For gaming and music, audiophile-grade headphones that balance exceptional sound quality, immersive audio, and comfort are ideal. The Grado SR225X is recommended for competitive gaming due to its clear upper treble response and accurate imaging, which helps locate enemies and navigate in-game environments in fast-paced FPS titles. Its open-back design provides a spacious soundstage and allows for precise reproduction of subtle audio cues like glass shattering or doors creaking, while the recessed low-end ensures clarity even after loud explosions. At $225, it offers performance that surpasses many gaming-focused headsets in the same price range.
The HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth stands out with its planar magnetic drivers, delivering a flat sound signature with a slight peak at 5kHz and a dip at 10kHz, ideal for clarity without listener fatigue during long sessions. Its expansive soundstage and accurate imaging enhance situational awareness in games, while the balanced tuning ensures dialogue and high-pitched sounds remain clear. The hammock-style headband adds to its comfort, making it suitable for extended gaming marathons.
For those preferring in-ear monitors (IEMs), the Sennheiser IE200, IE600, and IE900 offer a V-shaped sound signature that works well for both music and gaming, with excellent clarity and imaging due to their single-driver design. The Final A4000 is another top IEM choice, praised for its exceptional separation, precision in imaging, and clarity across frequencies, particularly beneficial in competitive gaming where spatial awareness is critical. Its proprietary Type-E eartips enhance sound isolation and comfort.
High-end options include the Sennheiser HD 800 S, known as the "soundstage king" for its vast, lifelike audio presentation and precise imaging, which provides a competitive edge in tactical shooters. It features a featherlight design and low distortion, making it comfortable for long sessions, though it requires a dedicated amplifier to reach its full potential. The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is another top-tier choice, offering pinpoint imaging and a durable build with replaceable parts, though it also benefits from an external amplifier and has an open-back design that leaks sound.
For wireless freedom without sacrificing too much audio quality, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless offers dual batteries, swappable ANC mics, and customizable EQ, though its sound quality doesn’t match wired high-end models. The Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X is a lightweight, open-back option that doesn’t require an amp and delivers a natural, airy sound suitable for both gaming and music, though it lacks a detachable mic.
Ultimately, pairing audiophile headphones with a standalone microphone—such as a Blue Yeti or ModMic—can significantly improve communication quality, avoiding the compromises often found in all-in-one gaming headsets. As noted, high-end headphones generally outperform gaming-specific models in sound quality, clarity, and immersion, making them a worthwhile investment for serious gamers and music listeners alike.
I know gaming headsets are usually awful, so I don't know what to get.
I've had Razer headsets and they have terrible build quality. I've had ROG headsets and they have horrible, slowed down bloatware.
The issue is that these gaming headsets were really pleasing to my eye, and since I'm a closed back headphones RGB bass heavy gamer headset enjoyer, it's a bit hard to figure out where to go from here on finding a good headset.
I prefer wired connection as wired usually sounds better. I have never tried an open back headset, and I am sorta interested, but I also really like the feeling of being closed off from the world. However, I am also an audiophile and I'm all about getting the best sounds in the world.
I really like my headsets to be mostly, if not fully black. If I really need to and its not too complicated, I will repaint them.
I'm sorry for the generic "what game headset good??" question, but I genuinely am at a loss of where to go from here.
Sennheiser is worth a look, my HD 555 still work fine and I picked them up around 2004. I did replace the ear cups once, but as they where over 15 years old at the time I felt like it may be time.
I also have a set of HD 598, they sound a tad better than the HD 555 and I suspect will last as long. The old ones work fine but saw the HD 598's on sale at half price and felt like spending. Nice bonus on the HD 598's are the ability to replace the cable simply.
The first question I'd ask is if you're looking for a headphone or a headset (headphone + microphone).
You can find many nice open or closed back headphones without microphones, with a microphone in the cable or one with a detachable cable giving you the option for a cable microphone if desired.
Headsets often have a big bulky microphones protruding from the headphone, tend to be cheap plastic that breaks easy, and tend to sound like ass. They're an all in one solution, which means it doesn't really excel at anything but will function.
Most people would recommend the standard headphone paired with a separate microphone to get a superior audio quality I think.
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Hello, I want to purchase headphones for both for gaming and music. This is my first time audiophilling hehe, and I would like to have some guidance from you guys. I have always used corsair's void pro RGB, which have done an alright job so far. I have been looking into getting Sennheiser HD 590 or a steelseries artic pro.
I play a lot of games that rely on sound queues, but I can sacrifice that for better quality sound.
I don't know if this helps but these are some of my most listened to bands: Muse, Disturbed, Rishloo, woodkid, Devin Townsend, chet baker, and a silver mt. Zion.
My budget is around $400-500, I chose a flair because of sub rules, but anything works for me.
I appreciate any suggestions :)