*TPU's Gaming Headphone/Headset Thread*

[RCoon]

people like you are why my teamspeak 3 server is locked to PTT only. hate the goddamned skype mouth breathers, and the feedback, and eeeurgh. maybe 1 in 100 people actually have a good mic and dont give feedback.

That's why I have good quality audio hardware. I also despise mouthbreathers. If you can't set up your equipment properly, you don't deserve the luxury of voice detection.

 

[remixedcat]

yeti?

 

[RCoon]

yeti?

Also a very legit choice, but pricey!

 

[remixedcat]

If I wanted a mic I would get a yeti. Heard lots of good things about em

 

[BumbleBee]

the only decent analog one with a 3.5mm jack is the Modmic.

people like you are why my teamspeak 3 server is locked to PTT only. hate the goddamned skype mouth breathers, and the feedback, and eeeurgh. maybe 1 in 100 people actually have a good mic and dont give feedback.

lol

 

[khemist]

Old.



New, also have modimc attached.

 

[khemist]

I think i will keep both of these so i have a good pair of open and closed headphones.... i think.

 

[xBruce88x]

I just picked up a pair of Star Wars Ed. Turtle beach headphones. they sound pretty good and have nice bass, better for 50mm, and have a nice mic that come with them. my room mate uses them more than me though. but thats ok i've still got my Microsoft Lifechat 3000.

http://www.turtlebeach.com/product-detail/pc-headsets/star-wars-stereo-pc-gaming-headset/559

they also plug in nicely to his PS4's controller.

 

[n-ster]

Upgraded my AD700 to a SoundMagic HP200

It really needs the burn-in, once it is burned it, it is AWESOME bang/buck. God the detail is great and it's a fun sound signature without it being too tiring, perfect for me. Great all around, games movies or music

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Im deciding if i should grab some Fidelio X1/00 that are openbox and going dirt cheap on Amazon.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

small update..

the price dropped even further and I nabbed the last open box that only had damaged packaging instead of cosmetic damage like the rest of them. Grabbed myself a Fisual S-Flex Mini 1.5m 3.5mm Jack to 3.5mm cable along with the headphones to replace the stock one too as i have read on head-hifi that the stock one is passable but not of superior quality

 

[R00kie]

Hiya guys, I've got a quick question. Which one, DT 990 Pro or DT 770 Pro, would be better in terms of frequency flatness, as they're pretty much the same price right now?

 

[Kursah]

From what I've researched of those two in the pas I think the 990s would be a better bet... I've heard the 770's are much more elevated in the bass department. If you want flatness I don't think either one would be your best option. But then I've heard amazing things about both pairs of cans, and there's something about owning headphones that feel indestructible. Keep us posted on what you purchase!



I prefer bass heavy 'phones, but I don't like to sacrifice my mids and hi's. I have really come to apprecite my HE-400's for performing so well here. No they don't have D2000 bass, but guess where those have been since I got these HE-400's a year ago? In storage.

 

[R00kie]

From what I've researched of those two in the pas I think the 990s would be a better bet... I've heard the 770's are much more elevated in the bass department. If you want flatness I don't think either one would be your best option. But then I've heard amazing things about both pairs of cans, and there's something about owning headphones that feel indestructible. Keep us posted on what you purchase!



I prefer bass heavy 'phones, but I don't like to sacrifice my mids and hi's. I have really come to apprecite my HE-400's for performing so well here. No they don't have D2000 bass, but guess where those have been since I got these HE-400's a year ago? In storage.

Seems to me that DT770's elevated bass is due to their closed design, which is kinda a turnoff for me. Oh well, looks like the DT990's are a clear choice for me then.

 

[theJesus]

Hiya guys, I've got a quick question. Which one, DT 990 Pro or DT 770 Pro, would be better in terms of frequency flatness, as they're pretty much the same price right now?

Check this out: http://www.headphone.com/pages/build-a-graph

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCo...]=2141&graphID[]=2131&graphID[]=2241&scale=30

I don't know if those are "Pro" on that graph, but in general it looks like the 990 is probably flatter. Plus, it's a higher model number, so that always means better, amirite?

