What gaming headphones to buy? - Page 6

Originally Posted by electr0n

I just got the Sennheiser 595's and I want to say they sound awesome. I wanted a decent pair of headphones that I can use late at night to keep the house quiet while I'm on my Xbox 360. After some thought - and much reading I opted to go with the higher quality stereo headphones over a potentially weak sounding 5.1 headset. Admittedly I'm not an audiophile (I'll buy something without even listening to it based on other's reviews) but these do sound really great. I listen to a fair amount of music so I didn't want to sacrifice music for gaming.

I listened to several cd's this weekend and heard detail I've never heard through my HSU ventriloquists. I have an Onkyo TX-SR601 receiver driving them currently. So I do recommend them as well and I appreciate all of the posts helping me with my decision. It seems like anytime these days when you make a statement there is someone waiting to flame you. But I am glad we have a forum like this for the open exchange of opinion.

I also just got the Zalman Microphone and did the mod to the controller so I can use it instead of the cheap Live headset. The only thing I've done so far is to make a couple of audio messages to test it - mainly to check my soldering skills. It seems to work fine but I had to hold the mic right up to my mouth for a decent volume. That said, the audio was very clear. As yet I haven't really had any online time to check out how the mic sounds to others. So I am curious too if anyone has had any experience with the Zalman - especially using it online.

Also I'm considering getting the JVC surround sound adapter but I really don't want to sacrifice audio quality for surround sound. I guess that's something you have to hear for yourself though. Can those with the JVC adapter chime in to say if they are happy with their decision to buy it?

Thanks

Originally Posted by jedimastergrant

I just ordered the JVC SU dh1 along with the AT 500's and I will post impressions when I can.

My question is what kind of cable I need for this thing. It has an optical digital mini jack in. The manual on the official site says that the needed cable is a digital mini plug cord and is not supplied.

Here is the official site.
http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?model...hId=135&page=1

Here is the manual.
http://resources.jvc.com/Resources/0...T0055-001A.pdf

I want to use the optical toslink out from my AVR to go the the JVC so I need some kind of toslink to digital mini plug adaptor.

I found this on monoprice.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...t=1#largeimage
Does this look right?

Is this the same thing?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...t=1#largeimage

Originally Posted by Mindwarper

I am curious has anyone tried the ac workaround for the jvc? I am also curious how it sounds? I bought a 20$ headphone amp online but would upgrade if the jvc has ac and works great.

Originally Posted by formulanerd

been using these for almost 7 years... i love them.

Panasonic RP-HT1000

The HT 1000s are open-air headphones. Open-air design means that the speakers are not set in a completely solid enclosure. The backs are open, hence the name. This means that a decent amount of sound seeps out toward other people, making them less than ideal in close quarters. The pair uses large-diameter, 40mm, driver units. Panasonic claims a frequency response from 7Hz up to 28kHz. There is no way in hell these things can hit 7Hz, but who cares.

Sound: At home I use a pair of Beyers that I've had for about four years. They are fantastic headphones, but they cost about $350.00. I could not believe how close the sound quality of the HT1000s was to my "reference" cans. The Panasonics easily had the flattest sound in terms of coloration. The sound was full, open, accurate, and dynamic. The low end was very impressive, present but not as exaggerated as many headphones make it. The detail was much better than I expected. Listening to the Silver Jews' American Water I actually heard undercurrents that I had never detected, even at home. There is a penny whistle or some such instrument present in the last verse that I had simply never heard. The only sonic weakness - and this is serious nitpicking - is a slight softness in the upper mids. The highs are great, but there is a bit of a gap between them and the mids.

These headphones sound fantastic in every respect. They are capable of reproducing anything from Ella Fitzgerald to The Matrix.

Comfort: As if sounding great weren't enough, the HT1000s were also the most comfy of the bunch. They are light yet fit very securely. The earcups are perfectly sized, even for my big-ass ears. The self-adjusting, two part headband works very well. I could wear these things all day long and be neither fatigued nor hot in the ears.

Features: Nothing special here, but that's no big deal.

Build Quality: These cans look a tad goofy, but they grow on you very quickly. And they might not look it at first glance, but they are very well made. The joints and wiring are all assembled very well and, thank god, Panasonic saw fit to put a fairly heavy gauge wire on the HT1000s. Great stuff.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strengths:
everything, bass, clarity,

Weaknesses:
none

Originally Posted by b51cole

Hence the request for a PM. Time to end the Flame............ pot meet kettle .....

back onto topic..... anyone have experience with the zalman mic for xbox live chat? It looks kind of flimsy. The ones I have seen, clip onto a wire. Looks like it would be annoying.

Anyone know of a different type of mic? Otherwise I think I'll have to use the ol xbox live headset, with muted volume, over the new cans.

Originally Posted by KBI

DT 880's?

Originally Posted by formulanerd

yes, the reviewer was referring to those.... the panny's reviewed had an msrp of 39.99, so you can see where the value is, especially with his impression in comparison to the DT 880's, costing nearly 10 times the amount.

i dont think you can find the HT1000's any more, but i wish i could get a backup set. in COD4 my kill counts almost double with my cans on vs low volume stereo play.

Originally Posted by electr0n

I also just got the Zalman Microphone and did the mod to the controller so I can use it instead of the cheap Live headset. The only thing I've done so far is to make a couple of audio messages to test it - mainly to check my soldering skills. It seems to work fine but I had to hold the mic right up to my mouth for a decent volume. That said, the audio was very clear. As yet I haven't really had any online time to check out how the mic sounds to others. So I am curious too if anyone has had any experience with the Zalman - especially using it online.

