You could get an HD 8XX for a better price if you know where to look. The HD 700, though a maligned headphone, is also a great choice for gaming and can be found for far less. I spent $280 on mine and they can be found from $250-350 used. The soundstage is massive and they're extremely comfortable. They're also great for music with the Modhouse mod/Anaxilus mod done to reduce its 6k treble spike and with Dekoni Elite Velour or Fenestrated Sheepskin pads applied. They can be EQ'ed with the oratory1990 parametric EQ as well which brings them to the Harmon curve if you opt to.
Can I just put it out there that I really loved the format of this video! The way that everyone gave their honest opinions and handed over to the next guy, and evening introduced the next speaker etc. I thought was classy and gave a real sense of community between these audiophiles/gamers etc. The world needs more people/reviewers/videos/gamers like this! ✌️💚 Great review video, easily one of my favourites! 👌
@@K1M01 which makes you kinda weird, getting a few more fps (which is admittedly nice if you have the monitor for it) instead of a direct improvement to your immersion in story games and competitive advantage in FPS games. There is one thing I agreee with you, it's that the 800s is way too much for gaming, 200$ IEMs and headphones like the PC38X already get you most of the way in terms of sound, it's diminishing returns from there, but it's the same thing for PCs, a 4080 price increase over the 4060 for example is not correlated with its performance increase
@@houssamalucad753I get your point but right now, I have a sh***y laptop that even lags on the simplest of games that are new, even on the lowest setting possible. Can't even play apex or fortnite above 50 fps on a good day. Was surprised that headsets costs more than my dream laptop/setup. I was expecting a more "budget" than a audipohile's budget recommendation on this video, which I luckily got from Crinacle with the Etika headset. I expected cheap headsets that at least matches its value(like below 50 usd) despite the soundstage being below what audiophiles like for their taste, at least it gives out the most with its price idea. I know the sennheiser gaming headset is already budget and can give the most value as these people recommended in the video, but honestly, I still wouldn't spend THAT much on a headset if I don't even have "gaming" peripherals, like a gaming mouse(I'm saving). Honestly, my immersion VISUALLY is more important than what I'm hearing. But true, the diminishing returns are mostly for the hobbyists/audiophiles. On a side note, anything you can recommend that is at least below 50 to 80 usd?
I'm sorry guys, Crinicle said it best in his dedicated video and Zeos said it here, a more expensive headphone is not going to make you a better player. Get the headphone that helps you enjoy your game best.
@@trollmustard But what Zeos said about pro gamers getting sponsored to wear a piece of crap on their head but still being pro shows that the headset has little to no influence.
This is why I prefer a funner, slightly more bass heavy sound signature. Nothing to the point of sounding terribly muddy, but I don’t want my ears to bleed from harsh highs just for a slight competitive advantage
@@Towelie- not true at all. If you take a pro player with a set of shitty 80 dollar gaming headset. And you make a clone of that player only this time the clone is using a high fidelity headphone... the clone with the hifi is gonna take a shit on the 80 dollar headset clone
@@trollmustard you think the clone would absolutely DUNK on his original because of better headphones? Incremental advantage yes, but you're capping if you think it's anything more than that.
For gaming I never really noticed an improvement when I bought higher quality headphones. BUT comfort for daily use is the most important thing for me.
I had that experience until i realized how much of a factor a sound card is and the means of sound data transmission. I own a10s that can sound than better than a40trs if the a10 is paired with a g6 sound card through an optical port. Clearly all console problems but true. I have the a40 mixamp tr as well and tbh the g6 maybe the better sound card. Now a headset that sounds good with a trash stock sound card are most high end turtle beechs in my experience. Consider also what program the headset is optimized for and what is actually being sent. Example uncompressed stereo converted to dolby or windows sonic etc. So the key here is limiting the amount of times this sht is converted. And the speed and amount of information will be determinded by the means of transmission. I think the optical port ia better than an hmdi 2.1 imo. Never looked at stats but it def feels better.
Gaming is mostly about mechanical skills and game sense, not peripheral. I play game with IEM and no problem hitting low GM in Overwatch / Divine IV in Dota2, consistently. For anyone wondering, currently I use 7hz Timeless that I bought at discounted price ($134 / RM599) with no dac amp. I use it mainly for music, but works just fine for non-pro "high-level gaming".
@@xrypro4080this was a terrible example. Overwatch and Dota 2 do not have insane sound importance as a game like siege or hunt showdown and maybe even cod.
Wow, what a great vid. All of these audiophile reviewers are great. I was waiting for Crin to go hard on headsets after watching his gaming video a little while back but it was Zeos hitting with the hard truth. I can also only imagine people's first-time reactions to Zeos' headphone/speaker wall, amp racks, and (ahem) monitor and wallpaper.
@@5usp3c7 Z is plenty knowledgeable. people just hate him because he can get side tracked in his vids and has a habit of getting very passionate and sometimes overselling products. people also hate him for the fact that they don't agree with his tonal preferences (he loves fun, bassy headphones with wide soundstage and supreme comfort) which is a shitty argument because every reviewer has tonal preferences that they adhere to and judge headphones on. DMS for example likes his music to be as flat as a dead fish but the man has the ears of a fucking bat so he wants to hear every tiny shred of detail. some people would call DMS's preferences boring while others would call Zeos' tonal preferences that of a fucking caveman, you just have to know what your reviewer prefers and understand their inherent bias when reviewing headphones.
@@numairsalmalin3552 team caveman ftw. I’d feel the need to wear white gloves while listening if I was DMS. Each to their own but I want fun and snacks.
Haha, love how Z set his monitor to pack as many waifus as possible into his snippet! My pick for a good gaming headphone is the AKG K701. It does need an amp to go along with it, but it definitely gives me that "okay, this is just cheating" feeling. Excellent soundstage, and great for music too. Me personally, I can wear these all day and not be uncomfortable. Comfort wise, the K712 is probably better for some people though. It's got softer pads and a softer leather comfort strap. Oh yeah, I think it's important to note that this is one product category that you should just ignore the GAMING branding for. A headphone is a headphone. Besides having a mic attached or maybe in-line volume controls and shit, gaming headphones are just headphones with RGB. Get any "normal" headphone, slap a mod mic on it and it's the same as a gaming headphone. On that note, I'd probably recommend skipping 90% of gaming headphones because the suck at being headphones outside of gaming. Find a headphone that's comfortable, good at music AND gaming, and then you don't need to buy two! .. but keep watching any of those guys in the video and you'll end up with more than two anyway......
"Oh yeah, I think it's important to note that this is one product category that you should just ignore the GAMING branding for." I have one caveat to this, and only one. In my opinion the Coolermaster MH751/MH752s are very good headphones. Particularly when considering the price of about $80. Solid soundstage for a closedback headphone (which I prefer as I don't live alone), descent curve, and a mic that blew me away when I used it. No built in mic should be that good. I used mine until they fell apart and still debated buying new ones afterward.
@@ethanaterx5046 Yeah, glad you've got something that works well for you. What I meant wasn't that you shouldn't buy any gaming branded headphone. Moreso that being "GAMING" doesn't make a headphone a good headphone, not even necessarily for gaming. There can still be good headphones with that branding, but if you are in the market for one of these, you should be looking at "headphones" in general and find what meets your needs. You shouldn't immediately hop into the "Gaming headphones" section and expect them to automatically be the best option for a gamer. Honestly though, I would say this about all kinds of stuff. So many Gaming products are pieces of garbage. Gaming Chairs, Gaming Keyboards, and yes, Gaming Headphones. All of these categories are filled with junk that they slapped the Gaming branding and some RGB on so some kid would immediately gravitate towards it and waste their money before they can figure out that what they're buying is junk.
Well ... Zeos is right. Most really good players I know have dominated all their gaming lifes with whatever they used. Sure, at the very bleeding edge of high skill every advantage counts. Hardly anyone ever gets there, though. The vast majority of people buying gear to "get better" will not accomplish that through that purchase. Perhaps new and fun gear increases motivation in some way for them and leads to improvement that way, that is a thing after all. But as long as gear reaches a certain level (i.e. a mouse sensor needs to track and not jump around wildly, headphones need to function properly at least), a player has to travel a long way for him to actually need to go for "better" equipment. As for enjoyment ... I don't need expensive gear for that either. Still really enjoying my HD598s :)
I love my pair HD 598s. Had em for years and they are comfortable as hell for long sessions. Sure I could go and grab a better pair but for gaming, it does just fine. I don't think getting something more expensive will prevent me from getting slapped in Escape from Tarkov hah
Same here I dominate using the shittiest gears. However, once in a while, we would like to use something that really blow our socks off just to enjoy the game. I dont need the most accurate imagine but once in a while hearing real life imaging in game is fun.
@@TheGreektrojan The HD 598 is near perfection… but the PC38X’s and HD 560S’ small tweak of having a divot at the peak of the headband prevents a hot spot right there on my now-balding head, so I find it slightly more comfortable. They both have squishy soft headband padding instead of leatherette wrapped padding, too. And… well, nothing has topped the HD 800 series for me. It’s surprisingly light for its size, the clamp is light and just perfect, it has that divot and a wide headband, FOR ME the microsuede feels great because it doesn’t get itchy, hot, or sweaty… it’s literally the only headphone (series) I’ve had where I can forget I’m wearing headphones and be totally immersed in the game. That said, if I’m on the edge of my seat and getting worked up while playing competitive or chatting/shouting with friends, the extra clamp on the HD 500 series and PC300 series keeps the headphone snug and stable on my head better, while the HD 800 might slip around a bit. Everything has pros and cons! Even the a leather headband/earpad is easier to wipe clean of sweat!
I really hope they can do a bit of an extended version (or stream) of this at some point. Maybe with an actual general tier list or simply offer some alternatives. "HD800s is best, PC38x less good" isn't especially useful when everyone already kinda knew that and either doesn't find them comfortable or want to pay that price (and non of this even considers amps). Surprisingly, Zeos offered the most non-controversial and useful piece of advice here in that comfort is #1 by far. An agreed upon short list of options would be awesome just to see what everyone really thinks. The only video I've seen before like this was ironically from Zeos and it's from like 5 years ago (though Crinacle has a pretty good write up too). Like HD800s, PC38x, HD560, HD660, TYGR 300, DT1990, SHP9500, etc with like pros/cons (amps, are they good for music, etc).
Glad to see some quality mics and top notch audio. A lot of folks don't take in account how a good mic and help you keep immersed in the game. Especially if you playing with team mates. Nothing take you out of a game like a teammate sounding like they're talking into a tin can underwater with random audio drop.
And then there are these audiophiles 'khm khm zeos' whos mic was so bad that i had to take off my headset because of the earrape, well it's better than those indian scam callers but still
Surprising Zeos was the one to not shill a headphone. Even more surprising that I actually agree with Zeos on something. Just wear something comfortable that makes your gaming enjoyable.
High end peripherals can often get you a small edge by holding you back a little less (high refresh monitor, high polling rate, accurate mouse, etc) but headphones plateau so hard and so quickly re: price to performance in gaming. Headphones are more of a tool with an exponentially expensive quality of life slider and your buying decision is probably best made without any regard for their ability to help you in games.
Agreed. 240Hz monitor owner and I have Clears and a whole bunch of others. The monitor makes a huge difference. Headphones? sometimes I blast music while gaming, even FPS gaming. The headphones are a nice to have.
I find gaming mouse the most important bit, normal (wireless) office mice can't keep up with the flicks in FPS games because the sensor read rate is too low and they might drift. With wired mouse I find it less of an issue but wireless is so nice.
I have a decent 1440p 144hz monitor, a custom keyboard, a g pro Superlight modded with new switches and skates, a custom built computer and a wide variety of headphones. I think when the audio in a game is done right, the headphones are the most important part I would need to keep above using cheap everything else. Doesn’t need to be 800S but after using many many headphones, IEM’s, gaming headphones, speaker setups, the 800S really is something else for gaming.
@@SmartFool24 Do you think you'd be better off in a competitive environment with a 125hz polling rate laser office mouse and the 800S or literally any non-trash gaming mouse and $10 headphones? We both know the right answer.
@@shawndiaz7528 Exactly. Unless you're playing with people at your skill level in FPS games, audio is semi-redundant. At least my KD barely changes when I'm not using headphones and just blasting music.
As a budget gamer I use the shp9500, the comfort, price, sound quality is great for the price and the boosted highs really help when detecting footsteps.