 

[BumbleBee]

small update..

the price dropped even further and I nabbed the last open box that only had damaged packaging instead of cosmetic damage like the rest of them. Grabbed myself a Fisual S-Flex Mini 1.5m 3.5mm Jack to 3.5mm cable along with the headphones to replace the stock one too as i have read on head-hifi that the stock one is passable but not of superior quality

I think they might have fixed the cable in later production runs.

 

[BumbleBee]

i'm not positive. I want to say I read someone measured the impedance of the stock cable 6 months ago and it was fine but I could be making that up. nice headphone

Hiya guys, I've got a quick question. Which one, DT 990 Pro or DT 770 Pro, would be better in terms of frequency flatness, as they're pretty much the same price right now?

the 990 Pro would be flatter but there is a lot of competition @ $250-$350.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Got these Fideliohs in. They sound nice on my phone but a shitty kind of nice. definitely a headset that needs to be amped. Currently listening to some stuff like Celldweller & Blue Stahli (headphones plugged into my Creative SB-Z) and so far pretty impressuuu~

Bass at the moment seems quite boomy but i heard this tightens up a lot more once they have been proper burn in (some quotes in headhifi saying at least 150hrs burn in) Looking forward to using these in gaming.

 

[Horrux]

So I'm using the Sennheiser PC 363D with the G4ME 1 USB sound card (I also have a Creative soundblaster, but I guess it's useless now)...

One question: The USB sound card can be put into 2 ch, 4 ch, 5.1 ch and 7.1 ch configs. I should set them to whichever mode the game I'm playing supports?

So for example, Insurgency supports 5.1 surround but not 7.1. So I set the sound card to 5.1 and the game to 5.1 also?

Sennheiser isn't clear on this, but I imagine it's pretty much the same for any other virtual surround headset?

Also, is there a way to get TRULY 3D sound, not just 2D. Above and below directionality have largely escaped me, no matter how much money I throw at the problem. So what's the deal?

 

[Mussels]

So I'm using the Sennheiser PC 363D with the G4ME 1 USB sound card (I also have a Creative soundblaster, but I guess it's useless now)...

One question: The USB sound card can be put into 2 ch, 4 ch, 5.1 ch and 7.1 ch configs. I should set them to whichever mode the game I'm playing supports?

So for example, Insurgency supports 5.1 surround but not 7.1. So I set the sound card to 5.1 and the game to 5.1 also?

Sennheiser isn't clear on this, but I imagine it's pretty much the same for any other virtual surround headset?

Also, is there a way to get TRULY 3D sound, not just 2D. Above and below directionality have largely escaped me, no matter how much money I throw at the problem. So what's the deal?

above and below are not supported by any sound techonology.

 

[theJesus]

above and below are not supported by any sound techonology.

Dolby Atmos will support it. Not sure how much content will actually be engineered to really make use of it though.

 

[Horrux]

above and below are not supported by any sound techonology.

That's exactly what I have been telling myself and others, but the noobs won't listen. 7.1 has no above/below, but I was hoping that perhaps Dolby 7.1 headphone virtualisation would somehow make it happen. But they call it "3D sound", so everyone thinks it is actual 3D... Sigh.

And I also wish games had room partitioning in their sound processing, i.e. you shouldn't hear someone running on a concrete building's floor above you as if they were right HERE...

I guess I'm just picky?

Thanks for the info though. I'll stop looking for the perfect "3D sound"...

 

[erixx]

FreedomEclipse: I also own the Philips Fidelio X1 and I like it a lot (sound and construction). I also changed the cable to a short spiral one for computer use. I enjoy it a lot.

 

[Kursah]

Alright time for a couple of reviews.

Grizzly Buds Ear Buds

(Formerly Ironbuds, successful Kickstarter for the most part)

The Good:

• Affordable @ $35.
• Modular, so you can replace either bud or the cable easily.
• Replacement parts fairly priced.
• Easy to drive.
• Great bass.
• Decent mids and treble.
• Sounds great out MP3 players and dedicated amps.

