So I woke up and these are the links to the videos and some pointers and what not.

ALL LINKS IN THE BOTTOM

Here is the first video for 150 dollars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dj5G0isn9Y

These are the 50 dollar headphones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fD-M1F6L4g

These are the really high end for 200-1000 dollar sets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgTnJ3JQQ0E

Open vs Closed

Closed

Closed which is what I use right now but am looking to get an open pair for 150 bucks. Now closed is where the sound outside your headphones do not come in, as much. Now some are completely noise cancelling then others and some you can still hear but not too well. It has a less of a sound stage so it is harder to know where somethings is by hearing it.

Open

Open is where the vibrator (forgot the name) is directly exposed with little noise cancelling materiel and sometimes none. The offer a much larger sound stage where you can tell where hostiles are, where the birds are, tanks, etc. They also are much better sounding. However, if you live in a loud place with a lot of things going on, get closed. Open also allows for people to hear what you listen to, from 2 or 3 feet away but not behind a closed door.

Microphones

One of the things that you need to be weary about is desktop mics. They are good sounding, great everything. However if you have a small desk get an attachable arm. If you have a mechanical keyboard or hit your table a lot get an arm. But arms can be expensive 20-40 dollars or even more. The solution is getting a Antlion Modmic 4.0 for 40 bucks, great sound, nice and clear and noise cancelling so it won't pickup outside noise. Desktop mics I'd get is a Blue Yeti, Snowball, Audio Technica 2020 is also great, Snowflake microphone, etc.

Ad-dons for audio

So if you want to get better audio, louder, etc. Get an AMP/DAC mix. They are a DAC/AMP connecting VIA USB plug to the PC and then the headphones connect to the DAC with a quarter inch with some 3.5mm connectors but not recommended. These offer a much better experience but at a cost for 80-200 dollars for good ones. Some pads too add bass or take away from treble, mids or bass or add to. But not that much but it is always great to get better pads then stock ones on some stuff for more comfortable wearing.

Headphones

Probably why you are here reading this. Now if you have 80-100 dollars here are my recommendations

Takstar HI 2050 open back headphones and a modmic 4.0 come in at just 100 dollars, they are great headphones. VERY comfy pads from Bererdynamic, honestly I don't know how they aren't losing money they sound like 200 dollar headphones.

Superlux 668B's they are good headphones, they sound high end, are very tough, etc. However they are semi-open and have a fairly large sound stage. My biggest 2 problems are, they are very treble heavy and uncomfortable for larger heads and ears. If I got these I'd need the velour ear pads Amazons sells for them because the stock are hard plastic. The other problem is they aren't very big either and I have a very large ear and head so they is a minus for me. Which is why I love the Takstar HI2050's.

Now if you want to drop more money then get these AKG Q701's which are VERY open. They offer the largest sound stage in the price bracket and more then almost all 500+ headphones. They are very comfy and big for big ears. Very good sound.

For some alternatives in that price bracket for open are DT 990's pros for 150 dollars, they are a bit treble heavy but still are very great. They are 150 on Amazon for the 250 OHM one which can be used in quarter inch and 3.5mm plugs by unscrewing the quarter inch adapter. They have very deep ear pads and very comfy ones too.

Now if you want closed for 30 bucks and still good audio get these Monoprice 108323. Now these earpads aren't very good IMO so I'd get Brainwavz replacement pads for 20 dollars. They are deep, comfy and overall nice. Sound I don't know too much about but they still beat gaming headsets.

For the last pair of closed backs I can think of are DT 770s, bass heavy, VERY big headphones from Beyerdynamic and overall good but not a good sound stage get these for 170 on Amazon.

Another honourable mention is Audio Technica M50x's, they are ok. Better then gaming headsets but don't offer much compared to 990's or 701's but still good. They are 160 I believe.

Now get a modmic or whatever mic you want with these, I'd get a desktop mic w/ arm personally but modmic is nice.

Links

• http://www.modmic.com/collections/modmic Modmic
  
  
• Blue yeti http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-USB-Microphone/dp/B002VA464S I'd recommend a pop-filter too.
  
  
• Snowflake http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowflake-USB-Microphone/dp/B0012AUHXW
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Seiren-Elite-Digital-Microphone/dp/B00QXT5M3C This isn't much more then the Blue Yeti, in fact a bit worst and very expensive. I'd stay away but worth a mention.
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B006DIA77E
  
  
• AT2020 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AS6OYC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0006H92QK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ZVM8GGV5TDXFE02QPWP
  
  
• DT 990 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011UB9CQ/ref=twister_B00WU2V08C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
  
  
• DT 770 http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-250-ohms/dp/B0006NL5SM
  
  
• ATH M50x http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1457973618&sr=1-1&keywords=m50x
  
  
• Takstar HI2050 http://www.amazon.com/Takstar-Monitor-Headphone-Gaming-Computer/dp/B009PIQUB6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1457973640&sr=1-1&keywords=Takstar+hi+2050
  
  
• Superlux 668b http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1457973655&sr=1-1&keywords=668b
  
  
• Velour pads for 668B's http://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Velvet-Replacement-Cushion-Headphones/dp/B00KLPRQMO/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z33W5JHBVD65A9T5YGD
  
  
• Brainwavz pads http://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-Replacement-Memory-Foam-Earpads/dp/B00MFDT894/ref=pd_sim_23_36?ie=UTF8&dpID=41vuwIZESZL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=14DP2XANDMR7AFMC1QMY Make sure these fit I am postive but check /r/headphones to know.
  
  
• Monoprice headphones http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-108323-Headphone-Gold-Plated-Accessories/dp/B007SP2CO2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1457973687&sr=1-1&keywords=monoprice+8323
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Signature-Reference-Class-Premium-Headphones/dp/B004444OFK
  
  Make sure to look at reviews.
  
  Feel free to ask any questions too.

Let me first say I'm not interested in IEM's! And so far I'm considering the Koss PortaPros, but I'm not sure I'm in love with them.

Budget: <$100, but flexible if bluetooth/wireless

Source: Samsung Galaxy S4 cable or bluetooth

Isolation: Would be nice if not much noise leaked out. I'll be using these in a gym environment but would also like to use them on a quiet train.

Type: prefer closed back, on-ear; though I'm willing to try over-ear as long as they don't look clunky and imposing.

Tonal balance: I'd like a medium bump in bass with punctual highs. I really do enjoy a neutral sound, but the HD600's I use at home already achieve that pretty well. I'd like something more hedonistic for use at the gym and out in the real world.

Past headphones: Jaybird Bluebud X (I like the neutral sound but these are too painful on my ear canals and slip out too easily, even after using the recommended replacement ear tips); Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear (first generation, fabric was too nice and I was worred too much sweat from a workout would ruin them. otherwise, I loved the look, loved the bassier tone, and the comfort; these are the closest I've tried when it comes to my IDEAL TONAL BALANCE), Sennheiser HD 600 (my neutral at-home / in-studio headphones), Sennheiser HD555 (most comfortable headphones I ever owned. Big soundstage. Ears felt like they were in their own perfect environment. The reason why I've been buying Sennheiser ever since.)

Preferred music: Must play well with electronic music without bloating/muddying the low-mids. Also, I'd like if music involving microsamples was clear and punctual in the high/midrange, so much so that I can hear the difference between several different sounds playing in quick succession. Hope that came out right. I've heard Sennheisers aren't particularly good at pronouncing the highs. Prog House music, bass music, glitch-hop, industrial, future garage, tech house, dark techno, spoken word audiobooks. If the soundstage of Weird Fishes Arpeggi by Radiohead is wide and clear, I'll fall in love.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up: Headphones that won't get ruined from sweat. More than anything, if I can enjoy the music and wear them for 8 hours with zero discomfort, I'll buy you a beer. I suppose owning a set of Non-Sennheiser cans would be nice, as long as I enjoy them.

Thanks for your suggestions!

There will probably be a lot of different answers, but I just can't recommend Steelseries Syberia V2 enough.

There are several reason why I love them - they have great surround sonud, fantastic sound quality for music, a good microphone...

But most importantly - they feel like heaven on your head. I have never in my life found a more comfortable headset than Syberia V2.

That band on the top... Dude, I have no fucking clue why more companies don't use them. I kid you not - go to a store that has them, and as to try them on. They feel soooo comfortable. They sit perfectly on your head. It doesn't press too hard anywhere. You don't get tired of wearing them. They stay comfortable for years. They look fantastic, if I may say so myself.

I just can't sing enough praises. A fantastic headset. And better than any other headset with just a plain softened plastic band, like the Razer and Logitech stuff.

Seriously, just try them on. You'll instantly understand what I'm talking about.

Razer also make good headsets. In fact, they also make great computers, laptops and other peripherals. But they are overpriced. Razer is the Apple of the gaming scene - no doubt about it. You'll be getting a good product, but you'll pay 30% of the price for the little logo on the side.

Logitech bring good stuff, but they aren't exactly long lasting and they aren't very comfortable all the time.

I suggest staying away from Roccat stuff. It looks really pretty, but the ergonomics and especially the durability sucks shit. I once bought a mouse from them (Roccat Kova) - broke down a month later. Not a good experience at all.

Finally... As a complete sidenote, and not exactly fits your requirement, but if you care for great, clear sound, good quality and a fantastic company (which includes a lifetime guarantee) - I just can't stop talking abotu Koss PortaPro. They are in the cheap category of headphones, but the sound quality is just unparalleled. They are comfortable. They have great sound. Great and crystal clear highs, nice and rumbly lows (VERY surprising for an open-ear headphone). And I tried gaming with them. I switched to them as my main driver. I kid you not. The games just sound so crystal when in them, because they are actually open-ear. This really lets the sounds of some louder games get on another level.

Might not be the best choice if you're playing competitive CSGO, though.

If you want, I can copy-paste the response I usually give to people asking about gaming headset. Hope it will help you.

Wall of text ahead. Please, read only if you are really interested...


What I usually recommend when someone ask for advice about gaming headsets is: Gaming headset are crap 99% of the time. They provide very poor sound quality, and any good headphone (literally, even 40$ ones) will sound far better than expensive 300$ headsets. The question is not if headphones are better than headset (the answer is “Hell, YEAH”). The question is, are they better for you?


What are you planning to use your headphones for? Just for gaming, or for gaming and music listening?


If the answer is “just for gaming”, then ask yourself if a Hifi headphone is what you need. Usually games don’t really need high quality headphones, since they provide low quality sound, and you will be more concentrated gaming than listening. In that scenario, everything will serve you, and gaming headsets have the advantage of the integrated microphone.


So, if you want something good for gaming, and just for gaming, with integrated microphone, then the only two headsets with good enough quality sound (aka don’t suck) are:


HyperX Cloud (70$)


Sennheiser G4me One (170$)


Both are good choices. Or go with any fancy RGB headset you find (Logitech, Razer, Corsair, Steelseries, etc), you will most probably don’t notice the difference while gaming.


BUT, if you plan to use them for music listening besides gaming, then keep reading.


About the microphone problem


Hifi headphones for gaming have the disadvantage of having to deal with the micro thing. None of them have microphone incorporated, and you must find a workaround to the problem. Options available are:


1- Use a desk microphone like this


2- Some headphones have detachable cable. If the connector is a 3.5mm jack, you can substitute the cable with this V-Moda micro. That way you can have a microphone attached and still use a single cable. Main problem is that you must use this cable, no matter what, and if you end buying an amplifier, you can no longer use this microphone, as amplifiers don’t have micro input. Also, not all headphones are compatible, as not all use 3.5mm jack connections (Audio-technica and Sennheiser headphones are NOT compatible with V-moda Boom micro, cause they use 2.5mm jack)


3- use a modmic like this one or if your budget is tight, something like this.


The first option requires desk space and it’s expensive. The second one is not compatible with every headphone, and forces you to use this cable. The third one are detachable micro, with an extra cable you’ll have to deal with. Any of them are a nuisance. Any solution is annoying. All of them are an extra expense that must be accounted. If micro is a must and you are not willing to bother with this solutions, please, go back to HyperX Cloud or G4me One.


Ok, so, you really want some damn good headphones, that also can be used for gaming! Keep reading, please (are you bored yet?).


You can choose Closed back headphones (the classic ones you have already used. Closed back models offer good isolation and do not leak sound. This is your choice when there are people around you, or you want isolation from noisy a environment.) or Open Back headphones (Open back models offer next to no isolation and will leak sound -and allow you to hear what happens around you-, but they are the best sounding models). Open headphones achieve the best sound, soundstage (feeling that sound is coming from around you) and imaging (ability to locate the source of one sound).


If you are here because you want to get a replacement for a gaming headset, I would recommend you Open back, but since they don’t isolate, you must choose. If isolation is required, get closed back, if that’s not a concern, go open.


Some closed back cans:


Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. 100$. Balanced headphones, very good feedback from lots of people. Typical entry level headphones to the rabbit hole.


Sennheiser HD 598Cs. 125$. Balanced, very very detailed, great instrumental separation. Comfortable as hell, very recommended.


Beyerdynamic DT770. 160$. V-shaped signature (lots of bass and lots of treble). Amazing soundstage (for a closed headphone). Great for explosions, movies, and rock. Treble can be harsh if you are sensible. Get the 32 ohm version, as the 80 (may) and 250 (do) need an amplifier to work properly.


Those are some examples of entry-mid level of closed cans. There are lots more, depending of your budget!


As for open cans:


Superlux HD668b. 40$. Those are THE CANS. The best quality for low budget you can get. Hands down. Great soundstage, Bass light. They are not too comfortable, but pads can be changed for a deluxe comfort (extra expense). You are not getting anything better at this price. For gaming in a budget, this are the headphones you were looking for.


Philips SHP9500. 80$. Mid-forward signature. Good soundstage, great comfort. Very detailed. Another amazing quality for the budget headphone. Due its popularity, they’re getting harder and harder to get.


Sennheiser HD 598 SR. 170$. Very similar to the HD 598Cs, but with open back. Wider soundstage, a little less bass. Very balanced headphones. Super-duper comfortable. Great for long gaming sessions.


Philips Fidelio X2. 250$. V-shaped signature. Those are in another league. Build quality is just.. OMG. Extreme soundstage and imaging. More comfortable than the HD 598. Bass is BOOOOOM!!!. A little pricey, and can be somewhat fatiguing to listen if you are treble sensible, due to high treble.


Well, that’s all. I have selected only headphones that don’t need an amplifier. Now is your turn to research, watch some Youtube videos, read some reviews, and give them a try.


All this headphones are GOOD. No trash here, and all them will make you open your eyes when listening your music if you are coming from standard headsets. You will notice sounds, instruments, that you never realized they were there, even if you had listened this song a thousand times before. Try them, and be amazed.


Welcome to the rabbit hole.

If I were you, I might do it a little differently.

Steelseries makes good keyboards and they're very customizable. r/mechanicalkeyboards might throw a hissy fit at me for saying that, but they're good all around boards. Every key can be customized with macros and stuff if he so chooses, right in the Steelseries software. No need to mess around with AHK.

Mice are a very personal thing. Does he know you're getting him PC peripherals for Christmas? If so, knowing the size of his hand, and if possible, how he grips a mouse would be super helpful. I spend a shameful amount of time on r/mousereview and would love to help you out! The Xtrfy M4 is very popular at the moment if he has medium or small hands. Right here you can see how to measure hand size properly.

If you can't get a precise measurement or grip style that's fine - could you maybe compare his hand to yours (a simple "Hey, which one of us has bigger hands?" should do), measure yours, and estimate roughly how different they are.

If he's got the space for a setup, he'd be much better off with a dedicated set of headphones and a dedicated microphone than with a headset, and it'd be cheaper too! I personally recommend the Superlux 668B headphones with a set of replacement earpads (these ones are amazing, but these ones are still very good while being much cheaper). Then grab yourself a Fifine microphone and something cheap to hold it and you've saved yourself a lot of money while getting him a much better product!

Oh, those headphones will let in a fair amount of background noise, and they'll leak a bit of the sound playing through them. If your house/apartment is often loud or you share a space and don't want to hear his games, these Takstars are shockingly good for the price. If you wanna save a few bucks and not go for a separate microphone, this CM headset is based off them but has an attached mic!

Good luck and I hope he enjoys his gift! Feel free to ask any questions you've got, PM if you want :)

Weird the link worked for me. I just copy and pasted the post below, hope it's useful!



This is a guide that recommends headphones with an added mic and does not recommend gaming headsets (I'll explain what that means). I'm posting this because I found lots of info on headphones for gaming but not a proper setup for a console like the PS4.

If you're looking for a great quality headset for gaming, you might run into some trouble like I did. I define quality as being made with solid materials and having awesome audio while having a decent mic to chat with other players.

Options within the quality gaming headset category are both limited and expensive. Take a stroll over to r/headphones to get their two cents on how and why gaming headsets are often overpriced and actually underperform their ticket price. This post in particular was very thorough and linked out to other really useful resources like Z Reviews

When my old headphones broke I started exploring options for a new pair of cans. I wanted to get something great and didn't mind spending a buck on it. As I researched I began to learn more about different types of headphones and what they offered in gaming. The problem I ran into is that the best pair of speakers you can put on your head are almost all headphones, not headsets (meaning headphones do not have a mic equipped). But I'm playing on a PS4 so that changes the game some, PC might have some different avenues. The PS4 dualshock controller (as of 2016, possibly earlier) has proprietary restrictions as to what headsets can plug-in and work with it so creating a DIY headset (independent headphones and mic) was tricky. I tried a workaround with getting an aux plug-in adapter that had "4 poles " to use with the DS4 controller but it didn't trick the controller nor did unplugging and re-plugging in headphones with a mic. Others have had success with it but not me.

I ended up getting a USB to headphone and mic input adapter. This way you can buy whatever headphones you want and whatever mic you want and pair them together by plugging them into your PS4 USB port. You are tethered by a wire but I have read that there is lag with basically any wireless setup so I wouldn't recommended them, especially if you're into online FPS.

My setup is:

---Open air headphones: Audio Technical 900x ($130)

There are other versions of these headphones like the 500x for around $75 as well as the 2000x for $600+
-I would also explore the Superlux HD668B Semi-Open Headphones ($40) as they are relatively inexpensive have replaceable ear pads and have glowing reviews.

---Attachable mic I haven't gotten comments on how I sound which can only be a good thing. I have asked how it sounds and "fine to me" is usually the answer I get.

---USB adapter w/ headphones + mic auxiliary inputs

-Also you might want to get a USB cable extender if the phones and/or mic you go with don't have long cables.

I would venture a guess that most any version of the above 3 components would work together. I am really enjoying my setup and have been using it for about 2 months now. The “soundstage" on open headphones is a really different experience, instead of being closed off by noise cancelling headphones it now feels like everything is happening around me. I had a pair of beats Studios (gen 2) that were pretty good but I would definitely recommend giving “open” style headphones a try. The beats seem puny in comparison, not just in physical size but also in output quality.

I hope this is of benefit to you. I spent a lot of time researching, reading and watching reviews, figuring out what would work on a PS4 and deliberating on what pieces to buy. I am by no means an audiophile so this is just the research of a lay person that wanted great sound and is enjoying what they found.

TL;DR Don't buy a gaming headset if you want awesome sound. You can get a great, probably better, setup on your own and likely save a bit of money in the process by DIY.

Okay. What I am going to recommend is two sets of headphones. One for nice, comfy, multi-hour home listening in front of the computer, and another set for when you're on the go. All of these sound good without any amplification.