Not at all surprised HD800S is the no holds barred endgame choice, but I'm very surprised AKG K700 series variants don't get mentioned here for the exact same reasons. They too are very light and comfortable to wear all day, have a little bright tuning and _excellent_ soundstage. My K7XX are far from my favorite headphones, but they are still hands down my favorite gaming headphones.
For PC gaming, I use my Sennheiser HD6XX for no reason other than comfort. I also just got the Epos H3 Hybrid that I'll be using with my XBox and PS5. Much like Zeos said, I already suck at FPS gaming so a set of HD800s won't change that for me. So I just look for comfort and immersive-ness (is that a word?) for my racing and adventure titles.
Same. I can wear the 6XXs for hours without my ears getting tired or sore. I use a Aune X7s amp to push them and they sound great, but the comfort is unmatched!
I've tried to use my 6XX for gaming but it's borderline disorienting compared to my G4ME One. They're falling aprt so I'll need a replacement soon, was hoping for something other then the obvious answer of the PC38x as they're expensiveAF in Canada... maybe another set of game one is in order.
hd650 isn’t that bad for gaming,from all the headphones i try, i can tell you it is way better than almost all “rgb gaming headphones “ on the market. i heard 6xx is basically a 650 so my experience with 650 should apply to 6xx owners
Tried my first open back as the HD555s and I was hooked. Upgraded to the 6XX down the line and missed a wider sound stage, recently bought the HD800S after Drop struggled with the 8XX as a bucketlist buy. It's my endgame and I understand why it's so heavily recommended. I use it for music, gaming and entertainment - I know it's not for everyone but I've found I prefer a sound signature that doesn't absolutely demand your attention and still remains detailed and spacious. Sharp out of the box and Neutral with some EQ. Happy to hear that opinion is shared with others who have listened to far more expensive sets. "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
Late but found this video in my recommended. I was similar to you.. tried DT990’s and loved open back.. went to DT1990’s, then went HD800S. Had both for a while but after the HD800S even the 1990’s began to feel semi closed back, it was really weird. I use the HD800S every single day for music, tv etc and of course, gaming. And I don’t think I could ever use anything else. They were a little bright for me but I used Oratory’s EQ and got some Dekoni pads.
I agree. I know the price is steep, but I look at it as an investment rather than an indulgence. You still don't have to spend $1500-1700 new on them, I got them from an Amazon Warehouse deal for $900. I'm tired of buying budget and mid range headphones which don't give me what I'm looking for, and the amount of money I've spent on those surpass the cost of an HD 800 S anyway.
Do the HD555 still live? I still use my HD515 bought in 2011 :) I've "upgraded" to HD58x, but found that the lack of smoothness in the lows in HD515 is actually great for rock/metal music - the drums sound way healthier and faster. I dream of the day I could afford a used HD800.
Honestly seeing all these headphone people I've followed, and in some cases known/talked to personally, for years in one video has made me really happy. Actually feels like a community that way, haven't had that in quite a while.
This was such a fun video collaboration since I watch all of these audio reviewers. Having each of them acknowledge the previous reviewer at the beginning of their segment and next reviewer at the end of their segment by name was extra cool.
I have tried over 20 mid to high end headphones and here is the list of the ones I would actually recommend. The order is from good to amazing. Sennheiser HD58X < Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro < Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro < Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X < Drop Beyerdynamic DT 177X Go < Sennheiser PC38X < Sennheiser HD560S < Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro < Sennheiser HD800S.
I noticed the Sennheiser HD560S is above the PC38X huh, interesting. Also I noticed the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X is below both, fascinating. I thought DT 900 Pro X would be much better in gaming regards.
I couldn’t agree more with Zeos…I got the Beyerdynamic MM300 with some replacement dekoni breathable pads and I can’t imagine getting anything else…I’ve used a good amount of headphones but the MM300’s are just so damn comfy with great sound (in my opinion) that I wouldn’t use anything else for gaming…at least for a while.
Glad to hear this from at least one person. Recently dropped $1200 on LCD-X's a few months back and seeing every answer here be towards the HD 800 S was heartbreaking as that was my other choice.
As someone who has always used turtle Beach gaming headphones and a few pairs of logitech headphones.... I was amazed at the difference when I switched to some beyerdynamic dt990 pros. I will never go back these 990s are the most comfortable headphones I've ever owned and for games like dayz and Escape from tarkov it seriously helps you hear little noises that can make the difference between life and death. And music sounds amazing with them as well.
Started the gaming headphone journey with HD598s. Now using a 3+ schiit stack with Sundaras, DT770, DT990, HD6XX… plugged in the 598s for the first time in a year recently and they are seriously the best out of all my headphones for positional audio. An expensive lesson learned, I guess.
I went with a Zeos recommendation and put the Dekoni Elite Sheepskin cups on my Beyer MMX300. This is powered by a Sound Blaster X3 DAC/amp. No regrets here. The cups really improve the bass/treble balance as well as improving precision and soundstage.
I did the same thing, actually. I was using portapros with yaxis pads and the parts express band prior to that. I will say my music enjoyment went DOWN after the shock at actual sub bass wore off. But my kills in siege went way up. Granted, siege has probably the worst audio engine of all time.. But the Koss drivers had very bad imaging in comparison, even if their soundstage is wider. I am curious if the KPH40 has better imaging, and better clarity in bass at high volume than the older porta pros. Those two factors are what caused me to drop more than $300 on an "upgrade" in the mmx300.
Resolve is such an elegant reviewer. One of the reasons why I bought a verite closed and absolutely enjoy the hell outta of them is because of resolves enthusiasm for the verite open. I like closed headphones more that's why I got the closed.
As a very long time headfier and gamer, wisest suggestions in my opinion were the two which mentioned comfort and enjoyment. That's what matters most. Any alleged higher quality reproduction wont give you any edge to win, but any discomfort will affect you negatively in the not so long run
I didnt come here to look for an "edge to win". I came looking for a product with good durability, good sound and good comfort. This video was practically usless due to lack of detail. Last one didnt even say what model those headphones were. 🤷.
@@metallboy25 - I'd recommend Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro, AKG 271 or one of the HyperX Cloud for closed over the ear headphones. - AKG K702, or Sennheiser HD series (600, 650, 800) for open ones, some of those high-end Sennheisers can be reaaally pricey though. But except for the HyperX, these I recommend are not gaming headphones though (only the HyperX has a mic.) They just sound excellent and are particularly comfortable
Choosing the 800s because of comfort is a great point. I have tried giant planar Audezes before and they sound neat, but I can't wear them for more than 45 mins at a time without my head screaming at me to take them off. Comfort is a huge deal for listening to music and even more so for gaming. I have worn the 800s for 10 hour straight studying with ambient music on and I completely forget they were even there. Incredibly useful for gaming.
thats the struggle for me… personally it has always been a dream for me to grab a pair of audeze for yearssss, esp the release of the mm-500, but i agree they are not suitable for long hrs of wearing.. while hd800s are comfortable but the cups feel too big for me
Not sure if everyone caught this, but no one knew what anyone was going to say beforehand. Each reviewer was asked "What's your endgame headphone for gaming, and if its crazy expensive, whats a more affordable/accessible option?" then asked to record and submit. Sennheiser had absolutely nothing to do in any capacity. Even the headphones they loaned me were for the 8xx review.
Great video amazed they didn't have any discussion between themselves. You should ask about an all rounder though. They all agreed the 800s weren't great for music. I wonder what all rounder they would suggest
DT1990 are my ultimate picks for Rainbow Six Siege and basically any other competitive shooter, most of the sound queues that are important to hear in Siege are well accentuated by the 1990. AKG K712 Pro for immersive open world games. Alternatives: DT990, TYGR 300R, HD560S, DT770
Hey Wheezy, thanks for the recommendations. I own all those headphones for gaming except the 1990 (I have the 990) and I'm Glad to know I made the right choices for gaming headphones
I use the HIFIMAN Sundara’s with a Schiit Stack. I chose that configuration because they were within my budget and I wanted a great immersive experience in rpg games, great sound-staging for fps games and great sound quality overall when listening to music/watching movies or shows. So far it has been the best decision I have made for creating an awesome experience at my desk
I'm glad I'm not the only one using the Sundaras! The tuning might not be "ideal" for gaming, but it's pretty close to it and they sound so damn good for its price that it's hard to reach for anything else.
I don't think the headphones are going to increase my skill but it sure does help to hear the footsteps of someone coming from the direction and level they're coming from. Not to mention immersiveness. Ease of use and comfort for long hours is important to prevent frustration and to make me actually want to wear them and a decent mic is important in cooperative settings where being able to hear what someone said can mean the difference between everyone getting out alive and a wipe. So yes, while I agree with Z that your own skill matters most, all those other points I listed are just as important.
I play a lot of battlefield with friends and using better headphones hasn't made me better but it definitely has made the game more fun, the extra immersion changes the experience immensely for me But definitely hasn't made me better lol
I bought the pc38x based on this video, and the rave reviews. As well as the awesome microphone tests. I have to say, I'm not disappointed. Super clean separation, nothing overblown. Just balanced awesome clean sound. I love them. My Logitech g pro x, will be collecting dust now. These blow them out of the water for sound. The build quality feels cheap in comparison. But the money's worth in the pc38x is definitely in the sound and mic. It's far above what iv used before in the things that really count.
im using the Logitech g pro x at the moment too and was thinking of buying the pc38x. After having had them for a few months would you still say the money is worth the upgrade? Or is it more just a minor bump in audio quality?
@@KhapriSun any “gaming headphones” released by these company are basically trash, u get way better value out of that. just dump the g pro x whatever shit it call
I personally haven't played multiplayer fps's in years but I've really enjoyed watching Fresh Reviews journey with audiophile headphones, he's also really good at the point and shoots.
I'm glad there is somebody putting emphasis on just the comfort of the HD800s. I have large ears man and for years, I've been swapping headphone after headphone only to deal with discomfort. I thought I finally found my answer with the HD6XX but I found myself dealing with fatigue even with those. I finally bit the bullet and ordered the H800s. I was able to get that 10% off my first order thing which was actually pretty decent and I cannot believe how comfortable they are. For the first time in my life, no more ear fatigue. That's right I legit bought them purely for comfort (of course I love the audio quality. have them paired with a schitt magni 3+ amp for now) but people will spend upwards of a thousand if not more for a chair, desk or bed purely for better long term comfort. Why not for something you wear over your ears and head for in some cases even more time than you even sleep? I was sick of settling for lower cost headphones that don't provide me the comfort. The HD800s is worth every single penny. If you have large ears, trust me you won't regret it.
You might like the added comfort from some Dekoni ear pads. They have a little more cushion which adds the slightest amount of squeeze to keep them in place but still same large pads and actually helps mellow the highs a pinch and support the mids and lows. Think josh talked about them in his review of the 800 or maybe 8xx.
Awesome vid and cool to see Crinacle and Z apart of it. Z spitting actual facts. Better headphones have only relieved me of deducing positions a bit easier while providing great sound quality at the same time. You don’t magically get better aim or “game sense”, that just comes with effort.
Z is total missunderstanging on this review, any hard competetive guy would wear spikes on their head just to have that advantage of geting the info of enemys positioning or whatever the advantage.
Zeos with the truth bomb :D....I mean really, I am a musician with really good hearing and I wish hearing my enemies is the "bottleneck" in my gaming sessions. No headphones would bring any improvement to my gaming level. Spatial awareness, game sense, tactics, timing, reaction time, my movement, ability to improvise on the spot (or not)..... all of those are what gets me killed even though even with cheap headphones I know where everyone is on the map. This whole video reminds me of that Asian ex-google high level employee dude who is a programmer that has a video about what's the best keyboard for programming and all he talks about is the words per minute he can get with various keyboards. Like dude, is typing speed really the thing that slows down your coding?
I'll trust more Zeos Pantera about his suggestions for the headset, cause the previous ones do not make point that you do not need to get the best headset to be the best at gaming. He knows his stuff and feel genuine when he spoke.
After returning many headsets(Hyperx Cloud Flight S, Corsair Virtuoso SE, Corsair HS80) I found my endgame, Sennheiser HD 560s. 10/10 for gaming without AMP/DAC. Also got v-moda boom mic. Best combination.
