Lockjaw333
Member
Good quality headphones with good stereo sound and separation are better than 7.1 virtual surround. I've been down that road and tried it all. Good stereo is the best.
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Best High End Gaming Headset
- Thread starter MyNameIsRye
- Start date
GustyGardens
Banned
Has anyone tried the Astro MixAmp Pro TR?
'm using some AKG headphones with modmic, but I feel like I should add the MixAmp to the fray.
'm using some AKG headphones with modmic, but I feel like I should add the MixAmp to the fray.
VlaudTheImpaler
tl;dr
I know a lot of people are recommending Sennheiser Game series but for real, try and go above that. This is what I just came from and let me tell you it really wasn't much of a jump over Astro's. The largest jump I've seen came with a nice pair of audiophile headsets. For me it was the E-MU's. I have used, in this order, Tritton AX Pro's with milti drivers for "True" Surround sound, Astro Pro wireless and Sennheiser Game Zero's. None of those ever gave me the impression of a sound stage where the sounds actually separate instead of everything being jammed together. With these headsets I only ever experienced a small fraction of the sound quality and positional audio experience that I now have with the setup shown below.
The entire setup cost me just a little over $700 but I saved for a while and I bought it piece by piece over time, both the amp and dac where bought used like new.
The headphones here where without a doubt the most expensive investment. But it would behoove you to save up and do the same. In the end it would pay off with your enjoyment.
This is what is called an end game setup. I only plan to sell my Fiio and buy a dedicated DAC to solve some sound issues that I have with my GPU but this is going to last me for the rest of my life. I don't feel the need to go any further than this. I feel content and it's amazing.
My brother and his SO came over and tried them out and they where all over it like crack. It was cute because it was during my grandma's funeral reception at my house and instead of mingling all they wanted to do was test all of their playlists with the E-MU's.
The entire setup cost me just a little over $700 but I saved for a while and I bought it piece by piece over time, both the amp and dac where bought used like new.
The headphones here where without a doubt the most expensive investment. But it would behoove you to save up and do the same. In the end it would pay off with your enjoyment.
This is what is called an end game setup. I only plan to sell my Fiio and buy a dedicated DAC to solve some sound issues that I have with my GPU but this is going to last me for the rest of my life. I don't feel the need to go any further than this. I feel content and it's amazing.
My brother and his SO came over and tried them out and they where all over it like crack. It was cute because it was during my grandma's funeral reception at my house and instead of mingling all they wanted to do was test all of their playlists with the E-MU's.
I use the Xbox One version on... my Xbox One. I love it. I don't know what else to say. I'm no audiophile.
I know it works fine on 360 and PS4 and PS3(pretty sure),anything with an optical out port, just no voice chat through it then.
TheChewyWaffles
Member
Are ATH-A700's good to use? I think I have a pair around here somewhere.
With plain stereo sound that just pans across the two channels you cannot even tell whether a sound is directly in front or behind you.
You get hard panning which cuts from one ear to the other as your view passes by something emitting sound.
You don't get any crossfeed information for your brain to localize sounds with; each channel is completely isolated from the other.
With stereo audio hardware, you are completely reliant on the game to produce a good headphone mix - and the majority of games do not.
With virtual surround hardware you have the option to convert 5.1/7.1 to a binaural headphone mix with HRTFs applied, or disable it and let the game handle the audio if it actually does its own 3D audio processing. (5.1/7.1 surround are 2D)
Yeah, it's generally not a good idea to leave most virtual surround systems enabled when you're listening to a stereo music source.
Beyond that, it's not going to hurt audio quality.
Seems like a very decent pair of headphones, so why not?
I use a fiio E17k and think it's fantastic for gaming. Couple it with the K5 dock for even more power if you have some hungry headphones. I use this setup with my Sennheiser HD600s. I also use the fast track pro here as an input for my Behringer B1 microphone. I do voice work in addition to my radio day job, so I just use it for gaming, too.
