Let me make this clear as day. This quick guide is for Headphone gaming WITH Dolby Headphone virtual surround (google it). NOT stereo, so those looking at this guide as a headphone guide for stereo gaming will be wasting their time looking here. I ONLY play with Dolby Headphone virtual surround, so I CAN'T and WON'T make suggestions to those who wanna play in plain stereo. That is all.
The Nameless Guide To PC Gaming: For PC Gaming Audio advice, I highly recommend you guys read this guide, which is written by NamelessPFG, and specializes in the PC related side of gaming audio, which I am 100% not knowledgeable of. I'd consider it a great extension to my own guide for those who aren't console gamers.
Last update: 9/29/2012
- HiFiMAN HE-400 entry edited to clarify that I own/reviewed the Rev. 2. A newer HE-400 is being sold now, which apparently has been tweaked yet again, and made slightly brighter in the treble. This might be negligible, and may actually help with competitive gaming. From what I've read of those who own the newer models, bass and mids remain the same.
I found the video to demo Dolby headphone. EVERYONE can hear this, so try it!
NOTE: At 1:08, this is pretty much how Dolby headphone sounds on the Mixamp. The 5.1 DH: On section at 0:54 sounds like a weaker version, which honestly doesn't sound like the Mixamp's DH, but it still showcases positional cues. Now, if you didn't believe in DH before, you probably will now. Remember: At 1:08-2:00 is pretty much how the Mixamp sounds.
Mad Lust Envy aka. Shin CZ's Gaming Headphone/Headset Guide
Before I start, let me get a few things out of the way. Everything I say is PURELY personal opinion. If you don't like it, well... tough. I'm not a professional. I have clearly stated that is is all my opinion, so don't get butthurt about anything I write. Okay, now moving on.
Hello everyone. I wanna make an introduction on my journey into headphone gaming, and pretty much headphones in general. I myself actually got into this audiophile hobby BECAUSE I fell in love with the sound of the AD700 when I paired it up with my Mixamp. I first started this journey when I looked for a discrete solution for gaming during the night time, where my home theater at the time (Pioneer HTS-G1) was just too much for my roomates and neighbors. Being someone who reads up on the things he buys before making purchases, I read up about how good the A40+Mixamp combo was, and that it would be all I would ever need. It was $250, which was extremely expensive for me at the time (at least I thought such a thing was too expensive back then). I caved in and went for it, as long as it delivered as promised.
Once I got it, I have to say that I was somewhat underwhelmed. I was expecting something that mimicked my surround sound. I wasn't feeling dolby headphone in the least. I was so underwhelmed that I barely used it, and decided to just play my games really quietly, which to me hurt, as I like to be immersed, and concentrate quite a bit when I game online. Fast forward to a few months later, where I decided to give it another try. Much to my dismay, my practically brand new A40s (very rarely touched back when I did use it) had lost the right side audio. I was so peeved that I didn't bother contacting Astro. I tossed them... just like that.
So there I was back again, with a seemingly useless Mixamp, and no headset. I went back online and read up on ACTUAL headphones that worked very well with gaming and the Mixamp in general. I, like many of you, heard how grand the AD700s were especially for games like Call of Duty 4, which was my favorite game back in the days I got into this hobby. So what the hell, I went for it. When I got it, I was somewhat turned off by the color, and they didn't exactly sit well on my head. It was slippery as hell, and it just sorta pissed me off. I then did the rubberband mod and then felt it was good enough to try.
I then hooked them up to the Mixamp, and fired up Call of Duty 4... let's just say... my mind was BLOWN. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was hearing EVERYTHING. Sounds were coming from all around me. I could hear exactly where people were around me. A pin drop was easily distinguishable for me. I did notice the distinct lack of bass, but for this game, I couldn't care less. I felt like I had an unfair advantage against those who DIDN'T wear a headset. Bass was the last thing on my mind. My speakers sounded like pure crap next to this ridiculous soundfield I was suddenly enveloped in. Dolby Headphone and Headphones in general showed me what a miraculous combo they could be, and I told myself I would never seriously game without either of them ever again. I had converted. This was just but the first step into this disease called upgraditis.
Since then, I have somewhat gone through literally COUNTLESS of headphones, both for gaming, and for music/movies. I knew I'd have to own at least two pairs: One for direct hardcore gaming, where bass was on the lighter side so I could focus on the more important sounds like a grenade pin being released, footsteps, or claymores being placed. The other would be for more, non-competitive gaming where I could enjoy what audio as a whole has to offer. I wanted a nice boost in bass, to feel the explosions. Something to directly contrast the sound of the AD700 but still work well with the Mixamp. I was also a budget headphone hunter. I loved what cheap headphones had to offer: bang for the buck. So I have bought my share of garbage, and gems.
Enough of that, I'm now going to attempt to remember ALL the headphones I have bought and used since the beginning of my journey. One criteria HAD to be met at first: The headphones would have to work well with Dolby Headphone, or they were gonna be returned or sold. It was that simple to me.
Okay, I'm gonna list my share of WORTHY headphones, especially for gaming. By worthy, I mean worthy of being discussed (some may be added to let you know they are NO GOOD for gaming with DH). This list doesn't include headphones I bought/used that were never intended to be used for gaming (for example, my HAS700, ES7, ESW9, though I did try them with meh results, obviously). I couldn't begin to remember them all anyway. Also rating them based on how good they are for 'fun' gaming (anything not taken too seriously, where sound accuracy isn't a huge concern), and competitive gaming (where sound is incredibly important, specifically positional accuracy and ability to pick up the finer details). The scores aren't scientific. It's just MY opinion on how they score from a scale of 1-10 by their own merits, and not how they compare to other scores whether higher or lower, so don't whine about scores, lol.
