure SE215.

It's decent for the price, it stays on pretty well even when you do exercise and in my experience, the noise isolation is pretty good.

I actually have the special edition (blue one) and I hear that it has slightly stronger bass compared to the regular black or clear ones.

EDIT: Woops, sorry, I misread the post and just realized that you were looking for headphones and not earbuds. I think in-ear earbuds are more suitable for travelling with because they're smaller and lighter, whereas headphones tend to be bulky and heavier to bring around. I'd save the headphones for home use and get a decent pair of in-ear earbuds for going to class. Headphones also tend to have a lot of sound 'leakage' when you play music, so that may be a disturbance to other people around you when you're studying in the library. In-ear earbuds have less 'leakage' when you play music, if that's something you want to consider.

The M50 dip down to the $100 price range fairly frequently. If you don't mind buying a pair lightly used then you can get them for under $100 on Amazon. I think that consensus is, no, the M30 is not comparable to the M50. They are more of an entry level headphone and you will likely be disappointed by them if you're comparing them to your grados or the M50s. If you aren't convinced, the NVX XPT100 are supposed to be pretty good too. They're more neutral than the M50s but for $20-$50 less. The M50 are supposedly more bassy and more "fun" but the NVX are more true to the music if you understand what I mean. You can't go wrong with the M50, but if you're not willing to buy used or spend more than $100 the NVX XPT100 are also good.

If you're learning to record and mix, you want something analytical, not really entertaining. My personal recommendation for a comfortable closed back headphone that has a neutral sound signature, good isolation (especially if you're going to be monitoring) is the NVX XPT100 for a mere $80.

​

I own them and have used them for recording, mixing, mastering. As for V-MODA, I own the Crossfade 2 Wireless Codex Edition (recently received them to review). They are excellent headphones, but I wouldn't use them for professional work. They are more V-shaped and would lead you to create a mix that sounds great in the V-MODA, but doesn't translate well to other headphones or speakers.

Everyone is saying Audio Technica ATH-M50s, but I honestly wasn't impressed by them.

These, however, blow me away.

The value is unreal. I actually prefer the sound of them over a pair of $400 Ultrasone Pro900s I used to own. These have a great soundstage, punchy bass, forward and smooth mids (which are essential for trance), and terrific highs. They also isolate better than any non noise-canceling phones I've used and they're ridiculously comfortable. Hook 'em up to a headphone amp and bass boost them if you want. They'll take anything you can throw at them.

If you buy the M50s, you'll be spending more for less, in my opinion.

For under $100 I heard these are amazing, but I've yet to try them sadly so I can't speak from personal experience

Stuff:

• Computer - Mac Pro 2009 @ 2010 firmware upgrade. Hex Core 3.46 W3690 Westmere upgrade | 24gb Ram, Total 1TB SSD via PCIe Velocity xSolo2 cards. Total 4TB HDD storage | Windows 8 Bootcamp drive via 120gb SSD (For gaming, remoting into work). | GTX680 Mac Edition GPU. | GeekBench 3.0 Score of 17000
  
  
• Keyboard - Korg M3 Workstation
  
  
• Sound Interface (Not visible) - Roland FA-66
  
  
• Speakers - Yamaha Hs80m Speaker Monitors | Yamaha HS10W Subwoofer | Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II
  
  
• Monitor - Dell Ultrawide 29" Monitor
  
  
• Power Supply - Tripp Lite 900W
  
  
• Keyboard and Mouse Logitech Solar powered wireless Mac Keyboard | Logitech Anywhere Mouse
  
  
• Tablet - iPad 4 w/ Retina via Joyfactory iPad Mount Arm
  
  
• Headphones - Sennheiser Hd650 | Beats Pro
  
  
• Tables - Ikea
  
  
• Acoustic Treatment Made them myself w/ OC703 Fiberglass Boards
  
  
• Wallpaper - Created by /u/retrifix

Great deal. I paid a lot more for mine and have no regrets, I still think it was worth every penny.

If you are on the fence, IMO don't hesitate. It doesn't matter what genre of music you like, if you want a darker sound profile, these headphones will not disappoint.

Link for the google challenged

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 650's and a FiiO E17K Aspen 2 portable DAC.

Those two combined with the proper EQ settings for the headphones = fucking Nirvana.

That setup plus the FLACs from HDtracks is going to be my experience for the new album.

How about these: Sennheiser HD 650

Is your budget just for headphones or cans + amp/dac?

The term "closed-back" refers to the housing of the driver being sealed off from the air. Imagine this. Open back refers to an non-enclosed back. Like this. This creates a more natural listening experience, at the expense of leaking sound. Generally, open-back is meant for home listening.

It seems that the MDR-V6 is perfect for your needs. You could always tie the cord up, or replace it with a coiled cord.

The HD 650s are the best headphones I've ever used. I have the 6XX which is literally the same cans but with different outer aesthetics and a different cable connector and they sound the exact same.

Sennheiser has historically offered replacement parts for their headphones. From cables to ear pads. They also do repair stuff though I don't know the pricing for that. Might be more cost effective in some cases to just get a new pair of headphones.

Sennheiser HD 650

[V-MODA Crossfade M-100](http://www.amazon.ca/V-MODA-
Crossfade-Over-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B00A39PPCG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1419606615&sr=1-1&keywords=vmoda)

I'll update when I find more.

Looks like they are on sale on Amazon as well.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_02yJub14M37XP

Here is the 650 version of the sale

Still there for anyone in the US. Only $315 new too.

Link here

These are pretty great though.

Here's the link to the album as well as a long list of things!

ALBUM - 25 IMAGES

Monitor 1 - Dell U2711

Monitor 2 - Dell U2312

Desk 1 - IKEA Galant

Desk 2 - IKEA Micke (Looks like they don't have it in black color anymore)

Footstool - IKEA POANG

Chair - IKEA MARKUS

LED Lights - IKEA Dioder

LED Clamp on Light - IKEA Jansjo

Headphone 1 - Sennheiser HD800

Headphone 2 - Sennheiser HD650

Headphone Stand

Headphone Amplifier

DAC 1

DAC 2

DAC 3

Earphones - Sennheiser IE80

Keyboard 1 - Filco (Red Switch)

Keyboard 2 - Filco (Brown Switch)

Keyboard 3 - REALFORCE 87U (Uniform 55g)

Speaker Stands

Monitor Stand - Ergotron MX

Mouse - Steelseries Sensei

Mousepad

iPod Classic 160GB

Laptop - Samsung Ultrabook 9

http://camelcamelcamel.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/product/B00018MSNI is pretty good for tracking Amazon pricing history (don't know if there is a better website).

If you're willing to spend $100+, the Sennheiser HD555 and a Zalman clip-on mic are a popular choice for gaming. The HD555 has a giant soundstage and excellent sound quality.


The ATH-AD700 is a good choice as well.

My Sennheisers HD 555

Beauties...

Grado SR80i

Sennheiser HD558 or HD555

Furthermore, check out the Head-Fi threads linked in the sidebar and see if anything there meets your requirements.

Get a set of Sennheiser HD 555's and do this to them. If you want a mic, get a Zalman ZM-1. This is almost always the most upvoted advice.

