Source
r/Gaming_Headsets•
mielelf

[LFH][<$150][USA][Mac][Music/game]

• Budget - $50-150

• Country? - USA

• Platform? - Mac (occasionally swap to PC)

• Sound Signature: Music Gaming

• Open back or closed back? - Closed

• Any other gear you own - older (+10 years) Klipsch headphones w/inline mic, and klipsch surround 5.1 for my old gaming PC that died.

On mobile, I apologize for weird formatting. I would prefer a wired headset that I could use for a little bit of everything. I prefer noise isolation and I have permanent small earrings.

I used to be really picky about my sound and loved klipsch, but everything I read says stay far away now. I loved the klipsch bass response being crisp. My spouse swears by his Sennheiser 599s but I think they sound muddy. My klipsch have never been very comfortable and are very bad when I have to wear my glasses. The un-removable pads just exploded this spring, so not great. I like sneaky games and Electronica, and I may end up working from home, so I need help! Without being able to hear them in person, I'm really at a loss and I haven't looked in so long. Thanks in advance.

Posted Jul 18, 2020, 3:05 AM UTC

12
LifelongCabooseMOD•

Music Gaming Headsets:

This is the new category which is an offshoot of music and fun. This is the best category for sound quality and for people who don't care about comp fps.

Music Gaming will focus on Sound quality first while remaining close to the Harman Target. Which is why I like to refer to as fun neutral. Nothing will sound lacking and nothing will be to forward. Some of these may need a bit of EQ. Some headphones may vary off the Harman target for the sake of budget and sound quality.

So if you wanted Fun gaming but didn't want to sacrifice sound quality for that immersive sound then this is what you want. Will still be immersive enough and will position decent but will sound better technically.

So pretty much if you wanted what I consider to be the best sounding headphones are bar none this is that list. But I do weigh comfort a bit higher than normal.

Some of these you will be on other lists at different prices and that point because from this pooint of view they may be only worth it at more of a sale price.

Auto message, please respond for more info.

  1. Sound Stage is listed instead of sound signature just for now.
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  5. Do note, for closed-back I don't have all labeled as I'm still working through that all.
  6. Prices do not include the mic.
  7. VMBP = Vmoda Boom Pro
  8. HS = Headset, noting it has a built-in mic.
  9. All of the non-VMBP compatible mics should be paired with an Antlion Mod-Mic.

Music Gaming Headsets:

Open-Back

NameRecommended PriceSound StageNotes:
Koss KSC-75/ KSC-75x$20A titanium-coated porta pro driver. Id highly recommends a Parts express headband and Yaxi pads. On-Ear, Attached Cable :(
Koss KSC35$50USDFrom memory, these sound pretty much the same as the porta pros. Bluetooth model available (too much latency for gaming) Id highly recommends a Parts express headband and Yaxi pads. On-Ear, Attached Cable :(
Koss Porta Pro/ Porta Pro X$50USDBluetooth model available (too much latency for gaming) Id highly recommends a Parts express headband and Yaxi pads. On-Ear, Attached Cable :(
Koss KPH 30i$40USDBest on-ear Koss if you don't want to replace the headband. Moddablity is a bit harder on this model. On-Ear, Attached Cable :(
Sennheiser HD559$80(Wide)An upgraded HD518(not HD558). Warmer, bassier and darker than an HD599. Cant be converted into an HD599 as the HD558 can(the HD579 was the new HD558). a good budget option if your ok with the warmth or comfortable with EQ.
Sennheiser Game One/PC37x HS$100(Mid)An HD599 with less bass and flatter mids, slightly less detail.
Sennheiser HD599$110(Mid)When on sale for this price, its an amazing option.
Sennheiser HD58x$150(Narrow)HD599 detail, HD650 soundstage. A sound signature that's somewhere in between. A compromised headphone at its core but can be good for people who want an HD650 that is more V-shaped and are ok with less overall resolution.
AKG K612$180(Wide)A more neutral K702 or a less coloured K712. Attached Cable :(
Hifiman HE4xx$180USD(Mid)With EQ you get next-level bass at this price thanks to the planar drivers. Stock its a bit bright and slightly fun, EQed it can be super fun.
Sennheiser HD650$200(Narrow)Best $200 headphone for resolution, detail and for being very natural. Needs some EQ to get it out of its Darkish stock sound.
Beyerdynamic DT880$200(Mid)Bright af, DF-Neutral. Great QUALITY bass. Attached Cable :(
AKG K712$200Unique Colored fun (Wide!)Not as wide as a k712 but something about the sound of this is so damn fun and in casual games there fantastic.
Audeze LCD-1$400USDA portable slight step down alternative from the Sundara.
Hifiman Sundara$400USDThe King of Sub $500USD headphones. Meh build.
Elex$550USD