INDEX
Use this for quick searching (highlight/copy what you're looking for, Ctrl+F, then paste)
HEADPHONES
D: $0-$50
Koss KSC35
Koss KSC75
Koss UR40
Philips SHP2500
Sennheiser HD201
Steelseries Siberia V1 (*headset*)
Turtle Beach Z2 (*headset*)
C: $50-$150
Audio-Technica AD700
Audio-Technica M50
Creative Aurvana Live! (aka "CAL")
HiFiMAN RE0 (IEM)
Sennheiser HD280 Pro
Sony XB700
Tritton AX720 (*headset*)
Turtle Beach PX21 (*headset*)
B: $150-$300
AKG K701 (K702)
AKG Q701
Beyerdynamic DT770 (Premium)
Beyerdynamic DT770 (Pro 80 ohm)
Beyerdynamic DT880 (Premium)
Beyerdynamic DT990 (Premium)
Beyerdynamic DT990 (Pro)
Sennheiser HD598
Sennheiser PC360 (*headset*)
Tritton AX Pro (true 5.1 *headset*)
A: $300+
Denon D7000
HiFiMAN HE-4
HiFiMAN HE-400
Ultrasone Pro 2900
Ultrasone Pro 900
Virtual Surround Devices
Astro Mixamp Pro
Astro Mixamp 5.8
Beyerdynamic Headzone (Base only)
Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D USB
Tritton AX 720
Turtle Beach DSS (old version)
Victor SU-DH1
External Microphones
AntLion ModMic
DX Mini Clip-on Microphone (aka DealExtreme Mini Clip-on mic)
Labtec LVA7330
Final Notes
MY TOP CHOICES (for quick reference)
Competitive:
K701
Q701
HD598
PC360
AD700
Pro 2900
DT990 Premium model
D7000
HE-400
Fun:
D7000
DT990 Premium model
Pro 900
HE-400
DT990 Pro 250ohm
HE-4
Creative Aurvana Live
DT770 Pro 80
DT880
Pro 2900
All-rounders (for both uses):
D7000
HE-400
Q701
DT990 Premium model
HE-4
Pro 900
Pro 2900
DT880
PC360
Creative Aurvana Live
KSC35
KSC75
Special notes: All-rounders are based on how worthwhile they are in that they perform well enough for all uses. So this list is somewhat separated from the individual fun/competitive lists. If the headphones are on there, it's because I feel they are great choices for ALL uses, even if they may not necessarily excel in either category alone. The Q701 I would still say is the best headphone for both competitive and fun, so if you were only getting one headphone, the Q701 would be pretty damn hard to beat. As for the DT880, they didn't make the list for competitive because of how they just don't do rear positioning well as mentioned time and time again. If you can get over that glaring issue, they would be damn good for competitive. Also, although the DT770 Pro 80 has an amazing sense of virtual sound placement, the bass is just too much to take them seriously for competitive gaming. The Pro 2900 is a headphone I can recommend for all purposes, though not at the price range. The HE-400 is a fantastic all rounder, but only when you give it sufficient power. Using the Mixamp alone closes in the soundstage depth, and makes it positioning inferior to when it's properly amped.
HEADPHONES
Tier D: $0-50
Koss KSC35 (*clip-on*)
Sells for $45.
Okay, the more mature Koss clip-on that was discontinued and then brought back (only on the Koss website), for a pretty hefty $45. I'd say it's hefty because it honestly should cost just slightly above the KSC75 range, not 3x as much. They sound very similar to the KSC75. However, they are fuller sounding, with fuller bass approaching full-sized type bass, and the mids/vocals are very rich and forward. Treble is also quite neutral for me, not being too smooth, and not too sparkly. I actually am quite fond of their treble. The KSC75's treble is harsher, grainier, and more fatiguing. The mids on the KSC75 are slightly laid back, while the KSC35 presents them up front and more fleshed out. In all honesty, you can say the difference between the KSC75 and KSC35 is like the difference between the K701 and Q701. One is brighter, drier, and thinner sounding, while the other is more natural, and fleshed out.
How do they perform for gaming? Obviously, this is what you'd guys wanna know, and fortunately, they are pretty good performers, just the way the KSC75 is, but just a tad bit better. I played Black Ops for several hours today, and Dolby Headphone truly worked well together with the KSC35. There were sounds that would make me think were outside of the game. Soundstage with DH isn't huge, just like the KSC75, but it's not small either. It felt natural. Directional cues were quite easy to identify, so no complaints. All in all, it's a solid sounding headphone, that does work very well for gaming. Bass was strong but quick due to the open nature of the headphones, but slower than the KSC75. Based on sound alone, I'd say the KSC35 is a headphone you could use for hours without fatigue. Kind of like a smaller, more bassy PC360. Nice tonal balance that I don't think anyone would dislike.
My biggest complaint is the price. I'd put them at $25 at it's highest point. $20 would be perfect. For $45, I don't think I can recommend them since the KSC75 can be found for $15, are are just slightly inferior. However, if money is no object, and you want a great clip-on, the KSC35 is definitely worth the upgrade from the KSC75, and the difference between them with their respective stock clips is significant enough to warrant purchase.
Comfort-wise: compared to the KSC75, the KSC35 is quite noticeably lacking in comfort. The KSC75 has those very comfortable rubberized clips, that once you get used to, it's as if they weren't there. The KSC35 has some hard, slightly sharp plastic clips, that will never truly disappear off your head. At times, they can get bothersome, but with time, they're fine for several hours use.
Now, if you use the KSC75 clips on the KSC35 for comfort, you will lose a bit of SQ, and it will put them very close to KSC75 sound, with just a very slight hint of warmth (literally 90% alike). I'd say that it's worth the minor discomfort to use the stock plastic clips as it boosts SQ maybe 25% better than the KSC75, IMHO.
Fun: 7.5/10
Competitive: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10
Koss KSC75 (*clip-on*)
Sells for $13-$20.