I use the Sennheiser 363d with my XB1 and PC. It came with a USB soundcard to enable the virtual surround sound stuff, but I never turn that stuff on. They're awesome, imo, and have a good quality mic. They're open, which I prefer.
To use them with the XB1, I had to buy an adapter that would take the audio and mic jacks and combine them into one. It looks similar to this
To use them with the XB1, I had to buy an adapter that would take the audio and mic jacks and combine them into one. It looks similar to this
AstroNut325
Member
Are Phillips SHP9500S good headphones? Anyone know how they compare to the 598s?
Thinking of getting this deal:
https://slickdeals.net/f/9716536-ph...ree-shipping-via-newegg?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1
Thinking of getting this deal:
https://slickdeals.net/f/9716536-ph...ree-shipping-via-newegg?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1
MyNameIsRye
Member
Are these plug and play? I don't need an amp or anything. I'm new to this.
Aztechnology
Member
With these, the 250 ohm might be ok without. But it will be much better with an Amp. You can use a portable smaller amp with the 250 ohm though.
jabberwocker
Banned
I know a lot of people are recommending Sennheiser Game series but for real, try and go above that. This is what I just came from and let me tell you it really wasn't much of a jump over Astro's. The largest jump I've seen came with a nice pair of audiophile headsets. For me it was the E-MU's. I have used, in this order, Tritton AX Pro's with milti drivers for "True" Surround sound, Astro Pro wireless and Sennheiser Game Zero's. None of those ever gave me the impression of a sound stage where the sounds actually separate instead of everything being jammed together. With these headsets I only ever experienced a small fraction of the sound quality and positional audio experience that I now have with the setup shown below.
The entire setup cost me just a little over $700 but I saved for a while and I bought it piece by piece over time, both the amp and dac where bought used like new.
The headphones here where without a doubt the most expensive investment. But it would behoove you to save up and do the same. In the end it would pay off with your enjoyment.
This is what is called an end game setup. I only plan to sell my Fiio and buy a dedicated DAC to solve some sound issues that I have with my GPU but this is going to last me for the rest of my life. I don't feel the need to go any further than this. I feel content and it's amazing.
My brother and his SO came over and tried them out and they where all over it like crack. It was cute because it was during my grandma's funeral reception at my house and instead of mingling all they wanted to do was test all of their playlists with the E-MU's.
Props to the mk dot I, have a mkIII. Question what are running to the dot since it accepts analog only?
edit: nm You have a filo.
Lockjaw333
Member
Buy them. They are absurd for $55.
You can add a v-moda boom mic for another $30 i believe and have an incredible gaming headset.
They are excellent. Way better than any gaming branded headsets save for maybe the expensive GAME series. They are competitive with even $200 headphones.
SHP9500 are slightly more detailed and have more distinct treble. The bass isn't weak but it isn't amazing. 598s has more bass (still not amazing) and sounds "warmer". Neither is objectively better. For both casual and competitive gaming, the 598s is probably a bit better due to the more comfortable/immersive sounds but it is also like 3x the price where I live. IMHO, there are a decent amount of exceptionally good headphones to be had at lower price brackets that make the 598 look like bad value for your money. You can get a SHP9500 and a Status CB-1 for the same price as a single 598 where I live and basically have access to high degrees of quality sounds in 2 different flavours (closed and bassy, open and accurate).
Also, SHP9500's are more comfortable for long-term wear on your head out of the box.
veloxStrix
Banned
The best - and only real high end gaming headset in my opinion - is the Sennheiser PC363. Aside from that I would agree with going the route most people will suggeset - headphones and a clip mic.
Do you not have an amp at all? I remember them being pretty rough without one. Maybe I'm thinking of the K712. What is your budget?
On the low-end, any of the Schiit ($99 and up) amps should be able to run it well as far as the numbers go. I've had them paired up with JDS Labs C5D Amp+DAC combo before. It's a good portable option as well priced at a fairly affordable $250. Matrix Audio M-Stage HPA-2 Classic is pretty ugly but it sounds great.