Yep... and if you do want super quality audio for gaming... a 350 dollar Hifiman Sundara is the closest thing to end-game for a casual consumer anyway... these 1000+ dollar headphones are for audiophiles and rich people. >_> I say, stick with Sennheiser if you want the best in cheap headphones with good audio quality and comfort... Sennheiser is the master of that, anyway. A Game One, PC38X, HD599... They're all great. But if you want end-game... A Schiit Stack, Modi 3+ with Magni Heresy, and a Hifiman Sundara, and you've got the dream setup, for LIFE, and even future proofed yourself a bit, because the Heresy has A LOT of power, and can run just about anything you can throw at it, just in case you, some day, have the desire and opportunity to test other headphones. xD Totals out to roughly 550 dollars for the whole setup, and you're set for life, or something close to it, anyways. :)
@@AwesomeLevi That depends entirely on the DAC and Amp you're using. There are options for phones too (Portable dac/amp combos and stuff), but i wouldn't recommend the Sundara with a phone, i would recommend a closed-back headphone for phone usage... Something suitable for travel, so you don't bother the people around you with your music, because the Sundara does not isolate, whatsoever, they kinda double as desktop speakers, everyone around you can hear what you're listening to, even at low volumes, they are not just open-back headphones, acoustically speaking, they're completely naked. :P I use my setup primarily for PC, but, the DAC has multiple audio-inputs that i can swap between with a physical switch. So theoretically, i could hook the dac up to an Xbox with the Optical Analogue input, and a CD player with the Optical Coaxial, and just use the USB connection for my PC, simultaneously... Then, whenever i wanna listen to some CD, i just flick the switch to the appropriate channel, and i'll hear what the CD-player is playing in my Sundara, without having to mess about with cables every time i make a switch. :P This particular dac only has those three input options though, however, there's a wide range of dacs out there (as well as amps) with different inputs and different use-cases.
@@MyouKyuubi Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed response! That helps a lot. Where did you learn to do this stuff? Or is it just years of trial and error, forums and learning from TH-cam? I suppose everything sounds a little complicated to me because it's something I've only recently taken an interest in.
Personally had some pretty decent headphones for gaming in the past, Sennheiser HD598 SE and also AKG K712 Pros, but I found a very lightly used pair of the HD600 like Crinacle has sat on his desk and boy, the audio experrience from these has been second to none for me. Maybe the HD800S are good for gamers but a lot of people who review them for music etc say they're really poor value I believe and also quite sibilant on the high end. K712 Pros or HD600 with some EQ is so good
Really cool idea getting everyone together for this. For me personally, the HD560S blows the PC38x out of the water. Had both for 3-4 weeks to compare/contrast, and the difference was stark every time I swapped to the 560S. Would love to see you do an updated video on the mid-fi gaming options.
@@YTjuanchicod I have the pc38x and have bought the Beyerdynamic tygr300 to compare them as price wise they are the same. Comfort goes to tygr 300 for sure. Listening to music goes to PC 38X. Gaming goes to tygr 300 BUT the two headphones were giving quite different experiences. To explain: Tygr 300 game great sound stage and had the sounds of footsteps boosted by a lot. Like, playing Battlefield 1 I could hear footsteps very clearly and had the direction point on from where it was coming. However! It seemed like it was lacking other small detail sounds like weapons not having the same punch or metalic clicking. It just felt like some sounds were surpressed in favor of other frequencies ie footsteps. I sold tygr 300 and kept the PC 38X because I enjoyed the sound more. The soundstage isn't as great as the Tygr had but it is still good as well as directional sound. Also I like to listen to music so that gave 38X a huge favor. The mic is just there for convenience in my case.
Beyerdynamic TYGR is awesome all around, games and music, coolermaster MH751 is also fantastic for the price, Thanks DMS and Zeos for both recommendations
Let me tell you, this is one of the best comments here, and I totally agree with you. I would love these two to collaborate: Crin tunes the IEM Zeos chooses and designs the box’s Waifu
I have a Koss 545 that I use a lot of the time for games. It has a good mic, the sound is pretty good and picks up background noises well (like the birds chirping behind you in theHunter: Call of the Wild), they are comfortable and best of all Drop and Amazon occasionally sell them for $30. They are wired, so you'll have to take your controller with you (or take them off to leave the room if you're on PC) but they're worth it for sure.
I've been gaming on my Fnatic React for over a year now, and while I'm sure higher end headphones would do really well with sound stage and spatial audio, just having something slightly tuned to the high end for footsteps and has decent spatial awareness will do miles better than any of those Amazon Special discount cans that 75% of gamers probably wear.
The most important thing to me is comfort, hands down. Velour pads, open back for the soundstage but I'm more concerned with the overall sound than I am about picking up on footsteps. Tygr 300R are my go-to because they sound balls for the price, don't get too hot, super comfy and just work well for any type of content from music, movies to gaming. I don't use surround or processing of any kind.
i jus tgot my Tyger 300R. and to be honest in dont like them for music. you can clearly hear that they are market for gaming. for music i use my ATH-MSR7b from Audio Technica. the Tyger does have more bass then the MSR7b but the MSR7b are target for Studio so it got a very flat sound. But no i dont really enjoy Music or movies with the Tyger 300R. For gaming so far i didnt find any problems.
Would love to see the same thing but with IEMs for gaming. Grabbed some moondrop arias + a condenser mic and the soundstage was tiers above the steelseries pro with dac I bought a few years ago.
I've been curious as I'd like to give IEMs a try for gaming, do you use them when talking with people in discord? I haven't been able to get used to the muted "in my head" sound while I'm talking with the IEMs sealed
Definitely agree that headphones don't make you a (much) better player, but the benefit in open world games is astonishing. Environment sounds are so gorgeous with high quality headphones. Running a Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro with an Antlion ModMic through a Schiit Hel 2 Dac/Amp. Great midrange combo I think
Loved this! For me I found the AKG K702 upgraded with Dekoni Elite Velour pads to be the winning combo for gaming, all day comfort and the best soundstage I can afford without going crazy matched with the ModMic 5.0 for crispy voice!
I used to use a set of Astro A10s they were cheap and uncomfortable but within my budget. After a while I was looking for a more comfortable and wireless pair i moved to the Arctis 7 by Steelseries based off a friend’s recommendation. I don’t believe I became a better gamer but the less fatigue on the top of my head and ears made it more enjoyable to play for longer which let me get more reps in and become better
I first tired the DT990’s, then upgraded to DT 1990’s, then landed at HD800S and I honestly don’t think I could go back. When I first got them I was playing a lot of Escape from Tarkov where sound can be crucial, I’ve got over 5k hours in that game and definitely noticed the difference at being able to hear people much earlier than any friends I was playing with. Id definitely recommend open back headphones for gaming.
@@berkarslan if it’s just for gaming I think the 1990’s are very good. HD800S really is overkill, although I do love them of course. I found that after using the HD800S the DT1990’s actually felt semi closed back, not sure if that makes sense really. The HD800S are very neutral, although some find them a bit bright. I think 1990’s have a bit more “oomph” on the low end. I’ve had my HD800S for I want to say 2+ years now, and I’ll probably never change them unless they break one day and I go down the rabbit hole again.
@@Inconsistense Whats your total setup for this? Like AMP / DAC / MOBO? I'm considering the 800s but I don't know what accessories I'll need to go with it.
@@SternLobster43 My setup is HD800s> Schiit Jotunheim 2>schiit modi multi bit >Asus z690 formula, I upgraded my cpu and to DDR5 ram at the start of 2022 and that was one of the only boards I could get stock wise and I’d been waiting for months and just got impatient, so I’m not sure you need the exact same board. Also in terms of my audio chain, as I said in the original comment I upgraded the headphones over time and the same goes for my amp/DAC etc. I could argue with myself that it’s quite excessive for gaming really, but I do enjoy them a lot. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I really appreciate one of the audiophile pointing out that some users want closed back headphones as well many people do want the best experience possible but it's all relative to their environments
This was a really fun video. Honestly the answers didn't matter to me as much as it was great to see such an awesome collab here. BTW ya... Zeos is right.
Beyerdynamics MMX 300 GEN 2. Being someone passionate about audio and gaming this headset is incredible for gaming and music. It's so good at directional sound it's almost like wall hacking. I actually bought this based on Z's review, where he raved about how good it was on all fronts. Please do a piece on this head phone Brain, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I’ve been using the HD599s for a while and those have been amazing, comfortable and affordable. Gonna grab some Moondrop arias and jump into the IEM game
I use two simple, budget friendly set ups; 1. Closed back - Beyerdynamic DT240pro with 2.5mm Cable Boom Mic 2. Open back - Philips Fidelio X2HR with 3.5mm V-MODA BoomPro Mic & dekoni choice suede pads Gaming DAC - schiit fulla 3 The beyer is a versatile little set which are neat light and comfortable, there is also a connection on both ears so you can have the boom mic on the left or the right if you prefer. DT240’s currently £60 on amazon with £20 mic. The v-moda is £30 and as for the fideleos, just watch Brian’s review, it’s one of the best descriptive and authentic sells of any product, ever. I actually bought them before the review for £99 but if I ever wanted reassurance for a purchase decision, oh man.
I just recently switched from the HyperX cloud flights to the Phillips SHP9500's with the Vmoda boom pro mic and I love that combo. I might eventually upgrade to the PC38X, but for now I think it's a great combo for the money
I've got the SHPs with a desk mic and it's been great for me. Crinacle has me second guessing my choice, but they still do the job for now. Maybe when I upgrade everything else and have a few bucks...
I'm very happy with my Mobius for gaming. Can wear them for hours, they actually make it so much easier to hear distance and direction then my old Sennheiser One something something and they're nice with music as well. I can't think of a closed back that I would take over it for the price and I've tested quite a few.
I only use my Mobius for media consumption in the living room when the missus falls asleep, and every time I do I wonder why I don't use them more. I absolutely love them. Other dailies are HFM Ananda, Audioquest Nighthawk, UM Mest. Mobius is just a lovely lovely sound. And that's BEFORE you get into spatial!!!
I can recommend Denon AH-D5200 (or, depending on your budget, the more expensive variants D7200 and D9200) for a closed sound environment. They are super comfortable and have a slightly warm sound.
great headphones but not the best comfort for prolonged hrs of gaming. btw i assumed the actual gaming timer out there refers to up to 8hrs consecutively
Don't play comptitive anything. But I agree with Zeos(?) on comfort. I have found myself spending a lot more time on my HD6XX than my Sundara because of the weight, and the fact that Sundara somehow creates a hot spot on top of my head. Even though I prefer the Sundara sound.
Amazing content! You should do the part II of this video. What audio format audiophiles use when gaming? Uncompressed Stereo, Dolby Atmos for Headphones or other? Always wanted to know but can't find this information anywhere. I think it's relevant information. Thanks! 🙏
Same as all parts of any skill: Bad to ok = huge improvement Ok to good = somewhat noticable improvement Good to great and above = flex and preference, and that's about it.
I have Sennheiser Game One and a pair of HD800S, so all I can say is I agree with all, especially the value of the EPOS/Sennheiser's better gaming headsets. Also for closed back the Game Zero is great, but I would suggest getting the pads from the Game One since they are cloth fabric and seriously comfy (a little bit less isolating, but sooo worth it for the extra comfort)!
Like the reviewers said, it's the comfort that dictates which is the best one. For me that's Fidelio X2HR, as they sit well with glasses on the head. I wear them all the time usually (even when working), even when I'm not playing anything from them - I simply forget they're there.
No true at all. I don't care about competitive gaming, I just care about rich, immersive sound, which none of the people in the video and the vast majority of commenters don't mention, which is sad. If you judge a headset on comfort, then most entry level gaming headsets with garbage audio are just fine. Comfort is very important, though not at the cost of quality sound.
Not that I’m a pro by any means, but I certainly think there is value to good positional audio in games. My favorite that aren’t mentioned a lot are the Hifiman HE560.
@@MrAyrit I wouldn't call it DSP as it happens in the synthesis/sample playback stage in the game, and it's pretty much the only way to do proper spacial audio in headphones. No DAC+Amp+HP combo or DSP can get you what well implemented HRTF can.
