[He Save Dave]

Help! I have a giant cranium! I have to special order hats!


Seriously, I need a good headset for my PC. I'd prefer surround sound I suppose but whatevs. I'll be using these for gaming and for music. Um, any suggestions? When I go to the store they never have them available to try on.


The ones I have now Logitech G35 hurt my head.

 

[blackzarg]

Are you looking for a pair of closed or open headphones? What's your budget?


I recommend the Audio-Technica AD-700 (open) or the A-700 (closed) - the comfort is incredible, and should hopefully accommodate your head. Search for reviews (I think there are more of the AD700 reviews out there).


Open headphones give you a more realistic soundstage and timbre, but since they are open, they don't cancel out sound, and what your hearing leaks out as well. Which brings me to "surround"


The headphone drivers are right next to your ear - there's only so much that can seem "surround". Your best bet is to find a headphone with a good soundstage, such as the AD700 =)


Hope that helps!

 

[He Save Dave]

Thanks for the suggestions zarg. Those look really nice.


I'd like to stay sub $150 but will go up to $200 if they are far superior. They can be open or closed ear. As long as they are very comfortable especially for an embarrassingly large head. And I'd like to get some kind of spacial definition since I will be gaming with these if at all possible.


I had been looking at the Sennheiser HD-555 and the Sennheiser HD-595. I'm not sure they'd work though. I found one review stating

Quote:
Why can't I wear them? Because the HD-555s clamp too hard on my head, which has a circumference of 22.5 inches. Before you buy these for yourself, do yourself a favor and measure your head. If your head's circumference is over 21 inches, you might want to avoid the HD-555s.

Thanks again, friend.

 

[He Save Dave]

The more I read of the AD700s the more I'm falling in love.


One question is if I plug them into my home theater system to play xbox live how could I use a mic for voice chat? Any possible way?


Also, I am reading about the sound leakage. Does anyone know how bad it is? If I have the volume pumped up but my door is shut will someone in another room hear it?

 

[blackzarg]



Quote:
Originally Posted by He Save Dave /forum/post/18227932


The more I read of the AD700s the more I'm falling in love.


One question is if I plug them into my home theater system to play xbox live how could I use a mic for voice chat? Any possible way?


Also, I am reading about the sound leakage. Does anyone know how bad it is? If I have the volume pumped up but my door is shut will someone in another room hear it?

Unfortunately, you can't wear a headset while wearing headphones. However, that being said, the AD700s are larger, so if there's extra room, you can possibly try to fit a headset under it. If not, you may be interested in just getting a Mic/Stand for a mic.


The sound leaks, but definitely not loud enough for someone to hear in another room. You just wouldn't be able to use them in a quiet library, that's all! Again, that's the tradeback with all open headphones, but the sonic benefit is superb =)

 

[blackzarg]



Quote:
Originally Posted by He Save Dave /forum/post/18227554


Thanks for the suggestions zarg. Those look really nice.


I'd like to stay sub $150 but will go up to $200 if they are far superior. They can be open or closed ear. As long as they are very comfortable especially for an embarrassingly large head. And I'd like to get some kind of spacial definition since I will be gaming with these if at all possible.


I had been looking at the Sennheiser HD-555 and the Sennheiser HD-595. I'm not sure they'd work though. I found one review stating




Thanks again, friend.

The HD555 is a good pair of "cans" (the colloquial term for full size headphones

), and is comfortable, but for larger heads the AD700 definitely wins.


Regarding your budget, the AD700/A700 fits very well. If you wanted to take it to the next step, it'd be the AD900/A900, but those retail for about $250.

 

[He Save Dave]



Quote:
Originally Posted by blackzarg /forum/post/18231953


The HD555 is a good pair of "cans" (the colloquial term for full size headphones

), and is comfortable, but for larger heads the AD700 definitely wins.


Regarding your budget, the AD700/A700 fits very well. If you wanted to take it to the next step, it'd be the AD900/A900, but those retail for about $250.

I ran around today looking for the AD700s and couldn't find them anywhere. I was hoping to try them on or at least see them in person.


I did however try on the HD350s and they fit extremely well. Another think I thought of is if I get a set that doesn't have a mic built in I'd have to use a separate mic and may (?) have to speak louder while gaming. That might be an issue while people in other rooms are sleeping. The HD350s have the mic right up to my mouth so I could speak softer I guess.


I'm torn here. Any thoughts?


Thanks again Zarg!

 

[He Save Dave]



Quote:
Originally Posted by blackzarg /forum/post/18231943


Unfortunately, you can't wear a headset while wearing headphones. However, that being said, the AD700s are larger, so if there's extra room, you can possibly try to fit a headset under it. If not, you may be interested in just getting a Mic/Stand for a mic.

Sorry, I missed this post earlier.


Maybe my best bet is to get one set for my PC and another for my 360? In that case I'll save up and get the Astro A40s for the 360.


So, The AD700 are just as comfortable to gigantorhead as the 350s and better sound? So I suppose I'll get the AD700s and something like this . Yeah?

 

[blackzarg]

Are you talking about the Sennheiser PC350?

I haven't personally listened to them, but did a quick Google search and it definitely seems the AD700s would give better sound quality.


One guy at Head-Fi is contemplating your same dilemma! It looks like there's a mod to make the PC350s sound better, though.


Typically gaming headphones aren't really catered to higher-end audio.


The clip on mic should work well - how does it connect to the 360 (I don't own one - I thought it was bluetooth only)?

 

[He Save Dave]

Well, thanks for your help Zarg. Your suggestion wins by default since nobody else cared to comment.

Actually the set you recommended look awesome.