For headphones, you only need stereo. You only hear in stereo; your brain extrapolates the origin of the sound from the delay between each ear. Surround is useful for speakers, since the origin is actually relevant, but headphone speakers are close enough to your ears that the origin is irrelevant.

I recommend getting a good pair of closed stereo Sennhiesers or something similar. Those 5.1 and 7.1 headsets are a gimmick (you hear perfectly fine 3d with only two ear holes don't you?). Couple with them one of those Zalman clip on mics on amazon and you have a sweet gaming setup that's good for music too.

I recommend closed because it gives better isolation (which works both ways, sometimes people don't want to hear what your listening to as well. I remember these and these getting excellent review, although they are both open headphones, so you may want to consider their use environment first. This clip on mic seems to be pretty highly recommended.

I use a Senheisser HD555 and a Zalman Microphone Zm-Mic1.

I've used Steelseries/Icemat Siberias before and they were really good. I actually went through 3 pairs due to the cat eating the cord twice and the wires being pulled out once but Steelseries was gracious enough to replace two of them. When my last one broke, I decided to try the Senheisser HD555 and like it a lot more.

I've also used Logitech, Sony, Plantronics headsets/headphones in the past. They're okay. If I were on a budget, I'd just go with Steelseries Siberias.

I haven't used a pair of A2DP headphones for gaming, though I do use my Motorola S9-HD while exercising.

In regards to a bluetooth mic, I used to have an ok headset (mono+mic) but with noticeable lag and shitty battery life I decided to stop using it.

I now use the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset in conjunction with the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver which work great.

When I'm not using my speakers on my PC, I have a pair of Sennheiser HD555s with an iBasso D2 (apparently no longer sold) USB Digital to Analog Converter/Headphone Amp.

Grado headphones are considered the best for metal and rock by many people. The Grado SR-60i are amazingly fun headphone for the price. I havea pair of Grado 225i and they are my choice of headphone whenever listening to metal.

They are over your budget, but consider the Grado SR-60i or Grado SR-80i

What kind of music do you listen to? And do you need isolation (i.e. is it okay if people around you can hear your music?)

If you listen to rock music and don't mind other people hearing your music, Grado SR-60i would fit your needs, especially with the thick, durable cable. However, bassy music like hip-hop and electronic aren't quite as well suited. The bass on the Grados is clear, but lacks punch.

These if you are on a budget.

Or just buy any modern motherboard (something that supports a 6700k or 7700k) and you'll have perfectly fine audio. The only reason to buy a sound card is if your onboard audio codec is bad.

I have the MSI Gaming z270 M3 motherboard and it has the Realtek ALC1220 codec on it. It's almost impossible to distinguish the sound between a motherboard with a newgen audio codec like that and a high end soundcard. You'll only be able to notice if you have high end audio equipment like this that can take advantage of $300 soundcards. Your "Hyper X Cloud 2" or "Razer Kraken V2" headphones wont be able to tell a difference.

I went from a turtle beach gaming headset to Sennheiser HD650 headphones. I then needed to buy a webcam with a mic to replace my turtle beach headset.. cause the HD650 is just headphones, no mic.

Back then, they were $600 new, but I found a set for $350 refurbished. I haven't had a problem with them even though they weren't new. Refurbished items come from the factory after they were returned, so I figured they tested them enough to justify the savings.

They are a bit cheaper these days but its still pretty expensive brand new. Amazon has them new for $440.

AKG 701/702 and Denon AH D2000 are also really popular choices. Your best bet would be to go down to a store that sells these types of headphones and listen to them to pick what you like best. Just make sure you are using an audio source like a CD or better if possible.

Personally, I just read reviews/audiophile forum posts online and ended up buying the sennheiser hd650s off amazon without even testing them.

Sennheiser HD650- music heaven but expensive. At this point though, it's only going to sound as good as the quality of the music files you have. Amp semi-required

Sennheiser HD598- step below the HD650s. Equal treble and mids, not much bass but these are the headphones that makes you appreciate the clear sound without it.

Klipsch X10- very treble-y, it sometimes hurts, but if these weren't the clearest sounding in-ear headphones I've ever had I don't know what. Fairly wide soundstage. I've washed them twice and they still work.

MEE M-Duos- These are the cheapest of the bunch. I was pleasantly surprised at the sound of them. As clean and clear sound as the HD598 but with much more bass. My favorite tbh

Also shoutout to /r/headphones check out their wiki

My opinion is that if you want to get a little more serious about audio for your PC, you would also need to get an external DAC/AMP with SPDIF interface. There are such units out there that would connect via USB.

From here, get yourself a decent set of open back headphones... don't go cheap. Here are two models to consider.

Beyerdynamic DT990:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-990-Pro-250-Professional-Acoustically-Applications/dp/B0011UB9CQ

Sennheiser HT650: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-9969-HD-650-Headphones/dp/B00018MSNI/

I recently got the HT650s and I love them!


Here is where the amp comes in; these headphones have higher impedance, so they need the amp to drive them, then the DAC to convert the digital audio to analog for you. For instance, the DT990 comes in a 250 ohm and 600 ohm variety, so you would look for an amp that can drive that amount accordingly.

Me personally, I went with the Fiio E17 / E09 combination, which works fine for my setup. The E17 is also portable, so I would have the option to use it on the go if needed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD650-Reference-Over-Ear-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473983768&sr=8-1&keywords=hd650

Comes out to $286 including shipping.

Desktop screen capture

Album with more pictures

Computer Specs

• Case - Silverstone RV01
  
  
• Motherboard - EVGA SLI3
  
  
• CPU - i7 950
  
  
• CPU Cooler - Corsair H60
  
  
• GPU - EVGA GTX570
  
  
• Ram - G.Skill 6gb Kit
  
  
• Soundcard - Asus Xonar Essence STX
  
  
• PSU - Corsair 850w
  
  
• Mouse - Logitech MX Revolution
  
  
• Keyboard - Logitech G15 & Logitech Dinovo Edge
  
  Other Stuff
  
  
• Logitech Z-5500 Speakers
  
  
• Sennheiser RS170 Wireless Headphones
  
  
• Sennheiser HD650 Headphones
  
  
• Banana Stand
  
  
• Playstation 3
  
  
• Madcatz Fightstick Tournment Edition S
  
  
• Harddrive Dock
  
  
• Bluelounge Cablebox

I've listed a few options, feel free to ask more questions.

Closed:

Alpha dog by MrSpeakers is a closed headphone that rivals some of the big boys out there, even the flagship open cans. The TH900 by fostex and LCD-XC by Audeze are their closest competitors, and those headphones cost almost 3 times as much.

Mad Dog by MrSpeakers is my other recommendation for a closed headphone, this one being almost half the price and not that much worse in most regards. Less refined than its older brother, but it's very often the go to choice for someone who wants a comfortable, premium closed headphone at a reasonable price.

Open:

The Hifiman HE-500 is an astonishing headphone for its price range, competing with flagship headphones, and it is a direct competitor with the LCD-2 by Audeze, which costs 1000$. Your biggest problem with these are the weight and their comfort issues, might not be your top choice, but it's still an excellent headphone

The Hifiman HE-400i might be a successor to the HE-400, but its sound signature is much more similar to the HE-500. Not as refined, but much lighter, this might hit your sweet spot for comfort and sound.

