*TPU's Gaming Headphone/Headset Thread*

[Saidrex]

Hence why i said to up your budget. think of it as an investment.

Could https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JJNQG98/?tag=tec053-21 these be better? little more expensive but look better quality

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Could https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JJNQG98/?tag=tec053-21 these be better? little more expensive but look better quality

First gen Kingston Hyper X Cloud headphones were very very very highly praised back in the day.

 

[Saidrex]

First gen Kingston Hyper X Cloud headphones were very very very highly praised back in the day.

gonna go with these then over my budget but knowing my luck with always trying to cheapen out on things.... thank you very much

 

[Saidrex]

First gen Kingston Hyper X Cloud headphones were very very very highly praised back in the day.

I'm so indecisive. Now started looking at HyperX Cloud II. is the extra cost worth going from Cloud to Cloud 2?

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I'm so indecisive. Now started looking at HyperX Cloud II. is the extra cost worth going from Cloud to Cloud 2?

Do it and come back and tell us about it

 

[Frag_Maniac]

If you want an option in between your preferred pricing and the above suggested Saidrex, take a look at these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HVLUR18/?tag=tec053-21

 

[FreedomEclipse]

If you want an option in between your preferred pricing and the above suggested Saidrex, take a look at these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HVLUR18/?tag=tec053-21

I would also state there is no mic on these so if you need to factor in the cost of either a V-Moda BoomPro or an Antlion Audio ModMic.

I have both of these and prefer the modmic though I think i either have the V2 or V3 version... Very good peices of kit

 

[Saidrex]

If you want an option in between your preferred pricing and the above suggested Saidrex, take a look at these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HVLUR18/?tag=tec053-21

thank you, will take a look.

I would also state there is no mic on these so if you need to factor in the cost of either a V-Moda BoomPro or an Antlion Audio ModMic.

I have both of these and prefer the modmic though I think i either have the V2 or V3 version... Very good peices of kit

i have no need for a mic rn, i usually hate built in mics for their quality anyway. lol. that's why liked that HyperX Clouds have detachable mic, a very nice feature. Thank you for options for mics too, when i need one deff will take a look at these

 

[Frag_Maniac]

...i have no need for a mic rn, i usually hate built in mics for their quality anyway.

Then don't even look at headsets, especially in lower price ranges, because you'll only get lesser sound quality.

 

[brandonwh64]

I am still rocking a first gen Astro A40's. I ditched the mix amp cause its a POS and started having issues with the volume nob. I went with a 4 pole to Y splitter to my onboard audio and I must say, its a night and day difference audio and mic quality.

 

[Saidrex]

Well.... in the end i went with HyperX Cloud headpones and i'm not sure how i feel about them. After a day of using them not entirelly happy with them, sound is kinda off. Maybe just how it feels with over ears headphones, haven't used to them. With my old headpones all sounds were kinda softer, more pleasant sounding... with HyperX cloud they are kinda sharper and it really bothers me and it seems my old ones had better sound quality even tho they were some 30$ off-brand. lol. Just overall rn feeling like my old ones were much better. Oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Well.... in the end i went with HyperX Cloud headpones and i'm not sure how i feel about them. After a day of using them not entirelly happy with them, sound is kinda off. Maybe just how it feels with over ears headphones, haven't used to them. With my old headpones all sounds were kinda softer, more pleasant sounding... with HyperX cloud they are kinda sharper and it really bothers me and it seems my old ones had better sound quality even tho they were some 30$ off-brand. lol. Just overall rn feeling like my old ones were much better. Oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

some headphones sound better after you give them some 'burn in' time.

 

[Saidrex]

some headphones sound better after you give them some 'burn in' time.

I'm hoping so. Gotta say i'm impressed with overall presentation of headphones, such fancy packaging and so much extras, quality of headphones seem very nice. Very impressive.

 

[Kursah]

Depending on what you're sensitive to, you might try to use an EQ to adjust the treble down a bit. Not sure if the HyperX comes with software that includes an EQ, many headsets do though and while it isn't necessary can come with extra features (many of which can be total garbage to the final audio output).

I prefer to use EqualizerAPO + PeaceUI and a 32-band EQ that I tune, works pretty damn well. You can just edit the EQ text file for EQAPO and not use a GUI, or use a different GUI solution for the EQ. There are other options, this one I have used for years because it just works, is very easy to manage/maintain and is lightweight.

