What is Reddit's opinion of
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)?
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
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497 reviews of this product found across Reddit:
Ah, headphones can really be bought at lots of price brackets lol. even mine are just for fun casual use, although I do use them every single day so I wanted something nicer.
I use to have these and they were/are (still have them) amazing.
Also looks like Kizuna Ai put her video on private, so not sure if it'll be members-only or edited and readded later? I don't watch her content but I'm glad I jointed this, it was all super hype.
Hear me out, but this Philips headset is the first one out of MANY that I've tried and wear with TMJ pain free. It's very loose, almost zero pressure on the head, I'm not sure how it even stays on me to be frank.
Great headset, highly recommend.
Agreed.
And if you're going to spend ~$50 on headphones, you might as well just go with SHP9500s for ultimate comfort and a high quality headphone driver. $66 on Amazon atm, but they get down to $50-$60 occasionally.
If you don't like the sound signature of the SHP9500, that's somewhat easily fixable with Equalizer APO + Peace GUI, but the SHP9500 driver will blow these out of the water and they will be leagues more comfortable.
Big fat beautiful headphones for sale, Philips SHP 9500 in excellent condition. These are not Bluetooth capable, they are not noise cancelling, and they don't have a mic for gaming. What you get is big comfy ear pads (sanitized upon sale) and a detachable 9' cable ending in a 1/8" plug. Bonus because size matters is a 20' extension cable, all tested and working. Cross posted to FB Marketplace, special price for this sub only is $45 cash.
These kinda fly under the radar, but I compared them to cans costing twice as much, and have loved them for over a year.
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https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Long story short: I came here to ask about good budget headphones. A few people (including materix01) recommended these. I was looking at them and refreshed the page. The price suddenly changed from $65 to $29 with free shipping. I thought you guys would want to know. Posted here.
Grab them while you can, and thanks for the help guys.
EDIT:
IMPORTANT!
Apparently the listing was in error, and anyone who ordered a pair should check their email account associated with their Amazon account. The headphones are like new, but used. The seller is offering to refund and cancel your order, or they will fulfill the order and take another $5 off by way of apology.
My friend gifted me a pair of headphones that got sent to his house twice mistakenly and I love them. They're Philips open backed headphones. The mic I use sometimes picks up the audio and they're not something I would use in public because people can hear what I'm listening to if they're right there but I love them. It's never too loud for my sensitive ears. They are high coze and I've never experienced soreness from them pressing on my outer ear.
They are not pink but they are not colorful either, just plain black and silver. I suppose I could paint or wrap them if I was so inclined.
I saw these mentioned yesterday in a thread about Elite Dangerous.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Apparently the sound quality is leagues beyond anything else at the price point. Though I would simply keep them in mind while you look around. You may also need a mini amp to get said premium sound quality.
I love my Philips SHP9500 headphones. Super comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and excellent sound too.
They are open back, so will leak sound. Not a problem though unless he's listening right next to his sleeping girlfriend.
They appear to be the Philips SHP9500
Keeping it 100 with you, most "gaming" headsets are kinda ass. Get a decent pair of open back headphones (I personally use the Phillips SHP9500), they give a way more accurate soundstage and I often can pinpoint exact enemy locations off sound alone that my teammates cannot
DO NOT GET THE SHP9600. It is terrible compared to the SHP9500. Seriously.
Unfortunate but then the only option is probably just gonna be nonexistent clamping force, enormous headphones which are relatively few.
The Phillips SHP9500 fits this criteria and will definitely fit you comfort-wise but sound quality is up for debate: they aren't "horrible" but there are better options... like the aforementioned Koss headphones.
The SHP9500 is a great intro to open backs. The bass won't impress you at all but they do sound great.
On sale on amazon for $60 right now. Not sure for how long.
If you’re curious about trying a pair to see before you buy into them, check these out:
Shouldn’t require a DAC or anything crazy to power. Though it wouldn’t hurt. They should offer a good idea about how open back headphones are.
This question almost certainly depends on the era. I'm into the bootleg stuff from 60's and 75-76, and the quality is so inconsistent that even there the best soundstage will depend on what you're looking to achieve. For me that means a mixture of warmth and clarity. That said, any pair of decent open backed headphones should work fine. These are excellent for their price range and I have no problems driving them from my phone.
Philips SHP9500 - open back (leaks a lot of sound and they have poor noise isolation but feels more open and spacious) which are going for 67 EUR on amazon rn
Or if you want closed back (not as spacious, leaks less, has better noise isolation and has richer bass) id go for something like DT770 or K371 but these two are a little more expensive
I dunno. If your playing when people are sleeping I’m not sure how satisfied you’ll be with speakers at that low of a volume. I’d go with with a pair of open back headphones. Your ears will not get hot because air passes through them.
These are the headphones I use
If that port is anything like the port on my amp (Fender LT25), all that port does is let you connect to your PC to change the settings through their app. The sound of the amp would still come through the amp.
Since your headset is USB, it is likely that it is meant for PC only anyways. It probably has to have drivers installed on it to play sound through the headset. Does the headset work on gaming consoles?
If you are dedicated to using your headset specifically, then you would need to buy an audio interface, and use some software to get amp simulation through your PC.
A probably-cheaper option would be to buy a good set of headphones that use a 3.5mm jack to your amp. I have these which I really like, and are rather amazing for the price. I saw them being compared to over-ear headphones at double their price. No clue what I'm missing when compared to studio-level monitoring headphones though.
Any 3.5mm headphones/buds would work (including cheap earbuds), but you might be missing out/in on sounds you normally hear with or without better headphones.
Hi. I missed x2hr when the were on sale($165aud), now they're back to $217, I find it hard to justify to buy at this price now lol. They might go on sale again, as they were on sale 2 months before the sale that I've missed, but i kind need earphones now. Shp9500 are around $170AUD here: Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_1VMVFZNR7REB51FWAMHD
Comfort is important, but I do mostly play singleplayer titles, where I want to be immersed. Will they do or should I x2hr?
Btw, on this link there are also shp9600MB and they are cheaper at $155. And also gamey TAG6105 for $193. With control on the wire. It says there they've got "immersive bass" and "7.1 surround" which, I read here on reddit, is BS. But bass for explosions is good, I guess. Any suggestions here?
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Based on the bit of research I did this was about as cheap as I could go while still getting quality headphones. I’m sure people used to pairs hundreds of dollars more would say mine aren’t great compared to them but I’m loving them compared to the 5 dollar ones I’m used to
I just looked and they are 75 bucks on Amazon right now, that’s a nice price. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed for a newcomer and price ha performance.
Also if you decide later you want to upgrade and really get into Audio you can and you’ll have an excellent backup pair.
I'd really heavily consider a computer setup. If you aren't scared off by having to learn a little bit of new software, it will offer you far better sound at a much better price.
How you monitor audio does matter. I would recommend getting some decent headphones. I highly recommend these: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
The Yamaha PSR isn't a bad idea, because it is pretty cheap, and does offer that immediate turn on and play experience. In you are pretty serious about keyboard, you will likely outgrow that unit pretty quickly. A computer based setup offers professional quality sounds at a much better price. I mean, a lot of the music you hear on TV or in movies is made on a computer based setup, and you can largely duplicate that quality for a pretty small amount of money (certainly compared to buying hardware keyboards that are capable of that same quality).
The other argument for a physical keyboard (like the Yamaha PSR) is that it is portable, and you could take it and jam with some buddies more easily than hauling a computer setup.
Just things to consider.
I wish I had known about computer based setups earlier on. Would have saved me a lot of money.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
Buy this and a V-Moda boom pro mic and you’re golden. I’ve been running this for i think 4 years now and haven’t had any issues. Still haven’t replaced the mic either.
I play a lot of Apex, CoD, and things where sound is super vital in any competitive modes and these are seriously amazing.
The headphones and mic will be around $80 for prime day, but normally it’ll run you $130ish.
I just bought a set of 9500s the other day and mine are 3.5mm on both ends of the cable. Mine are apparently the 9500 and not the 9500*S* variant, they came with a ten-foot straight cord and a crappy storage bag.
This is the comparison I was hoping to see though. I'm pretty happy with the SHPs so far and it sounds like the 599s aren't worth the return shuffle, at least for me
Found this on r/buildapcsales
Great subreddit, I'm not trying to build a pc so I blocked all the pc part flairs and it's just a really good place to find deals on controllers, headsets, and tv's.
These have been bringing me joy all day with the new Apple formats. They're a steal right now for $59.
Note that they do cover your ears but these headphones are the ones I wear.
The pads themselves are soft, and so long as the volume isn't blasting they aren't loud (at least from my perspective) while the audio is clear and I can still hear people talking to me when I wear them.
Ah I think these were actually the ones I was thinking of. They also have the 3.5mm port so along with the V-moda cable mic they’d be a bit over 100 total. I’ve also heard a lot of good things about the Fidelios though.
These are amazing for the price. I never knew open back headphones would make such a difference in directional sound. Paired them with a V-Moda boom pro mic. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_2YK5ZC640CN7TK2D6HRQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Sounds like that was the issue, then! Yeah, not all headphones are able to well reproduce certain frequencies. As you get into dishing out better headphones, you should start doing research into their frequency response. There are lots of websites that evaluate headphones in this way.
What you want to see is a plot of different frequencies, from like 30hz up to 20khz along the horizontal axis, and amplitude (volume) on the vertical axis. You want to see that the amplitude is more or less even across the whole range of frequencies.
In practice, this mostly is impossible, but some headphones get a LOT closer than others.
You'll notice that many headphones struggle to produce bass adequately, and usually starts rolling off somewhere below 100hz. Look for something that gives you better bass response at least down to 55 or so.
For what it's worth, I got lower end "nice" head phones: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I did my research and these had a surprisingly good frequency response for the price - better than many headphones that cost a lot more.
If I had all the money in the world, I'd gladly buy some 500+ dollar headphones, though.
Good luck!
These are the best <$100 wired headphones you’ll ever experience. They get rave reviews everywhere. I’ve been using mine for about 2 years now with no issues. They’re especially great if you get a DAC and VMODA mic.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MYX84E09TSSRQRD3YBRB
That actually sounds pretty good. All the appends are underutilized.
It's worth investing in a decent set of headphones, nothing crazy, but good. I bought these Philips SHP9500 headphones. They have very clean sound and, most important, they are comfortable. I can actually wear them for 10 hours without a problem.
I've had a pair of these for years. Open-back headphones like these are generally great for gaming or whatever you like really. Good for hearing footsteps in FPS and stuff. They also don't need any fancy amp/dac setup to work properly.
I agree with whoever told you to stay away from "gamer" brands. Stick with dedicated audio brands like Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Sony, etc.
Anyone who cares about audio quality is going to recommend an external dac. It pulls the audio processing out of the PC into an external device, gives you better quality audio, and with an amp built in, will allow you to push better headphones down the road. And since this one has a mic input, you're essentially just moving those connections to your desk instead of the back of your PC, while giving you better quality overall. It's sort of like going from an integrated GPU to a dedicated one (not quite so drastic a difference, but you get my point).
It ultimately depends on what kind of headphones you pick. If you go for some of the crappy "gaming" headsets (even some of the expensive ones are still pretty bad), by and large those simply don't have the resolution or detail retrieval for your audio source to matter, everything will sound "meh" regardless. But if you pick something that can pick out those details, like the headphones I listed or something better, your audio source becomes a lot more important.
But, if you don't want the dac you can go without and plug the stuff straight into the motherboard.
If you want to pass on the dac, I'd recommend stepping up the headphones a bit and get something like the SHP9500. I was just trying to get you the best bang for your buck, which was what you asked for.
Then you can simplify the mic a bit more, the one I originally listed would require phantom power if you don't get the dac, so the Neewer mic someone else recommended in another comment would work just fine. That one is USB and doesn't require additional power like a lot of condenser mics do.
I've used A40s and it's slightly easier to hear yourself talk when you take the plates off.
It's essentially a janky version of "open back" headphones. Ditch any "gaming headset" and get yourself some quality headphones.
Hell, the Philips SHP 9500 are half the price of A40s and sound better than any "gaming headset" you can buy.
might not be the best option but the SHP9500s are currently on sale on amazon for $100 USD. However, you have to wait a little over a week for them as they're back-logged.
I'd just like to give you the heads up that the Philips SHP9500 are currently on sale for $55 on Amazon if that's within your budget, which are a very common pairing with the BoomPro.
Going of of what BryanGamerXL said about getting some looser fit headphones, I use a Philips SHP9500 which has been extremely comfortable. It doesn't clamp to your head very hard at all and mainly rests on the top. For the price it has great sound quality too.
These. No contest. They are so incredibly amazing for the price. Granted, there is zero sound insulation, but oh my god they are nice.
Well, anything with a traditional plug would work (although you’re going to want to make sure you have the little 1/8 to 1/4 adapter if they have a smaller jack). For me, comfort is key. I teach piano and voice lessons for a good chunk of time, so I wanted a pair that barely felt like I was wearing them. I went with open-back headphones, which allow more sound to pass through them and also do not create that pressure that traditional cans create within your ear. Also, as a singer, it allows me to hear my own voice while wearing them, which is key. The ones I picked up were Philips Audio Philips SHP9500... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
These are the best headphones I’ve ever used and they aren’t expensive. They don’t have a mic so you have to have a stand mic or the vmoda boom pro (which is awful) but the headphones themselves are amazing.
I was about to and then I spent the entire weekend researching cans; after three days I ended up ordering the Phillips SHP9500. So far I'm loving them!
They surprisingly do. It would take a month for them to arrive, but it seems sketchy that they are being sold at less than half the amazon price here in Italy. But I see on amazon US they go for $79, so seems to be fine. Are they worth the 1 month wait?
I’m new to the “audiophile” headphone space and just recently purchased my first pair of open back headphones, but based on my experience and what I’ve read about them elsewhere I highly recommend them. They are the Philips SHP9500. They are currently available on Amazon for $75. I listen to these all day while working from home and love them. Very light and comfortable, big ear cups and awesome sound with the open back sound stage. SHP9500 on Amazon
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_s3-YEbX9F7X4N Gaming headphones are a gimmick. These will work and sound better. You can get a good mic for 15-20 on Amazon as well.
There are 2 buying options on amazon Performance audio / performance high res audio 69$, 145$ How much of a differece in performance of those 2? What do you suggest? https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW?th=1&psc=1
check out the Phillips SHP9500, they are open back so keep that in mind, the sound is great, and they are very light. The clamping force is pretty weak so they don't sit quite as snug as I usually like, but overall really great headphones for the price. Also currently on sale for $70 from amazon.
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HyperX on Amazon. Get one.
Or if you have a budget of $100 and don't mind open back headphones (doesn't drown out background noise/others can slightly hear your audio) Get the Philips SHP9500 w/Vmoda Boom Pro mic.
Trust me. All of these people screaming about Astros don't know about audio quality and have fallen trap to gaming marketing sponsorships.
The K371 the other poster mentioned is currently on sale for $125 Amazon. It is a very good headphone.
However, it is a closed headphone, and since you're used to the Grados which are open, you might find your ears get hot.
Maybe another open headphone would work better for you? Here is an excellent deal https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
I like the SHP9500 since they have practically no clamping force, making them extremely comfortable for long gaming sessions. They are accurate enough, and work well with the vmoda boompro if you need a mic.
They are an open back with terrible sound leakage and will block very little background noise, if that is important to you.
If you are in the US, amazon has them for $66. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vUKeEbR44T8CT
I haven't tried many headphones but I love the Phillips SHP9500. They're open-back headphones so the sound is more airy and natural. Naturally, as an open-back headphone the bass is mild. You may or may not like the light clamping force, but I prefer it since it doesn't aggressively push my glasses into my head like some other headphones do.
Those are called earbuds. Headphones go over your head. I guess that's one downside to headphones, but a half decent pair of headphones weigh much less than a pound. These are 10.6 ounces or 0.66 pounds. You gotta have a twig for a neck for them to be too much weight.
I assume you are asking about these:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Higher quality/high fidelity audio compatible equipment would mostly only benefit you if you had hi res audio to listen to in the first place, plus with that relatively small impedance of 32 ohms they are very easily powered, the jack on the DS4 is enough. These are relatively low-tier headphones so don't go too high on externals for them, it won't help as much as you want them too, but they will help nonetheless.
A small/portable amp for the these headphones would do some good for you in games where 3D/spatial/positional sound awareness can give you an advantage in game, such as in FPS games. If you play those a lot, especially competitively, I recommend it. If we are talking about the same headphones, then that 12-35 Hz range will be awesome for what I just mentioned, as lower frequencies (especially when amplified) will make footsteps easier to make out. I don't know if you use a seperate pair of cans for music but if you use these then they should sound pretty good, more so with that sub-$100 price tag, and especially so with an amp. An amp is a bit of overkill on these as with all easy-to-drive headphones, but hey, overkill is fun. Bear in mind that these are open-back headphones, so sound will leak both into and from your environment, as you might've experienced already, so an amp would help compensate.
All in all, no, you don't "NEED" an amp, but you'll most likely find them fun to use for music and advantageous for certain games, so go ahead and try them out, just do your research.
TL:DR; No but get them anyways kek
Budget - $100
Source - USB or 3.5mm audio jack
Requirements for Isolation - Enough that outside noises don't interfere with the headphone noises very much. I'm interested in open back but am worried about hearing the TV downstairs or people walking around my house while listening to something. Won't be using them in public
Preferred Type of Headphone - Full sized
Preferred tonal balance - Balanced
Past headphones - HyperX Cloud and Corsair Void. The Corsair ones seem quiet and flat at times. HyperX felt a bit bassier which was cool for music but a bit overwhelming for gaming at times. The HyperX headphones also weren't very breathable.
Preferred Music - House/LoFi/Drum n Bass. Mostly anything electronic.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Better "soundstage" for games like Rainbow Six Siege where spatializing sounds is crucial. I tried using my Corsair Void's "surround" mode but it just makes everything sound like I'm in an empty garage. More breathability would be nice too.
I already have a separate microphone so that's not needed at all. I was looking at These headphones from the buying guide but wanted a second opinion here. I'm not much of an audiophile, nor is listening to music a major hobby of mine, I'm mostly looking for comfort and practicality in competitive games.
Budget - $100 range, flexible
Source - PC/3.5mm headphone in
Requirements for isolation - I'd like a bit, I hate hearing my headphones in recordings.
Will you be using these headphones in public? - No
Preferred type of headphone - Full Sized Ear Cups - ear encapsulated
Preferred tonal balance - No preference. I don't know anything about headphones tbh. I use it to listen
Past Headphones - Old skull candy headsets, Turtle beaches, currently my favorite pair is (Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) Had these for 3 years and they still work just fine, but the lack of easy cup replacement has annoyed me for a long time.
Preferred Music - I love it all, but most of the time I bands from MCR / Greenday to Mumford and Sons / Imagine Dragons. I love most genres besides Heavy metal and some of the more obscure ones. Folk, rock, house and electric swing are some of my favorite genres though.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I want durable headphones that will last me a long time. Something that can accidently be dropped once in awhile. I want to be able to replace the 3.5mm Double male cable, the ear cups, and maybe even the headband. I want to buy something tough and worth money, something I won't replace every few years. Thanks in advance!
Budget - $100 range, flexible
Source - PC/3.5mm headphone in
Requirements for isolation - None, wouldn't mind a little, but it's by no means a requirement especially if it means i'd be missing out on something better.
Will you be using these headphones in public? - No
Preferred type of headphone - Full Sized Ear Cups - ear encapsulated
Preferred tonal balance - No preference.
Past Headphones - Old skull candy headsets, Turtle beaches, currently my favorite pair is (Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) Had these for 3 years and they still work just fine, but the lack of easy cup replacement has annoyed me for a long time.
Preferred Music - I love it all, but most of the time I bands from MCR / Greenday to Mumford and Sons / Imagine Dragons. I love most genres besides Heavy metal and some of the more obscure ones. Folk, rock, house and electric swing are some of my favorite genres though.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I want something durable, I'd love to be able to easily switch out the cable and ear cups. If it's above 100$ It'd have to be really tough and hard to break. I wear my headset all the time, I want it to be comfortable or at least made comfortable by replacing the cups or something simple like that. that's it, thanks in advance!
This is a solid option. I used these with a vmoda boompro mic for awhile before i got M100s
Phillips SHP9500s are better than M50xs, and are also half the price. As long as portability and sound isolation aren't priorities, these are probably your best option.
Have glasses and a big head 7 3/4 baseball hats. I have the Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4q9tAbY6P684K . You can typically find them on sale for around $50 and then you can get an inline V-moda mic like myself or a boom microphone. They have a good sound stage since it’s open back.
There's a sub specifically for this. Maybe /r/gaming_headsets. I know this question gets asked here a lot.
I think the basic recommendation is this with a mic
Edit: spelling
Yep X2s are amazing. Their little brother the SHP9500 is $65 and nearly as good. Definitely the best value in headphones today.
Ahh yeah this game is one that really requires headphones to at least be situationally aware because sound is so important in this game. Might I recommend a pair of open-back headphones. You can still get great sound, but you are able to hear outside noises like kids crying or saying Dad etc. I own the Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OACTzbPGZ98ZP and if you frequent /r/pcdeals you can get a pair around $40-$55. They are super comfy because I can wear them for 8+hours,and don't get tension headaches like I got from others because I have a big head.
Also you don't want surround sound headphones only stereo if you are looking for something else. The ones that claim to have surround sound are a gimmick and a waste of money.
I have these and they work pretty much the same. Just plugs into the controller if you have the newer models. I don't know how it would work if you need the adapter.
You can't wait a bit while you save up 50 bucks and get something good instead of an "okay" cheaper set? Just wondering
Alternatively you can go for this SHP9500, it's a great headphone too, open back.
Your $80 request for a neutral closed back is the problem, double that budget and you have actual options.
You should look at open back options at that price point.
Hey all!
I am just stepping into the audiophile world and picked up an Aune X7S Amp and Aune X1S Dac. I'm trying to figure out the best way to connect them to my PC, to each other, and then to the headphones.
I've done a little research and it looks like USB from PC to X1S will provide the highest quality, is this true? I could do digital or do some weird 3mm to coax.
Then I connect the Dac to the amp with coax.