The AKG K712 is a really comfortable and relatively light headphone, and it's really well balanced. Some people experience issues with the treble peak that the K7XX series by AKG have, but this might the best price performer that I've listed.

The HD 650 by Sennheiser is a headphone that I personally own am very pleased with, and so are many, many others on this sub and on Head-fi. If someone wants to spend big on their first headphone, these are usually their first choice. Slight clamping, but generally really comfortable, I don't have any issues with them. The sound is beautifully warm and luscious, it's really nice for a relaxed and long listening.

None of these actually "max out" your budget, but they are all very solid picks.

1. Oppo PM-3 - Oppo's 3rd iteration of planar mangetic headphones are damn nice. They have incredible sound, bass that extends way down, crisp highs, and are very comfortable. They can be driven by the S8, but would definitely benefit from a nice amp/dac.
   
   
2. Sennheiser HD 650 Widely regarded as an extremely neutral headphone, they will reproduce anything you listen to with them with fantastic accuracy, clarity, and detail.
   
   
3. Bang & Olufsen H6 V2 or H7 These are my personal favorite of the pack, becuase of their incredbly balanced sound, replaceable cable, and neutral signature. They're also lightweight and comfortable. They do not sound as good as the sennheisers or Oppos, but since they are one of my 3 listening options, I don't mind. These are great for what I use them for. :)
   
   
4. Bowers and Wilkins P7 These come in wired and wireless variants, and are not only comfortable, but look quite good. If you have large ears, they may not fit very well, due to the square earpads, but they sound great, and are tuned to have a little more bass than some of the other selections.
   
   
   Edit: picks are in order of best >> worst choice. Also, the top 2 will definitely benefit a lot more from a dedicated amp.
   

This is probably as overkill as it gets before starting to lose performance.

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel - Core i9-9940X 3.3 GHz 14-Core Processor | $1815.75 @ shopRBC
Motherboard | Asus - ROG RAMPAGE VI EXTREME OMEGA EATX LGA2066 Motherboard | $1027.44 @ Amazon Canada
Memory | Corsair - Vengeance RGB Pro 128 GB (8 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $1179.87 @ Amazon Canada
Storage | Samsung - 970 Evo 2 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $659.99 @ Amazon Canada
Storage | Samsung - 970 Evo 2 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $659.99 @ Amazon Canada
Video Card | Asus - GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Dual OC Video Card (2-Way SLI) | $1569.99 @ Amazon Canada
Video Card | Asus - GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Dual OC Video Card | $1569.99 @ Amazon Canada
Case | Corsair - 1000D ATX Full Tower Case | $412.33 @ Amazon Canada
Power Supply | EVGA - SuperNOVA T2 1600 W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $465.18 @ Amazon Canada
Case Fan | Noctua - NF-A12x25 PWM 60.1 CFM 120 mm Fan | $37.90 @ Amazon Canada
Case Fan | Noctua - NF-A12x25 PWM 60.1 CFM 120 mm Fan | $37.90 @ Amazon Canada
Case Fan | Noctua - NF-A12x25 PWM 60.1 CFM 120 mm Fan | $37.90 @ Amazon Canada
Case Fan | Noctua - NF-A12x25 PWM 60.1 CFM 120 mm Fan | $37.90 @ Amazon Canada
Monitor | Asus - PG279Q ROG Swift 27.0" 2560x1440 165 Hz Monitor | $799.99 @ Amazon Canada
Monitor | Asus - PG279Q ROG Swift 27.0" 2560x1440 165 Hz Monitor | $799.99 @ Amazon Canada
Main Monitor | Asus - ROG SWIFT PG27UQ 27.0" 3840x2160 144 Hz Monitor | $2398.99 @ Powertop
Keyboard | Corsair - K95 RGB PLATINUM Wired Gaming Keyboard | $269.99 @ Amazon Canada
Mouse | Logitech - G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Optical Mouse | $199.99 @ Amazon Canada
Headphones | Sennheiser - HD 650 Headphones | $492.29 @ Amazon Canada
Microphone | Rode NT-USB USB Condenser Microphone | $225.00 @ Amazon Canada
Headphone Amp | Audioengine D1 24-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter | $229.99 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream SE 480 (Slim Quad) Radiator | $132.28 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EKWB EK-Cable Splitter 4-Fan PWM Extended, 2-pack | $32.99 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EKWB EK-ACF Compression Fitting for Soft Tubing, 10/16mm (3/8" ID, 5/8" OD), Black, 4-pack | $53.11 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EKWB EK-ACF Compression Fitting for Soft Tubing, 10/16mm (3/8" ID, 5/8" OD), Black, 4-pack | $53.11 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EKWB EK-ACF Compression Fitting for Soft Tubing, 10/16mm (3/8" ID, 5/8" OD), Black, 4-pack | $53.11 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EKWB EK-ACF Compression Fitting for Soft Tubing, 10/16mm (3/8" ID, 5/8" OD), Black, 4-pack | $53.11 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EKWB EK-Furious Vardar EVO 140 PWM 140mm Fan, 2500 RPM, 2-pack | $88.00 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EKWB EK-Furious Vardar EVO 140 PWM 140mm Fan, 2500 RPM, 2-pack | $88.00 @ Amazon Canada
Custom Loop | EKWB EK-Velocity CPU Waterblock, Intel CPU, Copper/Plexi | $138.42 @ Amazon Canada
Mousepad| Logitech Powerplay Wireless Charging Mat| $203.00
Custom Loop| EK-CoolStream CE 420 | $135.00
Custom Loop| EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 RGB PWM| $255.00
Custom Loop| EK Vector RTX RE Ti RGB| $230.00
Custom Loop| EK Vector RTX RE Ti RGB| $230.00
Custom Loop| EK-Vector RTX Backplate – Nickel| $72.00
Custom Loop| EK-Vector RTX Backplate – Nickel| $72.00
Custom Loop| EK-FC Terminal X2 3-slot – Plexi| $50.00
Custom Loop| EK-DuraClear 9,5/15,9mm 3M RETAIL| $27.00
Custom Loop| EK-CryoFuel Solid Cloud White (250mL) BUY 5| $20.00
| Total | $16914.49

This uses a custom cooling loop, it is not very hard to make since I used soft tubing, but if you don't want to use that, you can get 2 of THIS or THIS GPU and THIS CPU Cooler and just remove all the Custom Loop parts.

For the main monitor, I chose a 4K 144Hz monitor and 2 secondary 1440p 165Hz monitors which can also be used for gaming or can be used when you stream.

For the CPU I chose a 14 core i9 CPU, which has the best balance of cores and clock speed of the i9 CPUs, you could get more cores but the clock speed will drop a lot and so will your gaming performance.

the Sennheiser HD650s, one of the most highly regarded headphones under $1000

Amazon is currently price matching it for those who don't want to get it from Adorama.

Sennheiser HD 650 on sale today on amazon for $315.99 usually goes for $500.

Some of it I bought used (the HD650's and Bifrost) but to buy everything brand new you'd be looking at around $1,100 total.

