1.1e - LifelongCaboose's Wired All in One (AIO) Headphone/Headset Guide
Important info please read first
- Please note - That this isn't a finished version and more just a slightly expanded version of the auto message. The auto message may be removed in favour of just a quick link here but I'm not sure yet. I'll list it with flair as Beta Guide and once updated to a more final state it will be flaired as Guide.
- SpreadSheet - If your looking for the spreadsheet please look at the top pinned comment. (this will take place once the guide gets its update)
- Auto Message - The auto message will be commented as a reply to the pinned spreadsheet comment.
- All in One Gaming - This Guide will be a quick list of All in ones or Headsets. This is the simple guide for people who for whatever reason want an AIO over all else. 90% of these all in ones listed will be in the other Sound Styles. I also have to mention that going for separate headphones and mic is better overall in terms of ease of upgradability, futureproofing, and less interference and issues overall. But there are many great AIO units so if that's what you need this Sound Style Puts them all together in one handy guide. This category will be very weird and different. As it will include other info like basic Soundcard info and more.
- PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED BACK RANKS WITH OPEN BACK ONES AT THIS TIME. (Link to my Beta grading System)
- Rankings are not everything - Which is why I will try to include notes with them.
- Open back will offer the best performance - Open back will sound the most natural, stage the best and image the best, this applies huge for FPS titles. But if you have an issue with background noise, or your brain can positon well in open environments or you just struggle to focus, maybe closed back is more for you. The issue with closed backs for FPS is you'll have usually too much bass. EQ can help drop it a bit. Also what works for you in FPS for closed backs varies a lot more person to person.
- Mod Mic - Do note if your willing to use an Antlion MOD MIC just use one of the other sound styles and buy a mod mic.
SpreadSheet
Quick Info:
- VMBP = Vmoda Boom Pro. This can be replaced with any 3.5mm attachable mic. Also as a note, I may include a section at the bottom with 2.5mm headphones as there are some attachable mics that work with them but none that I have found offer reliable quality. Prices do not include the mic.
- HS = Headset, noting it has a built-in mic.
- IL = In-line Mic, not ideal and I normally don't recommend it. This is kinda just there for a few acceptions.
- EQ - 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.
- FR/TG - Frequency response grade and Technical quality grade. Both still in beta and will change.
- Recommended Price - This is the price I recommend trying to get the product at. This takes into account sales. Some here will be almost never found at that price meaning skip it or wait for the sale. Others may even be found at a lower price than what is listed meaning it's a good deal.
- Sound Style - These will list the Sound Styles that the products fall under with Bold meaning the main one it falls under.
-
Open Back
| Name | FR/TG | Recommended Price | Sound Style | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KSC-75x IL | C/C- | $20 | Music FPS/Music Gaming | The best sounding koss 60ohm imo, best for modding. I'd reccomend Yaxi pads. The only way to get a super budget open back all in one that doesnt suck. Very good sound, on ear fit. Fixed Cable. |
| Porta Pro X IL | C-/C- | $50USD | Fun Gaming/Music Gaming | The best 60ohm koss if you plan to eq it and want the best bass extention. I'd reccomend Yaxi pads. The only way to get a super budget open back all in one that doesnt suck. Very good sound, on ear fit. Fixed Cable. |
| Koss KPH 30i IL | C/C- | $40USD | Music FPS/Music Gaming | The best 60ohm koss if you dont plan to eq or mod. I'd reccomend Yaxi pads. The only way to get a super budget open back all in one that doesnt suck. Very good sound, on ear fit. Fixed Cable. |
| Phillips SHP9500 + VMBP | C+/C- | $70USD | Comp FPS/Music FPS | Discontinued but can still be found here and there. Arguably the worst on this list, but by no means bad. Lacks bass extention but is still decent. |
| Phillips SHP9600 + VMBP | B-/C- | $90USD | Warm FPS/Music Gaming | An improved SHP9500 but it does offer a somewhat different sound signature. It is warmer, has less upper mid-range, and a bit smoother treble. |