Originally Posted by formulanerd

yes, the reviewer was referring to those.... the panny's reviewed had an msrp of 39.99, so you can see where the value is, especially with his impression in comparison to the DT 880's, costing nearly 10 times the amount.

i dont think you can find the HT1000's any more, but i wish i could get a backup set. in COD4 my kill counts almost double with my cans on vs low volume stereo play.

Originally Posted by KBI

Weaknesses:
None??
All headphones have a weakness, even the 'king' R10...

Originally Posted by KBI

Here you go..

http://www.partstore.com/sl/2/119388...-rpht1000.html

Originally Posted by SamuraiXmas

Specifically for Halo 3 sessions late at night, I'm thinking about getting some 5.1 headphones. Like alot of people, I'm stuck between the Turtle Beach Headphones, the Triton Headphones or the Razer headphones. All of them have nearly identical specs, and I have no way of testing them before I buy. I've already got a pair of closed Beyer headphones for stereo, but I'm specifically looking for a pair that can do the 5.1 (without having to simulate).

Since this is just for multiplayer, and the sound doesn't need to be accurate, or with a flat response (or any of the rest of the audiophile catch phrases) etc; Which headphones would you guys suggest with the only criteria being how well it does the 5.1 directionality (how well it gives you that surround experience). Needs to be just the headphones, not a 5.1 adapter, needs an XBL mic, and preferably under 200 bucks-ish. Thanks

Originally Posted by formulanerd

well the review was part of a "best cans for under $100" so putting it in perspective and in the price range, i guess he saw no major weaknesses that werent already expected of $50 headphones.



thank you so much!

Originally Posted by SamuraiXmas

My Beyers were 200 bucks. That's the most I've ever, or will ever, spend on a pair of headphones. It's hard to get an honest opinion of gaming headphones without an audiophile interjecting "No! Those are crap! The bass response is over emphasized and the highs aren't crisp enough!!!!"

The razers look the nicest, and they are the easiest to get (Bestbuy has them, Circuit City has them etc) but all the reviews are nearly identical (which makes them altogether untrustworthy). I plan to play the Halo 3 campaign during the day when everyone else is gone, so that I can use my surround speakers (without hell breaking loose), but for late night multiplayer, it would be nice to have that extra little bit of advantage that the 5.1 brings, without waking the neighbors XD

Originally Posted by SamuraiXmas

Oh, I wasn't talking about anyone in particular. I just mean, in general, whenever the topic of 5.1 headphones comes up, some Audiophile feels the need to mention that there are 5(6?) small drivers in each earcup, and that they couldn't possibly sound as good as a pair Sennheisers (or AKG, Beyer, Grado etc). These people (no offense to them) completely miss the point of having surround sound headphones (Immediately knowing where enemies are coming/shooting from for instance). It's not so much about audio quality, as it is about accurate placement of sound. When something is mastered in 5.1 surround (or in the case of games, supports and was made for 5.1) then I'm going to take full advantage of it. When I want to listen to an orchestral score or some CD's, then I'll get out the "Audiophile" headphones.

So far it seems to be 1 vote for the Barracuda's, and one for the Triton's. I'll probably decide one way or the other tomorrow, since the game comes out in a week and I don't feel like paying for overnight shipping =P

How did you determine the M- wire from the M+ with that mic? Im getting the same one (planning the same mod).

Originally Posted by electr0n

When you cut the connector off and strip the jacket back there will be a center conductor with a clear jacket and the copper braiding will be around it. I soldered the clear (center conductor) to the M+ and the copper braiding I twisted together and soldered to M-. I tied a knot on the inside and outside of the case for strain relief. I didn't take any pics but basically followed this article:
http://www.keygoods.com/headset.html

Originally Posted by formulanerd

been using these for almost 7 years... i love them.

Panasonic RP-HT1000

The HT 1000s are open-air headphones. Open-air design means that the speakers are not set in a completely solid enclosure. The backs are open, hence the name. This means that a decent amount of sound seeps out toward other people, making them less than ideal in close quarters. The pair uses large-diameter, 40mm, driver units. Panasonic claims a frequency response from 7Hz up to 28kHz. There is no way in hell these things can hit 7Hz, but who cares.

Sound: At home I use a pair of Beyers that I've had for about four years. They are fantastic headphones, but they cost about $350.00. I could not believe how close the sound quality of the HT1000s was to my "reference" cans. The Panasonics easily had the flattest sound in terms of coloration. The sound was full, open, accurate, and dynamic. The low end was very impressive, present but not as exaggerated as many headphones make it. The detail was much better than I expected. Listening to the Silver Jews' American Water I actually heard undercurrents that I had never detected, even at home. There is a penny whistle or some such instrument present in the last verse that I had simply never heard. The only sonic weakness - and this is serious nitpicking - is a slight softness in the upper mids. The highs are great, but there is a bit of a gap between them and the mids.

These headphones sound fantastic in every respect. They are capable of reproducing anything from Ella Fitzgerald to The Matrix.

Comfort: As if sounding great weren't enough, the HT1000s were also the most comfy of the bunch. They are light yet fit very securely. The earcups are perfectly sized, even for my big-ass ears. The self-adjusting, two part headband works very well. I could wear these things all day long and be neither fatigued nor hot in the ears.

Features: Nothing special here, but that's no big deal.

Build Quality: These cans look a tad goofy, but they grow on you very quickly. And they might not look it at first glance, but they are very well made. The joints and wiring are all assembled very well and, thank god, Panasonic saw fit to put a fairly heavy gauge wire on the HT1000s. Great stuff.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strengths:
everything, bass, clarity,

Weaknesses:
none