Also if you go the EQAPO route, select the correct audio output devices, you don't have to reboot.

Rather, start up CMD as administrator and run the commands:

net stop audiosrv
net start audiosrv

That'll restart the audio service, which should let EQAPO to modify the sound ouptut of your audio devices. By taking the time to tune the EQ, you can make some noticable changes to the overall sound. I usually use it to emphasize bass for music and movies, and emphasize mid/lower treble for games (if I'm playing anything competitively which is rare anymore). But even with an EQ you won't make a bad pair of headphones or headset sound good, but you might make it more tolerable.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Well.... in the end i went with HyperX Cloud headpones and i'm not sure how i feel about them. After a day of using them not entirelly happy with them, sound is kinda off.

Actually those are headsets, not headphones, and like I said, the money they spend on the mic detracts from what they put into the driver sound quality.

As far as burn in goes, it's best done on moderate music at moderate volumes, though sometimes it only changes the emphasis of the sound, not the staging or quality. Really depends what kind of drivers you're starting with. The stiffer drivers need to loosen up some, and they can change quite a bit in sound after broken in thoroughly.

 

[Saidrex]

Depending on what you're sensitive to, you might try to use an EQ to adjust the treble down a bit. Not sure if the HyperX comes with software that includes an EQ, many headsets do though and while it isn't necessary can come with extra features (many of which can be total garbage to the final audio output).

I prefer to use EqualizerAPO + PeaceUI and a 32-band EQ that I tune, works pretty damn well. You can just edit the EQ text file for EQAPO and not use a GUI, or use a different GUI solution for the EQ. There are other options, this one I have used for years because it just works, is very easy to manage/maintain and is lightweight.

Also if you go the EQAPO route, select the correct audio output devices, you don't have to reboot.

Rather, start up CMD as administrator and run the commands:

net stop audiosrv
net start audiosrv

That'll restart the audio service, which should let EQAPO to modify the sound ouptut of your audio devices. By taking the time to tune the EQ, you can make some noticable changes to the overall sound. I usually use it to emphasize bass for music and movies, and emphasize mid/lower treble for games (if I'm playing anything competitively which is rare anymore). But even with an EQ you won't make a bad pair of headphones or headset sound good, but you might make it more tolerable.

thank so much. I was thinking about trying to look up something like this, this makes things so much easier.

I'm weird when it comes to headphones, took me long time to find my previous ones that didn't sound "unpleasant" for my ears and sound quality seemed nice. But after long use they fell apart and they were off-brand so i can't even identify them to find same or similar ones. lol. Knew it would be hit and miss with new headphones but hopefully after longer use and little tuning up problem will be solved. Right know all sounds feel so sharp, playing Mad Max and makes my heart race every time i use nitro and hear that sharp wooshing sound Thanks again, sorry for the rant

 

[Kursah]

No worries, hopefully it helps you better enjoy your new cans! Keep us posted.

 

[Saidrex]

Actually those are headsets, not headphones, and like I said, the money they spend on the mic detracts from what they put into the driver sound quality.

As far as burn in goes, it's best done on moderate music at moderate volumes, though sometimes it only changes the emphasis of the sound, not the staging or quality. Really depends what kind of drivers you're starting with. The stiffer drivers need to loosen up some, and they can change quite a bit in sound after broken in thoroughly.

yeaaah, but i just didn't want to get into it too much, because i always become obsessive and undecisive. If i would try to choose perfect ones for me and my budget it would turn into 2 month research and sleepless nights

Gonna give these a shot, it's not permanent anyway, in the future planning to get good speakers anyway when i have place for them.

 

[Kursah]

yeaaah, but i just didn't want to get into it too much, because i always become obsessive and undecisive. If i would try to choose perfect ones for me and my budget it would turn into 2 month research and sleepless nights

Gonna give these a shot, it's not permanent anyway, in the future planning to get good speakers anyway when i have place for them.

There's nothing wrong with waiting and taking your time to make an informed decision to be happier with the end result. In-fact I wholly support that option for those patient enough to take that road. Most of the headphone purchases I made weren't made lightly or quickly, many of those reviews are in the OP which dates back quite a few years now.