Then my headphones are Philips SHP9500(until my Sennheiser HD6XX come in):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW
Right now these run on a 3mm cable, should I buy a nicer 1/4 cable to run to the amp? Will it make a difference?
So I guess I only have two questions. What is the best way to connect PC to Dac? Is it worth changing out my headphones audio cable from 3mm to 1/4?
All I plan on doing is setting these up and being good to go, I'm assuming I don't need to really do anything on my PC other then make sure the music is high quality?
Thanks for any help!
I'd always recommend trying them out in a shop; for sound, but esp. for how it fits. Check some reputable brands like AKG, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic etc. . If you can get an older model for a discount, even better. You won't miss out on any technological advances by buying an older model at that price point.
Edit.: Someone else recommended those: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
It is good for league. Basically any game that has a lot of things going on. It just smoothings things out by allowing more frames to be displayed. Instead of 60 its 144. There is just a headset added, but it is pretty low quality. It is good for gaming, and is alright at music and such (provided you really don't care about sound too too much). It has a mic attached which you can put up. For $30 more you can get some studio headphones that are much better and dont have the mic attached.
The build is really good for the cost and considering ddr4 ram is new tech the mobo,cpu, and ram should last you at least 4 years. The GPU is the highest clocked 1070 and should last you 2-3 years depending on if it is overclocked. Speaking of which your CPU is overclockable. The case is big enough for any size components and can be changed to accommodate future upgrades if required. You have a 250gb SSD which is the perfect size for games and OS. You have a 2tb harddrive which is enough for literally anything. 2tb is huge. Overall you are set for at least 3 years probably 4 with this build before you may have to change something.
I got lasik mwahaha!
Try the SHP9500. Very inexpensive and, though not the best build quality (since it's so cheap), It's one of the best money to sound quality ratio and, because it's so light and open, I doubt they will give you trouble with heat or discomfort with your glasses.
So, um. I was looking at the Philips SHP9500S on Newegg and SHP9500S on Amazon, and when I refreshed the page on Amazon, the price dropped to $30 with free shipping. So, yeah. I'm getting those. It said only 15 are left. I guess they're clearing out the last of their stock.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Sure! But you'd probably prefer a pair of "open" headphones.
The Philips SHP9500 have been under $40 in the past, and would sound a lot better. Note that they don't block out noise at all, and people in the room would be able to hear what you're playing. If that's a problem then the AT M20x would be a good choice.
558 are 150. Honestly, I don't know what's the deal with prices, usually here in Latvia I can buy stuff for +- same price as in US, but these headphones are like twice as much, it's insane. Just look at this https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484850481&sr=8-1&keywords=SHP9500s 9500 for 70$
If you're interested in a set of open backs, these are highly recommended for this price range. They also go on sale quite often, as low as $50, so you can try to wait for one of those.
The Philips headphones are pretty good from what I have heard. I'm referring to these ones. The price at the moment is over your budget, but they go on sale frequently. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go on sale again on Boxing Day.
So im on abit of a tight budget, and I'm looking for something at around $100.I will be plugging it into my computer, I have no amps or such.I previously just used the apple earphones,not much to say there. I will be using it for gaming and for listening to music. I was looking at these-https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW Are they ok?
Those are the cheap open back ones that were hyped up a while ago. I think the 9500's. They're not terrible cans, super comfy, decent for a casual listen. But I have a higher standard than most when it comes to clarity because I was looking for a pair that I could use for critical listening when mixing music.
Not many headphones are removable cables at your price point. These are the only ones that'd work I think
If you want to go 'fancy', you don't buy headsets, you buy a pair of quality headphones and a separate mic, either a desktop one or one that attaches to headphones if you want that. This always gets you better sound on both audio and mic, and more reliable construction in general.
Here's an example of a good pair of headphones for use at home, for gaming, as well as all other things: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW
A mic can easily be added to it later if necessary.
Im gonna leave a link here for some of my favorite budget cans ever. Dont get these if you dont want sound to leak out though, they are open back
Generally from what I've seen, they sound great and well, they're pretty damn cheap.
If you can squeeze ~$140 you could get a pair of DT770s/HD598s which realistically should sound better and be more comfortable, but the choice is yours.
I personally went for 598s and they're essentially perfect, incredibly comfortable, great sounding and all of the features I wanted.
>The Voids are actually pretty nice
For the price, they really aren't any better than any generic 'gaming' headset that isn't the shittiest of the shit.
For instance, SHP9500's curbstomp them in terms of sound quality for a lower price.
Get those, save your money for a better amp down the road. Spending under 100 bucks for both combined will mean you will have to compromise too much for it not to be worth it.
These are easily the best headphones under 100 bucks IMO.
Then later pick up a FiiO e10K if you think you are lacking something. Try it out and see if it honestly makes a difference.
Will you be in a quiet of loud environment? These are closed back and would be good in a loud environment but if you are in a quiet room these will be better. Neither pair requires any sort of "special amp", you could run them off most phones let alone a desktop/laptop sound card.
The HD598's are great if you don't mind spending the extra $20.
The Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones are a great compromise. $75 and almost as good as the Sennheiser's but half the price.
Yeah they are a bit out of my league (cheaper than I thought they were though). I found these Philips SHP9500 that seem pretty decent, and are about half the price of the game ones.
here you go Seem to be a bit reduced in price too, you really cant go wrong and not heard about any complaints for comfort.
Pretty much any open back headphones will be heard from people within 10m of you in a quiet environment. That being said, the SHP9500 can't be beat for the price unless you're just looking for a status symbol. Way more comfortable than the X2s or 598s and have endgame sound for the under $900 price point.
Just spend about $65 bucks on a pair of these, just to get a taste of how much difference there is. Be warned these are open back so there is no sound isolation. Obviously you don't need to spend $55,000, but you'll see a difference between $5 and $65, I have no doubt in my mind.
I usually recommend
www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW + www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK
Those headphones sound way better than their price tag, and the microphone attaches to them instead of their default cable. They are comfortable and durable (I dropped them plenty of times).
When it comes to microphone, there are reviews of that microphone you can find on youtube that include recordings of sound from it.
You gotta decide whether you want openback or closed. m50x are closed and the hd598's are open. They sound a bit different from each other and also the opens will leak noise around you, so if you can't have extra sound blaring like mini speakers around you, it's something to consider. They are both great, read the reviews on both to figure out which is best for you.
These are also a pretty good pair of cans if you want to spend a little less, again these have a different sound then the others listed, take a look at the reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I strongly disagree. M50s are one end of the spectrum, and they're very polarizing. They don't sound bad, but they're certainly not what I'd consider fun headphones. They put sound inside you.
Philips SHP9500s, on the other hand, are cheap, and very reminiscent of HD600s, which is pretty universally considered to be a very good thing. They sound great, they're supremely comfortable, they have a standard 3.5mm detachable cable, and they're very affordable.
The point is, if you need headphones under $200, the SHP9500 is the way to go.
Sennheiser have good options, though you shouldn't restrict yourself to a particular brand. Get what is best in your price range.
I use those http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW, they have amazing sound for their price, and you can get a boompro mic with them to turn them into a headset with no additional wires.
Budget - $100
Location - USA
Looking for headphones that emphasize durability and comfort. I travel a lot and sometimes might need to put them into my backpack. I also study a lot on the go so durability is a must.
Thank you guys for all the help!
Not sure if this is a good deal: SPH9500
I'd go with the Phillips SHP9500 over the 598s if you want open headphones - but I don't know if OP wants closed or open, I've personally always found closed more immersive, but that's super subjective.
And also, if you were to get a close headphones, m50xs should be perfectly fine, but if you change your mind and want to get an open headphone (which is better for gaming because sound stage) These should be perfect.
HyperX Cloud have good sound for the money, but note that they are closed, so they are harder to wear than open ones.
I generally recommend getting a pair of open headphones like those (amazeballs value for the price) and a separate mic like modmic or v-moda boompro.
And purely for CS:GO you don't need an expensive pair.
They're $89 shipped on amazon right now. If you have prime of course. If you can scrape the extra cash.
120€ is a horrible budget for a combination of good peripherals.
Since good headphones make the biggest difference Id recommend buying good headphones and cheap mouse+keyboard, you could still upgrade later.
I dont have enough experience to tell you what headphones are good(only have had two high quality pairs so far), but I use these and they are much better than the Technics RP-1200 I used before. You might wanna ask /r/headphones for advice (they recommended these, too :) )
I know you had other suggestions, but I would recommend these:
[Philips SHP9500]
I recently replaced my astro A30's with these and the comfort and sound quality blew me away. I was ready to spend about $200 on good gaming headphones when I read many people suggested to buy these and a mic cable instead. Also 50mm drivers get damn loud.
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf. And the mic is V-MODA BoomPro Gaming, VoIP Headset Headphone with Mic (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf. I highly recommend them, sound quality is amazing but the only downside is everyone can hear your shit.
If you're hardstuck at 50 bucks these are ok. Be aware that the "7.1" is SIMULATED and often sounds weird depending on game.
I think people should consider the Philips SHP9500 on a deep sale for $55 for Black Friday + VModa boom mic $30 as this is a pretty significant improvement in both headphone and mic quality with the bonus that the SHP9500 can be used for listening to music.
Easy
And if you have more budget, you can get these headphones instead.
I just got the Philips SHP9500 along with the V-MODA BoomPro. By far the most comfortable headset I have owned. Ear cups are huge and completely surround my ears. The headset is very light weight and does not squeeze at all. I wear them all day when working, and in the evening with gaming. Plus, they are great sounding too.
Looks like the mic is currently out of stock. I got mine on eBay. https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00BJ17WKK&pd_rd_r=E5NE128ZPRX3KS4F4QYD&pd_rd_w=VLjAz&pd_rd_wg=dKgCd&psc=1&refRID=E5NE128ZPRX3KS4F4QYD
Most recommended options in that price range:
Amazon used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing.
I would personally stay away from gaming headsets. They generally have average or poor microphones. (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBnCkHxrg4M )
I recommend trying to pair an appropriate set of headphones (that you like) with a microphone. If you want something that's similar to a headset you could use V-Moda BoomPro or one of the microphones from ModMic.
I can personally vouch for SHP9500. They are a well-priced set of headphones with decent quality. Most of all, they are incredibly comfortable. They pair well with the BoomPro microphone.
(Note: To use the BoomPro, your headphones need to have a 3.5mm jack on the actual headphone).
The best combo for the price. Been using for years and better than gaming headphones.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_hF-3FbPE1EPDR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_yF-3FbS5V7A2W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Philips SHP9500 / SHP9500 on Amazon + V-MODA BoomPro Mic. The SHP9500 has a detachable cable, so the boom mic will plug right in.
The Philips SHP9500 will leak a little sound btw, so others will likely hear what you're listening to or playing. Should be good to you for a long time though. :)
EDIT: Sorry, I fucked up and somehow didn't see you wanted wireless. I guess I was thinking, how can I get this guy a pair of headphones that is better than a 'gaming headset'.
Recommended options in that price range:
Amazon used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. Reviews for everything mentioned available on YouTube.
Cannot reccomend the Phillips SHP9500s enough. Very light, huuge ear cups, above average sound. They frequently go on sale for $50-60 bucks, abut are worth every penny of the $77 they are on amazon now. One of the more popular headphone/audio reviewers on YouTube gave them a glowing review.
I personally have had mine for over 2 years, and even though I have a set an Audeze LCD-2 sitting next to me, I always for the 9500s when gaming.
For a mic, if you want to get a standalone mic (like a Blue Yeti or Snowball) that works. Using a modmic would be a slightly expensive approach providing a more "gaming headset" looking solution.
Open back - SHP9500s + VModa BoomPro
Closed back - Takstar Pro82 + Microphone
Amazon used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. Reviews for everything mentioned available on YouTube.
Recommended options in that price range:
Amazon used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. Reviews for everything mentioned available on YouTube.
​
Amazon link for those who want to read the reviews.
From what I understand, all those "gaming" headsets that market 7.1 surround sound don't actually output true surround sound. Personally, I use Phillips SHP9500s with a V-MODA BoomPro driven by this Syba Sonic DAC/Amp. I put the selector switch on the DAC/amp in treble mode when gaming to amplify sounds like footsteps and reloads.
By no means am I saying you have to go out and buy all of this to hear things well in Valorant. I wanted an upgrade over the Playstation Gold headset I was using before and heard great things about this combo and thought I'd give it a try. I find the sound stage on the SHP9500s is much wider than any closed-back headset I've used in the past which I feel helps me with directional audio a bit, but that might just be a placebo. The mic quality from the BoomPro is much clearer than any built-in gaming headset mic I've ever heard or used.
Easiest recommendation of my life:
Killer combo that will absolutely delete any gaming “headset” under $120. Unfortunately the v moda is out of stock at the moment.
I use these and love them. Have had 0 issues
If you're OK with wired, I would highly recommend this combination, which only comes to just over 100 bucks: -
Headphones: -
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
Mic: -
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
The headphone cable is detachable, so you just unplug that then plug the mic cable in.
The mic is excellent. Here's what it sounds like: -
https://youtu.be/euoVAmgp0Lw?t=266
The headphones also punch WAY above their weight for the money and are comparable with gaming headsets that costs a lot more. There are a bunch of reviews on YouTube you can check out.
Personally, I don't mind using a wired headset, cos it's wired to the controller not the console. You don't have to worry about charging it or having wireless connection issues, and the mics on some wireless headsets can be mediocre at best, even on high end ones like the Audeze Penrose X.
The only consideration with the combination I recommended is that the headphones are open back, so while they have great sound quality and a wide soundstage, sound will leak out through the earcups at high volumes. If your BF likes to have the headphones cranked up really loud, that can lead to sound leaking into the mic and causing echo, but they do have to be pretty loud for that to happen.
I got the Arctis 7P for PS5 and PC. Sound and mic quality are below average. I rock the Phillips SHP9500 with the V-MODA Boom Pro Mic and it's infinitely better.
I have these and as far as budget headphones go they’re pretty sweet
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YMDGZ3VV270D4GZM1AMY?psc=1
However these are newer and still in your price bracket and got great reviews. (I haven’t tried them yet).
Philips Fidelio L2 Over-ear Premium Portable Headphones with In-line Mic, Noise Isolation, Hi-Res - Black/Orange (L2BO) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WTQDV5E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XNR2BCS82Q75H903DSAA
Depends on your audio goals, if its to block everything out while you're playing, normal earbuds will do fine, but the cable will be a bit of a pain to deal with. Anything with a long cable can be a pain hanging off your headset. Personally i use a good set of over the ear headphones.
What I'd recommend are headphones that use a 3.5mm detachable cable, like the Phillips SPH9500, and a very short cable to run from the headphones to the quest. Some wireless over the ear blue tooth headphones also have a 3.5mm audio in jack, if you have some of those lying around you'll just need a short cable.
The thing I love about the Phillips i linked above, is that they are open back, so you can still hear things happening around you. Someone walks in and asks you a question you can hear them without them needing to risk getting punched in the face while you're playing beat saber. Low level noises like fans get drowned out with decent but not harmful volume levels. They are also the least fatiguing headphone i have tried yet. I can play any game for hours and not feel hot, or like my ears are over pressured. Hope this helps!
You can not use a DAC / or AMP outside of something like the Astro Mix Amp or Turtle Beach as far as I am aware.
Gaming Headsets are never the best option if you are looking for sound quality above all else. The best option IMO is a pair of open back headphones as they have a wider sound stage and you can pick up directions easier.
Depending on the headphones you can get a mic attachment.
For headphones virtual surround sound is more personal preference then anything. Some think its great others don't.
I currently use the two below items for all my gaming on every platform. This imo is the best bang for your buck for open back headphones / mic and you can certainly go up in price from here if you wanted.
​
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
​
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJ17WKK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Check if these Headphones fit your budget. On Amazon.com, they're within your budget with some sale
Philips SHP9500 - $71 USD
Status Audio CB-1 - $69 USD
Philips SHP9500 is an open-back headphone which means there might be some audio leak and does not have passive noise isolation.
CB-1 is closed back so its opposite of the Philips. Also, both have a removable cable, easy to get replacement cable if it breaks.
Do take a look on both.
If you can go over budget a little, SHP9500
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
Would be worth the extra money
My Sennheiser HD58X Jubilee don't get hot at all, beause they're open back. Air can move in and out of the cans freely, and so can sound. But that also contributes to great sound, there's an "airiness" to open backs that closed backs struggle to have.
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones - definitely one of the best headphone deals in the world, these are great cans.
If you want the price lower, I hear good things about https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW - not as good as the Senns, but for the price maybe worth a try.
Beyerdynamic also has some open back cans that are widely popular.
If you use your cans as a headset, you can add an Antlion Modmic for example. That's my combo, a USB mic and the HD58X. I really enjoy the open back aspect of the headphones for this, also; because you hear the space around you basically as you would without headphones on, you sound normal to yourself when you talk, you don't get that weird in-your-head echo you get when you have sealed headphones on.
SHP9500 are $73 https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
You might also look into the newer SHP9600 for $100 listed on the same page. Look for some comparisons online to see which seems the better choice for you.
There's a great purchase advise thread on /r/headphones
https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/3s4cyb/daily_headphone_purchase_advice_thread/
But if she wants open headphones I can recommend the currently super-hyped Philips SHP9500. They have amazing sound quality for the money and are often compared to headphones costing 4-5 times as much, they're the most comfortable headphone I've ever owned (currently have 8 in my collection), they're very easy to drive, they have a replaceable cable and they're pretty sturdy.
Now here's the catch, they were actually discontinued, but there's still stock of them floating around from time to time. But since they've been hyped up in the last couple months the price has risen. I bought mine on ebay for $55 just before the hype train took off, but they're sometimes sold on Amazon for $69. They're worth a lot more than that.
Here's the review that got the hype train rolling:
I'd recommend the Philips SHP9500 (on amazon) and then adding a mic like this. These headphones will sound great and are well made. Ditch the 'gaming' headsets, it's all advertising IMO.
They're available on amazon and I think they'll ship them international but I'm not sure about which countries. If they don't ship there, try a forwarding service.
Excuse me this Headphones on Amazon italy cost about 200€ https://www.amazon.it/Philips-SHP9500-00-Circumaural-Head-band/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512669597&sr=8-1&keywords=SHP9500
Any alternative ?
Commented on another thread earlier. I've spent few weeks researching and getting help from /r/headset and /r/gaming_headsets. Best option for comfortablity, price and quality is getting a Philips SHP9500, which has a detachable cable on, and plugging in the V-Moda Boom Pro mic. Dude, i'm telling you man, it's sanely awesome.
Edit: Links for Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517504314&sr=8-1&keywords=shp9500
Recommended options in that price range:
Amazon used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. Reviews for everything mentioned available on YouTube.
Recommended options in that price range:
Amazon used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. Reviews for everything mentioned available on YouTube.
Recommended options in that price range:
Amazon used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. Reviews for everything mentioned available on YouTube.
Recommended options in that price range:
The only recommendable options available in white that come to mind near your price range are the M50x, C1Pro, or the much more expensive VModa M100.
Amazon used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. Reviews for everything mentioned available on YouTube.
You will not regret the pro, that’s for sure!
So I also wanted a new headset a few months back and did like 7 straight hours of research rather than study for exams. What I ended up getting was a headphone/mic combo I do not regret!
- Philips SHP9500 Stereo Headphones
- V-Moda BoomPro Gaming Microphone
I got them on Amazon and they’re the perfect combo. Someone on reddit mentioned them and said how all these gaming headphones cost you a fortune and break after a certain amount of time, but this microphone is so clean and great and the headphones are incredible quality. You just plug the microphone into the jack of the headphones and another cable plugs it all into your controller!
Also I bought a Qadira Wooden Omega Headphone Stand to make it all complete.
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Stereo Headphones Over-ear Black /GENUINE and ORIGINAL Pack https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_28Krl1NgpTcSP
V-MODA BoomPro Gaming VOiP Headset Headphone Mic https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BJ17WKK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Qadira Wooden Omega Headphones Stand-Hanger-Holder - Walnut Finish https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B014F37W9E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_3eG1WTJ7Pwvgs
Received my SHP9500 today...and compared to my other SHP9500 that I purchased a few months ago from Amazon, they have a completely different box style.
Now to my understanding, Philips has made the SHP9500 (2013 version) discontinued and the newer 2016 Version is the SHP9500S/27 (27 is the region which is USA). This is where things had me researching and confused for the past hour.
From the research I have gathered the original SHP model number is SHP9500/00 and comes with a 3.0m wire, 3.5-6.5mm (1/4”) adapter and a black cloth type bag (that is cheap and can prolly easily be ripped apart lol).
If you notice on my box it says SHP9500 under HiFi Stereo. Everything indicates that these are the original SHP9500 EXCEPT the grid on the side of the box that shows frequency, driver size, and dB sensitivity. This is the weird part. Every picture I have looked up of the SHP9500S/27 has stated in the box SHP9500S under the same area that line says SHP9500.
Also my box states it comes with a 5ft cord (1.5m) which inside the box was a 3.0m cord and all the things that DONT come with the SHP9500S version. On their website the SHP9500 is listed as 2013 and the S version is 2016. I can not find anywhere on my box the date these were manufactured.
So Philips is either being lazy and not changing the description on the boxes OR they decided to rid of the “S” on the box to make less confusion for consumers but here I am confused AF!!!
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gP5NDbFG21Z3A
This link leads you to believe you will be receiving the SHP9500 original that comes in a black box instead of this white and teal one I got. My other 9500 came in the black box, but not these.
In conclusion I guess my biggest thing would be, the SHP9500S actually seems to be the better headphone but nothing indicates how they got the frequency to 6-35,000hz instead of the original 12-35,000hz as well as the dB sensitivity which is labeled on the box I just received as 102db but the original SHP9500 was 101db.
What is the difference between 6-35000hz vs. 12-35000hz, would the lows be better with the 6-35000?
Just weird to me since I expected to receive the same style black box but instead got what the SHP9500S would come in but it’s not labeled S. Do I return? Do I order a pair of SHP9500S to see how they come?
This is the link for the SHP9500S/27 Philips Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones (SHP9500S/27) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYNSKPE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_g35NDbZEBEWZH
I'd second the Phillips SHP9500 suggestion. That plus a V-Moda BoomPro is probably one of the best value headsets you can get at that price. The sound you'll get from the 9500's is going to be better than most all in one gaming headsets at that point. Keep in mind the 9500's are open back though, so if you need a bit of noise isolation, they won't work.