| Phillips X2HR + VMBP | B-/C- | $100USD | Fun Gaming | Pretty much an SHP9500 with sharper treble and better bass extension. awful imaging, just above-average staging size. |
| Sennheiser GSP500 HS | B/C- | $150USD | Alternative | Only get if you cant get a Game One/PC37x or Pc38x. |
| Sennheiser Game One/PC37x HS | B+/C- | $130USD | Comp FPS/Warm FPS/Music FPS | Best sub $150 option imo. A slightly worse HD599 with a better tuning. |
| Sennheiser PC38x HS | A+/C | $170USD | Comp FPS/Music FPS/Music Gaming | A very good step up from the PC37x, but its price makes it a tad hard to recommend. But with that said no other AIO under $300 really competes with it. |
| Audio Technica ADG1x HS | C+/C | $180USD | Alternative | Overpriced for what it is but what it is, is pretty much an AD700x with a build in mic. A good alternitive to the PC38x. Fixed Cable. |
| Hifiman Deva Wired + VMBP AIO | B+/B- | $180USD | Fun Gaming/Music FPS/Music Gaming | Need to confirm if this does work but it should. This would offer a cheapish planar AIO. Do note it seems Hifiman may have discontinued the wired Deva once the HE5xx was released. |
Closed Back
| Name | FR/TG | Recommended Price | Notes: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Stinger | D/D | $40USD | Alternative | MH630 alternative. Just slightly worse overall. |
| Razer BlackShark V2 X | D/D+ | $40USD | Alternative | Very poorly tuned, over-hyped, very dark. Only get it if you have no other option or you don't want any treble. |
| Cooler Master MH630 | D/D+ | $40USD | Fun Gaming | One of the best mics on any headset. Poorly tuned but aside from that it's decent. |
| Logitech G332 | B-/D- | $30USD | TBD | |
| Logitech G432 | B-/D- | $40USD | TBD | |
| Cloud Core | C+/C- | $60USD | Fun FPS | A cloud alpha with a fixed cable slightly worse tuning and bad imaging. |
| Cloud 2 | C+/C- | $80USD | Alternative | Only if on sale and you can't get the other options. |
| Cloud Core 7.1 | C+/C- | $80USD | Fun FPS | A cloud core with a USB dongle. |
| HyperX Cloud Alpha | B-/C | $80USD | Fun FPS/ Music Gaming | A semi-improved Takstar Pro 80 (og cloud) not better in all ways but better none the less. |
| Audio Technica AG1X HS | C+/C- | $120USD | Alternative | Not for everyone, pads that don't like to seal well, hollow sound. very good for FPS for most. An A500(not A550z) with a mic. Attached Cable :( |
| Sennheiser/EPOS GSP300 HS | C+/C | $80USD | Comp FPS/ Music Gaming | A good MH751 alternative. |
| Sennheiser/EPOS GSP350 HS | C+/D+ | $80USD | Comp FPS/ Music Gaming | Bad usb implementation. Only get if you plan on getting an EPOS removable stereo cable for it later. |
| Sennheiser/EPOS Game Zero HS | B-/C | $120USD | Alternative | Gaming Only. Pure FPS. |
| Cooler Master MH751 HS | B/C+ | $100USD | Warm FPS/Music FPS/ Music Gaming | Takstar PRO 82 between the 2nd and 3rd bass port, slightly worse quality sound, and slightly lower treble response. |
| Cooler Master MH752 HS | B/C+ | $120USD | Warm FPS/Music FPS/ Music Gaming | An 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 | B/C++ | $100USD | Warm FPS/Music FPS/ Music Gaming | Sound 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 |
| Sennheiser/EPOS GSP600 HS | C+/C+ | $150USD | Alternative | Not amazing, poor comfort, and design. Better sound than many other things. Amazing Build. If it didnt have the large bass shelf fr would be really solid. |
| Beyerdynamic MMX300 Gen 2 HS | C+/C+ | $200USD | Warm FPS/ Music FPS/Fun FPS | A DT770 32ohm with a build in mic and a slightly better tuning. The tuning is closer to the 80ohm DT770 which is the best DT770. The 600 ohm mod isnt worth it at all. |
| HyperX Orbit HS | B+/B- | $250USD | Music FPS/Fun FPS/Music Gaming | Read Mobius notes. A Mobius with no Bluetooth or head tracking. |
| HyperX Orbit S HS | B+/B- | $270USD | Music FPS/Fun FPS/Music Gaming | Read Mobius notes. A Mobius with no Bluetooth. |
| Audeze Mobius HS | B+/B- | $400USD | Music FPS/Fun FPS/Music Gaming | Not perfect for FPS, about average in terms of positoning. But they sound so damn good, hands down the best sounding Gaming Headst under $500. Can't be used passively, has build in amps and a DAC. If this works for you in FPS this is the near perfect closed-back all-around headphone. Bluetooth, VSS, head tracking. Planar drivers. |
* 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.
Posted Jan 4, 2021, 3:12 AM UTC · edited
2020