I use Sony pulses. For me they seem great. They got built in mic, noise cancelling is very much there. The headphones has directional audio. They are very good for me. But the comfort isn't for everyone. They fit well over your VR or psvr2
The channel DIY Perks had a video on how to build a USB-C microphone. It is titled "Building a Quality USB-C microphone". There is always the power of editing, but the host seems genuinely surprised by how good the audio turned out.
You know why people are clueless about gaming audio? It's because every single youtuber has something else to say and always you will find someone with some knowledge say the opposite and then you don't know what to believe anymore. I honestly can't even tell what good sound is because I have nothing to compare it too.
I suggest maybe looking for channels run by audio engineers for best tips and advice. Engineers understand the physics of audio as well as knowing how any modulation affects the signal, specifically. 🤙🏼
Go to musicians, a practical need for a job trumps leisure. Find a decent audio interface like a Scarlet, a decent pair of headphones like audio technicas, and some cheap presonis speakers/sub and you're good to go. Get a few XLR or 1/4 inch cables to connect everything you're done. Gearslutz is a great audio forum. You could also get a microphone to plug directly into your audio interface or you could just get a USB mic if you're trying to be cheap and simple.
@@james_boyntonpersonal preference in tuning for sure (what kind of sound signature you like). But there are objective measures where some things are just worse like imaging (pin point directional audio), layering (not distorting when there are too many things going on in the same time), and clarity. Personal opinion can be said about something like bass and treble and MAYBE even Soundstage where people may like those more or less, but if you're wearing 20$ or even 50$ gaming headphones, you're seriously handicapping yourself. And I don't even play online. It's like someone saying 15 fps is fine, I'm able to run the game. I guess if you have the same mindset, then you maybe fine, but if you got a 144hz monitor and using bad audio gear, you're just doing gaming wrong man.
Another tip ive learned about audio, its all the same stuff that live/studio music needs, so you can go to your local music shop or even buy used to save a buck or 2 on things. A good mic like the SM58 is virtually indestructible, so a used one is usually a safe bet.
as someone who studied sound engineering for a year. I'm really happy with my dt770 250 OHM, if you buy a focusrite interface with it you are golden when it comes to sound. if you like streaming/making video's a good mic will be a good investment. The focusrite also has xlr port. i personally use the SM7B, but there are way cheaper alternatives that are really good
Like mentioned in the video sometimes a simple setup is the best choice. I've switched from a dedicated headphone amp, GoXLR, and an overpriced shotgun mic to an Elgato Wave:1 which replaced all of that and the software is better to boot. I plug my Etymotic ER3XRs into the Wave:1 and just manage all of my audio from the Wave Link software which I can control right from my Stream Deck. When it comes to gaming, streaming, or making content fighting with audio is the last thing you want to deal with. Also loved seeing the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter mentioned because for under $10 it's probably one of the best options out there unless you have a real need for a $100+ option. It's funny though because that little secret is usually only mentioned in audiophile circles and rarely mentioned in gaming or content creation videos.
For PC players, a good entry point for a dark sound profile is a Blue Yeti and ATH M50X BTs (wired into the Yeti, not BT function.) The yeti has a built in amp, so does the M50X BTs so you get a lot of power and boasts the lower end on the EQ. For a more mid profile I have a Rode NT USB mini and AKG K240 MKII. Both of these setups come in under $500 CAD and no sound cards or additional amps are required. You'll need a mic boom suitable for your desk. I have thousands in audio equipment and without breaking the bank, the aforementioned combos are 2 of the best bang for your buck I've come across.
Ur the first honest UA-camr I’ve seen choosing to ignore the classic turtle beach’s and all that other gaming nonsense fake news headsets and get straight into what’s quality and serious much appreciated. Good work & thank you
I went with an audio mixer for a couple reasons. They will drive any headphones that I will afford and even having a 3 band eq can change whatever you're listening to on the fly. If you get a USB audio mixer most of them have a XLR mic input so you can use it or upgrade later. I've been doing it since 2014 and love it
I'm quite satisfied with my Samson SR850 32ohm with an EQ specific for the 850. And my friends don't believe me when I tell them my mic is a pair of Samsung AKG laid out in-front of my keyboard xD I'm using that APO program just running in the background and honestly, popular headphone models have lots of free presets available, the one I'm using had thousand's of others in the ZIP file. Cheap and sounds really nice.