The Bifrost DAC and Bottlehead Crack aren't available on Amazon but here's all the links:

HD650
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1496087682&sr=1-1&keywords=hd650

Schiit Bifrost
http://schiit.com/products/bifrost

Bottlehead Crack w/ speedball
http://bottlehead.com/?product=crack-otl-headphone-amplifier-kit

My suggestion would be the Aune T1 Headphone Tube DAC and Amp which is currently on sale on Massdrop for $120 (around £113 including shipping, import duty and VAT). It's got RCA line out too so you can connect speakers to it in the future too if that's you're kind of thing.

I'd then look at spending the rest of your budget on a quality pair of headphones, perhaps the Sennheiser HD 650?

Headphones are Sennheiser HD 650s, speakers are JBL LSR305s, and right now I'm using the Micca OriGen+ for my DAC/Amp. For earbuds I just use some random pair I got off massdrop.com for like 30 bucks.

Pretty satisfied for now, but I'm hoping to upgrade to the Crack 1.1 OTL for an amp and the HRT Music Streamer II + for the DAC so that I can get the full quality out of my HD 650s.

Satisfied with the JBLs and the Micca for a speaker setup for now, at least as far as digital stuff goes. A good few years down the road I might want to get around to building an analog setup from scratch since my old one is completely defunct and scrapped. For which I'd probably grab some passive speakers, but I also need to get an all new turntable and possibly a new CD player, so I don't even want to start thinking about it.

"Gaming headset" doesn't mean anything, especially if you don't care about RGB. If you don't have a budget, get something nice like sennheiser's HD 650 (which is open-back) or beyerdynamic's DT 770 Pro. There are microphone attachments you can get if it's that important. I've tried both of these and prefer the 770 Pro with its more isolated sound and slight V-curve but it's totally up to you. Both headphones are very very comfortable--I forget I'm wearing them after a while.

Edit: Audio-Technica is also a good brand to look at but I don't know of anything particular from them.

https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-770-PRO-Studio-Headphone/dp/B0006NL5SM

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/

At this price point I think you could create a great setup for ~$500 by choosing one each from the following options, perhaps omitting the DAC:

1. Headphones

Sennheiser HD 600

Sennheiser HD 650 (more expensive)

Mr Speakers Mad Dog

HiFiMan HE-400 (with reservations)

Beyerdynamic DT880 (less expensive)

2. Amplifier

Schiit Magni

Objective2

3. DAC

Schiit Modi

ODAC

(or you can get the Objective2 with ODAC in same chassis)

I definitely wouldn't recommend spending huge amounts on amplification and DACs at this price point; the noticeable difference is going to be in getting the best headphones you can.

Just FYI guys, Amazon also has the 650's for $290 right now.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Headphones/dp/B00018MSNI/

I saw the post on /r/buildapcsales and got them off newegg, but it seems amazon has price-matched them. Not sure if these regularly go down this much but I saw it and had the extra cash so I when for it.

For your friend:

I recommend that she picks up a pair of Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros. You can get them here: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Custom-One-Pro-Black/dp/B008XEYT48/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369159044&sr=8-1&keywords=beyerdynamic+custom+one+pro

They are great headphones and only have a 16Ω impedance so powering them is not going to be a problem.

Another headphone I would recommend would be the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 32Ω edition. Similar to the Custom One Pros but with a little better bass response. You can get them here: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-770-Pro-Studio-Headphones-Limited/dp/B008POFOHM/ref=sr_1_5?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1369159022&sr=1-5

For you:

Coming in right at $400 is the HiFiMAN HE-400. I haven't listened to these myself but I hear that they are the best headphones you can buy for $400. You can get them here: http://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAN-HE-400-Planar-Efficiency-Headphones/dp/B007ZG32I4/ref=sr_1_3?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1369159720&sr=1-3

However, if you really want to step up I suggest you stretch your budget to the $500 mark and pick up the Sennheiser HD650. These are some of the best headphones out there and would be a considerable upgrade from what you currently have. Check them out here: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Headphones/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1369159720&sr=1-1

I honestly think that if you have the money for it then that is the way to go. I think the HD650s are more suited to the kind of music you like than the HE-400s anyway.

Brand new 650's were on sale for ~$300 USD from Amazon.co.uk, including priority international shipping and import fee deposit.

Edit: Yup, the deal is still up.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00018MSNI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

http://puu.sh/roXPp/c385345baf.png

http://puu.sh/roXS7/e11299ce2d.png

Only thing you'd probably be on the hook for is any sales taxes that your import office decides to ding you with. Note that this is with priority shipping, you can save an extra $20 or so if you're willing to wait a few extra weeks for them.

I have a large, though not huge head, and the HD650s are comfortable on me. They did clamp a bit tight at first, but feel great if i just extend the headphones out a bit further than i would normally do with my DT770s. Also, many people on the net have pointed out you can put your headphones on a shoebox like you would on your head when you aren't using them (or a couple of text books, or even a manequin head if you have one lying around....). This will loosen them up a bit without harming them.

Personally i have not had to do this, but i am tempted to buy a manequin head just because it would be creepy and also to keep the headphones safe when not in use :)

I can't really speak to if the HD650 is worth the extra cash to you. Some people on Headfi prefer the HD600 as they find them more neutral. Personally i love the HD650s, i also dislike shrill mids like you described and those are definitely not a problem on the HD650s, these are so soothing i can easily wear/listen to any type of music.

I bought my HD650s on amazon one day when they went on sale for $420 (plus they came with a $50 amazon gift card on top of that). So once you counted the sale price plus that good as cash gift card they cost me $370.

http://camelcamelcamel.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Headphones/product/B00018MSNI?context=browse

They aren't on sale now, and don't look like they have been for almost 4 months. But anyway you could find a good deal if you are patient and keep checking online for them.

*edit: well hopefully they go on sale again, i have heard Sennheiser started cracking down on places like amazon for selling them below what Sennheiser demands......

If you're in the US, the cheapest a new pair of HD650 have ever been from Amazon is $287 and that was over 2 years ago. The $315 they are at now is well below their historical average. The HD6XX at $199 is a very good deal.

Edit: If you buy used, you can get them cheaper on many of the forums.

https://camelcamelcamel.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/product/B00018MSNI?context=search

you mean HD555, right?

if I may ask, do you have them ? compared to AD700s ( which is 100$ ), is the sound quality, and comfort better or the same ?

If you're looking for gaming headphones in roughly the same price range as those 5.1 options, I'd suggest Sennheiser HD555's. As ZombieOrchestra has mentioned, soundstage is pretty important for many games and that's where the HD555's excel considering their price. The open back design lends itself to soundstage reproduction which is great for gaming and many types of music. You can find headphones with better tone and clarity in roughly the same price range but you would be hard pressed to find any with better soundstage reproduction.


These are basically my go to suggestion for people who game as they seem to be at the right price for most gamers and they're well-suited for that use.

I have two different full head phones

I have the Sennheiser HD 555 and I really do enjoy them a lot with listening to music and pen pointing certain sounds but when I am gaming I use my Sennheiser PC 350.

If you are looking for a brilliant headset then I would certainly suggest the HD 555!

If I were you, I would get a pair of the Sennheiser HD555's

Then just buy a mic like this

I've owned a pair of Sennheiser HD555's for 4 years and counting. The only wear and tear so far has been fixed by a single strip of electrical tape.
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD555-Professional-Headphones-Channeling/dp/B0001FTVDQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321122676&sr=1-1

I'm actually saying it's not a terrible idea, even though it does look a bit crap. My headphones plug in at the earpiece so if I do that then the plug just comes out - no damage, just annoying. Maybe you just need better headphones?

