General Gaming Gaming Headphones Recommendations

[ShreddieMercury]

I've been considering getting some nicer headphones for gaming and was curious what people here like to use.  I would primarily use them with my PS4, so I was looking into the Sony Gold or Platinum headphones, but it would also be nice to be able to use them for general listening on other devices as well.  Right now I use some Bose headphones connected to the controller's 3.5mm jack, and I know that's sub-optimal.  What do you all recommend?

 

 

[Pikachu]

https://steelseries.com/gaming-headsets/arctis-7?color=black

 

These won PC Gamer's Headphones of the year. They can also work with PS4 and Xbox. I got a pair three weeks ago, and they are the best gaming headphones I have ever used.

[SimpleG]

15 minutes ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

I've been considering getting some nicer headphones for gaming and was curious what people here like to use.  I would primarily use them with my PS4, so I was looking into the Sony Gold or Platinum headphones, but it would also be nice to be able to use them for general listening on other devices as well.  Right now I use some Bose headphones connected to the controller's 3.5mm jack, and I know that's sub-optimal.  What do you all recommend?

 

 

Like just about every other product marketed as gaming , it should be avoided.  

Under $50

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-206-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B06X92G8HG/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1CBWK7NU8JWOC&dchild=1&keywords=sennheiser+headphone&qid=1593456470&sprefix=sanhei%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18/ref=sr_1_19?crid=3QOI141U2MPPW&dchild=1&keywords=senheiser%2Bheadphone&qid=1593456779&sprefix=sanhe%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-19&th=1

 

These are closed back and work well

 

 

Under $100

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1OXPA95LAVFKS&dchild=1&keywords=philips+headphones&qid=1593456339&sprefix=philips+he%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-3

 

https://www.amazon.com/Grado-SR80e-Prestige-Series-Headphones/dp/B00L1LXOWS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1VTMICW3YO7YZ&dchild=1&keywords=grado+headphones&qid=1593456396&sprefix=grados+hea%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-2

These are both open back and at under $100 they cant be beat. I prefer the grados but the Phillips are fantastic.

 

 

 

 

[Bloodporne]

Shure Studio Headphones

 

These are nowhere near high-end or anything but I used to use them to mix demos and so on when I was active with music. I've always liked them and think they're very clear for the price. 

 

Edit: These are in the $100 range.

[Kal-El814]

Also worth considering that if you’re going to jump on a PS5 near launch, it might be worth waiting until that comes out to ensure whatever you pick up now is compatible.

[SimpleG]

8 minutes ago, Bloodporne said:

Shure Studio Headphones

 

These are nowhere near high-end or anything but I used to use them to mix demos and so on when I was active with music. I've always liked them and think they're very clear for the price. 

 

Edit: These are in the $100 range.

Man for some reason I always forget these, they damn good at that price.

[Bloodporne]

2 minutes ago, SimpleG said:

Man for some reason I always forget these, they damn good at that price.

They really are for the range and I've owned two pairs now. I've had several other similar price range studio headphones prior and these were my favorites. Sennheiser were also cool. 

[ShreddieMercury]

39 minutes ago, Kal-El814 said:

Also worth considering that if you’re going to jump on a PS5 near launch, it might be worth waiting until that comes out to ensure whatever you pick up now is compatible.

I was thinking about that too.  I'll likely try to get a PS5 at launch so maybe it's worth waiting.

[Nokt]

7 hours ago, SimpleG said:

Like just about every other product marketed as gaming , it should be avoided.  

Under $50

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-206-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B06X92G8HG/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1CBWK7NU8JWOC&dchild=1&keywords=sennheiser+headphone&qid=1593456470&sprefix=sanhei%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18/ref=sr_1_19?crid=3QOI141U2MPPW&dchild=1&keywords=senheiser%2Bheadphone&qid=1593456779&sprefix=sanhe%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-19&th=1

 

These are closed back and work well

 

 

Under $100

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1OXPA95LAVFKS&dchild=1&keywords=philips+headphones&qid=1593456339&sprefix=philips+he%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-3

 

https://www.amazon.com/Grado-SR80e-Prestige-Series-Headphones/dp/B00L1LXOWS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1VTMICW3YO7YZ&dchild=1&keywords=grado+headphones&qid=1593456396&sprefix=grados+hea%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-2

These are both open back and at under $100 they cant be beat. I prefer the grados but the Phillips are fantastic.