Full-Size, Home Listening

• Audio Technica ATH-AD700 - nice, mid-level offering. Wonderful, open sound and definitely the #1 most comfortable headphones I have ever owned. These are fairly large, this is what they look like on me. They are reasonably light, and the design is completely open. You will hear sounds around you and if someone is sitting next to you, they will hear some of your music (or all of it, if you have the volume cranked). The pads are fuzzy and comfortable. Highly recommended for electronic music, chamber pieces, acoustic guitar and piano... well, just about everything. (~$100)
  
  
• Sennheiser HD-280 Pro - These are the heavyweight champions of the $50-$100 price range. Headfi (a major audiophile community) loves these things. So do I. Comfortable, with fantastic bass response and great isolation. Built like a tank - I DJ'd for quite awhile and my set is still going strong despite being dropped, stepped on, thrown in road cases, etc. The ear cups also rotate reasonably freely to allow them to fold "flat" and be tossed in a backpack. The pads on these are that pleather material which could cause a little bit of sweat, but nothing to really complain about. Excellent sound, overall, but particularly suited to drum n bass, dubstep, industrial, goa and other genres of trance and electronic dance music. My pair is actually in my lab at work, at the moment, so no photo of them, sorry! (~$90)
  
  
• Audio Technica M50S - Foldable, easy to toss in a bag. These are what I moved to after using the 280 Pro's for several years. Very smooth sound with a pretty surprising bass range. Definitely out-performed the 280's in some pieces of music when it came to the low range. Again, smooth, balanced sound overall. Great isolation on par with the 280's. The soundstage isn't as good as the AD700's, since these are closed headphones, otherwise I'd totally recommend these, flat out. These beat the Monster Beats Studio, hands down, for a third of the price. <3 Bass (~$120)
  
  Portables
  
  
• Koss Portapro - These things are classics for a reason. Very, very highly recommended by a ton of people. Comfortable, portable, built well, and excellent sound for the price bracket they are in. Unique styling. Those temple pads you see keep the pressure from the earpieces from becoming fatiguing on your ears. I've forgotton that I was wearing them on several occasions and tried to put on my hat over them. If you're cool with the style, I really recommend these. (~$40)
  
  
• Grado SR60i - I love Grados. They have a really classic look, they are very comfortable, and they have solid sound. More suited to articulate, dynamic music. Not a ton of bass. Would recommend these for home use as well, actually. If you want, you can step up to the SR80i, but I don't feel like you will hear too great a difference, out of an iPod or an onboard soundcard. (~$70-$100)
  
  
  Note: the Amazon links above are using my affiliate ID. What this means is that if you purchase a set through those links, Amazon gives me 4-6% of the purchase price as a commission. The price you pay is not affected in any way - that commission comes out of their end. You don't have to use those links, you can search Amazon for any of the models above. And by all means, you don't have to buy through Amazon.

Mic or headset?

🔊 MICROPHONES

• Antlion ModMic 4
  
  Attaches to headphones using a clasp system and is easy to attach and remove. Is compatible with all headphones. Comes with and without a mute switch.
  
  
• Massdrop Minimic
  
  Attaches to headphones using a clasp system and is easy to attach and remove. Is compatible with all headphones. Has a mute switch and is modular. Is only available via drops on Massdrop.com. I recommend requesting it if you want to wait for it.
  
  
• V-MODA BoomPro
  
  Connects to the headphone's jack, replacing the headphone cable. Is compatible with Philips SHP9500 and Status Audio CB-1. Has a mute switch and a volume control.
  
  
• Neewer 3.5mm Clip on Mini Lapel Microphone
  
  Clips onto your clothing. Has no in-line controls.
  
  
• Sony ECMCS3
  
  
• Clips onto your clothing. Has no in-line controls.
  
  
• Zalman ZM-Mic1
  
  Clips onto your clothing. Has no in-line controls.
  
  
• Blue Snowball
  
  Has various placement options. Has no in-line controls.
  
  
• Samson Go
  
  Has various placement options. Has no in-line controls.
  
  

  
  

  
  You can use various audio controllers for volume control and mute toggle:
  
  

• Fosmon
  
• Insignia
  
• Lucid Sound AdjustR
  
  

  
  

  
  To connect the ModMic, Minimic, clip-on mics and other 3.5mm mics to DS4 or an audio controller, you need a TRRS / 4-pole Y-splitter (three black rings on the connector). The BoomPro doesn't require a Y-splitter. USB mics are plug-and-play.
  
   
  
  🎧 HEADPHONES
  
  

  
  

  
  

• AKG K52
  
  Sound: Has a wide and deep soundstage, good imaging, clarity and detail retrieval and decent separation. It doesn't over- or under-emphasize the bass or treble. The bass can sound a little muddy in e.g. blasts and explosions.
  
  Build: Is closed-back and over-ear. Durable and very lightweight. The cups tilt and pivot, so they should adjust to the shape of your head nicely. The earpads have decent quality and are soft and removable, but they're shallow.
  
  
  
• Philips SHP9500
  
  Sound: Has a soundstage with medium width and depth. It has good imaging, separation and detail retrieval and very good clarity. It doesn't over- or under-emphasize the bass or treble.
  
  Build: Is open-back and over-ear. Durable and lightweight. The cups tilt and pivot and the cable detaches. The earpads have good quality and they're soft and removable, but they're very shallow. Replacing them requires modification or buying/making 3D printed rings that the new earpads attach to. Modifying is very easy and quick to do and doesn't require special tools or extra parts. I've made a tutorial. 3D printed parts can be bought from Mod House Audio and Thingiverse. The clamping force is very light, so I don't recommend the headphone for children or if you frequently move your head down and have an average sized head. For aftermarket earpads, I recommend Shure HPAEC1840. These tighten the clamping force for a little, and personally, I love the comfort and fit with these.
  
  
• Superlux HD668B
  
  Sound: Has a wide and deep soundstage, I'd say 50% bigger than SHP9500. It has very good imaging, separation, clarity and detail retrieval. It has emphasized treble and a small boost in the mid-bass.
  
  Build: Is semi-open-back and over-ear. Sturdy and lightweight. The cups tilt and pivot. The cable and earpads are detachable. The earpads have bad quality and are shallow, so I recommend replacing them with earpads from HiFiMAN.
  
  
• Superlux HD681 EVO
  
  Sound: Has the same soundstage as HD668B. It has very good clarity and good detail retrieval, but has poor imaging and separation. It's warm sounding with deep bass.
  
  Build: Is semi-open-back and over-ear. The cups tilt and pivot. The cable and earpads are detachable. The earpads have decent quality and are soft and detachable, but they're shallow and the drivers stick out quite a bit, so I recommend taking out the loose felt inside the cups, unless you're sensitive to treble, and replacing the earpads with earpads from HiFiMAN, or earpads from Brainwavz if you want much more depth. These are expensive, but they have great quality, they are made of memory foam and are very soft and roomy, and the sound quality is absolutely worth it.
  
  

  
  

  
  I also compare to AKG Q701, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990 (600 ohms), HiFiMAN HE400i, HyperX Cloud, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD700, which I got for gaming, except for HE400i, but it's great for gaming. I don't recommend HyperX Cloud / Cloud II / CloudX. I strongly advise against them if you don't need closed-back. My evaluations derive mostly if not only from gaming (so take it with a grain of salt for music entertainment listening). I can't emphasize enough that perceived performance in headphones is relative.
  
   
  
  Glossary | ℹ️
  ---|---
  Closed-back x | Cups with solid shells that largely isolate sound from passing in and out.
  Open-back / semi-open-back | Cups with perforations/grills that allow outside sound to freely pass in and sound from the drivers to freely pass out. How loud you hear outside sound and how loud people around you hear the sound from the headphones depend on the volume, of course. The sonic benefit to open-back is generally a big soundstage.
  Soundstage | Perceived space and environment of sound. It can be compared to virtual surround sound; both attempt to produce the same spacious, three-dimensional effect. VSS can sound more ambient and immersive, which depends on the processor you use (CMSS-3D, Dolby, SBX, etc.), but it degrades the sound quality and diminishes detailing due to compression from digital processing. You might also experience less accurate imaging and separation if the headphone already has good imaging and separation. Note that a deep soundstage is equally important as a wide soundstage.
  Imaging | Accuracy of sounds/objects positioned across the soundstage. And I mean where they are positioned -- not merely what direction they come from. This distinction is important because being able to tell only what direction objects come from isn't good enough to me when playing against people. Imaging is inherent to the audio content, so if the game is recorded or mixed poorly, a headphone with good imaging won’t improve the positional audio, so don't judge the headphone before using it in games you're very familiar with. I test mine mostly in Battlefield: Bad Company 2.
  Separation | Separating individual sounds from a range of sounds. Good separation makes it easier to filter out or discern overlapping sounds from other sounds and track them.

What is your budget: 200 € that should include any potential Amp/Dac needed to run the cans

Source: pretty old Desktop PC. Integrated Realtek HD Onboard sound. Have a soundblaster. I don't know if it works properly though. Maybe I'll hook them to a PS4 too every now and then.

Isolation: Don't need to be totally isolated from exterior world. I'll use these mainly at night. Sadly I think I have to
dismiss open or semiopen cans because my wife will be at a 2-3 meters from me, sleeping. Maybe in the future can look into some open cans
for daytime use.


Used in Public? No, home office, interior only


Preferred type of headphone: Full size, circumaural.


Preferred tonal balance: I don't really know, and I'll explain. These will be my workhorse. I'll use them to play
music while working (work at home as an illustrator), skype with clients, discord with friends (I'll be buying the AntLion Modmic)
edit videos (not music videos though), Films, Youtube, Playing games...
So I guess they have to be a bit allrounder. That means neutral? Can't really tell, this will be my first pair of
"good" headphones, or the first pair I've done research instead of picking the first cans I saw on the shelf.

Past headphones: An assortment of cheap headphones and a couple gaming sets (don't even recall the names).
The ones I have now are a pair of Philips SHP2000. You can tell almost anything will be an improvement.

Preferred Music: I listen to almost everything, from classical to hip hop. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Metal, Folk. It really depends on my mood.
So not much help here either to go for a defined tonal balance I'm afraid.

Location: Spain, I have access to Amazon.es, Ebay, etc. Don't know much of this world so couldn't tell any place audio specific.

What would you like from your headphones? As I said I want them to be a bit of allrounder. I want to clearly hear the voices when I'm
voice chatting, Clear sound when playing music and Good sound when gaming. And since I'll be wearing them several hours a day, they should be comfortable.

I have an average (towards big because of hair) head and average ears but I do wear glasse so maybe that's a concern if the grip is too tigh.
I know all this "requirements" mean they won't be the best at anything but I'm not an audiophile either....yet, I guess.

I've been researching a lot of reviews, videos, forums and I've seen a lot of recomendations, and situations similar to mine.
So I thought asking here with the template would help me to nitpickc and better tailor the buy for me, since I'm spending that much (for me anyway, I know this hobby can go pretty crazy pretty fast).
In fact in my initial research I wanted to spend max 200€ inclusing the modmic (so that left 130-150 for the headphones) but looking and researching had me raising the dough destined to the cans by a bit everytime
just in case "this new ones they recommend maybe are much better".

I have a list of what I found after a lot of research. I don't even know if any of those will be any good for my situation. There are two "leagues" of cans there as you'll see,
but those really cheap ones I included because I see them recommended a lot as "sound as headphones double or triple their price". Maybe that's BS but... maybe not and I can save me some money

The ones over 200€ I might consider them if they are really, REALLY much, much, much better than any of the other options.
Since going over 200 would have me waiting a bit more to get the cash.

Here's what I have:

• Superlux HD681 and HD668B - 31€ & 38€ respectively at Amazon. These are the ones people recommend as "above their league" so I included them here. I know they're Samson ripoffs?
  
  
• Beyerdynamic D770 Pro - 125€ at Amazon. Another ones with a lot of recommendations, along with the M50X. Some say better, some say equal...
  
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH M50X - 135€ at Amazon. Seem people either love 'em or hate 'em. Youtubers favourite (not that that's a valid reason to pick a pair of cans for me anyway). I know there are way better options, they're here just because they fit into my price range
  
  
• Soundmagic HP150 - 150€ at Amazon. Seen a few recommendations for this ones.
  
  
• Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro - 150€ at Amazon. Seen them recommended here
  
  
• Sony MDR-1A - 185€ at Amazon. Late addition from a few reviews I read
  
  
• Audio Technica MSR 7BK - 185€ at Amazon. The bigger, better, improved brother of the M50X?
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH A900x - 219€ at Amazon. Seems these run for more than that, and people love them, but at that price they're out of my budget. May consider waiting for them if they're absolutely the best for my situation
  
  
• B&O BeoPlay H6 - 238€ at Amazon. Same as the A900x. These are also damn sexy looking like everything Bang & Olufsen does (but that doesn't count towards my decision ;D)
  
  Of course this is only a list of what I've found during my research, but feel free to recommend me anything you feel can be better for me even if not on the list.
  
  
  Thank you very much.
  

I'm not the guy you asked, but I ALSO have the G930s. They're nice, but I won't be buying them again. I find the wireless to be flaky when my wife uses HER wireless headset (another Logitec, but not G930s), and the battery is nearly worthless after 2 years of ownership (though I do a fair bit of gaming, so YMMV). Next headset I buy is gonna be a pair of these bad-boys, and I'm gonna slap some of these on 'em. If I need a mic, I'll grab something like this. Won't be wireless, but I've got a cheap bluetooth headset if I need to move around the house. Since my HMD is tethered ANYWAY, I don't mind the headphones being so as well. :)

Hope that was somewhat helpful! :)

EDIT: OK, so here I am, nearly a month later. My G930s finally gave up the ghost, and I went ahead and bought about what I describe above (haven't picked up a mic yet (doesn't make sense at this point, with the Vive so close), but I've got the Superlux cans and 3rd party earcovers), and I'm LOVING them. Nice sound, though quieter than expected - I've not dealt with anything but USB headsets for a while, so I'm pretty sure I need an amp, which I can't fault them for, I knew it was a possibility going in. In any event, though a bit quiet at this point, it's not to the point of unhearability or anything. I just can't make it annoyingly loud if I want to. I'm also irked at the tiny male jack hardwired into them - I'd rather have a flush female jack, but what 'cha gonna do?

Beyond those two TINY issues (the first is only an issue due to my not realizing they'd need a bit more juice, and the second is annoying, but not at all a dealbreaker), I'm LOVING them for the price. Reproduction sounds pretty good (good enough for mixing with, anyway), and comfort is GREAT (they feel VERY light). YMMV, but I'm a happy camper with my Superlux HD668B semi-open cans (just don't forget the (<$10!) 3rd party covers - they REALLY improve on the default comfort).

EDIT #2: I'm a jackass. I had them plugged into line-in. When I found a second line-in (this one actually labeled and recognized by the OS as a headphone jack), the softer sound issue went away.

I think you might get pointed towards /r/headphoneadvice, looks like purchase requests are supposed to go there, but if I can spent the time telling you that I can spend the time giving you some recommendations too!

If you're looking for something you can use while working out, you're probably going to want to avoid over-ear headphones. These are typically designed for relaxed listening or sitting still, so not an ideal choice for the gym or a jog. In case you're curious about over-ears however, or you want a dedicated pair that you won't use for working out, an exceptional choice right now is the Sennheiser HD 58X from Massdrop, currently available for $135. Just know that those are going to be fairly large headphones, and they're "open-back" meaning they make no effort to keep outside sound out, or inside sound in. They're designed to be used in quiet rooms. An office-mate may hear what you're listening to if they're close enough. The sound quality from a good pair of open-backs however can't be beat!

For working out, I'd say something within either the on-ear or in-ear categories would suit you well. On-ear headphones are typically much lighter and smaller, which makes them far better suited for working out. The same goes for in-ears, their size and the nature of the fit make them almost impossible to knock out of your ears.

For on-ears, you might look at something like the Koss KSC75x, 14 bucks on Amazon or the Koss Porta Pros, 25 bucks on Massdrop. If you make a new account for the "20 dollars off orders of 30+" coupon and choose 5 dollar shipping, you can manipulate the price down to 10 bucks. It's honestly probably the best deal in audio right now! I just jumped on that deal myself actually! Both are solid for working out since they're so light, and both are known for their surprisingly good audio quality despite their price tag and retro look.

Now for in-ears, you might check out the Tin T2s, $35 on Massdrop right now. They're widely regarded as the best IEMs below 200 bucks if what you're looking for is quality neutral sound. If you prefer a little more bass, you can always perform the very simple "vent mod" which just involves taping up a small hole. They have excellent isolation, and use what's called an MMCX connection, so you can replace the cable if yours ever breaks or you want a different one. I've owned a pair of these, and I loved them.

So all in all, you're looking at well below 50 bucks for a pair of good headphones that you can work out with, but also use at home or work. If you want to really step into high-end audio, you could grab a $10 pair of Porta Pros for working out and the HD 58X for $135 for really high quality office/home listening/gaming/whatnot.

Ok, so you need a mic as well. Alrighty. I'm going to suggest you go a different route than pretty much what everybody else is suggesting. I personally dislike the all in one headsets, especially if they're marketed as "gaming", double especially if they are 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound.

If your priority is actually hearing things in game, and determining direction and such, you are better served with a stereo set that emphasizes the mid range and high end frequencies while de-emphasizing the low end. Low end boosting is an inexpensive way for manufacturers to make a cheap set of cans "sound" expensive, and while it can make movies and some music sound great it's not amazing for gaming.

Here we go with a 100 budget. I'm going to give you a buying list for a standalone set of headphones paired with a separate mic setup:

• Headphones: Superlux 668B - $38. https://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=superlux&qid=1568577791&sr=8-1
  
  • Open headphones provide a larger soundstage compared to closed back cans. These particular headphones share the same large drivers as the excellent AudioTechnica AD700's, which means you are getting a frequency response targeting the high end and mid range. The directional ability of these headphones can't be beat for under $50, and will challenge $100 to $150 cans.
    
• Microphone: Pyle-Pro PDMIC58 - $14. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GEBGA0/ref=emc_b_5_t
  
  • I would rather suggest the Behringer xm8500, but that mic's availability hasn't been great recently. If you can find it for regular price (around $20), it's worth the extra few dollars. The Pyle-Pro mic is more than adequate for gaming voice chat though. It will be miles better than any headset mic regardless. And it's also a dynamic mic, which means it will refuse sounds from your room or keyboard or mouse.
    
• Microphone boom arm: InnoGear boom scissor arm - $14. https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Microphone-Suspension-Adjustable-Snowball/dp/B01L3LL95O/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2ZTQGVRG0AY74&keywords=mic+boom+arm&qid=1568578206&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=mic+boom%2Cmi%2C174&sr=1-7
  
  • It's a desk mic boom. It stays out of your way while holding the mic in your face. What else do I need to say?
    
• USB XLR audio interface: Two options...
  
  • Inexpensive USB to XLR cable: https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-Tanbin-Converter-Microphones-Instruments/dp/B079DQ9ZPT/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=usb+to+xlr&qid=1568578338&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-4
    
    • This will work just fine and keeps you well under your 100 budget. Which leaves you room for a better mic or different boom arm if you rather. Or maybe even a step up to the AudioTechnica AD500x headphones if wish.
      
  • Behringer UM2: https://www.amazon.com/BEHRINGER-Audio-Interface-1-Channel-UM2/dp/B00EK1OTZC/ref=sr_1_21?keywords=usb+to+xlr&qid=1568578338&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-21
    
    • This is not necessary, and puts you just over your 100 budget. You do get a bunch more flexibility with it. For instance... you can plug your headphones straight into it. These interfaces tend to have great stereo separation and low noise floor compared to on board motherboard audio. You also get an extra input and nicer mic pre amp. Again not necessary, but well worth the extra $$$ in my opinion.
      
      There you are sir. A flexible solution that can come quite a bit under your budget. You get way better headphones than the gamer marketed ones and a way better and more flexible mic solution as well. Have fun!

Hi! I'm by no means an expert on the subject but I did learn a few things while pursuing a quality audio experience and its kind of turned into a new hobby.

Simulating surround sound was something I wanted to achieve as well when shopping for headphones a while back. Something I learned is that the headphones themselves can't really do this. The right kind of headphones (and sometimes software) can help this effect but you can't magically turn 2 channels (I.E. right and left) into 4 or more to get multi-directional sound. In gamery types of headphones, the marketing makes all kinds of claims that its the total fault of the headphones but it's simply not true.

The only real way to get a simulated surround effect in your headphones is if the source had this in mind from the get go. And after that good quality headphones can help a bit further. This can be easily demonstrated with this video. Plug in ANY pair of headphones in your house and for added effect? Close your eyes. Seriously even 3 dollar earbuds from the dollar store will work. And what you'll notice is a full high-quality multi-directional, surround sound experience from just youtube and whatever headphones you happened to try. Neat! But how?

Games and movies ect need to have an audio engineer design the sound with this concept in mind known as binaural. In games, this is usually the "headphone" mode in options settings. Or it'll just be on by default. There are times where a game simply won't have it and no amount of software can change that going into your headphones. Software can't magically know that the bullet was supposed to be behind you instead of in front of you.

What does this mean? That you can get virtual/simulated surround sound from pretty much any pair of headphones? Yes! Learning this concept to me was the beginning of something new. I started looking at simple high-quality headphones that could help make the effect even more dramatic.

