After taping my 5th headset for the 3rd time I decided it's probably time to get a better quality headset. Pretty much just want a headset that doesn't cost a tremendous amount of money with a good enough microphone. My g430 with voicemeeter sounded quite aight. I also often listen to music and want it to have a good but not overwhelming amount of bass.
Tried:
G430 had an okay mic but bass is quite lacking.
HyperX Cloud 2 seems quite uncomfortable and my friend using them doesn't sound great.
Razer Kraken I have already destroyed in the past and the sound was okay although bass a bit overwhelming, mic was trash. I really don't know what to get anymore at this point.
Budget: Somewhere around $100.
Suggestion I end up choosing receives 15 shiny coins.
Bonus pic of destroyed G430:
https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/1641/4ccef52e-cfa6-43e8-beae-c5628839729a/WhatsApp Image 2018-07-04 at 1.06.28 PM.jpeg
I would recommend getting a headset that isn't a gaming headset at all, and just getting a separate microphone. Gaming headsets all have shit build quality, and i've personally never managed to use one for over a year without breaking it in some way. My current headset has been working for years now though, with no signs of stopping anytime soon. Additionally, you don't have to throw out one piece if the other one breaks. My chair murdered my microphone recently, but i'm still using my headset without an issue.
If you're willing to spend more money just to do it right once and for all, i'd recommend something like the M50x or M40x. To keep closer to your budget, something like the M20x should work, but keep in mind that it seems to be sacrificing some build quality to reach that price. I think they should still far exceed the garbage that is Logitech's or Razer's build quality though. Sennheisers are also good alternatives i know of, but keep in mind they're usually "open" headphones, meaning they don't isolate from outside sound. Examples are the 559(which appears to have jumped up in price after it got popular) and the 518(which appears to have disappeared entirely the last year), but most regular sennheisers should be good. There are definitely alternative brands if you look, but i don't know them enough to talk about them.
As far as i know, all of those are supposed to have a "flat" soundstage, meaning they don't put emphasis on bass or treble. That means you shouldn't get too much bass, but neither too little. I'm not much of an audiophile though, so you're going to need to do more research yourself if you care.
For the microphone, i'd recommend a modmic v4 (amazon.co.uk, amazon.de). Modmics are the only convenient mic attachment afaik since it glues a magnet to your headset instead of needing to clamp onto clothing or similar. Alternatively you have the table mics like these, but in my experience they're cumbersome and pick up my keyboard too often, alongside conversations going on at the other side of the house...
I personally use a more expensive version of this, the A900x. Because of the weird headband these things are virtually indestructible, they're comfy with replacement pads, but they're definitely not for everyone. Their only weak spot is the headband wings, ironically enough, since they're attached to the headset by thin plastic clips, but you can just slide them on if you accidentally sit on them or something.
Thank you for your amazingly detailed response! I've been wanting to ditch gaming headsets for a while now. The only thing stopping me really is the unknown of regular headsets. Also gaming headsets seem to just be a plug and play thing whereas with an actual proper headset you'll have to choose a separate mic and all that. I like the M40X with the Modmic v4 as you've shown me and I will legitimately consider that if I can't find a semi-decent gaming headset before the G430 actually dies on me. I hope they are both compatible (as in the magnet on the M40X) and the mic from the Mod sounds decent enough. I've thrown a coin your way for now just because of the detailed post, don't know whether that'll be my final choice yet though.
Just to add to the whole "all gaming headsets are terrible" observation: there's no pricerange where they stop being awful
The razer blackshark is a decent pair of headphones but moving the microphone tears the internal cabling and eventually shorts it, making any head movement(and therefore mic movement) produce ungodly static for yourself and everyone on the receiving end of your microphone
The Sennheiser Game Zero/One might seem tempting after seeing a recommendation for their regular headsets, but they're not worth it. Their sound quality is worse than their other sets at the same price. Their microphones are also a weak spot that breaks quickly, but at least they fail gracefully and still work as headphones afterwards.
Even the ludicrously expensive Astro A40/A50 tends to break quickly, the former of which has lost a microphone for a friend of mine, the latter of which started to reboot and disconnect randomly until one of its "hinges" snapped
Generally, "gaming" in the context of headsets means they've put their priorities in the wrong place and probably overpriced the product to boot
Thanks to your post I looked a bit into AT. I found that they sell "gaming" headsets like the Audio-Technica ATH-PG1. Would you say that those are awful too and I should just get both separately for best results?