These are what I use at work to annoy my co-workers:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD555-Professional-Headphones-Channeling/dp/B0001FTVDQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1323223374&sr=8-5

I would advise a normal headphones with clip on mic, much better quality, and typically more comfortable.
For example, this

or this

I would be wary of surround sound headsets, as I've found that the drivers all far too close to great an effect for me, and simulated surround sound, via soundcard, receiver ,or ingame, works better.


And this is the Mic I use.

I have used a tritton 5.1 headset, g330, etc, and in sound quality, comfort, and reliability, my sennheiser 555 destroys them. (My trittons practically broke bimonthly while in warrenty)

E-tip gloves: http://www.rei.com/product/803525/the-north-face-etip-gloves,-tnf-black,-medium?preferredSku=8035250003?cm_mmc&mr:trackingCode=44375AB1-3EB9-E011-9A77-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA

Mechanical keyboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823114012

Sennheiser headphones: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD555-Professional-Headphones-Channeling/dp/B0001FTVDQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323989687&sr=8-1

I could find more, but knowing things like he likes FMA doesn't help because that would just mean more "useless trinkets" for the desk. If he has hobbies: watching/playing sports (which ones? i participate in a lot and have loads of decent accessory or equipment gift ideas), video games (pc/console), cooking, stuff like that. let me know, i shop most of the time i'm awake, so i have ideas.

Sennheiser HD555

'nuff said ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD555-Professional-Headphones-Channeling/dp/B0001FTVDQ

These are excellent

Hmm...If you're willing to bump the budget up a few more bucks, You could try to find a pair of HD555s for $70-75 These things sound amazing, especially for the price; nicely balanced, and there's a "mod" you can do to get them to sound twice as expensive. A great beginner investment imho. They were my first pair of real headphones and I loved them. Comfy too. Like putting two clouds on your ears. :D

I wear Sennheiser HD 555s. I'm wearing them right now, in fact, watching a documentary and interleaving some 'inaccurate' bass. Sounds about right to me. Have seen a few women wearing these (not sure why, but they're always female...).

Anyway there are 500+ reviews on that page, but all you need to know about these is that they need a good headphone amp with a bass adjustment. Any basic receiver would have had it when I got them from eBay in 2005 for $69, but now it might be tougher. There is no bass dial on most multi-channel theater systems now, which I find completely odd.

These aren't bad.

My recommendation, for PC at the very least, is to avoid "gamer headsets" altogether. Generally what you are signing up for is a sub-par set of headphones attached to a sub par mic. What I did is research some of the best headphones in the business and matched them up with a very serviceable microphone. This setup has worked great for me and the sound and voice delivery quality has been head and shoulders above any "gaming headset" I've owned. Here's the setup that I use - you can go much more expensive or much cheaper, but this works great for me.

Headphones

Microphone

I got a pair Sennheiser HD555's for Christmas yesterday and I really love them so far. However, if you plan on wearing them out a lot they may not be the best option for you as they have a long cord (10 ft.) and a long jack as they require an adapter for 3.5mm connections.

Should give Left 4 Dead 2 a shot. I use my ears more than my eyes while playing Survivor in Versus. I'm no audio expert, but I believe it all comes from the games' audio engineers. I've got crap on-board Realtek and switch between 5.1 and Headphones.

Two suggestions: Sennheiser HD595 or HD555

I have 595s and I haven't regretted buying them for a second (they've also gotten a lot of love from other redditors). Only backside (for both) is that they are of "open air" construction i.e they don't isolate from outside sounds that well and leak out some sound. But they do sound great and are very comfy as well.

I've had this problem as well. Headsets, especially those marketed at 'gamers' seem to be able to get away with this stuff. Buy some quality cans (Sennheiser 555's are good from what I hear) and get a Zalman clip on mic.

They are Sennheiser HD555s I got them for ~$80 but they have been discontinued and replaced by the HD558 I think

They are really nice headphones I can wear them for hours and sometimes forget I am actually wearing them

i've fallen asleep wearing these headphones on multiple occasions and have had no problems. they are really comfortable, and durable as well. plus they sound badass.

If you have a yeti then get a Sennheiser 555. This is by far the best pair of headphones I've ever bought, taking into account I had a period of mild retardation and purchased a Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD (RED) for $525 -_-

These go for like $100 or so locally. Incredible sound.

One problem I should mention: they are open backed so if you crank up the volume it's quite audible to everyone in the room.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD555-Classic-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B0001FTVDQ

What on earth are you talking about? Of course they still sell them.

Amazon

Dude....awesome. Thanks for this. My dog ate my HD590s earlier today.

Fortunately they were on their way out anyway.....bleh.

Bonus: HD555 are only $81.23 on Amazon right now.

On the OG Vive deluxe headstrap, it only take a few minutes to carefully remove the speakers and wires. I use Sennheiser HD555 with a shortened cord, and I absolutely love the quality.

When a mapper takes the time to align the notes with finer details of the music, you can actually hear them! I promise you its not hearing loss, there just is so much depth to modern music that most people never hear.

save a bit more and get a pair of M50 Audio Technica. I'm not a huge AT fan, but those are really good. If you don't mind "open" headphones - Grado SR60i is the headphone to beat in that price range. Grados are awesome but they are "open" and others can hear your headphones...

save EVEN more and check into some Sennheiser 25 1 II -- the number 1 DJ headphone on the planet, and fully replaceable everything.

Save more than that and you are in a whole new price point where there are tons of choices. after senn 25 1 II I really like what I have at work - Vmoda M100. Serious bass, and they sound incredible.


Headphones are a tricky one because, it can get CRAZY expensive very quickly. There are headphones in the 1000s of dollars...so it comes to "what do you want to spend"

you can often find good buys on those 25 1 II -- and those are very good. The M50 - also excellent. Weirdly enough the unit that is a step up from the 25 1 II, the Amperior - the older model (the blue caps) is selling for less than the 25 1 II. if you see the amperior cheaper, and you want the 25 1 II, get the amperior.

I would say this: if you have the money for the Marshalls, wait a bit longer and save more to get a much better pair.

here's some links:

Grado SR60i

http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-Series-SR-60i-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395205203&sr=8-3&keywords=Grado+sr

Audio Technica - M50

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395205266&sr=8-2&keywords=audio+technica+m50

Sennheiser 25 1 II

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD25-1-II-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B000TDZOXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395205301&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+25

Sennheiser Amperior (the higher model of the 25 1 II)

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Amperior-Blue-Headphones/dp/B0070U6N6I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1395205355&sr=8-4&keywords=sennheiser+25

Vmoda M80

http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-On-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B005HSDLCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395205401&sr=8-1&keywords=vmoda+m80

Vmoda M100

http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-Over-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B00A39PPCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395205438&sr=8-1&keywords=vmoda+m100

I have the Sennheiser PX 100-II which are nice, cheap and have almost too much emphasis on the bass end.

