new headphone choices

[Ub3r_n00b]

My headset, the older style of the Plantronics audio .90, died again (this is the second set after a warrenty replacement. both broke in the <b>exact</b> same spot, and I wouldn't say I was rough on them). Now I need to replace them for those late night gaming sessions and MP3 listening.

PC headsets (with or without mic) or home stereo heaphones (closed prefferably), looking for any suggestions. I know a fair bit about computers, but I don't know much about sound, or the finer details about it. I am far from an audiophile, but that doesn't mean I will accept any old garbage headset. Things that I am looking for:

- a good <b>stereo</b> heatset, with 3D-positioning so I can hear them bastards trying to sneak up behind me in online games.

- Good bass would be nice. Not that I don't want decent crisp sound, but the music I listen to is mostly bassy type music. That and most games I play are FPS type games, so there are plenty of explosions/gunfire that I would like to feel.

- good sound @ a decent price. The cheaper.... I mean the less expensive the better, but I don't want to sacrifice too much quality of sound to save a few bucks. As always im looking for the sweet spot between price/performance. Wouldn't mind them lasting awhile unlike my last 2 sets.

Thanks in advance

<font color=red> Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question... just stupid people. </font color=red>

 

[alltaken]

my sugestion is you go into the local SONY, or PANASONIC etc... store. and check them out


hear them, take in a cd and test each with the same song. test for comfort, sound quality, size, construction etc...

i sugest the LARGE style headphones as they can reduce a noisy PC to silent. (but put a light on the door bell and telephone LOL)

but yes its recomended that the items you interface with (e.g. things you experience) mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers/headphones, etc...


these are things that need ot be personally comfortable to you!!!!

it will take you 1 hour of your life to go down to a brick and mortar store to check out what they have to offer, and ask the service guy for assistance and tell them what you want and YOUR BUDGET (most important thing is to stick to your budget)


i am happy with my SONY street style, headphones that came with my MINIDISC player. they for me are very crisp in sound and have good base, but thats only for multi purpose, the best you will get will be like Ear muffs LOL and these will cost a bit and be SUPER comfortable.





Alltaken

 

[umheint0]

You won't be able to feel a lot of bass unless either you buy some of those shocker headphones (which ended up hurting my neck), or some headphones with mad power output, like 3 watts/ear (but that starts at $150 and goes way way up).

I got these: <A HREF="http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=03AuB1ULg8AuMGu3OHIkDBoaTdVCsn3iosA=?CatalogCategoryID=WlgKC0.N.n8AAAD1zkLx3AxA&ProductID=ZcIKC0.NDmIAAAD1aHHx3AxF&Dept=hav" target="_new">http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=03AuB1ULg8AuMGu3OHIkDBoaTdVCsn3iosA=?CatalogCategoryID=WlgKC0.N.n8AAAD1zkLx3AxA&ProductID=ZcIKC0.NDmIAAAD1aHHx3AxF&Dept=hav</A>

These are pretty powerful, feel really nice, and are very sharp, very nice soundstage as well, much wider and deeper than my jogging headphones.

There is also Sennheiser, which makes pretty premium headphones, but they are out of my meagre price range.

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--

 

[flamethrower205]

To be honest I don't know much about headphones but am certainly looking to get a pair. What's the best I could get for $300?

Hilbert space is a big place.

 

[Ub3r_n00b]

it will take you 1 hour of your life to go down to a brick and mortar store to check out what they have to offer, and ask the service guy for assistance and tell them what you want and YOUR BUDGET (most important thing is to stick to your budget)

Thats exactly where my problem is... I <b>want</b> and <b>know</b> I should go down to a store and test out all the headphone I am interested in, audio being only measureable by personal standards, but unfortunatly that is not an option for me.

Where I live, the closest thing to an electronics store (if you can call it that) is Futureshop 10 hours drive each way from me. I live in one of those places technology forgot. So this forces me to rely on the opinions of others, and the specs companies give. From that, I would make a choice, order it online somewhere and hope to jebus it fits my tastes. It is far from the easiest way, or the best way, but alas it is my only way.

<font color=red> Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question... just stupid people. </font color=red>

 

[umheint0]

Sennheiser and Sony are the top picks. For $300, get Sennheiser. The imaging and brute power put out by them are phenominal.

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--

 

[alltaken]

hey thats cool!!!!!!

ok then depending on your buget i would definatly look at sony for an answer

i have had 2 pairs of street style head phones

model number
MDR-G56

and a later model pair, they are the same except for colour, and cord length.

SONY and they are not the large type but more like walking or running head phones, but they have good sound and comfort!!

i wouldn't say they are up with the larger studio style ones but they are definatly good quality, and my oldest ones have lasted for about 5 years, (well the fabric is falling off and the plastic bits are cracking, but hey they still work fine LOL)



Alltaken

 

[flamethrower205]

So 300 bucks would get me something real nice? I've got 15 speakers so they need to compete with that. Also, is there any little device that I can tell to switch to headphone and speakers cause I don't want to have to go behiund my comp every time.

Hilbert space is a big place.

 

[umheint0]

no matter how good the headphones are, they won't compete with a good home theatre system. if you want the ability for the card to recognize when the headphones are plugged in or not, the only thing I've seen that is capable of this is my sound card, the Guillemot Game Theatre XP 7.1. It's pretty phat. Otherwise, you can make a splitter that can do it, but that involves work and doesn't look as cool.

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--

 

[flamethrower205]

Hmm, to be honest, my sb live has been pissing me off..........How's the sound on the guillemot? My bro's comp need a sound card, so maybe I'll give him the sb and get myself a guillemot system.

Hilbert space is a big place.

 

[umheint0]

Honestly, it really is awesome. The power output is incredible. Right up to max volume it maintains a sharp clear signal for my speakers. The lows seems particularely balanced and full. The highs seem clearer without being "loud". For what I paid, the Game Theatre XP 7.1 is amazing.

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--

 

[flamethrower205]

I can get it for $83 from newegg. Do it? Any cheaper places?

Hilbert space is a big place.

 

[umheint0]

That sounds like a good deal to me. Go for it.

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--

 

[mandlin]

You should look at this site: http://headroom.headphone.com

Look at the buying guide: 'Headphones for gaming', or look at the high-end stuff if your looking for real pro-audio (and have money to burn).

They do sell headphones, but there is a wealth of information and they give quality advice. (Standard Disclaimer - no affiliation)