Headphones/microphone or headset?

[Big Boss]

Hi guys, I'm planning a build within September-December following the release of Haswell E/X99/DDR etc. I'm interested in sorting myself a good audio setup to go along with it. The computer will be predominantly used for gaming, editing/rendering, commentaries and so on. My main question, as the the title suggests, should I get a good pair of headphones, either Sennheiser or Beyerdynamics, and a decent desk mic, something from the Blue range, mostly likely a yeti or better, or a decent headset, such as the Sennheiser 350/363d.

I've been racking my brains about this, the pros and cons, price, desk mic picking up background noise, headsets bring inferior to headphones, whether I'd need a sound card or dac and amp, and could just really benefit from some voices of experience. I won't be purchasing anytime soon but would just appreciate some advice. Thanks.

 

[SeekaX]

Headphones + mini amp >>>>>>>>> headset
Here's the general OC3D recommendation:
Beyerdynamics DT770/990
FiiO E10
Some clip on mic, a cheap one will do, modmic is preferred. Or of course a desk mic. No idea which ones are good there.

 

[RadeonHDx]

Headphones + mini amp >>>>>>>>> headset
Here's the general OC3D recommendation:
Beyerdynamics DT770/990
FiiO E10
Some clip on mic, a cheap one will do, modmic is preferred. Or of course a desk mic. No idea which ones are good there.

^^this.

If you want a desk mic then I would suggest the yeti or snowball from Blue as they sound very clear although I remember one of them picks up lots of background noise. Also I hear some of the Audio Technica mics are quite good. If you want the best quality i think the desk mics sound better personally however you can't go wrong with a modmic.

 

[d3rrial]

I personally have a Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro and a Blue Snowball desk mic.
I can wholeheartedly recommend both. If you're a basshead you'll love the Custom One Pro especially and even if you're not, you can mechanically tone down the bass.

As for AMP / DAC: ODAC / O2 AMP are likely the best you can get, but they're expensive. (As in 200-300$)
From second hand I hear that the Audioengine D3 is quite good also and it's quite a bit cheaper than the ODAC/O2 pair.

Edit: I'm only mentioning the AMP/DAC thing because some people swear on it (and honestly a good USB DAC is always better than an internal soundcard). But due to the Custom One Pros low impedence you shouldn't really need an AMP. (16 Ohm)

Edit2: I've been using a Sennheiser Headset before. And the Blue Snowball actually has less noise (like hissing or white noise) and background noise (like fans, harddrives or people talking outside) (as far as I can tell, I'm no professional tho) and the Headphones sound a whole lot better.

 

[Big Boss]

I'm definitely after an open back headphone simply for the wider sound stage, how do headphones hold up opposed to headsets in terms of directional noises, mainly in games which is what I'll be using them for. I.e. BF4, DayZ. Secondly, why did you immediately spring for the Beyerdynamics haha, I was looking at the sennheiser HD600/650's, had any experience with them? I'd only get a desk mic if I were to go ahead, but like you say Radeon, I am concerned about picking up background noises like keyboard keys, mice clicks, and also just having to stay relatively close to it while gaming, the con against a headset. I'm definitely not interested in clip on mic though.

On the subjects of amps/dacs, I have mainly been looking at Schitt, Filo and Epiphany Acoustics O2/ODAC combo. The asus xonar essence STX II has just been released though which I'm very interested in, much rather have an internal solution saving clutter on my desk, and it can power headphones up to 600 ohm, saw a review with the HD800's. Like I say, I've got plenty of time to decide, I don't want to spend an absolute bomb as I still have to buy the computer itself haha,but any more thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[d3rrial]

Because Beyerdynamic are simply the best
Well Bahroo uses Sennheiser HD 598 and they're recommended very often by audiophiles, so I guess they're an option, too.
Headphones work just as well for directional audio as headsets. You only have two ears and two ear canals, even if gaming headsets had multiple sound sources (which most don't) it wouldn't matter. The directional sound comes from a software level above the headphones, they're all equally good at that. Only difference is that you hear footsteps better when your headphones have louder highs and mids.
Well, I have to say I have a mechanical keyboard (ducky shine 3) with Cherry MX Blues which are picked up EXTREMELY loud by my Blue Snowball (but also the Sennheiser). There's not much you can do about MX Blues. Other than that the Snowball is performing fine and isn't picking up much background noise. (If you want you can give it a listen in action on my YT channel (d3rrialPlays).

As I said external sound cards are better than internal ones. The difference may be small but I'd still always go for an external one.

 

[SuB]

Beyerdynamic are not simply the best... they are just highly recommended, but mostly because they have more of a fun, warm sound.

If you want gaming accuracy, nothing comes close to AKG's fella.

I got a pair of K702's and nothing comes close, they're open back, very nice wide open sound stage, super crisp and clear, not swamped by bass and believe me in bf and counterstrike you'll feel like you're cheating

I personally have mine hooked up to a Xonar Essence STX using 8 speaker surround in none 7.1 mode and they are utterly flawless.

