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Headphones or Speakers
- Thread starter Acrylic7
- Start date
Headphones for me. Much more immersive plus it has a microphone on it. I use the wireless Astro A50s on my PS4 and they're awesome. I tried using headphones wired to the controller, but the audio from that thing is just not good. In Destiny if there's enough people shooting at the same time, the audio just blanks out. The Astros allow me to also connect any device that outputs via optical out to it, so I'm using it for Apple TV and Xbox One also. I have a kid and a wife that both go to sleep long before I do, so headphones are a must.
kingwingin
Member
I use Astro a40's
I never liked using headphones because I was worried of people sneaking up on me so I moved my set up to face the door.
I don't think I'll ever get VR because of that fear of people sneaking up
I never liked using headphones because I was worried of people sneaking up on me so I moved my set up to face the door.
I don't think I'll ever get VR because of that fear of people sneaking up
PC speakers, even at the high end, aren't very good.
Headphones can output excellent audio, with a high price (and potential discomfort over long sessions of wear).
That being said, I'm glad I'm not an audiophile. I really, really, do not care what my sound sounds beyond the fact that I can hear it and it is not screechy.
Headphones can output excellent audio, with a high price (and potential discomfort over long sessions of wear).
That being said, I'm glad I'm not an audiophile. I really, really, do not care what my sound sounds beyond the fact that I can hear it and it is not screechy.
bargeparty
Member
PC use - beyerdynamic dt 770 pro
consoles - 5.1 surround sound
consoles - 5.1 surround sound
Headphones have the tendency of you cranking the volume above safe listening levels. This is due to the absence of physically felt parts of the music. Bass that is very satisfactory from speakers is felt as "decent" from headphones.
As a bass fetishist, shakers are your friend.
Wanted to ask a quick question, but opening a new thread seems like a waste to me, so I thought I could hijack this thread instead, since it was brought back up just yesterday.
Both my old Hercules 2.1 speakers and my panasonic 5.1 home theater died sometime ago, and I have been getting by with a pair of Sennheiser cans but, as I started using glasses a year ago, headphones have become uncomfortable to wear while gaming.
Could any of you recommend me a good albeit low budget (100-300, by good I mean "for the asking price") speaker setup? Don't care if we are talking about soundbars or speakers here, though surround would be appreciated. Currently I'm leaning towards the Razer Leviathan (214 ) soundbar, as my room is rather peculiar in shape and I'd have to get a pair of stands for the satellites in a 5.1 setup. I have also found the Logitech Z906 as a speaker setup (for 230 ).
Main reason I'm asking instead of going with one of the setups previously posted ITT is because I can't find most of them in online reatailers here (Spain).
Both my old Hercules 2.1 speakers and my panasonic 5.1 home theater died sometime ago, and I have been getting by with a pair of Sennheiser cans but, as I started using glasses a year ago, headphones have become uncomfortable to wear while gaming.
Could any of you recommend me a good albeit low budget (100-300, by good I mean "for the asking price") speaker setup? Don't care if we are talking about soundbars or speakers here, though surround would be appreciated. Currently I'm leaning towards the Razer Leviathan (214 ) soundbar, as my room is rather peculiar in shape and I'd have to get a pair of stands for the satellites in a 5.1 setup. I have also found the Logitech Z906 as a speaker setup (for 230 ).
Main reason I'm asking instead of going with one of the setups previously posted ITT is because I can't find most of them in online reatailers here (Spain).
Philips HTL5140B/12
It's 299 on Amazon Spain and it reviewed very well from a lot of sources.
Speakers and it is no comparison. Drivers in headphones just cant shift as much air as the drivers in a speaker. For gaming, directionality is also very important and i like having a dedicated subwoofer.
I live alone so making a lot of noise is not a concern.
I have some very top of the line headphones which i use for music, but for gaming/movies it is a dedicated 5.1 system and AVR all the way.
Headphones collection here:
Currently i have:
Headphones:
- Audeze EL-8 Closed back
- Audeze LCD3Fw Norne Draug 2
- Sennheiser HD 800s w Norne Draug 2
- Oppo PM3
- Audiotechnica ATH-A900
- FAD Heaven C IEMs
Amps
- CEntrance Dacmini
- Oppo HA-1
- Oppo HA-2
Vs Surround Sound
AV Setup - PC with Dual Monitor Setup, Samsung PN64E8000 64" Plasma, Pioneer 9.2 Channel Receiver, Pioneer Elite BD player, KEF 200C Centre, JBL E100 fronts, Definitive Technologies Supercube I 1500w Subwoofer, Infinity Modulus Rears.