Do you not have an amp at all? I remember them being pretty rough without one. Maybe I'm thinking of the K712. What is your budget?
On the low-end, any of the Schiit ($99 and up) amps should be able to run it well as far as the numbers go. I've had them paired up with JDS Labs C5D Amp+DAC combo before. It's a good portable option as well priced at a fairly affordable $250. Matrix Audio M-Stage HPA-2 Classic is pretty ugly but it sounds great.
Sword Of Doom
Member
As others have already said, don't waste your money on a headset, gaming or otherwise.
HD600 and Fidelio is a smart combo
Since we're showing off our headphones I have a HD650 and a Purpleheart TH-X00. I recently bought a Schiit Modi Multibit and it's a very good DAC. For my HD650's I have a Bottlehead crack with modified rectifiers, a choke, film capacitors and some other things I added to it. It sounds unreal
OP, the Astro mixamp is nice if you want simulated surround because most of the "audiophile" equipment won't give you that. I hook up my HD650's to my Astro mixamp when playing single player games and it sounds beautiful
VlaudTheImpaler
tl;dr
I just briefly read a couple reviews on those cans and it would seem that this headset pairs well with a tube amp. Seeing as I really try to avoid recommending anything that I haven't used the only thing I can recommend to you is the Little dot i+. That with some 6HM5 Yugoslov tubes because the stock tubes are useless and the Burson V5i op amp to replace the rather lackluster on board op amp and you would have an amazing pair for your headphones. I'd also recommend a DAC but like I said, I've only had a Fiio. Mine works fine with this setup though I am working on getting a stand alone (Non USB powered) DAC in the future.
I just bought Sennheiser 558's from Best Buy for $100 with $70 in credit so for $30 I got what was a massive upgrade over in ear buds. Not high end, or noise cancelling, but I actually prefer them to not be noise cancelling so I can hear my wife.
Anyway, not an endorsement for the 558s if you are looking for High End, but throwing my vote in the mix for Sennheisers being really nice quality and sounding great.
Anyway, not an endorsement for the 558s if you are looking for High End, but throwing my vote in the mix for Sennheisers being really nice quality and sounding great.
AstroNut325
Member
Thank you. This is the insight I was looking for.
Good for both.
What made your friend give you a $300 headphone? She/He's a nice person.
One Eyed Willy
Member
Love my Astro A40s
I have Sennheiser Game Zero headset, the newer model with lower impedance that's designed to be used plugged into game controllers. I got it refurbished from the company's own online shop and saved about £50
It's OK. The mid and treble is good, but I think it's a little bit lacking in bass. I say that as someone that isn't a bass junky and who uses Sennheiser studio recording headphones offline., where I need a flat, accurate response.
My main issue is the microphone. Watching reviews of the headset online the mic sounds a bit more resonant and deep than it does in my videos.
I don't have a particularly deep voice, but even the so mic is not working as hard as I'd like. However it does have good detail and granularity, so my voice does have texture to it, whcih is lost on cheaper headsets.
When recording audio offline my mani microphone is an electro voice re20, which is used in radio stations all over the US and is noted for its warmth.
The other issue I have with the game zero - and this is more serious - is that it clips a lot. For some reason it can't handle the way I speak and I don't shout or yell in any of my videos or recordnigs. It's really hard to position it to pick up my voice clearly and not get distortion, even if said clipping only happens with certain words.
I did review the mic and have sound clips in there. If a mod allows it I'll post a link.
It's OK. The mid and treble is good, but I think it's a little bit lacking in bass. I say that as someone that isn't a bass junky and who uses Sennheiser studio recording headphones offline., where I need a flat, accurate response.
My main issue is the microphone. Watching reviews of the headset online the mic sounds a bit more resonant and deep than it does in my videos.
I don't have a particularly deep voice, but even the so mic is not working as hard as I'd like. However it does have good detail and granularity, so my voice does have texture to it, whcih is lost on cheaper headsets.
When recording audio offline my mani microphone is an electro voice re20, which is used in radio stations all over the US and is noted for its warmth.