I learned about open vs closed back headphones. Closed back headphones make you feel like the sound is sort of coming from inside your own head. This is fine especially if you want to block out other sounds from your room or house ect. Open back headphones let sound in your headphones from the outside, allowing for a more natural 3D effect in most cases. I did a lot of research on open back headphones. I ended up getting the AD900x's. I know this might be expensive-ish but there's a good option for optimal sound on a budget.

I got this combo deal for my fiance. You'll get an open back experience to help further the 3d effect you're after and ontop of that these headphones sound fucking GREAT for the money. Seriously makes me mad that I was buying gaming headphones for all these years leading up to what I learned. Check it out.

• Headphones
  
• Replacement earpads. (optional) The stock ones made me and my fiance's ear sweat like crazy. Not comfortable.
  
• Microphone.
  
  Now, this is just a suggestion. Just use whatever you thought sounded better when it came to your logitech's or Beats after making sure headphone mode was on in the game you're playing. Hopefully, I've given you enough to do your own research on the subject. But. For the money? I found this combo to be amazing for gaming and surround sound. Just make sure you always turn on "headphone mode" in games and you'll get the 3D experience you're after. Learn more at https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/
  
  ----------------------
  
  TLDR; Some audio nerd info. I'd personally just use whatever you thought sounded better when it came to your logitech's or Beats after making sure headphone mode was on in the game you're playing. Seeing as the surround sound effect is mostly due to the source. If you ever want to try and make the 3D effect more dramatic I linked a suggestion on a budget.
  
  

Hi there! I know you mentioned you had a standing mic, so a microphone isn't a must for you, but I've had my Hyper X Clouds for about 6 months and I've really, really enjoyed them.
 

The mic is detachable so if you don't need it, you don't have to use it. The sounds are very distinguishable, (footsteps, both light and heavy) and I can definitely hear the direction they're coming from. Another plus is that they are indeed very comfortable and light like advertised. I wear glasses, and they don't press into my ears like other headsets.
 

From a less 'gamer headset' standpoint, I would recommend Bose. Either something like this or this (since you said you'd like to spend $100 or less)
 

I've had a pair (the one in the first link) of Bose headphones for about 5 years and they've been wonderful. They're comfy, and have good sound. I used them to game with in between the time my Turtle Beaches broke and I was pleased with them.

I hope this helps some! Please feel free to ask me any questions :)

I'm not really a headphone buff so I'm just gonna put everything that may be useful here because I'm not 100% sure what exact info you need. I know I won't find anything dead on to what I want so just fit it as best as you can.

I'm looking for a decent set of headphones to use primarily for listening to progressive metal like Dream Theater and Haken, as well as power metal such as Sabaton, HammerFall, and Blind Guardian. The gold standard of what I want a mix to sound like is Haken's album Affinity.

I also am a PC gamer, but gaming is less important in my headphones than listening to music. I also listen to audiobooks, and the only thing headphones affect there is being comfortable over a long period of time, ie 3-4 hours with occasional short breaks.

Budget <$100, though I don't care if I get a $90 pair of headphones or a $50 pair of headphones and a $40 amp, whatever is gonna sound best. Also, I don't need to spend $100, I'm good with $40 or $50 ones.

I prefer leather pads, synthetic is fine. I hate felt pads.

Full sized, over ear headphones that will fit over my large ears.

Leaning towards bass, but with bands like Blind Guardian and HammerFall and sometimes even Dream Theater too much bass causes the whole thing to sound bad. I'm a bassist myself and would like at least enough bass to be able to hear the low end in most situations. Neutral or bassy are both fine though.

Leakage is a non issue. Open is great but whatever is fine.

Will remain stationary at my desk. Will sometimes be plugged into things other than my PC, such as my phone while it is on the desk or a CD player.

I'd like it to be decently durable. I'm not looking to get into headphone collecting as a hobby but do want a solid pair that will hold up for a good while.

I'd also like them to fit snugly to the head so that if I need to headbang I don't have to worry about them falling off.

I'd like a detachable cable, but this is secondary.

I don't really want to mod them.

What I've been looking at are the Superlux HD668B and HD681 EVO. Brand doesn't matter but from what research I've done these two seem the best two options so far.

Thanks for the help!

PC

• AMD a8 6600, not really recommended but gets the job done.
  
• MSI GTX 960 4GB version
  
• 8GB of generic ram i got years ago.
  
• Mouse is a Gigabyte THOR, probably the most durable $10 (now $30?) mouse I've found out of the myriad of mice I have owned. Keyboard is a wierd Azio keyboard that was cheap, not really that great.
  
  Recording stuff
  
  
• AudioTechnica AT2020, frequently goes on sale on amazon for $50
  
• Behringer Xenyx Q802USB, the best thing ever.
  
• Superlux HD668B headphones, amazing quality for $40. Definitely reccomend over anything else sub-$100
  
• Oneplus One as a $200 stopwatch
  
  Software
  
  
• Audacity, nice piece of software Noise reduction is a blessing with a condenser mic.
  
• Blender, for rendering out thumbnails in Orthographic 3D mode, rendering videos out in it's video editor, and various other things. CUDA is a godsend, rendering 20min videos in 45 minutes. With practice it's as good or better than some programs you can pay money for.
  
• OBS through NVENC encoder in CQP mode at CQP=20 (about 20mbps). Recording to MP4 with 2 audio tracks.
  
• Notepad++ for notes and stuff.
  
• Krita for anything I can't do in blender, which isn't much.
  
  Everything I would recommend to another person has links. The processor is pretty weak for recording, but would be great for a media centre PC or something. I've been using blender for about 9 years now, so its interface is easy for me to understand, but I would completely recommend it for its price of $0 and its fast rendering times.

Performance wise, it looks pretty good! As others have said in this thread, the only thing that you can improve would be your cooling paste and removing your kind of pointless wired network adapter.

Now, for a bit of personal input on your pheripherals ;

Please, for the love of god don't buy the Devestator bundle. CM storm has really good products but the devestator isn't one of them. You'd better buy a CM storm Quickfire (I have the Ultimate one myself) and a mouse of your choice (G502 seems like a good option)

You may also want to have a mousepad but you probably have on of those. If not, just buy a Qck from Steelseries, they're very cheap & popular.

I also don't really recommend buying a headest ; all these popular 'gaming' brands are really pushing them recently but your best option is to pick some headphones and then attach a microphone on it yourself (HD668B and a ModMic/BoomMic)

However, there is one headset I know that's probably your best bet if you don't want to do all that, the HyperX Cloud II.

I realise these alternatives may be pretty costly to you, but either way I hope I helped!

Considering your music tastes and budget, you'd probably be better off with a pair of open full-sized phones for home and a pair of iems for the road/travelling.

For the full-sized pair, the Audio Technica AD700 are great for the price. These are great for gaming and music.The highs and mids are great for the price and they have a really large soundstage(i.e. great positional audio). The bass does not go as deep as some other headphones(i.e. not as much rumble) but the clarity and quickness makes up for that. Also, the music genres you listed aren't heavy on bass. These are full-sized, fully open headphones, meaning a more airy, natural sound but you won't get any isolation. They are also pretty big and not convenient for travel.

For travel IEMs, something like the Vsonic VC02, GR02 or GR06 are good performers for the price. IEMs in my opinion are far more convenient to travel with and will isolate better than portables. They're more fragile than regular headphones though, so make sure to lightly coil them and store them in a pouch when you're not using them. Never knot them as you see in some youtube tutorials.

That's my preference anyway. If you're set on a closed set, the Brainwavz HM5 or their jaycar clone(pretty much exactly the same thing without the brand name) are great value. The Audio Technica are fine if you can get them under $100 but they are quite bass heavy and lack clarity in my opinion. If you want to go a step up, the Beyerdynamic DT1350 usually sells for around $200 is well worth the price.

One hell of a response!!

Your setup sounds scrappy but awesome! Reaper is super cool. You should check out Splice for a great database of cheap/free/indie/not-Waves plugins. Rough Rider has become one of my favorites. If you ever want a second perspective on mixing I'd love to try my hand on some of your tracks.

Also, if you find yourself in the market for new headphones, these were recommended to me by a producer/mixer that I've always looked up to. I couldn't believe it, because they've never been part of the recording conversations I've had/read online, but they're inexpensive and work amazingly well (provided you don't need the over-ear bit).

Anyways, great job on the album. I'm excited to dig back into it again tomorrow.

Sony XB950BT. I'm sure some audiophile will come along and recommend something better where you can actually hear the musician's hair growing for only four times the price, but these are only a little over $100 and sound pretty great to me. I don't know what technical terms to use to describe the audio quality. Good range? I like the bass, and there's a Bass Boost button if the standard bass isn't cutting it. 20 hours of battery, an aux-in port so you can plug them directly into a stereo jack, NFC pairing... Highly recommended. They do a good job of passive noise reduction as well.

Maybe all BT headphones in that price range are just as good, and maybe I'm just biased because this is the pair I ended up with. I tried out a few at Best Buy and liked these best (except for the Bose, but those weren't in my budget). Sony has never let me down.

edit: /r/hailcorporate

I see. Personally, I picked up these during Black Friday for use at the gym. Though, they were on sale for $99.99 when I got them.

They're pretty nice since they're Bluetooth and don't have to worry about cables. They're also really comfortable. They are a bit big, but no one really stares at other people at the gym anyway. If you like exaggerated bass, these are pretty nice, though you can turn off the exaggerated bass as well. I like them a lot, but I mostly listen to EDM with the exaggerated bass on.

I've tried listening to other genres of music with it with the exaggerated bass turned off and while the sound quality I feel is still pretty good, it is still a bit of a letdown compared to how great these sound when you listen to EDM.

I actually bought them at my local Best Buy. They had a demo of these headphones up so if there's a Best Buy near you, it may be worth checking out.

If you want great quality headphones for the value, these are currently trending as a great value that can challenge studio equipment:

Superlux-HD661
http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD661-Closed-Back-Professional-Detachable/dp/B0062OOFAY

Disclaimer I have not listened to these. They are currently trending, but they are reviewed positively by someone I trust. Here is the picture my friend took; it is better than the pictures shown on the amazon page.


EDIT#2: Here is an open-backed headphone from the same company (for those that want open-backed). Superlux 668b


EDIT#3: Oh you are asking for in-ears. I would say to wait for Ultimate Ears Triple-Fis, they can go for $99 during Black Friday sales. Other than those, the best value that is almost 80% quality of the big hitters are these guys made from monoprice (yes that online website for cheap cables, do make high quality products; these in-ears of theirs are famous): http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082303&p_id=8320&seq=1&format=2
The monoprice full-size headphones are also as good value as the Superlux in terms of quality.

What's your maximum budget?

• CPU: Biggest problem with the build. Your CPU uses last generation's architecture and is awful compared to Ryzen. Replacements: Ryzen 5 2600 (138 Euro) OR Ryzen 2200G/2400G (100/145 Euro). The R5 2600 is way more powerful than your A12 for 40 Euro more. The 2200G/2400G are a bit less powerful than the 2600 BUT they have decent integrated graphics, meaning you can save up to buy a better GPU in the future.
  
  
• Memory: You should try to use two sticks of RAM to take advantage of dual channel memory, so it would be better to by 2x8GB instead of 1x16GB. You can also buy 1x8GB and buy another identical model 8GB stick later on. Best value sticks I could find for +20 Euros is G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (141 Euro). They're also faster than your current RAM at 3200Mhz vs 2400Mhz.
  
  
• Storage: SSDs are getting very cheap now, so you can consider getting a 500GB. I've never heard of the brand TCSunBow so I switched you to a Kingston 240GB SSD which I think is a budget but more reputable brand.
  
  
• Video Card: If you choose to get a Ryzen 2200G or 2400G, you don't need to buy a video card immediately. They have integrated GPUs that are decently powerful. They're not amazing but if you can live with it, you can save up some more money and buy a better GPU later on. The RX 550 is not very powerful and not an efficient use of money. If you're going to get a dedicated GPU, I would purchase at minimum a GTX 1050Ti.
  
  
• PSU: Be very careful about the PSU you choose. Make sure it's from a reliable brand (Google search) because a bad PSU can destroy the rest of your components. Do not try to save money on a PSU. Also, your system does not need anywhere close to 700W, your components will be very power efficient. This Seasonic 450W PSU is 80+ Gold and has semi-modular (detachable) cables for easier cable management. It's worth the 70 Euros.
  
  

• Headphones: Get Superlux HD668Bs for the same price, they're probably one of the top budget headphones and is recommended by /r/headphones.
  

  
  

  Here's an example build I put together:
  

  
  

  PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
  

  
  

  Type|Item|Price
  

  ----|:----|:----
  CPU | AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor | €146.96 @ Amazon Italia
  Motherboard | ASRock - AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard | €117.26 @ Amazon Italia
  Memory | G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | €141.80 @ Amazon Italia
  Storage | Kingston - A400 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | €41.78 @ Amazon Italia
  Case | SHARKOON - CA-I Mini ITX Desktop Case | €42.31 @ Amazon Italia
  Power Supply | SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply | €70.82 @ Amazon Italia
  Keyboard | IOGEAR - Quietus RF Desktop Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse | €14.70 @ Amazon Italia
  Headphones | Superlux - HD668B Headphones | €43.29 @ Amazon Italia
  Speakers | Logitech - Z120 0W 2ch Speakers | €18.19 @ Amazon Italia
  Other| [BUY THIS LATER] Decent GPU like GTX 1050/RX 570 or better|
  | Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
  | Total | €637.11
  | Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-09-02 13:46 CEST+0200 |
  
  

Budget - $100 would be a good price, however I’m pretty flexible. Just looking for a good pair that is worth the money and will last a long time.


Source - I was actually wanting bluetooth headphones but was still hoping to get a pair that offers a wired option as well. I will be listening to them on my macbook pro and iPhone 5.


Requirements for Isolation - I would prefer moderate isolation. I like to hear what’s going on around me but still want to be able to hear what I’m listening to.


Preferred Type of Headphone - On-ear (not around-ear), wireless preferred. I’ve found that around-ear headphones are a bit cumbersome for my liking.


Preferred tonal balance - I am in no way an audiophile. I look at the durability and features more than the sound itself. As you’ll see below, my current headphones suck so I’m sure I’ll be satisfied with just about anything in terms of sound.


Past headphones - As of now, all I have is the Apple Earpods so virtually anything will be an improvement to what I have now. The only other headphones I've invested in are Beats Studios. I hated them and hate myself more for buying them. This video helped me see the light (but that's beside the point). I bought them a couple years ago and the only excuse I have is I was young and stupid.


Preferred Music - I mainly listen to Alternative Rock. My favorite band is MuteMath.

Primary Uses - Feel like I should add this one. I will use these for walking to class (the main reason I want wireless) and relaxing in my dorm. I will also used them for some travel.


I have done a bit of research already and have narrowed it down to two potential candidates:


Jabra Revo Wireless - I like these for the build quality, daisy chaining option, and the price. I don’t like that they only come with a pouch as opposed to a hard carrying case. The touch controls also make me uneasy. They are rather unusual and I’m just not sure if they will work well or not for me. Because Staples is running a good deal on them at the moment, I’m strongly considering these.


Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth - While these are quite a bit more expensive, they are Bose and I know I’ll like them. However, I feel most of the money goes towards the name rather than the headphones. I guess the real question is: are they worth the price?


You don’t have to choose from these two. Like I said, I’m new to this and I’m sure you all know more than I do. What would you get if you were me?

EDIT: In general, I'm more interested in features (bluetooth, music control, etc.), durability, and comfort than I am in sound quality.

Already discussed at a few places in the thread, but I always suggest the headphone+mic combo. You'll have better headphones and a better mic for around the same cost.

These Superlux HD688B Headphones are probably the best set you can get for the money. If that's a bit too expensive, you can get the HD 681 headphones instead.

Pair that up with any cheap mic and it will sound better than any mic on pretty much any headset. This Clip-On Zalman Mic is often suggested because it is easily attached to your headphone wire and sounds good. If you can spend a bit more, then this Sony Lav Mic will sound a bit better but not be as easy to use. Even one of these desk microphones will sound really great at the expensive of needing to be on your desk and pick up desk noise.

I am in the market for a new pair of over-ear BlueTooth headphones after my last pair (a Sony MDRXB950BT/B ) had a hinge break recently.

Budget - $250ish (flexible)

Source - iPhone X (BlueTooth)

Isolation - No requirement for noise cancelling. Needs to keep noise in though.

Usage - At work (quiet office), traveling (plane)

Type - Full Size Wireless (over-ear)

Tonal Balance - Balanced is good, but a little extra bass is better.

Past Headphones - Sony MDRXB950BT/B (see above) - I really liked these headphones as far as comfort and performance goes, but they barely lasted 2 years of gentle use before breaking (never dropped, always stored in a hard-shell carrying case).

Music Preference - A wide range from EDM (Louis the Child, CMC$, San Holo) to Alt/Rock (Thrice, Brand New, QotSA) to Rap (Drake, J Cole, Curren$y) to Jazz (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald).

Improvements / Objectives - See above re: Sonys. I would like something a little higher quality for my next setup, otherwise I am tempted to get an exact replacement a couple model years newer.

Current Research (feedback appreciated) - I am a big fan of the styling and reported durability of B&O Play H7's ($280), and like I mentioned before I liked my Sonys well enough to consider the Sony XB950B1. Bose QC 35ii's are a little out of my price range (and not that aesthetically pleasing imho). But I'm sure there are a bunch of other options out there that I haven't considered yet too!

Any recommendations, experience, or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I've been working from home for around 5 years now, both salaried and freelancing.

I have a wife, a son and two dogs, so it's important to reenforce that separate between personal and professional time not just in myself but in my family as well.

I have the benefit of owning a large home with a separate office. My son and wife both know that when the doors are closed I am not to be bugged unless it's something important.

I also use a pair of great headphones and playing music to prevent being bothered by sounds outside my little bubble.

If you're still open to working from home and your main complaint is the lack of separation, try cordoning off a piece of your home as your professional office space and train yourself to do nothing but work from that spot. No gaming, no playing, just work and profit generation.

If that doesn't work for you, and you're in a small town with no true hacking spaces, local coffee shops are usually ok with remote workers as long as you continuously keep refilling your coffee cup with them.

I'd recommend purchasing some really good headphones with either integrated microphone, or a detachable cable that you can use a microphone with. Don't use the cables with the inline mics that don't extend away from the cable - I highly recommend the V-MODA Boom Mic. My headphones of choice at the moment are the beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus because of the size (I have large ears, these rest around my ears and not on them which is important) and comfort level. Also, they sound amazing with a small $30 amp.

Having the mic be directional so that you can put it directly in front of your mouth and circumaural headphones are both important for filtering out background noises.

With this you can now ignore your phone and use Google Voice, Hangouts, Skype, Slack for voice calls.

Anyway, good luck. We're counting on you.

Ballpark budget?

Edit: assuming you want something decent for as cheap as possible in case your child breaks/loses them. I'll go ahead and recommend the Koss Porta Pro. It may not look like much but it's actually very popular. It's pretty much the God-tier of budget headphones because it sounds incredible for how cheap it is. I don't really know what the build quality is like, but for this price you could almost justify buying two in case your kid breaks one. They fold up for portability and have lots of sizing options which should be good for little heads.

The only way I know of to limit db level with the headphone itself would be by buying a pair that has high impedence, which means that powering it from your phone or tablet won't give it enough juice to get very loud even at max volume. However, those are typically more expensive and serious headphones. (Beyerdynmic DT 770 at 80 ohms or 250 ohms is a good example, and they are lovely headphones, but would probably swallow your kid's head, not to mention your vacation spending money.)

A better way is probably to use some external software to limit volume, but I'm afraid I know nothing about that. I'm just assuming that's a thing. Good luck.

There are both open-back and closed back options. The Difference is imaging and how aware you are of your sorrounding in the game. Open back has better awareness, but you can hear what's happening irl. Where closed back doesn't have as good imaging but isolate you from the outside world

​

Open back Superlux HD668B(has clear high frequencies that lets you hear gunshots and footsteps better, but it doesn't ruin the overall sound. While still being good for the other games as well)

Closed back : Sennheiser HD 4.30I(Has a warmer sound but is amazing for games like the last of us Zero Dawn etc.)

​

Those are what I'd suggest in that price range. I am sure there are others that has some great alternatives as well :)

Insight tracking is excellent, and I quite enjoy the Passthrough+ feature.

The blind spots are anywhere directly behind your body that the cameras don't have straight line vision to (I've spent the last half hour actually testing this with the floor mirror in Beat Saber). Where they do have vision to, I actually think tracking feels better than my CV1 4-sensor setup (which were spaced quite far apart) just because the headset cameras, being on your face, have much better resolution to the controllers at all times.