Ive used my Sennheiser HD 650 with a FiiO K5 pro DAC/AMP for several years now and I will never go back. The HD 650's sound amazing with a very wide and open soundstage. They are also the most comfortable headphones I've ever owned. I can wear them for hours without even noticing they are on my head.
Ah I see you are a man of culture. I wear the 650s as well and they are dummy comfy. Probably not good if other people are around when you play though.
@@Osyyyy Personally, I've never worn glasses with the headphones on, but I will say that the clamping pressure of the headphones is almost negligible. The 650s kind of rest on your head and don't really squeeze at all once you break them in. With that being said I don't see any problem with wearing glasses with these headphones. I don't think they will be uncomfortable to wear for an extended amount of time with glasses either. I hope this helps!
@ thank you man! Been looking around and kind of torn between p38x or h6pro’s but apparently p38x are generally better, however struggling to find an affordable DAC/AMP apparently these are always recommended. Any suggestions? I’m mainly a FPS gamer
My primary hobby for the last couple of years has been testing headphones. It all started for me with your historic video about AD700(non-X) being best for Battlefield 3. Since then I've been chasing that "best" headphone for gaming. This video feels nostalgic to me :D
If you have the $ try Vmoda m100. They will outlast most other brands and are really versatile with the boom mic an cord options. My only complaint is they squeeze your head pretty hard when new. That may be my big head tho :p
@@TrigrH I wouldn't say I settled with anything. I have my collection which is constantly changing. I'm always discovering new headphones I like and retiring old headphones I don't use anymore. For gaming specifically, my current favorites are HD660S2 and Avantone Planar II.
@@CanuckGT The most important thing is that audio is extremely subjective. More experienced you are, less confident you get about giving advices to other people.
I watched your original video many, many years ago about the AD-700s and followed the MadLust Envy guide back in the day (still have the old soundcard in my system). I replaced my purple and gold AD-700s just two weeks ago! I live near an audio store that has hundreds of headphones you can test. I ended up with the HD 560S over the AD-700X . I think the 560S is just a better gaming/music headphone. But I almost didn't get them because the AD-700/X are THE MOST COMFORTABLE THINGS EVER. The HD 560S is comfortable, but clamp a little more and aren't as 'not there' as the AD-700Xs. So I definitely feel you on picking the AD-700X for the pure comfort, I really, really do. It's hard to use anything else after you're used to them. Also, I think you missed one important thing with mics. If you have a headphone with a cable, you can buy a cheap mic that clamps to either a shirt or to the cord for $10 that sound way better than a lot of the headphone mics my friends use. Highly recommend that approach for dollar per sound quality.
Another one that I really love as a daily is the ATH-R70x, such a comfortable headphone if you want to keep using the Audio Technica wing design. Generally slightly warm sound with pretty decent stage. I dailied the HD560s and wasn't a fan of the comfort but I did like the sound
I love my audio setup. Schiit Magni 2 (Amplifier) Schiit Modi 2 uber (DAC) Sennheiser HD660S (Headphone) Focusrite Scarlett 8i6(audio interface) which i use to plug in my Audio Technica AT2035 XLR(microphone). I also use the 8i6 to for my studio monitors/speakers which are 2 x JBL 308P MkII Will more than likely upgrade my amp and dac down the line. Once you get a taste of good audio... you never go back.
Same, though i did not go that far, my audio setuo is only bout 450. My headset is a mmx300 from bayerdynamics, not the best for sure but heads over gamimg headsets. Also a dac amp lol.
@@MrSolLeks I started with the ATH-AD700X's he's referencing actually on his recommendation back in 2014/13. Now im obsessed with Planars....they sound so good.
I currently use a Corsair HS80 wired headset. I used to use a Logitech G930 wireless headset. I switched because I got tired of the wireless signal cutting out and having to pause whatever game I was playing or video I was watching and wait for the headphones to reconnect. They would always disconnect if someone was using the microwave, but they started just randomly cutting out after several years of usage. The G930s seemed slightly better at positional audio as I was able place enemies behind me within a few degrees in Fallout 4, but then I haven't played Fallout 4 with the HS80s. Sound quality seems similar between the two and I am happy with it. I got the HS80s after the launch review on Hardware Canucks. I will never go back to wireless headphones though. Not having a cord was nice, but the disconnects just killed it for me. I do live in a city and somewhat near an airport, but that didn't change while I was using the G930s. Your mileage may vary with wireless headphones.