It belongs here. Most of you already know what a bang for the buck these are, and I'm more than happy to say that they are pretty good gaming headphones. Directionality is accurate, detail is fantastic for their price, and treble is sparkly and energetic. The bass is also no slouch, assuming you are in a decently quiet atmosphere. The KSC75 is very picky about what is around you, so the quieter the place you're in is, the better they perform. If you want to game on a budget, these should be not be taken lightly. I use them when I wanna relax and lay back, since I don't ever have to worry about them sliding off or out of position. They stay in place no matter what. I love them so much. You couldn't get me to give mine up unless it's for another pair. You get a lot of performance for the price, and everyone should pick some up.
edit (6/2/20112): Just want to add that the way to present sound is considerably different from full-sized headphones. They are like a bridge between IEM and Full-sized cans, in which they don't have a FULL sound that envelopes you the way full-size cans do, but they project farther out than IEMs.
Fun: 7/10
Competitive: 7/10
Comfort: 9.5/10 (after initially getting used to clips, they are just amazing)
Koss UR40
Sells for $25-30.
Tried two of these... both were so ridiculously bloated and congested in bass, and everything sounded like pure muffled nonsense. Hated EVERYTHING about them. Of course the HD650 fans actually like this thing, so I'll chalk it up to me hating that ridiculously warm/smooth sound. Still, I felt the bass was ridiculously out of proportion, more so than heavy hitters like the XB700. It was giving me headaches. I'm not gonna mod anything. If it doesn't work for me as is, then I'll look elsewhere. They may use the same drivers as the KSC75, but they sound nothing alike. We all should know by know how different a driver sounds depending on housing and other factors.
Comfort-wise: Personally, I couldn't get them to sit right on my head, as they were too short. The net style headband didn't do anything for me either. This one is for small heads.
Fun: 2/10 (give you an extra point for the obsecene bass... if that's a good thing...)
Competitive: 1/10
Comfort: 3/10
Philips SHP2500
Sold for $20 (discontinued?).
Very comfortable, and has a surprising decent sized soundstage for gaming. Not bad AT ALL for gaming with Dolby Headphone. Won't top the KSC75, but if you need isolation when gaming for the least amount of cash, this is a fine choice.
Comfort-wise, they are pretty comfortable, the only issue that even with their velour padding, they quite hot due to a very good seal. No air escapes = sweat galore.
Fun: 5/10
Competitive: 6/10
Comfort: 7/10
Sennheiser HD201
Sells for $20.
Another budget performer. Very well balanced sound signature. Closed headphone with a sense of depth and width. Not terribly exciting, but for $20, these are a pretty good alternative to the Philips SHP2500 when it comes to budget closed cans. Id still say the Philips SHP250 performs a little better with Dolby Headphone and is more comfortable. Still, if comfort isn't a priority, these are very. very good for the price.
Comfort-wise, it's not very comfortable. The pleather is cheap and plasticky, and the seal causes discomfort quite quickly. Like bad pressure to the head. Not as bad as the HD280 pro though.
Fun: 6/10
Competitive: 6/10
Comfort: 3/10
Steelseries Siberia V1 (*headset*)
Sells for around $35-50 (discontinued).
The sound... hmm... a bit on the veiled side. To be honest, they sounded better with music than they did with gaming. It wasn't even impressive with Dolby Headphone. I wouldn't look at these twice. The Siberia V2 is known to be pretty good, but sadly, I didn't get those because she didn't want pleather pads, so opted for the inferior version with tiny velours and smaller drivers.
Comfort-wise... quite possibly the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn. Seriously. The self adjusting headband is just AWESOME. Very light, and very open, so your ears breathe quite a bit. Looks like a budget Sony MDR-F1. The only area they lack in comfort-wise is that the pads are a bit too small to give them a perfect score.
Fun: 5/10
Competitive: 4/10
Comfort: 9.5/10
Turtle Beach Z2 (*headset*)
Sells for around $50.
These come with 50mm drivers, has no inline amp, and is cheaper than the PX21. These MUST be good! Okay, so when I opened the package and attempted to adjust it... the right cup snapped off. Seriously. Just snapped. That goes to show you the kind of quality to expect. I couldn't even test the sound quality properly. Not to be unfair, I asked for a replacement on Amazon, which was shipped to me within 2 days. Knowing the durability issues, I took RIDICULOUSLY special care on not snapping one of the cups off when adjusting them on my head.
The sound: Hmm... not good. Really. it's weak. Now I will tell you why I think that is: the pads. It uses neoprene pads that don't isolate, and don't form any sort of seal. I'd think that some pads that seal properly would probably make the Z2 sound a little better. I'm not a fan of the neoprene pads. They lose the isolation of pleather, and the comfort of velour. Really, no reason why I think neoprene should be used.
If you really want me to tell you how it worked with Dolby Headphone, well... not even remotely good. Lack of soundstage and positional accuracy. Actually, I think it's the very worst I have ever used with Dolby Headphone.
Comfort-wise, don't remember, but as with the PX21, the neoprene pads weren't great.
Fun: 1/10
Competitive: 1/10
Comfort: N/A
Tier C: $50-150
Audio-Technica AD700
Sells for around $100 (more or less).
Spectacular for FPS games. Great detail in the mids and energetic treble. Soundstage is the biggest of any headphone I have heard in Dolby Headphone mode (including the K701). Everything sounds just so crystal clear and sparkly. Directional accuracy is just bloody fantastic (2nd only to the DT770 Pro 80s for me). If you want a headphone that just murders practically everything else for FPS games, the AD700s is that headphone. They are really bass light. That is their biggest issue. Bass is so light, it sounds like a tin can attempting to sound like a subwoofer. Just no bass, lol. So for immersive, non-competitive gaming, these aren't going to impress. The treble can also be quite grating and harsh. They also sound somewhat artificial, so don't expect accurate and realistic sounds coming from this headphone.
Comfort-wise, the pads are super comfortable, but the cans are way too loose for some people, and your ears may touch the drivers which a shock prone person like me couldn't handle anymore.
Fun: 6/10 (the soundstage is it's own brand of fun, but soundstage and clarity aside, they're not going to wow you.)
Competitive: 10/10
Comfort: 3/10
Audio-Technica M50
Update: I feel that because the M50s are one of my fave headphones, they deserve a bit more in the listing.
