Looking for a solid 7.1 gaming headset

[Okok959]

I'm looking for a solid gaming headset with 7.1 surround sound (virtual or real idc) for around $100, or under would be even better!
Mic quality really doesn't matter to me because im looking at getting a sony ecmcs3 mic to pair with the headset.

I have been looking into so many that I dont even know what I want anymore. HyperX Cloud II's, Arctis 3, 5 and even the 7's, Man o War's, even some Audio Technica's.

Looking for a different headset because I am getting super tired of my USB Krakens. They are uncomfortable, audio quality is ok and the mic is a little upsetting at times with random in and out cuts. Also I wear glasses so something comfortable with that would be awesome but not needed. I could care less about peripherals of the headset as well.

Thanks!

 

[tacanacy]

Get a headphone with a big soundstage and good imaging instead. Soundstage is perceived space and environment of sound. It can be compared to virtual surround sound; both attempt to produce the same spacious, three-dimensional effect. VSS can sound more ambient and immersive, which depends on the processor (CMSS-3D, Dolby, SBX, etc.), but it degrades the sound quality and diminishes detailing due to compression from digital processing. You might also experience less accurate imaging and separation if the headphone already has good imaging and separation. Note that a deep soundstage is equally important as a wide soundstage. Soundstage is best achieved in open-back headphones.

Imaging determines how accurately sounds/objects are positioned across the soundstage. And I mean where they are positioned and not merely what direction they come from. This distinction is important because being able to only tell what direction objects come from is to me not good enough when playing against people or on high difficulties.
Imaging is inherent to the audio content, so if the game is recorded or mixed poorly, a headphone with good imaging won’t improve the positional audio, so don't judge the headphone before using it in several games you're very familiar with. I test mine mostly in Battlefield: Bad Company 2, a game that has great recording and mixing and that I've played for over six years.

Separation is separating individual sounds from a range of sounds. Good separation makes it easier to filter out or discern overlapping sounds from other sounds and track them.

Headphones:

- AKG K612 Pro
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD500x
- Philips SHP9500
- Sennheiser HD558
- Status Audio OB-1
- Superlux HD681 (B, F)
- Superlux HD681 EVO
- Superlux HD668B / Samson SR850

I have Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Philips SHP9500, Superlux HD662 EVO, Superlux HD668B, Superlux HD669 and Superlux HD681 EVO of these.

AD700x has a very big soundstage, great imaging, separation, clarity and detail retrieval, and good tonality. It has a bright sound signature with recessed bass. It's over-ear, very lightweight and has a durable construction and replaceable earpads.

SHP9500 has a big soundstage, good imaging, separation and detail retrieval, and very good clarity and tonality. It has a balanced sound signature. It's over-ear, lightweight and has a durable construction and a detachable cable. The earpads are removable, but you have to mod them or buy 3D printed rings that the new earpads attach to. Modding is very easy and quick to do and doesn't require new/extra parts aside from the replacement earpads, but the stock pads will be destroyed. I've made a tutorial: https://imgur.com/a/ARxXo. 3D printed parts can be bought from Thingverse.com and ModHouseAudio.com. The clamping force is very light, so I don't recommend the headphone for children or if you frequently move your head down and don't have a big head. Replacing the earpads will make the clamping force tighter.

HD668B has a very big soundstage, very good imaging, separation and detail retrieval, good clarity and decent tonality. It has a bright sound signature and a small boost in the bass. It's over-ear, very lightweight and has a sturdy construction and a detachable cable. I recommend replacing the earpads with velour earpads from HiFiMAN (https://www.amazon.com/HIFIMAN-Velour-Earpads-Headphone-replacement-HE400/dp/B00VV2JYXK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502778404&sr=8-2&keywords=HiFiMAN+velour+earpads) because they have much better quality and are a little deeper.

HD681 EVO has a very big soundstage, good detail retrieval, very good clarity and tonality, but has poor imaging and separation. It has a warm sound signature with a deep bass.
It's over-ear, lightweight and has a durable build and a detachable cable. I recommend taking out the loose felt inside the cups and replacing the earpads because they are very shallow and the driver sticks out quite a bit. I recommend the velour earpads from HiFiMAN. If you have big ears or want memory foam, very soft earpads or more bass, then I recommend round velour earpads from Brainwavz (https://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-ROUND-Replacement-Memory-Earpads/dp/B07238XHCX/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1502778586&sr=1-6&keywords=Brainwavz+velour+earpads). The earpads can cost up to $25, but the sound quality is worth at least $100.

I also compare to AKG K52, AKG Q701, Beyerdynamic DT990 (600 ohms), HyperX Cloud, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD700. I got all of these for gaming. I can't emphasize enough that perceived performance in headphones is relative.

I do not recommend HyperX Cloud / Cloud II / CloudX because they have a very bad price-performance ratio compared to SHP9500, HD668B and HD681 EVO and a bad one compared to K52. The Clouds have a small soundstage, bad imaging, and they sound very muddy with grainy bass.