I use studio headphone like the ATH M30X and it really helps me play competitively. I also use a cheap lavalier microphone and it works. Both of these combined sounds and works better than most low end "gaming" headsets one.
The irony when the cheapest headset recommended is the very same headset I used a 3d printed mod to add to my Rift S and ues the KOSS portapros for the price are mind boggling how good they are. Like on par with the Valve Index and the Index has really good audio. Probably the second biggest selling point for the index at this point.
LevelCap. Can I just say. I love you man. I've been watching you since I was a very young man and soon I will 30 and still I am loving your videos! Just thought I'd throw that out there!💚
Almost a year later, and I found this video super helpful. I have had it with Razer and their software and am in the market for a real pair of headphones. You definitely have me leaning heavily to the Audio-Technica AD700s. Thanks for the video and review of headphones.
I've got the DT 80 ohms, they're about 9 years old now. I use it with razer siren X which was 50% off, RTX Voice or however it's called now makes it sound pleasant to other people from what I've been told.
Been a subscriber for what seems like 10 years at this point, and usually trust you to be a reliable source. However, I'm a little disappointed at how much you glossed over IEMs, and then said they just have a bad soundstage and shouldn't be used for competitive games. No offense, but that viewpoint might've made sense in 2018 but nowadays you can get an amazing pair of IEMs for $50 that can you help you hear things you'd never hear on full size headphones without the volume being super high. I made the switch a few years ago and will never go back, I'm much more engaged with the audio side of a competitive shooter than I ever have been. Not to mention more comfortable, less hot, and less stress on your head. UA-camrs that focus on competitive shooters have recently done lengthy in depth reviews (FreshReviews, OptimumTech, etc) on IEMs compared to full size headphones and have all come to the same conclusion- why haven't gamers been using these?
Note: headphones can either be good at positional audio for FPS; or, they provide a nice lush and immersive experience for solo games, in particular. You choose.
I recently got Steelseries Nova wireless. It works well with my PS5 & even has a second bluetooth channel that I use to connect my Mac. Great surround sound, audio quality 🤘
I love the razer headsets with the haptic feedback...it is more emersive, but helps me a lot cause I'm pretty much deaf in one ear, and they help me determine which direction sounds are coming from!
Pretty good advice overall although I have a few alternative wireless recommendations. Firstly, console gamers can't use any old Bluetooth headphones or earbuds because Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft lock their machines down to only use thier proprietary wireless connections. So you can't use airpods with your PS5. There are heaps of wireless headsets to choose from and while it's true that they rarely match a wired pair of headphones in terms of imaging and soundstage, I doubt the average gamer could tell the difference. The only outlier here is the Audeze Maxwell which sounds better than most similar priced wireless headphones. A decent wireless headset will set you back between $200 - $300 so they aren't the cheapest option but they can be much more convenient than wired headphone, separate amp and separate mic setup. You can plug most wired headphones into your xbox or PS controller but the amount of compression this adds isn't worth it if you ask me. My top picks for wireless headsets are: SteelSeries Nova 7 EPOS H3PRO Hyrbrid Audeze Maxwell
To be honest I've been using a lot of different headsets, the last good one I had was RIG 800LX ( which lasted me about 3 or 4 years). They sounded extremely good and was pretty good about picking up walking sounds, as of now. Best headphone I have is the Sony WX1000 or whenever the name for the top one is ( is the original price was almost $400 and I got it for like 240 or so).
I can vouch for the Rig 800 series. They were made by a company called “Plantronics” who seemed to specialize in business communication (mics/headsets). My pair came with a code for the Dolby Access app on the windows/xbox store. I still use the app with my Sennheiser HD650s today. It’s sick.
Love my Beyerdynamic DT770's, was night and day compared to my old HyperX Cloud headset, no comparison. I highly recommend the 80ohm version not the 32ohm one, they have a slightly different sound signature. Pretty large soundstage for closed backs too.
@@zerotactix5739 Hmm, my Soundblaster Z powers them no issues but even my onboard audio on my ASUS Z790-E motherboard has no issues. Surprised to hear you are having issues powering them.
I've had the Beyerdynamic DT 990s and imo they are perfect. Super comfortable, great sound and built to last. Mine are going strong on almost 10 years.