Amazing setup and equipment right here. Rocking that gorgeous Eames chair as well, I see.
Yeah, you're a man of good tastes.
I was thinking of pulling the trigger tomorrow and just get the z906 with a pair of stands, but reading some reviews of the Philips has changed my mind. Will continue reading some more and probably go with it, since so far it seems to be what I was looking for.
Thank you very much.
RedAssedApe
Banned
i think he's from dubai. i wouldn't be surprised if he's a prince lol
Yeah, headphones can't replicate the sound of good well positioned speakers. They're great for music though.
Speakers and it is no comparison. Drivers in headphones just cant shift as much air as the drivers in a speaker. For gaming, directionality is also very important and i like having a dedicated subwoofer.
I live alone so making a lot of noise is not a concern.
I have some very top of the line headphones which i use for music, but for gaming/movies it is a dedicated 5.1 system and AVR all the way.
Headphones collection here:
Currently i have:
Headphones:
- Audeze EL-8 Closed back
- Audeze LCD3Fw Norne Draug 2
- Sennheiser HD 800s w Norne Draug 2
- Oppo PM3
- Audiotechnica ATH-A900
- FAD Heaven C IEMs
Amps
- CEntrance Dacmini
- Oppo HA-1
- Oppo HA-2
Vs Surround Sound
AV Setup - PC with Dual Monitor Setup, Samsung PN64E8000 64" Plasma, Pioneer 9.2 Channel Receiver, Pioneer Elite BD player, KEF 200C Centre, JBL E100 fronts, Definitive Technologies Supercube I 1500w Subwoofer, Infinity Modulus Rears.
Is this at your Dubai apartment? I expected more square footage!
Amazing set up, though no PS4 or Wii U?Phat Michael
Banned
Thanks mate, appreciated.
Nope. Australian expat. Not all of us are rich or Sheikhs.
Is this at your Dubai apartment? I expected more square footage!
It's a one bedroom 1250sqft. I really don't need any more space as I live by myself. Next year I'll move out to a bigger place. It's not that it is small, I just have way too many things. There's also an arcade setup in there with a supergun etc.
I have a ps4,that pic was before I got it. No wii u as no point.
RipperGrim
Member
People should never underestimate the impact high quality sound has on movies,music and games, it's so important for immersion.
AppleSeason
Member
Leaning towards headphone usage more and more, specially at night. For the PC I began using a headset for everything as the speakers were not that great, save for playing music when I am not in front of the computer.
For the living room, I used a 5.1 that got downgraded to 2.1 due to moving to a new room with bad topology for setting a 5.1 and was my main mean of listening, but lately I'm using headphones more and more there:
- Tired of constantly controlling the volume to be able to hear voices and tame the goddamned explosions, even with DRC on.
- Isolating myself a bit from outside noise (other neighbours TV, the street, my flatmate). I have extreme sensitivity to sound and I am bad at mentally cancelling background noise.
- Privacy.
It's also a matter of immersion, which I would not get with the PC speakers and has worsened at the living room after giving up on the satellites and front spearkers. So maybe it's time to start browsing for high quality headphones as they are becoming my default option.
For the living room, I used a 5.1 that got downgraded to 2.1 due to moving to a new room with bad topology for setting a 5.1 and was my main mean of listening, but lately I'm using headphones more and more there:
- Tired of constantly controlling the volume to be able to hear voices and tame the goddamned explosions, even with DRC on.
- Isolating myself a bit from outside noise (other neighbours TV, the street, my flatmate). I have extreme sensitivity to sound and I am bad at mentally cancelling background noise.
- Privacy.
It's also a matter of immersion, which I would not get with the PC speakers and has worsened at the living room after giving up on the satellites and front spearkers. So maybe it's time to start browsing for high quality headphones as they are becoming my default option.
Acrylic7
Member
Oh yeah, I remember explosions from Killzone 2 would really jack up the sound out of nowhere. Always had to fuck with volume controls with speakers. That shit was annoying.
And for some reason the dialog was always lower than the music and background noise in every single game. Its one of the reason I always turn on subtitles to this day. I don't need them with headphones though.