Sells for $120 (more or less).
Bass: The M50's bass is emphasized, but not by a lot. It's well balanced, slightly favoring bass over mids. The bass can go pretty low, and has a good thump to it, without it being flabby. Bassheads won't appreciate the quantity, however, the M50s can handle bass boosting like a champ.
Mids: The mids are ever so slightly recessed due to slightly more prominent bass and treble. However, the mids aren't THAT recessed, and is well in line with the rest of the sound.
Treble: the treble is emphasized, energetic, and sparkly, They can get harsh, but it's nothing too worrisome, compared to other headphones on the list. The M50's treble gives you a crisp sound overall.
Comfort-wise, the M50 is the most comfortable pleather-padded headphone I have ever owned. You have to do the stretch mod, but once that is done, they are just godly in comfort.
edit: HERE is my thread with how to do the stretch mod.
As far as isolation goes, the M50's do extremely well keeping sounds from leaking out, and a great job isolating from the outside.
Gaming: the M50s don't do very well with Dolby headphone. Their issue is their soundstage, which sound congested and doesn't give you a big enough virtual space to let Dolby headphone work it's magic. I feel that even the Hifiman RE0s (the IEMs) do it better. I'd say if you want a good headphone for plain stereo gaming (like say with a Vita, DS, phones, etc), the M50s will be just fine. Just don't take them seriously for console/PC gaming.
Fun: 7/10
Competitive: 4/10
Comfort: 9/10
Isolation: 8
Creative Aurvana Live! (aka "CAL")
Sells for $100 (or less).
Ah, the little Fostex driver that could. This is one seriously good headphone that works very well with Dolby Headphone. For a closed headphone, the soundstage is decent. Positioning is good, bass is excellent but not overwhelming, and the treble is relaxed enough to bring out the mids a bit more than the M50s, IMHO. I would directly compare them to the M50s. The M50s are more aggressive, with smaller soundstage, while the CAL is more laidback with a better sense of depth and width. If you're looking for a closed headphone under $100 for gaming, seriously consider the CAL. I had absolutely no problem using them during my more competitive gaming sessions in CoD4 and MW2, though in the end, they are warmer in signature than I prefer.
Comfort-wise, I love them. For a pleather padded headphone, they are AMAZINGLY comfortable. Those pads are very soft and feel wonderful. The discomfort comes from my personal distaste for non-velour pads, which is just personal gripes, due to the heat/stickiness it causes. I'll keep that out of the scores though, as that would bog down all pleather headphone scores. The pads however, aren't that deep and may cause an issue for those who don't like to feel your ears pressing against the driver padding. They may not be big enough for those with large areas, so it may feel like an on ear, instead of an over ear headphone to some.
Fun: 8/10
Competitive: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10
HiFiMAN RE0 (IEM)
Sells for $79.
Can an IEM truly be good for gaming with Dolby Headphone? Astrogaming just released the A*Stars to use with the Mixamps, so they believe so. My experiences with the highly regarded HiFIMAN RE0s leads me to believe the same. The sound signature is like a VERY neutral to slightly bright sound, lacking a little in bass, but being incredibly analytical. That to me, sounds like a perfect headphone to test for hardcore gaming. Being an IEM, the RE0 doesn't have any worthy soundstage depth and width to speak of even with Dolby Headphone. Everything sounds pretty much close to you. What they DO however, is accurately pinpoint which direction sounds are coming from, and pick up all the detail you could possibly want for gaming. No one will be sneaking up on you with the RE0s on. Still, you will be missing the soundstage, which helps in immersion. Still, when it comes to IEMs, this is a fantastic one to use.
Comfort-wise, I'm not a huge IEM fan, and these weren't notably superior or inferior to any other IEM in comfort. The stock tips weren't great, and they would constantly fall out of my ears. I much prefer the JVC Marshmallow's tips for comfort, but not sure what they'd do to the sound, as I didn't own them at the same time.
Fun: 4/10
Competitive: 7/10
Comfort: 6.5/10
Sennheiser HD280 Pro
Sells for around $100.
Needed to mention this one. Like the M50... these are NO GOOD for Dolby Headphone gaming. The soundstage is so miniscule, everything sounds pretty much like it's right next to you. No sense of depth or width. My RE0s were better at least.
Comfort-wise.... uhh, no. Just...no. Sennheiser loves it's clamp, and the HD280 Pro is a TORTURE device. It's a vice grip on your head, and the really 'perfect' seal adds heat and sweat on top of that painful clamp. Probably the worst I've used in terms of comfort.
Fun: 5/10
Competitive: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10
Sony XB700
Sells for just over $80.
A real guilty pleasure. I knew what I was getting into, and I LOVED it... for music that is. For gaming...well, let me give you an example. In Mass Effect 2, when you're on your ship, you CAN'T hear the dialogue, because the humming sounds the ship makes is SO pronounced, voices are pretty much completely drowned out. Needless to say, these are NOT ideal for picking up finer details. Pass for gaming. The 770 Pros do a better job at keeping mids intact, and that isn't exactly a strength for the DT770 Pro 80s.
Comfort-wise, the XB700 is a hit and a miss. The headphone is luxuriously comfortable...until all that padding makes the surface area it made contact with, incredibly hot and sticky. Then that comfort takes a large step in the wrong direction. Seriously, they get hot and sticky in a hurry. Considering how much surface area the pads take up... it's not a pleasant feeling at all. They'd be perfect for near freezing temperatures though.
Fun: 7/10
Competitive: 1/10
Comfort: 5/10
edit: XB500 info. The XB500 is even muddier and bloated in bass than the XB700. I'd give them similar scores, except the fun score gets a solid 3/10... 
Tritton AX720 (*headset*)
Sells for $129 (Best Buy).