Philips SHP9500, around 75$ Us to 80$ Open back... Koss Porta Pros around 50 US Sennheiser HD6xx around 150-200 US
Get one of these for gaming..you will never want to pick up any "gaming headsets" ever again.
Philips SHP9500: https://youtu.be/2aKvrkVwB9Q
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Sennheiser HD6XX: https://youtu.be/pzyMlJ6cERg
Koss Porta Pro X: https://youtu.be/znu7_SDV5G4
https://www.amazon.com/Koss-Porta-Headphones-Black-Silver/dp/B00001P4ZH
For $100 the best option is something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nJYeFb7Y02TVT
Combined with this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QZ32QZ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0LYeFb7D5N9F5
Modmics are more convenient but cost more, this would be right around absolute best for $100 given above scenarios.
If you want an AIO suggestion, your poll is fine, but generally you will get better quality for much better cost by DIY your own setup. Generally I only recommend the AIOs if someone needs wireless or they will be sharing it with a console/PC split.
FYI the Arctis 7 is often on sale for around $100, I saw you had the 5 on your poll. The only real difference is wireless, but that's a decent upgrade if you are willing to be patient.
So far as I know the HyperX will get the best reccs out of the box for sound quality, the Arctis are (IMHO) more comfortable and well built, and actually have decent driver, but are widely acknowledged to need EQ'ed. With an EQ they are just as good of sound quality as the HyperX. I don't know enough about the others, but those two are usually what I see recommended.
Philips SHP9500 and Tempotec Sonata HD Pro dongle
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
https://www.amazon.com/TempoTec-Sonata-HD-PRO-Android/dp/B084YX4MZD/
Additionally, could go the Philips SHP9500 with a boom mic (I have this set up). I have the 9500 with the Drop Mic (which is on sale right now for 15 with sipping). Ill link both below! The 9500 is on sale on amazon right now for looks like 65 bucks!
https://drop.com/buy/boom-mic-for-drop-thx-panda-headphones (Drop Panda Mic)
There appears to be a bundle on amazon with a different boom mic (not sure of the quality) but if you didn't want to wait for two packages. https://www.amazon.com/Attachable-Microphone-SHP9500-Headphones-Professional/dp/B08WGNS6PC/ref=asc_df_B08WGNS6PC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475692023481&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6586751889846324979&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1016202&hvtargid=pla-1186983205424&psc=1 (again, not sure of the mic quality on this thing).
​
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=pd_day0fbt_img_sccl_1/144-2352330-7370332?pd_rd_w=7Zzna&content-id=amzn1.sym.225af909-a644-4665-9f15-c780ebd0c7cb&pf_rd_p=225af909-a644-4665-9f15-c780ebd0c7cb&pf_rd_r=M8H29WJ0W40E4QYQYNTV&pd_rd_wg=5QFij&pd_rd_r=06c14e7e-670a-486f-a8dd-d94a9c0567a4&pd_rd_i=B00BJ17WKK&th=1 (also looks like the V-moda boom mic is 20) for a couple more bucks. But I really enjoy the drop mic.
If open back headphones would be fine too, then Philips SHP9500 is currently at $75, although unfortunately I have no idea how it copes with glasses
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
Sony mdr7506. Listening to elton John with these currently. These are my daily drivers. I use them for death metal, rock, edm, country, video game soundtracks. I like these so much I keep a spare pair in stock around the house. (Closed back.) They'll handle anything you toss at them decently. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000AJIF4E/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Some people say grados are good but I'm saving up to buy those at the moment. (Open back.) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B091GGWP2Y/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A37X6SD97CS5LJ&psc=1
Phillips 9500. There is a 9600 version but I think the 9500s would be better for what you are listening to. The 9600 have a tinge more bass but the 9500 still have enough bass for normal folks imo. With 9500's you will be able to hear a lot more in the mids and high end. Highs can be a bit grainy but not super bad. (Open back.)
Sennheiser HD 600. These headphones are super flat in sound. So if you want to analyze stuff then go with these. You need an Amp with these thoughs. (Open back. Need amp.)
A bunch of people here will parrot the sundaras. I've tried them at a freinds house because they have an Amp but I don't. (I refuse to use headphones that need amps.) They might fit the bill for you. They are good headphones I just refuse personally from stuff you need an Amp for. (Open back https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XDWT7X/ref=sspa_mw_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B077XDWT7X&pd_rd_w=WM29m&content-id=amzn1.sym.e15ed448-627e-4c74-b76e-1a4c9fabd4d5&pf_rd_p=e15ed448-627e-4c74-b76e-1a4c9fabd4d5&pf_rd_r=NTS0E6SKHKP128JNPX5...)
Honestly at 400$ you have a lot of stuff to chose from. Don't feel pressured to spend all 400 on one set because there is a lot of great headphones in that price range.
IMO, you can't beat these for the price. https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
It's one of those things you experience. Words don't do it justice. There IS a point of no gain after spending so much money but when you get into a good amp/dac/headphone setup, the biggest things you notice are
1) Sound stage. Your audio doesn't sound like you're inside a closet. Close your eyes and you can interpret the sounds as if you're standing in front of a stage. Instruments, voices etc have distance between each other.
2) Which also leads into imaging. Knowing where things are coming from. All that "3d hurdur gaming" headphone shit is just that, shit. It's marketing. 2 high quality drivers will do the same thing that bullshit "3d" shit does, at a way better sound. IMO imaging makes the biggest use in movies and video games. There's times on my setup out in the livingroom watching a movie I'll think sounds are coming from outside when they're coming from in my livingroom.
3) Background music. There's a LOT of music out there, that has a lot of things going on in the background that you just don't get to experience. Even down to maybe a song has a very slight use of a banjo, tamborine, violin whatever. Lower end stuff just kind of drowns out that part of the music to put the other shit up front that you're used to. Grab a high quality copy of November Rain from GNR and not only are you listening to GNR rocking out, you can very very CLEARLY hear the orchestra in the background. There's a song by the Eagles, I can't remember which one it was now cause I'm so used to it now but for years I heard it as it was. Then I got my setup, I thought it was a remake or something all a sudden there were 2 very minor instruments in the song I never heard before, 1 was a tambourine and another I don't remember what, but it was an original copy of the song, I'd just never had anything that could produce it all properly.
​
Now there is a thing I want to stress here, just because the dude above has THOUSANDS into his setup, you DO NOT NEED TO SPEND THAT. The best thing about the audio world, is there's something great for damn near everyone at hundreds of different price points. You could spend less than 300 bucks and have something truly incredible.
Believe it or not, Phillips have made some of the best entry level headphones on the market.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I start most everyone on these. They're incredible. If they wanna spend something more for a more "not have to upgrade long time"
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2HR-Over-Ear-Open-Air-Headphone/dp/B01N5VHLUG
I have them get those. Granted both of those models now come in a new generation design but I personally have no used either of them.
That's your headphones.
Amp/DAC? You won't need anything more than a Schiit Fulla:
https://www.schiit.com/products/fulla-2
There are more products out there obviously but you just can't beat them for their quality/price, and they're USA made right in CA.
But you want a mic too!?
That's ok, both those headphones above terminate in a 3.5mm connection, and the cables are replacable.
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
So you just replace your cable with that, plug in, and now you have a better gaming headphone setup than any of that Logitech/Turtle Beach money marketed trash can ever provide you.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Guessing your budget is around $100?
Look @ the Philips SHP9500 + VMODA BoomPro Mic. Around $105 on Amazon.
The cable for the Philips headphones is removable, and you put the VMODA BoomPro Mic and cable in it's place.
Philips SHP9500 - https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
VMODA BoomPro - https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK
If you can stretch, try these. Not rhe best resolving but soundstage and imaging is solid and it's tuned pretty well if a slight bit sharp. https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
$10 out of your range, but Philips SHP9500 are currently the most recommended over ear headphones for <$100.
The options really drop off in quality at under 50 compared to that at $60, but the Superlux HD668B used to be well regarded, which I currently see at $45 under one of the buyer options
Don't even consider that Redragon headset. If you need a headset, rather than headphones, the hyperX cloud and cloud II have decent reputation for around $50. Better than any "7.1 surround" headset, but generally worse than standalone headphones plus a mic.
https://drop.com/audiophile/drops/?sc=headphones&tgs=gaming-headsets
any of these 5 listed on drop. or if you want to go tried and true the philips shp9500 for around ($80usd) and v-moda boompro mic ($30usd) combo if you want to make it gaming headset or if you want a separate desktop mic the fifine k667
Well, sounds like your best bet would be the Philips SHP-9500 . Open-backed, really low clamping pressure, and 3.5mm (aux) cable replacements. Doesn't come with an inline mic cable, but they're pretty affordable and you can use something like the Vmoda Boompro mic, or even something like New Fantasia Cable.
But really, if the flair is correct, the Philips is sounds like exactly what you're looking for. The extreme low end is rolled off and it's a tiny bit bright, but overall a pretty decent headphone for the price.
For just standalone headphones, something like the Philips shp9500, but they are wired. https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I LOVE my openback headphones that I use for gaming. Beautiful soundstage, crazy light weight, and as an upside for me I can still hear the girlfriend talk without having to take my headphones off. I’ll never not use open backs.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
V-MODA BoomPro Microphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It’s also the best sounding mic I’ve ever used on a headset and it’s all for around ~100. It’s only downside is that since it’s open it isn’t very ‘bassy’ but I personally think huge bass is overrated anyway.
I would forget any and all gamer marketed headphones and go for these:
Phillips SHP9500
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Just do a search on reddit for reviews on these or read the reviews on audiophile sites. These are 100% your best bang for buck headphone you will find for what you want to do IMO.
These ARE openback though so that means others around you will hear the sound
​
Perfect setup in my opinion. You get a removable cord and mic, open back, super light and comfortable. Unfortunately the price is rising on both these items.
I like these a lot, https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I'm always hearing footsteps and sound cues before my friends.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW?th=1
If you're ever looking to "upgrade" on the cheap, seriously consider these!
I would pick the Philips SHP9500 for $75, install EQ APO and Peace GUI to apply some sweet EQ (check here the settings) to balance its sound signature.
Get the SHP9500, actually good for the price according to many (at least for gaming).
when it comes to Sound Production Headphones... when you're new... the most important thing... is comfort.
it don't matter how good it sounds if you wanna rip em off your head after half an hour- so you're just gonna have to try some out.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ I do most of my work using these, and then switch to a heavy-hitter for mastering at the end.
The shp9500 is what u want . I got got this a week ago, sound is great and the mic I got...I'll link is amazing. I've been told by many friends my mic sounds amazing.
You won't regret this setup at all
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Then get a mic which plugs right in
V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_RWGDG0C9YNHCJJTFPT2Z?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Have you tried using an open-back set of headphones? It isn't noise cancelling or anything, but the soundstage is typically better, but the bass is lacking. Its kind of nice so if my girlfriend talks I can still hear her and talk back. Incredibly lightweight, ears never hurt or get warm, etc.
You'll need a separate mic that just plugs into the mic.
If you would like to use the VModa BoomPro, it's a very economical way to go. Your options are going to be somewhat limited though. Options include:
SHP9500 , SHP9600 , Fidelio L2 , Fidelio X2HR.
Other models (some of which are now discontinued) that you can shop around for:
Sivga SV004 / SV005 / SV007
Audio-Technica WS1100is / MSR7
BeyerDynamic Custom Studio
NAD Viso HP50
It’ll *m*ake a difference for sure, just by the power amplifier itself. Maybe not as much since ofc— your gear prohibits some of its benefits.
IMO— the DAC is tangible when u hear it. Gives the presentation an overall warmth that I prefer over “clinical/noisy” DACs that come w the PC/Mac..
& you don’t have to dig deep to hear it’s benefits, I primarily use this amp w these;
There’s a lot of value out there right now, don’t think you’re boxed in to what u have rn— the price of entry is lower than you think.. esp. if you’re coming fr Bose & SI Apple.
..I came frm AirPods Pros if that helps. :)
Something like the Philips SHP9500, which is often recommended as an entry-level open-back.
I bought a pair of Phillips SHP 9500 with a
mod mic and it’s far and away the best set up I’ve ever had. Mic is open back so I can hear the girlfriend talk and stuff but it adds to the soundstage of the headphones. Headset is super light and airy. It’s also the best quality mic I’ve ever had. Don’t really need voice feedback since the headphones are open back.
If you want noise cancelling though these ain’t it.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
$50, easily as good as $300 headphones. doesn't touch your ears, lightweight, and great spatial imaging.
A couple of recommendations: Philips SHP9500 if open back is fine for you (no noisy environment), or MH752 otherwise (includes mic, but it's detachable). The latter seems to be heavily discounted today.
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | $79.98 | $79.98 | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item&nbsp;Info | Bot&nbsp;Info | Trigger
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_7TXJDR5P2HC91SWGE1A3
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | $79.98 | $79.98 | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item&nbsp;Info | Bot&nbsp;Info | Trigger
Why do you need a mic on your headset? Almost all headset mics are really bad quality and you would benefit a lot more by getting a cheap desk mic that you could just put on the desk/table in front of you.
Beats have notoriously bad sound quality with an extremely overemphasized bass frequency. They also have a very bad build quality. My beats fell apart 2 months after I got them back in middle school.
Putting in a small amount for the mic (probably $30~) would leave you with a budget of around 120$. There are quite a few nice headphones you could buy with that. For example the Philips SHP9500 are very good headphones for a budget price. There is also the Sennheiser HD599 which I own and enjoy greatly. I can lost a few others if you aren’t interested in these 2 that I recommended
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Well a staple is the SHP9500, usually my go to pair that I recommend cause it’s all around good no matter your taste in music or use case.
Rn for me that are only 60$ : Limited-time deal: Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_dl_FTE2JZCNNPKX44G6BK74?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
If you need a mic to go with it grab a vmoda boom pro : V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BR3XWH69AFGHZ4BS9TYA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Crystal great audio and mic for 100$ or for your case cause the Christmas deal it’s only 80ish!
US$200 is plenty to start and hardly "budget", so since you have almost no requirements or preferences, start by trying some popular options and buying (and selling) on the used market, such as in r/AVExchange. As you begin to develop preferences, you'll know where to spend your money.
​
Since you picked open back and mention gaming, but want a headphone, not a headset (i.e. a headphone with a microphone, which usually means closed), a new Philips SHP9500 will cost you only $60 and it will be some time before you find better price/performance.
In case you really wanted a headset but still want quality audio for music, $95 will get you a new Sennheiser PC37X.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_RNSWFVFQ3STS6F7404YN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
They aren't gaming headphones but they are open back and sound incredible. I can wear these for hours and hours if I wanted to without any discomfort or sweat.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_dl_K3EW7SE1VGB1Y53HN7RD
I also use this for a mic which essentially turns it into a gaming headset. This is optional though cuz I think you can just use the mic from the controller.
In general, I'd recommend regular headphones over gaming ones because they will likely be cheaper and sound better.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_RNSWFVFQ3STS6F7404YN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Like you, I have large ears and I'm telling you right now, these are incredible. They aren't gaming headphones but they are open back and sound incredible. I can wear these for hours and hours if I wanted to without any discomfort or sweat.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_dl_K3EW7SE1VGB1Y53HN7RD
I also use this for a mic which essentially turns it into a gaming headset. This is optional though cuz I think you can just use the mic from the controller.
In general, I'd recommend regular headphones over gaming ones because they will likely be cheaper and sound better.
When I bought my first open back headphones, I had the same requirements you had. I tried most of the options under 100$ like the Samson SR850 and AKG K240. But ultimately, I went with a Phillips SHP9500.
Price: 75$~
Comfort: One of the most comfortable headphones I've ever tried. Many reviewers will tell you the same. Check Z Reviews on YT and what he said about them.
Balance: The bass will be lacking in most open back headphones; this one is no different. I find it to be perfect for what I listen to (Indie Rock, Rock, etc...) and great for gaming (footsteps, explosions, etc...) but if you're a bass head, I wouldn't recommend open back.
Usage: Its only 32ohms so it can connect to any device and work immediately.
Mods/Upgrades: The only issue I had with it are the earcups, the material is breathable but it's not as smooth or comfortable as pleather or velour. So, I got a set of Brainwavz replacement pads and did some modification. Not necessary but it's good to know that you have options.
Some people don't like the long cable but it can be replaced since the original cable is detachable.
My opinion: Try the SHP9500 and return it if you don't like it. Remember to give them at least a week or two of use so they can expand and adjust to your head size.
​
Links:
Brainwavz Pads (Optional Upgrade): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFDX4YO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
DAC/AMP (Optional upgrade): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XJ89KV6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Don’t get a headset. Get a separate headphone and mic! Headsets are often garbage bassy cans with a shit mic slapped on and a price tag of double what it should be. A separate package can not only get you better quality headphones but and mic but also probably save you a few $ while your at it, idk how big your ears are but my go to when telling anyone to get a headset and mic is these two!
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_AKAY4BYPYFVTC1H117CP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PAZHXAY2Z7E811M3F4Y8
Both of these are about 100$ together and will not disappoint, the headphones are light as air and you’ll forget you even have them on! The mic is really super clear aswell for as cheap as it is. I can go more expensive if you would like, this is just the bare bones, least amount of money bang for your buck, you won’t be disappointed solution. There are a few others that can be only like 20$ more expensive all the way up to like 50$ or even 100$ more expensive if you’d like. Just let me know if I can help you at all!
I was shopping around for a new headset earlier this year and after trying a couple came to the realization that the overall quality of gaming headsets has absolutely tanked recently. The audio quality on all of them was so bad, and headphone review sites seemed to corroborate this.
What I ended up doing was getting these headphones and then this attachable mic.
It also occurred to me that for all my past headsets the failure was either in the attached mic or the cable shorting out. What's nice about these phones in addition to the audio quality being WAY better than any gaming headset I tried and the fit being super lightweight is that instead of a fixed cable they just have a stereo jack on them. So you can use any stereo cable you want including ones with microphone attachments, and if they ever fail then you only have to replace those parts and the headphones keep chuggin. So not only is it a competitive price point but it will save you money in the long run too.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4JW9PARF8XYYH01NWZ87?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This with a v-moda boom mic is a solid wired option. The only downside is not being able to easily control the mix. The upside is that these sound great with music as well. They are open back headphones tho so there is a lot of sound bleed, aka anyone in the same room as you can hear the headphones. The benefit of open back headphones is that they have a wider soundstage.
I got both on sale so it was a very affordable option with great value. Those headphones tend to go on sale for around $50-60, and are considered some of the best value low-cost open back headphones.
You could try using open back headphones with a mod mic and turning the game volume off so you can use your surround sound? I can hear everything around me in the house with my open backs if I want or crank the volume up and drown stuff out. They’re great for listening to music and stuff too.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips SHP9500 Hifi Precision Stereo Over-Ear He… | $130.00 | $130.00 | 4.5/5.0 |
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What if i wear these big ass things on my head 80 percent of time i'm awake?
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
| V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communicat… | - | - | 4.4/5.0 |
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1YJDSZN846PSQ8YTHVVA
These two together is what I would end up getting. Great sound for people that are newer or unfamiliar with headphones and the mic sounds amazing in a room that doesn’t have a ton of background noise! It can handle a fan or 2 but would get rid of things like lawn mowers or extra loud things. I’m not sure what these two together cost in CAD but in USD it’s under or around 100$.
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item&nbsp;Info | Bot&nbsp;Info | Trigger
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
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| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
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| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
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| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
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| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
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| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
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| Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Ster… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item&nbsp;Info | Bot&nbsp;Info | Trigger
Here's a list of headphones that are verified compatible with the Boompro. A few are discontinued models, but I listed them anyway as there may still be old stock available somewhere or availability on the used market. I have owned or still own many of these, so if you have questions feel free to ask. Amazon links were used for convenience; check your local retailers.
Open back:
Sivga SV004 / SV005 / SV007 (discontinued)
Semi open:
Closed:
SV006 / SV002 / SV003
BeyerDynamic Custom Studio (discontinued)
B&O H6 (discontinued)
The Phillips SPH9500 might be a good fit for your first foray into the world of HiFi.
Alternative check out the AKG K240, they’re semi open back but some people rave about them.
headphones is the answer. I dont even have super high end expensive headphones and nerualDSP sounds amazing in them
Here's the chain
Guitar > pedals/pedalboard if you have it > audio interface(headphones plugged into this) > PC with amp sim
In my specific scenario I'm using a thr10ii as the audio interface so I can unplug the heqadphones and the amp becomes the speaker if I'm not worried about noise.
I use these headphones: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
but I didnt find them comfortable out of the box. Or well, not so much "uncomfortable" just not well fitting on my head and I actually hated them. Until I got these
Now they're the most comfortable and well fitting headphones I've ever owned and they have more than adequate sound quality
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I bought those. It says they’re stereo but I’ll probably be blown away since I’ve never had good headphones lol
Yea you can get the shp 9600 for 88 and the 9500 for less
If you're OK with wired, I would highly recommend this combination, which only comes to just over 100 bucks: -
Headphones: -
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
Mic: -
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
The headphone cable is detachable, so you just unplug that then plug the mic cable in.
The mic is excellent. Here's what it sounds like: -
https://youtu.be/euoVAmgp0Lw?t=266
The headphones also punch WAY above their weight for the money and are comparable with gaming headsets that costs a lot more. There are a bunch of reviews on YouTube you can check out.
The only consideration with the combination I recommended is that the headphones are open back, so while they have great sound quality and a wide soundstage, sound will leak out through the earcups at high volumes. If you like to have the headphones cranked up really loud, that can lead to sound leaking into the mic and causing echo, but they do have to be fairly loud for that to happen.
If you don't mind a wired headset, this combination is awesome: -
Headphones: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
Mic: https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
The cable on the headphones can be unplugged, so all you do is remove it, then plug in the mic, and you've got a headset with great sound quality and a really good mic for just over 100 bucks.
Check reviews on YouTube.
