What Headphones!!??

okay, I narrowed down my choices for some headphones (still open-minded), but I have a couple of questions.

Sennheiser vs. Audio Technica....which one is generally of better quality as far as sound and build goes? Has anyone experienced both?

Also, are closed or open headphones recommended for gaming/music and which is generally more comfortable? I have never used open air headphones and am a little skeptical about how much sound they produce externally and how much envrionmental sound interferes with the listening experience.

I want headphones that are good for both music and gaming and are relatively comfortable for multiple hours.

I am trying to keep it around $100, as I am no audiophile obviously.

Also, keep in mind the price of the headphones listed below, the two audio technicas are generally around $120 where as the Sennheisers are around $100

With that being said, which of these headphones is the best deal?

Feel free to input your thoughts as well as introduce new suggestions.

Thanks

Sennheiser

http://www.onecalldeals.com/Sennheiser-HD-555--Circumaural-Open-Back-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Headphones_p_640.html

Audio Technicas

http://www.digitlook.com/Audio-Technica-Closed-Back-Dynamic-Stereo-Headphones-SKU-ATH-A700_p_4862-5436.html


http://www.digitlook.com/Audio-Technica-Open-Air-Dynamic-Headphones-with-Titanium-Alloy-Cord-SKU-ATH-AD700_p_4862-6171.html

 

Open-air headphones are great for listening at home or where you won't bother people. At places like work or in the library, they'll likely be a nuisance if turned up too high.

For OpenEar: I love the Grado SR-60/SR80 or the Alessandro MS1.

 

The one decent headset you don't have is a Logitech ClearChat Pro USB Headset - great mike, great for gaming, chat, Skype, and has a music/gaming/VOIP equalizer selector switch on it to change the input mix for whatever you're doing. Doesn't cost that much either, and is comnfortable for long-term gaming (over 20 hours). It's USB powered. I use mine on my notebook, PS3 and desktop.

The reason you want noise canceling for gaming is if you actually want people to hear you and not automatically mute you when they hear you take a leak, eat munchies, or hear your wife/girlfriend rag on you for gaming and not doing stuff around the house. Noise-canceling will help prevent some of that.

Actually if someone's wife/girlfriend is ragging on them that's good entertainment value, so I don't mute those out...

The one I linked to is at PC Connection, but you can usually find them at Best Buy, Costco, Sam's, Staples, etc. If you're looking for SPDIF music headphones, then Sony makes a great noise-canceling set for about 50 bucks. They're powered and fantastic for the money.

 

IMO, I would go for either of the Audio Technicas over the Sennheiser. The Senns are good but I like the ATs better. More comfortable wearing for long periods.

 

I love my Sennheiser HD 280's. They're closed as opposed to the open HD 555's.

 

I'd go with the senns, but I'm a fan of the sound signature that sennheiser has.

 

i think ad700 is better than 555, but 595(i thought i have seen 580 before, replaced?) would also be a good choice if money isn't restrained

btw, the list is a little old

 

I like Grado SR80s a lot.

 

Yeah, used 580's would be the best, but you can't get them new anymore.

 

I think the AT AD700 are the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn and have great soundstage, so good for music and competitive gaming.

The A700 do not fit the same at all, not uncomfortable (AT have that nice auto fit headband) but they fit on your ears more and are tighter so not as comfortable if comfort is a concern.

Im affraid if I even bring up the fact I like my bluetooth headphones the "audiophiles" will kill me

But the Plantronics 590A I have are very comfortable and its nice to not have a cord in the way and it has a build in mic.

I just got the Motorola S9-HD's also and not as comfortable but I was very surprised with sound quality and volume.

 

I always liked my Sennheiser px100, so comfy. There's quite a few to choose from though.