Can vouch for the Philips SHP9500S. Used them for a good year or 2 before picking up some DT990 Pros. Fantastic headphones.

[vaxick]

2 hours ago, Nokt said:

Can vouch for the Philips SHP9500S. Used them for a good year or 2 before picking up some DT990 Pros. Fantastic headphones.

 

Third this.  Those Philips headphones are a killer deal for open back headphones.  I use AudioQuest Nighthawk headphones myself which I do not believe you can buy new anymore.  

[DPCyric]

13 hours ago, Bloodporne said:

Shure Studio Headphones

 

These are nowhere near high-end or anything but I used to use them to mix demos and so on when I was active with music. I've always liked them and think they're very clear for the price. 

 

Edit: These are in the $100 range.

 

Lol, Sweetwater is like 45 minutes away from me! Actually when I drive Uber it's in that city and sometimes I take people to work there.

 

I would recommend a pair of V-Moda's with their microphone made for them.

[Bloodporne]

3 hours ago, DPCyric said:

 

Lol, Sweetwater is like 45 minutes away from me! Actually when I drive Uber it's in that city and sometimes I take people to work there.

 

I would recommend a pair of V-Moda's with their microphone made for them.

I order there quite a bit for musical gear, drum and guitar stuff. They're great consumer wise although probably a shitshow for employees based on their low prices and free shipping.

[Keyser_Soze]

Get surround sound headphones so you can play games with surround sound and not need a surround sound system.

 

Probably would pair well with the 3D sound the PS5 is trying to pimp.

[DPCyric]

1 hour ago, Bloodporne said:

I order there quite a bit for musical gear, drum and guitar stuff. They're great consumer wise although probably a shitshow for employees based on their low prices and free shipping.

 

Actually from my experience the employees are really happy there too!

[ShreddieMercury]

I appreciate all of these suggestions.  How do you route the sound?  Right now I just use the controller, but in most games the audio sounds really compressed coming out of the dualshock.  Should I get a converter so I can plug directly into the console?

[Bloodporne]

56 minutes ago, DPCyric said:

 

Actually from my experience the employees are really happy there too!

Mandatory Neil Peart cover drum solos on breaks.

[Bloodporne]

7 minutes ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

I appreciate all of these suggestions.  How do you route the sound?  Right now I just use the controller, but in most games the audio sounds really compressed coming out of the dualshock.  Should I get a converter so I can plug directly into the console?

I have a whole stereo setup because I have a record collection, turn table and all, so I run a digital optical from my TV into the receiver, then headphones into the receiver. I use an extension cord for the headset.

[SimpleG]

14 minutes ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

I appreciate all of these suggestions.  How do you route the sound?  Right now I just use the controller, but in most games the audio sounds really compressed coming out of the dualshock.  Should I get a converter so I can plug directly into the console?

@Bloodporne method works well. If your TV has headphone out and your headset doesnt require an amp you can just connect directly to it. If you cant do either I would recomend this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VDQQY95?tag=cyberp0d-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

It has just about every connection you could need and individual volume control is nice only downside is you may need an adapter if your headphones are not 3.5mm , adapter is like a buck or 2

 

I use this if I am listening to music at my desk or my ps4

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=asc_df_B014FASL1A/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198101639455&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11871644067617495594&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1020414&hvtargid=pla-447707309277&psc=1

 

 

 

 

[Bloodporne]

4 minutes ago, SimpleG said:

@Bloodporne method works well. If your TV has headphone out and your headset doesnt require an amp you can just connect directly to it. If you cant do either I would recomend this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VDQQY95?tag=cyberp0d-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

It has just about every connection you could need and individual volume control is nice only downside is you may need an adapter if your headphones are not 3.5mm , adapter is like a buck or 2

 

I use this if I am listening to music at my desk or my ps4

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=asc_df_B014FASL1A/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198101639455&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11871644067617495594&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1020414&hvtargid=pla-447707309277&psc=1

 

 

 

 

I think if you're going just for the TV audio straight without a stereo setup like mine, the Fosi Audio box is perfect, good call. It's basically a mini-receiver without all the bullshit you don't need if you're not going to nerd out with a record player and a speaker setup and all that and just want headphones. Also good price.