It depends on what kind of headphones you get. I have these paird with a mod mic. https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I have a lot of trouble speaking clearly if I can't hear myself. One solution I came up with was using a pair of open back headphones. with a V-Moda BoomPro mic. The open back allowed me to hear myself perfectly and I no longer needed an electronic monitoring solution. Keep in mind that other people will be able to hear your headphones if they are close so it might not work if you use them in a place where it would disturb other people.
Limited-time deal: Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_66QEMADYN0DGZPZR70N7
I know this is old. But these are on sale.
Limited-time deal: Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_66QEMADYN0DGZPZR70N7
This is a great deal on Amazon right now
Deal link: Amazon (additional 15% off coupon on app)
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Deal link: Amazon (additional 15% off coupon on app)
Want additional discounts and coupon codes?
Download newly launched Android App - ShoppingSaga
Category-wise subreddits for Amazon Deals:
| Category | Subreddit |
|---|---|
| Electronics | /r/Deals_Electronics |
| Computers and Accessories | /r/Deals_Computers |
| Video Games | /r/Deals_VideoGames |
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And a antlion modmic 3 attached. No amp/dac yet.
Philips SHP9500 and the V-Moda Boom PRO mic. As good as anything out there and it’ll cost you $115ish from Amazon.
I think this is a great option: -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SHP9500-00-Headphone/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
Along with this: -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
That comes to £130.
I agree with you about paying for the brand, cos IMO a lot of gaming headsets sound like crap compared to similarly priced non-gaming ones. That Philips headset sounds WAY better than it ought to at that price and because the cable on it is detachable, all you need to do is unplug it and plug the BoomPro in and you've got a really great gaming headset at a bargain price.
There's a bunch of reviews of it on YouTube.
Here's a list of headphones that are verified compatible with the Boompro. A few are discontinued models, but I listed them anyway as there may still be old stock available somewhere or availability on the used market. I have owned or still own many of these, so if you have questions feel free to ask. Amazon links were used for convenience; check your preferred retailers.
Open back:
Sivga SV004 / SV005 / SV007
Semi open:
I think right now, best you would get in wired would be the Philips SHP9500 for $48.10 like new under this Amazon listing:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Deal link: Amazon
Category-wise subreddits for Amazon Deals:
Is your reddit feed getting flooded with deals for products you are not interested in? Below are our category-wise subreddits where I crosspost from the main sub.
| Category | Subreddit |
|---|---|
| Electronics | /r/Deals_Electronics |
| Computers and Accessories | /r/Deals_Computers |
| Video Games | /r/Deals_VideoGames |
| Home Improvement | /r/Deals_HomeImprovement |
| Clothing and Accessories | /r/Deals_Apparel |
| Grocery | /r/Deals_Grocery |
Discord Server: Instant deal notifications on our Discord Server!
Amazon Canada Deals: /r/OnlineDealsCanada
Disclaimer: The deal links are affiliated. We may earn a small share on qualifying purchases. It does not affect the deal price in any way.
Deal link: Amazon
Category-wise subreddits for Amazon Deals:
Is your reddit feed getting flooded with deals for products you are not interested in? Below are our category-wise subreddits where I crosspost from the main sub.
| Category | Subreddit |
|---|---|
| Electronics | /r/Deals_Electronics |
| Computers and Accessories | /r/Deals_Computers |
| Video Games | /r/Deals_VideoGames |
| Home Improvement | /r/Deals_HomeImprovement |
| Clothing and Accessories | /r/Deals_Apparel |
| Grocery | /r/Deals_Grocery |
Discord Server: Instant deal notifications on our Discord Server!
Amazon Canada Deals: /r/OnlineDealsCanada
Disclaimer: The deal links are affiliated. We may earn a small share on qualifying purchases. It does not affect the deal price in any way.
Get this headset: -
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
And this mic: -
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK
The headset has a detachable cable, so all you need to do is unplug that, then plug in the mic.
Check the reviews on that headset (there are a bunch of video reviews on YouTube too), cos for the price, it punches WAY above its weight and shits on any other gaming headset in that price range.
As for the 7.1 thing, there's no "7.1 headsets". You can get simulated surround sound from any stereo headset via Windows Sonic (free and built into the console), Dolby Atmos (paid app with a trial) or DTS Headphone: X (paid app with a trial). Obviously, the quality of the headset you use can have a big effect on how all of those options sound. I personally favour Atmos.
For less, you might want to look into Philips SHP9500. They are also a very good introductory open headphone
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
This headset: -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SHP9500-00-Headphone/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
And this mic: -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
The sound quality of that headset is considerably better than that of gaming headsets that are around a similar price. Check some of the YouTube reviews.
One consideration is that they are open back, which I prefer, but it does mean that audio leaks out of the ear cups, so they're not great if you want to play late at night with the sound cranked up while other people nearby are sleeping, for example.
While not that cheap I bought a set of these for myself and after a year of WFH i'm super happy I did, they are extremely comfortable, and sound great.
https://www.amazon.ca/Philips-SHP9500-Headphones-Over-ear-ORIGINAL/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I also bought this for the mic.
https://www.amazon.ca/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
I love the headphones so much I bought my wife a pair for when she gets of parental leave and starts WFH in March
r/HeadphoneAdvice. Check Drop.com for deals. Philips SHP9500 are a good bang for the buck.
These ones? looks like there $70 when on sale, unless its a different model ur talking about.
Philips SHP9500 and a V-Moda Boom Pro.
Both will put you right in your budget.
Use the MixAmp to amplify the SHP9500 if necessary.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=shp9500&qid=1608623122&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.com/ZugGear-Transparent-Stabilizers-Mechanical-Satellite/dp/B07ZLXCWY9/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=durock&qid=1608623278&sr=8-1 These two things.
This is by far the best headset you can get for under $100: -
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
It does not have a mic, but because the cable is detachable at the headset end, people usually pair it with one of these: -
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
Then it works just like any other gaming headset.
It's a little over your budget and the mic is not in stock for a couple of weeks, but in terms of sound quality, that headsets shits on gaming headsets that cost 2 or 3 times as much.
If you have to have wireless (personally, I find wireless headsets to be more inconvenient than wired headphones), then I'd recommend the Arctis 7x or 7p (The 7p is the same thing as the 7x except the 7x is wirelessly compatible with both PS and Xbox and the 7p is only wirelessly compatible with PS)
If you don't have to have wireless, then I'd recommend either the SHP9500 or X2HR (depending on budget) and this mic. If you go with either of those options though, keep in mind those are open back headphones, so if you hear what they're playing, even from across the room, it's not that they have the volume way too loud, that's just the nature of open back headphones.
I use a Phillips shp9500 and the v moda boom. Works great for gaming and sounds awesome with music. Def recommend.
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if you're still looking for an audio solution these headphones are incredible.
Hey, so are you saying that these would be even better, even though they are cheaper?
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW?th=1&psc=1
If you're not looking for one with a built in mic, I would recommend this.
I have the SHP9500 and they are the most comfortable headphones I have owned. I have a large head and there is barely any clamping, they basically sit on my head.
I'm not a fan of the stock pads; they're made of a rough material that irritated my ears after a couple of hours. Replaced them with Shure 940 pads using Modhouse Audio's Pad Adapters. Note that the 940 pads aren't as deep as the stock pads, to the point where they almost touch my ear. If she's worried about this then the Brainwavz HM5 pads would be a better option, although people say the sound signature of the SHP9500 is changed somewhat due to the depth of these pads.
Not sure what mic she has for streaming, but the V-Moda BoomPro works very well with these headphones. It's not the same quality level as a dedicated mic, but it is very good for the price.
Worth every penny
Ah crap, that is unfortunate.
I like open-back headphones/headsets because they breathe and don't get so hot.
These here are epicly good (I mean, just look at the amazon reviews lol) https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Budget: $300 USD max, would prefer lower.
Source: Plugging them into my computer, sometimes into AVR for TV or PlayStation
Isolation: The more the better, only using at my house my have loud children over sometimes that I would love to block out.
Type: Full over ear, I have slightly bigger ears and want them completely covered.
Balance: I don't notice the difference too much, overall balanced I guess. More concerned with comfort and noise blocking.
Past headphones:
- Philips SHP9500, I love these for over ear and comfort, pads are just right but they don't block noise at all.
- Monoprice Modern Retro Over Ear, I bought new better pads and like how they fit over my ears but they are too tight and start to hurt after an hour of use.
Overall I want big over ear headphones that block outside sound, more concerned with comfort than audio quality.
The SHP9500 are still around $80 on Amazon --
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have a pair and they're good as long as you're pairing them with either a good soundcard or good onboard.
I’ve looked into the Philips SHP9500 and pairing it with the Vmoda boom mic or the antlion mod mic. Not sure which is better but I’m leaning towards the boom mic because it’s less wire?
I’ve seen the shp9500 on amazon for about $80 bucks and another amazon prime listing for $63 bucks. Kinda confused if there’s a difference
Here are the links
1) this one is $80 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4VXJAbPZAKSM
2) this one is $69.99 as of the time I posted it https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3LM3J5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LZXJAbYSGXACE
Would you guys suggest pairing these headphones plus the boom mic to the Astro A40 mix amp? I will be using it on the Xbox one mostly
My main headphones recently stopped working properly so I'm looking for a replacement. I would use them for gaming with a priority on immersion, and as I already have a modmic I don't need a headset. I do watch a lot of videos and sometimes films, so them being good for that would be nice as well, but it isn't strictly the priority.
Budget - I'd like to spend no more than £100 but if necessary I'm willing to go a little over.
Source - My computer, a DAC/AMP would be nice but that would likely be outside of my budget.
Requirements for Isolation - Only going to be used at home, I can use some other headphones when quietness is needed.
Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-sized
Preferred tonal balance - I think I'd want balanced?
Past headphones - Well my headphones that just broke were the Creative Aurvana Live! and I'm currently using Koss Porta Pros until I get a replacement. I can't really say what I like about them.
Preferred Music - Lately I've been listening to classical, and I would say it's my favourite, but I do also listen to Rock and occasionally Electronic.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Can't honestly say I know, I felt like something was lacking with my old headphones but I don't have the technical knowledge to pinpoint it.
Location - UK, mainly use Amazon Prime for purchases but if I can get it somewhere else for cheaper then I will.
Other - So I spent a fair bit of last night researching this and the headphones that got mentioned a lot were the SHP9500, the Audio Technica AD series, HD558/598 and sometimes the DT770/990.
The annoying thing is, while the SHP9500 are fantastic value over in the US, like $50-70, they're equivalent to $155 here, at least on Amazon. Now, I could get the 990 for about the same price (£109 for 9500, £104 for DT990) but I would have to get a DAC/AMP to power them, which would put it way over my budget, and the SHP9500's have a detachable cable, which sounds fantastic right now. However, I don't want to be spending money on headphones that are worse than others I could get for the same price.
I've seen the 559's but I don't know what the difference between those and the 558's is, but if they're the same, then I could get them for £89.99 from Amazon.
I've heard mixed things about the AD series and the cheapest ones are still expensive for my budget at £119, again on Amazon.
Trying to decide between these is honestly difficult considering that most of the reviewers and resources are from the US and so they're basing the "bang-for-your-buck" value on the prices of the items over there, where they're a lot cheaper. I'm not saying I'd only pick from these, just that they're the headphones that are mentioned the most when trying to find good open-back headphones for gaming on a small budget. If any of you guys can suggest headphones that are just as good, if not better, but at a better price for my region then I'd happily consider them. Thanks.
Got both of them on Amazon!
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Stereo Headphones Over-ear Black /GENUINE and ORIGINAL Pack https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_V9xxjRpjAwgx6
V-MODA BoomPro Gaming VOiP Headset Headphone Mic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
And here’s this sexy stand for my headphones I got, looks great.
Qadira Wooden Omega Headphones Stand-Hanger-Holder - Walnut Finish https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B014F37W9E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_ZaaHOyfszRCSZ
Please don't buy a headset, but buy a pair of decent headphones and a decent mic as well. Headsets are alright, but they can't match headphones in sound quality as well as positional audio. Surround sound isn't worth it because if you have a decent pair of headphones, you can hear everything around you just as you could if you had virtual surround sound. I would very much recommend buying the Philips SHP9500 and a V-MODA BoomPro microphone. You can buy both on amazon. SHP9500 and V-MODA BoomPro. The Philips SHP9500 are some of, if not, the best headphones you can buy for under $100.
Open back:
Semi open:
Closed back:
Any of these will pair with a VModa BoomPro if you want a good modular boom mic.
If you'd like to consider a desktop microphone, you could expand the list of headphone options that work well for gaming, and music if that's a consideration for you.
Amazon links used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. The used market is also an excellent option for headphones.
Received my SHP9500 today...and compared to my other SHP9500 that I purchased a few months ago from Amazon, they have a completely different box style.
Now to my understanding, Philips has made the SHP9500 (2013 version) discontinued and the newer 2016 Version is the SHP9500S/27 (27 is the region which is USA). This is where things had me researching and confused for the past hour.
From the research I have gathered the original SHP model number is SHP9500/00 and comes with a 3.0m wire, 3.5-6.5mm (1/4”) adapter and a black cloth type bag (that is cheap and can prolly easily be ripped apart lol).
If you notice on my box it says SHP9500 under HiFi Stereo. Everything indicates that these are the original SHP9500 EXCEPT the grid on the side of the box that shows frequency, driver size, and dB sensitivity. This is the weird part. Every picture I have looked up of the SHP9500S/27 has stated in the box SHP9500S under the same area that line says SHP9500.
Also my box states it comes with a 5ft cord (1.5m) which inside the box was a 3.0m cord and all the things that DONT come with the SHP9500S version. On their website the SHP9500 is listed as 2013 and the S version is 2016. I can not find anywhere on my box the date these were manufactured.
So Philips is either being lazy and not changing the description on the boxes OR they decided to rid of the “S” on the box to make less confusion for consumers but here I am confused AF!!!
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gP5NDbFG21Z3A
This link leads you to believe you will be receiving the SHP9500 original that comes in a black box instead of this white and teal one I got. My other 9500 came in the black box, but not these.
In conclusion I guess my biggest thing would be, the SHP9500S actually seems to be the better headphone but nothing indicates how they got the frequency to 6-35,000hz instead of the original 12-35,000hz as well as the dB sensitivity which is labeled on the box I just received as 102db but the original SHP9500 was 101db.
What is the difference between 6-35000hz vs. 12-35000hz, would the lows be better with the 6-35000?
Just weird to me since I expected to receive the same style black box but instead got what the SHP9500S would come in but it’s not labeled S. Do I return? Do I order a pair of SHP9500S to see how they come?
This is the link for the SHP9500S/27 Philips Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones (SHP9500S/27) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYNSKPE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_g35NDbZEBEWZH
Been wanting to try some Sennheiser HD559 since I just have Cheap Monoprice headphones. 559's been at $98-$99 for a while (Hit $74 on prime Day but I didn't order) and these Dropped to $68 on Amazon other day so I ordered them. Much Better than the Closed Back Cheapos. I'm Not a big headphone Guy so they Sound Good to Me......
Topping MX3 Drives them Well
Testing them Out with Heart, Great White, Whitesnake, Sammy Hagar, Allman Brothers............
If you’re willing to go above your budget a little, and isolation is not as important, the Philips SHP9500 is the only one I can think of without a single reservation.
They are comfortable, durable, and replacing or upgrading cables is cheap/easy to find. They are only 32ohm and 101dB sensitivity, so they can run without the need for an external amp if you do not already have one. They offer a wide soundstage and strong bass response, which make them well suited for watching movies and playing games—as well as music.
The only caveat is that they are open-back and therefore do not isolate very well. If you intend to use them indoors or at home, and disturbing others is a non-issue, then I would go with these. If those are considerations for you, then I’d consider the Audio Technica M20x. If you can stretch a bit, or find a refurbished version on Amazon . the M40x is a much better iteration. The Sony 7605 is also great but is about $80.
Price History
- Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) ^<em>PureLink</em>
ReviewMeta: ★★★★✮ 4.5/5 from 813 valid reviews
CamelCamelCamel - [Info] │ Keepa - [Info]
Put those prices in Checkmate.
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That's the same price as a new pair on Amazon right now.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
The three best headsets you can currently get under 100$ are the sennheiser Pc37x from drop.com. Currently 90$ plus I think you can get like 20$ off if you’re a first time buyer. The phillips shp9500 with the vmoda boompro both from amazon. 66$ for the headphones and 30$ for the mic. Those are both open back meaning you want to use them in a quiet environment. The third is the cooler master mh751. They are around 80$. They are closed back and more suitable for gaming around other people. Hope this helps!!
I bought Phillips SH9500's and a V-MODA Boom Pro. A lot of people on reddit recommended it and I'm very happy with the sound and mic.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_THcJFb3F7M8MM
Ok, what motherboard are you using?
If your looking to fine tune the headsets sound you can download eq software to fine tune, treble, bass etc.
Astros mixamp is around 129.99
for that amount of money you could get links below (headset/mic) for 70 more a dac/amp
headphones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A6EGA15UEFYEQ&psc=1
Boom mic: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJ17WKK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Dac/Amp: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TW2JQNN/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2XP9NZHWEM1R7&psc=1
SHP9500 tho, not SHP9500s
Don't forget to buy a pair of Shure pads btw ($22), since the original pads get itchy with time.
​
Shp9500 with gooseneck mic. Use APO equilizer (metal571 has some nice settings in their YT review) to fix the bass rolloff and you have the best bang for buck set up possible.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_btf_t1_vQZDFb85BAKXP
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3GGRF2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_btf_t1_kSZDFbHWZH69D
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nxbyFbJMT4B2Q
V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HzbyFbK70XHFQ
Best Budget Combo and around $100
Hey, looking to buy a decent pair of headphones with a budget of around $150. I have some chosen that I've found through research that I want opinions on but feel free to suggest your own ideas. I'd be mainly using them for gaming but I listen to music a decent amount too.
Headphones-
Philips SHP9500: $74.99
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: $99.00
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x: $69.00
Sennheiser HD350BT: $99.95
Sennheiser HD 450BT: $149.95
Headsets- Most people say to not get "gaming headsets" but they seemed like a good "bang for you buck" option since I won't have to buy a mic.
Logitech G633: $58.99
Steel Series Arctis 7: $149.99
Microphones- I've seen the V-Moda BoomPro recommended a decent amount. How does it compare to getting a separate stand alone mic? Also, is something like this a good idea for a mic? I know Blue Yetis are popular but I can't justify spending $149 on a mic.
Thanks for the help.
SHP9500 is usually the go-to recommendation in this price range. There is a 9600 refresh coming soon but atm you can only buy it on Ali Express for ~$105.
You can easily buy these Philips SHP9500 headphones paired with the VModa Boom Pro microphone and get some great sound for under $100. Sound and mic quality is better than any gaming headset you can find under like $200 or $300. Featured in this Hardware Canucks video.
There are a bunch of variables to factor in. USB or 1/8 in or something else? Gamer aesthetic? Closed back or open back (sound bleed issues and ambient noise issues), budget etc.
It's hard to go wrong with the Phillips SHP9500. Ultra bang for buck but they're open back so that means sound leaks out like crazy. Great in a mancave but not in a living room. https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=shp9500&qid=1596744963&s=electronics&sr=1-3
Beyedynamic is a solid company. Check out their Tygr line.
Sennheiser of course is a great company that makes a million different great sets in all budgets.
Believe it or not Coolermaster makes a great set. I use them all the time. Affordable too. https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Swiveled-Neodymium-Omni-Directional/dp/B07JH3LSHN
​
Then there's the DAC/Amp/interface world. I have one of these.
https://motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m2/
It makes your music and audio louder and better and gives you connectivity options beyond USB.
It's a whole universe man. Too much to really get out right now. Be careful because it will suck you in.
I also had this problem but got a nicer headset and now I have way less problems. Check them out if you'd be interested in getting a nice headset. Its actually not even that expensive but it doesn't come with a mic.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=asc_df_B00ENMK1DW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309807586683&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13773747070823577656&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001930&hvtargid=pla-406164446593&psc=1
for me they have actually made a huge difference.
Philips Audio Philips SHP9500... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW and V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK
Sounds great, open back to let sound in, mic is good quality for its size, and it’s a cheap combo.
I haven't listened to these personally but I only hear good things
​
Hello. I'd like help figuring out how I could get the best sound out of my system?
For my headphones, I have the Phillips SHP9500's, and I have a this SoundBlaster ZxR sound card.
These are the available options for me in Windows.
Also, let's say I wanted to ditch the sound card. I'm looking at this DAC and this AMP. Would I just plug them into USB, plug in my headphones and call it good?
Thanks.
I want an inline volume adjuster for my new-to-me Philips SHP9500. After my research, most cheap ones are garbage. The better ones ($20+) got me thinking, "I can get a cheap amp for less than $20, with volume control."
So, in my non-audiophile mind, the best thing is a cheap amp. I found this Pyle PHA40 amp. Would this do any good for my headset? I am using these headphones with my PC's motherboard headphone jack (B450 Tomahawk Max).
I will second the SHP9500, I have been using them with this attachable mic for a while now. I am pretty impressed, the mic is very clean sounding, and the headphones are pretty damn good for footsteps in FPS. I will be using them for quite some time.
amazon Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rotjFbVJ01TB6
$75 on amazon
>Is this the right sub to ask about the best equipment to support high quality videocalls/skype/zoom/etc (without going totally into the professional end)? ~
Yes
>I think that right now there's probably a lot of people thinking about upgrading the video-call system. What's r/audio's thinking on this?
Indeed!
>What's the best webcam and is it necessary to use a headset, or are there good speakers (and anti-echo systems)?
Anything from Logitech that does 720p60 is a good starting point.
I would start with proper lighting first, though.
Get dedicated headphones+ A: modmic B: cheapest USB condenser mic you can find, they will all sound GOOD ENOUGH (the mics, 50 bucks and above I would say). IF your room is not an echoey mess... like mine.
Headphones... I dont know your budget, 50 dollars and go up from there would be my choice. Check amazon reviews. Check youtube channels that are dedicated to audio.
Bonus points if you have good taste in hand-painted canvases (canvi?) as wall decor (free sound proofing! :D ^(kind of)) and have carpet in the room instead of smooth tiles, for example.