My ex-roommate purchased the AX720, and I'm happy to say that it's a pretty decent headset. I find it better than what I remember the A40s to be, but the general consensus is that the A40s are slightly better than the AX720, which is why I can't really judge the A40s. The AX720's mic works fine, the amp is comparable to the Mixamp if slightly MORE powerful and sleeker and more practical (it's a set top box, which you don't need next to you unlike the Mixamp). The headset itself is closed and comfortable, with good positional accuracy, with a small but still decently spaced out soundstage. It doesn't come close to the headphones I have mentioned, but it's a great starting headset which you can consider FREE, as what you really want is the AX720 virtual surround amp. Many people wouldn't have an issue with the AX720 headset. It doesn't do anything horribly wrong, but doesn't do anything particularly particularly well either. It's just good enough to get you going.
Comfort-wise, I didn't find them bad or great. They do their job, though for a sealed headphone, they are comfortable.
Fun: 6/10
Competitive: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10
Turtle Beach PX21 (*headset*)
Sells for $80 (or less).
Hey, do you like hiss with your sound? Yeah? Then the PX21 is PERFECT for you. There is an audible hiss blanketed over the sound due to it's proprietary inline amp. Yeah, if you hook this up to the Mixamp, you're getting a hissy, double amped (in a bad way) mess. If you can get over the hiss, the sound is actually pretty crisp and detailed. I actually LIKE the sound it has, hiss aside. However, due to the hiss, I won't go any further into trying to remotely going into the specifics. And yes, this is an innate issue with all PX21s. The inline amp is the problem.
All this tells me is that you should not use headphones that have in line amps, especially with another amp like the Mixamp.
Comfort-wise, don't remember much, but the neoprene pads weren't amazing.
Fun: 4/10
Competitive: 5/10
Comfort: N/A
Tier B: $150-300
AKG K701 (K702)
update: my impressions are for an older K701 (7 bump version). New K701s (8 bumps on headband) MIGHT sound close, or the same as the Q701. Too many conflicting reports to say who is right, and who is wrong. All I know is that my old K701 sounded different enough from the newer Q701s.
Sells for around $250-300.
Remember how I felt the AD700 did something to me? How it completely change my view on headphones and Dolby Headphone? Well, I got that same feeling again with the K701. In fact, I felt like god had given me the secret to just out right smite my enemies with the hammer of justice. The K701 to me, is pure, unadulterated, SMACKDOWN inducing OWNAGE. The very first time I used them (Modern Warfare 2), I went 2 straight 25-0 games in Free For All. I mean, holy smokes. The K701 was like wearing x-ray vision goggles for my ears. Depth, width, imaging, complete detail retrieval... it had it all. These to me, are the very vision of the perfect gaming headphone (with Dolby Headphone). I'd still place the overall positioning behind the DT770 Pro 80, and AD700, but it's on par with the HD598. We're talking about them being maybe a 9.9 instead of a 10 (which is what the 770s and AD700s are to me). Those two have NOTHING on the clarity and detail-whoring the K701 has. The bass is light, but present enough for it not to be anywhere near a complaint for me. It just works. You want my top pick for a purely godlike hardcore gaming headphone? The K70x is it. Now if only they were easy to drive. Believe it or not, the Mixamp does a good job driving the K70x, as long as you don't mix in voice chat whatsoever. Talking about leaving the game/voice balance completely on the game side. Once you nudge the balance away from game, the volume takes a steep dive, and you will note how badly the things need an amp.
Now I already know how volume =/= driving force, but for gaming with dolby headphone, you WON'T think about that or notice. Trust me, the Mixamp is enough for the K701 if again, you don't add voice chat. If you do, you WILL need to attach an amp to the Mixamp's headphone out, just to juice the K70x and voice chat audio. Yes, they do scale with good amping, but for the purpose of gaming, I don't deem it necessary, asides from when you're in need of voice chat.
Comfort-wise, quite polarizing. A lot of people have issue with the headband's bumps. I won't lie, they take getting used to. However, once you've beared with it enough, your head will get desensitized by that particular sensation. The bumps no longer affect me in the least. I find them extremely comfortable. My only complaint now is that I wish the headband extended just a little more. I have to fully extend them to fit me properly, and it's quite noticeably felt, though it's not a real discomfort.
Fun: 6/10
Competitve: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10
AKG Q701
Sells for around $250 (more or less).
Fun: I want to give them an 8 for fun, and they do deserve that most of the time, but there are times when you can tell that sub bass is lacking. Don't get me wrong, they can be quite bassy, but its leaning more towards mid bass (the quick hits), than the ambient/mood setting bass that I prefer. Still, they can get very fun at times, and anyone looking for a well balanced can that can perform great overall, these are better than the PC360 and DT880 overall.
Competitive: I can't directly compare the two for competitive use, but no one should pass these up for the slight decrease in score. They are essentially just as good, but the K701 lacks a warmth I deem necessary for overall use, so you end up really focusing on details, which is the main strength in the K701. The emphasis on detail retrieval is what makes the K701 just beastly. The Q701 is tuned for more enjoyment FWIH, though they are still detail monsters, just not as glaringly obvious. As far as positional cues and accuracy, they are every bit as good as the K701. Soundstage may be just a smidge smaller, but I attribute that to the fuller sound. Soundstage to me is bigger on headphones that lack a lower end, letting the space breathe more, if that makes sense.
Seriously, get the Q701 over the K701. Its just an overall better can. If you seriously just want detail whoring for gaming, the money is better spent/saved on some AD700s. The K701 is overkill for that specific need, as the Q701 can be just as good, and be enjoyable outside of gaming. I didn't like the K701 for anything other than competitive gaming. I like the Q701 for most purposes. I tend to use them over the D7000 when watching my favorite shows, due to comfort (love me open+velour pads), and voices are clearer, or playing games that aren't reliant on bass. My D7000 is mostly for music, action movies, and intense games.
As far as my second fave balanced can (DT880) compared the Q701, the DT880 slightly edges out the Qs in fun due to having a more appreciable amount of low end which makes them better to me for music and fun gaming, but falls short on competitive for the lack of positional accuracy. Still, for the uses that I need my balanced can for, the Q701 is still a better fit due to richer mids, better comfort (one of the few who doesn't take Beyers well comfort-wise), and just great all-purpose gaming cans.