I would recommend (in order of price) the Koss PortaPro, Grado SR 60 or Sennheiser HD 25-1 II

Also check http://www.head-fi.org/

This blows your budget away, but I give it two big thumbs up:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Studio-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U

Closer to your budget:

http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-SR-60i-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1318898591&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-SR-60i-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318910233&sr=8-1

Unless you are in a third or fifth world country, I think this link could help.

At sub-$100, I'd go for the Sennheiser 280 Pro or Grado SR-60i. Above that range, I'd start looking at the Audio Technica M50s with dat 5/5 Amazon rating. I've owned both the Grados above and the M50s. I like them both a lot.

Grado SR-60's. They're amazing headphones, especially for the price ($75), and they have a nice retro look. Can't recommend them enough.

Here's a link.

• $20, gets you decent headphones
  
• $80 gets you amazing headphones
  
• FTFY! Thanks for the advice my friend,much appreciated!
  

Thought of another.

If she likes music at all, get her a pair of really good headphones. The pair I linked is 80 bucks and is often regarded as the best you can get for under 300 or so (and for 20 bucks more you can get the SR-80's, which are pretty much the same but have a bit more bass).

One of the highest return-on-investment things I can think of that I've bought.

I'm found ya a couple options for ya.

Planar Magnetic Headphones aka "special driver headphones"

Monoprice M1060s Perfectly fine stock, maybe a change of earpads if you're looking for something a little "more" https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-116050-Monolith-Magnetic-Headphones/dp/B01N32N5DD

Modhouse Argon Mk3s These are specially modded headphones that give you an option for choice of headband material and earpad material (sheep leather is soft man) http://www.modhouseaudio.com/argon-mk3/zimu3wz0oyxlavnprki2jovso6c31v

Dynamic Open Headphones aka, "normal headphones"

AKG K712 Pros Very accurate, lots of soundstage, plenty of bass You may have to get a used pair as prices are on the rise https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-Reference-Headphones/dp/B00DCXWXEI

Philips X2/27 Almost the same as the 712s, a little more narrow of a soundstage and "possibly" less accurate Debatably less comf (comparatively speaking) Again, you'll need to get them used but they're cheaper used than 712s https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphone/dp/B00O2Y2MZG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522866842&sr=8-2&keywords=philips+x2

Audio Technica ATH AD series Very accurate, good soundstage, amazing treble, but definitely bass light. It's an entire series of headphones and each model up adds a slight bump in quality overall, used or otherwise https://www.amazon.com/Technica-Audiophile-ATH-AD1000X-Open-Air-Headphones/dp/B009S330O8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522866903&sr=8-3&keywords=ATH+AD

Dynamic Closed Headphones

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Plenty of soundstage, treble is there, and BASS https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-770-PRO-Studio-Headphone/dp/B0006NL5SM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1522866927&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=beyerdynamic+dt770&psc=1

AKG K553 Pros Accurate, excellent mids, lacks soundstage but remarkably good build https://www.amazon.com/AKG-3280H00100-K-553-Pro/dp/B00X3MT7F6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522866966&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=AKG+K550+Pros

Shure SRH840 Hesitant to put this on the list as this is basically how to perform studio monitoring Super Neutral, accurate as it gets almost, not a huge player in the soundstage game. You'll need new earpads for particularly long sessions of use https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH840-Professional-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B002DP8IEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522867035&sr=8-1&keywords=Shure+SRH840

And finally the Koss KSC75s get a pair, no exceptions. They are not a replacement for ANY of the other options on this list as they're closer to earbuds than headphones, but the amount of sound quality you get for their 15 dollar price point you should already own a pair https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1522867066&sr=8-1&keywords=koss+ksc+75

A few of these may be hard to drive on their own and may need a headphone amp or dac/amp combo to run properly and if you're not at ease with that right now there are always options.

Edit: removed accidental affiliate links that snuck in

generally the best sounding setup will not be a "gaming headset", but just a pair of good headphones with a separate mic.

what is your budget? that is a big factor as there is a huge variety of headphones out there all across the price spectrum.


i currently use Phillips Fidelio X2's with an Antlion ModMic running through a beyerdynamic usb dac/amp (soundcard basically, not even necessary but i had it already and its convenient) and love the setup. ive gone through several other headphones but found this setup to be the most comfortable with best sound. the X2's barely feel like youre wearing anything, have great soundstage and just sound really good in general. i previously used beyerdynamic mmx300's which are an actual headset (mic attached) but moved away from them as they just were not quite as comfy as i wanted for longer usage. also the mic didnt detach so it got annoying at times. other headphones i tried are my akg 553 pros, ath m50x, oppo pm3 and fostex th x00 but none quite had the "full package" of great sound and comfort of the x2's though. not the cheapest setup, but it works great and im happy with it so worth it to me.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphones/dp/B00O2Y2MZG

https://www.amazon.com/Antlion-Audio-ModMic-Attachable-Microphone/dp/B00R98JVVU/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_23_lp_t_4

http://north-america.beyerdynamic.com/shop/usb-sound-card-for-headsets.html


in general the idea is to just get headphones from an actual headphone manufacturer, not a does it all like logitech. they make so many different things, headphones just arent a priority. others have mentioned the sennheiser game ones, which is at least a headset from an actual headphone company. the hyperx clouds are also supposed to be very good for the price despite not being from a headphone company, but that is probably because they are based off of the beyerdynamic mmx300, which is just the beyer dt990s with a mic. meaning the clouds are just a much more affordable clone basically.

at the minimum just try to avoid buzzwords like "7.1 surround". the headphones dont have 8 speakers in them (there are a few that tried doing such, but so few it doesnt matter), theyre not actually doing any surround sound so dont fall for it.

Depending on what your definition of immersion is, I usually find open backs to be more immersive. They usually sound a bit more natural and, well, open, often offering a wider soundstage (how wide they sound, with some headphones making it sound like sounds come from inches outside of the actual speaker).

Depending on your budget the common suggestions for gaming is something like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (a good amount of bass and boosted high frequencies as well) or the Phillips Fidelio X2 (possibly more bass though likely less clean and a very wide soundstage but a little less high frequency than what's considered neutral).

It's hard recommending headphones because people have such a wide variety of preferences, everybody's ears are different and headphones come in a very large variety themselves. Your best bet would be to try some out beforehand at a local store if possible or just make use of amazons return policy. Even at like a Target or something, listen to their demo pairs and pay attention to what you like (bass quality/quantity, mids which is usually vocals and can help with guitars, and high frequencies like cymbals and snares) and see if you like more or less of any of the frequency range.

The [Beyerdynamic DT 770, 80 Ohm Pro] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=twister_B00AXHMAJY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) boasts very boosted bass and treble, great for EDM. I describe the sound as mechanical, almost machine-like - again, great for electronic music with artificial synthesizers. But listening to high notes hurt like hell in the beginning until your ears get used to the piercing sound. Think nails screeching off a chalkboard.

The Fidelio X2, while open-backed, delivers amazing yet controlled bass. Unlike the DT 770, they work well for all genres of music because they have a more balanced sound signature. A pair of headphones suitable for true bassheads.