I highly highly recommend not going the "gaming headset" route. I always recommend the Philips SHP9500's paired with a V-Moda Boom Pro. The SHP9500 cable is detachable, so you simply plug the Boom Pro mic into the 3.5mm plug on the SHP9500's and bam, you have a better gaming headset than absolutely anything else at that price, period. I've had this combo for over two years until I built a PC and upgraded to other (much more expensive) gear, but for a console headset you will not find anything better in either sound quality or mic quality, much less both combined. Bonus that the cans are the most comfortable cans I've ever worn. Also detachable cable means that any cable malfunction is easily replaceable.
Bought the Phillips SHP9500 after watching this review https://youtu.be/CLPa1ejmKXE
These things are seriously insanely comfy and sound fantastic, like you're in your own little studio.
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NykoEbA3BM42S Amazon link
If you don't need a mic and all you really want is a good set of headphones, check out the
open-back Philips SHP9500
or
closed-back Takstar Pro82.
I would skip anything with a gaming mic almost all will sound muffled especially at that price, I pushed my budget to $200 and the closest I found would be a Sennheiser GSP headset. But I'd recommend a headset plus a modmic
These are suppose to be really good:
Philips SHP9500 $59.99 + Modmic $39.95
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Great headphones for the money but they are open back, so at high volumes people in the same room will still hear them.
They don't have a mic but you can add a good one for cheap. Much better sound than any "gaming" headset.
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK
To avoid reaching under your desk just buy some 3.5mm extensions.
https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation-2-Pack-Extension-Adapter-Connector/dp/B01K3WYCAS/
Open back:
Semi open:
Closed:
These are good. I have the fidelio x2hr and have been really happy. Just add the boom mic and you’re good to go!
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kh04Db5MXWGHW Or
Philips Fidelio X2HR Over-Ear Open-Air Headphone 50mm Drivers- Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5VHLUG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8h04DbNNN4T0B
V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Qk04DbVXHED17
These Philips open back headphones are considered an excellent value for the money. IDK how they work for gaming: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
This or the Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) that is on sale on amazon for 54.99: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Seems like a pretty hard thing to find under $50 but the Shp9500 should be a good fit if you're willing to go a little over budget.
Surround sound is a bit of a marketing tactic when it comes it headphones. Human hearing can locate objects via stereo sound just fine, if the headphones are accurate and the source properly setup.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SHP9500-00-Headphone/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Those are fantastic for the money.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-X2HR-Resolution-Headphones-Isolation-Black/dp/B01N5VHLUG
Right at the top of your budget but they are an even better pair. Both pairs of Philips headphones are low impedance, even mobile devices can drive them hard.
If you want something in the middle, I am a fan of the Beyerdynamic DT 770's.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/beyerdynamic-770-PRO-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0016MNAAI
These are slightly higher impedance, so you may want to invest in a headphone amp and external DAC for just a touch more quality.
For gaming you should definitely start with a headset.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK
That is the best ~$100 mic+headphone combo around.
I keep a cheap pair of desk speakers just for watching Youtube videos without wearing headphones.
I actually don’t see the need for surround sound. That’s more of a marketing gimmick really, as the usb 7.1 dongles suck. If you really need surround sound, get Dobly Atmos on your computer.
But I don’t think you really need either. Most games have really good audio, and some games like rainbow six siege literally say don’t use surround sound because it’s broken. You need a headset with good soundstage.
What’s soundstage? Well it’s being not only able to tell the direction of your enemy, but also the distance. That’s why I recommend open back headsets for gaming, though they do leak sound and your mic may pick that sound up. Don’t worry about it though, because what I recommend is omni directional and will basically only pick up your voice.
I recommend the Philips SHP9500/SHP9500s. They are to same thing but the s has a little bit more bass. You also might have trouble getting the 9500 because it is discontinued and not many are left. I recommend these because:
Great soundstage
Very comfortable
Has a lot of treble which is good for hearing footsteps.
Has a detachable cable Incase the wire breaks and so you can use a mic
It is extremely well priced at 80USD. It’s probably the best for gaming under 150 USD. And most importantly it will definitely fit you.
For mic, I recommend the Vmoda BoomPro. You just unplug the cable from the headphones and replace it with the BoomPro which is just a 3.5 mm cable with a mic attached. This is a super good mic.
I also highly recommend an amp both for gaming and music. The one I recommend has a switch with T D and B. T is treble boost (for gaming), d is flat, meaning it won’t change anything, and B is bass boost. Which you want if you listen to music because the 9500 has little bass. I recommend the Syba Sonic DAC/AMP. Link at the bottom. This will definitely help sound quality as it bypasses your pc soundcard. IMPORTANT: DON’T use the included usb cord in it as it will cause a short in your computer. You’ll need a different mini usb cable as the provide a really bad one.
To use the amp: This is a usb amp, so plug the usb into your computer and the mini USB port into the DAC/amp. The will power it so it will drain laptop battery with a laptop. Then all you do is is plug your headphone jack into the big 3.5mm headphone jack. Don’t use the one for a split cable because your headset isn’t a split cable.
That’s it! The total is about 150 bucks and will surpass anything for the price.
Don’t get a gaming headset. They just use cheap divers and RGB and day gaming to trick you, as they are way overpriced.
Z Reviews on YT (total audiophile geek) recommends this as well. I invite you to spend more time researching on his channel and other places to understand the mic and amp better. He has a best gaming gaming headsets video from a year ago. This setup is at the very front and one of the first things he talks about. Also goes very in depth on the whole subject of sound for gaming at the beginning. Here are the links:
9500s-https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Vmoda BoomPro Mic - https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK
Syba Soni DAC/amp - https://www.amazon.com/Syba-Digital-Headphone-Amplifier-Coaxial/dp/B009WN7QT4
Remember you need a different mini usb cable. I’d throw the one it came with away because it’s garbage and possibly a fire hazard.
Please watch Z Reviews Gaming Headphone guise from a year ago. The first 25 minutes are all you really need to hear. They explain audio in-depth and talk about the headphones and this combo. Good luck!
Feel free to reach out to me as I can help with the setup or usage, but r/ZReviews is probably a better option. You’ll get help ASAP from a whole hutch of audiophiles who know their stuff.
They're available on Amazon here, They'll be back in stock on August 11th :
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_p91rDbNYM31XZ
Either the SHP9500s or WS100is paired with a VModa BoomPro would also work well for what you described.
A piece of overall advice: always opt for something with a detachable/replaceable cable as worn and broken cables account for the vast majority of headset malfunctions.
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6XTvDb9DKHQXR
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
SHP9500 from Philips at a decent price on Amazon. Or if you are willing to pay $160USD, get the HD 58X. 9500 is kinda sibilant in treble range but 58X is basically non fatiguing to the ears. Best to demo the 9500 and 58X first if possible.
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones
Check out the Philips SHP9500. I use them at work all day with an LG V30, they sound great, very open, and most comfortable headphones I've ever used. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DmrhDbQESZD0B
Here's a review. https://youtu.be/aipXii-qWiQ
Went with Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones ! Those superlux look like a hella good deal tho
Neither of these have mics and you will want to provide a decent DAC/AMP
For less than $100(USD) https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=phillips+9500&qid=1553362809&s=gateway&sr=8-2
​
A step up from there for $160 USD (and what I just ordered )
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones
​
Decent Budget friendly DAC/AMP ($76 USD)
The Philips SHP9500s and the Sivga SV007 are my go-to recommendations for an open-back under $100.
I do own both, so feel free to ask if you have any questions.
You can find these on sale a lot for $50 throughout the year- https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
large drivers and very comfy. I use them at work all day.
For closed back I'm a sucker for ATH m50s
HD600 [Sold]
SHP9500 (NEW) Still for sale [$45] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IFD6AbHEMTRP0
M50x Limited Edition (sold out/limited edition blue) (like new and with all original accessories) [$120] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVLUSGM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pGD6Ab8HKQV3C
LOCAL ONLY
If you are looking for a huge upgrade in audio fidelity over those turtle beach headphones. I highly recommend the Phillips SHP-9500's!! They go from $60-$90 dollars on amazon. I've used turtle beach and astro headsets back in my gaming days and these studio headphones are more comfortable than both (although the Astro's are close). On top of that the audio quality is probably more than sufficient for mixing, they compete in audio quality with $300+ headphones it's insane. They are open back headphones so soundstage is more accurate, but because of that you can't really record vocals with them.
Headphones - https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
The only thing you should know is these are open cans, which means they are not outside noise canceling, so if you need the TV sound in the living room for example to be out of your headset, a closed can headset is a better choice. If you have more questions I'm glad to help!
"quality" is extremely subjective... like you could be like that guy who owns several hundred pairs of $$$$$ headphones and love a $200 pair for certain things more than a $5000 pair.
response to your other comment:
Philips SHP9500S Currently, $55 on Newegg
V-Moda Boom Pro PLUGS RIGHT INTO THE SHP9500S
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
as long as it is available its still a decent recommendation.
My main headphones recently stopped working properly so I'm looking for a replacement. I would use them for gaming with a priority on immersion, and as I already have a modmic I don't need a headset. I do watch a lot of videos and sometimes films, so them being good for that would be nice as well, but it isn't strictly the priority.
Budget - I'd like to spend no more than £100 but if necessary I'm willing to go a little over.
Source - My computer, a DAC/AMP would be nice but that would likely be outside of my budget.
Requirements for Isolation - Only going to be used at home, I can use some other headphones when quietness is needed.
Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-sized
Preferred tonal balance - I think I'd want balanced?
Past headphones - Well my headphones that just broke were the Creative Aurvana Live! and I'm currently using Koss Porta Pros until I get a replacement. I can't really say what I like about them.
Preferred Music - Lately I've been listening to classical, and I would say it's my favourite, but I do also listen to Rock and occasionally Electronic.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Can't honestly say I know, I felt like something was lacking with my old headphones but I don't have the technical knowledge to pinpoint it.
Location - UK, mainly use Amazon Prime for purchases but if I can get it somewhere else for cheaper then I will.
Other - So I spent a fair bit of last night researching this and the headphones that got mentioned a lot were the SHP9500, the Audio Technica AD series, HD558/598 and sometimes the DT770/990.
The annoying thing is, while the SHP9500 are fantastic value over in the US, like $50-70, they're equivalent to $155 here, at least on Amazon. Now, I could get the 990 for about the same price (£109 for 9500, £104 for DT990) but I would have to get a DAC/AMP to power them, which would put it way over my budget, and the SHP9500's have a detachable cable, which sounds fantastic right now. However, I don't want to be spending money on headphones that are worse than others I could get for the same price.
I've seen the 559's but I don't know what the difference between those and the 558's is, but if they're the same, then I could get them for £89.99 from Amazon.
I've heard mixed things about the AD series and the cheapest ones are still expensive for my budget at £119, again on Amazon.
Trying to decide between these is honestly difficult considering that most of the reviewers and resources are from the US and so they're basing the "bang-for-your-buck" value on the prices of the items over there, where they're a lot cheaper. I'm not saying I'd only pick from these, just that they're the headphones that are mentioned the most when trying to find good open-back headphones for gaming on a small budget. If any of you guys can suggest headphones that are just as good, if not better, but at a better price for my region then I'd happily consider them. Thanks.
Open Back headphones suggestions:
<strong>Philips SHP9500S</strong>
- Super comfortable
- Light weight (you can wear them for hours)
- Very wide soundstage
- Good bass for an open back
- $75 USD (~60€)
<strong>Sennheiser HD 598 SR</strong>
- Comfortable
- Easy to listen to for extended periods of time
- Nice accurate bass which is good for movies/games
- Better build quality over the Philips
- Open box on ebay for $125 USD (~100€)
I strongly recommend Philips SHP9500 with V-MODA BoomPro over HyperX Cloud (II).
[](/text)
Setup:
It's all straightforward. You attach the mic by inserting it directly into the headphone, replacing the original headphone cable. To connect them to the controller, you just plug the cable in. To connect them to the USB port on PS4, you can use an audio USB adapter. You'd need to use a Y-splitter because the BoomPro terminates in a single plug while adapters have dual jacks. A Y-splitter is included with the BoomPro.
[](/text)
Sound:
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile with the exception of subdued sub-bass. Sub-bass is how deep the bass goes and is where rumble comes from. It has clean bass and smooth treble that's not sharp or harsh. For gaming, SHP9500 has spectacular clarity. It's not far away from headphones from reputable brands that cost several times more, e.g. AKG Q701, HifiMan HE400i (revision), Sennheiser HD598. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound, like virtual surround sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well.
BoomPro has great quality for voice chat and casual streaming. You can actually judge for yourself by listening to recordings on YouTube.
[](/text)
Build, comfort and features:
SHP9500 has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the earcups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which isolate sound from passing through to some extent. The sonic benefits of an open design are generally a larger soundstage and better imaging. If your ears tend to sweat, then the open design can help. SHP9500 has a lightweight and durable build with an aluminum frame. It has no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earcups tilt and swivel. The earpads are large, but shallow. They are, however, detachable and easily replaceable. The pads are soft and well padded. They are made of smooth, non-itchy fabric and breathe well. The headband has great weight distribution and doesn't cause hotspots on top of my head. The clamping force is very light for an average sized head.
BoomPro has great build quality with an aluminum gooseneck and a tangle-free and braided cable. The cable is free of microphonics. The mic is almost unnoticeable in your peripheral vision, especially when you're immersed in the game. Which is personally a huge plus for me. It has a volume and mic mute control, which have an appropriate amount of resistance and feels consistent, not sluggish or sticky, to adjust.
[](/text)
Alternatives:
If you need sound isolation, then I recommend Superlux HD669 first and AKG K52 second. Attach an Antlion ModMic, which is easy to do, and you have a headset.
Status Audio CB-1 is a closed headphone that's compatible with the BoomPro.
If you don't need sound isolation and are open to using a ModMic, then I have several other recommendations and suggestions.
[](/text)
I've used AKG K52, AKG Q701, Audeze LCD-2 Classic, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990 (600 ohms), HiFiMan HE400i (the revision), HiFiMan HE500, HyperX Cloud, Koss Porta Pro, Monoprice Monolith M1060, Philips Fidelio X2, Philips SHP9500, Sennheiser HD598, Sennheiser HD700, Sennheiser HD800, Superlux HD662 EVO, Superlux HD668B, Superlux HD669, Superlux HD681 EVO, Tritton Pro+ and Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven for gaming, and my go-to recommendation is Philips SHP9500 with V-MODA BoomPro.
If you're from North-America, then the headphone often goes on sale for around $50 on Newegg.
[](/text)
Setup:
It's all straightforward. You attach the mic by inserting it directly into the headphone, replacing the original headphone cable. To connect them to the controller, you just plug the cable in. To connect them to the USB port on PS4, you can use an audio USB adapter. You'd need to use a Y-splitter because the BoomPro terminates in a single plug. A Y-splitter is included with the mic.
[](/text)
Sound:
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. The sub-bass, which is where rumble comes from, it subdued. It has clean bass. The treble (high tones) can sound smooth or a little bright / too sparkly depending on how treble sensitive you are and what headphones you're used to. SHP9500 has spectacular clarity, it's not far away from headphones that cost several times more. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound, like virtual surround sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well. I assess headphones mainly in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 since I'm intimately familiar with its environment and sound design and rely heavily on it.
BoomPro has great quality for voice chat and casual streaming. You can actually judge for yourself by listening to recordings on YouTube.
[](/text)
Build, comfort and features:
SHP9500 has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the earcups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which isolate sound from passing through to some extent. The sonic benefits of an open design are generally a larger soundstage and better imaging. If your ears tend to sweat, then the open design can help. SHP9500 has a lightweight and durable build with an aluminum frame. It has no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earcups tilt and swivel. The earpads are large, but shallow. They are, however, detachable and easily replaceable. The pads are soft and well padded. They are made of smooth, non-itchy fabric and breathe well. The headband has great weight distribution and doesn't cause hotspots on top of my head. The clamping force is very light for an average sized head.
BoomPro has great build quality with an aluminum gooseneck and a tangle-free and braided cable. The cable is free of microphonics. The mic is almost unnoticeable in your peripheral vision, especially when you're immersed in the game. Which is personally a huge plus for me. It has a volume and mic mute control, which have an appropriate amount of resistance and feels consistent, not sluggish or sticky, to adjust.
[](/text)
Alternatives:
If you need sound isolation, then I recommend Superlux HD669 first and AKG K52 second. Attach an Antlion ModMic, which is easy to do, and you have a headset. I don't recommend HyperX Cloud (II) because it has been surpassed by HD669, K52 and especially SHP9500 in sound quality.
Status Audio CB-1 is a closed headphone that's compatible with the BoomPro.
If you don't need sound isolation and are open to using an Antlion ModMic, then I have several other recommendations and suggestions.
[](/text)
I'm looking at getting a new headset with a mic for gaming and online communication.
- Budget: About $100 CAD. I can go a little higher, but I'd prefer to stay relatively budget-minded.
- Source: They'll most commonly plug into either my PS4 controller, or my computer. I've heard some of the more powerful headsets need additional power or something? But they're probably outside of my budget anyway. I don't know if those would work out of a PS4 controller, either.
- Requirements for Isolation: I'll be using it at home, so there's not a big need for isolation, although sometimes I use it at night, and don't want to wake the family.
- Preferred Type of Headphone: I guess the best ones for gaming would be full-sized or something? I don't have much experience with headphones, just the occasional IEM and my current headset, which is:
- Past headphones: Microsoft LX-3000. It's not the greatest thing in the world, but it was $30, and that was really all I cared about. It creaks/rubs whenever I turn my head, move my jaw, or otherwise make any motion, which transfer directly into my ears. It's a plasticky, irritating sound, but I don't know if that's just a characteristic of headsets in general, or just the cheap ones.
- Preferred tonal balance: Not an audiophile, so I'm gonna go with balanced? I probably wouldn't notice the difference.
I went to the purchase assistant, and looked at the options there. I was thinking of a SHP9500 with the V-Moda boom, but I'm hearing both praise and criticisms at the 9500 (overhyped, etc). Also, I was only able to find them for $130, which is a little more than the ~$60 USD the assistant had. The alternatives I'm looking at are the Superlux 668B ($57), 681 (about the same price), or the 681-EVO ($72). However, I don't know if there's compatibility between the V-Moda and any of these, I've never used a mic that didn't come attached to the headset before. If I look for an all-in-one package, maybe a HyperX Cloud ($104)? I'm just going by the recommendations in the Assistant page here, I've got no idea what I'm doing, I just want the best value for my dollar, and a headset that doesn't creak.
Would this be the ones you are referring to for Phillips? https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524331981&sr=8-1&keywords=Phillips+SHP+9500
I've used AKG K52, AKG Q701, Audeze LCD-2 Classic, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990 (600 ohms), HiFiMan HE400i (the revision), HiFiMan HE500, HyperX Cloud, Koss Porta Pro, Monoprice Monolith M1060, Philips Fidelio X2, Philips SHP9500, Sennheiser HD598, Sennheiser HD700, Sennheiser HD800, Superlux HD662 EVO, Superlux HD668B, Superlux HD669, Superlux HD681 EVO, Tritton Pro+ and Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven for gaming, and my go-to recommendation is Philips SHP9500 with V-MODA BoomPro.
[](/text)
Setup:
It's all straightforward. You attach the mic by inserting it directly into the headphone, replacing the original headphone cable. To connect them to the controller, you just plug the cable in. To connect them to the USB port on PS4, you can use an audio USB adapter. You'd need to use a Y-splitter because the BoomPro terminates in a single plug while adapters have dual jacks. A Y-splitter is included with the BoomPro.
[](/text)
Sound:
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile with the exception of subdued sub-bass. Sub-bass is how deep the bass goes and is where rumble comes from. It has clean bass and smooth treble that's not sharp or harsh. For gaming, SHP9500 has spectacular clarity. It's not far away from headphones that cost several times more. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound, like virtual surround sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well.
BoomPro has great quality for voice chat and casual streaming. You can actually judge for yourself by listening to recordings on YouTube.
[](/text)
Build, comfort and features:
SHP9500 has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the earcups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which isolate sound from passing through to some extent. The sonic benefits of an open design are generally a larger soundstage and better imaging. If your ears tend to sweat, then the open design can help. SHP9500 has a lightweight and durable build with an aluminum frame. It has no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earcups tilt and swivel. The earpads are large, but shallow. They are, however, detachable and easily replaceable. The pads are soft and well padded. They are made of smooth, non-itchy fabric and breathe well. The headband has great weight distribution and doesn't cause hotspots on top of my head. The clamping force is very light for an average sized head.
BoomPro has great build quality with an aluminum gooseneck and a tangle-free and braided cable. The cable is free of microphonics. The mic is almost unnoticeable in your peripheral vision, especially when you're immersed in the game. Which is personally a huge plus for me. It has a volume and mic mute control, which have an appropriate amount of resistance and feels consistent, not sluggish or sticky, to adjust.
[](/text)
Alternatives:
If you need sound isolation, then I recommend Superlux HD669 first and AKG K52 second. Attach an Antlion ModMic, which is easy to do, and you have a headset. I don't recommend HyperX Cloud (II) because it has been surpassed by HD669, K52 and especially SHP9500 in sound quality.
Status Audio CB-1 is a closed headphone that's compatible with the BoomPro.
If you don't need sound isolation and are open to using an Antlion ModMic, then I have several other recommendations and suggestions.
[](/text)
Philips SHP9500 + V-MODA BoomPro
The mic plugs directly into the headphone, replacing the original headphone cable. The headphone/mic cable plugs directly into the controller. You can use a sound card, e.g. Astro MixAmp Pro TR, or a USB adapter, like this one, instead.
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. It has clean bass and smooth treble that's not sharp or harsh. It has great clarity and overall sound quality that's not far away from headphones that cost several times more, e.g. AKG Q701, Beyerdynamic DT990, HiFiMan HE400i, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD598. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well.
It has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the cups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which isolate sound from passing in and out to some extent. The benefits of an open design are a larger soundstage and better imaging than most closed headphones (at least in same the price range, of course). It has a lightweight and durable build with an aluminum headband and no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earpads have good quality with soft and smooth, non-itchy fabric, and they're detachable, but they're shallow. The headphone sits comfortably on my head.
The BoomPro has a volume and mic mute control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck and a tangle-free and braided cable. I'm not going to say anything else about the sound quality than that it's great for voice chat because you can (and you should) listen to sound tests on YouTube to judge for yourself.