@@MrAyrit Ah, Head-Related Transfer Function. Basically emulates a real head at the camera position in the game, so sounds coming from the right will be played slightly earlier for the right ear, just like how the sound would reach one ear before the other IRL. There are of course many more factors it takes into account to make it work, but that's one. It gives you a near perfect surround sound experience on any binaural speaker setup, whether headphones or earbuds. Look for it in CS:GO's sound settings for instance.
okay for perspective I have around 1,200 hours in Apex across console and PC and I would say having a decent monitor "144hz or above" mouse, mouse pad, and a mechanical keyboard goes a long way. I also think having better equipment doesn't directly make you better, but I do think having better equipment will make you more consistent at the level you are playing at and allow you to train for a higher level than what you are currently at
My setup for these are: IEM: BLON BL-03. Custom Cable: Acid Purple Hart Audio PC-3: Dual Angled 2-pin (QDC) Balanced IEM Cable w/ a female 4-pin mini XLR and a male 4-pin mini XLR to a 90 degree 3.5mm TRS interconnect line. Custom Ear Tip: Midnight Purple Eartune Fidelity Custom IEM Ear Tip Altogether for me is the ultimate band for your buck in an IEM!
Sundaras - Super comfy, good imaging, good soundstage and sound amazing (with or without EQ). Pricey when you factor in a DAC/AMP (They definitely are underpowered from a motherboard) and mic into the mix, but not 800S pricey.
Yeah. I have the 800S which are better and actually easier to power than the Sundara, but the Sundara has a really nice mix of everything and a good overall quality for gaming with that I enjoy.
I still think that IEM is the choice for gaming. Since IEMs go very deep into the ear it's essentially gives you a "closer" sound and you are able to hear footsteps and other sounds perfectly fine.
@@mrdeathamore in certain situations where the room is loud, sure. In a relatively quiet room with a good set of open back headphones then I’d take the headphones over the IEM’s.
I'm not a well versed audiophile, but this is the reason I picked up the HD800s. It is, to my ears, One of the most fantastic headphones i've used for gaming. I'd say the Harmonidyne Zeus is a close second for me though!
Audaze Penrose. Even though it's wireless, it's one of the best audio I've heard in a headset with a mic. I felt like bullets were whizzing by me the first time I used them in game.
I like his content and knowledge on headphones but i do get pedo vibes sometimes with the young looking girls on his screen and then i have to turn it off... I don't get why people are into that kind of shit.
I really loved my time with the HarmonicDyne Zeus. Everyone talks about best gaming headphones as the best headphones for competitive gaming, but I am just looking for the headphones that make me feel the most immersed. Unfortunately, I had to return the Zeus due to its weight, lacking head padding, and poor build quality, but I have been looking for other headphones which create similar or better sense of immersion and I have yet to find any.
basically open backs are the way to go for gaming. I've enjoyed my grado sr80e's (modded with removable cables and better headband) and I'd redo it again if ever it breaks. The way it just disappears on my head and the openness and wideness of sound that it presents is just so immersive.
I feel open backs are also the way to go for music. If you have a remotely quiet space and even a 100£ to spend, there are some truly great options out there.
@@atthelord +1 to that. the only situation I found open backs to have cons is when you're outside, travelling/commuting. That's where closed backs (especially ones with ANC) are more desirable. Still, I won't mind using an open back outside, as long as it isn't some big ass HP like a sennheiser/hifiman/mr speaker etc. (again, going back to my beloved grado which is small and light enough. oh there's also the koss porta's and the likes)
Now if only a company came out with a closed back option for those of us that prefer closed backs that was only slightly worse than the open option for competitive gaming (got nothing against open backs and use them when I'm on discord with my mates). I just prefer to block out at much background noise as I can even though I live in a very quite environment most of the time lol.
For me personally, DT 990 Pros 250 ohms are really good. Great sound stage for the price and in reality Zeos nailed it. The headphones really do not do much for making you better at the game so wear a pair that makes the experience better as a whole. The naturally boosted sounding bass and intense treble on the 990s make in game environments, gun shots, grenades, in game scores/OST, and pretty much everything fun and impactful.
been using the same 990`s in Black for 6-7 years already and i am fine using them until they won't function anymore. It's great, decent price and comfy as frick. 12 hours sitting at a desk? easy and no headache at all surely there are more quality and robust ones but i'll keep ductaping mine until they completely die. (the one plastic thingy for the headband broke after 6 years of daily heavy use)
just got the 990s 2 months ago for listening and gaming and i absolutely love them. music sounds great, bass is plentiful and the treble peak makes things sound crispy and detailed. anything with acoustic guitars slap on these. soundstage is impressive (although ive never had an open back before) and imaging seems to be pretty good. i dont really game competitively anymore but from what i can tell they do really good for explosion noises due to their bass and footsteps are quite noticeable due to the boosted treble. i think my old turtle beach headset got me hooked on the v shape signature, as any flat headphone sounds boring and dull to me now. also the comfort is really nice, the velour ear cups are like ear pillows
@@dylon4906 Had a very similar experience to you. I've barrowed and tried a good bit of headphones since getting the 990s. I would always go back to the 990s tho, I found that I'm not that into the very neutral sound so 990s will always be a go to for me.
@@iwantum I just want to chime in here saying you can buy every single part on those headphones new from BeyerDynamic. If you're in Europe repairing these headphones is very affordable, though for the US you'd probably want to check in with their local distributor instead. Hell, I recently got a DT 990 pair for gaming that was made around 1987 and Beyerdynamic still sells every single piece they're made out of so I could repair it back into fully working order. PS: If you're getting replacement parts be sure to throw in new ear cushions and new headband, it'll feel and sound like factory fresh again.
Just saw this video, found it very interesting. I definitely cannot afford those high end 800's, but the PC38X are affordable. To answer your question, I don't think that having a better headset improves your gameplay at all. Instead, I think it supports your situational awareness. If you cant aim, nothing changes. But if you are a decent player, increasing your awareness can give you more time to prepare/react to situations that might have otherwise caught you off guard. I see it as being more useful as a preemptive warning or defensive boost more than anything else.
Love your channel and loved the video. I’ve seen a few of these reviewers when I was researching headphones but it was great to see the collaboration. The only feedback I’d like to give, is that not all of us “gamers” play FPS games. As someone who loves RPGs the audio is quite important to me from the standpoint of audio fidelity for enjoying the music and voice acting associated with such games, and of course overall immersion. I’m far less interested in equipment that magnifies footsteps for a competitive advantage and more interested in a simply excellent headphone. Value and convenience aspects like wireless capability, comfort, and being able to transition to different tasks like music (helps not to look to “gamery” for this) are also important factors for me, over say excellent directionally. So, in answer to your question no, I don’t think the equipment will make me a better player, but it absolutely can change the experience particularly with the types of games I play and I although I’m defiantly not an audiophile, I put headphones high up on the list of important peripherals for my set up. Thanks again for the great video it was fun to watch!
I 2nd this, I'm not audiophile rich, but one of the better pairs I have is the Beyer dynamic dt 240 and I use that for most of my gaming regardless of platform. Good balance of sound quality, decent Soundstage (better than the grado sr80x imo), removable cord, and comfortable enough to keep on for a while.
Ok but do u understand a 150-200$ pair of amazing audiophile headphones are not only MORE comfortable than "comfortable wireless gaming headsets" as you mentioned but have even more value? They are more comfortable, they have better build quality, the wire doesn't really ruin convenience much, AND the audio quality is BETTER for CHEAPER without needing any "equipment"
I use Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pros for gaming and music paired with an ifi Neo Dac/amp. The highs on these really lend themselves to video games and soundstage is just perfect . I find games a lot more immersive when I wear them and they are super light and comfortable. Awesome headphones
Yup I own A lot of headphones and my DT 1990 pros are my go to for Escape from Tarkov, every time. Even over my HD 560 s. I have compared them A LOT and the 1990 pros are jsut the ticket e very time for me. I have mine running through soundblaster g6.
Edit: what Zeos really means is “anything but Astros” if you know you know! Was hyped to see all the audiophiles i look up to including Bryan, in the same video!
I totally agree with Z. In fact I do find dedicated headsets from the likes of HyperX, Steelseries and even Razer are good enough from my mostly fps gaming needs. Admittedly, I own a PC37x and have changed the ear pads several times already. Then again I’m a huge of an of Sennheiser products. 😊
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](/img/n.gif)
No, Sennheiser didn't sponsor this video, but YES - we just dropped the update for 2024!! - th-cam.com/video/UIwgVzSiZ68/w-d-xo.html
So glad to see Crinacle get the recognition he deserves.
Crinacle is the Messiah we don't deserve
The Shang Chi of TH-cam audio reviewers.
Crinacle and Oratory1990.
true
Shout-out crin!
Brian: "it's impossible to make audiophiles agree on something."
Literally everyone : "HD800S ✓ " 😁
I ain’t got the money to spend on that, it’s worth more than my entire pc
@@grantmckenzie787 Same here, and I have a 3070.
It's almost like it's a bait for people with money lol, damn affiliate links.
You could get an HD 8XX for a better price if you know where to look. The HD 700, though a maligned headphone, is also a great choice for gaming and can be found for far less. I spent $280 on mine and they can be found from $250-350 used. The soundstage is massive and they're extremely comfortable. They're also great for music with the Modhouse mod/Anaxilus mod done to reduce its 6k treble spike and with Dekoni Elite Velour or Fenestrated Sheepskin pads applied. They can be EQ'ed with the oratory1990 parametric EQ as well which brings them to the Harmon curve if you opt to.
@@pk.002 maybe you bought a used one. HD 700 cost 700 even more on usa. and HD800 cost 1500. i doubt you got HD700 for one third the price.
Im gonna love how comfused people are from zeos that are not used to his style of reviewing lmaoooo
They will get use to it, just like the national deficit or lower back pain.
@UCqZ8bJCt19zoolusQBqevjA I like Zeos for entertainment but his opinions are wack. He pushed the GL2000s saying they were great... they are BAD.
what the heck is this lmaooo
I read this comment before seeing that part and I was prepared for anything but this xD
@@ZReviews number one weeb on the internet
Zeos is the man. I die laughing with his analogies when describing headphones sounds 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Can I just put it out there that I really loved the format of this video! The way that everyone gave their honest opinions and handed over to the next guy, and evening introduced the next speaker etc.
I thought was classy and gave a real sense of community between these audiophiles/gamers etc.
The world needs more people/reviewers/videos/gamers like this! ✌️💚
Great review video, easily one of my favourites! 👌
Did i just watch a 15min Sennheiser commercial?
right...
I would rather buy a whole 15kG gaming pc setup or a rtx 4080,4090 than this 350gm Headphones
@@K1M01 which makes you kinda weird, getting a few more fps (which is admittedly nice if you have the monitor for it) instead of a direct improvement to your immersion in story games and competitive advantage in FPS games.
There is one thing I agreee with you, it's that the 800s is way too much for gaming, 200$ IEMs and headphones like the PC38X already get you most of the way in terms of sound, it's diminishing returns from there, but it's the same thing for PCs, a 4080 price increase over the 4060 for example is not correlated with its performance increase
It's widely accepted in the headphone community that Sennheiser makes some of the best sounding and comfortable headphones, peak german engineering
@@houssamalucad753I get your point but right now, I have a sh***y laptop that even lags on the simplest of games that are new, even on the lowest setting possible. Can't even play apex or fortnite above 50 fps on a good day. Was surprised that headsets costs more than my dream laptop/setup.
I was expecting a more "budget" than a audipohile's budget recommendation on this video, which I luckily got from Crinacle with the Etika headset. I expected cheap headsets that at least matches its value(like below 50 usd) despite the soundstage being below what audiophiles like for their taste, at least it gives out the most with its price idea.
I know the sennheiser gaming headset is already budget and can give the most value as these people recommended in the video, but honestly, I still wouldn't spend THAT much on a headset if I don't even have "gaming" peripherals, like a gaming mouse(I'm saving). Honestly, my immersion VISUALLY is more important than what I'm hearing.
But true, the diminishing returns are mostly for the hobbyists/audiophiles.
On a side note, anything you can recommend that is at least below 50 to 80 usd?
Can we just talk about how he got Zeos AND fucking Crin in the same video?!?!?!?!?!
Most ambitious crossover of all time
Alright let's talk about it
And dms and Josh jeez he got all my favorite channels
it's great, when i saw dms i was like 'ok so is he gonna get JV, zeos and resolve too??' joking around then he gets all them plus more! haha good vid.
No one can resist to say no to that mighty beard!
Gotta love Crinacle's and Zeos's humor lol
Crin is one of the funniest people in the entire review space.
stone cold humor, crin as always..
I'm sorry guys, Crinicle said it best in his dedicated video and Zeos said it here, a more expensive headphone is not going to make you a better player. Get the headphone that helps you enjoy your game best.
Sick of hearing people saying this shit as if we havent heard it a billion times already
@@trollmustard But what Zeos said about pro gamers getting sponsored to wear a piece of crap on their head but still being pro shows that the headset has little to no influence.