I would say comfort is on-par with the original rift. There are tradeoffs that pretty much wash out the experience for me. Namely, the foam/velvet padding lining the halo portion is pretty dang nice. It's not memory foam level, but it's high quality. There's an under-button that adjusts how far the goggle frame sits from your face, so you can adjust it so that it's suspended nicely in front of you, instead of pressed against your face leading to what I like to call "Rift Raccoon Face". So these are all nice, but SPECIFICALLY FOR SEATED EXPERIENCES LIKE ELITE DANGEROUS, having the hard plastic halo means you can't lean back your head against your gaming chair anymore. (I have a gaming chair.) I haven't sat down yet with Elite for the evening, but this WILL be an issue for me. That's the comfort negative.

Everything else? Pure upgrade. Visuals are a big upgrade, it's also huge for me that I don't have wires snaked all over my apartment. Out of the box, hooked up to the PC, and playing a game took less than 5 minutes. Not even exaggerating. Another big issue for me is that my computer desk is at the "corner" of my VR space, so I would have to redraw or disable Guardian lines every single time switching from Elite Dangerous to standing/roomscale experiences (if I went to go sit at my desk in VR, the guardian lines would be always up). The process of redrawing guardian lines now takes less than 30 seconds, and it's an enjoyable experience. Again, Passthrough+ is really cool.

Also, preemptively, I think all Rift S owners need these until Oculus comes up with a 1st party solution:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0755N6CSR

Those are literally the CV1 headphones which Oculus repurposed/packaged for the CV1. Ergo, identical audio experience (I've verified this this throughout the past day). It's not a clean solution by any means, but for me the headphones are lightweight and fit neatly over my head then the Rift S right on top of it, and I quite liked the CV1 aural experience for what it was.

If this is painfully expensive for you, I'd recommend getting neither one and waiting. This is early days of consumer VR, and you'll get better headsets for less money if you're patient. If you do go ahead, I assume you've already budgeted any needed PC upgrades to make it run well?

(1) Yes, integrated audio would be nice. The Vive has a headphone jack so it's easy to use your own without needing an extra PC-to-head cable. I got the Koss KSC75 for $15 - very light, excellent sound for the price, and they don't shift around when you move your head. According to rumors the Oculus integrated headphones may be Koss derived or at least very similar, so it should also work well for apps tuned for that.

(2) Up to you if you believe that STEM will have comparable specs, but even if they do end up working well I wouldn't expect widespread support in games and apps for them. You will want tracked controllers, and getting Oculus Touch will probably add a similar extra cost.

(3: Comfort) I get the impression that the Rift is more comfortable if you have the right-shaped head. People with large heads have complained it's not a good fit and that the Vive is more flexible with its soft straps, and it also has alternate padding for different face shapes. The Vive appears to work better with glasses.

(3: Display): The core display resolution and technology seems to be the same. The Vive has a bigger FOV and was measured to be 2.5x brighter, while the Rift has less screen door effect and appears sharper since it shows the same number of pixels inside its smaller FOV. Up to you which you consider more important.

(3: optics): not a big difference here, though it seems the Rift may have worse glare artifacts due to its finer Fresnel rings. The Vive seems less prone to light leakage due to better shielding near the nose.

Overall I think both are fine headsets technically, with slightly different tradeoffs. If you want the maximum image quality for movie watching, consider a Gear VR since that has higher resolution than either of them.

For me, roomscale is the deciding factor - I was convinced this is a must-have as soon as I tried it. The Rift can technically do this, but it's clearly not been a priority for Oculus so far, so if it's important to you I'd go with the Vive which has put a lot of effort into making it work well, including Chaperone and the front-facing camera.

Define "good bass". To me good bass is exactly as it was recorded, not boosted at all, but most folks seem to like insanely over-boosted, boomy bass and think that is sign of a good headphone. NO! It is a crutch for bad headphones!

Anyway, I also have a Xonar SE and am using Superlux 668b headphones.
https://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8

I find them to be insanely good sounding, forget the $38 price tag. They sound better than any $100+ cans I have tried. I'd describe them as having wide, crisp sound. Very well defined. They play audio very much like it was recorded, without gimmicky bass boosting. More bass does not equal good sound, but you could always EQ it however you like if you're into that.

Anyway, I can't praise them enough for $38. I use mine for recording/mixing my own music, where accurate (not boosted/enahnced) audio is required. Build quality is good. They clamp down pretty tight so they won't be falling off every time you move. For $38, you could buy 3 sets for the price on one other brand and still have as good or better audio quality, and not have to worry about breaking them. I have had mine about 3 years now and they are still like new, so they are not flimsy.

I'm no audiophile, but I have really enjoyed the [Amazon Premium Headphones] (https://amzn.com/B00HX0SRXW) that came with my Amazon Fire Phone. Reviewers comment on how the buds fall out easily and the cord frays but mine have given me no issues over the past 1 1/2 years. Sound quality and bass sounds excellent, magnets allow easy 1-earbud listening, controls and mic have worked for every phone I've tried them on, and the tangle-free cord has redeemed earbud headphones for me (never used them previously due to the tangled mess they usually become).

As for wireless, the AUKEY EP-B26/KINIVO BTH-240 has been my go-to. I've tried the Jaybird-style headphones but they never seem to fit my ears correctly. Sound quality is perfectly fine for running/outdoors. Comfort is great except that my ears heat up during distance runs. Mic leaves a lot to be desired, but works fine for the price.

I'm not looking for something great, just a little better than my current headphones. I want something that's just as portable (at a pinch, these can be folded down to fit in most pockets) and has Bluetooth. As a student, I can't really afford anything over £80 ($120).

Budget - £80 ($120) but the cheaper the better to be honest.

Source - I want to be able to wirelessly connect to my phone (anything wired just breaks on me). I know that this limits the sound quality but I find wireless just so much more practical that it's worth it (to me at least).

Requirements for Isolation - I would like some isolation but to be honest, it's not a huge factor (at this budget, I can't afford to be any more fussy).

Preferred Type of Headphone - On ear and very portable, wireless headphones is what I'm looking for.

Past headphones - These are my previous headphones and whilst cheap, I was very pleased with them. I love how portable they are and how easy the Bluetooth functions make it to use. The only issues I have are the sound quality and when I'm talking on the phone (using the built in mic) it's reportedly really quiet.

Preferred Music - I like acoustic guitar based music mostly. Examples: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Location - I'm from the UK.

Any left out information is probably something I'm not too fussy about but the main features I'm looking for are wireless capability, portability and sound quality (at least compared to my current headphones which aren't great).

I've been slowly getting more and more interested in the world of "proper audio", after several cheapish headset solutions for gaming in the past.

Budget: Flexible to be honest, but I'd have to be really committed to my choice to spend more than about £120 ($154 USD).

Source: My desktop computer. I do not believe it has a fancy soundcard.

Requirements for Isolation: Low. I might want to take these for a long car ride from time to time but it'll mostly be used for gaming and music at my desk (osu, Overwatch, etc).

In public?: Unlikely.

Preferred Type: I haven't had many circumaural headphones, but I love them. Proper comfort is my preference!

Preferred Tonal Balance: I understand the underlying theory here, but I'm not really knowledgeable enough to say I have a preference. I believe that a wide sound-stage is important for gaming because of the positional audio.

Past Headphones: Some Sennheiser gaming headset I won in a competition - I don't really remember the sound other than "good!" but the bracket and hinge on the left earpiece eventually disintegrated. Currently I'm using a Jabra BIZ 2400 after several other office-style headsets broke.

Preferred Music: Again, I'm not really an expert on genres, but most of my music comes from anime and / or osu maps. Examples/favourites are Highscore, Scarlet Rose, Talent Shredder and Mythologia's End.

Improvements: This is my first foray into the world of actually caring about audio rather than some £10 office headset, so I'm improving from "not caring" to "proper audio".

The things I've been looking at so far are the Superlux HD668Bs, the Sennheiser HD 558s (which one commenter described as "wallhacks" quality) and possibly the Hyperx Cloud II (which has the advantage of coming with an okay microphone - possibly also considering the Stinger!)

Please help and educate this filthy casual!

Footnote edit: There's also the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.

Okay. A lot of really good recommendations here, but if you really want the best headphones under $50, you need to get these:

Koss Porta Pro On Ear Headphones with Case, Black / Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XsHxDbS2R6ZTF

Now hear me out. These are definitely the ugliest headphones out there, but it’s because they’ve been tried and true since ‘84 and Koss hasn’t redesigned them since. But they’re hands down the best quality sounding headphones under $50. Don’t believe me? Just read the reviews.

I have a pair and Fear Inoculum sounds great on them. I do have a higher end pair of sennheisers that sound way better, but I paid hundreds of dollars for those. If you’re on a budget, get these. Who cares how they look. Sit at home alone, close the door, put these on and enjoy.

By the way, I’ve used G35s and the Koss’ sound better.

I highly recommend against "gaming" headsets. They are usually overpriced for the components they use. I went with the route of using a set of semi-open back headphones and clip on mic for a bit. I've since upgraded to a NEWER condenser microphone. Either way:

Cheap but very good quality heaphones

super cheap but decent mic

Also I recommend these earpads. They lessen the low end a bit and make the headphones x100 more comfortable.


edit: just realized that's the "recommended combo" on amazon lmao. Either way its ~52 USD and a great deal. Compare the quality of this setup and its right up there with 100 dollar "gaming" headphones. Also semi-open and open headphones are great for FPS games because of the open soundscape.

For those looking for more budget-friendly options:
VE MONK PLUS (imp: 64Ω) / Head-Fi review - $5
TY Hi-Z HP-150 (imp: 150Ω) / Head-Fi review - $25
HE 150 (imp: 150Ω) / Head-Fi review - $15

Out of these, I've only so far tried the VE MONK PLUS and for $5, it packs a good punch. Bass is a bit weak, but it's surprisingly good. Meanwhile, I'm awaiting arrival of the others mentioned, which I'll receive in a few days. But the Head-fi reviews seems to be pretty positive. Something to look at, since headphones above 50ohm impedance is few and far between in the budget segment.

Also, if you're not a fan of earbuds, then there the Superlux HD668B for $40. This is another one I want to eventually pick up and give a try, but haven't done so yet. These are not necessarily endorsements, but a nudge in the direction in case any of these fit anyone's needs.

EDIT: I just received the HE 150 and the TY Hi-Z and tried them out and.. they're actually quite good. Punches WAY above its class. These are solid headphones and I can definitely/strongly recommend all three models mentioned above.

Not the guy you're asking, but you don't need to go apeshit and buy some $150-$200 headset. But two things help better audio quality... better set of headphones and a dedicated sound card or at least an on board that has a build in headphone amplifier.

Also, I would buy a separate desktop microphone + headphones. A lot of times it's tough finding a good headphone with a good sounding microphone. Furthermore, there are issues with headsets where you get a lot of popping, lip smacking, etc since it's close to your mouth or it can catch your breathing and be annoying for people you're playing with. When you separate the two, you get the best of both worlds with a good microphone and a good set of headphones that you can also use to listen to music in public without looking like an idiot wearing a headset.

I'm using this sound card with Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone. Although, the Sony headphones are really high in price right now for some reason, you can get them for $70-80 if you look around. The reason I went with the Sony headphones, they're studio quality professional monitors. I bought these at a suggestion of a Tested review with Patrick Norton about headphones. Basically, he said that so many people who care about accurate audio representation (that's the key, no over Bass, etc) use these headphones as reference. Before, I was using Koss PortaPro Headphones which are still probably the best headphones under $100 by a long shot. My only problem is that they were open and not closed ear, so you get ambient audio mixed in and harder to isolate sounds. If you have a noisy environment around you, look for a closed headphones. They also have a short cable, so you'll need a headphone cable extension if you want to use these on a PC. The Sony have something like an 8 foot cable.

built-in amps options

• skullcandy crushers for almost 2yrs now. the listening experience is crazy because of the built-in amp w/bass slider, great battery life as well. great for gym and entertainment. biggest downsides are; they break easily, get uncomf after a while. it gets even more insane with an external amp
  
  
  
• qc35s is good for flights, noise cancelling removes that annoying engine noise, great sound quality as well and very flexible as well. around 20hr playtime but charges fast.
  
  
• sony cheaper alternative to qc
  
  other mentions (didn't try them, but was rec)
  
  
  
• 630vb
  
  
• [sonywh] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G4MNFS1?ref=emc_p_m_5_i)
  
  
  some other decent options that work better with an amp
  
  
• beyerdynamic nice sound
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  overall i recommend qc35, clear sound, wireless and nice noise cancelling option.
  
  \
  
  >Also came across earstudio es100 could be the "fine balance"
  
  seems like a really good option, decent price.

• Budget - 100 gbp (sterling), it's definitley flexible. That's for just the headphones as well.
  
  
• Source - I was planning on an amp of some sort maybe this Bravo AUDIO V2 I've used it in the past but no other headphone amps so not sure if this is as good I believe. It does look funky though as well.
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - I am open to open back headphones (that gives you a bigger soundstage right? that's what I'm after really) so it can let some background noise in or out but not so much that it's noticeable. Probably closed headset would be a safer bet I imagine.
  
  
• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - Very doubtful, but possible.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - I want headphones that wrap around my ear not rest on the ear, I find it more comfortable.
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - close to balanced but with more bass, not bass as in over the top but as in I can hear the difference with different bass notes.
  
  
• Past headphones - Previous headphones have been trash to be honest and only purchased because I needed something in a hurry and didn't know any better. Currently using some plantronics gamecom headset and mic combo, they're pretty good value for money when you have the drivers for artificial surround sound.
  
  
• Preferred Music - It tends to be some form of funk, disco, house or dance but not limited to them that's just what I listen to the majority of the time. Here's a playlist of mine you can see that the latest ten tracks differ slightly.
  
  Now the format has been followed I'll show you what I have so far for options, if they're all shit fair enough.
  
  

1. Audio-Technica
   
   
2. Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro
   
   
3. Beyerdynamic DT770 - although there are multiple ohm versions, I'm not sure would be right for me.
   
   Whichever of these that I'll get I'll probably get that amp I linked above, unless any of you nice folks have a better recommendation.

>Why go AMD? I ask because I could still go either way

Better all rounder. Support underdog (better for industry if you care). Socket is new meaning you will have easier time upgrading. Longer lifespan because significantly better multithreading.

>Adaptive sync?

Freesync/Gsync. They match refresh rate of monitor to graphic card output Hz. Makes big difference in smoothness and screen tearing - Gsync (Nvdia version) has a pretty significant premium. You are locked to one of the two depending on your graphics card manufacturer (AMD=Freesync, Nvdia=Gsync)

>PSU is one of the last things I want to upgrade.

You mean you want the one you buy to last you a long time? I tell you, you are most probably overpaying for capacity you will not use with that build but if you have an upgrade path in mind sure

>I can't really afford a SSD with the price of the GPU right now:(

Dig under a couch and get a 128gb SSD. Throw fans out, downgrade PSU, MOBO, throw paste out even downgrade CPU if you have to (yours would pair better with 1070 anyway). SSD is the best upgrade you can make to your comp and it is cheap as fuck

>What external optical would you suggest?

Cheapest, likely use it once or twice then it will sit gathering dust somewhere. But in any case it's good to have one (well, not a computer case)

>Why the g502?

Most recommended gaming mouse, absolutely brilliant. Only complaints I have ever heard are that it is a little too big and a little too heavy even without its adjustable weights on. Mice guide from logicalincrements

>Those Logitech are 40$

Suit yourself. These ones I got for 15 bucks on sale and I bet they sound better

Edit: Just made a comment for someone just ascended with websites you might find useful

Morning everyone. I'm a bit indecisive right now. At the moment, I have the Sony MDR-V150s that are slowly going kaputt (cord issues). I don't need a new pair per se, but noticed Amazon had some headphones for a pretty decent price. Right now, I'm looking at Seinnheisser HD218 (Used) or the Sony MDRZX100 (Used/Refurbished). I'm open to other suggestions though.

Budget: $20ish. Really don't want to go over, but I can

Source: Either my desktop or phone (HTC EVO Shift, not sure if that matters)

Isolation: Indifferent. I suppose some would be nice. I use them while on bike rides, so I like being able to hear a little of what's going on around me, but I'm observant so it's not a big deal.

Preferred type: On ear, though I'm not opposed to the clips like these

Past headphones: My only "real" pair of headphones are the ones I have now, which are the Sony MDR-V150. From what I can tell, they deliver a solid sound. Comfortable cushions and not much of a hassle. Cord can be too long at times. But I'd rather that than too short.

Preferred music: I listen to a lot of different things. But mostly electronic (trance, electro house, Psybient, etc), rock (math-rock, prog, post hardcore, etc) and recently a lot more hip hop (Not really bass heavy, doesn't matter too much).

So yeah, wondering if those two I'm considering are worth it, if it's a good idea to buy used or refurbished or if you have any suggestions for something better around that price range. Thanks in advance.

A lot of this depends on your budget. Wanting to step up from 25€ still doesn't tell us how much you are willing to spend. All dollar amounts listed below are in USD:

Sub $20 - Tascam TH02. $18. Similar to the HD201 from Sennheiser, but easier to find and much cheaper.

Additionally, the Monoprice HiFi Studio Headphones are another excellent choice around $25.

$30 to $50 range - Koss Porta Pro. $33. I've always heard great things about these headphones, plus they have a sweet look.

$70ish range - Philips SHP9500S. These are closer to $75, but are extremely comfortable and have amazing sound for the price.

Most of these headphones won't require an external amp/DAC, but it won't hurt to have one either.

Alright, Also do you consider yourself a big fan of sub-bass? I'm thinking about recommending the classic Schiit Magni 2 amplifier and Modi 2 DAC combo with the Sennheiser HD-600s. These are for home use only as they require a USB connection via your computer for the DAC, and the amp is definitely not portable haha. Those are a fantastic pairing, but the Sennheisers are a little bit lacking in the low end. Absolute magic in the mids and treble though. This is an endgame combo for many people.

Those Senns are open back, so they leak sound but provide a better soundstage compared to an closed-back pair. When it comes to closed back headphones, (Isolated - doesn't leak sound) I really, really recommend ZMF Vibros They are quite a bit more expensive, but an absolute endgame pair of planar dynamic closed back cans. The bass response is unreal on these pairs and work very, very well with hip-hop, electronic music, and pop. The Schiit amp and dac above would drive these just fine.

For the gym, I'd just get a pair of these MEE Audio M6 Pro In-ear monitors, or a good old pair of Koss Porta Pros if you don't like the IEM style. Both of those would be fine options, as they aren't super expensive but still sound great, and are durable. Just plug into your phone and you're set.

For any case though, do try to audition headphones before you buy anything! This will give you a solid idea of what kind of pair you're looking for.

I'm found ya a couple options for ya.

Planar Magnetic Headphones aka "special driver headphones"

Monoprice M1060s Perfectly fine stock, maybe a change of earpads if you're looking for something a little "more" https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-116050-Monolith-Magnetic-Headphones/dp/B01N32N5DD

Modhouse Argon Mk3s These are specially modded headphones that give you an option for choice of headband material and earpad material (sheep leather is soft man) http://www.modhouseaudio.com/argon-mk3/zimu3wz0oyxlavnprki2jovso6c31v

Dynamic Open Headphones aka, "normal headphones"

AKG K712 Pros Very accurate, lots of soundstage, plenty of bass You may have to get a used pair as prices are on the rise https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-Reference-Headphones/dp/B00DCXWXEI

Philips X2/27 Almost the same as the 712s, a little more narrow of a soundstage and "possibly" less accurate Debatably less comf (comparatively speaking) Again, you'll need to get them used but they're cheaper used than 712s https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphone/dp/B00O2Y2MZG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522866842&sr=8-2&keywords=philips+x2

Audio Technica ATH AD series Very accurate, good soundstage, amazing treble, but definitely bass light. It's an entire series of headphones and each model up adds a slight bump in quality overall, used or otherwise https://www.amazon.com/Technica-Audiophile-ATH-AD1000X-Open-Air-Headphones/dp/B009S330O8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522866903&sr=8-3&keywords=ATH+AD

Dynamic Closed Headphones

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Plenty of soundstage, treble is there, and BASS https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-770-PRO-Studio-Headphone/dp/B0006NL5SM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1522866927&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=beyerdynamic+dt770&psc=1

AKG K553 Pros Accurate, excellent mids, lacks soundstage but remarkably good build https://www.amazon.com/AKG-3280H00100-K-553-Pro/dp/B00X3MT7F6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522866966&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=AKG+K550+Pros

Shure SRH840 Hesitant to put this on the list as this is basically how to perform studio monitoring Super Neutral, accurate as it gets almost, not a huge player in the soundstage game. You'll need new earpads for particularly long sessions of use https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH840-Professional-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B002DP8IEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522867035&sr=8-1&keywords=Shure+SRH840

And finally the Koss KSC75s get a pair, no exceptions. They are not a replacement for ANY of the other options on this list as they're closer to earbuds than headphones, but the amount of sound quality you get for their 15 dollar price point you should already own a pair https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1522867066&sr=8-1&keywords=koss+ksc+75

A few of these may be hard to drive on their own and may need a headphone amp or dac/amp combo to run properly and if you're not at ease with that right now there are always options.