 

As a matter of fact, I may pick one of these up down the line to streamline my living room setup visually.

[ShreddieMercury]

You guys rule, thanks so much.  This is super helpful.  I'm thinking about getting the Philips SHP9500S, but also wondering if there's a next tier up that I should go?  I have a bit of money saved for this so I can go a bit more expensive, but if these are more than adequate I'll just go with that.  I would also ideally use them for music, since I need to replace my old Sennheisers that I use for recording.  Also, my TV does have a 3.5mm audio out, so I can probably just wire into that, but is that ideal or should I still get the Fosi Audio Box to improve the quality of the sound?  I've never had any sort of real audio setup for games, sorry for all of the questions.

 

@Bloodporne I didn't know you were into making music!  What kind of stuff do/did you like to record?

[Bloodporne]

1 minute ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

You guys rule, thanks so much.  This is super helpful.  I'm thinking about getting the Philips SHP9500S, but also wondering if there's a next tier up that I should go?  I have a bit of money saved for this so I can go a bit more expensive, but if these are more than adequate I'll just go with that.  I would also ideally use them for music, since I need to replace my old Sennheisers that I use for recording.  Also, my TV does have a 3.5mm audio out, so I can probably just wire into that, but is that ideal or should I still get the Fosi Audio Box to improve the quality of the sound?  I've never had any sort of real audio setup for games, sorry for all of the questions.

 

@Bloodporne I didn't know you were into making music!  What kind of stuff do/did you like to record?

So my thing is that despite being a huge music guy, really into sound and all that, I've just never thought that I can tell a difference worth the money with super hi-fi equipment. I mean of course there are exceptions but I'm not gonna go for a $500 pair of headphones to play a video game, you know what I mean? I honestly would go with the Fosi though myself because I do need control over the EQ, my TV's options are super limited at best. I'd mainly consider it for EQ-ing in other words which to me is fairly important. Shit always lacks any bass on default settings.

 

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong for your purposes with any of those headphones around the $100/$150 mark.

 

I used to intern at a studio in Brooklyn on the weekends back in the day actually and I recorded my friends' bands demos and stuff like that, nothing 'big' at all, I was never interested in doing it professionally. I grew up in a music freak family, my uncle is a vinyl collector with a massive Jazz collection and things like that. My mother used to put me in his record room as a kid to let the adults be by themselves basically. I really only ever recorded Metal and Electronic music, Ambient-y kind of stuff, and was quite active in that scene back then so always had friends with bands. Also played session here and there.

[SimpleG]

9 minutes ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

I'm thinking about getting the Philips SHP9500S, but also wondering if there's a next tier up that I should go?  I have a bit of money saved for this so I can go a bit more expensive, but if these are more than adequate I'll just go with that.

The Philips are fine, you could spend another $100 but honestly you wouldnt even notice the difference between the pair. I am sure you understand but just know that they are open back and not everyone is fan of that.

 

14 minutes ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

Also, my TV does have a 3.5mm audio out, so I can probably just wire into that, but is that ideal or should I still get the Fosi Audio Box to improve the quality of the sound? 

General rule of thumb is 

Source to Ouput with as little in between unless needed. 

Console->TV->Headphones

Console->Fosi->Headphone

The Fosi is gonna be better quality out then your TV,the Fosi can output more power to your headphones. With that said will you even notice the difference, maybe maybe not. 

If you can spend it I would go with the Fosi