Best Headphones for gaming?

[i an not a nerd]

Hey all,

I've decided to finally give in to my family's complaints and buy a set of headphones for gaming... Any suggestions? I don't know alot about headphones.

Also, any suggestions for decent earbuds?

Thanks,

MIkeB

[Boxo]

You can get a good set of headphones for pretty cheap. These headphones (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826159053) are really good (I own a pair), but you can get decent pairs for even less.

Just make sure they're going to be comfortable whatever you buy.

[i an not a nerd]

Just make sure they're going to be comfortable whatever you buy.

Ah, but therein lies the problem. How do I know which ones are comfortable? Thats why i'm asking here. There is a Sony Store near where I live, but they don't let you try the sets on beofre you buy them. :mad:

Hmm, those headphones look decent, but I kinda prefer something that covers the ear, not one that rests on it. Then again, great price! Thanks.

MIkeB

[pangea33]

Dunno if you've put much thought into it, but a target budget range would be really helpful. You can get good headphones in the $20-30 range, awesome headphones in the $100 range, and ludicrous headphones for a lot more than that.

[Whyzman]

Was I suprised to see WalMart carrying Sennheiser wireless! :) I've been using a set of Sennheiser wireless for a few years now and they are awesome...they're a bit more pricey than these...but they're Sennheiser! ;)

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4697871

[mjc]

What is this world coming to?

WallyWorld carrying Sens?

I remember when those were in the reach of recording studios or audiophiles with more money than they knew what to do with...

Has Sen stooped that low?

I guess if the ones WallyWorld has are branded Senheisser and fall under the same quality control as their other products...then

***********STRIKE ALL OF THAT***********

I just read the country of origin line...go for it, even if they are the entry level model. They are 'real' Sens...

[i an not a nerd]

but a target budget range would be really helpful

Budget of up to $200-250 CAD.

I don't want to get a wireless set. I don't like having to deal with batteries and all that...

About Sennheiser, the last time I bought one of "their" products it was a ripoff copy... sounded quite scratcy so I returned it.

[Jiggy]

I use these from Sony - Link (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00001W0DI/ref=pd_cp_title/102-8308045-7297725?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=172282).

[pangea33]

Are you looking for something with a microphone built in, or just quality headphones? If that's all you need, the Bose TriPorts are absolutely amazing and very comfortable for extended use. They're very similar in design and feel to the Quiet Comfort, but without the noise-cancelling feature. You're looking at about $150 usd for a set of these (http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=triport_headphones_index)

[Whyzman]

Sorry to hear about your experience with Sennheiser...I suspect that that is not typical. I actually have 3 wireless Sennheiser sets (same reason as you, my son is a gamer and the repetitive "noise" was driving me up a wall) and we've had no problems. The batteries will last well over 4 hours of continuous use...and there's a built in charger with a spare battery on the base unit to swap on the fly...

If I'm watching a baseketball game, I can get up from the computer, go and make myself a sandwich and never miss a thing...:)

[i an not a nerd]

I use these from Sony

Thx. I'll go have a look at them at the local Sony Store.

Are you looking for something with a microphone built in, or just quality headphones?

I'm just looking at quality headphones. For a microphone, i just use a cheap set of Logitech gaming headphones, but i put them around my neck and position the mic near my mouth. BTW does Noise Reduction actually work? It seems like one of those "solve all your problems" gimmeks.

The batteries will last well over 4 hours of continuous use...and there's a built in charger with a spare battery on the base unit to swap on the fly...

O it has special batteries? Then in that case I might consider a wireless set. When I think of battery powered stuff i think of a ton of AAs.

[Whyzman]

Yep, the Sennheisers I have came with two rechargeable batteries. They are small lightweight buggers. The headsets are extremely lightweight....

[pangea33]

BTW does Noise Reduction actually work? It seems like one of those "solve all your problems" gimmeks.
Yeah, the noise reduction actually works quite well on the headphones I've tried out. Granted they were decent, the Bose QuietComfort II, and these Sony MDR-NC50s (http://www.sony.co.uk/ShowArticle.do?article=1118320877608). They have little microphones built in that sample the outside noise. The headphones then generate an inverse wave to cancel out the noise. It's pretty effective, but is really only necessary in specific situations like a pretty loud environment and/or when you want to listen at low volume.

Most people probably don't need the capability, especially when they're using a decent circumaural headphone design. Plus the noise cancellation is active, so it requires the use of standard alkaline batteries with a life around only 30 hours or so.

Personally, I feel your money would be better spent on higher quality headphones without noise cancelling capabilities.

[paul_]

OOOHHHH... Time to advertise my headphones - Sennheiser HD280s. Mindblowing sound quality, it's very easy to tell where enemies are in CS:S from sound imaging, and they are comfortable for up to ~6 hours. They are $99 USD, so BUY THEM and get yourself a schweet sound card to cmplement them, too! I guarantee that they are the best deal south of $100 US. They also don't need a strong amp to run them well, as their impedance (sp?) is not crazy high like some high-end sennheisers. I use them with my iPod Nano (which looks downright hilarious, BTW) still with amazing fidelity. They really shine, though, when I hook them up to my surround sound amp. I have never heard so much clarity from movies! OK, enough blabbing, just go to Newegg, Buy a set of HD280 pros, and a sound card that can handle the sweetness that is Sennheiser. :)

[i an not a nerd]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm thinking that i'm gonna go with a Sony set (I like the look of them).

and get yourself a schweet sound card to cmplement them, too!

Lol in terms of sound cards I have this (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14000) , more then enough.

Thanks again,

MIkeB

[paul_]

Lol in terms of sound cards I have this (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14000) , more then enough.


*DROOL* :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :D

I have an M-Audio, myself. It is decent, and I use it for the RCA ports (yet to get an S-PDIF cable for the surround system) and it is plenty good sound. I wish it had a better patchboard and equalizer, though, I gotta look for some freeware.

My dad has a pair of high-end Sonys, and they're pretty damn cool. You're pretty lucky that you have that kinda budget...

-P

[i an not a nerd]

You're pretty lucky that you have that kinda budget...

Well this is my last upgrade for awhile, not until after Christmas at least. I'm saving up for a motorcycle :) . I'm planning to get it in November (hense the not spending until Christmas) because up here in Canada, people sell their bikes cheaper in the fall/winter because: a) they wanna get next years model, b) they don't have anywhere to store it, c) they tried it out, but don't like it (if i'm lucky, someone will have bought a new bike, tried it, and decided that motorcycling is not for them).

[paul_]

Sweet. I may have to trade off my plans of getting another 7800GT and 2 more monitors and get a MINI for christmas :D :D :D