If you want to help support Zeos, please use his affiliate link:

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphones/dp/B00O2Y2MZG/=ur2&tag=zeos-20

I use an older version of this. For $300, it powers speakers nicely, has a nice built-in DAC, subwoofer out, a nice sounding headphone jack that would power any but the most exotic headphones: http://www.amazon.com/Teac-AI-101DA-B-Integrated-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00UGYFWQC/

Another headphone you might consider in the same league as the HD650 and 400i are the Philips X2, currently on sale for $100 off for only 9 more hours if you're in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphones/dp/B00O2Y2MZG

I've had my Philips Fidelio X2 for a month now. I find myself listening to music a lot more with them, and the gaming experience is amazing. I've been playing a lot of Rainbow 6 Siege with them and opponents always ask me; "How do you always know where we're at?"

Before buying the Fidelios, I was using Logitech G930s 7.1. The difference is night and day.

Phillips X2 which you often seen on Amazon around $200-220ish.

Sennheiser HD598 which I heard is going to be as low as $99 during Black Friday but even at $150 is great.

The AKG 7KXX is a Massdrop exclusive that pops up fairly frequently (if you request it, Massdrop will notify you when they are available again) and you can find them second hand online

I have not used the MX50x myself but they get a lot of hate here on reddit. People find them very muddy and many seem to prefer the M40x over the M50x. If you don't mind buying an amp, Sennheiser HD600 and 650 are probably the king of midfi and the most popular audiophile headphones in the community for good reason.

v-moda m-100
Philips Fidelio X2
Sennheiser HD 598
Meze 99 Classics
Fostex t50rp mk3

Just head to amazon page for the X2s and click used - http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00O2Y2MZG/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

I use concert earplugs for everything from work to shooting.

These http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETY-Plugs-Protection-Earplugs/dp/B0015WJQ7A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462740484&sr=8-1&keywords=ety+plugs

Or the updated/slghtly more expensive ones http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ER20XS-SMF-P-High-Fidelity-Earplugs/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1462740484&sr=8-3&keywords=ety+plugs

I wear these.

There are other options as well.

I'm a fan of the Etymotic ones I got for myself and wife 10+ years ago. This is a newer model, but same company.

I received these Etymotic ear plugs as a gift, and they have been excellent at preserving sound quality as well as my ears. They've weathered Windhand, Conan, , and Weedeater, among others, just fine.

Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sxin_3_ac_d_rm?ac_md=2-2-ZXR5bW90aWMgZWFycGx1Z3M%3D-ac_d_rm&crid=1PNGS9GQ599X9&keywords=high+fidelity+ear+plugs&pd_rd_i=B00RM6Q9XW&pd_rd_r=4fd9b037-1144-4f7c-94a2-2f7a3fa62d7f&pd_rd_w=XJ0PH&pd_rd_wg=Wv2MX&pf_rd_p=404c4843-2c96-4d0d-a5fe-2b0598693e61&pf_rd_r=7YK5QWW3VPEKHC7SH772&qid=1569428498&s=gateway&sprefix=high+fidel%2Caps%2C160

I'm a big fan of these Etymotic earplugs. It's not perfect but they do a good job of cutting down the sound without muffling it as much as cheap foam ones. Been using them for 10 years now.

Apparently there's a newer version but I haven't tried them.

Here: https://www.amazon.ca/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Polybag/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/


Also this one: https://www.amazon.ca/Etymotic-High-Def-Motorsport-Earplugs-Universal/dp/B010C8HZSY

I used these Etymotic earplugs this last edc and they worked great!

Thanks. When I saw your description and that you gave a link, I was expecting some fancy, expensive ones (maybe like these). Your suggestion isn't like that, though. How durable are they (eg, do they start to crack after a while like the cheapo sponge ones or get permanently squished too quickly)?

I've seen that kind (bell shaped, multi-coloured) around but don't know if they're Howard Leight. Do you (or anyone) know if the Howard Leight's are the ones to look for or are similar ones okay, too?

Cool username, BTW.

Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, 1 pair, Polybag Packaging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QUFXBbM3NRHJK

Getting these ear plugs for an upcoming music festival. Can anybody vouch before I purchase?

This is a fantastic write up!

On the ear plugs thing I wish I had worn earplugs from the beginning cause the hearing in my right ear is pretty fucked with tinnitus so now I use these and they work great! They lower the volume without ruining sound quality.

The standing point is really good as well but I’ve been to some pretty small venues where it doesn’t hold up as well, one of my favorite venues is a place called sound bar in downtown Orlando but the entire floor turns into a pit there’s nowhere you can stand except out at the bar where you can’t see the stage that you aren’t either in the pit or getting hit by people in the pit. It’s a ton of fun but maybe a little too intense for a first timer. A few of my favorite moments have happened at this place though, somehow someone got a hold of a floor fan and was moshing with it not hurting anyone but just holding it up in the air and moshing it was hilarious(I’ll try and find a picture) then the singer of one of the opening bands stage dove later in the show and surfed all the way from one end of the place to the front door.

Going alone to concerts is one of my favorite things to do I can go where I want and not have to worry about finding them at the end, a lot of times there are bands I want to see the are under the headliner but I’m not actually interested in the headliner and if I go by myself I can enjoy the bands I want to see and leave when I want.

This is a real tragedy. But man, dont blame yourself. Carry on. Tell people about hearing loss and countermeasures. There are lot's of celebs with hearing loss problems...
https://noisecountermeasures.com/celebs-with-tinitus.html
SO don't panic, your life is not ruined. Educate others. Tell them that they should avoid noise exposure or protect their hearing.
For example when you attend loud concerts you should use earplugs with audio filters. And you should consider Frequency reduction values table. I made a research on this theme not so long ago. Here is the table for ~$20-30 earplugs for concerts:

|Vendor Average reduction Value|125 HZ|250 HZ|500 HZ|1000HZ|2000HZ|4000HZ|8000HZ|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|
|Crioxen Earplugs|15.1|15.4|17.1|19.9|26.9|17.7|29.9|
|ER20XS Earplugs|14.5|14.2|17.1|21.1|25.3|20.5|23.3|
|Eargasm Earplugs|14.7|14.8|16.8|20.3|24.3|21.4|25.7|
|HEAROS Musician Earplugs |14.5|14.1|17.0|17.4|21.2|20.7|23.1|
|Reverbs Earplugs|14.1|13.9|15.2|18.7|22.2|18.3|22.1|
|LiveMus!c Earplugs|13.5|13.5|14.5|17.9|23.1|18.2|20.1|
|Surefire Defenders|12.7|12.9|13.2|16.8|19.9|19.2|19.1|
|DownBeats Earplugs|12.9|13.2|13.1|17.4|22.2|19.7|21.1|
|Decibullz Earplugs|14.7|14.9|17.0|20.4|23.2|20.5|23.7|

​

Ear plugs like these made for noise reduction are the best. I can't recommend them enough! I wear them to every concert I go to. They don't block out the sound like regular foam ear plugs; it's as if someone just turns down the volume.

I have these, for only around $20

these are good too -- the shorter stubs are less likely to get pushed into your ear when hugging/bumping into some one

Etymotic Research ER20XS-SMF-P High-Fidelity Earplugs, 1 Pair, Standard Fit, Polybag Package https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0cQgyb7STTBPN

I've used these (and given away more pairs than I can count over the years) for every concert or loud music environment I am in for a long time.

