Best Gaming headset solution

[zachhenderson102]

So I have been researching a lot online and I am curious to get a couple people's opinions that know more than I do about the best solution for high end quality sound and surround sound where I can tell where things are coming from in gaming.

Should I get a nice gaming headset? Get a soundcard and a headset? or a DAW and a headset? Honestly I keep reading different things and would rather just hear from people that actually know what they are talking about

Looking to spend 300 or less, maybe more if it is worth it. Thanks

 

[Christiaan Lourens]

I'd say start out with a headset and soundcard I can recommend 2 really good soundcards that will do you justice (you don't need to spend millions)

As for the headset I will list a bunch all are good you pick whatever you want.

Sound Cards:

Asus Xonar DSX ***
Asus Xonar DG ***
Asus Xonar STX
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card ***

The ones with *** mean I recommend them for you



Some things to keep in mind:



+-50-60 are going to be your best bet for a decent headset

+- $100-$200 are going to be the top of the range area but if you wait for sales on Amazon or like Black Friday then you can get em for really cheap.

There are many great headsets out there like these:

Corsair Vengeance
Razer Tiamat 7.1 (NOT the 2.1)
Razer Megalodon
Sennheiser PC 350 or 360
CM Storm Sirus
Logitech G35, G430 (a fresh look)
Logitech G930 ***
Razer Chimaera ***
Razer Kraken Pro (if you like green... I don't really like green)

Astro A40 or A50 (A50 is just a wireless version and the A40 got redone this year so it's still a great product)

Steelseries also make great headsets - Siberia v2 or maybe even the 5H V2, 9H, (Just a side note there are many many colour variants for the V2)

Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Rage (it's on the lower end of the price list here but still a high quality so might be a good option)

Tritton Ax 180, Tritton Primer and the Tritton Warhead 7.1 (probably the best Xbox headset in the world)

Turtle Beach PX51, the Seven (more specifically Ear Force XP Seven), the Z22 or the wireless Z300

Sennheiser U320 (this one is more universal and can work on both pc and console)

MadCatz F.R.E.Q. 7 (I have no experience with the R.A.T. mouse nor do I have experience with the F.R.E.Q. 7, but I think they (Cyborg) have a large following because they produce quality products so don't look it over because it looks different)

TeknMotion Intruder (looks like something from the future)
PDP Afterglow Wireless Headphones (These also look like something from the future so I will put them together)

There is another Turtle beach one something 42 (too lazy to google but check it out too it's more mid range but still I remember seeing a review a while back about it and not bad)

Republic of Gamers Orion Pro
Genius Cavimanus GX (I used these ones part time when my old ones broke, they are usb only but digital 7.1 and at the price they are pretty great really I probably only use 10-15% of the volume because they can go loud)

Well Triton and Turtle Beach are the most popular ones for Xbox so you might pick one of them, but who knows.

Don't forget about AudioTechnicaas well they make reall affordable ones if you keep an eye on the prices on Amazon.

I have now given you choice now you just have to pick 😛

Right now I just use Sennheiser PC360's my RS220's are gathering dust


If your location's budget allows go Asus Xonar STX + Sennheiser PC350 or 360 you won't regret it.

If you don't like their look or reviews go for whatever else is on the list there are no wrong choices just personal taste here

Just don't for the love of god buy an Alienware headset , cheap quality, soft and bad sound and they break easily...

 

[cats_Paw]

Hi mate,
As its standard for me when someone asks for high end audio, Ill link you 2 articles I belive you should read fully:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-1-27-2014-monster-dna-pro-added-edits
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13

Both are very detailed and very objective.
So you have basicly 2 options:
-Go Sound Card+Headphone/Headset
-Go External Audio DAC/AMP+Headphone/Headset.

I actually have both (Soundcard and DAC/AMP) and I clearly preffer DAC/AMP combo. The reason is that DAC/AMP usually tries to be more natural/neutral, while soundcards for games tend to be tweaked (this makes bass more powerfull and prominent, but not necesarly higher quality).

Its common that soundcards will Impress you more at start, yet become less interesting later on, THe opposite of what happens even with budget DAC/AMPs.

Now, After you read those articles, here is my take on it:

For 300 dollars or similar, I would recommend the HE-400 from Hifiman if you want a very Energetic headphone (Energetic means storng bass, and airy highs, Good for Action games, electronic music. It wont sound terrible or bad for more classical and relaxed music, but you will notice the difference.).

The other recommendation would be the Sennheiser HD600 as a more all rounder, more neutral headphone. This is a lot more relaxed than the HE-400, so It will sound OK with everything (Note that "OK" is a relative term. It means that compared to a normal headset it will sound Amazing, but compared to something like the HE-400).

Now. If you do want to go for a headset, Id recommend Sennheiser PC350/360 (today known as G4me Zero).

Note that If you go for A high end Headphone like the two i mentioned, you will require Amplification to make them sound better (Mentioned in one of the articles i linked you).

There are plenty of options and as you can imagine, with more price, better quality.

You can go the cheap way with a Fiio E18 for around 160 dollars (Its an awsome device for the price, no doubt about that), Or something a bit more expensive yet considered better like the Modi/Magni (www.schiit.com).

Personally i use the HE-400+schiit asgard (a bit out of your budget) and so far its been one of the best investments in my gaming expirience since i got a 32 inch TV as monitor.
Final note, those are open headphones, so they are not quiet. If you want isolation, PC350 should be what you look for, as i dont know any high end headphones that are closed in the 300 Dollar range.

If you got any questions, Feel free to ask 😀.

Finally, I would recommend you stay away from wireless. There are many drawbacks and almost no benefits (except mobility).
Sound quality will be lower (this is a fact, any audio technician knows this), headset will be heavier, rechares are required, and you soundcard/DAC+Amp makes no difference at all since its the headphone that does the "Radio wave" to "analog audio" translation.