Another headphone/headset I've compared it to is HyperX Cloud, which I bring up because it's so well known. It sounds very muddy, has scratchy and awful treble, and it has a smaller soundstage and worse imaging.
If you need sound isolation, Status Audio CB-1 is a popular headphone for gaming in the audio enthusiast community that's compatible with the BoomPro. If you're willing to attach an Antlion ModMic or a Massdrop Minimic to headphones, which is very easy to do, then I have other recommendations and suggestions, open and closed.
Look at the Philips SHP9500. They are open backed (they have a grille instead of hard plastic shell covering the ears). If you keep them at a lower volume, you can hear the world around you just fine. I use them with my wife in the room, and all's well.
You can sometimes get them on sale for $50. Add a mic and you're good to go.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The downsides to this headset are only the 2, non removable pads and open ears.
So I'm not sure why but my brand new pair of Phillips headphones crackle sometimes, but it seems to only be when a certain game is running? Or just occasionally, when it happens i'm not even moving my head any so the wire is stationary.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xuqwAb7H3MWFD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JOETX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_svqwAb6WN13DW
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S333U4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ryqwAb2ZKG14X https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L1IIF1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3AqwAbHBVAASS
I dont know the price conversion but these are basically your entry level headphones that are gonna be reccomended.
Is this the link you purchased from? www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Thanks man, these are the ones I want, right? www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
CHeck out the Phillips SPH9500 and the V-Moda BoomPro. Insane value. Mic plugs straight into the headphones, no extra wires like with the Antlion boommics. However, you won't be using these headphones in public as they're open back, but seeing how most gaming headsets look, I don't think you were planning on that anyways.
You have two CPU coolers in there. Get rid of the liquid cooler and pick a motherboard with a better VRM.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Get the Philips SHP9500 headphones and a V-Moda Boom Pro microphone.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK
If you really insist on going with earbuds, you definitely can't go wrong with VE Monk. But I really wouldn't recommend it for gaming.
Get a good pair of cans like the SHP-9500, it usually goes on sale for around $35~40. Then slap a ModMid or V-Moda Boompro on it
(Copy/pasting from a previous comment I made for headphones/mics, but yeah)
>What's your budget?
> I'd personally recommend going with a nice pair of headphones and a separate microphone. The Philips SHP9500 paired with the Samson Go are a killer $90 combo.
They're gonna offer a much better experience than your current gaming headset will do.
As far as monitors go, the Dell 2417DG is the best ≤400 G-Sync monitor.
Also, not sure if you left it off by accident but if you didn't, please get a hard drive. Filling up SSDs makes for slower speeds (You want about 15-20% of it left open in case of game/OS/program updates or random file additions).
You wrote that you wanted a headset that's completely wireless...
I strongly recommend Philips SHP9500 with a V-MODA BoomPro mic and Superlux HD681 EVO with an Antlion ModMic 4 or Massdrop Minimic over HyperX Cloud (II).
[](/text)
SOUND QUALITY
SHP9500 and HD681 EVO have very good clarity and detail retrieval. They have clean and distortion-free bass. They have treble that's smooth and sparkly, not sharp or dull. Both have an overall great sound quality that's not far away from headphones that cost several times more. SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects across the soundstage; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well. HD681 EVO is warm and fun sounding with a spatial / three-dimensional soundstage and impactful and rumbling bass. But it has poor imaging and separation.
As for the mics, the sound quality is the one thing you can judge for yourself before buying by listening to sound tests on YouTube.
[](/text)
BUILD & COMFORT
Both headphones have durable and lightweight builds. They don't have flimsy or squeaky parts. They have an open design, so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which largely isolate sound from passing in and out. The benefits of an open design is a larger soundstage and better imaging than most closed headphones. I recommend taking out the loose felt inside the cups of HD681 EVO because the earpads are shallow and the drivers stick out a bit. I also recommend buying velour pads from Brainwavz; they're deep, made of memory foam, have fine velour, great quality and are amazingly comfortable. The pads might be expensive to you, but the sound quality is more than worth it. SHP9500 have good pads and is comfortable.
The BoomPro has a volume and mic mute control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck. The cable has great quality and is braided and tangle-free.
The ModMic 4 can be bought with and without a mute switch. It has very good build quality with a very good cable. For volume control (and mic mute control), you can use a Fosmon, Insignia or Lucid Sound AdjustR audio controller.
[](/text)
SETUP
The BoomPro mic plugs straight into SHP9500 and the they plug straight into the controller. It's also possible to use a sound card, like Astro MixAmp Pro TR and Creative Sound BlasterX G1.
The ModMic attaches magnetically to a base that you stick to either cup. The Minimic uses a very similar clasp system. They're very easy to attach and remove and are compatible with all headphones. You need a TRRS Y-splitter (three black rings on the connector) to connect the headphone cable and mic cable to the controller. You can also use a sound card, like the ones aforementioned, or a DAC and headphone amplifier, like Audio Engine D1 and SMSL SD793-II.
I don't recommend a sound card or a DAC and an amp unless you want to connect to the PS4 instead of DS4 or you experience electromagnetic interference or have other issues with the controller. These headphones improve only a little with much better sources.
[](/text)
Other headphones/headsets I own: AKG K52, AKG Q701, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990, B&W P7, Creative Aurvana Live!, HiFiMan HE400i, HyperX Cloud, Koss Porta Pro, Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Ebony, Philips Fidelio X2, Sennheiser HD598, Sennheiser HD700, Superlux HD662 EVO, Superlux HD668B and Superlux HD669. Have owned: Monoprice Monolith M1060, Tritton Pro+, and Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven.
Philips SHP9500 + V-MODA BoomPro
The mic plugs straight into the headphone, replacing the original headphone cable. The headphone/mic cable plugs straight into the controller. You can use a sound card, e.g. Astro MixAmp Pro TR, or a USB adapter, like this one, instead.
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. It has clean bass and smooth treble that's not sharp or harsh. It has great clarity and overall sound quality that's not far away from headphones that cost several times more, e.g. AKG Q701, Beyerdynamic DT990, HiFiMan HE400i, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD598. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well.
It has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the cups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which isolate sound from passing in and out to some extent. The benefits of an open design are a larger soundstage and better imaging than most closed headphones (at least in same the price range, of course). It has a lightweight and durable build with no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earpads have good quality with soft and smooth, non-itchy fabric, and they're detachable, but they're shallow.
The BoomPro has a volume and mic mute control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck and a tangle-free and braided cable.
I strongly recommend SHP9500 over HyperX Cloud (II) if you don't need sound isolation. For sound isolation, I recommend Superlux HD669 or AKG K52 with an Antlion ModMic or a Massdrop Minimic. Alternatively, Status Audio CB-1 is a very popular headphone for gaming in the audio enthusiast community that's compatible with the BoomPro.
I strongly recommend Philips SHP9500 with a V-MODA BoomPro mic over HyperX Cloud (II).
The mic plugs straight into the headphone and the headset plugs straight into the controller. It's also possible to use a sound card, e.g. Astro MixAmp Pro TR and Creative Sound BlasterX G1.
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. Clean and distortion-free bass. Smooth treble that's not sharp or harsh. It has great clarity and overall sound quality that's not far away from headphones that cost several times more, e.g. AKG Q701, Beyerdynamic DT990, HiFiMan HE400i, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD598. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects across the soundstage; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well. Better than the Cloud.
SHP9500 has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the cups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which largely isolate sound from passing in and out. The benefits of an open design are a larger soundstage and better imaging than most closed headphones (at least in same the price range, of course). It has a lightweight and durable build with no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earpads have good quality with soft and smooth, non-itchy fabric, and they're detachable, but they're shallow.
The BoomPro has a volume and mic mute control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck and a braided and tangle-free cable.
If you're open to attaching an Antlion ModMic 4 or a Massdrop Minimic to headphones, then I have other recommendations and suggestions.
I recommend Philips SHP9500 and Superlux HD681 EVO. Add an Antlion ModMic 4, a Massdrop Minimic or a V-MODA BoomPro mic and you have a headset.
[](/text)
SETUP
The BoomPro mic plugs straight into SHP9500 and they plug straight into the controller. It's also possible to use a sound card, like Astro MixAmp Pro TR and Creative Sound BlasterX G1.
The ModMic attaches magnetically to a base that you stick to either cup. The Minimic uses a very similar clasp system. They're very easy to attach and remove and are compatible with all headphones. You need a TRRS Y-splitter (three black rings on the connector) to connect the headphone cable and mic cable to the controller. You can also use a sound card, like the ones aforementioned, or a DAC and headphone amplifier, like Audio Engine D1 and SMSL SD793-II.
I don't recommend a sound card or a DAC and an amp unless you want to connect to the PS4 instead of DS4 or you experience electromagnetic interference or have other issues with the controller. These headphones improve only a little with much better sources.
[](/text)
SOUND QUALITY
SHP9500 and HD681 EVO have very good clarity and detail retrieval. They have clean and distortion-free bass. They have treble that's smooth and sparkly, not sharp or dull. Both have an overall great sound quality that's not far away from headphones that cost several times more. SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects across the soundstage; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well. HD681 EVO is warm and fun sounding with a spatial / three-dimensional soundstage and impactful and rumbling bass. But it has poor imaging and separation.
As for the mics, the sound quality is the one thing you can judge for yourself before buying by listening to sound tests on YouTube.
[](/text)
BUILD & COMFORT
Both headphones have durable and lightweight builds. They don't have flimsy or squeaky parts. They have an open design, so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which largely isolate sound from passing in and out. The benefits of an open design is a larger soundstage and better imaging than most closed headphones. I recommend taking out the loose felt inside the cups of HD681 EVO because the earpads are shallow and the drivers stick out a bit. I also recommend buying velour pads from Brainwavz; they're deep, made of memory foam, have fine velour, great quality and are amazingly comfortable. The pads might be expensive to you, but the sound quality is more than worth it. SHP9500 have good pads and is comfortable.
The BoomPro has a volume and mic mute control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck. The cable has great quality and is braided and tangle-free.
The ModMic 4 can be bought with and without a mute switch. It has very good build quality with a very good cable. For volume control (and mic mute control), you can use a Fosmon, Insignia or Lucid Sound AdjustR audio controller.
Other headphones/headsets I own: AKG K52, AKG Q701, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990, B&W P7, Creative Aurvana Live!, HiFiMan HE400i, HyperX Cloud, Koss Porta Pro, Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Ebony, Philips Fidelio X2, Sennheiser HD598, Sennheiser HD700, Superlux HD662 EVO, Superlux HD668B and Superlux HD669. Have owned: Monoprice Monolith M1060, Tritton Pro+, and Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven.
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The reason I don't recommend HyperX Cloud (II) is that it has a terrible price-performance ratio compared to SHP9500 and HD681 EVO with a ModMic/Minimic/BoomPro. This is partially due to it being closed. The Cloud is better in build quality and materials used in the earpads. For a closed headphone, I recommend AKG K52 with a ModMic or Minimic.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511359878&sr=8-1&keywords=shp9500 These? If not, can you please give me a link to them?
No doubt some good advice but imo, the best mic and headphones you can get for $100 are the Philips SHP9500 - https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ with a V-moda mic - https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
Since the philips cable is detachable, you just ditch that and plug your v moda mic into it.
You should check out some audiophile websites about the Philips set, probably the best headset in the $100 range. It beats many that are even more than that.
Philips SHP9500 + V-MODA BoomPro
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SETUP & USE
The mic attaches to the headphone by plugging it straight into the headphone. You connect the headset to the controller by just plugging it into the headphone jack. DS4 drives it with ease and outputs loud volumes. You can also use a sound card, e.g. Astro MixAmp Pro TR and Creative Sound BlasterX G1. The mic has a mute switch and volume control.
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SOUND
SHP9500 has a neutral/balanced sound profile, meaning the bass and treble aren’t increased or decreased. It presents the game as it was intended to sound like. Please be aware of this if you think more bass equals better sound quality. The bass is clean and distortion-free. The treble isn’t sharp or harsh, it’s smooth and pleasant. The clarity and detail retrieval are very good. SHP9500 has an overall great sound quality that’s not far away from headphones that cost several times more.
Its weaknesses are soundstage, imaging and separation, which constitute positional audio and how well you discern individual sounds from a range of sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well. Soundstage and imaging are shortly told also the stereo equivalent of virtual surround sound. I strongly prefer stereo because VSS compresses/degrades the sound and it mucks up the positional audio when headphones already have good positional audio. If you find the soundstage and imaging lacking, then you can always add VSS to headphones with a sound card. Note that there are many different VSS technologies and they affect sound quality and positional audio differently.
As for the mic, you can actually judge for yourself by listening to sound tests on YouTube, which you should.
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BUILD
SHP9500 has a durable and lightweight build. No flimsy or squeaky parts. It sits around the ears and has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the cups), so sound will pass through freely, unlike closed headphones which largely isolate sound from passing in and out. The benefits to open headphones are that they generally have a larger soundstage and better imaging than closed headphones. The earpads have good quality, they're soft with smooth fabric, and they're detachable, but they're shallow and it would require a little bit of DIY to replace them.
BoomPro has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck. The cable is braided, tangle-free, and has great quality. I use a desktop mic because I don't like having a mic up in my face, but the BoomPro is barely noticeable in my side vision. The mute switch stays in place and has an appropriate resistance. The volume wheel has a decent size, but could be a little bigger, and a little tighter to not accidentally rub it against your clothes and change the volume.
COMPARISON
To put SHP9500 into scale since I have HyperX Cloud and it's a very well known headset, SHP9500 surpasses the Cloud by far in audio. The Cloud is better in build quality. I haven't even taken its mic out of the box, so I can't say anything about it.
ALTERNATIVES
If you're open to attaching an Antlion ModMic to a headphone, which is very easy to do, then I have other recommendations and suggestions. I've already written a lot of information.
^EXPERIENCE
^I'll ^leave ^this ^list ^of ^headphones ^I ^own ^and ^have ^owned ^here ^because ^I ^generally ^don't ^like ^seeing ^people ^make ^claims ^about ^audio ^without ^mentioning ^what ^other ^experiences ^they ^have. ^Headphones: ^AKG ^K52, ^AKG ^Q701, ^Audio-Technica ^ATH-AD700x, ^Beyerdynamic ^DT990, ^B&W ^P7, ^HiFiMan ^HE400i, ^HyperX ^Cloud, ^Massdrop ^x ^Fostex ^TH-X00 ^Ebony, ^Monoprice ^Monolith ^M1060, ^Philips ^Fidelio ^X2, ^Sennheiser ^HD700, ^Superlux ^HD662 ^EVO, ^Superlux ^HD668B, ^Superlux ^HD669, ^Superlux ^HD681 ^EVO
Philips SHP9500 + V-MODA BoomPro
The headphone has a neutral/balanced sound profile, meaning it has no increased or decreased bass and treble. It has very good clarity and very good bass and treble quality. Good detail retrieval and positional audio. It has a durable and lightweight build. No flimsy or squeaky parts. The cable and earpads are removable. The earpads are soft and have good quality, but are shallow. The headphone sits around the ears and has an open design, so it allows sound to freely pass out and outside sound to freely pass in. The benefit to this is generally a larger soundstage and better imaging than you what you get with closed headphones. Soundstage and imaging are shortly told the stereo equivalent of virtual surround sound. Stereo might not sound completely three-dimensional like virtual surround sound, but you retain the sound quality and detail retrieval in return as virtual surround sound uses compression. Virtual surround sound can also make positional audio better or worse, it depends partially on what technology you use. Dolby Headphone is a very common one. Sony and HyperX use their own technology. In any case, I find virtual surround sound to worsen the positional audio when headphones already have good positional audio. Virtual surround sound can always be added to headphones if you find the soundstage and imaging lacking. There are e.g. the Astro MixAmp Pro TR and sound cards from Creative.
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The mic connects to the headphone’s jack, replacing the headphone cable. It has a mute switch and volume control.
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I compare to AKG K52, AKG Q701, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990 (600 ohms), HiFiMan HE400i, HyperX Cloud, Monoprice Monolith M1060, Philips Fidelio X2, Sennheiser HD700, Superlux HD662 EVO, Superlux HD668B, Superlux HD669 and Superlux HD681 EVO.
If you’re open to attaching an Antlion ModMic to a headphone, which is very easy to do, then I have other recommendations and suggestions.
I advise against HyperX Cloud (II) because SHP9500 surpasses it by far in audio. The Cloud is better in build quality. It’s worse in comfort, but this is so individual.
Here you https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_85QaAb719JHK0
I give up trying to link through the text. Make sure you get a mic with it though if you're into talking.
Including a mic, these are $100 combos. I have many other headphone recommendations and suggestions if you have a bigger budget. Just ask if you have questions.
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Headphones:
Has a neutral/balanced sound profile, meaning the bass and treble (high tones) aren’t increased or decreased. It has no bass distortion. No sharp or harsh treble. It has very good clarity and detail retrieval. It has an overall great sound quality that’s not far away from headphones that cost several times more. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is perceived space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately sounds/objects are positioned; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of sounds. I judge headphones by how they perform competitively in FPS games. Soundstage and imaging are the stereo equivalent of virtual surround sound.
It has a durable and lightweight build. No squeaky or flimsy parts. It has an open design, so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which largely isolate sound from passing in and out. The benefits to an open design is generally larger soundstage and better imaging than closed headphones.
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Has increased bass and treble. No bass distortion. The treble is a little sharp. It has very good clarity and detail retrieval. SHP9500 has better sound quality, while HD668B has much better soundstage, imaging and separation. It has a durable and lightweight build. No squeaky or flimsy parts. It has an open design.
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This is my favorite for casual/immersive gaming among these headphones. It has a warm and fun sounding sound profile with neutral treble, rumbling bass and a large soundstage. The sound quality is on par with SHP9500. But it has poor imaging for competitive gaming. It has a durable and lightweight build. No squeaky or flimsy parts. It has an open design.
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Has a closed design, so I recommend it only if you need sound isolation. It’s like a closed version of SHP9500 but with less clarity. It has a durable and very lightweight build. No squeaky or flimsy parts.
Other experience:
AKG Q701, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, B&W P7, Beyerdynamic DT990, HiFiMan HE400i, HyperX Cloud, Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Ebony, Monoprice Monolith M1060, Philips Fidelio X2, Sennheiser HD700, Superlux HD669, Superlux HD662 EVO, Tritton Pro+ and Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven.
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To put into comparison since most people know of HyperX Cloud, SHP9500, HD668B and HD681 EVO surpass it by far in audio. For closed headphones, I recommend K52. The Cloud is better in build quality.
Alternatives that are well-regarded for gaming in the audio community:
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD500x
- Sennheiser HD558
- Status Audio OB-1
- Status Audio CB-1
- Superlux HD681
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Mics:
The sound quality is the one thing you can judge for yourself before buying by listening to sound tests on YouTube.
Attaches magnetically to a base that you stick to either cup. The mic is very easy to attach and remove. It can be bought with and without a mute switch. The mic itself and the cable have very good build quality. For volume control (and mute toggle), you can use a Fosmon, Insignia or Lucid Sound AdjustR audio controller.
Uses a very similar clasp system as the ModMic. It's also very easy to attach and remove. It's modular and comes with a mute switch. For volume control, you can use the aforementioned audio controllers.
You plug it straight into the headphone. It has a mute switch and volume control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck. The cable has great quality and is braided and tangle-free. It's compatible with Philips SHP9500 and Status Audio CB-1.
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Usage:
To connect the ModMic 4 and Minimic to the controller, you need a TRRS / 4-pole Y-splitter (three black rings on the connector). The BoomPro doesn't require a Y-splitter.
You can use a sound card, e.g. Astro MixAmp Pro TR+, or a digital-to-analog converter and a headphone amplifier, e.g. Audioengine D1, with the ModMic 4 and Minimic instead. With the BoomPro, you can't use a DAC and amp.
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Those are only $50 in the US? In Canada those are expenisve as hell. They look really good tho, thanks for the suggestion.
I always recommend open headphones for gaming, but that might now be applicable to your situation.
Anyway, the best headphones you can buy under $100 (and even under $200, really) are the Phillips SHP9500 headphones. That's just headphones but you can easily combine them with the V-MODA boom mic that will literally plug into the headphones.
I'm trying to buy the Phillips SHP9500. On newegg US they are currently selling for $50 and Amazon US they are selling for $70. I live in Ireland so when I checked stores in the UK and Ireland the prices range from $140 to $200 (converted price). For example: Amazon UK. So is there anywhere within the UK or Ireland that i could buy it for a reasonable price?
alright after thinking about it a lot i was gontna suggest either hyprex cloud 2+ cheap adapter or hifiman edition S and a mic+ cheap adapter but the adaper will make everything sound awful, i think your absolute best audio option around that budget is really hard to get in your state with no jack but i think i got smth really nice for 187 or 200 depending on the mic, Phillips SHP9500 - 70$, an Audioquest DragonFly - 100$ which is a better source for your audio and a Vmoda Boompro Mic - 30$ or this Sony clip on mic - 17$
Phillips SHP9500 would be my pick
or these IEM's
you can also consider the Audio Technica M40x but they cost a bit more , cable is propietary so you can't buy cheap cables or microphones and comfort isnt as god with the x's unless you get new pads
for a microphone if you go with my suggestion of the Phillips get the V-Moda BoomPro
Philips SHP9500 ( Open set with big pads that are really comfortable)73$
m40x ( Closed set with balanced signature but the pads aren't as comfortable as the phillips ) 80$ right now id grab the phillips one if not using in public, more comfortable and great sound quality for the price and you can get a great microphone for the phillips cause the cable is detachable , i recommend the vmoda boompro 30$ the m40x has a propietary kind of cable locking so its not gonna work with that
If you're not worried about isolation there are a lot of options that are great for using at home in a relatively quiet environment. These are open back so although they don't isolate particularly well they have a very wide soundstage and great detail and clarity.
$70 Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) - cheap but good
$170 Sennheiser HD 598 SR Open-Back Headphone - These are widely considered the best value for money
If you want something more isolating (closed back);
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones, Black
r/headphones has a huge resource in the sidebar with more options as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW this plus a cheap USB mic and you'll have a really good setup.