This is why I prefer a funner, slightly more bass heavy sound signature. Nothing to the point of sounding terribly muddy, but I don’t want my ears to bleed from harsh highs just for a slight competitive advantage
@@Towelie- not true at all. If you take a pro player with a set of shitty 80 dollar gaming headset. And you make a clone of that player only this time the clone is using a high fidelity headphone... the clone with the hifi is gonna take a shit on the 80 dollar headset clone
@@trollmustard you think the clone would absolutely DUNK on his original because of better headphones? Incremental advantage yes, but you're capping if you think it's anything more than that.
For gaming I never really noticed an improvement when I bought higher quality headphones. BUT comfort for daily use is the most important thing for me.
I had that experience until i realized how much of a factor a sound card is and the means of sound data transmission. I own a10s that can sound than better than a40trs if the a10 is paired with a g6 sound card through an optical port. Clearly all console problems but true. I have the a40 mixamp tr as well and tbh the g6 maybe the better sound card. Now a headset that sounds good with a trash stock sound card are most high end turtle beechs in my experience. Consider also what program the headset is optimized for and what is actually being sent. Example uncompressed stereo converted to dolby or windows sonic etc. So the key here is limiting the amount of times this sht is converted. And the speed and amount of information will be determinded by the means of transmission. I think the optical port ia better than an hmdi 2.1 imo. Never looked at stats but it def feels better.
That's cos you have to configure it
use a good dac and a good amp
Gaming is mostly about mechanical skills and game sense, not peripheral. I play game with IEM and no problem hitting low GM in Overwatch / Divine IV in Dota2, consistently. For anyone wondering, currently I use 7hz Timeless that I bought at discounted price ($134 / RM599) with no dac amp. I use it mainly for music, but works just fine for non-pro "high-level gaming".
@@xrypro4080this was a terrible example. Overwatch and Dota 2 do not have insane sound importance as a game like siege or hunt showdown and maybe even cod.
10:32 sorry I couldn't focus on what he was saying, I got distracted by something
Wow, what a great vid. All of these audiophile reviewers are great. I was waiting for Crin to go hard on headsets after watching his gaming video a little while back but it was Zeos hitting with the hard truth. I can also only imagine people's first-time reactions to Zeos' headphone/speaker wall, amp racks, and (ahem) monitor and wallpaper.
It's weird you say all of them are great, cause I've seen people on a Reddit thread complain that Zeos isn't super knowledgeable.
@@5usp3c7 Z is plenty knowledgeable. people just hate him because he can get side tracked in his vids and has a habit of getting very passionate and sometimes overselling products. people also hate him for the fact that they don't agree with his tonal preferences (he loves fun, bassy headphones with wide soundstage and supreme comfort) which is a shitty argument because every reviewer has tonal preferences that they adhere to and judge headphones on. DMS for example likes his music to be as flat as a dead fish but the man has the ears of a fucking bat so he wants to hear every tiny shred of detail. some people would call DMS's preferences boring while others would call Zeos' tonal preferences that of a fucking caveman, you just have to know what your reviewer prefers and understand their inherent bias when reviewing headphones.
@@numairsalmalin3552 this!!! (buy dusk)
@@numairsalmalin3552 🙏
@@numairsalmalin3552 team caveman ftw. I’d feel the need to wear white gloves while listening if I was DMS. Each to their own but I want fun and snacks.
Haha, love how Z set his monitor to pack as many waifus as possible into his snippet!
My pick for a good gaming headphone is the AKG K701. It does need an amp to go along with it, but it definitely gives me that "okay, this is just cheating" feeling. Excellent soundstage, and great for music too. Me personally, I can wear these all day and not be uncomfortable. Comfort wise, the K712 is probably better for some people though. It's got softer pads and a softer leather comfort strap.
Oh yeah, I think it's important to note that this is one product category that you should just ignore the GAMING branding for. A headphone is a headphone. Besides having a mic attached or maybe in-line volume controls and shit, gaming headphones are just headphones with RGB. Get any "normal" headphone, slap a mod mic on it and it's the same as a gaming headphone. On that note, I'd probably recommend skipping 90% of gaming headphones because the suck at being headphones outside of gaming. Find a headphone that's comfortable, good at music AND gaming, and then you don't need to buy two!
..
but keep watching any of those guys in the video and you'll end up with more than two anyway......
"Oh yeah, I think it's important to note that this is one product category that you should just ignore the GAMING branding for."
I have one caveat to this, and only one. In my opinion the Coolermaster MH751/MH752s are very good headphones. Particularly when considering the price of about $80. Solid soundstage for a closedback headphone (which I prefer as I don't live alone), descent curve, and a mic that blew me away when I used it. No built in mic should be that good.
I used mine until they fell apart and still debated buying new ones afterward.
@@ethanaterx5046 Yeah, glad you've got something that works well for you. What I meant wasn't that you shouldn't buy any gaming branded headphone. Moreso that being "GAMING" doesn't make a headphone a good headphone, not even necessarily for gaming. There can still be good headphones with that branding, but if you are in the market for one of these, you should be looking at "headphones" in general and find what meets your needs. You shouldn't immediately hop into the "Gaming headphones" section and expect them to automatically be the best option for a gamer.
Honestly though, I would say this about all kinds of stuff. So many Gaming products are pieces of garbage. Gaming Chairs, Gaming Keyboards, and yes, Gaming Headphones. All of these categories are filled with junk that they slapped the Gaming branding and some RGB on so some kid would immediately gravitate towards it and waste their money before they can figure out that what they're buying is junk.
@@joeyl.3007 I definitely agree here, most gaming stuff is hot garbage
Lol yeah, was distracting me.
I own the k712 pro and it is great for gaming.
Well ... Zeos is right. Most really good players I know have dominated all their gaming lifes with whatever they used. Sure, at the very bleeding edge of high skill every advantage counts. Hardly anyone ever gets there, though. The vast majority of people buying gear to "get better" will not accomplish that through that purchase. Perhaps new and fun gear increases motivation in some way for them and leads to improvement that way, that is a thing after all. But as long as gear reaches a certain level (i.e. a mouse sensor needs to track and not jump around wildly, headphones need to function properly at least), a player has to travel a long way for him to actually need to go for "better" equipment.
As for enjoyment ... I don't need expensive gear for that either. Still really enjoying my HD598s :)
Yup. Still haven't found anything more comfortable for long term gaming sessions than the 598 series.
I love my pair HD 598s. Had em for years and they are comfortable as hell for long sessions. Sure I could go and grab a better pair but for gaming, it does just fine. I don't think getting something more expensive will prevent me from getting slapped in Escape from Tarkov hah
Same here I dominate using the shittiest gears. However, once in a while, we would like to use something that really blow our socks off just to enjoy the game. I dont need the most accurate imagine but once in a while hearing real life imaging in game is fun.
@@TheGreektrojan The HD 598 is near perfection… but the PC38X’s and HD 560S’ small tweak of having a divot at the peak of the headband prevents a hot spot right there on my now-balding head, so I find it slightly more comfortable. They both have squishy soft headband padding instead of leatherette wrapped padding, too.
And… well, nothing has topped the HD 800 series for me. It’s surprisingly light for its size, the clamp is light and just perfect, it has that divot and a wide headband, FOR ME the microsuede feels great because it doesn’t get itchy, hot, or sweaty… it’s literally the only headphone (series) I’ve had where I can forget I’m wearing headphones and be totally immersed in the game.
That said, if I’m on the edge of my seat and getting worked up while playing competitive or chatting/shouting with friends, the extra clamp on the HD 500 series and PC300 series keeps the headphone snug and stable on my head better, while the HD 800 might slip around a bit.
Everything has pros and cons! Even the a leather headband/earpad is easier to wipe clean of sweat!
I did not get to top 1000 on NA Valorant with my Hifiman Arya *wink* *wink*
I really hope they can do a bit of an extended version (or stream) of this at some point. Maybe with an actual general tier list or simply offer some alternatives. "HD800s is best, PC38x less good" isn't especially useful when everyone already kinda knew that and either doesn't find them comfortable or want to pay that price (and non of this even considers amps). Surprisingly, Zeos offered the most non-controversial and useful piece of advice here in that comfort is #1 by far.
An agreed upon short list of options would be awesome just to see what everyone really thinks. The only video I've seen before like this was ironically from Zeos and it's from like 5 years ago (though Crinacle has a pretty good write up too). Like HD800s, PC38x, HD560, HD660, TYGR 300, DT1990, SHP9500, etc with like pros/cons (amps, are they good for music, etc).
Glad to see some quality mics and top notch audio. A lot of folks don't take in account how a good mic and help you keep immersed in the game. Especially if you playing with team mates. Nothing take you out of a game like a teammate sounding like they're talking into a tin can underwater with random audio drop.
And then there are these audiophiles 'khm khm zeos' whos mic was so bad that i had to take off my headset because of the earrape, well it's better than those indian scam callers but still
Surprising Zeos was the one to not shill a headphone. Even more surprising that I actually agree with Zeos on something. Just wear something comfortable that makes your gaming enjoyable.
Is that what he said. I was too distracted by his screen of anime.
@@kyron42 Yeah, that was pretty cringe
@@ShadVanDenHul that's my brand.
@@ZReviews they must be new here
@@ZReviews it looks like moondrop stole your idea and is becoming very successful.
High end peripherals can often get you a small edge by holding you back a little less (high refresh monitor, high polling rate, accurate mouse, etc) but headphones plateau so hard and so quickly re: price to performance in gaming. Headphones are more of a tool with an exponentially expensive quality of life slider and your buying decision is probably best made without any regard for their ability to help you in games.
Agreed. 240Hz monitor owner and I have Clears and a whole bunch of others. The monitor makes a huge difference. Headphones? sometimes I blast music while gaming, even FPS gaming. The headphones are a nice to have.
I find gaming mouse the most important bit, normal (wireless) office mice can't keep up with the flicks in FPS games because the sensor read rate is too low and they might drift. With wired mouse I find it less of an issue but wireless is so nice.
I have a decent 1440p 144hz monitor, a custom keyboard, a g pro Superlight modded with new switches and skates, a custom built computer and a wide variety of headphones. I think when the audio in a game is done right, the headphones are the most important part I would need to keep above using cheap everything else. Doesn’t need to be 800S but after using many many headphones, IEM’s, gaming headphones, speaker setups, the 800S really is something else for gaming.
@@SmartFool24 Do you think you'd be better off in a competitive environment with a 125hz polling rate laser office mouse and the 800S or literally any non-trash gaming mouse and $10 headphones? We both know the right answer.
@@shawndiaz7528 Exactly. Unless you're playing with people at your skill level in FPS games, audio is semi-redundant. At least my KD barely changes when I'm not using headphones and just blasting music.
1. Crinacle was so good to see him featured
2. Zeos
As a budget gamer I use the shp9500, the comfort, price, sound quality is great for the price and the boosted highs really help when detecting footsteps.
The sound stage and imaging is really good as well, better than any Astro
I just destroyed mine in a fit of autistic gamer rage
Not at all surprised HD800S is the no holds barred endgame choice, but I'm very surprised AKG K700 series variants don't get mentioned here for the exact same reasons. They too are very light and comfortable to wear all day, have a little bright tuning and _excellent_ soundstage. My K7XX are far from my favorite headphones, but they are still hands down my favorite gaming headphones.
For PC gaming, I use my Sennheiser HD6XX for no reason other than comfort. I also just got the Epos H3 Hybrid that I'll be using with my XBox and PS5. Much like Zeos said, I already suck at FPS gaming so a set of HD800s won't change that for me. So I just look for comfort and immersive-ness (is that a word?) for my racing and adventure titles.
I have a list of stuff I want to pick up from Epos. I’ve kinda slept on them since they launched.
@@badseedtech it’s definitely better than I’d hoped! Especially since I’m now accustomed to open-back gaming.
Same. I can wear the 6XXs for hours without my ears getting tired or sore. I use a Aune X7s amp to push them and they sound great, but the comfort is unmatched!
