Headphone Suggestions

[Aristo]

Okay, I lied. I don't need a suggestion, as I finally just ordered a pair for my wife to gift me on Christmas, but decided a headphone thread might be bettert than going back to the XB1X thread to discuss them. Plus, plenty of you guys have great opinions on headphones, so a thread for suggestions and reviews makes sense, I think.

What I ended up going with is the Plantronics BACKBEAT PRO 2. This review helped sell me on them. There are better, but more expensive options. But these are just $199, and Plantronics are selling them for $179 through 12/16. It's a pretty great deal.

[Danimal]

idk why but I can't see videos here anymore they all don't work and following them to Yt doesn't work either. Says access not allowed.

[pk500]

Gaming headphones or music headphones? Wired or wireless?

Details, brotha!

EDIT: Sh*t, you already bought them! Silly me.

[Aristo]

Gaming headphones or music headphones? Wired or wireless?

Details, brotha!

EDIT: Sh*t, you already bought them! Silly me.

But since you asked!

I wanted some for both music and gaming. I wanted wireless for my phone, but I don't mind plugging into my controller, even for watching TV. I use my headphones to watch a lot of late night TV, and since the XB1 now sends Dolby Atmos through the controller to the headset, I wanted something better than my Turtle Beaches. If I have to chat, I will use something different, but I rarely chat while I game with anyone.

I had narrowed down do the pair I bought and the Plantronics RIG 800LX, which is gaming focused. I like that the Backbeat 2's are smaller and will produce much better sound for music.

But I figured that headphones come up enough that a thread about them made sense, even if I had already bought a pair. I'll buy more, I'm sure.

[Aristo]

idk why but I can't see videos here anymore they all don't work and following them to Yt doesn't work either. Says access not allowed.

Try a different browser? Maybe you have a setting turned off. I will try a different browser for issue to see if is network or software related. But I'm having no issues seeing videos here. I run Mac OS X and Safari. When Safari gives me issues, I use Chrome.

[Wilk5280]

I recently picked up the Plantronics Rig 800LX strictly for gaming with Xbox One. A completely wireless solution that sound pretty darn good IMO. Very light & comfortable and for the price they are a steal.

[F308GTB]

My choice for headphones is Stax. I see them for music and have the amp hooked up to the computer for games. Have a couple of pairs of the SR202 in ears and a set of 404s. Love the sound of `stats. No wireless, no microphone, no noise cancelling. Just 2 channel gold.

[pk500]

For music? I only go wired and closed-back, over the ear. As a music aficionado/snob (take your pick), I want maximum fidelity and reproduction, with nothing lost in wireless. Also want to tune out the world when I'm listening to music, so hence the demand for over the ear.

I despise bass-heavy headphones such as Beats. I like neutral, studio headphones that reproduce the music exactly as it was recorded live or in studio.

My current cans of choice are Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. Excellent, neutral studio sound. A bit less bass-heavy than its more expensive brother, the universally hailed M50x. Quality construction.

But I got my mitts two weeks ago on the Status CB-1, a neutral, studio headphone that is supposed to punch way above its price for sound. The Verge said the Status sounded better than the ATH-M50x, which caught my attention along with a $55 price tag on Black Friday weekend.

https://www.theverge.com/2016/11/16/136 ... cb1-review

The CB-1s sound very good. Even more neutral than the M40x, which can be a bit muddy in bass response and a bit hot on treble in certain tunes despite their quality sound. The sonic separation of the CB-1s are good, too.

If sound was the only criteria, I probably would keep the CB-1s and sell my M40x's. The CB-1's sound just a smidge better on most tunes I like.

But I'm concerned about the build quality of the CB-1's. A lot of plastic. Even the headband is plastic, unlike the stainless steel band of the M40x's. I wouldn't be concerned if the CB-1's never left the house, but I travel for work and to our camp with my cans all the time. I need some durability. Plus the CB-1's aren't pretty. The cans stick out like Princess Leia's braids because of the thick ear pads, which are more comfortable long term than those on the Audio-Technica cans. The semi-dorky look isn't a huge concern for me but something to know if you like the sleek form factor of Beats, etc.

Still need to do more sound testing with both sets of cans. But the CB-1's are an incredible deal at $55 if you're seeking a wired, neutral studio can for music and don't plan to beat the sh*t out of them.

https://www.amazon.com/Status-Audio-Clo ... tatus+cb-1

[Zeppo]

A couple years ago and after quite a bit of online review and comparison searching, I bought a set of Polk Striker Pro Zx gaming headsets, and I've been very, very happy with them. My original XBone headset's mic had failed, and I wanted to get a better replacement. These Polks are stereo headsets (I'm philosophically opposed to multi-driver surround headphones ), work well with my iPad, my wife's computer, my PS4 and they come with a dongle to plug into the XBone controller that has buttons to mix the levels between game and chat audio right there. The detachable mic also works very reliably and sounds pretty darn good (the mic quality was one of the key features that distinguished this set from the others in the reviews I saw). There actually a pretty good pair of cans, to be honest, although for music my AKGs do sound a bit better. But honesty, for gaming with or without the mic, for watching late-night TV through the XBone controller as my wireless headphone connector, and whatever else, these have not disappointed at all.

And while I'm at it, while I enjoy the effect of Dolby Atmos headphone for overall surround, I'm not entirely convinced I hear vertical separation very well, which is sort of what Atmos is all about. Right now the only game I have that utilizes it is Battlefield One, and I'm terrible at that game, but I can't say I really hear the difference of something over my head. But for general surround effectiveness, I admit I am pretty impressed with it.