I got them due to recommendations for the PS5. I should never listen to these people, it was waste of my time. Only listening to music is fine but i needed a gaming headset. Totally trash in terms of comfort and sounding in fps games. Also tested my first hyperx headset cloud 3 wireless and it was better than my pulse3D in every case. Best stability and comfort on a headset i‘ve ever tested/owned. On top you get a damn good mic and everything works out of the box. Maybe i need a pc and external soundcard for better sound with EQ but i can‘t change the fit, comfort, wired connection and that it has no mic!
The Audeze Mazwell's are the best WIreless headphones in my opinion, especially if you also like listening to music. They aren't budget friendly however
Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R are some of the best value gaming headphones out there, a more fun, bassier equivalent to the Senheisser HD560s, insane imaging!
I've got both and they are great. Still haven't totally decided which one I like more (leaning towards the TYGR). But I might try the HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite.
@@fbanget both under 200 usd. I also prefer tge TYGR 300R, I mean for gaming anything more expensive is just not worth it, massive diminishing returns. These sound 90% as good as DT1990 Pro or HD800s that cost 600 to 1k USD. Not worth paying so much for that 10% better sound.
I do own a pair of HD800s (non S) and its simply the best pair of headphones Ive heard period especially for gaming and Ive been to canjam and heard tons of high end headphones ranging far past the price of the HD800s. Sounstage and imaging is unlike anything Ive ever heard besides electrostatic headphones like STAX. I also have sennheiser ie900s iems and those are for more personal listening and theyve been great filling out the other parts that my HD800 lacks like a fun thumpy but clean subbass reaponse. This is a great guide for getting into good gaming audio since so many youtubers simply dont understand what qualifies as good audio nowadays.
@@paul2609 I had only 1 day to spend in NYC at canjam this year and it was quite packed at the time so I never had a chance. But yeah I've heard similar things like that. I wish had the chance to hear it.
I went from the original Razer Kraken 7.1 headset which I purchased in 2016 and thought was amazing...., to the PC37x and boy can I tell a difference! The open back is super nice and the depth of sound is just amazing compared to the Razer headset. Totally worth the upgrade, Thx LevelCapGaming
For wireless, go EPOS H3PRO Hybrid or Audeze Maxwell. I have the H3PRO Hybrid's and they're brilliant. Extremely comfortable too. The mic isn't great, but it's detachable and has a cover plate for where it fits.
One thing to not sleep on are Chinese IEMs. I use a pair of KZ ZSN Terminators and they're really good, great soundstage and positional audio comes through really well. £28 for a pair with a functional, not terrible, microphone in the cable is pretty great value.
I'm using EPOS H6Pro, Im super happy with them, comfort is superior thanks to ear-shaped pads, flip up to mute mic is really convinient, and audio is really good. I needed closed headset cuz I live near a road, and I don't want separate mic, don't really have space for it.
Ive spent a fortune on headphones in the past year. ( to be exact) I cant notably say £200 headphones are worth it as I am using £50 In Ear and the mic apparently sounds better than all the other speakers according to my mates. The best thing I got for sound and FPS gaming was "sound lock". Thats and tuning in footsteps with a equaliser, even a basic one in windows does a better job than throwing money at more costly earphones. If you not playing games, and you realy love to listen to music then any gaming headphone isnt for you and my cheap in ears will do a far better job as lonmg as they have a decent bass driver.
Glad the gamer space in general regardless has agreed on using proven 10-30 year old headphones that have stood the test of time and just provide no gimmick amazing sound quality versus whatever new gamer headphones have been doing with like RGB and whatever software bandaid solution they're trying to conjure up.
With the bluetooth Senheiser 450BT, it has a low latency codec. So if you buy an APTX Low Latency adapter, you can use 0 latency bluetooth. Hve been using this setup for years!
Rocking a Philips Fidelio X2HR with Dolby Atmos, they sound amazing especially for story-driven games and movies. However, sometimes they can sound a bit bright but Dolby Atmos help alot to reduce that.
I can’t believe you just skipped past using a Beyerdynamic mmx-300 in combination with a sennheiser gsx 1000. Not only does it give you great audio without the need for additional software the surround sound function in the gsx 1000 gives a great level of immersion.
You don't want to ruin the mixing that is done by the sound engineer of a game studio by enabling third-party surround in a headphone when HRTF in games is the common practice now.
