Razer Megalodon vs Roccat Kave

[KireD]

or any other suggestions?

So, my first post here!
Hello everyone!

I've been using my stereo Siberia V2 for about 2 years now. I'm surprised it still works. Probably because I'm really careful with my gear. About 7h of daily use. Although it still works pretty fine, it's kinda falling apart: The 'leather' of the ear cups is coming off and I feel that the sound just isn't that clean anymore.

Straight to the point, time to buy a new one! I've been interested on both from the thread's title and although I've found a lot of information about these headphones, I couldn't decide which one is better. I just found out that both are great individually.

What do you guys think?

I do listen to music a lot, so it should perform average on it. Also, I would use the microphone to record videos, so the mic quality is important too.

I was almost sure I wanted a Roccat Kave and then I read about Megalodon's microphone.

I think I need a second opinion.

Thanks in advance,
KireD



PSSSSS: If something sounds weird on the lines above, just ask. English isn't my main language as you probably already noticed.

 

[tinytomlogan]

We have reviewed both, Id start there mate

 

[SuB]

My personal opinion would be avoid the megladon, I've tested these and they sound very much like 'bucket on head' mode. I wasn't that impressed with the Mic but it's better than some of their other 'true 7.1' headsets.

Music really wasn't great on them either, in surround or 2.0 mode.

Do you have a soundcard? if so, the megladon can be seen as either a waste of money (it has usb sound processing) or a waste of a soundcard. Either way if you do have onboard sound/sound card I found the drivers really don't play nice with anything else.

Even after removal I had a lot of sound glitches, especially during game loading, but the only thing that sorted it was completely re-installing windows.

As for the Kave, I hear they are okay but I haven't used them personally, just giving a personal review on the Meg's

I recently switched up to some high end AKG reference headphones and an Essence STX and for gaming it's superb and music is just stunning. If you're getting this for mainly gaming, making videos perhaps a headset is more for you?

(wow I realise that was a long post, sorry!)

 

[KireD]

We have reviewed both, Id start there mate

Thanks for your answer!
I've read the review of the Kave already, and actually this same review was the one that made me want them! But I don't seem to find the review of the Megalodon! Could you link it to me?
Thanks!

KireD

My personal opinion would be avoid the megladon, I've tested these and they sound very much like 'bucket on head' mode. I wasn't that impressed with the Mic but it's better than some of their other 'true 7.1' headsets.

Music really wasn't great on them either, in surround or 2.0 mode.

Do you have a soundcard? if so, the megladon can be seen as either a waste of money (it has usb sound processing) or a waste of a soundcard. Either way if you do have onboard sound/sound card I found the drivers really don't play nice with anything else.

Even after removal I had a lot of sound glitches, especially during game loading, but the only thing that sorted it was completely re-installing windows.

As for the Kave, I hear they are okay but I haven't used them personally, just giving a personal review on the Meg's

I recently switched up to some high end AKG reference headphones and an Essence STX and for gaming it's superb and music is just stunning. If you're getting this for mainly gaming, making videos perhaps a headset is more for you?

(wow I realise that was a long post, sorry!)

It wasn't long at all, thanks for sharing your experience! I've a friend who owns a Megalodon and he just LOVES it and hasn't had any problems with it. It is really hard to make a decision when opinions don't match haha

I've the on board sound card of the Crosshair IV Formula, I think it is the supremeFX x-fi or something like that.

I am actually getting this for gaming and making videos, but I'll also watch a lot of movies with it, so definitely a headset would be better? Because I know a lot of people prefer to buy good headphones and a good microphone. But I guess these people are more like audiophiles and not gamers? So they don't worry about pinpointing spatial location? I've no idea.

KireD

 

[SuB]

Unfortunately the bit about spatial location isn't necessarily very true, gaming headsets are just marked up lower quality drivers and styled to be nice. It's rare they could beat a decent pair of headphones in my recent experience.

I specifically bought a particular pair of headphone, with a particular headphone orientated soundcard because they have some of the best spacial awareness and location queues available Yeah don't get me wrong, they're totally audiophile, but I'm 100% a gamer and I bought stereo over the existing 5.1 set I had and I don't regret it at all

There are a few guides if you google them, but the best rated in a big review were the AKG K701/2's using 7.1 virtual headphone surround. I purchased a pair with a Xonar Essence STX totally around £400 ish and it was worth every penny

Music is, just, wow. I can thank Jamesriley for that

To be fully honest, your best bet is to buy and try a pair and see how you feel with them. I really don't like the soundfield and whatnot with the megladons, really makes you feel over-enclosed and it really clashes with the open'ness of the soundstage created by battlefield 3 so it just didn't work for me. These new AKG's however are stunning. you can hear every step, even down to the glass crackling under a sneaky bugger's feet behind you (yeah i had NO idea that was even in the game until i got these).

Buy a pair, try them, see what you think if you really like them keep them. If not, or if you're a little unsure, send them back within the alotted returns time. Then try the other pair.

The thing I've found with audio is everyone's tastes are different, these AKG's are supposed to be really light on the bass, but very punchy and 'now' with their sound, commanding a lot of attention and I really like that. I know jamesriley recommends the Beyerdynamic range as he loves them It's all a matter of what you like. You may really enjoy the soundstage of the Megladons or the Roccats mate, you won't know until you try them Thats probably the best advice I can give you without costing you a fortune lol.

 

[iBeInspire]

To be fully honest, your best bet is to buy and try a pair and see how you feel with them. I really don't like the soundfield and whatnot with the megladons, really makes you feel over-enclosed and it really clashes with the open'ness of the soundstage created by battlefield 3 so it just didn't work for me. These new AKG's however are stunning. you can hear every step, even down to the glass crackling under a sneaky bugger's feet behind you (yeah i had NO idea that was even in the game until i got these).