I recommend the Sony MDR 7506's. If you have a big budget you can find betters ones though but these are the best Iv had for $100
AppleSeason
Member
They say the issue usually comes from badly converting multi channel to stereo, but I've seen it happen with literally everything, from movies to games, regardless of which setup I was using. And I can be glad I live on my own now. Many years ago every explosion came accompanied by my mother screaming "LOWER THE VOLUME!" and me or my father "It was LOW! We barely can't hear the voices!"
Seems to get much worse when a 5.1 track has been converted to stereo, but fuck, not everybody can have a decent sound system. They should allow, at least in games, to always be able to set music, voice and FX volumes separately.
Headphones whenever I can, they just bring out sound so much better and allow me to soak in the atmosphere the developers intended. Currently using HyperX Cloud II, brilliant set that doesn't break the bank either.
Holy shit, very nice dude.
Speakers and it is no comparison. Drivers in headphones just cant shift as much air as the drivers in a speaker. For gaming, directionality is also very important and i like having a dedicated subwoofer.
I live alone so making a lot of noise is not a concern.
I have some very top of the line headphones which i use for music, but for gaming/movies it is a dedicated 5.1 system and AVR all the way.
Headphones collection here:
Currently i have:
Headphones:
- Audeze EL-8 Closed back
- Audeze LCD3Fw Norne Draug 2
- Sennheiser HD 800s w Norne Draug 2
- Oppo PM3
- Audiotechnica ATH-A900
- FAD Heaven C IEMs
Amps
- CEntrance Dacmini
- Oppo HA-1
- Oppo HA-2
Vs Surround Sound
AV Setup - PC with Dual Monitor Setup, Samsung PN64E8000 64" Plasma, Pioneer 9.2 Channel Receiver, Pioneer Elite BD player, KEF 200C Centre, JBL E100 fronts, Definitive Technologies Supercube I 1500w Subwoofer, Infinity Modulus Rears.
Holy shit, very nice dude.
Dragon Puncher
Member
My console gaming set-up is also my music set up where I use a Yamaha A-S500 amplifier and a couple of System Audio speakers. It works pretty well, very clean sound though I don't have any surrond obviously. I use headphones at times as well, it works pretty well in games where high immersion is plus, but otherwise I definitely like my regular set up more.
br0ken_shad0w
Member
Headphones for me, but that might change if I can somehow make room for these:
Don't forget you need some solid acoustic treatmeant for your room to get the full effect.Headphones for me, but that might change if I can somehow make room for these:
SirMossyBloke
Member
I'll never use headphones when even cheap 5.1 sound can outclass them. Nothing beats true surround sound, as long as you don't fuck up your speaker placement.
I'm lucky though and don't have young kids or other people who may be bothered by the sound late at night.
I'm lucky though and don't have young kids or other people who may be bothered by the sound late at night.
Omnii-chan
Member
Once I went headphones I couldn't go back, it feels more personal, I get into the gaming "zone". Also I don't always want people listening in and play at night.
Jacksinthe
Banned
My gaming setup has no room for a 5.1 so I use headphones. Sony Gold for everything. Eventually I'll invest in a better pair but they sound nice and flat to me and positional audio is fine. I can easily tell where sound is coming from. I prefer phones due to the intimacy. Playing horror games there is no question if the audio design is good cans are better.
When it comes to development I check everywhere. I have a separate audio room (not setup for gaming) that I always mix with for development. Not super high end but my KRKs still ring true. I then test the game on TV, buds, cans, my upstairs 5.1, etc.
When it comes to development I check everywhere. I have a separate audio room (not setup for gaming) that I always mix with for development. Not super high end but my KRKs still ring true. I then test the game on TV, buds, cans, my upstairs 5.1, etc.
Actually I think its the other way around, a $100 headphones usually sound better then $200 speakers.
SirMossyBloke
Member
Not when it comes to sound space and actual surround sound. Stereo is another matter.
I connect my headset through an usb souncard, itself connected to the console.
It generally isn't unless we're talking about really entry level hardware. Headphones, from an engineering and design point of view, are magnitudes inferior to well designed budget speakers.
From a sound quality standpoint, I can't think of any headphone that is close to matching even a $250-400 pair of JBL LSR305s. Most under $1,000 also don't come close in terms of non-bullshit (i.e. not dependent on huge treble peaks) detail.
Finaika
Member
Headphones for me, but that might change if I can somehow make room for these:
Holy shit.
Kenzodielocke
Banned
50$ headphones are so much better than 50$ speakers.
So..headphones.
So..headphones.
Possumowner
Member
Speakers.....i simply cant ignore the wife.