I use a pair of Philips SPH9500s + a Vmoda BoomPro mic
I have two pairs of cans, Superlux HD681 and Philips SHP9500 I'm planning to pick up Micca mb42x. Should I buy an amp or amp+dac combo? Budget $70.
Zeos is basically the jesus of headphones; id go check out his list https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/66x9c0/guide_headphones_gaming/
these are what he reccomends for your price range:
open:
closed:
his youtube channel is great too.
open or closed?
open: I would get these SHP9500 for open (you can find them cheaper if you look) and a boom pro or desk mic.
I'll suggest closed if you want closed
$78 on Amazon US. In the EU, they're either not available or cost €140+, not including shipping (for example). If you ship from the US, the shipping and crucially, the import tax brings the cost to pretty much to what you'd pay in Europe anyway. €125 + a few euros for shipping is actually a good deal from Germany for these.
So I just did a quick Amazon search for Phillips SHP 9500 and they came up as $78. With the attachable mic that is said to be usually bought together with this specific headphone, the price came out to be a little over $100.
Razer headphones on Prime Day were around this price. Now I can't speak about audiophile fidelity, but I think it would just come down to aesthetics without doing audiophile tests. So these aren't necessarily cheaper per se
I swear by the Philips SHP9500 headphones. I have 2 in storage in case my main pair craps out and in case the back-up pair craps out. They are in my opinion the best, most neutrally pure headphones under $500 (and they are like $80 usually). Ever since I started mixing with them 3 years ago I swear I have magically better sounding projects. For normal listening they are also so crisp and clear. On that Amazon page the most helpful review has some good settings to apply to the headphones in order to make them sound even more neutral.
You might need to get a pre-amp to power them a little harder (my audio interface has a shit ton of headroom so a non-issue for me) but if you need a pair of headphones to use at a seated area, get these. Get 2 of them.
Under $100 there's a lot of options from what I've seen. Among open-backed ones (generally better sound, but lacking noise isolation) the commonly backed ones are the Philips SHP9500s, Sennheiser 5x8 series on sale (I personally use the 558, great value), Audio-Technica AD500X (mind the wings, some people like or dislike them), etc.
Obligatory /r/headphones plug. But the SHP and 5x8 are both compatible with some boom mic cables as well for about $30 extra (V-Moda BoomPro and generic for the SHP/5x8 respectively).
EDIT: Besides some comfort complaints (can be modded to a degree), it looks like people enjoy the 668B though. If you're strapped for cash go for it.
Better quality than any "gaming" headset you can find at this price. I also prefer this combination over Astro headsets.
Maybe something like the SHP9500S from Newegg or Amazon and adding a mic.
Maybe a mic like this Sony Clip-on?
These two together make the best gaming headset under $200. Maybe even $300. They are super lightweight, super comfy, and have a very, very good sound. They may not be the best for mobile though, since they are full-size and open-backed.
Philips SHP9500
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
combined with:
V-MODA BoomPro
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK
Seems the SHP9500 is on Newegg for $30 less than Amazon right now. $120 is nice :D
Actually, wait, that's the SHP9500S, is that better or worse?
As for open vs closed, I do prefer closed because I don't want outside interference, but how open is open? Like, will my headphones drown out outside (mainly voices from my neighbors, I live in a dorm so our walls are pretty thin.) stuff enough that I can ignore it?
>headset with surround sound
That's a scam. There's no surround in headphones. Surround comes from the processing done on the source of the sound. Any stereo headphones are capable of completely realistic surround sound. Any and all headphones and headsets marketed as 7.1 should be avoided, or at the every least, looked very carefully at.
Anyway, here's one of the best things you can get for $100:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW + https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK
Asking this for the second time. I do a lot of long session gaming (anywhere from 4-10 hours + breaks), comfort and build quality are top priorities. I don't play games like CSGO that rely on keen positional awareness. I don't listen to much music either. I use an ATR2100 as my own dedicated mic.
Budget ~$100, flexible
Source Onboard sound with my PC and laptop
Requirements for Isolation I always prefer closed headphones. If they're open, I'd like a minimal amount of sound leak. I don't ever blast the volume on my headphones (volume is around 30% when I check through Windows, though that's probably normal?).
Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No
Preferred Type of Headphone Full-sized over ear
Preferred tonal balance Anything that isn't bass heavy.
Past headphones
1st: HyperX Cloud
+ Really comfortable, semi-portable. Good sound.
- Sound started popping and crackling a lot after about a year and a half. Headphones started to deteriorate overall. Built-in mic was unnecessary, already have one.
2nd: NVX XPT100
+ Ridiculously comfortable, easy to hook up to my laptop if I wanted. Good sound.
- Build quality was less than ideal. I've owned this pair for around ~11 months. The pads are deteriorating, the headband has cracked on the right side and completely snapped on the left. I've super glued it back together, but it might snap again if I twist the headphones on accident. I doubt it's worth replacing the pads and headband if it'll just break within a year again.
I want to say that I've been careful with them, but since they've deteriorated so much already, that's obviously not the case.
Preferred Music Nothing in particular honestly, I don't listen to music regularly.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up I need something that lasts much longer than these two headphones have. I absolutely loved them when they were working in top condition. I've tried on my dad's ATH-M40x's, and while they sound nice and feel really sturdy, it's really tight on my head and the pads feel rock hard.
I was recommended the SHP9500, but I'd be more comfortable with different options.
'Gaming' is just a term that's advertised to people who play video games. All these 'gaming' products are just advertising/word of mouth. Some gaming headphones might sound good but that's because people haven't heard what 'good' is and settle for the for it because of the hype, it's meant for 'gaming', friend/guildmate has it, don't know what else is out there.
What you really want is a headphone meant for music by a real music focused company and not one like Logitech, a company that makes mice, keyboards, speakers, headsets, webcams, etc.
You want a music company like Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, AKG, Grado, Shure, Bower & Wilkins and so on. Your ideal headphones will sound both great for music and great for gaming. It should last you a long time, it should feel like it's constructed well or made of better quality materials than what you see on 'gaming' headphones. I'm not sure what kind of music you're into, so I can't make any suggestions but I can give you starter things to look into. Check out the suggestion thread over in /r/headphones. :)
Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X (also the 700X)
Remember, 'Gaming' is just term to cater to 'gamers' and their family/friends. It's just a gimmick, it's all marketing.
These headphones + This mic would give you better quality than any of the headsets you mentioned.
You don't have to go with that exact pairing, that is only a popular example at a great entry price.
Decent headphones + mic, will be better than any "gaming" headset, in both sound quality in gaming, and in voice quality for chatting.
If you must go with a gaming headset, this is the best you'll get.
I usually recommend buying regular Stereo headphones. They're cheaper and have better sound and build quality. Here's a combo my brother uses: Philips SHP9500 and V-MODA BoomPro. They cost about $100/95e. Be warned though, the headphones are "open back", they WILL leak sound. But if you don't care, then you'll be in for a great experience.
Canadian prices are unreal at the moment. Philips SHP9500 plus the V Moda BoomPro mic are $192.99.
Edit: Newegg in Canada has them for $69.99. That's just the headphone. You could get the mic separately from Amazon.
Some that get recommended often are the SHP9500S with a V-Moda BoomPro at 108 USD, and the HyperX Cloud at 80 USD.
You can also use a ModMic, but the price for quality seems eh.
and amazon has them for about $79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826138190
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
and for mic you can either get https://www.amazon.com/Antlion-Audio-ModMic-Attachable-Microphone/dp/B00R98JVVU/ref=sr_1_1?m=A34JWT04R7KMFW&s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1481933682&sr=1-1&keywords=boom+mic or https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Snowball-iCE-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B014PYGTUQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1481933744&sr=1-3&keywords=blue+snowball
Sticking with the gaming trend, I'd recommend the Hyper X Cloud headsets. Fantastic set of headphones for the price.
If you want a somewhat DIY kit, you can pick up a pair of headphones with a removable cable like the Philips SHP9500's and stick a ModMic or V-Moda Boompro onto it, however, this route can be more expensive, depending on what headset you decide to buy. Honestly, this is the route I'd go.
Links are all non-affiliate.
I have the PX51 which are pretty much the same as the PX4 just with a different transmitter. Excellent headset, but mine is also starting to show its age. I also have the XO Seven, which is a technically an Xbox One headset. But works great on PS4 plugged into the controller. XO Seven has a really good mic and great sound quality. I use that XO Seven when playing with friends and the PX51 for playing solo or watching movies. The XO Sevens are a little bit tight fitting though. I have always had good luck with the quality of Turtle Beach though. I tried the Astro A50 but did not like them as much as the PX51.
I have been eyeing the V-Moda BoomPro though. Thinking of pairing it with the Philips SHP9500. Non gaming headset. Comes out to about $107 from Amazon.
A good alternative to "garbage" gaming headsets would be a pair of headphones and a mic to go with it. Can't really tell what price point you mean by not to expensive is but because I have them I recommend Phillips SHP9500's. Now there are other great headpones out there made by Sennheiser, Audio-Terchnica, etc... but I have only used the SHP 9500's so I don't have an opinion on there quality. For a mic you can get something like a mod mic, v-moda boom pro(recomended for shp 9500) or a zalman clip on mic. Now I would advise looking up some headphones and find a headpone/mic combo in your budget and not just go shp9500/v-moda right away because I recommend them. Now for a soundcard the one in your mobo is good enough. Here is a post about this topic from a while back to shed some more light on it. https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/4nabvv/gaming_audio_and_you_why_995_of_gaming_headsets/
Philips SHP9500 are apparently on par or better than headphones that go for $300 or more. I personally own the Philips Fidelio X2's but they are above $100 :/
Philips SHP9500 is only about $63 right now. Great soundstage, great sound quality, very good for gaming. https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I've been doing research on this lately and came to the conclusion that "gaming" headsets are generally overpriced for the quality. Best bet would be buy some good quality headphones and attach a mic if you want to. The 2 pairs that I am looking at now for under $100:
They are both open back so they are not noise canceling, just FYI.
you say that till youve seen this
A very popular and sub $100 combo is the Philips SHP9500 headphones paired with the V-MODA BoomPro Mic. They're both highly reviewed on their own and get a lot of recommendations as a pair. I'm currently using them both right now and like it for gaming, music and videos. The headset is constantly on pseudo-sale for under $60.
The headphones sound great and are all day comfortable. The mic works great and is super easy to install and setup.
The Phillips SHP9500 are on sale for 60 bucks right now and are about as good as budget gets (also on Amazon for $60).
They're open back, so a LOT of sound leakage, but that will lead to a wide soundstage and fantastic benefits for positional audio in CS:GO. No surround sound required; they'll be great.
Here's a review from a guy who knows what he's talking about, and is upset at how good they are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aipXii-qWiQ
Although, keep in mind that he's a very experienced and critical listener. Some people might not be blown away by them, because they're not going to be overly bassy or anything (those people who think beats are the best thing ever). They let you hear details clearly. That being said, no matter who is listening, they'll still sound quite good.
$86 gets you one of if not the best PSVR/gaming headsets.
SHP9500 Own them and love them. Huge soundstage (very important for 3D audio), incredibly comfortable, and cool (very airy). Get a flat headphone cable and kiss microphonics goodbye. Also they are open headphones which I guess is supposed to help with motion sickness. Also its nice to be able to talk to people around you when you have them on and not be shouting. Also nice to know what's going on in your house while you are strapped in VR
PS grab a moda boompro mic and you have an AMAZING all round gaming headset.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
https://www.amazon.com/Griffin-GC17103-Auxiliary-Audio-Cable-3/dp/B003CK70VC
https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK
if you don't mind spending a bit more, there are these
ive heard good reviews of them
I would check out /u/zeos guide on their headphones.
Personally I own these because of his recommendation and I love them.
Phillips SHP9500's with a V-Moda Boompro Mic. Open backed so you'll be losing a bit of bass and gaining a more open soundstage. Takes a bit of getting used to depending on the person but it's a good entry level option.
How do those headphones compare to these:
and that mic seems a little expensive. I was thinking about getting this one: https://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
With
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/
Should suit you quite nicely. Relatively well-balanced for its price, easy to drive, open so you can hear your environment, good soundstage for gaming, and can hook up the V-Moda mic since it takes any 3.5mm jack.
These should come in at around $80 (maybe a tad more) and they're an excellent deal. The headphones also have several well-known mods (if you're into that sort of thing) and can be fitted with more comfortable pads if need be. Also, for future reference, the guys over at /r/headphones will be able to provide better advice in this department!
Do yourself a favor. Check out the Phillips SHP9500.
It's become my dedicated Vive set. Open back for immense soundstage, fantastic balanced audio, very comfortable, and removable standard 3.5mm cable. I just bought a 1 foot, one right angle cable on amazon for these for a couple bucks.
I'll include some links below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aipXii-qWiQ - ZeosPanteras glowing review.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW - Amazon link
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-MU1MMS2RA-3-5mm-Right-Stereo/dp/B004G7Q53Y - And the cable I just bought for these.
Definitely not a headset
Philips SHP9500 seems to be a pretty good high-quality choice for around $80: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I've heard that these are pretty good https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
And here is the Z Review
I've heard good things about the HyperX headsets, that's a shame they broke in such a short time. I show you what I use for my headset/headphones, they might not appeal to everyone but I'm very happy I went this route. It will be a bit more expensive than the HyperX headsets.
So for headphones, I got the Philips SHP9500. They're $75 on amazon as I write this, and they're just wonderful headphones. Open back, amazing sound, easily the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, and a detachable 3.5mm cable which is what makes using these as a headset so appealing http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
To turn these into a headset, you also gave to get the V-MODA BoomPro Mic, which is another $30. Because of the detachable 3.5mm cable on the headphones, the V-MODA BoomPro just plugs directly into the headset http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK
So again this is more expensive and probably not for everyone, but I will personally never buy another gaming headset ever again after using a pair of these headphones
You can definitely find much better cans for the price. Do you need closed-back headphones? If not, the Phillips SHP9500 would be worth a look. They're only 32 ohms so you wouldn't need to purchase a DAC/Amp to power them.
Also, you should use the Daily Headphone Purchase Advice Thread for these kinds of questions. Follow the template there and someone will help you find something that works for you.
If you like modding then again you can do the exact same things to headphones that actually sound better. I'm not saying "you're so dumb" for liking the convenience of gaming headphones. And sure you might not be looking for the best quality. But when you can achieve that quality for usually less than the gaming counterpart and keeping in mind you can spray paint those or whatever just as easily I don't really see your point.
Gaming is for fun. Isn't being totally immersed or being impressed by the quality of that super cool explosion fun too? I'm not even saying you should be an audiophile at all. You can easily build a gaming headset that sounds MUCH better that you can also mod if thats you're jam for cheap.
And again if you like fiddling around with your setup then headphones (not headsets) give you way more options as sometimes gaming headsets limit your sources, dacs, amps, pads, cables. ect ect to what they had in mind out of the box.
Edit - also if you don't want to deal with non-gaming headphones. There's at least a few pairs out there that still give you decent quality (usually better than the $200+ headphones like razer sometimes offers for example) and does not hurt the wallet.
>(which i dont know what it does)
Open construction - air (and sound) are free to flow between inside and outside of ear cups. Makes headphones easier to wear, but allows you to hear outside sounds and people outside hear your headphones.
Closed construction - air/sound in the ear cups is mostly isolated. Provides sound isolation, but makes headphones less comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Here's another option for you:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW + http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK
I do recommend upgrading to a decent pair of headphones, whichever one you find better for you.
I've only heard good things about it for the price.
Edit: Those are open-back. Not good for isolation, but good for soundstage. If you want closed these maybe a better option.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW + http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK
I don't recommend buying gaming headsets, since vast majority of them sound way worse than a pair of headphones and a mic bought separately for the same price, and reliability issues like earpieces breaking off are way common with headsets than headphones for some reason.
The only not bad headset that I know of is HyperX Cloud, and that's only because those are rebranded Takstar Pro80 with a detachable mic included.
Don't get a shitty headset. Instead buy a pair of headphones and a microphone.
My recommendation is Philips SHP9500 with V-Moda Boom Pro microphone. Also these headphones often go on sale and fall to ~$60 (check Amazon and NewEgg).
Alternatively, you can go with the Philips SHP9500 paired with the V-MODA boompro. This is a very popular pairing with exceptional sound quality and comfort for the pricetag ~ $100.
WARNING! These are open back, meaning people around you can clearly hear your sound. If you play around others that would be bothered by this, it might not be a good choice
if you're going for cloud1's, yes. keep in mind they're closed back so bass is gonna be better while other things may not depending on how you like music.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460647050&sr=8-1&keywords=shp9500 these are the shp9500. the opposite of clouds. lighter bass and open back meaning the soundstage will generally be better as well, high end is nicer which is important if you like classical music.
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460647197&sr=8-1&keywords=hd558 hd558. more similar to the clouds in sound signature, while retaining the positives (and negatives) of open back. lows are better but still not quite as good as the clouds with leather pads.
i've used all 3 and i personally use the shp9500 now as my main pair of headphones. the 558's were nice but weren't quite as comfortable, though the sound signature was maybe a bit more favorable for me personally without eq'ing the shps.
The Phillips SHP9500s give you awesome bang-for-your-buck sound quality for $75 and they sometimes go down to $60 on Newegg. They are what I use for CSGO.
Pressure on the top? no. pressure on the sides? Slightly.
If you do decide on getting a new pair of headphones I highly recommend these.
Extremely comfortable and pretty cheap. Review for them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aipXii-qWiQ
Yes, 125USD hits my budget, but I'd much prefer <150$ NZD (100 ish USD)
I was hoping seen as you were the only person to reply to my comment, if you could give me a little feedback on a couple headphones I have been looking at?
Phillips SHP9500 (my issue with these would be the big lack of isolation)
And the ATH-M40x
Any feedback about how well these match up with my first comment would be awesome, as well as any other suggestions!
Thank you!
Not necessarily, you'll see these highly recommended around here a lot for a lesser price. http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Budget: <175$ NZD
Source: Phone (S3) , PC
Requirements For Isolation: None really, will mostly be using at home, however there may be times I use it out, so at least having some would be preferable.
Preferred Type: Fully over ear, I'm partial to Sennheiser, I've just always heard good things about them, so that would be a preference but not necessary
Preferred Tonal Balance: Would like a well balanced set of headphones, perhaps with a fairly good bass.
Past Headphones Sennheiser MX170 and Logitech G230 but I have also had a few listens using a friends Sol Republics, but I've tried plenty of headphones in electronics stores and have always wanted a decent pair.
Preferred Music I listen to a bit of everything, a lot of pop/brit-pop, dance, but mostly I listen to a range of music.
What are you looking for in your next headphone? I just want a solid pair of headphones, with the best sound for the price, mostly anything would sound like a step-up from what I currently have, but I still want something that sounds really good, louder is also nice.
Location New Zealand
Any help at all would be hugely appreciated, as I'm not that knowledgeable about what I'm looking for as I don't fully understand what does what in the specifications of headphones. So any help would be really really great
I'd much prefer <150$ NZD (100 ish USD) I was also hoping for a little feedback on a couple headphones I have been looking at
Phillips SHP9500 (my issue with these would be the big lack of isolation)
And the ATH-M40x
Any feedback about how well these match up, if they are and good as well as any other suggestions would be really helpful!
Thank you!
I snagged some SHP9500 headphones on for $60 on newegg, they go on sale frequrently (Some of the best bang-for-the-buck open ear headphones you can get, amazing sound stage for 3d presence) and a 1ft 3.5mm headphone cable. The 1ft cable is the perfect length to connect from the headphones, which have a female port on them so you can use whatever cable you want, to the existing vive cable. Easy to unplug and plug back every time you need to use/not-use headphones with the headset.
Headphones on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Headphone review that sold me on them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aipXii-qWiQ
Cable: http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Plated-Premium-Auxiliary-CB-AUXS/dp/B01276D51U
Why would you recommend a tube amp? Those are usually a gimmick (I doubt that one even uses high voltages to power the tubes properly), and the high end ones also have pretty pronounced distortion, only worth it if you're really going for that sound. Not to mention having to replace tubes
Good gaming headphones: http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1460431364&sr=1-1&keywords=phillips+shp9500 They are actually great headphones for the price, easily sound as good as a set of $200 headphones. Also very comfy.
For the headphone amp/DAC, you can either go with: http://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-High-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B01BURJVOC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1460431419&sr=1-2&keywords=origen+amp
or spend a little more and get a Schiit stack.
Lots of people are saying ATH MX fill in the blank. Before you go buy those, look into Phillips SHP 9500s. Not only are they cheaper than all of the ATH models being mentioned, they also have a more even frequency response. Here's the response of the 9500s vs the m40x and the m50/m50x. They're a little less even than the Sennheiser HD600, but that's a huge price difference. Plus, they're super comfortable so you can wear them for hours now problem. Only issue with them is that they're open back, so there's a lot of sound leakage, which means they aren't very good to use in public. But if you just plan on using them for production, they're amazing.
Tbh I think these are better http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Philips SHP9500 - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I own a pair of these and I love them. I think they will meet a lot of your requirements as well. They sound very neutral/balanced with a lot of clarity. I like to listen to a lot of live recordings and vinyl with these, my current favorite being Jimmy Hendrix Live at Berkley. Voices would be very clear using these for transcription purposes. And your music will sound fantastic with a lot of detail.
They are also extremely light weight and very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They have an expansive and open soundstage and I've heard others say they are great for gaming due to their detailed sound and also their comfort. They're open back which means they aren't super isolating so you wont have a problem hearing LANmates. A lot of people like to attach a V-Moda BoomPro mic. - http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK
.
But I think the best part is the price. Amazon has them for 80$ right now and I've seen them go for even cheaper on flash sales etc. (I got mine for 70 on a New Egg sale)
Seriously, these cans sound absolutely insane considering the price. The SHP9500 can stand its ground against headphones that cost three times as much are a steal for being under 100$. I hope you give these a look, you wont regret it.
Honestly I suggest getting rid of those Razers and purchasing a quality pair of headphones with a modmic. This would be a MUCH better choice. In an enclosed space, multiple drivers are always worse than two well designed drivers.
Also, the hissing could be due to noise from your CPU/network card etc. or just from the headphones themselves... unfortunately that set is mostly marketing and not much of quality design.
