Good Quality Headset for Gaming under $300

LHash on 03/04/2024 - 06:29
Last edited 06/04/2024 - 12:51 by 1 other user

G'day everyone, looking to upgrade my current headset for PC.

Notes:

• I have a standalone mic.
• For watching movies & playing games i play are varied across the board from single players, to competitive FPS to MMORPGS.
• I have never used open back headsets but am open to it.
• All previous headsets i have used have been gaming ones. Razer Krakens, Razer Blackshark V2, Various Logitech, Steel series and Hyper X.
• Budget Under preferable under $250 but can maybe stretch to $300.
• Must have a removable cable hate headsets having cable issues and having to get rid of them.
  -Dont have a Dac/Amp unless you consider RAZER BASE V2 good enough which i doubt.

Have been considering leaning towards Philips Fidelio X2HR, ATH M50x correct me if I'm wrong but it feels like most of the Sennheisers at this price point have very cheap builds or look cheap.

Edit
Thanks everyone for your recommendations. Going to bite the bullet and grab the X2HR as much as i like the beyers no removable cable is a deal breaker for me.

• 

  indium on 03/04/2024 - 07:03

  +1

  I had the ATH M50x, it's a great sounding headset but it's not comfortable on the head for long periods.

  I also much prefer open back due to the breathability if you are in a private setting.

  Take a look at beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. My friend had these and they sounded good when I tried them.

  • 

    AustriaBargain on 03/04/2024 - 07:08

    +1

    I have the M50x too, and it's really not a great sounding headset. Maybe when the M50 first launched a million years ago it was, but for $300 you can probably do much better. Even the wireless M50x there's got to be much better headphones for $300.

  • 

    Hash on 03/04/2024 - 19:36

    Thanks for the feedback good to know about the ATH as i was very close to buying them off recommendations.

• 

  Axelstrife on 03/04/2024 - 07:27

  https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-he…

  or Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro
  or Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro (closed back)

  I use DT 770 pro 80ohm myself but if your location isnt noisy go open back they sound so much better.

  • 

    AusRetro on 03/04/2024 - 08:22

    +1

    or Beyerdynamic DT 880 pro

  • 

    Hash on 03/04/2024 - 20:02

    The beyer cables are fixed though right?

• 

  AusRetro on 03/04/2024 - 08:26

  +1

  I have the Philips X2HR, Beyerdynamic 880 and 990. For gaming, I really like the 880. I find it has a great soundstage and sound signature for that application. Although, I find myself going back to my X2HR cause they're just so damn comfortable.

  • 

    freefall101 on 03/04/2024 - 11:12

    I’ve been weighing up the X3 due to less clamping force, plus $200 on Amazon right now. Reviews seem to suggest they’re similar to the X2HR.

    Edit: there’s a $30 coupon too, for $170 I’m going to buy now, think later. It is a third party shipper/seller though

  • 

    Hash on 03/04/2024 - 13:28

    I heard the Beyerdynamics are really comfortable or is it just that the x2hr is that much more comfortable?

    • 

      AusRetro on 03/04/2024 - 13:48

      +2

      For me, that's exactly what it is. The Beyers are really comfortable, the X2HR is more comfortable. The Beyers are more compact size-wise, so I use them at work instead, still wearing for hours at a time.

      • 

        Hash on 03/04/2024 - 19:44

        The main thing that throws me off is that the beyers seem like the cable is fixed and I've had and heard of a lot of issues with headset cables dying and im not tech savvy enough to fix this myself and im sure finding someone who will is a pain which kills the appeal of these headphones.

        Leaning towards the X2HR as ive heard these are great even without a amp/dac and even better for when decide to add one.

• 

  DefariumZ on 03/04/2024 - 13:45

  +1

  Philips X2HR/00 is nice but you'll need to "wear them in" otherwise too much pressure on the ears.
  If you upgrade the ear-pads they can be very very nice (using this on PC).

  Their little bro SHP9500 (NOT the 9600) is lower end but more comfortable for long periods in my experience (I have one hooked up to the AV Receiver in TV room for late night gaming).

  I love the Audio Technica but not for gaming…soundstage, bass reproduction is more balanced for music but less exciting for gaming IMHO.

  Tried a host of those Razer etc….only one of them was "okay" Epos H6 Pro (Sennheiser gaming I think?) - the rest were hot garbage!

  Oh - and recommended DAC would be - ifi Zen Air DAC (decent usb amp $150 - 6.35mm headphones 2xRCA outputs).

  good luck :)

  • 

    Hash on 03/04/2024 - 20:01

    +1

    Thanks for the feedback and recommendation it is a nice option to be able to replace the ear-pads which ones did you go for?

    I tend to game for longer hours so maybe the SHP9500 are the better option im sure these will still sound better than any marketed "gaming headphones"

    • 

      DefariumZ on 04/04/2024 - 14:16

      No worries!

      Brainwavz perforated for $23:

      https://www.brainwavzaudio.com/collections/earpads-round/x2h…

      There is a slight change in sound profile but not too significant.
      At the time the Sheepskin was not on sale (were $54 I think?) but I would be interested to try those out too.

      I'd say SHP9500 if you want it to feel like you're not wearing anything on your head/ears and X2HR if you want more immersion.

• 

  jk82 on 04/04/2024 - 13:13

  I'm currently using these and absolutely love them and would recommend

  https://www.amazon.com.au/Logitech-Lightspeed-Wireless-Detac…
  Logitech G PRO X 2 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset
  the white ones are $294, the black ones are $349 on Amazon currently. I got the black ones for $250 during a deal though.

  For reference I've previously used: DT770, DT990, Astro A50's. These beat all of those in sound quality and comfort to me