@@paul2609 Really depends on the game, even with some AAA games I've found the positioning a sound with the dac surround sound on far better than what the game "naturally" offered. I'd chalk that one to personal preference
i have a fairly simple audio setup rn. currently running the sennheiser ie300s plugged into a schiit fulla 3. previously was running a hifiman he-x4 but with summer approaching at the time and having a noisy environment and also optimum techs quick review on it, i had to go for it. and ive really been enjoying it for music as well. the bass is so clean and punchy. mic im currently running a rode nt usb
For closed back gaming: DT 770 80Ohm (amazing for the price, nothing comes close really, unless you’re willing to spend a lot of money) Skip the 32ohm cause it sounds meh, and 250ohm is sibilant and is less dynamic. Open back: Dt990 250 or 600ohm Tygr 300r HD600 (don’t listen to narrow soundstage nerds) HD660/660s2 DT1990 (if you can afford it) HD700 (mini HD800) and if you can find used, probably the best pair for gaming under 350 bucks HD560s best bang for buck openback I’d say. Ad700/900 is also great but a bit outdated I’d say, including the r70x. Overall for open backs, the best ones are a used pair of HD700 for the money, you’re basically getting 97% of the HD800s. They get a lot of hate from the audiophile community, because of their frequency response, but for gaming they are fantastic. They are discontinued, so you can only get them second hand.
Personally using the Soundblaster G6 Dac/amp with BeyerDynamics TYGR 300 with a Dolby Atmos for Headphone license. I find that it’s the best virtual surround software out there. Good positional audio while remaining natural sounding (ie not metallic sounding like other VSS options)
about the """"gaming"""" headset thing: it does seem that a lot of gaming peripheral brands go for RGB lighting and fancy outer architecture to look "gamer" when the quality remains standard
Rocking an R70x coupled with a Schiit Hel, and a mod mic. Headphones will always destroy any high end headset out there. And also beware calling gaming headsets "headphones". Them ravenous audiophiles will be on the attack.
I also got an ATH-AD500x. One thing to note is to always discharge your finger or toe on some metal before removing it, so you don't risk breaking it. My last one lasted a few years, but I kept shocking myself when taking it off, making one side lose audio.
RE mics, I use a generic beige stick mic from the 90s and it sounds perfectly fine, especially when ran through nvidia broadcast to remove fan noise. Another low budget option i recommend is a zalman zm-mic1. It clips to your headphone's cable (or glasses, i used to do that) and is certainly better than nothing for $6 or so.
I've used Logitech G933s for years now, not sure that I could go back to a non-surround sound headset after these, being able to pick out the exact direction of footsteps is a game changer, and as someone who was always unreasonably annoyed when snagging the wire of previous headsets, wireless is definitely the one for me. The headset has its issues though, like sometimes feeling a bit fragile (though Logitech were pretty fast with replacements when the mic on my first pair died - and let me keep both pairs!) and the software (I use LGS not GHUB) sometimes being a bit weird, but mostly only when first turning them on, they are faultless for many hours on end once they're going (though my usual fix of using a paper clip to reset the USB dongle or headphone alongside restarting the software usually fixes any troubles). I would still recommend them even with the caveat, I think the 933's have been succeeded by the 935's now, so that would be my go-to now if I ever need replacements (but both of my 933's (apart from the 1 mic) still work great since buying the originals in 2016 :D)
if you want to use a good separate mic, an usb audio interface like the focusrite scarlet or behringer u-phoria can be great options. most of them offer great mic and headphone amps with really low latency in one unit.
Just get a standalone mic like the AT2020-XP+ which has a built-in toggle hardware noise suppression so you don't have to install any drivers or software.
I use the Sennheiser PC37X from Drop and very happy with them. I triee using my sony WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones for comparison and they were horrible. Headphones for music just dont cut it for gaming.
I have the 38X and man these headphones are sooo freaking comfortable. I can wear them for hours and forget that I'm wearing them. I also am very hot natured and close backs cause my ears to sweat pretty hard. But with these not a drop of sweat or any heat buildup
Could you do a video with the best gaming headphones that have nothing to do with footsteps? Just the best audio quality period. For any game other than first person shooters.
I've been using Vmoda m100 with the boom mic for the past 10 years. Highly recommend! My first pair lasted 7 years of everyday use, and I was using them while grinding metal. I've struggled to find a pair that sounds as good and will last as long.