If you just bought those new, see if you can return them and get a pair of Philips SHP9500s as well as something like a ModMic. There are less expensive external microphones as well you can check out, but the modmic is of great quality and adheres to the side of the headphone.
That setup is the real deal and would kick the shit out of any headset on the planet.
Amazon is listing them as $78.95 right now, good time to pick up a pair!
if you really care about audio, I would go for Philips SHP9500, Best headphones under 100$ no questions asked (look @ Z Reviews Review of it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aipXii-qWiQ, highly appraised amongst audiophile community AFAIK) with a vmoda boom pro or modmic.
If you don't want the hassle, G930 works as well because its wireless. Sound quality will be MILES off the philip's though
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Headsets are typically bad, but you can also get HyperX Cloud for the same price, and they are good. Though I don't really like the fact that they are closed.
Just going to point out, phillips 9500 is going for $76 right now
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
also HD 598 is $110 and the sales happen a lot.
Budget - I would like to spend as little over $100 as possible. I plan on using the headphones for gaming so I would need to get a mic, and if it's compatible I would get the V-moda boompro mic, so I would like it if the headphones were not over $70 very much and were compatible with the boompro.
Source - I plan to use them mainly for my PC to play games and occasionally some handheld devices such as a 3DS and my phone
Requirements for Isolation - Some isolation would be nice, I plan to use them mostly at home
Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - Maybe occasionally, however as stated above I plan to mainly use them at home.
Preferred Type of Headphone - I would prefer full-sized headphones, I sometimes have an issue with being able to keep IEM headphones in my ears.
Preferred tonal balance -I would like a fairly balanced pair of headphones.
Past headphones - I currently use the Corsair Void Wireless headset. I like dolby surround sound for games (however I don't expect surround sound for the headphones), and I like the headset overall but I feel like the overall audio quality could be better which is what I'm hoping to get out of the headphones.
Preferred Music - I don't really have a preferred genre of music, and usually listen to almost any type of music. I usually go on the proximity youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/PandoraMuslc) and listen to random songs along with random nightcore
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I was hoping to get more detail out of headphones.
After posting in yesterday's daily thread I am highly considering the Philips SHP9500 headphones (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza) with the boompro. However I was wondering if there were any other suggestions.
That are the prices in the US. The 9500 are 130€ in Germany for example.
http://www.amazon.de/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW + www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK
You should state your budget though.
As always, I recommend those:
I personally recommend http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW.
They sound way above their price range. Also very easy to wear.
A good pair of headphones and a separate mic like
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW + http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK
From what I've heard, these are pretty damn good.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Surround sound headphones don't do much to help at all. If you take a good pair of stereo headphones and listen to the virtual barber shop on youtube, it does just as good a job as any surround sound headset. Also, the sound is almost ALWAYS not as good anyway. In the 100 dollar range, I would recommend you stretch the price to 130 dollars, get a philips shp9500 and vmoda boompro. If you need closed headphones, NVX Audio XPT100 with vmoda boompro is also a good choice.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
http://www.amazon.com/NVX-Over-Ear-Headphones-ComfortMax-Cushions/dp/B0093PVTPS
Oops, didnt realize I already said a lot. But stereo headphones do just as good a job as virtual surround at sound stage and direction. Again, going to /r/headphones and asking there might yield some more clear answers.
What's your budget?
I generally recommend getting audio headphones and a microphone, like http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW + http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK, since almost all gaming headsets suck.
The Philips SHP9500 is currently very popular on /r/headphones, pair it with the VModa BoomPro and you should have a nice setup.
Amazon has them right now for 69.99!
So my extensive knowledge of audio devices are my Apple ear pods and the cheapest pair of bluetooth headphones I could find on Woot.
That being said, I am in the market for a new pair of decent quality headphones, ideally <$100 but certainly <$150. I am by no means an audiophile and don't really think that I can hear the difference between "great" headphones and mediocre headphones -- but I live to be proven wrong -- as long as it's not tinny and shitty.
What I'm looking at right now is the Phillips SHP9500, the AKG K267s currently on Massdrop and (of course) the M50x's.
Any opinions? The Phillips are $70 right now which makes them really attractive, but they seem less usable in public and portable than the M50x's. The AKGs seem like a fantastic deal, but they are B-stock and I know nothing about them other than they look like a good deal.
Edit: Also considering these Sennheisers, but I'm not as much of a fan of the way they look as the AKG or the M50x's.
Edit 2: My "form:" I'm looking for something absolutely less than $150, but less than $120 or even $100 would be awesome. I'll mainly be plugging these into my iPhone or MacBook listening to a wide variety of music on Spotify (usually EDM, whatever's on the charts, and a lot of classic rock and heavy metal). I would like the headphones -- beyond sounding good -- to be comfortable for extended periods of time and not look bulky, odd, obnoxious, or out of place in public, but also be over-ear. My last pair was the Plantronic Backbeat Pro which was great because it was bluetooth and had a ton of features pertaining to that functionality and active noise cancellation, but my ears would start to hurt where they hit the speakers and my ears got a little sweaty after a long time usually.
Amazon has them right now for 69.99!
Philips SHP-9500 if you like open backs (which I love).
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
The Aurvanas posted also are decent at that price for closed backs, which help with sound isolation.
These 2 are really good for their price. And the Philips usually go on sale for under $50. If you think about getting new ones in the future, I think these 2 are worth a look.
> Shp-9500
These? They show up as $130 for me. :/ Thanks though!
Philips SHP9500 or the Monoprice Hi-Fi DJ Style .
I bought the V-Moda BoomPro mic but the 2 headphones I already had weren't compatible. Just wondering which one is more bang for my buck. Other recommendations are fine as long as they work with the V-Moda
I don't wanna spend much more than $80, I have glasses so comfort is a big thing, I don't plan on using them anywhere but my desktop, isolation would be nice and I prefer over-ear
http://smile.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Best headphones under $250, apparently.
Keyboard:
$10 off if you're a new customer, I believe.
Headphones:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
You need a headphone with a detachable cable and the jack has to be 3.5mm without being recessed. Examples include Philips SHP9500 (see how the left earcup has a plug right there?) and the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro
Hope that helps!
This is not my first time posting, but I would like some second opinions, I've also updated the information below.
Budget ~£50-70 [~$80-110].
Source - Computer. Sometimes Computer -> Monitor.
Requirements for Isolation - Some. I would like closed headphones.
Preferred Type of Headphone - On-ear, or just comfy.
Preferred tonal balance - Mad Lust Envy recommends "Dat Bass..." for immersive gaming headphones.
Past headphones - I've never had non-shitty headphones/ earphones, usually use speakers.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I'm looking for a headset to use with gaming, music, movies and skype. I want them to last. It would be nice to have a pair that are wireless, and charged through usb (but not essential). Comfort is important.
Location - UK
Right now, I'm looking at 3 options (But I'm here for second opinions):
Philips SHP9500 + Vmoda boompro - This combo is just outside my price range, and they are open-back. The Vmoda is a great product, but getting them is difficult, the shipping is 6-8 weeks... too long.
HyperX Cloud - Looks like a solid option. I like the detachable mic.
Skullcandy SLYR - From the reviews I've read seems like a good product. Skullcandy has a lot of hate, so I've seen a lot of people online read the name and discount them based on that. If anyone specific knows about this product could give me insight, that would be great.
http://d3qk4yk8nq0n55.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/over_on_in.jpg
You probably mean over ear.
I would possibly suggest:
or
Those are both open-back which I find much better for positional queues in gaming.
If you want something closed back for some noise isolation, at under 100 dollars just go for these:
Those monoprices will sound better than what you were using. SALE13 for 13% off right now.
Ok so I am thinking about getting a headset for Pc Gaming and My two choices are: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENMK1DW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A3U7N2TVERP1OG and http://www.modmic.com/collections/frontpage/products/modmic-4-0
Or http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826738003
I need help figuring out which are better for pc gaming, Im leaning more towards the Philips with the mod mic but im not sure.
The shipping on the vmoda boompro is 6-8 weeks! At least it's free. [I think, I'm not sure for international]
The pair of SHP9500 and vmoda boompro comes to about £73, just outside my bracket but only a smidgen.
I'll have a look at some reviews, but personally I'd like a little less expensive.
I'm also looking for some cheap [£5-15] earphones for running in. Can you recommend any? Not many reviews here give a value for Doesn't-fall-out-your-ears-ness.
Phillips SHP9500: http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437085123&sr=8-1&keywords=phillips+shp9500 And AntLion ModMic: http://www.modmic.com/collections/frontpage/products/modmic-4-0 Better than any gaming headset, regardless of price.
Budget ~£50-70 [~$80-110].
Source - Computer. Sometimes Computer -> Monitor.
Requirements for Isolation - Some. I would like closed headphones.
Preferred Type of Headphone - On-ear, or just comfy.
Preferred tonal balance - Mad Lust Envy recommends "Dat Bass..." for immersive gaming headphones. But I have other uses for the headphones.
Past headphones - I've never had non-shitty headphones/ earphones, usually use speakers.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I'm looking for a headset, to use with gaming, music, movies and skype. I want them to last (however I'm not going to be taking them about, so my requirement for durability is not as high as others). It would be nice to have a pair that are wireless, and charged through usb (but not essential). Comfort is also important to me.
Location - UK
This is my second time asking for advise (2 days ago), but I would like some second opinions, which are always nice. I have also updated the above info with my new knowledge.
Right now, I'm looking at 3 options, 2 from swordknight, and 1 my own:
Philips SHP9500 + Vmoda boompro - This combo is just outside my price range, and the shipping on the Vmoda is 6-8 weeks... too long. They are also open-back.
HyperX Cloud - Looks like a solid option. I like the detachable mic.
Skullcandy SLYR - From the reviews I've read seems like a good product. Skullcandy has a lot of hate, so I've seen a lot of people online read the name and discount them based on that (E.g.).
I've only just found out about the vmoda, which if it was easy to aquire, would open the world of buying a nice pair of headphones then pairing it. But It's not.
Please guide me, thanks for the help.
This is not my first time posting, but I would like some second opinions, I've also updated the information below.
Budget ~£50-70 [~$80-110].
Source - Computer. Sometimes Computer -> Monitor.
Requirements for Isolation - Some. I would like closed headphones.
Preferred Type of Headphone - On-ear, or just comfy.
Preferred tonal balance - Mad Lust Envy recommends "Dat Bass..." for immersive gaming headphones.
Past headphones - I've never had non-shitty headphones/ earphones, usually use speakers.
What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I'm looking for a headset to use with gaming, music, movies and skype. I want them to last. It would be nice to have a pair that are wireless, and charged through usb (but not essential). Comfort is important.
Location - UK
Right now, I'm looking at 3 options (But I'm here for second opinions):
Philips SHP9500 + Vmoda boompro - This combo is just outside my price range, and they are open-back. The Vmoda is a great product, but getting them is difficult, the shipping is 6-8 weeks... too long.
HyperX Cloud - Looks like a solid option. I like the detachable mic.
Skullcandy SLYR - From the reviews I've read seems like a good product. Skullcandy has a lot of hate, so I've seen a lot of people online read the name and discount them based on that. If anyone specific knows about this product could give me insight, that would be great.
You may also like the Philips SHP9500. I'd recommend posting over in /r/headphones. GL :)
I would exchange them and buy something that is not a 'Gaming Headset'. I'd recommend taking a look at the Philips SHP9500 with a Zalman Clip-on Mic. :)
Also, maybe you could post over in /r/headphones for help.
> no ragrets
Not sure if reference or typo :)
I recently bough a pair of Philips SHP9500 for $60 and they are pretty amazing. The sound quality and range of open headphones is great and they give me cleaner sound than a $150 Turtle Beach which I thought were a good improvement over my $10 earbuds (I bought them because they were wireless and had an optical receiver, so I could easily switch between PS3/4 and my PC ... they kill my head though ... anybody wants them I can knock off $50).
If the most important thing to you is the sound then you should look for Headphones meant for music that are also good for gaming. Headphones and Headsets also aren't the same. Headsets include a mic and Headphones are standalone without a microphone.
I think Headphones are much superior as they sound better, are usually more comfortable and are built better (stronger build quality than 'gaming' headsets).
For headphones, I would look at the:
If you want a good mic then I would suggest the:
- Zalman Clip-on
- V-MODA BoomPro. This mic will not plug into all of the headphones above btw.
- Mod Mic / Mod Mic at Amazon
- Blue Microphone 'Ice' or the Blue Microphone 'Snowball'. These are 'standalone' mics that will not attach to your headphones.
Hope this helps a little bit! :)
I can't really comment on them as I don't know but I do know they are the same price over on Amazon.
The Philips SHP9500 are a steal, they're worth at least double the price. I've heard really good things about them. Here is the link to them on amazon, there's more reviews over there.
If you want good sound for music, movies and gaming then what you really want are standalone headphones and mic (separate) and not a 'gaming' headset. I'm not sure what your budget is, so I can't really recommend any good headphones. In general, I think the Philips SHP9500 is a well-rounded pair of headphones. You could also check out /r/headphones.
Hi /u/Kombat_Wombat123 :)
I would suggest looking for a pair of headphones meant for music as opposed to a gaming headset. Headphones are better quality and good for both gaming and music. You want something that sound great, are built very well, are comfortable and will last you quite a long time and that's really what headphones are.
The Philips SHP9500 is an 'open' headset. That means it does leak some sound but it should also be very comfortable. I'd recommend reading some of the reviews from amazon but buying from Massdrop as it's cheaper.
You'll have to add a mic to these headphones because 'headphones' don't come with mics attached, so I would recommend something like the Zalman Mic. It's probably different than what you're used to but it sounds just as good.
Please take a chance on these and my advice. :)
These are probably as good as it gets, or you can pay 90 dollars for my HD518s lol http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422274116&sr=8-1&keywords=shp+9500&pebp=1422274117819&peasin=B00ENMK1DW
you don't have to spend a fortune on good cans
Are those the SHP9500? 79$ rent? https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
good discount on a great pair. People love these.
Ok I typed the headphones wrong, here https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW
I mean really, "don't exist" what, do you think I was fucking making that up? That I don't have or wear headphones? Christ.
And no, sorry, the gun sounds in WW2 sound much better to me, people just like busting call of duty's balls cause it's a large, popular franchise so its the "cool' thing to do. You're not deep because you like bf over cod.
Its not surprising, a lot of corners were cut in bfv's development and production and it shows, everyone can agree on that. Certainly in the audio department for starters.
I like that you bfv fans are trolling the CODMW subreddit, any mention of slight against that abysmal failure and you people pop up with your little protests.
Modern Warfare is going in more of a bf direction than bf this year, but don't take my word for it, read up. For the beta there's going to be a 32v32 with vehicles, including player driven helicopters and you can try it for yourself.
Bfv failed us this year, I'm a fan of the series, but definitely not bfv, it's the worst bf game made in terms of content and production value.
Open back:
Semi open:
Closed back:
Any of these will pair with a VModa BoomPro if you want a good modular boom mic.
If you'd like to consider a desktop microphone, you could expand the list of headphone options that work well for gaming and music.
Amazon links used for convenience. Shop around for best pricing. The used market is also an excellent option for headphones.
If you can I would get the SHP9500 & VMODA Boom Mic instead of the Cloud II.
Also I can suggest the SwiftRX as good pad.
Also have you looked at offerings from Viewsonic and BenQ for your monitor?
Philips SHP9500 + V-MODA BoomPro
The mic plugs directly into the headphone, replacing the original headphone cable. The headphone/mic cable plugs directly into the controller. You can use a sound card, e.g. Astro MixAmp Pro TR, or a USB adapter, like this one, instead.
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. It has clean bass and smooth treble that's not sharp or harsh. It has great clarity and overall sound quality that's not far away from headphones that cost several times more, e.g. AKG Q701, Beyerdynamic DT990, HiFiMan HE400i, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD598. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well.
It has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the cups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which isolate sound from passing in and out to some extent. The benefits of an open design are a larger soundstage and better imaging than most closed headphones (at least in same the price range, of course). It has a lightweight and durable build with an aluminum headband and no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earpads have good quality with soft and smooth, non-itchy fabric, and they're detachable, but they're shallow. The headphone sits comfortably on my head.
The BoomPro has a volume and mic mute control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck and a tangle-free and braided cable. I'm not going to say anything else about the sound quality than that it's great for voice chat because you can (and you should) listen to sound tests on YouTube to judge for yourself.
Another headphone/headset I've compared it to is HyperX Cloud, which I bring up because it's so well known. It sounds very muddy, has scratchy and awful treble, and it has a smaller soundstage and worse imaging.
If you need sound isolation, Status Audio CB-1 is a popular headphone for gaming in the audio enthusiast community that's compatible with the BoomPro. If you're willing to attach an Antlion ModMic to headphones, which is easy to do, then I have other recommendations and suggestions, open and closed.
Philips SHP9500 + V-MODA BoomPro
The mic plugs straight into the headphone, replacing the original headphone cable. The headphone/mic cable plugs straight into the controller. You can use a sound card, e.g. Astro MixAmp Pro TR, or a USB adapter, like this one, instead.
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. It has clean bass and smooth treble that's not sharp or harsh. It has great clarity and overall sound quality that's not far away from headphones that cost several times more, e.g. AKG Q701, Beyerdynamic DT990, HiFiMan HE400i, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD598. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well.
It has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the cups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which isolate sound from passing in and out to some extent. The benefits of an open design are a larger soundstage and better imaging than most closed headphones (at least in same the price range, of course). It has a lightweight and durable build with no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earpads have good quality with soft and smooth, non-itchy fabric, and they're detachable, but they're shallow.
The BoomPro has a volume and mic mute control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck and a tangle-free and braided cable.
I strongly recommend SHP9500 over HyperX Cloud (II) if you don't need sound isolation. For sound isolation, Status Audio CB-1 is a popular headphone for gaming in the audio enthusiast community. It's compatible with the BoomPro. If you're open to attaching an Antlion ModMic or a Massdrop Minimic to headphones, then I have many other recommendations, open and closed.
Except swap the headphones for these: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/
Detachable cable means the headphones don't die when the most fragile part inevitably does. All the missed wireless stuff still applies however.
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xKqNybCPQ6JYN
> I don't want a lot of my desk space taken up
If that's your only worry, then you shouldn't be worried at all. Any setup I would suggest would take up the same amount or less space than a standard headset. It's just an added level of complexity. It's slight, but present. I would suggest something like these very nice Phillips headphones, which actually normally drop to $60, and this Sony lav mic which sounds better than pretty much any microphone on any headset. You can just clip it onto the wire for the headphones and forget about it.
>Can you elaborate about what you mean on the KM780?
It's just kind of ugly, seems nonstandard as well. guys over at /r/MechanicalKeyboards are pretty picky about their keyboards. I don't think browns are better for gaming than blues, I think blues are better. I think many actually agree on that point. Pros use Blacks and Reds, but those are linear switches which aren't as good for gaming. The keyboard you have choosen is fine. If I were to spend a bunch of money on a keyboard, though, I would get a Das Keyboard.
Without knowing your budget/expectations/etc. This is about the best i can recommend. They are fantastic for music and games, better sounding than pretty much any headphone under 200 dollars, and possibly the most comfortable headphones period.
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Ua79xb2EAQT02
V-MODA BoomPro Gaming, VoIP Headset Headphone with Mic (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Ec79xbZ3VVC68
In this price range I highly recommend this combination:
Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Fa5SxbCJ2QJB9
+
V-MODA BoomPro Gaming, VoIP Headset Headphone with Mic (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rc5SxbCGFM46H
Much better than any gaming headset in this price range.. HyperX has pretty bad mic, personally I use BoomPro paired with V-Moda Crossfade Wireless.
The HyperX Clouds are one of the best at that price, the Philips SHP9500 and VModa Boompro are perhaps a better option though they are open backed.
I admittedly have not ever tried any open eared headphones. I got some V-Moda CrossFade LPs and the V-Moda mic. I ended up sending them back because of the leather earcups didn't let me hear myself.
I have thought about picking up one of these and another V-Moda mic. I have heard good things about them from /r/headphones. They are just a bit outside my price range at the moment though.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SHP9500-headphones-Circumaural-Head-band/dp/B00ENMK1DW
Much better value and a really good headphone.
Philips SHP9500 + V-MODA BoomPro
The mic plugs directly into the headphone, replacing the original headphone cable. The headphone/mic cable plugs directly into the controller. You can use a sound card, e.g. Astro MixAmp Pro TR, or a USB adapter, like this one, instead.
SHP9500 has a well-balanced sound profile. It has clean bass and smooth treble that's not sharp or harsh. It has great clarity and overall sound quality that's not far away from headphones that cost several times more, e.g. AKG Q701, Beyerdynamic DT990, HiFiMan HE400i, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD598. Its weaknesses are soundstage, which is how you perceive space and environment of sound; imaging, which is how accurately you locate sounds/objects; and separation, which is how well you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. However, SHP9500 performs well.
It has an open design (as you can see with the grills on the cups), so sound passes freely through, unlike closed headphones which isolate sound from passing in and out to some extent. The benefits of an open design are a larger soundstage and better imaging than most closed headphones (at least in same the price range, of course). It has a lightweight and durable build with an aluminum headband and no flimsy or squeaky parts. The earpads have good quality with soft and smooth, non-itchy fabric, and they're detachable, but they're shallow. The headphone sits comfortably on my head.
The BoomPro has a volume and mic mute control. It has great build quality, with an aluminum gooseneck and a tangle-free and braided cable. I'm not going to say anything else about the sound quality than that it's great for voice chat because you can (and you should) listen to sound tests on YouTube to judge for yourself.
Another headphone/headset I've compared it to is HyperX Cloud, which I bring up because it's so well known. It sounds very muddy, has scratchy and awful treble, and it has a smaller soundstage and worse imaging.
If you need sound isolation, Status Audio CB-1 is a popular headphone for gaming in the audio enthusiast community that's compatible with the BoomPro. If you're willing to attach an Antlion ModMic or a Massdrop Minimic to headphones, which is very easy to do, then I have other recommendations and suggestions, open and closed.
>Hyperx
>quality
Only gamers would have this opinion.
Get real headphones and don't look back.Why you would want RAM manufacturers to be making your headphones I have no idea.
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