The Bad:

• Cable keeps kinks from shipping for a long time.
• Strong chemical smell for weeks after new.
• Company not well known, and so-so customer service previous to Grizzly Buds.
• Limited soundstage (par for the course with this design).

The Review:

I backed the original Ironbuds and received my cheaply painted wood encased pair that came with adapters, extra buds, tips, and a case. Was blown away by the bass they produced, but they always lacked a clear midrange and treble was just okay. They made good buds for workouts because they were modular and came apart under accidents. But only about a year in the cable had a seperation at the left connector and when I tried to order a new cable they were out of stock and could only tell me they were waiting on suppliers. Not very impressed, but at least they replied.

Enter the Grizzly Buds in 2014, and they seem to be trying to change face. The new model has aluminum housings, and much higher quality standards for near the same price, without the extras of course. I haven't needed to order any spare parts, everything seems much better built and more solid though. The sound improved tremendously.

One thing both pairs have in common? They're easy to drive! Every device from smartphones to my little Sansa MP3 player to my Aune T1 dac/amp, to my Denon AVR-1613 receiver, they scale well. The Grizzly Buds scale much much better though.

The bass, as much as your ear drums and EQ can handle. I've tried to find the end or limits...without too much permanent damage and haven't found it. Do be warned, you will reach a point where the bass starts to overpower the rest of it before you find clipping...at least that's my findings. The mids and treble are so much better than the Ironbuds that its almost astounding. One will toss those first gen units after listening to these.

I've mostly listened to sub-$100 buds, and these compete with all of them to me. The buds are large and heavy, but sound great. I was even impressed with how well they were for gaming, the soundstage is clearly limited but it pulls out the excitement of all the aural goodness that modern games provide. Which is nice if you have a significant other that hates hearing your music and games or you prefer isolation.

On that note, isolation is great too, sure with no volume you can hear someone you have to pay more attention because it will be muted as most ear buds do. Honestly I'm glad I gave these guys a second shot, these earbuds have been fantastic, durable, and strong. They have complemented my full size headphones greatly and are my go-to when I want the best sound I can have without big ass headphones on my dome. Sure I could likely find better if I really wanted to look and had the money, but with these I'm content.

Summary: Good and cheap if you're willing to take a risk on an unknown name.


HiFiMan HE-400

The Good:

• One of the most affordable planar magnetic headphones.
• Very well built, tough, durable, feel almost industrial.
• Detachable cable.
• One of the bassiest open headphones I've ever heard!
• Really benefit from amplification and EQ.
• Pleather and Velour pads available.
• Premium sounds that rivals much more expensive headphones.
• Amazing speed and seperation of instruments in music or sounds in games due to planar technology.
• Did I mention the amazing bass?
• Clear, crisp and energetic mid and treble. Brings out new details in every sound played.
• Amazing soundstage, games like Elite Dangerous really benefit from this, so does music.

The Bad:

• Heavy, and can be uncomfortable after a couple hours or so.
• Extremely open for open headphones, no isolation, at all, whatsoever.
• I dislike the mini-ST style cable connections at each cup. But it is effective.
• Harder to drive than many other headphones, especially if you expect decent bass response an amp is required.

The Review:

Well I bought these in December 2013, and have loved them ever since. Best $300+ headphone I've ever owned or listened to. Just been blown away by the planar magnetic experience. The speed of the drivers, the response, the clarity and detail all just amazing. Makes my D2000's feel lazy, makes everything else seem a little shrouded.

While some complain of the weight, I never really minded it and the memory foam pad on the headband was okay...though the newer strap design on the 400i and 560 is MUCH more comfortable. The earpads from those headphones will transfer to these and many report massively improved comfort, some also buy a snap-on headband pad from Amazon to increase comfort.