I can see if i can read into that one later if you'd like. I still think the modmic is worth it for the separation though, so you don't need to replace both if one breaks.
You clearly are more knowledgeable about headsets/mics than me so please if you could give me your personal opinion on that specific model I'd love to hear it.
The Audio-Technica PG1 / PDG1 seems to be the only AT gaming headset within your price range. They seem to be decent as far as build quality goes, but people have commented that they feel a bit cheap. Some people placed it as a headset closer to the cheaper end with a microphone built in, with the price for that microphone being around the same as the modmic.
Like i've said, i would personally prefer a separate mic, so i'd recommend a modmic + the original headphone over the integrated solution even if they're otherwise equivalent(not that you can find the original headphones easily anymore). If you'd be willing to go above your initial budget for a M40x, you'd get a much better result too, since most reviews seem to commend it for good build quality. Audiophiles on the internet also seem to be commending the M40x for having accurate sound.
I've taken a look at the ATH AVC500 as an M40x alternative, but i can't find any reviews on it. The hinges also seem a bit weaker at first glance, so i can't recommend it over the M40x. For your price-range it seems the M40x (eventually the M50x) is the best Audio-Technica choice.
They're definitely worth considering. A directional one would be leagues better than a modmic in quality, and even if it isn't, it's not your problem if people can hear your keyboard occasionally. I could use my blue snowball as a blunt weapon and it would probably come out of it fine too
They just need table space, which makes it something that doesn't work for everyone.
I use an Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and occassionally Philips SHP9500S. Both are amazing.
The Philips are far better in terms of sound-stage and 'directional' audio, as well as comfort
The ATH is far better for mic-work, music, and I use them when walking around town, they are especially nice since they are neutral due to being studio monitors.
Those Philips are great. You can combine it with a vmoda 3.5mm mic to have a fully inline mic on a quality headset. You can also buy a cheaper car Bluetooth adapter and make them into a great wireless headphone set whenever you want to.
Thank you yet again. I think I've been convinced to get the M40x. Only problem left to tackle for me is the mic. And yes my motherboard is pretty budget, ASrock Fatal1ty B85 Killer.
I've been considering desk mics but I really don't like having something stand in front of me. In fact I own a Zoom H2N which I really only use in very special occasions. I just like the simplicity of a mic attached to your headphones.
If you want an ultra-low-budget backup, Microsoft Lifechat LX3000. Good bass, decend sound spatialisation, good quality mic and relatively durable for £20.
That's an interesting suggestion too. If my G430 breaks before I can afford something proper then I might get that as a temporary solution.
That motherboard should be fine.
Heh, my G430 is also giving out. Taped up mic, hinges filled with epoxy
To add to this as a small note, it uses an (albeit high quality) proprietary cable. It's a standard one, but with a locking mechanism. There are a few third party cables out there that are designed for it but they're not nearly as good
I don't personally think this is an issue for me, and the fact that it locks in is actually really nice. Up until I walk around with it, then I carry around extra cable in my pocket like some asshole.
On the M40x, it's a pretty good set of cans, built well as well. I've had mine for 3 years and they are still going strong, but the pads are in need of replacement. The housing for the right arm broke at one point, but I just super glued it back together. I can be pretty clumsy though so you might not run into those problems as soon as I did. As mentioned they don't come with a short cable, both of the cables it ships with are long and longer. I bought a 3rd party cable and the build quality is worse (and it doesn't match up as well aesthetically), but otherwise its good.
I've also used the M50x and their bigger and have a less neutral sound (somewhat more bass, but I doubt its anything like what was coming out of those poor quality Razers) and it comes with a short cable.
I also have a AKG K550, which are good, but I'd recommend the M40x over it. They are also a bit big to take out of the house and don't have a removable cable.
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Came back from vacation, decided my old headset was more tape than headset at this point and just went for it. Will receive it tomorrow. Thank you very much for the suggestion.
https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/1641/a672a4e2-a86b-4d9b-acc8-c6b2007f1848/WhatsApp Image 2018-08-06 at 10.10.45 PM.jpeg
First day with the M40X and ModMic 4. The M40X is excellent, didn't have to get used it just fits perfectly and the audio quality is exceptionally good. The ModMic sounded kinda bad for the price but I just run it through Voicemeeter and it sounds decent, also ordered a Soundcard to see if that could improve it perhaps. Noise cancellation on the mic is very nice.
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