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ER20XS-SMF-P-High-Fidelity-Earplugs/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482895047&sr=8-1&keywords=etymotic+earplugs

https://www.amazon.ca/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Polybag/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506133696&sr=8-2-spell

I would highly recommend custom plugs. Until then look at these:

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ER20XS-SMF-P-High-Fidelity-Earplugs/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=zg_bs_3779871_19?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZK8JAYQ8HP449JAB6FFX

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2F87I8?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I5DUD8W?th=1

This is some of the most important advice here

I recommend these - still affordable and a step above the generic foam ones you'll find around, I've always been happy with the sound quality coming through them.

the ones he has are very, very similar. :)

these are his:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For the minimum range, you're looking at spending around $70-80 USD. I personally love my Sennheiser PC 363D for gaming and my Sennheiser HD 598 SE for music but those are slightly more expensive (Sennheiser PC 363D on Amazon and Sennheiser HD 598 SE on Amazon).

I found these headphones on Amazon that might interest you:

• Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
  
  
• Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones bundled with HP-SC Replacement Cable
  
  
• Sennheiser HD 518 Headphones (Black)
  
  
• Sennheiser HD 558 Headphones
  
  
• Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones (Black)
  
  
• Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones (Black).

Budget: sub 80$

Source: PC, sometimes smartphone.

Requirements for isolation: prefer open, since they are more comfortable, but open to compromises.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public: no.

Preferred type of headphone: full size preferred

Preferred type of balance: balanced, but i think at this price point I'll take what sounds best.

Past headphones: Reloop RH 10. Liked them very much in terms of sound, but they turned out to be very fragile.

Preferred Music: EDM

Location: Ukraine, but the purchase itself will be probably within the US. Might look at the EU, if the deal is right, not familiar with the market though.

Potential headphones: shp9500(s), OB-1 (really nice price on this one on Amazon 50 bux only), maybe ATH-M30x. Open to new suggestions.

Edit: also looking at AKG K 240 and LyxPro HAS-30, but design wise LynxPro looks like my former reloops, which turned out to be not very reliable. Certified refurbished ATH-M40x deal looks nice, but I've had no experience with this type products.

Thank you for your help in advance :)

buy micro and headphones seperately - I can recommend this (okay, it is kinda the same price and so much better)

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1407249404&sr=8-7&keywords=audio+technica+ath-m50

+

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407249434&sr=8-1&keywords=zalman

I've heard people like the Monoprice 8323 headphones.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8323

Never used them myself. The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x are a nice, less budget price set.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8/

!

Yes Sennheiser is very good, Audio Technica that u/dimebagdil4247 is also very good, Beyerdynamic is my personal favorite and Sony's studio monitor headphones are very good as well.

I have Beyerdynamic DT 250 80 and I bought them because you can replace every single part so if something goes bad you just pay like 8-14 bucks to replace said part. Best investment I have ever made hands down for audio. Will run you about 200 bucks.

My brother has these and these headphones are pretty much just as good as what I have but are only 70 bucks https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=sr_1_7?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1539931189&sr=1-7&keywords=Audio-Technica+Studio+Headphones&dpID=41MgOSCAblL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I mean buy whatever you want I just want you to have a good experience with your headphones because turtle beaches can suck it.

Thank you so much for the incredibly detailed response!

Are the the ones you use? https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

That's in my budget range so I might order them today if so!


Also, is there a certain Midi controller you'd recommend? Embarrassingly I'm still a bit confused by how to use them/ the purpose. Again, thank you!

I don't want to pry but what headphones did you buy? I work in an office environment in my own high walled cube. I'm in a financial position dealing with a lot of spreadsheets. However, the marketing department are my neighbors. All lovely ladies, but very chatty, energetic and loud. I have your same problem, however it is completely mitigated by my headphones. The only thing I can hear is if someone is literally yelling and even then it's very faint. I turn music on at about mid volume and it's like I'm completely alone.

Just to be clear, audio technica or akg is probably the best for gaming. The audio technica closed back have a microphone attachment

HyperX Cloud II
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SAYCVTQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IaqXBb4TTS9S9

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4kqXBb99HCP84

This should be fine for games but Im picky about sound so id go up to the 50x which is double the price. Balanced sound and decent noise isolation makes this entire line the default pick for music, just dont expect to sleep through a stabbing on the floor above you. Im told that the ath50x is the preferred headphones in recording studios

AKG K240STUDIO Semi-Open Studio Headphones
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001ARCFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MmqXBbQ0PFQ44

These akg headphones is what I have for gaming and music both. Best value per dollar imo but zero noise isolation. More balanced sound than the open back audio technica headphones which has irreperably weak bass.

The akg ones also have a classic style if thats your thing, where the HyperX looks like youre at the gun range

I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M35.

I would rebuy them without any hesitation.

Looks like they're not available any more, but you can get the ATH-M30x for $55 on amazon. The ATH-M40x for $90 and the ATH-M50x for $120.

I'm really impressed with the M35, and the 30x is supposedly the newer version of it. If you want you can spend more money and get he 40 or 50, but I think you would have to take a hard look at the specs and understand the differences to justify it.

I've had mine for 4 years, used every workday. Continually solid.

I also have some Sennheiser HD205II, and a Logitech G930 with the 7.1 surround, mic, and wireless.

The Sennheiser are just not in the same ballpark, and are a very tight fit, leading to me not wanting to wear them for extended periods. The ATH I can and do wear all day. The logitech are mostly just for gaming and for taking advantage of the wireless (and for conferencing with work when I WFH).

I personally have the Audio Technica ATH-M30x and they are really comfortable and sound really good. These are the best of the best though. For microphones, the Snowball is pretty good but I got the Yeti for $60 during black friday and its amazing

These

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=pd_cp_MI_0

Cheap. Sound good.

Upper Limit:

This:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ath-m40

And This: https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-Fifine-Condenser-Recordings-YouTube/dp/B01D4HTIOY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503007383&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+mic
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Lower Limit:

This: https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503007546&sr=8-1&keywords=ath-m30

And This: https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-aitesco-Omnidirectional-Condenser-Interviews/dp/B072Q2GH99/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1503007383&sr=8-4&keywords=usb+mic

I have a few suggestions:

• OBS Multiplatform. Works good for recording game play, is free, and allows for multiple audio streams. Can be used instead of Fraps or as a backup program.
  
  
• Audacity: Free audio editing program that has lots of good features.
  
  
• HitFilm 3 Express: Also a free video editing program. I would have a copy along with blender as a backup.
  
  For USB 3.0 External HDD i have heard good things about the WD Elements products. I had WD internal drives and have had no issues. I record 1080p 60fps. You'll have a little less speed with an external, so maybe do 1080p, 720p 60 fps, or 720p.
  
  
• For a microphone I highly suggest getting a standalone mic and a headset instead of using the built in mic. You''ll get much, much better sound quality that way. Maybe a Blue Snowball, ATR-2100, ATR-2500, or Samson C01u.
  
  
• For headsets, I suggest the Logitech G430, Steelseries Siberia V3, ATH-M30x, or a nice pair of Sennheisers.

The real issue is that there's no way she got a good deal either. The ATH-M30x headphones are only $100 and sound great. There's a good chance she will never need a set better than these and there's no way she did her research to get a good pair for the price.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8

Done.