Edit: removed accidental affiliate links that snuck in

the 30's are decent, the 40's are better but they are 70 bux. If you need closed headphones and have to stay under 50 bux get the 30's they are great, if you can afford the 40's they are definitely worth the 20 extra bux.

open backs are better for gaming IMO because of what they are saying, you can hear where footsteps are coming from so if you play FPS shooters and thas important open backs are good.
http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8

that being said the audio technica 40's are great phones. i've used them.

Headphones first:
Don't buy a headset. A "headset" is composed of a cheap pair of headphone drivers and a cheap microphone wrapped up in a chintzy, "gaming"-flavored package full of LEDs and shit, that gets sold at ridiculous markups. They're heavy and clunky, and honestly sound like crap. I find headset drivers to be almost too bass-heavy and their sound gets muddled. Listening to music on them sounds like you're listening to a recording from a nightclub, and when you play games with them, it's hard to separate one sound from another.

Instead, buy a nice pair of headphones, and a decent desktop microphone, and you'll not only spend less money, but you'll have better sound and a clearer recorded voice. I'd opt for a set of open-ear headphones, because they let you hear your voice as it normally sounds (put in a pair of noise-isolating earbuds or wear a pair of noise-isolating or noise-cancelling headphones and try speaking, you'll sound odd to yourself). For a ~30 Pound price range, I'd recommend these or these.

As for the microphone, just get a lapel microphone (like this one), or a desk microphone like this one (which is the Amazon best-seller for desktop microphones). Or you could get an around-the-ears microphone like this one, that you could then put your headphones over.

Next, for a mouse:
This depends a lot on personal preference. I'd recommend the Razer Deathadder, not only because they have one of the best sensors on the market (maintains perfect tracking even at extremely high speeds with no intrinsic negative acceleration, has adjustable DPI from 400 to 3500, etc.), but also because it is comfortable to hold and comfortable to use. The buttons are satisfying to click, the scroll wheel has just the right amount of tactile feedback, the cable is braided and flexible, etc. This mouse is 47.99 Pounds on Amazon (same link as earlier), but even with a budget three times as high, this is still the mouse I'd buy.

I find the R.A.T. mice to be gimmicks. Yes, you can twist some screws to change their length and whatnot, but the sensors are rather crappy ("DPI" means nothing to the quality of the sensor, you can get a $20 mouse with 3000 DPI; I only use 800 DPI anyways), and I'm also not a fan of how they look/feel. But, as with all mice, this comes down to individual preference.

Just a good set of headphones for around $100 CAD on Amazon?

I've owned Grado SR-60s. They're open backed, so you can hear surroundings better, but others can hear them as well. They're not the most comfortable, though.

For something small and light, I've owned both the Koss PortaPros. I've also used the similar Sennheiser PX-100s, but the only ones I'm seeing on Amazon.ca are overpriced. Anyway, good sounding, light headphones for workouts, walks and the like.

I've never owned a pair of AKG K240s, but they've been ubiquitous in studios for a long time. Well, at least the last time I was in a studio; it's been a while. Other popular ones are various Sennheisers like the HD280s and Shure SRH440s, but I'm not seeing them at least on Amazon Prime in Canada. If you'd like to look, here they are at Sweetwater in US prices HD280s and SRH440s.

Hopefully there's something there you like.

Honestly, instead of using wireless headphones, I would pick up a pair of Superlux HD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones from amazon. They are not wireless, but they are REALLY comfortable and have terrific sound for the price. I was like you where I wanted a wireless solution for the Vive, but honestly not having to deal with charging a battery and any interference or latency has been an overall better experience imo. And if you are worried about an extra wire hanging down, don't because the 3.5 Male jack is right at the base of the headphone. This allows you to either use the length of the Vives plugin jack to connect the headphones to your Vive OR you can buy a small extension cable for a little more slack. If you are interested in those headphones let me know and I'll tell you anything about them as I currently use them for my Vive as well.

LINK:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JOETX8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm looking for a good pair of Bluetooth headphones. I travel a lot with my marching band and its overall easier to listen to music on the long bus rides without having to deal with cords and wires. I'm going to primarily be playing music off of my phone because of its storage space so the actual music player is not that advanced. The headphones have to be good at isolating sound (loud band bus) but I don't want to damage my ears by having them so loud. I was looking at two headphones in particular and was wondering on your opinions:
The Bose Soundlink On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones
Sony MDRXB950BT/B Extra Bass Bluetooth Headset

Budget - Up to $250
Source - Samsung Galaxy Avant Smart Phone, tablet for watching movies, Nintendo 3DS for mobile gaming.
Requirements for Isolation - A lot, loud band bus rides.
Preferred Type of Headphone - Over the ear or On the ear (as long as it does not hurt after hours of use)
Preferred tonal balance -I really do like bass for my Hip Hop stuff, but I want some balance for my other genres of music. I listen to a lot of Jazz and Classical as well as R&B.
Past headphones - I'm using Auvio Elite series headphones now from radioshack. Sometimes it feels like my music is far away, the bass isn't as good as I want it, has decent isolation.
Preferred Music - Mostly Hip-Hop, R&B, Funk, Jazz, Classical. I also dab into Pop, Rock, Alternative, J-Pop, Electronic

I heard the Bose headphones at best buy using my own music and I really liked them. My only concern is that because they are open headphones that I would be forced to turn them up very loud in order to block outside noise and I don't want to be very damaging to my ears. With my current headphones which are closed ear at most I have to turn up my music 3/4 of the volume. I heard the Sony Headphones only with the preview tracks at Best Buy and that did not have the bass boost on for me to try out. I'm weary about that one because I don't know how it will sound with my music specifically and my device specifically so I don't know if it will be a good match. Also my laptop does not have bluetooth so it's an extra bonus if the headphones have cord adapters so I can use them on my laptop or other computers/devices.

Got the Sony MDRXB950bt (Extra Bass) but find the bass is too much. Should I switch to the MDR10RBT?

MDRXB950BT Extra Bass

MDR10RBT

This was my first time buying headphones. I decided to go with the xb950bt because it was on sale during Boxing day at $123.00 Canadian which is a good deal and also had a lot of good reviews. Plus comfort is important and this ones are very comfortable even with eye glasses.
Also I have to say the bass on this are amazing. I listen to a lot of EDM and House so that is a great thing.

However the problem comes when I want to listen to other genres. The bass muffles the other parts such as the vocals. I'm now thinking maybe to get headphones with a more balanced sound. I wonder how the 10RBT matches in terms of sound and comfort. The original retail price is $220.00 but I can get a used one for $130.00 from Amazon.

Hmm. If you were in the NY area, you could stop by the Head-Fi meet next Saturday.

Looks like you just missed a recent Head-Fi meet in Ohio. Keep an eye out for meets near you.

Other than that, I would say try out good cheap headphones (and IEMs), and if you end up enjoying any of their qualities, there are always logical upgrades.

For example:
1.) If you purchase the Koss PortaPro and enjoy the warm tilt and thick bass, the HD 650, LCD-2 and ZMF Omni are logical upgrades.

2.) If the RE-400's or Carbo Tenore's neutrality floats your boat, give the HD 600 (smoother with less sub-bass) and HE-400i (brighter with more sub-bass) a spin.

Learning to read measurements is a great help as well. Lots of great stuff available for cheap (especially with IEMs), if you look around. =)

If you really do grow to love this hobby, you can make a habit out of buying and selling headphones, amps and dacs used to keep things fresh. /r/AVexchange and Head-Fi's classified section are reputable places to do this, although I have no experience with them.

I've been looking for some new headphones and I don't consider myself and audiophile, but I like some decent sound just like everyone. My biggest requirement is that they're lightweight. I loved the Bose AE2's. They were extremely lightweight and really comfortable with decent sound. I prefer over-the-ear, but willing to try other things too! I'd love something within that price range of under $150. Thanks in advance!

http://www.amazon.com/Bose%C2%AE-AE2-audio-headphones-Black/dp/B00478O0JI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394470693&sr=8-1&keywords=ae2

I don't really like IEMs, but if you're looking for some cans, I really like the Superlux HD668B - they're pretty precise and neutral, which are important for metal IMO:

http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8

The Koss PortaPros are pretty okay for the price if a little bass heavy. Build quality has gotten worse over the years but they do have a lifetime warranty:

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1449720158&sr=1-1&keywords=koss+portapros

I like Audio Technica's stuff for metal as well, but definitely a little more pricey. Nolly has mixed some of the Periphery stuff as well as AAL's Joy of Motion on ATH-50's, which is my main pair of headphones atm.

Currently in the market for a new pair of headphones and wondering which pair would be best. I'm quite a noob in the headphone department, (currently owning the Cloud 1s). I have no idea about the high/lows and specs of those headphones so i would love if you could enlighten me :D. For reference, I listen to a wide variety of headphones but i personally love deep house and Rap.

I spotted the following headphones that would possibly interest me. I would take the Fidelio x2's but they are way to costly in Canada.

1-http://www.amazon.ca/Technica-ATH-A700X-Audiophile-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B005TPOED0/ref=sr_1_90?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1451434116&sr=1-90

2-http://www.amazon.ca/Technica-ATH-900x-Audiophile-Closed-back-Headphones/dp/B005TCZIQA/ref=sr_1_122?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1451434140&sr=1-122

3-http://www.amazon.ca/Beyerdynamic-Custom-Headphone-Accessory-Microphone/dp/B00PK2LJ4E/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1451434158&sr=1-2&keywords=beyerdynamic

4-http://www.amazon.ca/AKG-240-Semi-Open-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0001ARCFA/ref=sr_1_12?m=AUJBRIGYRJ3Q8&ie=UTF8&qid=1451434191&sr=8-12&keywords=beyerdynamic

5-http://www.amazon.ca/AKG-Pro-Audio-K240-MKII/dp/B0016MNBAM/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0DFSA1DA0ZAR3XQ4RF0P

Sorry for the wall of text and I hope you can help me

Sorry for my poor english, I am from Quebec in Canada so please bare with me.

Open/Closed I have had some of both in the past and loved either one of them. I have closed headphones and find my ears getting a bit sweaty with time and i also wear Gunnars when i'm on my PC so I think open might be a better idea but if u have any must-have suggestions with the closed-back type headphones, please give me them :D

The prices are in CAD, max i could go is around 250 cad

Budget - $150 - $200 CAD, $250 MAX

Source - I phone 5 SE and computer

Requirements for Isolation - Yes prefer Isolation. Using while traveling on bus, walking, at school (can get noisy sometimes). Using while studying

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over ear preferred unless IEM is very comfortable.

Preferred tonal balance - I like Bass but for studying it can get annoying, so balanced I suppose?

Past headphones - cheap OEM earbuds (Samsung, apple) and KZ Zs3

Preferred Music - Deep House, [Rap]
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmRXzrbZ89Y)

Location -Canada

Other relevant info - slightly bigger ears. Lol

Current Black Friday Opportunities

Sony MDRXB950B1 - CDN$ 123.00

Bose QuietComfort 25 - CDN$ 229.00

Sennheiser PXC 480 - CDN$ 199.95

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO - CDN$ 232.45

Sennheiser HD 598 Cs - CDN$ 158.95

ATH M50X - CDN$ 168.00

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus - CDN$ 184.37

Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headphones - CDN$ 89.99

Shure SRH440 - CDN$ 109.00

I would love to hear your experiences with either of these and which one you recommend given my situation. Or even other ones not from this list you suggest. I would love to purchase one this weekend. So your advice is much appreciated.

Thanks everyone

I recommend looking for adequate padding in whatever you get. I have found some sub$100 wireless headphones that might work but I've never tried them. MEE audio Air-Fi Touch Advanced Bluetooth Wireless Headphones with Touch Control, Headset Functionality, aptX and AAC Support https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S9ZZK7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0apRBbD8PEHHM. The Koss PortaPro are available in wireless or wired. They're considered audiophile headphones on a budget.Koss Porta Pro Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones | 12+ Hour Battery | Integrated Microphone & Remote https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZB9JLL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3hpRBb2H8A6YR. Koss Porta Pro On Ear Headphones with Case, Black / Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xipRBb03Y0ZE2. Audio Technica has these wireless Audio-Technica ATH-S200BTBK Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones with Built-In Mic & Control, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CCR9Y6M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ElpRBbT27244C. Akg also has a wireless model. AKG Bluetooth Headphone Black (Y50BTBLK) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BX72RUY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oopRBb75Y405Y Jlab on ear headphones have very good sound quality for the price and are pretty comfortable if you have a small head but are wired. They're about $15-30. If you're willing to go up in price, then the creative aurvana live, k52, and ath m20 are good options for around $50-60. Those are all wired though. Sorry everything's in us dollars.

Hello all, I need some purchasing help on a Christmas gift for my girlfriend. She mentioned that she would like some nice headphones, and I am trying to find something she would appreciate without breaking my budget. I've been looking at these Bose SoundTrue and this pair of Sony's. I'm pretty far out of my element here and could really use the advise. One requirement is that they have to be somewhat stylish or she will never use them. Thanks in advance for the help.

Budget: $150 max

Source: Android phone, PC, laptop

Requirements for Isolation: Not a huge necessity but it would be nice if they were moderately isolating

Preferred Type of Headphone: Over-ear

Preferred tonal balance: She really likes bass

Past headphones: All super cheap ear buds, I have a pair of Monoprice 8323 that she isn't a fan of because they're not very comfortable

Preferred Music: She listens to everything, but most commonly R&B and pop

Would Like to Improve: Anything would be an improvement over her cheap gummy earbuds

Budget: Let's say ≤ $100

Source: My phone or laptop (Macbook Pro)

Requirements for Isolation: It would be a bonus, but yeah sn't that what headphones are for? To block out the noises and not disturb others.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public?: Maybe on the bus or airplane.

Preferred Type of Headphone: IEMs seem to never stick in my ear and I can't imagine they will be high quality. I would say IEM are very convenient and portable. Full-sized is probably the highest quality I assume, but they are too big for me. Ear-on is I think the middle ground. The clip-on ear https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K like these are probably the best. They aren't too big and aren't susceptible to breaking the head part.

Preferred tonal balance: I have no idea what this part means lol. I don't listen to rock, punk, or anything too loud. I listen to J-pop, OSTs, Classical sometimes, and that's it. Nothing crazy or screams

Past headphones:

Used to own an open ear clip on headphones I got from the airplane. I liked them because they are easy to use, but didn't like the ear pad because on hot days it makes me sweat. I currently own a JVC headphone that I bought from London Drugs.

I don't hate them, but don't like them either. I didn't like them because when I plugged my headphones into my computer there seems to be a really quiet static noise and after putting my headphones on for a long time, they hurt my ears. Also the earpad isn't real leather so the sweating issue is a problem. I also found it recently that I just don't like how "importable" it is (inconvenient to carry) and I can't stuff it in my pockets

Preferred Music: Looks like I answered this part already! Mostly soft J-pop, OSTs from Anime, Classical Music (no orchestras). No scream loud music like Rock, Rap, etc.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up: Hm better sound quality, softer, cooler pads, and portability.

Location- I am in Canada, but I got a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card so I can shop there. But if there is somewhere else I can purchase, let me know.

These are generally considered some of the best under $50 phones. You can usually get them around $25. I got mine for $30 including EU VAT. Just this week I've wore them with my sunglasses with no discomfort, but YMMV. Some people do complain about the comfort of these, no idea why, they are like pillows to me. They're little bright, but otherwise really good stuff, good frequency response, nice instrument separation and the bass is at about perfect level for me, even harder techno genres sound good. Note, though, that if you want your music really bass heavy, these aren't for you.


https://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8

Budget - <30 bucks

Source - phone, computer ds maybe. I love general use

Isolation - i guess light isolation? I seem stupid saying light isolation but I want to be able to focus on the game or music while walking but talk to friends right next to me. (this is a stupid explanation)

Preferred type - after a life of using earbuds my inside ears dont look so good, trying to cut down on that, I would say maybe over ear

Tonal balance - Neutral as possible, I am not too particular about how something sounds, if it needs to be bass boosted to sound better then was it really good in the first place?

Past headphones - Koss Ksc75 (was great headphones but annoying to be sure) and the Koss portapros (actually really good but as of now one side lost sound)

Music - Anything that sounds great goes on my playlist, even rap, which I usually despise

Improvement - something that will last long hopefully, portapros lasted me for more then half a year (bought it in june)

I was also looking at this thing right here the mic I pretty much do not need, but otherwise everything looks nice otherwise

Note: I am a complete idiot so if you cringe while reading this shit, angrily suggest a reccomendation

Superlux HD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JOETX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_05sxDb389W93G

These are basically the updated Samsons (the Samsons are a rebrand of the original Superlux HD681). I would go with either because they are a great choice in terms of sound quality - nice, clean and crisp sound with a wide soundstage due to the semi-open design. Comfort is great, as well. Good luck!

avoid gaming headset, buy a good pair of headphones and a seperate microphone, you'll get much better sound quality for the price, especially in the headphones department.

For $70, I would recommend the Samson SR850 headphones with these Velvet earpads because the stock earpads are pretty bad, but the headphones sound GREAT for the price. Build quality is average.

For a mic, the Zalman ZM Mic1 is a common mic. It sounds great and it easily attaches to your headphones cable (those Samson) have a pretty thick cable so it won't fall off).

ALTERNATIVELY:

Superlux HD 668b Identical sounding to the Samsons, but are designed differently, sometimes are cheaper, those earpads are still recommended)

Superlux HD 681 or 681 EVO They basically sound like the 668b/SR850, but just a little worse overall, but you won't beat them for $30. The earpads are still recommended.

Things I've observed while watching them for some time:

• They can only catch the game audio when no one is talking or at least yelling so they have the speakers turned down most of the time.
  
  
• They have a mic for each person or will sit closely to share a mic and talk loudly.
  
  
• They use a gate in post process to cut out back ground noise when no one is talking.
  
  
• It sounds like they use a compressor at the right thresh hold so their quitest voice is heightened and any back ground noise is inaudible.
  
  This can all be done but you have to learn how to edit audio and understand all the tools that can accomplish this as well as invest in better equipment.
  
  If you want an easier set up but obviously more expensive than not wearing headphones is to look into a headphone mixer, they are fairly inexpensive, and look into open back headphones so you can hear each other talk in the same room while hearing the audio. ( I highly recommend SuperLux because of the price you get so much fidelity for editing but they can be uncomfortable so look into getting velour ear cups also they are fairly small so if you have a big head I wouldn't recommend this)
  
  They use $100+ mics per person so I can imagine if you're starting out with a webcam mic you'll definitely want to use headphones since you can't move the web cam closer to you to help make you guys sound louder and clearer.
  
  You've got a lot ahead of you tbh, they use some pretty pricey equipment for a hobbyist and they have knowledge on editing that are a must to learn to increase the quiality of your content.
  

Budget: $50-$150

Source: PC (No SoundCard), HTC One M8, iPod Touch 5th Gen, Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB (turntable, analog and digital out)

Isolation: Not needed

Public Use: Not typically.

Preferred Type: On-Ear

Preferred Tonal Balance: Clear mids and tenors with a large sound stage. I'm not a professional and have no idea how to explain.

Past Headphones:

• Monoprice Over-Ear (These hurt after more than 20 minutes and they make me ears feel like they're burning, which is why I'm now wary of over ear, it may just be a bad experience)
  
  
• Koss SportaPro
  
  
• Panasonic RPTCM125A Buds
  
  
• Brainwavz Delta Buds
  
  Preferred Music: Indie, Folk, Electronic, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Hip Hop
  
  Other uses to keep in mind: Gaming (Huge PC Gamer), Binaural Listening
  
  What I want to improve: I've been using Koss Sportapros for the last year after the Monoprice headphones I bought were feeling pretty mediocre, but I'm looking for a sound upgrade, something that I can better or actually enjoy the quality of my record player from/that makes it worthwhile to rip things in FLAC.
  