Great video! I'm still rocking my Audio Technica ATH AD-700x that you recommended several years ago in your previous sound guides. As you said, audio can be such a rabbit hole. I'm still also attached to my old Soundblaster Zx audio card (yes I'm a boomer), but its software had the best surround at the time for me. Next computer I'll ditch the card though and go with a DAC or whatever. I still find it confusing which settings to pick in game as there's too many options. I can turn surround on or off with the card, or pick that in game. I never know what combo is best, and of course it varies per game, so I usually pick whatever subjectively sounds the best.
If you're used to the surround, it will take you a while to get used to normal stereo audio. You do need good headphones to help you convert to stereo. Otherwise, you're going to miss your surround sound.
Yeah my headphones will definitely need upgrading by then as well. But I'll probably just go with a pure, good quality stereo setup instead of software surround.
Superlux had 681f (flat) 681b (bass) and sybasonic desktop amp you have a professional quality stereo setup for less than 50 UK pounds. Samtian mic best desktop mic for the price.
What was your "I need better audio" gamer moment?
My first game of insurgency sandstorm
When my Creative Labs desktop speakers are aging out and the audio spikes up randomly.
I use Sony pulses. For me they seem great. They got built in mic, noise cancelling is very much there. The headphones has directional audio. They are very good for me. But the comfort isn't for everyone. They fit well over your VR or psvr2
rainbow six's caviara interrogation-__-
The channel DIY Perks had a video on how to build a USB-C microphone. It is titled "Building a Quality USB-C microphone". There is always the power of editing, but the host seems genuinely surprised by how good the audio turned out.
You know why people are clueless about gaming audio? It's because every single youtuber has something else to say and always you will find someone with some knowledge say the opposite and then you don't know what to believe anymore. I honestly can't even tell what good sound is because I have nothing to compare it too.
I suggest maybe looking for channels run by audio engineers for best tips and advice. Engineers understand the physics of audio as well as knowing how any modulation affects the signal, specifically. 🤙🏼
All comes down to personal preference in my opinion
Go to musicians, a practical need for a job trumps leisure. Find a decent audio interface like a Scarlet, a decent pair of headphones like audio technicas, and some cheap presonis speakers/sub and you're good to go. Get a few XLR or 1/4 inch cables to connect everything you're done. Gearslutz is a great audio forum.
You could also get a microphone to plug directly into your audio interface or you could just get a USB mic if you're trying to be cheap and simple.
If u like the sound. Then that's the best setup.
@@james_boyntonpersonal preference in tuning for sure (what kind of sound signature you like). But there are objective measures where some things are just worse like imaging (pin point directional audio), layering (not distorting when there are too many things going on in the same time), and clarity.
Personal opinion can be said about something like bass and treble and MAYBE even Soundstage where people may like those more or less, but if you're wearing 20$ or even 50$ gaming headphones, you're seriously handicapping yourself. And I don't even play online.
It's like someone saying 15 fps is fine, I'm able to run the game. I guess if you have the same mindset, then you maybe fine, but if you got a 144hz monitor and using bad audio gear, you're just doing gaming wrong man.
Another tip ive learned about audio, its all the same stuff that live/studio music needs, so you can go to your local music shop or even buy used to save a buck or 2 on things. A good mic like the SM58 is virtually indestructible, so a used one is usually a safe bet.
as someone who studied sound engineering for a year. I'm really happy with my dt770 250 OHM, if you buy a focusrite interface with it you are golden when it comes to sound. if you like streaming/making video's a good mic will be a good investment. The focusrite also has xlr port. i personally use the SM7B, but there are way cheaper alternatives that are really good
Like mentioned in the video sometimes a simple setup is the best choice. I've switched from a dedicated headphone amp, GoXLR, and an overpriced shotgun mic to an Elgato Wave:1 which replaced all of that and the software is better to boot. I plug my Etymotic ER3XRs into the Wave:1 and just manage all of my audio from the Wave Link software which I can control right from my Stream Deck. When it comes to gaming, streaming, or making content fighting with audio is the last thing you want to deal with.
Also loved seeing the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter mentioned because for under $10 it's probably one of the best options out there unless you have a real need for a $100+ option. It's funny though because that little secret is usually only mentioned in audiophile circles and rarely mentioned in gaming or content creation videos.