I've tried to use my 6XX for gaming but it's borderline disorienting compared to my G4ME One. They're falling aprt so I'll need a replacement soon, was hoping for something other then the obvious answer of the PC38x as they're expensiveAF in Canada... maybe another set of game one is in order.
hd650 isn’t that bad for gaming,from all the headphones i try, i can tell you it is way better than almost all “rgb gaming headphones “ on the market. i heard 6xx is basically a 650 so my experience with 650 should apply to 6xx owners
Tried my first open back as the HD555s and I was hooked. Upgraded to the 6XX down the line and missed a wider sound stage, recently bought the HD800S after Drop struggled with the 8XX as a bucketlist buy. It's my endgame and I understand why it's so heavily recommended. I use it for music, gaming and entertainment - I know it's not for everyone but I've found I prefer a sound signature that doesn't absolutely demand your attention and still remains detailed and spacious. Sharp out of the box and Neutral with some EQ. Happy to hear that opinion is shared with others who have listened to far more expensive sets.
"If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
Late but found this video in my recommended. I was similar to you.. tried DT990’s and loved open back.. went to DT1990’s, then went HD800S. Had both for a while but after the HD800S even the 1990’s began to feel semi closed back, it was really weird.
I use the HD800S every single day for music, tv etc and of course, gaming. And I don’t think I could ever use anything else. They were a little bright for me but I used Oratory’s EQ and got some Dekoni pads.
What amp/dac do you use?
@@williamhendricks2633 THX AAA 789 AMP, Topping D50s for DAC.
I agree. I know the price is steep, but I look at it as an investment rather than an indulgence. You still don't have to spend $1500-1700 new on them, I got them from an Amazon Warehouse deal for $900. I'm tired of buying budget and mid range headphones which don't give me what I'm looking for, and the amount of money I've spent on those surpass the cost of an HD 800 S anyway.
Do the HD555 still live?
I still use my HD515 bought in 2011 :) I've "upgraded" to HD58x, but found that the lack of smoothness in the lows in HD515 is actually great for rock/metal music - the drums sound way healthier and faster. I dream of the day I could afford a used HD800.
Honestly seeing all these headphone people I've followed, and in some cases known/talked to personally, for years in one video has made me really happy. Actually feels like a community that way, haven't had that in quite a while.
This was such a fun video collaboration since I watch all of these audio reviewers. Having each of them acknowledge the previous reviewer at the beginning of their segment and next reviewer at the end of their segment by name was extra cool.
I have tried over 20 mid to high end headphones and here is the list of the ones I would actually recommend. The order is from good to amazing. Sennheiser HD58X < Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro < Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro < Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X < Drop Beyerdynamic DT 177X Go < Sennheiser PC38X < Sennheiser HD560S < Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro < Sennheiser HD800S.
I noticed the Sennheiser HD560S is above the PC38X huh, interesting. Also I noticed the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X is below both, fascinating. I thought DT 900 Pro X would be much better in gaming regards.
I couldn’t agree more with Zeos…I got the Beyerdynamic MM300 with some replacement dekoni breathable pads and I can’t imagine getting anything else…I’ve used a good amount of headphones but the MM300’s are just so damn comfy with great sound (in my opinion) that I wouldn’t use anything else for gaming…at least for a while.
They are too sharp .. I bought also the TYGR and now I will sell my MMX300
Yo Zeos nailed it 💯
PS: Audeze LCD-GX = best gaming headset.
Fun fact: Zeos CRUSHES it on Fortnite 😉 Also, that’s a surprisingly pricy choice from you. I’m impressed.
Stinkin cozy
Glad to hear this from at least one person. Recently dropped $1200 on LCD-X's a few months back and seeing every answer here be towards the HD 800 S was heartbreaking as that was my other choice.
Stinkin Cozy
i heard your voice as i read your comment LOL stinkin cozy
love how Brian started using some of MrBeast's strats on how to hook the viewer at the start of the video. Good shit bro
That’s a sharp eye - that’s exactly what that was.
As someone who has always used turtle Beach gaming headphones and a few pairs of logitech headphones.... I was amazed at the difference when I switched to some beyerdynamic dt990 pros. I will never go back these 990s are the most comfortable headphones I've ever owned and for games like dayz and Escape from tarkov it seriously helps you hear little noises that can make the difference between life and death. And music sounds amazing with them as well.
Started the gaming headphone journey with HD598s. Now using a 3+ schiit stack with Sundaras, DT770, DT990, HD6XX… plugged in the 598s for the first time in a year recently and they are seriously the best out of all my headphones for positional audio. An expensive lesson learned, I guess.
sell them all and get the 560 s
makes me feel a little better owning the 560s as first set of decent headphones matched with ifi stack.@@pwn3426
I went with a Zeos recommendation and put the Dekoni Elite Sheepskin cups on my Beyer MMX300. This is powered by a Sound Blaster X3 DAC/amp. No regrets here. The cups really improve the bass/treble balance as well as improving precision and soundstage.
I have some as well and I agree, it's a fantastic upgrade from my aged raggedy stock earpads.
Same setup but I have an x4 and stock ear cups they really don’t bother me at all
I did the same thing, actually. I was using portapros with yaxis pads and the parts express band prior to that. I will say my music enjoyment went DOWN after the shock at actual sub bass wore off. But my kills in siege went way up. Granted, siege has probably the worst audio engine of all time..
But the Koss drivers had very bad imaging in comparison, even if their soundstage is wider.
I am curious if the KPH40 has better imaging, and better clarity in bass at high volume than the older porta pros. Those two factors are what caused me to drop more than $300 on an "upgrade" in the mmx300.
"It's hard to get audiophiles to agree on anything"
DMS,Josh,Crin: No.
Zeos: WallpaperSSSSSSSSS
Awesome vid - thanks to Brian for rounding us up and putting this together! Always fun to do collabs like this.
Resolve is such an elegant reviewer.
One of the reasons why I bought a verite closed and absolutely enjoy the hell outta of them is because of resolves enthusiasm for the verite open.
I like closed headphones more that's why I got the closed.
Hi Resolve
I was expecting that you tell about the ZMF Verite C
@@hectormanuelgomezmedina9387 I have yet to review the verite c. Maybe one day haha.
As a very long time headfier and gamer, wisest suggestions in my opinion were the two which mentioned comfort and enjoyment. That's what matters most. Any alleged higher quality reproduction wont give you any edge to win, but any discomfort will affect you negatively in the not so long run
facts. but i bet most sheeps out there wont listen lol
I didnt come here to look for an "edge to win". I came looking for a product with good durability, good sound and good comfort. This video was practically usless due to lack of detail. Last one didnt even say what model those headphones were. 🤷.
@@metallboy25
- I'd recommend Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro, AKG 271 or one of the HyperX Cloud for closed over the ear headphones.
- AKG K702, or Sennheiser HD series (600, 650, 800) for open ones, some of those high-end Sennheisers can be reaaally pricey though.
But except for the HyperX, these I recommend are not gaming headphones though (only the HyperX has a mic.) They just sound excellent and are particularly comfortable
Choosing the 800s because of comfort is a great point. I have tried giant planar Audezes before and they sound neat, but I can't wear them for more than 45 mins at a time without my head screaming at me to take them off.
Comfort is a huge deal for listening to music and even more so for gaming. I have worn the 800s for 10 hour straight studying with ambient music on and I completely forget they were even there. Incredibly useful for gaming.
thats the struggle for me… personally it has always been a dream for me to grab a pair of audeze for yearssss, esp the release of the mm-500, but i agree they are not suitable for long hrs of wearing.. while hd800s are comfortable but the cups feel too big for me
Not sure if everyone caught this, but no one knew what anyone was going to say beforehand. Each reviewer was asked "What's your endgame headphone for gaming, and if its crazy expensive, whats a more affordable/accessible option?" then asked to record and submit. Sennheiser had absolutely nothing to do in any capacity. Even the headphones they loaned me were for the 8xx review.
Oh I guess none of them besides crinacle z reviews had a nuraphone and recommended em for gaming
damn you basically got all the reviewers i've been watching ever since i got into audio equipment (mainly IEMs). Subscribed just because of that!
When using the 800s, what did u use for a mic ?
For budget i would just eq tune what ever your current headset is for gaming.
Great video amazed they didn't have any discussion between themselves. You should ask about an all rounder though. They all agreed the 800s weren't great for music. I wonder what all rounder they would suggest
DT1990 are my ultimate picks for Rainbow Six Siege and basically any other competitive shooter, most of the sound queues that are important to hear in Siege are well accentuated by the 1990. AKG K712 Pro for immersive open world games. Alternatives: DT990, TYGR 300R, HD560S, DT770
Hey Wheezy, thanks for the recommendations. I own all those headphones for gaming except the 1990 (I have the 990) and I'm Glad to know I made the right choices for gaming headphones
What do you think about the Fidelio X2HR for gaming? I heard it has an incredible sound stage
Tygr300r or hd560s?
I use the HIFIMAN Sundara’s with a Schiit Stack. I chose that configuration because they were within my budget and I wanted a great immersive experience in rpg games, great sound-staging for fps games and great sound quality overall when listening to music/watching movies or shows. So far it has been the best decision I have made for creating an awesome experience at my desk
Same here! I just have a MT-602 tube amp as well when I need a bit more "flavour"
Same here.
I'm glad I'm not the only one using the Sundaras! The tuning might not be "ideal" for gaming, but it's pretty close to it and they sound so damn good for its price that it's hard to reach for anything else.
Same here, except I run mine through the Schiit Hel. Absolutely love it.
I use the Sundara too. It's great 👍
I don't think the headphones are going to increase my skill but it sure does help to hear the footsteps of someone coming from the direction and level they're coming from. Not to mention immersiveness. Ease of use and comfort for long hours is important to prevent frustration and to make me actually want to wear them and a decent mic is important in cooperative settings where being able to hear what someone said can mean the difference between everyone getting out alive and a wipe. So yes, while I agree with Z that your own skill matters most, all those other points I listed are just as important.
I play a lot of battlefield with friends and using better headphones hasn't made me better but it definitely has made the game more fun, the extra immersion changes the experience immensely for me
But definitely hasn't made me better lol
I bought the pc38x based on this video, and the rave reviews. As well as the awesome microphone tests. I have to say, I'm not disappointed. Super clean separation, nothing overblown. Just balanced awesome clean sound. I love them.
My Logitech g pro x, will be collecting dust now. These blow them out of the water for sound. The build quality feels cheap in comparison. But the money's worth in the pc38x is definitely in the sound and mic. It's far above what iv used before in the things that really count.
im using the Logitech g pro x at the moment too and was thinking of buying the pc38x. After having had them for a few months would you still say the money is worth the upgrade? Or is it more just a minor bump in audio quality?
@@KhapriSun any “gaming headphones” released by these company are basically trash, u get way better value out of that. just dump the g pro x whatever shit it call
How does it sound with music?
I personally haven't played multiplayer fps's in years but I've really enjoyed watching Fresh Reviews journey with audiophile headphones, he's also really good at the point and shoots.
I'm glad there is somebody putting emphasis on just the comfort of the HD800s. I have large ears man and for years, I've been swapping headphone after headphone only to deal with discomfort. I thought I finally found my answer with the HD6XX but I found myself dealing with fatigue even with those. I finally bit the bullet and ordered the H800s. I was able to get that 10% off my first order thing which was actually pretty decent and I cannot believe how comfortable they are. For the first time in my life, no more ear fatigue. That's right I legit bought them purely for comfort (of course I love the audio quality. have them paired with a schitt magni 3+ amp for now) but people will spend upwards of a thousand if not more for a chair, desk or bed purely for better long term comfort. Why not for something you wear over your ears and head for in some cases even more time than you even sleep? I was sick of settling for lower cost headphones that don't provide me the comfort. The HD800s is worth every single penny. If you have large ears, trust me you won't regret it.
You might like the added comfort from some Dekoni ear pads. They have a little more cushion which adds the slightest amount of squeeze to keep them in place but still same large pads and actually helps mellow the highs a pinch and support the mids and lows.
Think josh talked about them in his review of the 800 or maybe 8xx.
Awesome vid and cool to see Crinacle and Z apart of it. Z spitting actual facts. Better headphones have only relieved me of deducing positions a bit easier while providing great sound quality at the same time. You don’t magically get better aim or “game sense”, that just comes with effort.
Z is total missunderstanging on this review, any hard competetive guy would wear spikes on their head just to have that advantage of geting the info of enemys positioning or whatever the advantage.
Zeos with the truth bomb :D....I mean really, I am a musician with really good hearing and I wish hearing my enemies is the "bottleneck" in my gaming sessions. No headphones would bring any improvement to my gaming level. Spatial awareness, game sense, tactics, timing, reaction time, my movement, ability to improvise on the spot (or not)..... all of those are what gets me killed even though even with cheap headphones I know where everyone is on the map.