  Everything I read was pointing me to these but I'm not sure if I want to try over ear headphones again since I'm going to be wearing them 2 or 3 hours at a time usually.
  
  Another user suggested these as they are on ear but a lot of the reviews I was reading were saying the voices are mids are kind of attenuated and the quality isn't that great, for $85 it just seems like I'd be better off eating the $10 and the bit of discomfort and going with the Sony's but I was hoping if I upped my budget a bit I might be able to find something better in an on-ear option.
  
  Thanks in advance!

Have you looked into bone conduction bluetooth headphones?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G3JMPBZ/ref=cm\_sw\_em\_r\_mt\_dp\_U\_28CvDbFN1FK43

I have those...the AfterShokz Titanium and I use them in certain situations where I may need to hear someone.

They're perfect at work. I have my texts read to me/messages/notifications/take phone calls/etc over bluetooth and if someone needs to talk to me I don't have to take off earbuds or headphones. It's quite convenient.

And they sound really good. Not as good as over the ear headphones or earbuds mind you because those are blasting the sound right into your ear, but these sound really good.

Runners/walkers like them as well, as they can hear their surroundings (cars, other people, etc)...and they are quite nice for that.

So if you don't need noise cancelling and would like to be able to hear the outside world without taking off your headphones, I recommend these things.

> AD8620

That was always the one I settled on. Wasn't too much of a difference with the other ones, but the AD8620 was definitely barely noticably better, especially with good headphones.

Can I recommend the Koss KSC-75?

https://www.amazon.ca/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K

They're written about on pretty much every audiophile website there is, because they are $200 sound for $20 price. I've bought 4 pairs. They're also high(er) impedance at 32 ohms, which makes them too quiet at max volume on a mobile phone on a train, which makes them perfect for a C-Moy!

I currently have Turtle Beach X12 and I'm looking to buy a new pair of headphones. I'm only willing to spend up to £40 (around $50). I'm going to use these headphones to listen to hip-hop/rap busic. I really like the bass boost on the X12 and have the all the way up, so I would like for this new pair to have good bass.
These are the ones I've found which has good reviews: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00Q2VIW9M/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=36D3JQGC93KMK&coliid=ILLZH4NJXKVNX&psc=1
I dont know if this one is better than my current X12's so i dont know about this one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IMKRQO8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=36D3JQGC93KMK&coliid=I1A5I5QU79AGHY&psc=1
This one seems good, but not sure about the bass on this please help me out if you know about this one.
Any help is much appreciated! Feel free to link me suggestions :)

Hey guys, I'm pretty new to this sub and I just got myself a pair of Sony MDR-XB950BT's. One thing I didn't really consider is a case for my headphones though (my other pair of Sony headphones came with one). Is there a Way to find a good case, specifically that'll fit my 950's? I'm worried that most of the ones out there will be too small since the 950's are pretty big, they barely fit in the case for my other Sony headphones. I'd also prefer a hard case if possible, but a soft case works too. Any thoughts? So far from preliminary searching, I like this Geekria case and this SLAPPA case. I kind of prefer the SLAPPA, but I want to make sure my headphones would fit since the earpieces are pretty big on the 950's. Thanks all!

Depends on the headphones he goes with as well as the mic. The mixamp is fairly expensive, but you can pick them up used on ebay pretty regularly. My personal cans that I use on my pc and xbox are Audio Technica ATH-AD700x(115$) and an Antlion Modmic 4.0 (55$).

I can use them on both of my setups, they sound amazing, and they are built much much better than any "gaming" headset out there.

However if he wanted to go cheap he could pick up a set of superlux hd668b for 40$ on amazon, and a zalmen clip on mic for 8$. He would still wind up with better audio quality on both the mic and headphones with better build quality to boot.

The Mixamp can be picked up used for 40$ or new for around $70.

So for a used mixamp and the superlux zalman combo you are looking at $90 or less. For my setup you are looking at 225$ish.

http://www.amazon.com/ASTRO-Gaming-MixAmp-Pro-Xbox-360/dp/B004L6C6BK

http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1457465965&sr=1-1&keywords=superlux+hd668b

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1457465986&sr=1-1&keywords=zalman+zm-mic1

Just got these Koss KSC75, but haven't tested them all too much.

They sound nice, are light and comfortable and super cheap. Not isolating in any way but I don't have a noisy environment and imho are extremely ugly, but they are just for VR so whatever.

I think I heard/felt the best positional audio in SPT with these today of any headphones (Sennheiser Momentum 2, Sony CD580, Vive Earplugs) I tried with the Vive.

Didn't mod anything just organized the cable a little. When I'm done playing I clip them on the side straps. Would appreciate suggestions for improving the cable mess or a permanent mounting solution.

/edit: Photos http://i.imgur.com/hIyKxR4.jpg http://i.imgur.com/NEqOrui.jpg

Not buds nor are they small but I love my Sennheiser 555s. I got them for around $90. Great build quality. I've had them for awhile now and no signs of wear or tear.

Koss PortaPro are loved by pretty much everyone for their incredibly low price and great sound quality. They fall under "small cans."

I completely agree, and was considering bringing this up myself. $20 for a $5 Monk+ with a braided cable isn't as good a value as the KSC-75 at $15. They're both cheap, portable solutions with low isolation. They cater to the same needs.

The Monk+ is great at $5, but if you're going to be spending $15+ then the KSC-75 is definitely better for the money. People love collecting those Monks, though, which is understandable.

Edit: The KSC-75 is currently $10 on Amazon, which makes them even more of a great value for the money.

Get Superlux HD668 Headphones and a Zalman Z-MIC1 clip microphone. I can't find them on pricespy, but the headphones are about 30€ and they are the best i've ever listened to. Seriously, 100€+ headsets are nothing compared to them. I absoluotely love them, they sound extremely clean. just read some Amazon reviews and decide for yourself In any case, DO NOT buy a headset. Find yourself nice headphones and a clip Microphone and you will get much more value for your Money as headsets are overpriced.

I have been through quite a bit of earbuds, but they all annoy me when I start to sweat. On top of that, I nearly got ran over by a car speeding over a red light, while wearing my former Sennheiser cx 300... So no more outside sound isolation when running for me.

The KSC-75 has been an awesome choice for me. Great fit and excellent sound.

After buying a pair 1½ years ago and seeing how amazing they are, I purchased 2 other pairs to have in reserve. Don't do that. My first pair is still going strong and show no sign of tear or wear. :)

Hi everyone. I'm looking to get some headphones for PC gaming.

I'm currently gaming with these old Altec Lansing XT1 speakers, and would like to upgrade to something a little more impressive, and I thought headphones would be the best choice as it'll disturb my wife a bit less.

I've done some reading and research through this sub and elsewhere, and was thinking of getting the following:

Superlux HD668b headphones

Fiio e10k dac and amp

I read that open headphones would be better for gaming and music in general, but only in quiet environments.

I thought if I get the Fiio with it then down the line I can get some bookshelf speakers for the PC too.

Does this setup seem like a good idea to you? Will the Fiio make a difference compared to using my motherboard's onboard audio? Is there something else you would recommend instead? Would the HD681 evo headphones be a better choice?

I'm not looking to spend more than £100 total for headphones + amp/dac.

Thanks for any advice or info you can offer.

If she enjoys all kinds of music... Get her a pair of good headphones. The super lux HD668B is the best bang for the buck when it comes to headphones and matches headphones at higher price ranges
Superlux HD668B

Then go to /r/audiophile on the link below and check out all the audiophile grade records of 2014 posted there.

http://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/2nstvm/best_audiophile_albums_of_2014/

Once you listen to music recorded with the audiophile crowd in mind, its hard to listen to anything of lesser quality, even if the file being played is an mp3. A great recording or production translates well even when compressed.

And next year you can upgrade her setup to include a better digital to analog converter and headphone amp. They can be found for mobile applications or MAC/PC.

You can research headphone gear here http://www.head-fi.org/

Unless you're fond of being struck by traffic, I would strongly recommend against any pair that seals off your ear canal, is "sound isolating", etc. If you run on the road, they're pretty unsafe.

I have a pair of Koss KSC75, so I'll review those: The sound is decent, especially for the price, and they're quite loud. You said that clip-ons tend to chafe, but I've never had this problem. They're comfortable enough to wear on even my longest runs, but tend to become less so if you wear them for a very long period of time. The cord is 4' long, which I find to be perfect: long enough that you can hold your mp3 player or keep it in your pocket, but not so long as to be cumbersome. I've owned them for about 8 months and they've taken a surprising amount of abuse without suffering any damage. The jack looks a bit fragile, but I haven't had any problems (jack or otherwise) yet. Overall, the best headphones I've ever used for exercise, and a great price.

I also owned two pairs of these, but in both of them, one speaker gave out after a few months. I believe it was a problem with the connection at the jack. I would not recommend them.

From what i know, the best type of headphones for binaural audio are open-type ones, closed types have almost zero soundstage which is supposedly a crucial factor for that immersive binaural 3d audio effect. Also when buying headphones specifically for VR, you also have to look for decent comfort and a good stability (they stay on your head).

Open-type headphones with little to no noise isolation are actually quite a must for me personally, since i love playing some low volume hot sexy music from the outside source while watching the videos, and i also love to hear myself talk while in VR (makes it even more immersive when you are able to "communicate" with a girl IMO).

Something like this would be a decent pick, these are superb for the price...

https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K

​

If you want cheap and good, this combination works well:

Cosmos Black Color Velvet Replacement Earpad Ear Pad Cushion for AKG K 240

Superlux HD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones

Ultimately I decided I like the earbuds routed through the headstrap better, but these sounded pretty good. They are 56ohm, so they will be a little quieter than your 39 ohm LGs. That said, some people are using 250ohm headsets and that has to have a pretty low volume unless you can turn it up high enough in the game.

The cable on the HD668B also breaks away easily if you tug on it and it comes with a nicely sized shorter cable you can use too.

Fear cuts deeper than swords

1. on my WL, something grey.
   
   
2. NOT on WL, rain reminiscing
   
   
3. on my WL, yes i find this food unusual.
   
   
4. on my WL, my husband, he is deaf like no other and LOVES action movies.
   
   
5. this book is a fast read, and hillarious.
   
   
6. I have nothing for this...
   
   
7. on my WL, poopin litters fer kikat
   
   
8. SO thinks its useful, i do not, but it is pretty
   
   
9. UHF/not on WL because it has to be one of the best B rate movies of all time. And its just stupid funny.
   
   
10. Kukri for your zombie ass/not on WL
    
    
11. ONE TRILLION DOLLARS would prolly help me out/not on WL
    
    
12. I would have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't have been for those pesky add-ons/on WL
    
    
13. Monitor for moi/Obviously on my WL
    
    
14. definitely bigger than a breadbox/on my WL
    
    
15. Bouncy balls are smaller than a golf ball/not on WL
    
    
16. Best smells ever, imho/on my WL
    
    
17. SFW is relative i suppose./on my WL
    
    
18. Most helpful for going back to school/on my WL
    
    
19. Obsessed with crochet/on my WL
    
    
20. Unicorn meat/ on my WL Because really, who can say they own unicorn meat? And when its opened its even BETTER.
    
    Thanks for the contest!

There are different accessories I have bought and has made my experience better.

Cable management: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073P7GJNP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Audio upgrade:

- Cheap (For just exploring around and watching videos) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006B486K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Expensive (Mainly for playing games and having a mic instead of the built in mic since it's buggy on the headset) - https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Cloud-Flight-Detachable-Comfortable/dp/B077ZGRY9V/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3D960PSK6KV35&keywords=hyperx+cloud+flight&qid=1564661727&s=electronics&sprefix=hyperx+cloud+%2Celectronics%2C151&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRkdWSElOUU5JREhTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDYwNzUxMVZSTjVPU1pFS0Y1USZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTEwOTk2MVgyMkUwMjdWRlo1MyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

​

Controller grips:

These arrive today so I can't say if they are good or bad yet but I've only heard good - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VCF9P73/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I've had these for awhile and they work great (if you have larger hands, these are perfect) - https://www.mamutvr.com/collections/upcoming/products/mamut-touch-grip

​

Headset power:

I've heard people have had tracking issues due to insufficient power from their usb ports, my RTX 2080 has a dedicated USB-Type C that I use to power my headset and haven't had any tracking issues - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GGKYXVE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

Rechargeable batteries for the controllers:

I've heard other people recommend different batteries but these have worked well for me - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IM3P8GS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pretty good review of the S. I do agree with Jeremy regarding the sound and I'm still hopeful Oculus will release an addon headphones accessory. In the meantime I have ordered these Koss headphones: Koss KSC75 Portable Stereophone Headphones

​

I'm still looking forward to getting my S on the 21st. The optics, eye glasses friendliness, improved comfort, and simplified tracking process are big wins for me.

I'm highly surprised no one mentioned the Koss Portapros yet. They truly are the best <$50 headphones.

They sound wonderful, have great bass (amazing for gaming), are very comfortable with an adjustable temple comfort level, and have a lifetime warranty. Oh what's that, you forgot to switch the audio from your headphones to the TV and they blared that movie at 100%? Or they've just worn down over those badass ~2 years you've had them? (really an AWESOME lifetime for so cheap) Send Koss $9 and your pair and they'll send you a new pair.

This might be a little bit of a weird suggestion, but I was gifted a super cool pair of bluetooth headphones for my tank maintenance (freshwater)... and now I use them every time I maintenance the tank, and during the times I'm alone and I just want to stare at it. I felt like it was one of the most creative gifts I'd ever received on the subject, because they're applicable to so many other things too. Here, they are super cheap on amazon, and everyone in my family has a pair now:
Edit: word

http://www.amazon.com/Bluedio-Turbine-Wireless-Bluetooth-Headphones/dp/B00Q2VIW9M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465169593&sr=8-1&keywords=bludio+turbine

I also have the triple drivers, I definitely recommend them and they have a solid case to protect them as well. They're sturdy, the part that goes into your ear is a little thicker than other earbuds so fit for me is just okay compared to other earbuds. It comes with a variety of tips. They go on sale at Costco for $60 once or twice a year, it might be worth looking into around Black Friday. I got mine right before Christmas last year for that price.

https://m.costco.com/1More-Triple-Driver-In-Ear-Headphones.product.100296621.html?catalogId=10701&langId=-1&storeId=10301&krypto=RlhXLpVDD2EcktusBzYZEuTEELD0IqFDhdfMd%2BHcl8QDib0gU01BLe3lnw6mc7zpQqbkbh%2FojTSAYucad4nAxbpOQdsoag72oQ0gryaZqLLcpxGEPcfJXuSxCQnnZIhu

One of the best affordable options would be KSC 75's. They sound great, don't have to go over your head, and are less than $13. They may leak a little sound due to how you wear them, but I don't think you can do better for the price. Really good bass on these if that's your thing, they're basically PortaPros. Foam on them falls apart over time, easy to replace though.

https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1510010086&sr=1-1&keywords=ksc-75&dpID=41OpHYsxmDL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I bought these Sony MDRXB950BT's at my local Best Buy after hearing some good reviews about them. When I arrived home, I quickly opened the box and used the included wire cable to listen to some music (it is originally a BT headphone). I tried a large variety of genres and I can safely say that they are a good buy for the price at $200 (especially considering the wireless feature); the bass is very rich and the mids and highs sounded very good! Although more emphasis is on bass, it is essentially a headphone for any preference. The noise cancelling is not as good as headphones such as the Bose QuietComfort 25 (which I tried at the store) but it still does a good enough job of keeping sound out. I would recommend these to anyone, especially bass lovers such as myself.

These Kinivo bluetooth headphones! I can't do earbuds either and these are excellent! They sound pretty good and stay put. And they fold up real nice and small :) Plus, the price point is pretty good!

Superlux 668b for gaming. Their soundstage is ridiculous and they are $40 on Amazon right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8

They would do for proper music as well, but allow me to recommend you save up a little and buy Sennheiser Urbanite On-ears for your commute. Those are truly glorious for rock, electronic and hiphop. No idea about nature sounds, though, not really into them)

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Urbanite-On-Ear-Headphones-Nation/dp/B00M3NZYQM/

And yes, iOS version works on Android, except for the mic and the remote. Get Android version if you need those.

I see... There is kind of small sub that will be able to play frequencies down to the orange slider, maybe (slightly) the red, on calibrated noises. It is not bad.

In the $100-150 range, I am not sure you will be able to achieve a significant improvement in quality. However, for the same amount of money, you can get fantastic headphones! Listening myNoise through nice headphones, is a totally different experience, believe me. If you haven't yet... you will hear things that you never heard before. If you are a myNoise fan, you will need headphones at some point ;-)

You don't need to invest much, to have nice sounding headphones... My favorite among the cheapest ones available are the HD668b for USD 35...

Yall sure are lookin' mighty fine today. Must be nice to be that good lookin' with zero effort...

Gift one, I would love these headphones. I am sick and tired of getting tangled in wires while running, and with this new fangled technology no longer does one have to suffer with antiquated cords. Science!

and for gift two.... C'mon...gimme these lovely legal pads to make work more bright and shiny. Or gift card. Or maybe a hug. It's been a hell of a week.

Thank you again for your unending generosity.

Honestly i wouldn't trust many review sites these days, Most of the time i see any sort of review on any item the person doing the review has no expertise on the subject. Have you seen the Cuphead review? These are the type of people that review products.

As for headphones:


The superlux 668 or the Samson sr850 are very good for their price and will sound just as good and even better than the cloud 2's in some areas.

For ~$100 you can get a pair of ATH-AD700X . They're the best headphones in their price range/price-performance to me. They sound amazing. The ad500x's/ad900x'z are also really good for a little less/more.

Got a Best Buy gift card for my birthday, its about $100, so I decided to get a new pair of headphones with it. So the big restriction is that I must be able to buy them at Best Buy. They can be gaming or not, idc as long as they dont look awful or have a big honking mic.

-Budget: $120>, but I can be flexible

-Source: PC and iPhone. While on PC, they MUST be wireless, but on my iPhone a wire is fine.

-Requirements for Isolation: I prefer closed headphones, but they dont have to be noise canceling. Also, I only prefer closed headphones, I am willing to fuck with open.

-Will you be using these Headphones in Public?: Yes, but really just while on public transportation, planes, trains, automobiles.

-Preferred Type of Headphone: Over-ear, definitely no on ear or in ear.

-Preferred tonal balance: Definitely more balanced, but anything as fine as long as the bass isnt muddy.

-Past Headphones: Sony Things, Bose Soundtrue, Razer Krakens, Razer Orcas. Idk probably others, cant remember.

-Preferred Music: Typically classic rock/metal.

-What would you like to improve on from your setup: I have had leather pad headphones for a while, which get really hot. I would like to try mesh or different types of padding.

I recommend these: https://www.amazon.com/Bluedio-Turbine-Wireless-Bluetooth-Headphones/dp/B00Q2VIW9M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466453404&sr=8-1&keywords=bluedio+t2

Great headphones for the price, I've bought myself and a couple friends some. Bluetooth can be a little bit laggy but with an audio cable it's perfect. Also, Free One-day Shipping with Amazon Prime which means you can have it by tomorrow night. I can order them for you if you'd like, just shoot me a PM :)

> What product comes with the quality but doesn't come with the price tag?

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH/

These are awesome. They sound better than a lot of $100-200 headphones. (Definitely better than Beats fro example.)

Check out some of the lists on head-fi, there's lots of great recommendations: http://www.head-fi.org/a/buying-guide-headphones-by-price-range

Budget - No limit

Source - Smartphone (onePlus phones, iPhones)

Requirements for Isolation - For on the go, public transport, work area.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-size, wirelss preferred but not mandatory.

Preferred tonal balance - overall balance, some good bass.

Past headphones - SONY MDRXB950BT and Sennheiser HD598+modmic.

Preferred Music - Techno, rock, metal.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I love the sony's but I need to use those headphones for long period of times and for conf calls. The microphone grabs all sound (omnidirectional) and makes me sound inside a Costco with just minor voice chat around.

I am looking for an alternative to the SONY's if I can find some with better isolating microphone.