For PC players, a good entry point for a dark sound profile is a Blue Yeti and ATH M50X BTs (wired into the Yeti, not BT function.) The yeti has a built in amp, so does the M50X BTs so you get a lot of power and boasts the lower end on the EQ. For a more mid profile I have a Rode NT USB mini and AKG K240 MKII. Both of these setups come in under $500 CAD and no sound cards or additional amps are required. You'll need a mic boom suitable for your desk. I have thousands in audio equipment and without breaking the bank, the aforementioned combos are 2 of the best bang for your buck I've come across.
Ur the first honest UA-camr I’ve seen choosing to ignore the classic turtle beach’s and all that other gaming nonsense fake news headsets and get straight into what’s quality and serious much appreciated. Good work & thank you
I went with an audio mixer for a couple reasons. They will drive any headphones that I will afford and even having a 3 band eq can change whatever you're listening to on the fly. If you get a USB audio mixer most of them have a XLR mic input so you can use it or upgrade later. I've been doing it since 2014 and love it
I'm quite satisfied with my Samson SR850 32ohm with an EQ specific for the 850. And my friends don't believe me when I tell them my mic is a pair of Samsung AKG laid out in-front of my keyboard xD
I'm using that APO program just running in the background and honestly, popular headphone models have lots of free presets available, the one I'm using had thousand's of others in the ZIP file.
Cheap and sounds really nice.
Ive used my Sennheiser HD 650 with a FiiO K5 pro DAC/AMP for several years now and I will never go back. The HD 650's sound amazing with a very wide and open soundstage. They are also the most comfortable headphones I've ever owned. I can wear them for hours without even noticing they are on my head.
These are headphones for life.
Ah I see you are a man of culture. I wear the 650s as well and they are dummy comfy. Probably not good if other people are around when you play though.
Does anyone know if these are good to wear with glasses?
@@Osyyyy Personally, I've never worn glasses with the headphones on, but I will say that the clamping pressure of the headphones is almost negligible. The 650s kind of rest on your head and don't really squeeze at all once you break them in. With that being said I don't see any problem with wearing glasses with these headphones. I don't think they will be uncomfortable to wear for an extended amount of time with glasses either. I hope this helps!
@ thank you man! Been looking around and kind of torn between p38x or h6pro’s but apparently p38x are generally better, however struggling to find an affordable DAC/AMP apparently these are always recommended. Any suggestions? I’m mainly a FPS gamer
My primary hobby for the last couple of years has been testing headphones. It all started for me with your historic video about AD700(non-X) being best for Battlefield 3. Since then I've been chasing that "best" headphone for gaming. This video feels nostalgic to me :D
What did you settle with?
Yes indeed, please tell us what you discovered!
If you have the $ try Vmoda m100. They will outlast most other brands and are really versatile with the boom mic an cord options. My only complaint is they squeeze your head pretty hard when new. That may be my big head tho :p
@@TrigrH I wouldn't say I settled with anything. I have my collection which is constantly changing. I'm always discovering new headphones I like and retiring old headphones I don't use anymore. For gaming specifically, my current favorites are HD660S2 and Avantone Planar II.
@@CanuckGT The most important thing is that audio is extremely subjective. More experienced you are, less confident you get about giving advices to other people.
I watched your original video many, many years ago about the AD-700s and followed the MadLust Envy guide back in the day (still have the old soundcard in my system). I replaced my purple and gold AD-700s just two weeks ago! I live near an audio store that has hundreds of headphones you can test. I ended up with the HD 560S over the AD-700X . I think the 560S is just a better gaming/music headphone. But I almost didn't get them because the AD-700/X are THE MOST COMFORTABLE THINGS EVER. The HD 560S is comfortable, but clamp a little more and aren't as 'not there' as the AD-700Xs. So I definitely feel you on picking the AD-700X for the pure comfort, I really, really do. It's hard to use anything else after you're used to them. Also, I think you missed one important thing with mics. If you have a headphone with a cable, you can buy a cheap mic that clamps to either a shirt or to the cord for $10 that sound way better than a lot of the headphone mics my friends use. Highly recommend that approach for dollar per sound quality.
Another one that I really love as a daily is the ATH-R70x, such a comfortable headphone if you want to keep using the Audio Technica wing design. Generally slightly warm sound with pretty decent stage. I dailied the HD560s and wasn't a fan of the comfort but I did like the sound
I love my audio setup.