I second this, but with a pair of Beyer DT770's
Beautiful cans for music, gaming and everything in between, but they're cheaper and abit warmer sounding than the AKG's which should make them favorable to someone coming from ''gaming'' headsets...

Also don't forget these wont come with a mic, so a desktop/clip on mic will also be needed

EDIT : 350th post

 

[KireD]

So are you guys saying that getting a pair of headphones - good headphones - and a lets say a good usb mic is better for me on GAMING than a gaming headset?

Even with my current sound card?

I like the DT770's price range.

Thanks!

KireD

--

EDIT:
Unfortunately I can't "Buy a pair, try them, see what I think..." because my only option is buying them through the internet. Also, there aren't stores with these audiophiles headphones here.. If I'm lucky there are some Razer headsets which are extremely overpriced. I live in Brazil you see. So unfortunately I have to decide it without testing I guess..

 

[SuB]

yup that's what im saying, and if you can stretch to it, try and pickup a modmic from antlion, finally got mine today and it's amazing

 

[KireD]

Sorry if this is hard for me to 'believe' or accept that haha

But aren't like the gaming headsets made to, for example, increase the sound of the footsteps, decrease the sound of gunfire and such? Would a totally faithful headset be better for gaming, actually?

Thanks for your time ^^

KireD

 

[chiewleong]

Hi,

I owned Roccat Kave and Razer Tiamat 7.1.
when comparing both in term of price, Kave is half of the Tiamat. to me, both perform more and less the same.
in term of comfortness, Tiamat is slightly comfortable compared to Kave, as Kave is heavier and rigid and the headband is stiffer.
like most of the ppl in OC3D, gaming headset is overpriced can, usually.
now i also would like to have one beyer DT770Pro or ATH-AD700.
just want to know that whether sound card, let say Xonar D2X can power the 250ohm DT770Pro.

 

[SuB]

Sorry if this is hard for me to 'believe' or accept that haha

But aren't like the gaming headsets made to, for example, increase the sound of the footsteps, decrease the sound of gunfire and such? Would a totally faithful headset be better for gaming, actually?

Thanks for your time ^^

KireD

They say they are, but that's just over-emphasizing tinny sounds. Proper phones sound much better. As I said a lot of it is personal taste, but I certainly won't be dropping any cash for any gaming gimmick headsets every again.

Consider my eyes opened.

 

[KireD]

That's interesting.

I'm really liking the idea of getting headphones and mic disparately. It makes sense, when you're buying only a mic it will have better quality than one from a headset, and same for the drivers.

I've searched a little more, and people mostly mention (and that includes you haha) the AKG and ASUS Xonar.

But that's kinda overkill for me...
First problem would be my budget.
And second I'm not really sure if my ears would actually "notice" all that difference, I've never taken audio so seriously (even thought all my musics are FLAC).

I'm really liking the Dt-770 Pro ones. What would be the difference between 80 and 250 ohms? Would I need a sound card or mine would be just fine? What would you recommend?

Thanks!

KireD

 

[SuB]

You'd maybe get away with 80 using onboard, but definitely NOT with the 250.

Tbh, even if you're considering getting decent headphones, onboard just won't cut it in terms of output quality matey.

Higher impedence (ohm rating) means they need more gain/amp to drive them. But they supposedly pickup less interferance etc. Personaly 80/64 is fine.

You did Open the thread with wanting clarity and performance in FPS and you may find the Beyer's a bit too Bass heavy for that, the AKG range seem to be where it's at for competitive play.

 

[KireD]

Well that's disappointing D:

But if I'm getting the AKG's K 701 I probably won't get a sound card. That wouldn't cut it either, right?

I don't know what to do, I'd love to get the same setup as you, but I don't think that's possible for me. It would cost around R$ 1.800 ($910) and that's just way too much.

Do you have maybe other model to suggest?

Thanks again,
KireD

 

[SuB]

Perhaps you can start with the AKG's and get the soundcard later?

I think you can get the sound card and a slightly different pair of stero cans for less than that.

You can get the xonar for

$179.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...f-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380553

and the K702's for $265 http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K702-Head...s&ie=UTF8&qid=1361561965&sr=1-1&keywords=k702

not sure where you got $910 from?

These are apparently a good alternative for $99.95 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...f-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380553

 

[KireD]

Perhaps you can start with the AKG's and get the soundcard later?

I think you can get the sound card and a slightly different pair of stero cans for less than that.

You can get the xonar for

$179.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...f-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380553

and the K702's for $265 http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K702-Head...s&ie=UTF8&qid=1361561965&sr=1-1&keywords=k702

not sure where you got $910 from?

These are apparently a good alternative for $99.95 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...f-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380553

The $910 is the value it costs in my country converted to dollars. If I'd to buy these here I'd spend R$ 1.800 or approximately $910.
If I'd buy from the links you sent I'd have to pay 50% importation tax. So It would be $445 + $222 = $668. Its cheaper but still a little too much I guess. + 2 or 3 months to arrive... I really sucks to live here when it comes to buying these kinda stuff. I like the alternative.

I really can't ask you to solve all my problems haha I guess you already helped me all you can. And you probably had enough of me right?

Thank you for all the information! I really appreciate it.

Two last things before closing the thread.
Headphones before sound card for sure?
And are you like god mode on games with your set? :]

-KireD

 

[looz]

80 Ohm DT-770s are fine without a headphone amp, mine have decent volume even with my phone.

If it is an option, you could substitute a separate sound card with a home theatre amplifier via HDMI, if you have one.