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Headphone Recommendations (Megathread)

Started by silentcobra3 · · 👁 15 views · 49 replies

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Participants silentcobra3Casey Barnes3vividmoose33Robert Rodriguez2Arthur Taylor6Kimberly Gomez34coppermoose10coastaltiger2analogtiger19George Davis3Robin Rodriguez5nimblepuma10George Edwards72Nancy Booth2bluemason3Roger Mitchell4wiredotter14Peter GreenKeith Lee94Kyle Smith68Kyle Martin67shadowstag82James Fisher11ironfox17 …
Nancy Booth2 Nancy Booth2 Member
35 messages
joined May 2020
#21 ·
nimblepuma10 said:Can anyone suggest some headphones that won't leak sound to everyone else?

To be clear, I’m not talking about noise-canceling tech meant to block out the world. I mean headphones where I can crank the volume up without the people sitting next to me hearing a single note. 🙂

Looking for something budget-friendly and comfortable.

Thx 🙂

Nothing?
bluemason3 bluemason3 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Jun 2016
#22 ·
Frank Richardson said:Anyone?

Any closed-back headphones will work.

Open-back models offer slightly better sound quality and spatial imaging. They breathe better and feel more comfortable, but they leak sound and let noise in. Audiophiles usually prefer them when they’re in a quiet environment.

Closed-back ones have slightly inferior sound, though the bass tends to be punchier. They run a bit warmer and provide decent isolation since they don't leak sound. These are the go-to for studio work, commuting, or any situation where you need to tune out the world.

An example of open-back: https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/high-qu...urround-hd-650

An example of closed-back: https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/around-...reo-mic-hd-569

Just make sure the description explicitly states they are closed-back and you should be fine. There are plenty of options out there; most consumer-grade models are closed-back anyway.
Roger Mitchell4 Roger Mitchell4 Active Member
162 messages
joined Aug 2015
#23 ·
Hey everyone! Is the Logitech G432 actually worth picking up? I already dropped $107 on them, but they haven't arrived yet since I'm waiting on a buddy to bring them back from Chicago lol. Just wondering—could I have found something better for that price point?
wiredotter14 wiredotter14 Regular
433 messages
joined Aug 2007
#24 ·
Roger Mitchell4 said:Hey everyone. Is the Logitech G432 actually worth it? I already dropped $107 on them, but they haven't arrived yet—just waiting on a buddy to bring them back from New York xD. Just wondering if there was anything better out there for that kind of cash.

Man, at this point, none of it matters. Everything's gone south.
Peter Green Peter Green Member
20 messages
joined Jan 2020
#25 ·
Anyone got a solid headset recommendation? Honestly, I don't know the first thing about this gear and my brain is actually melting from trying to read through endless reviews. I just need something that sounds decent, isn't heavy as hell, and won't crush my ears when I'm gaming for hours on end. I’m not looking to drop a fortune here either. $333$100
max. Ideally, the cheaper the better.
Keith Lee94 Keith Lee94 Newcomer
7 messages
joined Dec 2016
#26 ·
So, I spent some time falling down a Google rabbit hole looking for headphones to listen to music on my phone and my PC. I've pretty much narrowed it down to this handful of options, mainly because they all stay under $133.

Does anyone have any thoughts, personal experiences, or solid recommendations?
Peter Green Peter Green Member
20 messages
joined Jan 2020
#27 ·
Peter Green said:Can anyone recommend a decent headset? I’m totally lost in this stuff and my brain is actually melting from reading endless reviews. I just want good sound, nothing too heavy, and something comfortable enough to wear for marathon gaming sessions. I don't want to go crazy spending money here. $333 max. The cheaper, the better.

Ended up grabbing the Logitech G432 for $167.
https://www.bestbuy.com/logitech-headset-...m_medium=click

After banging them on my head for a week now, I can say the audio is solid and they're seriously comfy. No complaints so far, aside from the design—it could definitely use a facelift. If you're stuck in the same "what do I buy" loop I was in, honestly, just go for it.
Kyle Smith68 Kyle Smith68 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2019
#28 ·
I could use some help here
which of these headsets is the better choice:

Razer Kraken V2
Logitech G432

thanks
Peter Green Peter Green Member
20 messages
joined Jan 2020
#29 ·
Honestly, I went through the exact same struggle. I ended up pulling the trigger on some Logitech gear after digging through a ton of reviews, and man, I have zero regrets about it.
Kyle Martin67 Kyle Martin67 Member
28 messages
joined May 2013
#30 ·
Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some solid gaming headset recommendations.

