First off: Good job on moving on from gaming-branded headsets. You're right in your assessment, that a wired headphone and a seperate microphone will get you better quality (input AND output) for the same amount of $. Have you considered open back headphones? They have a larger soundspace which really helps open up the noise in some hectic FPS games. Especially on games like Battlefield, you really feel the outdoorsyness. They do however have downsides. Open back bleeds noise like crazy, so if you aren't in a room alone you might get people angry with you. They also do not have as much bass, because most of the bass just blows out the back. I however think that having less bass is a positive thing for gaming, while less fun you actually hear more other things when you need to be competitive. For closed back, the DT 770 is great, the 1770 is better. For open back, DT 990 or 1990. Keep in mind that for anything higher than 80 Ω (ohm) impedance, you will need a dac/amp in order to get respectable volume and sound depth. 80Ω is really straddling the line of what you can maximally run through a normal aux port powered by your console/pc. It's worth mentioning the sennheiser HD600 and the HD650, but you WILL need a dac/amp alongside it, which starts to really hug the maximum of your $400 budget. The 620S is the closed back alternative. I really like the Hifiman Sundara as a closed back option too, they punch above their weight and they do not need a dac/amp since they run with like less than 40Ω. You can run these on a phone and they still sound great. Answer from westarrr on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/headphoneadvice › best headphones for gaming/music (no mic)
r/HeadphoneAdvice on Reddit: Best Headphones for Gaming/Music (no mic)
December 30, 2024 -

As the title implies I am looking for headphones that would be both great for music and games like FPS shooters where audio cues are important.

I’d like to upgrade from the typical gaming marketed headsets. It seems the audio quality is not typically worth the price, and I am in belief that a standalone microphone paired with a wired micless headset would be much better in terms of overall quality. My price range is up to $400. One suggestion I’ve heard frequently is the beyerdynamic DT 770s. I love the look and comfortability of these. Any suggestions?

UPDATE: I ended up buying the beyerdynamic DT1770 pro MKIIs and they have been everything I was hoping for. I won't say blown away because these were quite expensive compared to a lot of alternatives which I imagine would do just as great.

To start they are extremely comfortable and sit perfectly on my slightly above average sized head. I love the appearance and build quality of these.

Music: These absolutely blew me away coming from my old $100 Steeleseries Arctis 1 gaming headset. The quality is just on a completely different level, and I am rediscovering love for old songs just by listening to them on these. After a bit of EQ tweaking, the bass is great, and not overwhelming. Everything sounds so clear and separated, but also smooth. Don't want to go too in depth on it because I am no audiophile.

Gaming: Exactly what I was hoping for in these headphones. The sounds in a first person shooter are all very distinct, and I feel that I can very clearly know what is happening around me.

Overall I am very pleased and this is exactly what I needed for a gaming/music combo. I imagine the $200/$400 cheaper version of this headphone would give you a very similar experience, and I likely overspent. However for my needs these ticked every single box. Hope this helps someone find what they are looking for.

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by far the best ones for gaming would be Sennheiser HD 490 Pro, that said all around I prefer Audio-Technica ATH-R70x or R70x Refine if you are in US as it's $50 less from closed backs $699 msrp Denon AH-D5200 you can get for ~380 shipped from Japan on eBay brand new, it's a step above DT 700 Pro X, DT 770 X and AKG K553 MKII which are all better than regular old 770s
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Fellow gamer discovering audio here, first questions first: Are you looking for closed headphones (passive noise isolation) or open headphones (you can hear your surroundings and they can sightly hear what you're listening to)? Closed headphones: look into the Fiio FT1. They're currently very well praised and hit above their price point. Haven't tried them personally as I prefer open, but they're easy to look up as they're the most recommended closed headphones of the year. Open headphones I've tried and would recommend: R70x, AR5000, Ananda. All well praised with different sound profiles, so your preference matters. They're all very detailed and have good imaging for directional accuracy. Do you lean towards bass? ATH R70x is warm neutral and its "R70x Refine" variant had a limited run in North America that offered better bass. Incredibly comfortable and smooth, you could also get the classic R70x and switch pads down the line to imitate their Refine variant. Another headphone I haven't tried but have seen recommended with emphasis on bass are the Hifiman Edition XS. Do you prefer really clean mids? The Aune AR5000 were so CLEAN upon my first listening. I'm unsure how else to describe them aside clean, clear and so satisfying. Currently testing them out for both music and gaming. Maybe vocals are what makes it come alive for you? Hifiman Ananda really wow'ed me with how crystal clear vocals sounded. I had never heard vocals that way before. Some concerns over the Hifiman quality control, however. Also uncomfortable for smaller heads, but great for larger heads. The little Sennheiser 560s deserve a mention and were my entry level gateway drug, but I think you can skip them with your budget on hand. All of the ones I've mentioned are worth your few minutes watching some YouTube reviews or reading up on them. You'll see how well received they are and they're all great for competitive gaming and music. You'll just have to start somewhere and see if it fits your sound preference. Just like the first character you pick on a new FPS title. Lastly, in case you ask, the Fiio FT1 "Pro" just came out but haven't tried them, an unfortunately side effect of not being made of money. Hope this helped!
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RTINGS
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The 7 Best Wireless Gaming Headsets of 2026 - RTINGS.com
November 18, 2025 - Sony WH-1000XM6 Technics EAH-AZ100 Audeze Maxwell Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) Apple AirPods Pro 3 Razer BlackShark V3 Pro SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless ...
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Recommendations on Headphones (headset with no mic)
r/headphones might know better. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/apexuniversity
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September 19, 2023
Good headphones for gaming with no mic? Just about a €/£200 budget