Good headphones are always nice to have around, especially when you aren't in a situation or space where you can really use good speakers or often enough, or rather need some isolation. Whatever the reason may be, it doesn't hurt to take your time. Being impatient and wanting something now is a decision you can choose to make and did here, had you spent a couple months a more funds on a good pair of headphones, you might be quite a bit happier. Really you're the only one that can know if that'd be true or not. It is your wallet, and as long as you're fine with your purchasing methods and decisions, that's what matters!

 

[Frag_Maniac]

You linked to EqualizerAPO again on the Peace UI link Kursah. Here ya go.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/

 

[Kursah]

You linked to EqualizerAPO agin on the Peace UI link Kursah. Here ya go.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/

For shame...I had both pages open but totally half-assed that one, clearly I wasn't paying enough attention. Thanks!

 

[Frag_Maniac]

For shame...I had both pages open but totally half-assed that one, clearly I wasn't paying enough attention. Thanks!

Hey, btw, I'm going to try EQ APO, and Peace, but was wondering something. Have you also tried the Room EQ Wizard UI that's still suggested on most articles talking about EQ APO, and if so, why did you choose Peace?

 

[Kursah]

I was going to try Room EQ Wizard, but honestly I was so content with PeaceUI and it's simplistic way of allowing for semi-complex EQ curves..not spatial EQ as I don't need that. All I wanted was a simple EQ that I could setup and tune for 16-32-band profiles. Also I wanted the ability to easily maintain multiple profiles with something lightweight, PeaceUI nailed it for me.

REQW seems more focused on adding a mic and tuning to the room, using spatial tuning...my Denon AVR does similar with it's built in AdyseeEQ (or similar). Fine for speakers, not needed for headphones so there's a lot of feature-set I'd never use.

I primarily use headphones with my workstations and laptops and really didn't need a bunch of extra fluff and features that would sit idle. PeaceUI offered that experience without all the extras that REQW UI has. Not saying that stuff isn't useful, it is for many. Just not for me at this current juncture.

The EQAPO+Peace UI combo is effective, lightweight and easy as hell to manage. Can be installed and fired up quickly, tuning is instant, saving profiles and migrating them is a peace of cake. Now I'm so used to it, I don't feel a need to look for anything else in all honesty, it just works.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Yeah, agree, after watching a tutorial vid on Room EQ, and finding you have to register on a site just to DL it, and need a multi freq (vs voice) mic just to use some of the features that set it apart, I decided just to try Peace.

All I'm really looking for is a more advance EQ than Reakltek's built in one, and something that has enough bands to fine tune the freqs that my Beyer DT-770 Pros dip or extend on. I already got a hold of innerfidelity's freq respon chart on my cans, and from what I've read, their's are the most accurate.

 

[Kursah]

Yep, too much hassle...I'll say Peace is far better than Realtek's EQ...even if you limited the bands to 8-12. Peace doesn't take much to learn, and is pretty easy to dial in IMHO. LMK what you think of it once you've had a chance to use it. I hope you'll agree with me that it works well for EQ needs. I used to prefer Creative's EQ...because it was effective. But Peace + EQAPO does a damn fine job and for free I cannot complain at all.

DT-770 Pro's are nice cans man, you got the 80's, 250's or 600's?

I always wanted to try Beyers, but when I was almost sure to go with the 770's I snagged a deal on some used Denon D2000's instead, that I enjoyed the heck out of for a while....but are now collecting dust on the shelf until I finish rebuilding one of the earcup hinges, not broken yet...but I don't want to let them get that far. If I'd have just bought the Beyer's they'd probably still be going strong without any issues aside from replacing the pads.

I loaded up one of the included EQ's that had 32-bands available, flattened the EQ, and then dialed it in with a night of tunes, videos and games. Made a couple of different versions for gaming and entertainment, and did the same for a couple other pairs of headphones I have laying around...I primarily use my AKG K553 Pro's these days, downgraded from some HiFi Man HE-400's, but gotta say the 553's have kept me happy for years now. Though I just was gifted some HiFi Man HE350 Massdrop Editions I'm super stoked to fire up...when the wife won't shoot me for the sound leak from the open back design lol.