What gaming headphones to buy? - Page 101

Originally Posted by aceedkins

What headset do you guys recommend in the $100 and under price range? I was looking at the turtle beach x3's...

Originally Posted by KBI

TB HXP or something like that. It's TBs newest headphone. I think it's around 60.00. This guy who is crazier then me in regards to headphones, really likes them a lot.

Originally Posted by cueCrew

If I turn off the xbox (no green lights for power or controller, no flashing), the charge light still flashes. How much it is charging, who knows, but I'll have a better idea of what it does after leaving it over night.

Originally Posted by cueCrew

My very "scientific" study has concluded: Since the charge light is not still flashing this morning, it looks like charging the MixAmp battery with a powered down X360 will work.

Originally Posted by rikdogs117

WOW I don't have a clue!!


I have read some previous posts on how to get FULL functionality out of the PS3 with the Astro mixamp. The problem is I don't get it.

Can I even get full voice funtionality out of the mixamp if I have the Audio Technica Ad700 headphones with the Zalman clip on mic and the Music Fairy USB adapter I bought from Astro??????????????????



If so PLEASE can you give me a detailed description of how in the world to pull this off.



THANKS this thread helped me make a great purchase now I just need to get it to work for PS3 and I will be thoroughly thoroughly pleased.

Originally Posted by NYGiants56

I don't know about the Zalman Mic but I'll tell you that the PS3 settings are very important.

Sound Settings/Audio Output Settings/ Digital Out (Optical).....once your here ONLY check Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch.

Now back to the actual wiring of the Mixamp and headphones. The music fairy has two 3.5mm connectors one is red and one is green. Using a male to male 3.5mm cable connect the green wire to the miamp via one of the two daisy chain 3.5mm holes at the bottom of the mixamp.

You will have to unplug the red daisy chain thing on the bottom to free up one of these.

Now with here is where I'm not sure.........With the A40's I just used a 3.5mm cable to connect the Music Fairy's red connector to the "MIC" jack on the front of the Mixamp (right next to the usb mini jack).

Foe Hammer will probably know better than me. However I would say try connecting the RED 3.5mm jack on the Music fairy to the Zalman Mic. Give that a try and see if it works.......

Originally Posted by NYGiants56

Congrats. However I wonder how your setup must look like. I must admit I'm a bit baffled by your setup and apparent need of the battery pack while in your home.

I mean your apparently close enough to have the toslink connected from the console to the mixamp but the included 5ft USB cord is too short to reach and power your mixamp?

P.S. I'm not sure if I inadvertently come off as critical, I'm just generally curious.

Originally Posted by rikdogs117

First of all thanks for the help.

Do you have a headset? Meaning headphones with a built in MIC?

Are you using your setup for a PC? The Mic jack says PC Mic next to it.

I tried hooking the Zalman into the RED music fairy jack and it did not work.

But I am going to try it again just in case I was just too frustrated to get everything plugged in right.


Thanks again and if anyone out there knows if the Headphone Zalman mic and USB Music Fairy combo will DEFINITELY work with the PS3 please share your input. I"M BAFFLED.

Originally Posted by cueCrew

I bought a 25 ft. cable with the headset.

Having previosly dealth with a Tritton set with wires across the floor, it was important to try and hide as much as possible. Where I am using the headset is a smaller room (6 ft. from tv compared to 14 ft. in the other). That setup has a tv with simulated surround that works for most casual games and kid flicks, but I wanted to have some headphones for use later at night, to give a more immersive experience and to drown out the "playing noise" of guitars, drums and the ocassional singer. HDMI from the X360 to the tv and I'm using the digital out from the TV to the MixAmp. With 25 ft. of cable, it can be run along the wall and around to a side table beside the couch where the MixAmp is handy to make adjustments.

Without a wall wart to keep the unit powered or leprechauns to keep bringing me batteries, I went with the rechargeable and thus, this is where the whole conversation began.

Originally Posted by NYGiants56

Wow, 25ft cord. Hey just a suggestion. Do you have an outlet next to that side table? If so you might be able to just use a usb mini wall charger. http://www.overstock.com/Electronics...6/product.html

Originally Posted by KBI

Added a new blog. And I updated my Ultimate headphone gaming guide. Enjoy!!

Originally Posted by Mystere

Nice! But dude, if you keep updating that thing I'm never going to be able to pick a pair of headphones!

Clarification. You list the ultrasone 780 as one of the best closed headphones as well as one of the most detailed and yet it only gets 2 1/2 stars. Can you explain? This was one of the headphones I was checking out and the only concerns I was having was hearing that the soundstage isn't that great.