​

Closed-back:

NameRecommended PriceSound StageNotes:
Creative Aurvana Live$70USDThe Legendary LIVE is the same as the new SE but slightly more warmth. I'd take the SE any day over these. Attached Cable :(
Creative Aurvana SE$80USDOne of the best sub $100 headphone sound quality-wise. Attached Cable :(
Takstar Pro 82$90USDComfort King. The bass slider allows Reduced bass, neutral bass, elevated bass. Mid-range gets worse as bass gets bigger. Sound is very good for $100.
AKG K361$100USD(Narrow)A slightly brighter slightly downgraded K371 overall.
AKG K371$150USD(Narrow)Best sub $200 closed back for sound quality. Comfort isn't for everyone.
Cooler Master MH751 HS$80USDWarmTakstar PRO 82 between the 2nd and 3rd bass port, slightly worse quality sound, and slightly lower treble response.
Cooler Master MH752 HS$100USDWarmAn MH751, with no inline controls and a cheap USB soundcard, better for PS4, PCs with bad or old onboard, or xbox one users who get interference issues.
Takstar Shade (GM200) HS$80USDWarmSound quality on par with the PRO 82, but with a higher bass shelf like the MH751. The Shade is a better sounding MH751 with the higher treble response of the PRO 82 Gen 2. The trade-off is the attachable mic isn't very good. Review
Beyerdynamic DT770 80ohm$160USD(Wide)Bass isn't bad just a bit over Harman, very bright. Bad amounts of unit variation, it's like a 1 in 5 chance to get a decent sounding one at best. Attached Cable :(
Beyerdynamic Custom Studio (not the other customs)$200USD(Wide)A DT770 80ohm with less soundstage and less treble and a removable cable. The bass slider allows Reduced bass, neutral bass, elevated bass, and overpowering bass. Mid-range gets worse as bass gets bigger.
Audio Technica A990Z$220USDNeed in for testing.
HyperX Orbit$300USD(Mid)Read Mobius notes. A Mobius with no Bluetooth or head tracking. No Audeze updates so in time quality-wise the Mobius will surpass this if they use Audeze updates. But a damn cheap way to get Mobius sound quality.
HyperX Orbit S$330USD(Mid)Read Mobius notes. A Mobius with no Bluetooth.
Audeze Mobius$400USD(Mid)These sound so damn good, hands down the best headset on the market bar none and one of the best-closed backs I have heard under $500. Slightly higher background static, which may make or break it for some. Can't be used passively. Bluetooth, VSS, head tracking. Constant updates by Audeze. Planar drivers.

If you need to use some light eq to help go for it just be careful. Maybe even VSS if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it.

* Drop links are "affiliate" links kinda. The link gives you $10 off and me a $10 credit which helps me order products from drop for review. I don't get paid and I'm not associated with drop, it's just the discount link that every account has. Feel free to not use it.

* All links are for the USA seller. Just so people can make sure it's the right product when looking at other sites.

1
mielelfOP•

That's a lot to absorb. I hope you get it all loaded into the sidebar someday.

I'm still overwhelmed, but now I'm looking at the Creative ones because of the comfort factor, but boy it's hard to find reviews.

1