What are your opinions and thoughts on the best headphones to go with for immersive gaming?

Posted by RudeWriting1322@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 25 comments

Hello

I have been using the same wired headphones for a while now and have decided to upgrade. There is nothing in particular that is wrong with my current headset, however, after upgrading my pc last year I think it is the next step to finsihing the setup and increasing the level of immersion in my games.

I play a range of games on PC, but, primarily focus on singleplayers and simulators. Some of which are RDR2, Ghost of Tsushima, Assassins Creed, Cyberpunk 2077, Assetto Corsa, American Truck Simulator, etc. With this being said I do occassionaly play competitive FPS games such as Apex, CS, COD, etc.

My main goal for this upgrade is to increase the overall level of immerison as in-game graphics and performance are already at an all time high because of my previous upgrades. I am not specifically set on a wireless headset, however, I feel that it would add a level of convience to everything. Two of the headphones/headsets that I have been looking into are the Audeze Maxwells and Steelseries Arctis Nova Pros. I am open to other headsets such as BD's but am just looking for some opinions on what I should go with. I prefer closed back rather than open back. My budget is nothing over $350 USD maximum. Please give me your honest opinions and feedback to what you think is the best choices for immersion and gaming overall. Thank you

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candaianzan@reddit

The best headphones are not going to be marketed as gaming headphones. I would recommend Sennheiser as a brand, probably HD 600 or HD 650 in that price point but if your going to spend that much on a headset you should look into getting an external DAC or a soundcard since quality headphones are much better with some amplification beyond motherboard audio imo. People say that motherboard audio has come a long way but my pcie soundcard from around 2010 still sounds better with headphones, I've used it in 4-5 different builds now. Quality audio equipment that is taken care of lasts a long time. I'm currently using HD599 that is also just over 5 years old.

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RudeWriting1322@reddit (OP)

Ok is a sound card going to make a real noticable difference in singleplayer games like RDR2? Should headphones like the Maxwell even be a consideration or should I just stick with ones like what you mentioned?

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candaianzan@reddit

Nowadays more people buy external DAC's over soundcards for headphones and yes they do make a big difference in sound quality with headphones in any situation. They have power power to drive the actual speakers in the headphones better. many high end headphones have lots of resistance in the speakers whereas most low end gamer marketed headphones are designed for motherboard style audio outputs. The HD 600 for example are 300 ohm, most gaming headsets will be like 15.

I have no experience with the Maxwell but i wouldn't buy it after looking at it for a bit. Id buy a sennheiser over it any day. If you need a microphone id recommend a separate standalone one, either a desktop microphone or something like a streamer would use.

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_WellHello_There_@reddit

Will they affect wireless headphones too?

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candaianzan@reddit

no. The wireless headphone will just get a signal wirelessly and then all the power it uses to drive the speakers will come from its battery and internally. An external DAC will have a large plug on it, the normal plug for headphones is significantly larger than what plugs into a motherboard, and it will drive the headphones. Also, a wireless headphone will always use a digital signal for sound, that's just the way wireless works a DAC is a digital analog converter, it will convert the digital signal from your pc into an analog signal and send it over a wire. Your wireless headphones will have a small DAC built into its electronics that convert that wireless signal.

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_WellHello_There_@reddit

Great explanation, thank you!

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RudeWriting1322@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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fakuryu@reddit

Your HD599 is still plenty not just for gaming but also for enjoying music. Depending on your motherboard, usually the audio would be "meh". Rather than getting a new headphone, I'd invest in external DAC/amps like:

Schiit Magni
Schiit Fulla
Schiit Gunnr
Fiio K5Pro
Fiio K11

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brwnb0mber@reddit

For me the big change was switching to in-ear monitors. I got a pair from Shure and I’m liking them a lot. They block outside noise pretty well and I no longer have headaches from wearing headphones from long gaming sessions.

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

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MankyFundoshi@reddit

I like my Arctic Pro’s. Comfortable, love the sound, and the wireless is solid.

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TheGuardian_@reddit

I know it’s not super on topic and it might not be an option for you. but if u care abt immersion, a good set of speakers is what did it for me personally. I still use my headphones when I play competitive fps games, but in terms of immersion, good speakers and a subwoofer totally changed my experience.

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SirTrinium@reddit

Do you need a mic on them or do you have a standalone mic? I ask because I see you have FPS games listed.

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Cautious-Luck7842@reddit

Whatever you do, don’t buy headphones labeled for “gaming”. Instead, research “studio headphones” and save yourself the massive up-charge for an inferior sound profile. Get some headphones with a flat frequency response and good spacial accuracy. The flat frequency response is important because it allows you to hear game audio EXACTLY as the creator intended. Beyerdynamic makes great ones for just about any budget or use. Cannot recommend that brand enough, though there are obviously competitors to consider.

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strumbringerwa@reddit

Audeze Maxwell

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Tha_Hand@reddit

Go ask the audiophiles over at r/headphoneadvice

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theSkareqro@reddit

Audeze Maxwell if you want wireless but it's not as immersive because it's closed back. Narrower soundstage

Plenty of great openback headphones.

Hd 6xx, Philips fidelios x2hr, beyerdynamic tygr, akg k712

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RudeWriting1322@reddit (OP)

Ok, what is the primary difference between the closed back and the open back? I thought that the open back simply lacked the feature of passive noise cancellation. Is this not the case?

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candaianzan@reddit

open back will allow noises around you in and also people in the room can hear your sound a bit but they also sound much more open, the sound doesn't reverberate inside the cup as much and makes the soundstage more open. A sound that's coming from off in the distance will feel like its coming from outside of the earcup more than with a closed back.

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DZCreeper@reddit

https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-Headphones-K371/dp/B07WZH7WM9

They perform better than their $160 price tag would suggest, nice bass and not much distortion.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/akg-k371-review-closed-back-headphone.19657/

The build quality on the Sennheiser HD620S is quite a bit higher if you want to spend the extra money.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-620S-Closed-Back-Headphones-Speaker-Like/dp/B0D38B6XWR

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RudeWriting1322@reddit (OP)

I don't really know what a sound card is. I know that on the motherboard there is audio, however, my current headset doesn't have audio jacks but just a USB. Can you please elaborate further?