Headphone recommendations

for 50USD you can get HP comparable to 200USD HP ...

 

Ehh, after going down a few rabbit-holes, I've ordered these
Philips SHP9500 : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

More than I initially thought of spending, but will be good for music too.
Plus, it seems like they won't block out the rest of the world, which is important when you have mischievous kids.

 

Those do look like a great deal - please let us know how you like them.

 

Good choice Arthur. IMO Philips have not fallen for the more-bass-is-better mentality but offer a well-balanced spectrum even im the entry level models. Let us know how you like it.

 

Never heard of those, there is a helpful discussion on head-fi
http://www.head-fi.org/t/802563/upgrade-from-philips-shp9500
If they are as they say "poor man" HD600, must be a good grab for the price. I own HD650 and they are truly great, but need beefy amping to shine, if those are more efficient that's a wonderful deal.

 

This is why I never wear headphones when playing video games. I only use them when listening to music and what not.

 

Oh, on the topic of sound.

I removed my Sound Recon 3d from my computer for troubleshooting a very annoying and intermittent BSOD "Attempted Switch From DPC."

Using the onboard Realtek...god awful. I didn't expect it to be that bad. It's very bad. Bad dog, Realtek, bad!

 

Yeah, the Realtek is what I'm using now. I'm going to dig up my old Soundblaster for this.

 

I have HD650's at home with a Nuforce DAC/Amp (at one point another dedicated valve amp) and Sony MDR1Rs at work.

HD650s hands down are awesome and comfortable. I've had moments listening to some tracks that have had odd ambient noises that spatially feel like they're in the room ... more than a little freaky.

However I'd say listening to just engine tones you probably don't need to spend quite that much on some 'phones and having a real car that has output over 140db right next to my head has probably lessened the justification on high end audio

 

Woohoo, BoomPro buddies unite! That's a fine mic indeed. Recently got a V Moda M100 Crossfade headphones, which are beyond amazing as far as gaming scenarios are concerned compared to my trusty old Audio Technica M50x (routing them both through an O2 amp that I got ages ago on a silly deal on massdrop) and they feel much much much more comfortable with the XL pads during long sessions. Got the BoomPro mic as my old ATR2500 desk mic fell over and died, and the quality of that little thing is on par with a good desk condenser mic. Don't mind the EDTracker stuck to the top of the headphones with rubber bands LOL, didn't want to spoil the cloth headband by velcro-ing stuff to it.

 

translated using google translate

I have Sennheiser RS 195 mainly for listening to music.
Joe Satriani + RS 195 = wonderful flying in the house

 

I went for a Plantronics "Gamecom" : Nice sound quality and virtual 5.1 with a dedicated miniaturized sound card. I'd recommend this kind of stuff in order to guess where exactly is the car behind you with no need to actually look backwards.

 

Virtual 5.1 means only one speaker per ear but with a DSP turning in a surround sound using psychoacoustic effects? These systems can (!) work incredibly well. Requirement is that the source signal is already in surround format. The multiple-physical-speaker systems are rubbish.

 

my neighbors are jerks so maybe I'll just ditch the headphones and just CRANK IT UP!

 

Yeah i have Logitech Z623s that bass seriously pisses off when i max it out. lots of fun.,

 

Sorry I don't know what you mean by "DSP", but yes, virtual surround sound using psychoacoustic effects.
Yes it works well. Even when I had my actual 5.1 sound system around my PC, I was using my headphones, sound is very good and you can't be a nuisance for anybody.

 

This is without a doubt the best guide for headphones that are effective for gaming.

 

Bought the cheapest creative Z soundcard yesterday for €70 because the headphone socket on my onboard was loose and crackled. Did not expect how much better the sound is. Even with cheap €25 Philips headphone. I tried my Philips Fidelio X1 I use for music and it's unbelievable. Like driving new cars.

 

Did exactly the same thing yesterday. Moved from aweful realtek to Soundblaster Zx and was blown away by how the menu UI sounded way more bassy! Ccars sounded way better too, but who cares, the menu sounds great . In my case though, it certainly have to do with the creative SBX pro studio software that is adding some fake 3D and boosting some frequencies. I know its fake, but it does sound better to me so why not!

 

Tried different cards but always ended coming back to the Z.
P.S. I use to use 5.1 with the sub under my chair, my whole rig would rumble.
(optical).