I'm recommending open backs since you're okay with them.

HD560S - PC38x with better sound stage.

PC38x if you want one with mic.

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🌐 r/HeadphoneAdvice
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December 30, 2022
Headphones for gaming (no mic) and music

Man, they are all good cans. If you want accuracy the 560s win hands down. I personally found that they sound great but they can come across as harsh and sibilant at times. They were awesome for normal volume listening, but at loud volumes they got fatiguing quickly. They also have stronger clamp force than the others. If you want “fun” sounding cans, the 599 and the x2hr would be my preference. If you want pure comfort, the 700x is a clear winner (imo) Not to confuse you too much, but the Tygr 300r and Hifiman he400i/se are also solid contenders.

Buy from Amazon if you can. Then if you don’t like the sound you can make easy(ish) returns. Good luck. Let us know what you decide on 🤘

Edit: also, what is the major iii mic that you are talking about? Is that just the inline mic from the Marshall Major headphones?

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October 2, 2022
[deleted by user]
Dt 770 Pro I have them, I love them, a lot of people love them and for very good reason. They have great build quality, great spacious sound and amazing sound quality that a lot of audiophiles recommend them as great entry level headphones Highly recommend More on reddit.com
🌐 r/HeadphoneAdvice
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December 9, 2023
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soundguys.com
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Is 7.1 sound better for gaming?

Not always. While 7.1 virtual surround sound can enhance immersion in some games, it’s not inherently better than stereo. A well-tuned stereo headset with good imaging (like the Audeze Maxwell or Drop + EPOS PC38X) often delivers more accurate positional audio. Plus, most games handle spatial sound processing internally now, so the headset doesn’t need to do the heavy lifting.

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The best audiophile headphones for gaming in 2025: my top recommendations for the best cans money can buy | PC Gamer
July 18, 2025 - Throw in an open-back pair design, and you'll hear the most natural reproduction of your chosen gameworld that you can possibly achieve. The downside is that audiophile headphones are expensive and really only benefit from good sound hardware inside your PC—yes, there are still soundcards out there, people. The open operating principle means there can be a fair bit of sound leakage and there's no passive noise cancelling. You also don't get a microphone on most audiophile headphones, but such is the wealth of great budget gaming mics, that's not an issue.
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SoundGuys
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Headphones With No Mic - Best Buy
The high-quality 6-mic system enhances calls and voice assistant interactions. Discover the perfect blend of modern features, timeless design, and Sennheiser quality, available in multiple premium finishes.See all All Headphones ... "Musical response is epic and Gaming with zero latency gives a proper soundstage for response....Sound quality with these earbuds is quite insane.
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BERIBES Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear,65H Playtime and 6 EQ Modes Wireless Headphones with Microphone,Immersive Bass,HiFi Stereo,Foldable Lightweight Headset with Built-in HD Mic for Cellphone/PC/Ect · PowerLocus Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Stereo Foldable Headphones, Wired Headsets Rechargeable ...
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Upgrade your gaming setup with wireless headphones that deliver premium audio quality, multi-platform compatibility, and a comfortable, microphone-free design.
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November 28, 2025 - PC Gamer score: 82% Read our full Razer Barracuda X Chroma review. ... Audio-Technica ATH R50X This superb studio-like set of headphones isn't really for gaming but it still does a great job of making everything sound clear, accurate, and luscious.
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The O'Connor Group
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Best headphones for pc gaming no mic new arrivals
May 12, 2025 - Our flexible hourly or fixed-fee models give you complete control and visibility.
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The O'Connor Group
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ElectronicsHub
electronicshub.org › home › 7 best gaming headphones without mic
7 Best Gaming Headphones Without Mic
February 1, 2025 - The Sennheiser HD 660 S excels in delivering exceptional clarity and dynamic range, elevating every gaming experience. These headphones offer superior sound quality, allowing you to concentrate fully on the game without any microphone distractions.