Comfort-wise, quite polarizing. A lot of people have issue with the headband's bumps. I won't lie, they take getting used to. However, once you've beared with it enough, your head will get desensitized by that particular sensation. The bumps no longer affect me in the least. I find them extremely comfortable. My only complaint now is that I wish the headband extended just a little more. I have to fully extend them to fit me properly, and it's quite noticeably felt, though it's not a real discomfort.
I need to mention that while the Q701 is a better overall can than the K701 to me, the difference is not night and day. They essentially sound VERY similar, with a slight tonal difference. The difference was definitely enough for me to say it's worth choosing the Q701. Need to clear that up, in case people are expecting a big difference. Think of the Q701 as a very slightly EQ-ed K701, with added warmth and very slightly more bass. If anyone has ever used the Fiio E7, you can say the Q701 is somewhat like using the K701 with EQ-1. EQ-1 on the Fiio E7 is really just a slight nudge upwards for bass (slight), and a warmer/fuller sound.[/b]
Like the K701, they desire amping when using voice chat. The sound also scales with amping, but isn't really necessary.
Fun: 7.5/10
Competitive: 9.5/10
Comfort: 8/10
Beyerdynamic DT770 (Premium)
Sold for around $200-300 (DISCONTINUED).
Hmmm... this one is a tough case. There are a few versions out there. A bass light version, and a bass heavy version. In my case, I received the bass heavy 600ohm version. And I will state right now, that the bass was RIDICULOUS. It had a disorienting amount of bass... but it was weird... I could still pick up the other sounds, not like the 770 Pros. However, I felt that it added bass to every little thing. More than I could ever want for my always maturing ears. Let's get into the gaming aspect. Positioning, soundstage, and front/back positional accuracy were all there. Maybe as good as the 770 Pros. However, the bass was just messing with my ears, so I didn't test it out enough. I returned them quickly. There was just way too much. Don't give me the burn in nonsense, because I doubt a million hours of burn in would tame it down to considerable levels. It was leaning too heavily on that side. I actually believe it may have been faulty, but it's too late to go back now. If one of you ends up getting one with tamer bass, I believe that the synergy it has with Dolby Headphone could be a potentially godly combo.
I'd like to try the bass light version at some point, assuming I can find one.
Comfort-wise: While the DT770 Pros feel very comfortable for me, the Premiums less secure fit in addition to the harder than 880 and 990 pads, make them considerably less comfortable if directly compared to the 880/990s. Again, same pros and cons.
Like all the Beyers on my guide, they require amping to truly being out their sound quality.
Fun: 7/10
Competitive: 3/10 (can possibly be a 9/10 if the bass is tamed)
Comfort: 6/10
Beyerdynamic DT770 (Pro 80 ohm)
Sells for $180-200.
Comfort king. This is a heavy hitter. Very impressive for non-competitive gaming, especially if you wanna feel like you're in a movie theater. The bass is considerably super powered, and would make this a bad choice for competitive gaming. However, the soundstage depth and width is surprisingly large for a closed headphone. These also have the VERY best sense of distance when positioning sounds that I have heard. Nothing has toppled this headphone when it comes to that. Not the AD700, K701, or HD598. Too bad it's too wild in bass for hardcore FPS gaming. The finer details are pretty much sucked out because of the bass.
Like the other Beyers on this guide, they require amping to truly bring out their sound quality.
Fun: 9/10
Competitive: 6/10 (positional accuracy is the very best, but the bloated bass makes it hard to pick up details, so it hurts it quite a bit.)
Comfort: 9/10
Beyerdynamic DT880 (Premium)
Sells for around $250-300, though prices vary wildly by ohm version and depending on the day.
Fantastic. Absolutely. Comfortable, durable, and prestigious. Best balanced signature I have heard. If you want a gaming headphone based off sound alone, the DT880 is that headphone. It's so good, the sound works well in both hardcore gaming, and when just enjoying a game. The bass is quick, unobtrusive, but can get deep when the game calls for it (for example: Mass Effect 2, when you warp from one place to another, there is a low end rumble that sounds pretty **** epic on the DT880. Lovely. They do have one possibly major drawback. Think of yourself being in the center of a clock. Sounds with Dolby Headphone pretty much come from any direction relative to the clock.
The DT880s had a problem accurately depicting sounds that come from between 5 o clock to 7 o clock. Pretty much everything behind you. It actually sounds closer to the center, as opposed to sounding like it's actually behind you. With practice you can LEARN the distinct signature a rear sound makes with the 880s, but it will take you a split second to register that it's coming from behind you. That split second is enough to get you killed in an FPS game. Trust me. This is an issue with all models of the Premium DT880s, as I have compared with a few of my AVS friends who have owned different versions. They all came with the same conclusion. Some others don't experience this problem, but they also don't have the experience I have with headphones that DO have a much better sense of rear sound pinpointing (like say the 770 Pro 80s or K701).
If FPS gaming isn't a priority, don't skip these. They are ABSOLUTELY wonderful for gaming.
Comfort-wise, they can be a hit or miss. One, the padding is pretty much the best I've felt on ANY headphone, ever. I love velour. The miss part is that the space for your ears to fit in isn't big and your ears will press against the padding protecting the drivers. It can be quite uncomfortable for some people. It didn't bother me, but I had another issue. The design has it where the pads will rest on my jaw, causing some pretty significant discomfort after a period of time. Hit or miss, really.
Like the other Beyers, they require amping to truly bring out their sound quality.
Fun: 8/10
Competitive: 6.5/10
Comfort: 8/10
Before anyone asks about the DT880's competitive score going from an 8 to a 6.5, I had to directly compare the score to the HE-4 (again, this is a SPECIAL case... for everything else, scores should NOT be compared), as I felt they were very similar, though the HE-4 is slightly better for competitive use due to better positioning. That, and it just felt odd to give them an 8 for competitive when I've been quite vocal on their issues with rear sound placement.
update: This listing is for the Premiums. I'd like to try the DT880 Pro 250ohm, as the slight difference in fit may give it enough of a difference both positioning and bass. I also want to mention that like all the Beyers on this guide, they require amping. Don't bother if you don't have a decent amp for them.