 

[d3rrial]

Beyerdynamic are not simply the best... they are just highly recommended, but mostly because they have more of a fun, warm sound.

If you want gaming accuracy, nothing comes close to AKG's fella.

I got a pair of K702's and nothing comes close, they're open back, very nice wide open sound stage, super crisp and clear, not swamped by bass and believe me in bf and counterstrike you'll feel like you're cheating

I personally have mine hooked up to a Xonar Essence STX using 8 speaker surround in none 7.1 mode and they are utterly flawless.

Having had AKGs before, I prefer beyerdynamic anytime.

And I just have to say that I've never heard anything that sounds as good as my beyerdynamics.

 

[SuB]

Having had AKGs before, I prefer beyerdynamic anytime.

And I just have to say that I've never heard anything that sounds as good as my beyerdynamics.

be that as it may, beyer's are more for music and bass.

AKG's are reference headphones and from my experience give a more accurate, while colder, sound. And are just something else when it comes to games.

If he'd said anything other than gaming i'd have put beyer's on there but since he did... AKG's all the way, either K702 or K701 and NOT the anniversary editions.

 

[d3rrial]

be that as it may, beyer's are more for music and bass.

AKG's are reference headphones and from my experience give a more accurate, while colder, sound. And are just something else when it comes to games.

If he'd said anything other than gaming i'd have put beyer's on there but since he did... AKG's all the way, either K702 or K701 and NOT the anniversary editions.

Gaming will get boring some time. Music won't.

I've not played a game in months now, I've just grown tired of it for the while.. Yet I can't live more than 8 hours without music

Well, priorities differ I guess. And since OP really did ask for gaming headphones.. AKG -> Studiogear, beyerdynamic -> more versatile (as far as I can tell)

 

[Big Boss]

I should have commented fellas, I do intend to use them for music, but predominantly gaming, not sure how I missed that out of my initial post. Either of you got experience with the Senny's 650D? Heard there a decent reference headphone and have pretty good reviews. I'm debating just getting the pc363d headset, as well as a blue microphone of some sort. That way I'd save on a sound card/amp and decide whether I want to grab one later on. It's harder making a decision like this with no experiences with the cans.

 

[SeekaX]

I should have commented fellas, I do intend to use them for music, but predominantly gaming, not sure how I missed that out of my initial post. Either of you got experience with the Senny's 650D? Heard there a decent reference headphone and have pretty good reviews. I'm debating just getting the pc363d headset, as well as a blue microphone of some sort. That way I'd save on a sound card/amp and decide whether I want to grab one later on. It's harder making a decision like this with no experiences with the cans.

Mate i predominantly play competitive fps games and the dt990s work brilliant for that. I guess if they are good enough for me soundwhoring they should be good enough for you as well.
Don't save on the amp, that thing makes a huge difference. USB soundcards don't count.

 

[RadeonHDx]

I'll be honest, I'm no audiophile. Hell, Other than taking reference from bass and feel, I can't tell the difference between 1 headphone and the next. But one thing I do know is that hearing is a lot like sight, it's all about your preference. take monitors for example, to one person the monitor might be too warm and to another it might be too cold, the same is true with headphones in that one can be too bassy for one person and have not enough to another.

Bear this in mind but when considering your options, just remember that the money your paying has gone into researching and developing the best experience for the end user and that your paying for some of the best headphones around.

- Joe

 

[d3rrial]

From what I can say the companies that are least likely to cheat you out of your money with snake oil are: Sennheiser, beyerdynamic and AKG. You may choose freely amongst them. Other companies (don't necessarily) promise things they don't keep. While having you pay huge lumps of cash.
The three most likely headphones from these companies I'd choose are: Sennheiser HD 598, beyerdynamic Custom One Pro (there may be better ones, but this one is cheap and I personally like it a lot, for gaming as well as music) and AKG Q701 / K702. I didn't have a K702, but I did use a Q701 for a short time recently. Haven't gamed with it tho.

All of those are highly recommended headphones and no matter what you choose you shouldn't regret it. Only thing worth noting is that the Custom One Pro is closed, so if your neighbours are being loud pricks while you're gaming, you don't hear them, unless they're fighting with jackhammers
Edit:
Oh and the Q701 has some bulges on the headband that may become uncomfortable if you're easily irritated there.

 

[Big Boss]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I' know pretty much what I'm after. I'm gonna defo grab a set of headphone, and they'll be used roughly 90% for gaming, 10% for music. The three I've narrowed it down to currently are the Audio Technica AD700X, the AKG K702 or the Beyernamic DT880/990 Premium 250Ohm versions (although these are clearly less suited for gaming, therefore the ones I'm least interested in). Then I'll pair them up with a Blue Yeti or something similar. Not sure if a DAC or sound cards necessary to power the Technica's or the AKG's, I am interested in the Xonar Essence STX II, but like I said, these will be predominantly for gaming.

 

[Big Boss]

Yo Sub, I'm going to take your advice and get a pair of AKG's. Just wondered if you knew if there was any significant difference between the K701 and 702's for gaming mate?