Extremely confortable, great for gaming and watching movies. For music it needs a bit of burn in but they sound really good for the price. JVC HA-RX700

Extremely confortable, great for gaming and watching movies. For music it needs a bit of burn in but they sound really good for the price. JVC HA-RX900

Clip on headphones. They sound great. Might hurt ear after a while. Koss-KSC75

If you want earbuds, I recommend the Edifier P185 https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-P185-Headphones-Earphones-Microphone/dp/B01C7XBGXW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543090794&sr=8-3&keywords=Edifier+P185

or the koss portapro https://www.amazon.com/Koss-Porta-Headphones-Black-Silver/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543090821&sr=1-3&keywords=koss+portapro

These things are really good in my opinion but don't block out too much sound if any. The KZ ZST https://www.amazon.com/ZST-Colorful-Banlance-Armature-Earphone/dp/B01N3U9SJG/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543090934&sr=1-3&keywords=kz+zst

is really good as well with good sound isolation, but might be a little too sharp in the sss sounds. Theses are some subjective recommendations, but I hope it helps. You could find some of these cheaper on aliexpress or on ebay if you don't mind loose packaging.

The Superlux HD668b [$47] is an amazing headset for the price. It has a very wide, open soundstage that's fantastic for hearing subtle noises around environments. And of course, music sounds phenomenal on them. I've only had mine for a few weeks, and I've mostly listened to music, but I've played Skyrim and TF2 with them and the environments (particularly Skyrim) sound awesome. They're a semi-open design so music will be somewhat audible to people around you if that matters. They can also be tweaked and modded to improve both the comfort and sound.

Checkout the general Superlux reviews and the HD668b reviews.

A home theater system is good for parties or casual players, but you'd be able to hear the songs more clearly if you went with headphones IMHO. Get an HDMI audio extractor (about $30) and a Behringer MicroAmp ($25) and the appropriate cables and you're good to go. I'd recommend open-ear headphones like THIS.

And here's a cheaper alternative.

If you're in a noisy environment though, closed headphones might be better.

If you're willing to go for another $10, these are a good pair. They don't work too well for wearing them in public places, though. The Koss PortaPros are renowned for their great sound and low cost. They're also very portable, as the name suggests. Finally, this pair of Sennheisers is very cheap and has great sound. I personally have the Marshall Majors, and I like them a lot, but they are well over $40. Good luck finding the pair you like!

Budget - $200 hard limit (USA)

Source - PC

Requirements for Isolation - Yes, from the research I've done closed-back headphones are good for this?

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-sized (circumaural?)

Preferred tonal balance - I think I want some headphones that are more toward the bass side but not too heavy. I play a few shooters (RS2Vietnam, BF1, CSGO, ARMA 3) and I think the music I listen to is on the mid-low side. Sorry if this sounds vague I just discovered this subreddit a few days ago.

Past headphones - Right now i'm rockin some $10 earbuds from Wal-Mart, not sure of the brand but its all-white i'm assuming Apple?

Preferred Music - I will mostly be using this for gaming and watching shows/movies/anime >90% of the time, but for the music I will be listening to, some R&B, Hip hop, lofi hip hop, Deep House, Flume, ODESZA, Chet Faker, Big House EDM, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Weezer, Tokyo Police Club, Coconut Records

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Better sound quality and some comfort. I would prefer it if they were compatible with a BoomPro mic, but it is not a requirement.

I did some looking and I came upon these pairs as possible headphones that might be good for what i'm looking for. The first two are what i'm leaning towards and the rest are in no specific order.

1.) Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus ($172.33) - https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-Custom-Headphones-Accessory-Microphone/dp/B00PK2LJ4E

2.) Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm ($179.00) - https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-770-Pro-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497743335&sr=8-2&keywords=dt770

3.) AKG 550 ($139.95) - https://www.amazon.com/AKG-K550-Closed-Back-Reference-Headphones/dp/B005CNR7B0/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1497744145&sr=1-1&keywords=k550

4.) Audio-Technica MSR7BK ($193.99) - https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-MSR7BK-SonicPro-High-Resolution-Headphones/dp/B00PEU9CFA

5.) Shure SRH840 ($179.00) - https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH840-Professional-Monitoring-Earphones/dp/B002DP8IEK/

6.) Fostex T50RP MK3 ($154.90) - https://www.amazon.com/Fostex-Professional-Studio-Headphones-Semi-Open/dp/B0167XM092

7.) Audio-Technica M40x ($79.00) - https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M40x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR54/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1497704658&sr=8-3&keywords=m40x

Are these headphones appropriate for what i'm looking for? If not may I get a suggestion for what you think would be better? Also, what YouTube channels should I watch for reviews and to learn more about headphones in general? The only one I've watched so far is ZReviews.

For my last question, I am considering buying a soundcard (the Xonar DGX) with these headphones, is it enough to power the DT770 model i'm looking at?

Sorry for the wall of text, I was trying to be as detailed as I could with my limited knowledge. Thank you for reading this and your time!

Anyone who hasn't experienced 3D audio before just put on a set of semi decent standard headphones and load up virtual barber shop or the interrogation chamber on YouTube and have a listen. Every headphone is capable of doing it. Just make sure they are good quality and will be fine for VR. Don't need special £200 headphones for it.

On the DK2, I'm using these.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00Q2VIW9M/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

They cost £20 and sound incredibly good, even over Bluetooth but can use a cable as well. The few demos that has 3d or positional audio have sounded pretty awesome even in these cheap headphones. Specially on the Technolust room demo.

Seriously guys don't overpay for headphones and watch out for the incoming flow of VR ready and 3D this and that headphones that are going to flood the market.

Sorry! Should have specified

• So here are the headphones - these are identical to what's on the CV1, and the exact same driver as the award winning koss porta pros
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006B486K/
  
  • (The housing is silver - wanted black to match the headset - so I went with sporta-pros https://www.amazon.com/Koss-155475-SportaPro-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00001P505 for a few bucks more.= - just note you can't do the 'bend' mod below)
    
• If you just want the speakers and want to terminate your only custom-length 3.5mm cables (since the rift s has 2 3.5mm jacks) - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32851689592.html
  
  
• Now, easiest thing to do is just bend them to hand, something like this: https://imgur.com/gallery/V7zKoN9
  
• you can also get 3d printed mounts that replace the plastic clips/headbands like this (the route I took)
  
• Here are some examples:
  
  • https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3664007
    
  • https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3665883
    
  • https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3646364
    
    ​
    
    ​
    
    Hope this helps :)

Pt gaming ma gandesc ca ai avea nevoie de ceva aparte la casti care sa iti ofere oarece avantaj cand te joci gen noise cancelling, surround etc... Recomandarea mea ar fi sa strangi bani sa iti iei ceva de calitatea si iti recomand asta ca o persoana care a trecut prin 15 perechi de casti sub £100 . Eu ma joc mult in timpul liber si ma gandeam sa imi iau ceva 5.1 sau 7.1 DAR am de la Razer o aplicatie care imi converteste sunetul in surround , si sunt oarecum satisfacut de asta, dar mai mare pret pun pe un stereo de la Bose sau AKG. Parerea mea...

Din cate stiu Amazon UK livreaza si in romania si din ce-am vazut prin comentarii astea s-ar potrivi la bugetul tau :

AKG K452 High-Performance On-Ear Headphones with In-line Microphone - White

Sony-MDR-V55

Creative HS800 Fatal1ty Gaming Headset with Detachable Noise-cancelling Microphone

AKG 452

Corsair CA-9011125-EU Vengeance 2100 USB Wireless Dolby 7.1 Comfortable Gaming Headset - Gunmetal Grey

HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset

4+ stele si sub £50

Edit : http://www.reddit.com/r/headphones

• n-am gasit pana acum o pereche de casti de la Creative de care sa fiu multumit, si nici de Noise Isolation ca o alternativa la Noise Cancelling. Fac reclama ca izoleaza un procent mare de sunetul ambient, care e adevarat dar e o diferenta ca de la cer la pamant intre a avea o pereche de casti ce iti acopera TOATA urechea pentru a izola si seria QuietComfort de la Bose (sau tehnologii similare)

I don't remember him talking about headphones, but I love my Koss Portapros. They fold up tightly and fit in my bag, and have excellent audio quality. They also don't mess up my hair as much as other over-ear headphones tend to. Here's a [link] (https://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484145123&sr=8-1&keywords=koss+portapro). $39.99 on Amazon. They also have a lifetime guarantee.

For under $50, you can't go wrong with:

Superlux HD668B headsets. They are very lightweight, and from every single review I've read online or seen on youtube, they compete with $150-$200 studio headphones. In music, the 'treble' can be a little rough for some people, it can be very crisp. But in gaming, they've said this isn't an issue and makes for an INCREDIBLE soundstage in-game. Also, they come with a small 3ft cable AND a longer cable; the 3ft cable is perfect for jacking into the vive.

Everyone suggests You also pick up Velour replacement pads as the pads that come stock leave a lot to be desired and may be uncomfortable. Luckily, placing them both in your Amazon cart brings your total to JUST AT $49 and some change, which nets you FREE SHIPPING as well. So you're better off grabbing the pads :) /thread

so these drivers used in these earbuds are what they recon could be what the cv1 comes with... cheap but good specs!

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

The KSC75s feature dynamic elements for a wide frequency response from 15-25,000 Hz. A two-millimeter titanium diaphragm coating increases rigidity, which means less distortion and therefore more accurate sound reproduction. Neodymium magnets help deliver greater volume, even with low-voltage portable devices, and oxygen-free copper voice coils improve signal transmission and conduction for cleaner, clearer sound.

Frequency Response: 15-25,000 Hz
Impedance: 60 ohms
Sensitivity: 101 dB SPL/1mW
Distortion: Less Than 0.2%

i had no idea you could get such good earbuds for that price

Budget - £70 Flexible

Source - Television (Samsung 4k smart tv)

Requirements for Isolation - None, indoor use.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No.

Preferred Type of Headphone- On ear.

Preferred tonal balance - Balanced I guess; not really sure.

Past headphones - Currently using these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDRZX310-Foldable-Headphones-Metallic-Black/dp/B00I3LUWQA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518340176&sr=1-1&keywords=sony+headphones

I want to get an upgrade.

Preferred Music - All genres; but these headphones mainly be used for tv/movies.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Better quality of sound. Comfort is a priority as well.

Thank you.

Okay thanks since I'm mainly going to be using for gaming/netflix/blu rays I think I will just buy the headphones and see how I like them first initially before deciding if I want a dac amp. Supposedly these are easy to drive headphones anyway and I may well be happy. If I want to listen to a lot of music or not content with the sound quality down the line the chromecast + dac amp will be an option.

Hopefully they will be better than what I'm currently using anyway:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDRZX310-Foldable-Headphones-Metallic-Black/dp/B00I3LUWQA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1519462663&sr=1-1&keywords=sony+headphones

Here in this sticky comment you will find an overview of the deals posted in this thread for your benefit. If you find that one of the deals has run out please let me know. Off-topic top level comments asking what to buy will be removed, deals that are missing some of the info will not make it to the list. Also I've changed suggested sorting to "New".

Official Manufacturer Sales

CIEM

• Empire Ears 15% discount store wide with code "BFsale15"
  
• 64 Audio 15-20% off on most Universals and Customs starting Friday
  
• JH Audio 10-20% off using code "BLACKFRIDAY2018"
  
• Noble Audio 15% off CIEM 20% off UIEM
  
• Inearz 35% off CIEM's with ADEL modules
  
• Alclair up to 30% off on CIEMs
  
• Cleartune Monitors 20% off on CIEM's, cables and BT cables
  
• Jomo Audio 15% off both customs and universals
  
• Custom Art new FIBAE Black, launch price from €369 til' end of year. Regular price from €450
  
• Earsonics Various codes on their website, 50% off on refurbs + discounts on CIEM/UIEM.
  
  

  Headphones
  

• Master & Dynamic 20% off under $500 code "BFD20" 30% off $500+ code "BFD30"
  
• Brainwavz Various deals including B400 for $159.50, Earpads 25% discount and more.
  
• Audeze B-stock sale on LCD2-C, iSine, Sine and El-8.
  
• Campfire Audio Vega 36% off, Jupiter 15% off as well as free/discounted cables with some purchases.
  
• Campfire Audio also has a big B stock sale, products generally go quick.
  
• KEF M500 for $100
  
• Monoprice Headphones and speaker related items for sale. M1060 $200 and more.
  
• Koss 50-67% of Porta pros and more
  
• 1More Various promotions incl. 1More triple driver $149.99
  
  
  

  DACs and Amplifiers and other peripherals
  

  
  

• ALO Audio Big deals on portable amps, only 6 units in total at the moment of writing!
  
• Bottlehead Audio DIY amp kits are off by 15%.
  
• Linum Cables Notable discounts on very discreet thin cables for inears.
  
• Sonarworks True-fi software 40% off
  
  

  Audio Store
  

  
  

• Shenzhenaudio Headphones, inears, earbuds, amps, dacs you name it
  
• Musicteck UM, Cayin, Pioneer SE-M5, AAW and much more
  
• Moon Audio Deals on Hifiman, Focal etc.
  
• LSR-Direct on Amazon Additional 15% 5% coupon code "LINSOUL2018" Stackable with existing coupons that are clippable by the Amazon store.
  
• Lendmeurears Promotions on Dunu, TFZ, Onkyo + alot more.
  
• Hifiheadphones UK Big deals on Campfire, Westone, Beyerdynamic, Shanling etc.
  
• Massdrop Audio Technica A & AD line of cans
  
  
  

  Online / Retailer
  

  
  

  USA
  

  
  

• Bestbuy Sony XM2 $199
  
• Amazon Sony XM2 $198 Can also be shipped from Focus Camera if you so wish.
  
• Guitar Center 15% off using code "THANKS" Audeze, Fostex, Beyerdynamic etc
  
• Amazon Monoprice Monolith Dac/amp $66 down from $94
  
• Rakuten has 20% off sitewide with the code BF20 (max $60 discount).
  
• eBay Sennheiser PXC 480 59% off $119.99
  
• Amazon Sennheiser PXC550 $199.99
  
• Amazon Etymotic ER4XR $299
  
• Amazon Sennheiser HD1 Wireless $199.95
  
• Amazon Hiby R3 Black $149
  
• Amazon Koss porta pro black $29.99
  
• Amazon Creative Aruvana Live! $40
  
• Shopmyexchange Sony XM3 $220 no tax for US military/Veterans only Price shown on login
  
• Amazon Topping D30 $89
  
  

  UK
  

  
  

• Scan Refurb AKG K702 £78
  
• RHA Limited selection, MA750 BT 25% off with a few more models discounted
  
  

  Sweden
  

  
  

• Komplett.se Sony Z1R 10990kr
  
• Hifi-punkten Focal Clear 12990kr
  
• CDON 30% off Beyerdynamic consumer line
  
  

  Finland
  

  
  

• Verkkokauppa AKG K550 MK3 €99
  
  

  Australia
  

  
  

• Minidisc Discounts of Focal, 64 Audio, Empire Ears, Campfire, Fostex, and specials on demo gear with much more.
  
  

  Canada
  

  
  

• Amazon Sennheiser HD4.5 $150
  
• Amazon Sennheiser HD1 $270
  

Mouse definitely logitech unless you need very specific type of mouse like Naga that has 12 side buttons or something

keyboard I didn't feel much of difference between the two. But atm I'm using the new Logitech wireless mouse G613. I hate wires and Logitech finally made wireless keyboard that doesn't have any lag

for headphone... i wouldn't use either one. it's so trash for the price; not just talking about kraken but "gaming" headset/headphone in general

for around same price I recommend:



Status Audio CB-1 Closed Back Studio Monitor Headphone

https://www.amazon.com/Status-Audio-Closed-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B01BDX1IVW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8


and then just buy Sony ECMCS3 Clip style Omnidirectional Stereo Microphone

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-ECMCS3-Omnidirectional-Stereo-Microphone/dp/B0058MJX4O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8


now if you want to go best bang for buck; Koss Porta Pro Black On Ear Headphones


https://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B0755N6CSR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1448205725


now that one it looks so filmsy and etc... and yes it is but sound quality wise this thing can go par with up to in some cases 150ish dollar range headphones

Budget : Less than 200 cad/ 150 usd

What would be the best headphones for great game soundtrack lovers? ( Like witcher, dark souls and total war games ) I have gone over many options but can't decide because all reviews say X headphones are the best sound clarity under X amount of money while they review another pair and say the same thing.

Trying to decide between these 2 ( dont mind more recommendations)

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00HVLUR54/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1


https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00PK2LJ4E/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1




Help this pleb pls.

I don't mean to be rude, but Crushers are garbage. I had those in my middle-high school years, and all they do is bloat bass and vibrate the cans. They are also really small and closed back, and don't get me started on build quality. Skullcandy wouldnt need there 2 years no question asked replacement if they made them better. I have sent back like 7 pairs over 4 years of having them, finally just sent them back and sold them and have never looked back.

I highly suggest looking here you can get the Superlux HD668B for $43, they have really good soundstage and a good low end, get a Vmoda BoomPro with an adapter and your looking at like $75 for a much better setup than even $100-200 "gaming headsets" and they even beat most of the crap "advertising" headsets like Bose and Skullcandy.

Im telling everyone from experience, this is the best way to do it, screw anything gaming related as that just means crap plastic and colors. If you want quality go this route and it isn't even that expensive.

When you get your unit make sure you know how to adjust the eye relief (it's in the manual). Apparently some people never realized they could get better FOV and clarity until a lot later. For software, OpenVR Advanced Settings and Oculus Tray Tool are handy things to have. VrCover is almost done developing their Rift S cover (i've been waiting so long for it), so keep your eyes peeled for that or sign up to get an email about it when they're done. Also you should get OpenComposite for those times when you want to run a SteamVR game that isn't working or has bad performance.

There's a big chance you won't like the built-in audio. If you do end up liking it, awesome, but if you don't, it's easy to upgrade it. If you don't want to spend much, you can't go wrong with Koss KSC75 headphones ($15). Plug em into the side of the headset and you're good to go, but you can take out the built in speakers and have them hang down using this mod or this mod (personally I did the latter). If you're willing to spend more, the PSVR Mantis headphones ($41.91) seems nice and easy to install and use.

edit: more

In the case of peripherals i would strongly recommend investing a good amount on them. They re gonna be with you a long time after all.

For monitors its a bit expensive but this is la creme de la creme while still being reasonable, gonna need a big desk tho https://pcpartpicker.com/product/bMKcCJ/msi-optix-ag32cq-315-2560x1440-144hz-monitor-optix-ag32cq

A more affordable 1440p 144 hz monitor, also supports gsync compatible https://pcpartpicker.com/product/t4Crxr/acer-monitor-umhg0aa001

​

Some cheapo headphones that still manage some incredible soundstage and clear sound https://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8

The classical 559 from seenheiser https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-559-Open-Headphone/dp/B01L1IIEKM

​

And if you talk in games/chat on discord a lot get this mic that sounds almost profesional grade https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

​

Windows you may ask? I dont want to pay them 110 dollars for a license, well the gray market on ebay/amazon has deals on keys for 10 or 5 bucks. How can they get so cheap? Well oem manufacturers buy them in bulk, that way you can make a 300 dollar pc with win 10 and still make profit.

Alternatively this has worked for me in the past. You dont even need to install a thing on your pc https://msguides.com/microsoft-software-products/2-ways-activate-windows-10-free-without-software.html

To install it downoald it with the media creation tool from microsoft into an empty usb then boot to it with the new pc.

Please tell us more about your Bose™ headphones and their great sound quality. Wow, what a great company. This has to go viral!

The latest and best Bose® Soundlink® on-ear Bluetooth® Headphones.

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-On-Ear-Bluetooth-Headphones/dp/B00M58CMYC

buyitnow #buyit #bananaforscale #amiriteguys

Heya. I work in lawn care and my wired earbuds are constantly in the way. I'm looking to go wireless/bluetooth so I don't have to worry about that anymore. The headphones I use at home are these and I love the sound of them, just for example. I work 8-10 hour shifts, so battery life is a definite plus, and handle a lot of loud machinery so they need to be noise-blocking. Sweat/water proof as well.

I can go as high as $150, if need be. I tried a friend's pair and they were very bass-heavy and muddy sounding, so I'd like to avoid that. I prefer more neutral sound.

What's the best bluetooth/wireless headphones to fit my needs, friends?

Budget : $200 - $300, but I'm flexible. I might go up to $400 if I think it'll be worth it. The less money I have to spend, the better, but I understand that quality comes at a price.

Source : Phone and PC

Requirements for Isolation : I'll mostly be using them at home. I'd take suggestions either way.