Beyerdynamic DT990 (Premium)
Sells for around $250-300, though prices vary wildly depending on ohm version, and day by day price changes.
These are GREAT for gaming. Probably easier on the ears than they are for music, as the treble's edge isn't as pronounced in Dolby Headphone mode. There is a greater soundstage, more fantastic bass impact than the 880s (super quick and tight, and unobtrusive still, but more lively), and the detail retrieval is on par, if not better than the 880s due to the more emphasized treble, and just as detailed mids (though the mids aren't as forward as the bass and treble). If you want a more fun oriented sound than the 880s have for gaming, the 990s are it, and they do it RIGHT. The bass isn't boomy, but more theater-like, which adds to the immersion. They also work very well for the hardcore gamers out there who wanna nitpick the finer details in games like Call of Duty. Imaging is excellent, and overall positioning is better than the 880s. The hole between 5 and 7 is no longer there, though it's still not as good at judging front and rear sounds as my other faves. However it does it well enough for me that I happily sold the killer K701s as I saw no need to own anything for gaming after the 990s at the time. The treble will be too much for some people, though I believe that is more of an issue with it's use in regular stereo. For gaming, I didn't ever feel it got up there...
Comfort-wise, they can be truly great a hit or a miss for some. One, the padding is pretty much the best I've felt on ANY headphone, ever. I love velour, especially ones as soft as these. The DT990 is very lightweight, and it will feel like pillows caressing the side of your head. The miss part is that the space for your ears to fit in isn't big and your ears may press against the padding protecting the drivers.
update: My original review was for the 600ohm. I have recently been using the 32ohm version, and I must say, they're too much alike to consider them different headphones. There may be slight differences, but unless you have them side by side, they're very much the same headphone with different amping requirements. The 32ohm is a lot easier to drive, though they will still want at least portable amp to get the most out of them. The 32ohm I feel is the most versatile, with little tradeoff. Just make sure to buy an amp for it that has a low output impedance (4 ohms or less), as a higher output impedance may add to the already hot treble, and make the bass uncontrolled.
As for differences between the higher ohm DT990, the 32ohm is slightly less refined, and the soundstage is slightly smaller. It's a minor difference. One that wouldn't change my thoughts on it. I actually like the 32ohm version more. The 600ohm is slightly better overall, but to make it better than the 32ohm, you need a pretty good amp to bring out that potential. For most of us, the differences don't justify the hassle. Don't overlook the 32ohm, especially if you're not getting an ideal amp for 600ohm headphones. The 32ohm gets you 95% of the way there, with the benefit of being able to sound very good unamped, and better driven than the 600ohm on all but really good gear. You will still want an amp to bring out their sound quality, like the other Beyers on this guide.
Fun: 9/10
Competitive: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10
Beyerdynamic DT990 (Pro)
Sells for $170-200.
These are just different enough from the Premiums that I felt needed their own rating. Most of what I've said about the Premium DT990 holds true about the DT990 Pro. However, there is a big difference, and that's in it's mid bass. The kind of bass that attacks your senses directly. The Premium DT990 isn't particularly strong in that department, instead doing the lower bowels of bass some great justice for an open can. The DT990 Pro however has some pretty strong emphasis in all areas of bass. The mid bass hits DAMN hard. It was actually a bit too much for me, as I'm quite sensitive to strong mid bass, as I felt like a jack hammer was hitting me directly in the ears. If bassheads were disappointed in the Premium DT990's bass, they need not look further than the DT990 pro, which is a different beast in that category. But that's the biggest difference. The Premium DT990 and DT990 Pro sound very much the identical to one another otherwise, though the stronger midbass actually helped smooth out the treble a bit, so I felt the treble to be considerably easier on the ears. In this case, it trades off treble discomfort for bass discomfort. Still, I'm a special case, so I'm sure most bassheads would welcome the DT990 Pro with open ears. As for virtual surround placement, these are almost as good as the DT770 Pro 80. They do an amazing job, even more so than the Premium DT990's in this regard. That's why I have to rate them very high on the fun list. They are incredibly immersive. If you can handle aggressive mid bass (not bloated or smothering, but just...very strong), the DT990 Pro is one of the best values in headphones. I just wish I wasn't so sensitive to the particular range of bass that it's so good in.
Like the rest of the Beyers on this guide, the require some good amping to bring out their quality.
Comfort-wise, it's different from the Premium models. They clamp a bit more, and to me, it's actually more comfortable due to the clamp making them more secure. All in all, they share the same pros and cons as the premium Beyers.
Fun: 9/10
Competitive: 7/10 (the bass while not exactly obtrusive like closed headphones with such a strong emphasis, it is still quite emphasized, so it may distract you)
Comfort: 8/10
Sennheiser HD598
Sells for $200-250 (I was lucky enough to buy them for $170).
You all know it as an improved HD595, which is a consistent fave among gamers, especially those who use virtual surround amps like the Mixamp. My opinion? The hype is well justified, at least when it comes to the HD598. They are incredibly well balanced. Somewhat bass neutral, mid rich, and energetic treble (never harsh) translates to a very promising headphone for gaming on paper. And I'm happy to report that they are ABSOLUTELY phenomenal for gaming. They belong right up there with the AD700 and K701 when it comes to my very faves hardcore gaming headphones. Soundstage? Check. Positional accuracy? Double check. Detail retrieval? Triple check. The trifecta. It's missing nothing for those needs. The bass may be a bit too laid back for those wanting some immersion in their non-competitive gaming however.
Comfort-wise: It's a hit or miss. The pads are huge and give your ears plenty of space to breathe. My issue is mostly with the clamp. Sennheiser just seems to design some pretty clampy headphones. Like the PC360, the only way I can find them comfy is to over extend them, and give them a loose fit.