This whole video reminds me of that Asian ex-google high level employee dude who is a programmer that has a video about what's the best keyboard for programming and all he talks about is the words per minute he can get with various keyboards. Like dude, is typing speed really the thing that slows down your coding?
I'll trust more Zeos Pantera about his suggestions for the headset, cause the previous ones do not make point that you do not need to get the best headset to be the best at gaming. He knows his stuff and feel genuine when he spoke.
After returning many headsets(Hyperx Cloud Flight S, Corsair Virtuoso SE, Corsair HS80) I found my endgame, Sennheiser HD 560s. 10/10 for gaming without AMP/DAC. Also got v-moda boom mic. Best combination.
it will be good battle, best retails vs xiaomi ears
There's not a game in the world that would compel me to pay $1000+ for a set of headphones. PERIOD!
Loved the video. Big fan of Josh, Zeos....and YOU!
Yep... and if you do want super quality audio for gaming... a 350 dollar Hifiman Sundara is the closest thing to end-game for a casual consumer anyway... these 1000+ dollar headphones are for audiophiles and rich people. >_>
I say, stick with Sennheiser if you want the best in cheap headphones with good audio quality and comfort... Sennheiser is the master of that, anyway. A Game One, PC38X, HD599... They're all great.
But if you want end-game... A Schiit Stack, Modi 3+ with Magni Heresy, and a Hifiman Sundara, and you've got the dream setup, for LIFE, and even future proofed yourself a bit, because the Heresy has A LOT of power, and can run just about anything you can throw at it, just in case you, some day, have the desire and opportunity to test other headphones. xD
Totals out to roughly 550 dollars for the whole setup, and you're set for life, or something close to it, anyways. :)
@@MyouKyuubi Schiit stacks are awesome. I own a couple stacks myself.
@@MyouKyuubi Where does the music come from? Your phone? Or does it have to be a computer? Thanks
@@AwesomeLevi That depends entirely on the DAC and Amp you're using.
There are options for phones too (Portable dac/amp combos and stuff), but i wouldn't recommend the Sundara with a phone, i would recommend a closed-back headphone for phone usage... Something suitable for travel, so you don't bother the people around you with your music, because the Sundara does not isolate, whatsoever, they kinda double as desktop speakers, everyone around you can hear what you're listening to, even at low volumes, they are not just open-back headphones, acoustically speaking, they're completely naked. :P
I use my setup primarily for PC, but, the DAC has multiple audio-inputs that i can swap between with a physical switch.
So theoretically, i could hook the dac up to an Xbox with the Optical Analogue input, and a CD player with the Optical Coaxial, and just use the USB connection for my PC, simultaneously... Then, whenever i wanna listen to some CD, i just flick the switch to the appropriate channel, and i'll hear what the CD-player is playing in my Sundara, without having to mess about with cables every time i make a switch. :P
This particular dac only has those three input options though, however, there's a wide range of dacs out there (as well as amps) with different inputs and different use-cases.
@@MyouKyuubi Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed response! That helps a lot. Where did you learn to do this stuff? Or is it just years of trial and error, forums and learning from TH-cam? I suppose everything sounds a little complicated to me because it's something I've only recently taken an interest in.
Never thought crin and zeos would be in one video introducing/thanking each other 🤣😭, this made my day ❤️
Personally had some pretty decent headphones for gaming in the past, Sennheiser HD598 SE and also AKG K712 Pros, but I found a very lightly used pair of the HD600 like Crinacle has sat on his desk and boy, the audio experrience from these has been second to none for me. Maybe the HD800S are good for gamers but a lot of people who review them for music etc say they're really poor value I believe and also quite sibilant on the high end. K712 Pros or HD600 with some EQ is so good
Really cool idea getting everyone together for this. For me personally, the HD560S blows the PC38x out of the water. Had both for 3-4 weeks to compare/contrast, and the difference was stark every time I swapped to the 560S. Would love to see you do an updated video on the mid-fi gaming options.
You try the tygr300r?
For the sound quality? What about mic is that good on them?
@@marzipanda_ I used a boom mic with an extendable arm, but any of the vmoda or modmic's work well too.
@@YTjuanchicod I have the pc38x and have bought the Beyerdynamic tygr300 to compare them as price wise they are the same. Comfort goes to tygr 300 for sure. Listening to music goes to PC 38X. Gaming goes to tygr 300 BUT the two headphones were giving quite different experiences.
To explain:
Tygr 300 game great sound stage and had the sounds of footsteps boosted by a lot. Like, playing Battlefield 1 I could hear footsteps very clearly and had the direction point on from where it was coming. However! It seemed like it was lacking other small detail sounds like weapons not having the same punch or metalic clicking. It just felt like some sounds were surpressed in favor of other frequencies ie footsteps.
I sold tygr 300 and kept the PC 38X because I enjoyed the sound more. The soundstage isn't as great as the Tygr had but it is still good as well as directional sound. Also I like to listen to music so that gave 38X a huge favor. The mic is just there for convenience in my case.
@@klobasa999 great answer bro. First i go for the hd560s and then swaped it for the beyer dt 900 pro x
Beyerdynamic TYGR is awesome all around, games and music, coolermaster MH751 is also fantastic for the price, Thanks DMS and Zeos for both recommendations
I went into this video expecting to hear a lot of HD800S and PC38X recommendations and was not disappointed lol
Hey bug
I'm not an audiophile, but I love watching Zeos and Crinacle reviews!
Let me tell you, this is one of the best comments here, and I totally agree with you. I would love these two to collaborate:
Crin tunes the IEM
Zeos chooses and designs the box’s Waifu
Oh man I’d love an updated version of this!
boy do i have news for you
I have a Koss 545 that I use a lot of the time for games. It has a good mic, the sound is pretty good and picks up background noises well (like the birds chirping behind you in theHunter: Call of the Wild), they are comfortable and best of all Drop and Amazon occasionally sell them for $30. They are wired, so you'll have to take your controller with you (or take them off to leave the room if you're on PC) but they're worth it for sure.
I've been gaming on my Fnatic React for over a year now, and while I'm sure higher end headphones would do really well with sound stage and spatial audio, just having something slightly tuned to the high end for footsteps and has decent spatial awareness will do miles better than any of those Amazon Special discount cans that 75% of gamers probably wear.
I have clips to prove it haha
The most important thing to me is comfort, hands down. Velour pads, open back for the soundstage but I'm more concerned with the overall sound than I am about picking up on footsteps. Tygr 300R are my go-to because they sound balls for the price, don't get too hot, super comfy and just work well for any type of content from music, movies to gaming.
I don't use surround or processing of any kind.
i jus tgot my Tyger 300R. and to be honest in dont like them for music. you can clearly hear that they are market for gaming. for music i use my ATH-MSR7b from Audio Technica. the Tyger does have more bass then the MSR7b but the MSR7b are target for Studio so it got a very flat sound. But no i dont really enjoy Music or movies with the Tyger 300R. For gaming so far i didnt find any problems.
Would love to see the same thing but with IEMs for gaming. Grabbed some moondrop arias + a condenser mic and the soundstage was tiers above the steelseries pro with dac I bought a few years ago.
JUST getting into IEMs - ordered a bunch and gonna spend some time sorting through them all.
I've been curious as I'd like to give IEMs a try for gaming, do you use them when talking with people in discord? I haven't been able to get used to the muted "in my head" sound while I'm talking with the IEMs sealed
Z is the man who got me into audio! He is how I came across BadSeed Tech! Awesome video man!
Honestly it would be hella fun to watch some sort of podcast style video with a couple audiophile youtubers just arguing and interacting!
Definitely agree that headphones don't make you a (much) better player, but the benefit in open world games is astonishing. Environment sounds are so gorgeous with high quality headphones. Running a Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro with an Antlion ModMic through a Schiit Hel 2 Dac/Amp. Great midrange combo I think
So true, i dont give a f about beeing better, i care about a better experience
Loved this! For me I found the AKG K702 upgraded with Dekoni Elite Velour pads to be the winning combo for gaming, all day comfort and the best soundstage I can afford without going crazy matched with the ModMic 5.0 for crispy voice!
Did the same with K7XX Nice velour memory foam pads, Epic staging and small low end boost/foam cap cover. Equally nice for podcasts/movies.
“A game should be fun... and a game shouldn’t make you watch this video! Why are you here!?”
Zeos is just the best
I used to use a set of Astro A10s they were cheap and uncomfortable but within my budget. After a while I was looking for a more comfortable and wireless pair i moved to the Arctis 7 by Steelseries based off a friend’s recommendation. I don’t believe I became a better gamer but the less fatigue on the top of my head and ears made it more enjoyable to play for longer which let me get more reps in and become better
I first tired the DT990’s, then upgraded to DT 1990’s, then landed at HD800S and I honestly don’t think I could go back. When I first got them I was playing a lot of Escape from Tarkov where sound can be crucial, I’ve got over 5k hours in that game and definitely noticed the difference at being able to hear people much earlier than any friends I was playing with.
Id definitely recommend open back headphones for gaming.
I'm using DT 1990 for gaming. How would you compare it with HD800S?
@@berkarslan if it’s just for gaming I think the 1990’s are very good. HD800S really is overkill, although I do love them of course.
I found that after using the HD800S the DT1990’s actually felt semi closed back, not sure if that makes sense really. The HD800S are very neutral, although some find them a bit bright. I think 1990’s have a bit more “oomph” on the low end.
I’ve had my HD800S for I want to say 2+ years now, and I’ll probably never change them unless they break one day and I go down the rabbit hole again.
@@Inconsistense Whats your total setup for this? Like AMP / DAC / MOBO? I'm considering the 800s but I don't know what accessories I'll need to go with it.
@@SternLobster43 My setup is HD800s> Schiit Jotunheim 2>schiit modi multi bit >Asus z690 formula, I upgraded my cpu and to DDR5 ram at the start of 2022 and that was one of the only boards I could get stock wise and I’d been waiting for months and just got impatient, so I’m not sure you need the exact same board. Also in terms of my audio chain, as I said in the original comment I upgraded the headphones over time and the same goes for my amp/DAC etc.
I could argue with myself that it’s quite excessive for gaming really, but I do enjoy them a lot. Let me know if you have any more questions.
i’m looking to buy the DT 990 pros but not sure what’s the best for gaming. trying to spend less than 200 but MAX would be 250
I really appreciate one of the audiophile pointing out that some users want closed back headphones as well many people do want the best experience possible but it's all relative to their environments
This was a really fun video. Honestly the answers didn't matter to me as much as it was great to see such an awesome collab here. BTW ya... Zeos is right.
Beyerdynamics MMX 300 GEN 2.
Being someone passionate about audio and gaming this headset is incredible for gaming and music. It's so good at directional sound it's almost like wall hacking. I actually bought this based on Z's review, where he raved about how good it was on all fronts. Please do a piece on this head phone Brain, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Honestly I agree I have the mmx 300 Gen 2s as well the only gripe I have with them is the stock pads and cables and thank God those can be replaced
I’ve been using the HD599s for a while and those have been amazing, comfortable and affordable. Gonna grab some Moondrop arias and jump into the IEM game
I use two simple, budget friendly set ups;
1. Closed back - Beyerdynamic DT240pro with 2.5mm Cable Boom Mic
2. Open back - Philips Fidelio X2HR with 3.5mm V-MODA BoomPro Mic & dekoni choice suede pads
Gaming DAC - schiit fulla 3
The beyer is a versatile little set which are neat light and comfortable, there is also a connection on both ears so you can have the boom mic on the left or the right if you prefer. DT240’s currently £60 on amazon with £20 mic.
The v-moda is £30 and as for the fideleos, just watch Brian’s review, it’s one of the best descriptive and authentic sells of any product, ever.
I actually bought them before the review for £99 but if I ever wanted reassurance for a purchase decision, oh man.
I just recently switched from the HyperX cloud flights to the Phillips SHP9500's with the Vmoda boom pro mic and I love that combo. I might eventually upgrade to the PC38X, but for now I think it's a great combo for the money
I've got the SHPs with a desk mic and it's been great for me. Crinacle has me second guessing my choice, but they still do the job for now. Maybe when I upgrade everything else and have a few bucks...
Koss has the Porta Pro Communication Headset now. (The mic on that thing is incredible! Better than a Blue Yeti! It's not noice cancelling though.)
I'm very happy with my Mobius for gaming. Can wear them for hours, they actually make it so much easier to hear distance and direction then my old Sennheiser One something something and they're nice with music as well. I can't think of a closed back that I would take over it for the price and I've tested quite a few.