Budget isn't really an issue here—what matters most to me is isolation. I want something that, once I put them on, basically shuts out the rest of the world so I can focus. I need them to be top-tier for gaming, too. Right now, I'm using a SteelSeries 7.1 setup,

but the microphone keeps hissing constantly, and there’s nothing I can do to fix it. Honestly, I've reached my limit with this pair—I'm ready to just move on and get something new.
shadowstag82 shadowstag82 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Feb 2014
#31 ·
I’m currently using the Astro A50 Gen 4. They cost me about $330, but honestly, I haven't found a wireless headset that actually performs better than these.🙂
James Fisher11 James Fisher11 Newcomer
9 messages
joined Apr 2011
#32 ·
Hey everyone. I’m looking to pick up some new headphones. My main priorities? Comfort—I don't want them digging into my head—solid noise isolation so I can actually focus, and a high-quality microphone.
One thing I’m really hunting for is built-in voice modulation. Is it possible to find a headset that lets me sound like a robot, an alien, or something else entirely without needing to go out and buy a separate external sound card just to trigger those effects? I’ll be using them with a laptop. Budget-wise, I’m flexible; I can go up to about $330. Since I’m currently living in Germany, I’d prefer to order them through https://www.amazon.com/. If anyone has any solid recommendations, please let me know. Thanks in advance.👍
ironfox17 ironfox17 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Sep 2021
#33 ·
bluemason3 said:Any closed-back headphones will do.

Open-back models offer superior sound fidelity and spatial imaging, along with better breathability and comfort; however, they allow sound to leak both in and out. These are generally favored by audiophiles in controlled environments where external noise isn't an issue.

Closed-back models tend to have slightly less nuanced sound quality, but they provide more pronounced bass, run warmer on the ears, and effectively isolate the listener from ambient noise. They are the preferred choice for studio work, commuting, or any situation requiring isolation.

An example of open-back: https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/high-qu...urround-hd-650

An example of closed-back: https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/around-...reo-mic-hd-569

Therefore, simply ensure the product descriptions specify that they are closed-back, and you should be perfectly fine. There is an abundance of options available, and within the consumer category, most models are closed-back anyway.


Your examples regarding headphone types are entirely accurate. I personally purchased a pair of Sennheiser HD 201 approximately six years ago when they were on sale for about $133, and even now, they function flawlessly. While the cable insulation has begun to degrade due to constant tangling—which is quite common—they still operate without any of the crackling sounds typically associated with failing cables. It is truly impressive. In fact, I actually recognized my own headset being used on NPR (and this isn't an advertisement; after all, why would anyone pay taxes for public broadcasting? It's nonsense), specifically during Champions League broadcasts or player interviews in the studio. I was pleasantly surprised to see them using the exact same model, though simultaneously shocked 🤦 at how much outdated equipment they continue to utilize... geeez!🙂

As for myself, it is certainly time to invest in a new pair, given that we are already in the year 2020. I intend to stick with Sennheiser, likely opting for the HD 4 or perhaps the HD 5 series...👍
Paul Howard7 Paul Howard7 Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2014
#34 ·
I ended up picking up the Razer Kraken, and honestly, I’m pretty thrilled with them considering they sit right in that mid-range sweet spot—around $80. The sound quality is decent enough, and the mic holds its own, too.

I actually grabbed them from an HG outlet because their pricing was easily the best I could find in the States, plus they offered free shipping. I placed the order around 10:30 AM, and I guess since the delivery driver happened to be in my neighborhood anyway, he actually had them at my doorstep just four hours later. 😁
Steven Fox37 Steven Fox37 Active Member
87 messages
joined Jan 2019
#35 ·
Can anyone recommend some closed-back headphones for under $400$150? I'm mainly looking for something to listen to music and watch movies. I noticed the Sennheiser HD 400S fits the budget—would those be a solid choice?
Angela Richardson Angela Richardson Member
12 messages
joined Mar 2013
#36 ·
Greetings. I am looking for some wireless in-ear buds for home use. The Razer True Wireless options seem like they might fit the bill, but the reviews are absolutely abysmal. What would you recommend that actually meets those specifications?
darkmason94 darkmason94 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jan 2021
#37 ·
Is it actually worth picking up surround sound headphones instead of just sticking with stereo if I'm watching movies (torrents) labeled as 5.1?
wanderingbison9 wanderingbison9 Active Member
159 messages
joined Jan 2018
#38 ·
darkmason94 said:Is it actually worth buying dedicated surround sound headphones instead of just sticking with stereo when I'm watching movies (downloads) labeled as 5.1?

Not really, because why spend extra when you can just use free Dolby Atmos or Spatial Audio, or even grab the Dolby Laboratories tech for about $22? If I were you, I'd definitely go with those first.
vividmoose33 vividmoose33 Member
33 messages
joined Mar 2016
#39 ·
Hey everyone!
A kid I know is looking at picking up some Bose QuietComfort headphones for gaming. They’ve got a built-in mic. His motherboard is a B450M PRO4-F.
Does he actually need an external amp, or can a standard PC handle 50 Ohms without the audio quality taking a massive hit?
darkmason94 darkmason94 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jan 2021
#40 ·
Here I am again ☕

I need some Bluetooth headphones with basically zero lag. My TV doesn't have a 3.5mm jack, so I'm stuck. I tried some cheap Panasonic ones a buddy lent me, and honestly? It was unbearable watching the audio trail behind the picture. I’m willing to drop about $110 on this.

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