Originally Posted by Foe-hammer

Your concern should also be how uncomfortable they are after 1hr use, not to mention the 780's have a small soundstage. Not recommended for gaming at all. You need to be swatted on the nose for even considering the 780's for gaming . But they would be good for movies, if the small, shallow ear pads weren't so uncomfortable. The Top 5 dynamic headphones for FPS gaming in the $500 and under range, and in no particular order:

1) AKG K601's
2) Beyerdynamic DT880
3) AudioTechnica AD700/AD900
4) Sony MDR F1's

It's that simple. And since you have the receiver that can handle higher ohm headphones, do yourself a favor and get the DT880's or the K601's... and stop messing around with the 780's.

Originally Posted by formulanerd

^^^ Mystere, you should have put a rubber band on the wing

Originally Posted by Mystere

Nice! But dude, if you keep updating that thing I'm never going to be able to pick a pair of headphones!

Clarification. You list the ultrasone 780 as one of the best closed headphones as well as one of the most detailed and yet it only gets 2 1/2 stars. Can you explain? This was one of the headphones I was checking out and the only concerns I was having was hearing that the soundstage isn't that great.

Originally Posted by KBI

The 780s are still good gaming cans, but the ss is smaller then what is optimal for gaming success.. But I think people think of sound stage as just good for size and 'reading the field'..Many things are associated with having a good gaming ss. Positional audio/Accuracy/Seperation/ Coherentcy.. I would not disregard a good gaming can if it's only fault is having a average sized ss.

Originally Posted by Foe-hammer

Agreed. But the soundstage was so small that i had a hard time with position. I was using it with DH, so maybe they fair better when using without DH.

Originally Posted by Mystere

Nice! But dude, if you keep updating that thing I'm never going to be able to pick a pair of headphones!

Clarification. You list the ultrasone 780 as one of the best closed headphones as well as one of the most detailed and yet it only gets 2 1/2 stars. Can you explain? This was one of the headphones I was checking out and the only concerns I was having was hearing that the soundstage isn't that great.

Originally Posted by tick221

I'm looking for a little guidance on a purchase, I've got a few friends that have the Trittons and I know they are loved by many in this thread Anywho I'm looking for a good set of cans that will give me a good SS and positioning in FPS games. I have read throughout the thread that the Senn 555's are good but I've also read some user reviews or the JVC X900's that seem really good.

I just want to get the best I can get on my limited budget($100) that will give me the best positioning within games. Sound will be pumped through a Onkyo 605 if that matters.

Thanks in advance

Originally Posted by Mystere

Thank you for the smackdown Foe-hammer - I needed that! Those headphones (1-4) were at the top of my list, but I think there is a point where too much reading and research becomes counter-productive b/c you start second guessing the conclusions you have made and start considering options you wouldn't have from the start. 780's sounded good but more for a 2nd can, not at the top for gaming b/c of the comfort (leather/shallow cups) and small soundstage like you said. I want an open can anyways - starting to lose my mind!

So where does that leave me? The AD700 is out. I owned this and ended up returning it b/c I could just not get a good fit with that stupid 3d wing thing. The earpads were super comfy though. So comfort is the most important which all the remaining cans seem to excel at. My next choice would be the 880 but that is $300+ new or I see someone selling for $265 on ebay which is more then I'm looking to spend. Similar pricing for the MDR-F1. So that leaves the K601 which seems a great fit for comfort/soundstage/details. This seems to be around $215-$225 shipped. One thing I noticed is that I don't see these headphones for sale used very often. So I think that says something. Are you still selling your K601's?

Originally Posted by Mystere

I found the Ad700's a tad bright for my taste, but loved the soundstage. Are the 880's and 601's much warmer in comparison? I also tried the 555's so something between those 2 for warmth/soundstage would be ideal.

Originally Posted by KingStyles

If anyone is looking for a 2.5 to a 2.5 cable with a mute switch on it, (works well with the mixamp) look here at the turtle beach one that comes with the x4. It works really well. http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/...mentparts.aspx

Originally Posted by KBI

Truthfully, I'd look into older AKG models. Every one I owned was impressive for gaming. I'd try to find the AKG 280 PARABOLIC or the better AKG 290. Both use 2 drivers in each ear cup. I assume anything more would ruin the sound. I do trust AKG since their business is making hi end audio gear.. The spatial ability is good and the imaging is stellar. I like them better then my AD700, although, each can betters the other in certain areas. Paid 41.00 for my 280s.