I only use my Mobius for media consumption in the living room when the missus falls asleep, and every time I do I wonder why I don't use them more. I absolutely love them. Other dailies are HFM Ananda, Audioquest Nighthawk, UM Mest. Mobius is just a lovely lovely sound. And that's BEFORE you get into spatial!!!
A Zeos and Badseed video is what I needed in my life
That moment you think you know what they're going to say, then they keep saying it one by one :). Good stuff man
I can recommend Denon AH-D5200 (or, depending on your budget, the more expensive variants D7200 and D9200) for a closed sound environment. They are super comfortable and have a slightly warm sound.
great headphones but not the best comfort for prolonged hrs of gaming. btw i assumed the actual gaming timer out there refers to up to 8hrs consecutively
Of coarse Z is the only one talking straight sense.
Don't play comptitive anything. But I agree with Zeos(?) on comfort. I have found myself spending a lot more time on my HD6XX than my Sundara because of the weight, and the fact that Sundara somehow creates a hot spot on top of my head. Even though I prefer the Sundara sound.
Nice to see the audiophile reviewer's gang in one video. Also, at least Z made some different picks!
Amazing content!
You should do the part II of this video.
What audio format audiophiles use when gaming?
Uncompressed Stereo, Dolby Atmos for Headphones or other?
Always wanted to know but can't find this information anywhere.
I think it's relevant information.
Thanks! 🙏
Same as all parts of any skill:
Bad to ok = huge improvement
Ok to good = somewhat noticable improvement
Good to great and above = flex and preference, and that's about it.
I have Sennheiser Game One and a pair of HD800S, so all I can say is I agree with all, especially the value of the EPOS/Sennheiser's better gaming headsets. Also for closed back the Game Zero is great, but I would suggest getting the pads from the Game One since they are cloth fabric and seriously comfy (a little bit less isolating, but sooo worth it for the extra comfort)!
Like the reviewers said, it's the comfort that dictates which is the best one. For me that's Fidelio X2HR, as they sit well with glasses on the head. I wear them all the time usually (even when working), even when I'm not playing anything from them - I simply forget they're there.
No true at all. I don't care about competitive gaming, I just care about rich, immersive sound, which none of the people in the video and the vast majority of commenters don't mention, which is sad. If you judge a headset on comfort, then most entry level gaming headsets with garbage audio are just fine.
Comfort is very important, though not at the cost of quality sound.
Not that I’m a pro by any means, but I certainly think there is value to good positional audio in games. My favorite that aren’t mentioned a lot are the Hifiman HE560.
Headphone positional audio is CPU work, not acoustics work. If you can enable HRTF in your game, you're set.
@@sanjacobs6261 I’ve never felt the dsp stuff works as good as just a decent DAC/amp and some good headphones.
@@MrAyrit I wouldn't call it DSP as it happens in the synthesis/sample playback stage in the game, and it's pretty much the only way to do proper spacial audio in headphones. No DAC+Amp+HP combo or DSP can get you what well implemented HRTF can.
@@sanjacobs6261 could you explain what HRTF is? I’m not familiar with that acronym.
@@MrAyrit Ah, Head-Related Transfer Function. Basically emulates a real head at the camera position in the game, so sounds coming from the right will be played slightly earlier for the right ear, just like how the sound would reach one ear before the other IRL. There are of course many more factors it takes into account to make it work, but that's one. It gives you a near perfect surround sound experience on any binaural speaker setup, whether headphones or earbuds. Look for it in CS:GO's sound settings for instance.
okay for perspective I have around 1,200 hours in Apex across console and PC and I would say having a decent monitor "144hz or above" mouse, mouse pad, and a mechanical keyboard goes a long way. I also think having better equipment doesn't directly make you better, but I do think having better equipment will make you more consistent at the level you are playing at and allow you to train for a higher level than what you are currently at
My setup for these are:
IEM: BLON BL-03.
Custom Cable: Acid Purple Hart Audio PC-3: Dual Angled 2-pin (QDC) Balanced IEM Cable w/ a female 4-pin mini XLR and a male 4-pin mini XLR to a 90 degree 3.5mm TRS interconnect line.
Custom Ear Tip: Midnight Purple Eartune Fidelity Custom IEM Ear Tip
Altogether for me is the ultimate band for your buck in an IEM!
Sundaras - Super comfy, good imaging, good soundstage and sound amazing (with or without EQ). Pricey when you factor in a DAC/AMP (They definitely are underpowered from a motherboard) and mic into the mix, but not 800S pricey.
Yeah. I have the 800S which are better and actually easier to power than the Sundara, but the Sundara has a really nice mix of everything and a good overall quality for gaming with that I enjoy.
I still think that IEM is the choice for gaming. Since IEMs go very deep into the ear it's essentially gives you a "closer" sound and you are able to hear footsteps and other sounds perfectly fine.
@@mrdeathamore IEMs don't agree with my ear canals for long use unfortunately and at the end of the day, comfort is king.
@@mrdeathamore in certain situations where the room is loud, sure. In a relatively quiet room with a good set of open back headphones then I’d take the headphones over the IEM’s.
Everyone: here’s a short but comprehensive summary of some decent headphones
Zeos: NONE OF THIS SHIT MATTERS YOU SUCK!
😂😂 love z
Spoilers
He speaks the truth😂
I'm not a well versed audiophile, but this is the reason I picked up the HD800s. It is, to my ears, One of the most fantastic headphones i've used for gaming. I'd say the Harmonidyne Zeus is a close second for me though!
Audaze Penrose. Even though it's wireless, it's one of the best audio I've heard in a headset with a mic. I felt like bullets were whizzing by me the first time I used them in game.
What other headphones u used before ?
Zeos aggressively having the monitor scrolling through his vast collection of waifus is such a power move. Man is SIGMA AF.
Profile pic checks out
what a man
I like his content and knowledge on headphones but i do get pedo vibes sometimes with the young looking girls on his screen and then i have to turn it off... I don't get why people are into that kind of shit.
Not manly in any sense.
@@BerserkeR_031 Based.
I really loved my time with the HarmonicDyne Zeus. Everyone talks about best gaming headphones as the best headphones for competitive gaming, but I am just looking for the headphones that make me feel the most immersed. Unfortunately, I had to return the Zeus due to its weight, lacking head padding, and poor build quality, but I have been looking for other headphones which create similar or better sense of immersion and I have yet to find any.
Athena
basically open backs are the way to go for gaming.
I've enjoyed my grado sr80e's (modded with removable cables and better headband) and I'd redo it again if ever it breaks. The way it just disappears on my head and the openness and wideness of sound that it presents is just so immersive.
I feel open backs are also the way to go for music. If you have a remotely quiet space and even a 100£ to spend, there are some truly great options out there.
@@atthelord +1 to that. the only situation I found open backs to have cons is when you're outside, travelling/commuting. That's where closed backs (especially ones with ANC) are more desirable.
Still, I won't mind using an open back outside, as long as it isn't some big ass HP like a sennheiser/hifiman/mr speaker etc.
(again, going back to my beloved grado which is small and light enough. oh there's also the koss porta's and the likes)
Pretty sure open backs are better for competitive gaming.
Now if only a company came out with a closed back option for those of us that prefer closed backs that was only slightly worse than the open option for competitive gaming (got nothing against open backs and use them when I'm on discord with my mates). I just prefer to block out at much background noise as I can even though I live in a very quite environment most of the time lol.
@@rhythimrt9970 in your opinion what iems do you believe are the best for gaming?. I don't really believe you but I'm willing to be proven wrong lol.
For me personally, DT 990 Pros 250 ohms are really good. Great sound stage for the price and in reality Zeos nailed it. The headphones really do not do much for making you better at the game so wear a pair that makes the experience better as a whole. The naturally boosted sounding bass and intense treble on the 990s make in game environments, gun shots, grenades, in game scores/OST, and pretty much everything fun and impactful.
been using the same 990`s in Black for 6-7 years already and i am fine using them until they won't function anymore.
It's great, decent price and comfy as frick. 12 hours sitting at a desk? easy and no headache at all
surely there are more quality and robust ones but i'll keep ductaping mine until they completely die. (the one plastic thingy for the headband broke after 6 years of daily heavy use)
just got the 990s 2 months ago for listening and gaming and i absolutely love them. music sounds great, bass is plentiful and the treble peak makes things sound crispy and detailed. anything with acoustic guitars slap on these. soundstage is impressive (although ive never had an open back before) and imaging seems to be pretty good. i dont really game competitively anymore but from what i can tell they do really good for explosion noises due to their bass and footsteps are quite noticeable due to the boosted treble. i think my old turtle beach headset got me hooked on the v shape signature, as any flat headphone sounds boring and dull to me now. also the comfort is really nice, the velour ear cups are like ear pillows
@@dylon4906 Had a very similar experience to you. I've barrowed and tried a good bit of headphones since getting the 990s. I would always go back to the 990s tho, I found that I'm not that into the very neutral sound so 990s will always be a go to for me.
@@iwantum I just want to chime in here saying you can buy every single part on those headphones new from BeyerDynamic. If you're in Europe repairing these headphones is very affordable, though for the US you'd probably want to check in with their local distributor instead. Hell, I recently got a DT 990 pair for gaming that was made around 1987 and Beyerdynamic still sells every single piece they're made out of so I could repair it back into fully working order.
PS: If you're getting replacement parts be sure to throw in new ear cushions and new headband, it'll feel and sound like factory fresh again.
Zeos Pantera gave the best review!!. Two thumbs up
Just saw this video, found it very interesting. I definitely cannot afford those high end 800's, but the PC38X are affordable. To answer your question, I don't think that having a better headset improves your gameplay at all. Instead, I think it supports your situational awareness. If you cant aim, nothing changes. But if you are a decent player, increasing your awareness can give you more time to prepare/react to situations that might have otherwise caught you off guard. I see it as being more useful as a preemptive warning or defensive boost more than anything else.
Love your channel and loved the video. I’ve seen a few of these reviewers when I was researching headphones but it was great to see the collaboration. The only feedback I’d like to give, is that not all of us “gamers” play FPS games. As someone who loves RPGs the audio is quite important to me from the standpoint of audio fidelity for enjoying the music and voice acting associated with such games, and of course overall immersion. I’m far less interested in equipment that magnifies footsteps for a competitive advantage and more interested in a simply excellent headphone. Value and convenience aspects like wireless capability, comfort, and being able to transition to different tasks like music (helps not to look to “gamery” for this) are also important factors for me, over say excellent directionally. So, in answer to your question no, I don’t think the equipment will make me a better player, but it absolutely can change the experience particularly with the types of games I play and I although I’m defiantly not an audiophile, I put headphones high up on the list of important peripherals for my set up. Thanks again for the great video it was fun to watch!
I 2nd this, I'm not audiophile rich, but one of the better pairs I have is the Beyer dynamic dt 240 and I use that for most of my gaming regardless of platform. Good balance of sound quality, decent Soundstage (better than the grado sr80x imo), removable cord, and comfortable enough to keep on for a while.
Ok but do u understand a 150-200$ pair of amazing audiophile headphones are not only MORE comfortable than "comfortable wireless gaming headsets" as you mentioned but have even more value? They are more comfortable, they have better build quality, the wire doesn't really ruin convenience much, AND the audio quality is BETTER for CHEAPER without needing any "equipment"
I use Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pros for gaming and music paired with an ifi Neo Dac/amp. The highs on these really lend themselves to video games and soundstage is just perfect . I find games a lot more immersive when I wear them and they are super light and comfortable. Awesome headphones
I second this. Love my DT1990s for gaming paired with a K5 Pro DAC/AMP
Yup I own A lot of headphones and my DT 1990 pros are my go to for Escape from Tarkov, every time. Even over my HD 560 s. I have compared them A LOT and the 1990 pros are jsut the ticket e very time for me. I have mine running through soundblaster g6.
Edit: what Zeos really means is “anything but Astros” if you know you know! Was hyped to see all the audiophiles i look up to including Bryan, in the same video!
What’s wrong with astros
@@tyyamnitz8408 they’re overpriced for below-average sound quality
I totally agree with Z. In fact I do find dedicated headsets from the likes of HyperX, Steelseries and even Razer are good enough from my mostly fps gaming needs.
Admittedly, I own a PC37x and have changed the ear pads several times already. Then again I’m a huge of an of Sennheiser products. 😊
Razer.. hang on a sec lemme just throw up