The other issue I have with the game zero - and this is more serious - is that it clips a lot. For some reason it can't handle the way I speak and I don't shout or yell in any of my videos or recordnigs. It's really hard to position it to pick up my voice clearly and not get distortion, even if said clipping only happens with certain words.
I did review the mic and have sound clips in there. If a mod allows it I'll post a link.
Depends on what AKG you have i guess? It's not like a DAC so it wont make durastic changes or anything and personally I always think wireless degrades the audio quality but as a sole easy to use Wireless solution it's okay, that said. DEPENDING ON WHAT AKG you have some are HARD TO DRIVE, Mix Amps can't drive shit and last i looked only powered like 50ohms reliably.
jabberwocker
Banned
What your looking for simply doesnt exist for one reason or another. You have alot of requirements that you cant just throw together.
I'm looking for a high end headset that works on PS4, X1, PC. You dont want a gaming headset, so you are looking for headphones and adding a mic. Also one other thing that you need to understand is that you will need a separate mic so you will need connectors for this.
Preferably wireless since I wear a headset when I workout.
You arent going to want to ruin your headphones by working out in them.
Also want 7.1.
gimmick/worse quality
Also for console gaming will you need to be a bit away from your monitor/tv?
jabberwocker
Banned
wasnt the main difference the addition of usb?
ChosenPredator
Banned
Sennheiser stuff people are suggesting is absolutely correct, it's god tier when it comes to headsets.
ThEoRy...
Member
Guess I'm going against the grain by buying a "gaming" headset. I bought the Turtle Beach 420x+ Why? For a few reasons.
I wanted something that was completely wireless. I also wanted separate audio controls for game and voice. And I also wanted something with mic monitoring. I also got it at a good price of $120 so not too bad. All in all I'm happy with the setup as it works very well for me. We shall see how they hold up over time but for now everything is working great.
I wanted something that was completely wireless. I also wanted separate audio controls for game and voice. And I also wanted something with mic monitoring. I also got it at a good price of $120 so not too bad. All in all I'm happy with the setup as it works very well for me. We shall see how they hold up over time but for now everything is working great.
RedAssedApe
Banned
are ya'll on pcs?
On PC, I have Sennheiser 363D and they are incredible.
Best advice I ever got: do not get a gaming headset for audio quality. If you want a great "gaming" headset, go with high-quality, premium brands.
-------------
Re: Astro A50: I have had a bad experience with these that ultimately resulted in me returning 2 pairs and concluding it was a design defect.
Both pairs had this weird static noise, only in the right ear, and only when the mic was "on" or "listening." This was problematic when the mic would dynamically shut on/off based on if it heard someone or not.
I don't recommend the A50s.
Best advice I ever got: do not get a gaming headset for audio quality. If you want a great "gaming" headset, go with high-quality, premium brands.
-------------
Re: Astro A50: I have had a bad experience with these that ultimately resulted in me returning 2 pairs and concluding it was a design defect.
Both pairs had this weird static noise, only in the right ear, and only when the mic was "on" or "listening." This was problematic when the mic would dynamically shut on/off based on if it heard someone or not.
I don't recommend the A50s.
jabberwocker
Banned
LOL, I agree. Unless you are sitting at a computer desk having a dedicated dac/amp/mic isnt worth it. More or less a pain in ass if you are couch gaming. Going wireless is completely acceptable imo in those cases.
Stormhammer
Member
keep an eye out for when they restock these homie
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-pc37x-gaming-headset
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-pc37x-gaming-headset
They're alright, sennheissers are dececent enough with their build quality and okaaay with their sound quality for a headset package, that said you can get way better imo.
The best budget package right now for a headset loadout imo is:
$55 - Philips SHP 9500S
$30 - VModa Boom Pro Microphone
Unfortunately, the boompro mic is backstock at the moment but it plugs right directly in to the port.