Fun: 6/10
Competitive: 9.5/10
Comfort: 7/10
Sennheiser PC360 (*headset*)
Sells for $180-250.
Seriously, if you want a headset, this is one is hard to pass up. Easily the best headset I have heard with a sound quality that doesn't make audiophiles cringe.
Clarity? Check. It lags behind headphones like the AD700, K70x, Q701, and HD598, but for gaming, it is NO slouch. I can say that it COULD be clearer as a whole in comparison to headPHONES in their price range, but as far as headsets go, I highly doubt clarity would ever be a complaint. It picks up subtle details with ease.
Balance? Check. There is no part of the audio spectrum that I felt was truly emphasized over the rest. Well balanced. That's all I can say. Treble is neither too smooth, nor too sparkly. It sounded neutral. Fantastic.
Soundstage? Lagging behind the monsters that are the K70x and AD700, but is indeed no slouch. I'd say it has a bigger soundstage than the DT990. Fantastically large sense of space and airiness.
Directional Cues? Check. What can I say? This may actually be as good as the best when it comes to overall directionality. Trust me when I say that I could EASILY tell where sounds were coming from with the games I love to test.
Easy to discern front and back? Check. Perhaps the main shortcoming of Dolby Headphone (as some games just don't do this well even with the best headphone ever), and the PC360 got it down masterfully for those games that do rear positional cues well.
If you're in the market for a wired headSET, this should be the top priority. If you're looking for clarity, the PC360 does a fantastic job.
Comfort-wise, it's near identical to the HD598. The pads are wonderful and huge enough for your ears, but the clamp can be bothersome. Extend them to fit loosely, and they'll feel pretty good. Your mileage will vary.
Fun: 6.5/10 (well balanced, but not really matching the punch in bass I like from funner cans, though the bass is enjoyable at times).
Competitive: 9.5/10 (I highly doubt you'll be complaining about anything as you're precisely locating anything and everything around you).
Comfort: 7/10
If these indeed sound exactly the same as the 595 (or modded 555s), then unless you really need a mic and volume control all in one package, you'll be saving money by going with the 555's and modding them for the 595 sound and attach a mic. However, the PC360 can be had for around $180, and brings everything in one very attractive package. I can't say anything about the 555 and 595, but the PC360 is definitely a gaming beast.
Tritton AX Pro (true 5.1 *headset*)
Sells for $170.
This is my first and LAST 5.1 headset. This is the worst frigging headset I have ever heard. I couldn't believe it was worth $189... I was peeved. The sound quality was absolutely mediocre, more on par with $30 headphones (KSC75 excluded). Now to the meat of the reason anyone would get this garbage: The 5.1 speakers. If it's better than virtual surround, it sure could have fooled me, because I wasn't buying into that gimmick. There was a noticeable gap between the drivers when a sound switched from one driver to the next. Sure, you can TELL where sounds are coming from if you pay attention to which driver is currently putting off noise, but I'll take the complete 360 degree soundfield Dolby Headphone has to offer over the AX Pros. Anyone who thinks this is better in positioning than a pair of AD700s, DT770 Pro 80s, and K70x with Dolby Headphone is someone I'd call a bold faced liar. The AX720 is better, and cheaper, plus the AX720's amp can be used with other headphones. There is absolutely no reason to own the Ax Pros, unless you want to see just how inferior it is.
Comfort-wise, I didn't find them bad or great. They do their job, though for a sealed headphone, they are comfortable. Same as AX720.
Fun: 1/10
Competitive: 5/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tier A: $300+
Denon D7000
Sells for $600+ (DISCONTINUED)
Normally, I wouldn't be recommending you spend anywhere near the price of the D7000 for gaming needs, but since I happened to own them, I'll go ahead and critique them. This may or may not be a surprise, but they are absolute gaming monsters. Despite them being closed, there is a ridiculously great soundstage, with plenty of depth and width. Pinpointing directional sounds around you is a BREEZE. Detail is in everything you can focus on. If you happen to own the D7000 and something with Dolby Headphone, you need not look further for your pleasureable gaming needs. The bass is so magnificently present without it smearing over the rest of the frequencies. The mids are rich though obviously taking a slight step back because of the bass and pronounced treble. The treble is sparkly but nowhere near the emphasis of the DT990s. They are also GREAT for hardcore gaming, but in all honesty, the bass is so good, you'll find yourself paying attention to it when you should be picking up the finer details, which is why I'd still choose something with quicker, and less present bass like the AD700, K701, HD598, and even DT990 for hardcore gaming. Still, yes, they can do it all.
Comfort-wise, the D7000 is very comfortable overall. The pads are soft, luxurious, and the headphone feels good on the head, for the most part. Personal distaste for pleather aside, the D7000 is damn comfortable. Personal gripe: The headband is big and can feel awkward as you move around. It's not the most secure fit.
Fun: 10/10
Competitive: 8.5/10
Comfort: 8/10
HiFiMAN HE-4
Sells for $450.
I feel I should add these to the list as I did own them for quite a bit and loved them almost as much as my D7000, and more than the rest. That being said, while they are my second fave music headphone I have owned, they are in the middle of the pack in terms of gaming either competitively or for fun. First, they are ridiculously illogical to use, as they require a substantial amount of power to drive properly. Seriously, nothing outside of powerful amps should even touch this. The E9 was driving them loudly, but MAAAAAN, the dynamics were non-existent. I've never heard a headphone sound loud, yet so inadequate, but there you have it. I specifically bought the Schiit Lyr for these back then. It was a huge difference. So yeah, imagine having to attach something like the Lyr to the Mixamp to give the HE-4 some Dolby Headphone love? But I'm a man of certain passions, so I did just that. You can forget about trying to drive these with the Mixamp
Source: http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-9-29-2012-he-400-edited
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28 September 2012 (London, UK)- iGaming Business have added three new speakers to their line up of industry expert speakers for the upcoming Social Gambling Conference. The first conference of its kind will be held in London on November 16th focusing on the social games space, the online gambling space, and the intersection and opportunities between the two.