When I first listened to these, I pretty much HAD to listen to my entire music collection all over again. It sounded like I had missed so much...like all my songs were new. Sounds in games I never noticed. Soundstage that was wide and vast, yet crisp and focused. The bass, while not as low as the D2000's, the bass seems to have more punch and still reaches very very low. Doesn't ever overpower the rest. Vocals and instruments sound amazing, as do gunshots and explosions and the amazing ship noises in Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen. Battles in SupCom or PA are truly epic and vast. Movies are also amazing.

The caveat? Open headphones are for limited applications. I've listened to these HE-400's almost daily since I bought them, and they are in great shape. The painted "L" on the left adjuster faded off almost right away but the R has remained. Beyond that, I had a cracked cable shield that was replaced under warranty, and the longest period I went in between listening to these. Living with someone whom is noise sensitive, especially when they're trying to sleep and I'm only 10 feet away means I can't enjoy these at a comfortable volume. These are best when you have the house to yourself or the others don't mind what you're listening to you. It will be loud outside and inside of these phones. The only isolation you'll get from these when listening to them is volume. Beyond there there's a couple of foam pieces a metal grid and the planar membrane and magnets separating you from the outside.

I have sadly decided to sell these because I cannot enjoy them as much as I wanted to, except for as I write this because everyone's gone and my Aune T1 is warmed up!

I will miss these headphones and look forward to finding one with isolation that can reproduce even 2/3 the sound these did. While I still enjoy my D2000's, they really do pale in comparison to these. Really everything else I've listened to or owned has paled in comparison to these. The 400i's are supposed to be better, more comfortable, easier to drive and lighter, but with less bass. Ymmv.

From what I've found, which my experience and reach is limited due to budget and where I live, these are the best headphones in this price-range if you can be alright with the open design. I consider myself a basshead still, not as hardcore as I once was but these produce more than I need and are easy to EQ up for that need. These also are more sensitive to different DACs and AMPs than I was used to. These show the most notable difference between the Aune T1 and Denon AVR-1613. While the T1 hit a little harder, the Denon reached lower and sounded smoother overall. Was an interesting find. Enjoy losing your free time if you have a large music collection, you'll want to hear it all. Be warned, crappy quality will sound crappy as these headphones expose everything. Still worth every penny.

Summary: Amazing experience. If you can find comfort with them, they're worth it!

I figured I better review the HE-400's before I sell them to fund my closed-back planar experience, I just ordered a pair of Oppo PM-3's. I'll really miss the HE-400 sound and bass, and hope the PM-3's are worth it..if not there's a full refund policy. I'm also working with Boston Acoustics/Denon to order parts for my D2000's hinges to refurbish them, and will decide if I keep the legends or sell them.

I just recently went through my collection from the JVC HA-RX700 modded, JVC HA-DX3's, D2000's, and HE-400's A|B|C|D-ing them. I'm still blown away how good the old, durable and cheap HA-RX700's sound. I still have a brand-new unopened pair of those...I always hinge on selling. I'll be keeping my original pair regardless. If I could've tolerated the 2/3 D2000 sound I'd have just stuck with those! Honestly it's pretty damn good, not sure if they still sell these for cheap or not, but if they do...I still recommend them!

 

[BumbleBee]

So I'm using the Sennheiser PC 363D with the G4ME 1 USB sound card (I also have a Creative soundblaster, but I guess it's useless now)...

One question: The USB sound card can be put into 2 ch, 4 ch, 5.1 ch and 7.1 ch configs. I should set them to whichever mode the game I'm playing supports?

So for example, Insurgency supports 5.1 surround but not 7.1. So I set the sound card to 5.1 and the game to 5.1 also?

Sennheiser isn't clear on this, but I imagine it's pretty much the same for any other virtual surround headset?

Also, is there a way to get TRULY 3D sound, not just 2D. Above and below directionality have largely escaped me, no matter how much money I throw at the problem. So what's the deal?

the deal is 3D sound in headphones sucks. it all just sounds like reverb to me.

Smyth Realizer is the best money can buy

http://www.smyth-research.com/products.html