Looking for a good pair of headphones for gaming/music producing.

I'd like a nice set of headphones (over ear) for gaming. I also make electronic music. So its kind of hard for me to decide right now. Whether or not to get a pair of headphones with a mic built in that isn't specifically designed for music producing or get a pair of head phones that is. I don't need really top of the line high performance head phones for either of these categories. Doesn't have to be noise reducing either.

Willing to spend up to $150.

 

Definitely recommend the ATH-A700. These are closed-back headphones and so far am really loving the audio quality from them.

 

They look nice but willing to spend that much on headphones right now.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826402012
The A700s on newegg for $130 shipped.

I've got a pair of HD555's, they're phenomal but they're more open (provides a better soundstage) so people can hear what you're listening to, if it's loud. So if you want to isolate the sound grab the A700s, otherwise grab the HD555's.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106392

Either way, make sure you have a good sound card otherwise they'll both sound bad. And don't buy a headset imo, a great set of cans with a $10 desktop mic will work much better and last much longer.

 

There's also the Audio Technica ATH-AD700s, which are $100. I've heard it said that Audio Technica is better at open cans than they are at closed (independently of the fact that it's generally said that open > closed for sound quality in the first place).

 

Generally speaking open cans do provide better sound given a particular price point. However Audio-Technica is generally not that great in terms of bang for the buck. There are cans they make which do hit a particular sweet spot, but they are few and far between and the A700 ain't one of them. True - in isolation (i.e. if you don't have any other comparative experience) many people do like them and the A-T cans do have a distinct nice look about them, but the sonic value quotient is not high.

I'd say Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. Almost as much a recording industry staple as the AKG 240 and the MDR-7506. More importantly the price is well below $100 if you shop around and it'll be more capable than a $150 Audio-Technica.

It sounds a bit "dry" for sure but it is accurate and has excellent frequency response. It's also probably one of the sillier headphones on the head - but you're not going to care about that for home use. It's also quite heavily isolated.

Another option is the new Shure headphones. I had the rangetopping SRH840 and the sound is truly excellent - although if it's possible, it looks even stupider on the head than the 280. The SRH440 can also be found well under $100 and is also getting excellent reviews. As with the Sennheiser, the SRH design is pretty well isolated. If you can stretch your max budget by $20 or so, the 840 will be within your reach - and IMNHO, it's one of the best studio monitors you can get, period.

Isolation, especially completely enveloping headphones like the above is a double-edged sword depending on your listening circumstances. Plus point: It lets you concentrate on what you're listening to. Minus point: If you live in a warm area, then it can get uncomfortable pretty quickly.

 

From what I know, the open ATH-AD700 hit one of those sweet spots, though.

 

In audio everything is relative, and everybody has their own way they like their music to sound, some like it sharper and more detailed, some like it warmer and more laid back etc. Specially in headphones so many brands with different offerings, and even outside the pure heaphones, sources, dacs, amp etc.

I personally find the A700 and A900 to be what i like, for the price performance, extremely comfortable and to me they sound really good (again this is very subjective), but i also use Senn 280 and i like them, but i mostly use them on the road with my laptop, given that the A700/900 are way to big and no way of folding to transport them.

I like more closed as where i listen i cant leak much sound and i dont want to be distracted by other sounds/noise when im using them.

My recommendation for you since your into gaming, i would say the A700 should be a good option or the AD700 if you dont need closed (and like more velour pads). Both can be bought around $100 easily driven by most soundcards and just get a stand alone desk mic or a clip on microphone.

In case you are insterested into other heaphones to reasearch more, here is a list that you might find usefull, What to look for in gaming headphones

 

I asked this same question a while back and I decided on the ATH-M50's. Those ATH-A700's look nice too though. Had I seen them at that price then I may have went towards those.

Sony's MDR-7506 are fantastic also; there's a pair of V6's in my house which are the same except the label and warranty.

The Seinheiser HD280's I almost went for but I read about build quality issues.

If I had the money at the time I bought mine (I paid $97 for my ATH-M50's), I probably would have gotten the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro's.

I do have to say I'm extremely pleased with my ATH-M50's. When listening to mp3 files I've had for years I do now hear sounds in those songs I've not heard before. They're great. The sony's are ever so slightly more comfortable.

 

I recommend you visit head-fi.org. The forum there is chock-full of headphone enthusiasts who will not hesitate to rob your walle- I mean, offer helpful suggestions towards the purchase of a new pair of headphones.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PX...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268776756&sr=8-1

Sennheiser PXC 350. I've bought them couple of months ago for playing, and they are great with the noise cancelling. Very powerful.

 

I bought the A700's about a year ago, and couldn't be happier with them. I find the sound quality to be excellent, even though they are closed I have never had any complaints about the sound-stage. They also provide a perfect amount of isolation, enough that I can ignore whatever my roommate is doing, but I can hear through them if I want to.

Amazon has them for $115 (where I bought mine).

That said, I'm no audio expert and don't have too much a point of comparison.

 

Sennheiser has too much bleeding and outside noise at times, not always before i get crucified here, check out a pair of Denons or Pioneers, they are both in your price range, j and r sells them if you live in Manhattan.

 

I got myself the Astro A40's since I wanted something towards gaming and have it compatible with both consoles/PC I've been pleased since obtaining them and the mic can be removed when your just wanting to use them as headphones.