Preferred Type of Headphone : Full sized or on-ear.

Preferred tonal balance : Warm sounding, like you'd hear in a small, cozy room with soft carpeting and couches, as opposed to a spacious wood room.

Past headphones : Superlux HD668B: Pros: Nice highs for piano and synthesizers. Cons: Instantly uncomfortable. Clamp my ears. Ears get hot quickly. Mids and lows are underwhelming. Highs overpower all else. Not warm sounding in the slightest.

Past headphones : Apple Earpods: Pros: Balanced sound. Durable. Presentable in public. iPhone controls. Cons: Uncomfortable for extended use. Not very high quality overall. Sound is a bit muffled.

Preferred Music : A variety of genres, but primarily rock. Three of my most played songs that I feel represent my tastes in music best are This River is Wild, The Boxer, and The Reeling.

Some headphones I'm considering are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Sony MDR1R, PSB M4U 1, Bowers & Wilkins P5, and Beats Studio 2.0 as a last resort.

Is he referring to the Sennheiser Orpheus? Because holy crap the mid and hi-fi markets for headphones went through a huge boom since 2007. Stax released the worlds best headphone the SR-009, Sennheiser built the worlds undisputed best dynamic driver in the HD-800's, planar technology took off with HiFiMAN and LCD as the undisputed kings, released such amazing headphones as the HE6's, LCD-2, LCD-3, and LCD-X.

Also, what the hell is he wearing on his head? Looks like a pair of headphones. Based on the general styling I can tell you that those aren't a vintage pair from the '90's. If he wants a pair of '90's or earlier cans so much why doesn't he get some? In fact, if he wants an old pair of headphones with an '80's styling that sounds like they did when they were manufactured get a pair of Koss PortaPro's. The exact same as they've always been, still being manufactured, still the best headphone under $50.

Edit: Grammar

Which one of these would give me the best sound quality (mainly mids) and comfort for long gaming sessions (~3h)?

• Superlux HD668B - £34.95
  
• Monoprice 8223 - £17.59
  
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20X - £39.00
  
  Or any other suggestions?
  
  Budget: <£40
  
  Isolation: Open, but I don't mind.
  
  Past headphones: Gamecom 788 headset (broken) - I found the sound quality to be very good.
  
  Size: Over-ear
  
  Preferences: Longevity and comfort.
  
  Thanks :)

On-ear is also an option. Koss Porta Pro is cheap and has a lifelong guarantee, and then you could just stick an AntLion ModMic on it. Both run you just about under 100$.

Btw, a Blue Yeti is decent and also usually doesn't cost 100$.

I also wear glasses, and decent headphones aren't going to be uncomfortable, they just cost more. It's an investment, but if you want something cheaper and portable I think the Koss are very decent.

ModMic: https://www.amazon.com/Antlion-Audio-ModMic-Attachable-Microphone/dp/B00R98JVVU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1525683488&sr=8-4&keywords=AntLion+ModMic

Koss Porta Pro: https://www.amazon.com/Koss-Porta-Pro-Headphones-Silver/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525683534&sr=1-3&keywords=koss+portapro

Some other recommendations:

SoundMagic E10: https://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-Noise-Isolating-Earphones-Gunmetal/dp/B005HP3OB0/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525683563&sr=1-3&keywords=SoundMagic+E10

These will actually sound amazing depending on the hardware you run them on. The better the source, the better they sound. They can sound as good, if not better, than In-Ears that cost double as much! They're rather neutral.

Yeti Blue Snowball: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B014PYGTUQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525683616&sr=1-3&keywords=Yeti+Snowball

(Actually only 50$ right now)

For just some good, cheap headphones, the Koss portapro are supposedly a fantastic value for the price. Combine them with this setup, and you should be good to go.

edit: Alternatively, if you feel like spending some cash on a good gaming headset, the Astro makes some very nice gear

Most definitely an equivalent favor.

Bose do not make a pair of headphones that sound better than this $50 pair:

http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8

If noise-cancellation was a concern, these are sound isolating, which is more than good enough on that front, and they sound orders of magnitude better than all things Bose; they're even more awesome than that jumping car:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U

People who play without sound instead of buying headphones. Look, I get it, you don't want to disturb your neighbors or your roommates (or you really prefer your music), but playing without any sound is seriously gimping yourself and communication with your squad. Sound helps you track Kuva in siphon missions, identify the position of incoming threats, and even identify which assassin is about to invade (Stalker's sound is very distinct).

Even if you don't have a lot of money for a nice headset, at least go out and buy a set of Koss KSC75 (these things are really solid for cheap headphones). Your teammates will appreciate it and you'll enjoy the benefits of proper stereo sound in your games.

I'm looking at getting a new headset with a mic for gaming and online communication.

• Budget: About $100 CAD. I can go a little higher, but I'd prefer to stay relatively budget-minded.
  
• Source: They'll most commonly plug into either my PS4 controller, or my computer. I've heard some of the more powerful headsets need additional power or something? But they're probably outside of my budget anyway. I don't know if those would work out of a PS4 controller, either.
  
• Requirements for Isolation: I'll be using it at home, so there's not a big need for isolation, although sometimes I use it at night, and don't want to wake the family.
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone: I guess the best ones for gaming would be full-sized or something? I don't have much experience with headphones, just the occasional IEM and my current headset, which is:
  
• Past headphones: Microsoft LX-3000. It's not the greatest thing in the world, but it was $30, and that was really all I cared about. It creaks/rubs whenever I turn my head, move my jaw, or otherwise make any motion, which transfer directly into my ears. It's a plasticky, irritating sound, but I don't know if that's just a characteristic of headsets in general, or just the cheap ones.
  
• Preferred tonal balance: Not an audiophile, so I'm gonna go with balanced? I probably wouldn't notice the difference.
  
  I went to the purchase assistant, and looked at the options there. I was thinking of a SHP9500 with the V-Moda boom, but I'm hearing both praise and criticisms at the 9500. Also, I was only able to find them for $130, which is a little more than the ~$60 USD the assistant had. The alternatives I'm looking at are the Superlux 668B ($57), 681 (about the same price), or the 681-EVO ($72). However, I don't know if there's compatibility between the V-Moda and any of these, I've never used a mic that didn't come attached to the headset before. If I look for an all-in-one package, maybe a HyperX Cloud ($104)? I'm just going by the recommendations in the Assistant page here, I've got no idea what I'm doing, I just want the best value for my dollar, and a headset that doesn't creak.
  
  

If you want the best audio quality for the price, the best solution is a pair of good regular headphones and a clip on mic. I recommend the $40 Superlux HD668B, the $10 HIFIMAN Earpads and finally a cheap but decent $8 Zalman Zm-mic 1

This will give you much better sound, on par mic and supreme comfortability compared to any headset.

I've been using these Sony MDRXB950BT Heaphones for a while, they're fantastic if you want something Bluetooth with an especially good bass response. I love 'em. I also have a pair of Jaybird X3 wireless earbuds, and I absolutely love them as well.

I'm looking for foldable headphones in the €50 category.
I made a list of some I already found in this sub.
I would love to hear some opinions and other recommendations. ATM the AKG K451 has my preference.
I'm also interested in over-ear headphones, but in most cases they are not very portable.

• Beyerdynamic DTX-501P €44.10 http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0091TA5EW
  
  
• AKG K451 €49 http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B005LBQ7BY/
  
  
• AKG K518 €48 http://www.amazon.de/dp/B00H46W9D4/
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH-SJ33BK €41 http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004IJC59S/
  
  
• JVC HA-S400-B €28 http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B008F7VB9E/
  
  Budget: +- €50
  
  Source: HTC One M8 / Nexus 7 2013
  
  I will be using these each day in the train. So I need some isolation. I mostly watch movies, but occasionally listen to music (mostly rock/metal).
  
  I'm from Belgium that's why I look at the French and German Amazon. The prices vary often and they ship for free to Belgium. So I tend to buy wherever I find the best price :-)
  
  

Honestly no. I have the X12s and I've used the Kraken 7.1 before. The difference between the two was marginal at best.

If you want a real upgrade in audio quality, instead of going for a headset, go for a nice set of headphones like the Audio Technica M50s, etc.

A nice set of budget headphones, like these: http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8 with a Zalman clip mic and a inexpensive DAC will give you a much better experience.

I know that these are pretty widely recommended, all closed with detachable cables:

Audio Technica M40x ($100):

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M40x-Professional-Headphones-Headphone/dp/B00UG7QMPO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517785116&sr=8-3&keywords=audio+technica+ath-

Audio Technica M50x ($150):

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1517785267&sr=1-3&keywords=audio+technica+ath-m50x

(compared to the 40x, these swivel and a bit better sound AFAIK)

Sennheiser HD598 ($150):

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Cs-Headphone/dp/B01JP436TS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517785068&sr=8-3&keywords=sennheiser+hd

Beyerdynamic Custom Pro ($150):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PK2LJ4E/ref=twister_B00WU2YVQA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Pretty sure you can replace all of the ear pads. I personally just bought the Beyerdynamic Custom Studios, which are the Pros with better sound + velour pads. I personally picked theirs because they are known for their comfort and you can replace almost anything on those headphones, including the padded headband. You just snap it on/off.

I ordered this 3d printed mount from Jorg the elder and am using portapros, but you could also use the KSC75 (I have both and the sound is nearly the same). It's supposed to be the same drivers that the og rift used.

This works and sounds GREAT! You can adjust the headphones to just hover on your ears, offset, or press on them. I ordered them in black so they look pretty good too. Ask me anything if you have questions.

$20 - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3664007/comments

$15 - Koss KSC75 Portable Stereophone Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006B486K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Hq9jDbAH2QFJ1

$17 - (black version)
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-koss-ksc75x-on-ear-headphones

Now that I read your requirements list:

It might be better for you to focus solely on a solid base system like the Z40 now and get him proper headphones/an external monitor later.

Or even...

If you get the cheapest Z40 ($480), you can get him an external monitor like this one for $80: http://www.amazon.com/Dell-19-5-Inch-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00NWEAFQ0

And this very nice pair of entry level headphones for $25:

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH

He would be super happy with this setup, it's amazing for media consumption. Total cost: $585.

PS: This might seem like an advanced setup but it's super simple. Let me know if you need further explanation.

Two ways to go. I will actually give you a decent headset recommendation just in case that's the way he wants to go.

Headset

Skullcandy SLYR in fact. Now of course the brand has done a good deal to gain a reputation of flashy products with low quality, but they absolutely upped their game with this one. Great sound quality, and a solid mic.

Headphones and mic.

For the mic, definitely a Blue Microphones Snowball. The Ice version is relatively inexpensive, and awesome for picking up voice for VOIP/games.

For headphones, there's a mountain of options available. Some good options however:

• AKG K240
  
  
• Superlux 668B.

I like these. They fit perfectly inside the ear flaps of my helmet and I can still hear things going on around me. They sound great and have a lifetime warranty. By far the best headphones I have owned for snowboarding.

Hello, I've been searching around this sub for a while, and I've narrowed my search down and come to three options for my first set of headphones. Option A [California Silverado's] (http://www.amazon.com/California-Headphone-Co-Headphones-Detachable/dp/B009F4BV8C) These are the cheapest and normally at $50, so if I get them I want to get them now while they are this cheap. Also, they are closed back so I can use them on airplanes and stuff. Option B [Superlux HD668b's] (http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417944085&sr=8-1&keywords=superlux+hd668b+headphones) These are open back, so I couldn't use them with people around, but if the Silverado's go back up to $50 I would choose these over them for the open sound stage (and higher sound quality?). Keep in mind that these will be primarily used for gaming, being able to use them in public would just be a plus. Finally, option C, the [AKG K240's] (http://www.amazon.com/AKG-240-Semi-Open-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0001ARCFA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417944100&sr=8-1&keywords=akg+k240df) These are above the others in price, but I would be willing to spend more if the gain in sound quality is good enough. So tell me, how does the sound compare between each of these, and would it be worth it to spend the extra cash? Thanks!

Depending on your laptop you might have crappy audio to begin with, so it doesn't matter much. If you want good audio look into a decent DAC and a good pair of headphones.

There are some good DACs out there for under $100, and for headphones for under $100 there are Grado Labs (I love these), Audio Techica, Senheiser, Koss (people still love the PortaPro for under $40), and many others.

For good cheap earbuds there's no shortage from China. AudioBudget is a great review site of these. They review ones under $50.

Porta pros are on sale :)

https://www.amazon.com/Koss-Porta-Pro-Black-Headphones/dp/B0755N6CSR

I've been using some closed back Koss cans for years now (with a cable-clip mic for gaming). I'll grab the model when I get home from work, but they've been great so far. Not "outstanding" but miles beyond just about anything else I've sampled in the sub-$50 range.

If you could scrounge up an extra $20 (or live near Milwaukee, WI and can go to their outlet store), I bought these for a nephew and thought they were really good for his gaming... Not so sure about music quality, to be honest. https://www.amazon.com/Koss-GMR-545-AIR-Headphones-Detachable-Microphones/dp/B0759XHKQK/.

Hey guys. I am a DJ and have been through my fair share of headphones for professional and personal use. Brands to watch out for are Pioneer, Sennheiser, Shure, Ultimate Ears. Brands to run from (in my experience) are Audio Technica, Yamaha, Sony (mainly on their lower end), weird brands like Coby and JVC, and for godsakes be weary of skullcandy; they may look cool but they are made from exceptionally cheap materials that result in poor build and sound quality.

Finally, it depends what you are looking for: in-ear, cans(over ear or open air), noise canceling etc.


In-Ear:
1-- Sennheiser CX200
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-200-Ear-Canal-bud/dp/B001OIK50C

3-- Shure E2c
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO


Open-air:
1-- Koss PortaPros (dorky but amazing sound for $)
http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH

2-- Sennheiser PX100
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PX-100-Collapsible-Headphones/dp/B000089GN3

3-- Grado SR60 -- 80 dollars but well worth it -- my favorite but read up on these before you buy
http://www.amazon.com/Grado-60-SR-60-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4


Over-ear:
1- Sennheiser HD-497
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-497-Over-Ear-Headphones-Silver/dp/B000065BPC

hope that helps :)
edited for readability. wtf reddit

My [wireless Skullcandy Crushers] (https://www.amazon.com/Skullcandy-Bluetooth-Headphones-Microphone-Adjustable/dp/B01DWH77GC/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525612489&sr=1-3&keywords=skullcandy+crusher) give out unreal bass which you can adjust through a bass-slider, while the treble and mids are good enough. As far as I know, these are the best sound quality WIRELESS headphones with an emphasis on bass at it's price on the market, primarily beating out the Sony XB950B1 extra bass with overall sound and build quality, and with the extra option of a slider on the Crushers.

It's around 150 bucks so I'm not sure if it's within your price range. I know skullcandy gets alot of shit, and there are definitely better choices out there in terms of better overall sound quality, but the slider and the wireless capabilities at this price were enough to sell me on these.

edit: I notice the Sony's are around 100 bucks now on Amazon, instead of 150 like when I last checked the price. If the extra 50 bucks is an issue, these are also perfectly adequate alternatives.

Such things can sure happen if you have a cat .

Mine two cats so far didn't care of my PSVR ;)

But if, its my own fault then of course having my PSVR resting on my Lowboard.

Its sure interesting to them and be happy to not have it ended like this example of many

https://www.reddit.com/r/PSVR/comments/6aiogt/my_dog_wanted_me_to_have_a_little_break_from_vr_i/

D

The Earbuds are no big loss to be honest.

I am using the Koss Porta Pro lightweight since 2 years

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Koss-Stereophones-Players-Samsung-Smartphones-Black-Silver/dp/B00001P4ZH/
which have fantastic Bass and Treble even without a AV Receiver just plugged into the PSVR.

For Audio fidelity your kitty has done a good job biting the PSVR buds ;)

For a gaming build in this price range you should be looking at pairing a Ryzen 3 with a GTX 1060 (or RX 580/480) (video for some recent benchmarks) and overclocking it a bit. With the GPU prices and availability currently being absolute horse sh*t, you will end overpaying and there is no way around that.

As a base build I would start from something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price

----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor | $139.25 @ shopRBC
Motherboard | ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $84.98 @ NCIX
Memory | Crucial - 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory | $139.99 @ DirectCanada
Storage | ADATA - Ultimate SU800 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | $70.44 @ DirectCanada
Storage | Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $59.95 @ Vuugo
Video Card | EVGA - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB FTW GAMING ACX 3.0 Video Card | $214.99 @ Amazon Canada
Case | Corsair - Carbide SPEC-04 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case | $69.98 @ NCIX
Power Supply | Corsair - CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply | $39.98 @ NCIX
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $864.56
| Mail-in rebates | -$45.00
| Total | $819.56
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-06 15:13 EDT-0400 |

Because of the terrible GPU situation I can't make any solid recommendations for the GPU so I'm sticking with what you picked. What this build doesn't need though are the needless premium components like the Samsung SSD, motherboard and RAM. What a gaming focused build truly needs first and foremost are good peripherals:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price

----|:----|:----
Monitor | Acer - GN246HL 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor | $249.99 @ Amazon Canada
Mouse | Logitech - G203 Prodigy Wired Optical Mouse | $42.98 @ Amazon Canada
Other | SteelSeries QcK | $10.39
Other | Superlux HD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones | $54.99
Other| Velvet Replacement Earpad| $9.06
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $367.41
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-06 15:05 EDT-0400 |

The list above is entirely from Amazon.ca

A lot of other people have already made solid recommendations, so mix and match.

Get better headphones. My over the ear Sennheisers I can wear all day.

I guess you can try stretching out the band that goes over your head? You get what you pay for. Alternatively, these are a very cheap option that sound decent and are comfy, but they bleed audio like nothing else and don't block out any external noises (so in a way, safer than earbuds if walking around town), so they work best if you're in a somewhat quiet area by yourself.

Really cheap yet great: koss ksc75. I used these since the ps3 days and they are some of the most comfortable headphones I've used (they rest on your ear basically). Oh, and for the price, they sound amazing.

Or you can go with the creative aurvana live headphones, those were my daily cans until recently, and as a big headed individual who also wears glasses, they are great. But as for any headphones, it's subjective.

I highly recommend these headphones https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003JOETX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_S2aDxbDNPSCV5
They're fairly cheap, good sound and just have a jack sticking out the left headphone so the vive audio can plug straight in.
My vive experience improved greatly after getting these due the improved comfort and ease of use.

There's some great recommendations here, but I will always recommend the Koss Portapros. Even though they're only $30, the sound quality makes them a great value... I found the bass response really good.

Looking to purchase headphones. ~200 budget. I enjoy bass, but I listen to all types of music so as long as there is SOME bass, I'm good. I stay mostly in the prog rock/chill out electronic scene.

Top on the list is: http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Q701Premium-Reference-Headphones-Signature/dp/B004444O46/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1416121917&sr=8-4&keywords=quincy+jones+headphones

or

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416121999&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+ath-m50x

Any others I should consider? All help and opinions are appreciated.

$40? Sounds like a set of Samson SR850 will be the best thing you can get your kid.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-SR850-Semi-Open-Back-Reference-Headphones/dp/B002LBSEQS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1525894323&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=Samson+SR850&psc=1

They are going to be far superior to any Beats or Skullcandy offering. They also look way better too (IMO.)

If you're just picking out what looks coolest, you're going to be replacing them often, as those particular brands aren't well known for quality of sound, or durability of construction.\




There's also the Koss PortaPro ( https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-koss-porta-pro-x-headphones ) , Koss KSC75 (https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525894494&sr=1-7&keywords=Koss+portapro ) , Sennheiser HD206 ( https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-206-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B06X92G8HG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525894606&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd206), Monoprice 8323 (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8323&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8IqH4LD52gIVHLjACh1L1Am4EAQYASABEgJxY_D_BwE),


for headsets (headphones with an included mic): Logitech G230, is a good low-budget option.

Did you consider the Koss KSC 75 ? There are 3d printable attachments available. Search for it. I bought these because people kept recommending them and I find them pretty nice. I use them as is, without mounting them to the HMD. The look and build quality leaves something to be desired, but they sound really good and are surprisingly comfortable to wear.

/uj

Partially why I bought me a MW600 Bluetooth dongle.

I've used many BT headsets over the years (I loved the HBH-970's) and, because I'm a little bit rough with my gear all the dedicated wires eventually go kaput.

Couple of boons with the MW600's is that it has FM radio which many phones omit these days (yay, save battery!) and like I say you can interchange headphones at your own pleasure.

/

+1 would shill for SE again