If people are willing to spend more:
CINEMATIC GAMING/MOVIES/BASS THUMP - $250 - Philips X2/27 Fidelio
100% COMPETITION GAMING FOCUS/VOCAL HIGHS - $270 - Audio Technica Audiophile ATH-AD1000X
Former can connect to VMODA Boom Pro. Latter prolly needs an Antlion Mod Mic if you want headset solution.
You could also go budget for 100% Competition build with an $100 - Audio Technica ATH-AD700X
but the 9500s are phenomenal on their own already and are already a great all rounder.
None of the above need any AMP powerage either, dacs could arguably give better sound so shrug.
ALSO, for an easy great audio quality WIRED CONSOLE SOLUTION:
$23.99 - Fiio D3 (D03 K) Digital to Analog Audio Coverter
YOU NEED A OPTICAL CABLE FOR THIS SOLUTION.
As others have already said, don't waste your money on a headset, gaming or otherwise.
This guy gets it. Great cheapish sets. My to heavy use got sets.Totally in Ops price range. I prefer the X2, but I sub in the 600's as a reference set. I use the SHPs from Phillips for extended use like hours and hours since they are super light and at like 60 bucks a no brainer. X2 and he 600s can be coop for 150-250 on sales.. Gaming headsets are to headphones what beats are to headphones or laptops are to gaming, Terrible quality for the price.
Sorry for double-post, but I do really want to emphasize this...
Just remember that "true" surround sound has a speaker directly in front of you, and that's something that headsets just can't deliver.
It's all audio processing. Realistically, any stereo headset can become a surround sound headset. And they're all using the same 2-3 audio codecs to do it, anyway.
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
I like my Beyerdynamic DT990s more than my old Senn 555s. Very different sounds though.
Setup is probably also a bit better too, which makes a difference. Have a Soundblaster Z now instead of running the headphones off my AV receiver. Not the best sound card I guess, but it's the only one I found with digital input which I really wanted.
RedAssedApe
Banned
Yup. The two A50s (Gen 2) I tried all had this issue. My brothers A50 (Gen 1) also had this issue. Basically anytime the mic picked up sound there would be a buzzing sound in the right earcup.
Astro support claimed that this was normal and a non-issue since you can't hear it when there is audio playing. As if games are never quiet lol. They did fix it in the new Gen 3s though...finally.
ThEoRy...
Member
I'm on Xbox one BTW. While at my pc desk I already have an amped Sony pair of headphones that work well for what I need.
Wireless choices on xb1 are limited and out of the 2 turtle beach offerings one of them was $300. Not worth it in my opinion. I'm happy with what I got.
Vincent4756
Member
Maybe this is the thread to ask. I currently rock the Astro MixAmpTr with the 2013ver Astro A40s and have been looking to upgrade to a better mic and sound quality setup that was a little more versatile.
I currently game on a Ps4 pro, a pc with a optical port, and also my phone.
What type of setup would work for all of those while giving me great quality sound + a better sounding mic? I actually prefer wired over wireless.
On mobile so sorry if this looks like a jumbled mess.
I currently game on a Ps4 pro, a pc with a optical port, and also my phone.
What type of setup would work for all of those while giving me great quality sound + a better sounding mic? I actually prefer wired over wireless.
On mobile so sorry if this looks like a jumbled mess.
MyNameIsRye
Member
Man. I didn't think this would be so difficult. Almost everyone recommends something different.
Buying a TV was much easier. The KS8000 was pretty much the consensus best for the price.
I didn't think buying headphones would be harder.
Buying a TV was much easier. The KS8000 was pretty much the consensus best for the price.
I didn't think buying headphones would be harder.
OriginofHysteria
Banned
This is what I use:
HD 558s with v-moda boom pro mic. Had to do some modding but completely worth it. The nice thing too is that the mic and audio can go through the same port without splitting it if you're planning on using it to plug into a controller.
HD 558s with v-moda boom pro mic. Had to do some modding but completely worth it. The nice thing too is that the mic and audio can go through the same port without splitting it if you're planning on using it to plug into a controller.