Schiit Magni 2 (Amplifier)
Schiit Modi 2 uber (DAC)
Sennheiser HD660S (Headphone)
Focusrite Scarlett 8i6(audio interface) which i use to plug in my Audio Technica AT2035 XLR(microphone). I also use the 8i6 to for my studio monitors/speakers which are 2 x JBL 308P MkII
Will more than likely upgrade my amp and dac down the line. Once you get a taste of good audio... you never go back.
they knew abt that, they never gave me bad ones for more than 5 mins
used to use all the "gaming" headphones now im using a setup worth $3000+ just for my audio.....cant get enough of Hifi audio.
Same, though i did not go that far, my audio setuo is only bout 450. My headset is a mmx300 from bayerdynamics, not the best for sure but heads over gamimg headsets. Also a dac amp lol.
@@MrSolLeks I started with the ATH-AD700X's he's referencing actually on his recommendation back in 2014/13. Now im obsessed with Planars....they sound so good.
I currently use a Corsair HS80 wired headset. I used to use a Logitech G930 wireless headset. I switched because I got tired of the wireless signal cutting out and having to pause whatever game I was playing or video I was watching and wait for the headphones to reconnect. They would always disconnect if someone was using the microwave, but they started just randomly cutting out after several years of usage. The G930s seemed slightly better at positional audio as I was able place enemies behind me within a few degrees in Fallout 4, but then I haven't played Fallout 4 with the HS80s. Sound quality seems similar between the two and I am happy with it. I got the HS80s after the launch review on Hardware Canucks. I will never go back to wireless headphones though. Not having a cord was nice, but the disconnects just killed it for me. I do live in a city and somewhat near an airport, but that didn't change while I was using the G930s. Your mileage may vary with wireless headphones.
My audio technica ATH-R70s have saved my life in games for years
The Creative's soundblaster soundcards/DAC's are really good for gaming too. Goes best with pretty good headphones.
I thought this was gonna be about how to start a career in gaming audio and I was like, this is perfect for me.
I use studio headphone like the ATH M30X and it really helps me play competitively. I also use a cheap lavalier microphone and it works. Both of these combined sounds and works better than most low end "gaming" headsets one.
I love it when I see something I own in a recommended product guide
The irony when the cheapest headset recommended is the very same headset I used a 3d printed mod to add to my Rift S and ues the KOSS portapros for the price are mind boggling how good they are. Like on par with the Valve Index and the Index has really good audio. Probably the second biggest selling point for the index at this point.
Koss makes insanely good headphones for the money
LevelCap. Can I just say. I love you man. I've been watching you since I was a very young man and soon I will 30 and still I am loving your videos! Just thought I'd throw that out there!💚
Thank you for the video went into my settings and turned on my spatial audio. Made the audio way more precise.
Almost a year later, and I found this video super helpful. I have had it with Razer and their software and am in the market for a real pair of headphones. You definitely have me leaning heavily to the Audio-Technica AD700s. Thanks for the video and review of headphones.
I’m hooked on gaming after years of waiting! This would be super helpful for this lonely rookie like me.
Wow this is such a well thought out and well articulated video. I appreciate you telling us how it is rather than just throwing options at us
I've got the DT 80 ohms, they're about 9 years old now. I use it with razer siren X which was 50% off, RTX Voice or however it's called now makes it sound pleasant to other people from what I've been told.
Been a subscriber for what seems like 10 years at this point, and usually trust you to be a reliable source. However, I'm a little disappointed at how much you glossed over IEMs, and then said they just have a bad soundstage and shouldn't be used for competitive games.
No offense, but that viewpoint might've made sense in 2018 but nowadays you can get an amazing pair of IEMs for $50 that can you help you hear things you'd never hear on full size headphones without the volume being super high. I made the switch a few years ago and will never go back, I'm much more engaged with the audio side of a competitive shooter than I ever have been. Not to mention more comfortable, less hot, and less stress on your head.
UA-camrs that focus on competitive shooters have recently done lengthy in depth reviews (FreshReviews, OptimumTech, etc) on IEMs compared to full size headphones and have all come to the same conclusion- why haven't gamers been using these?
Note: headphones can either be good at positional audio for FPS; or, they provide a nice lush and immersive experience for solo games, in particular. You choose.
Or they can do both. Such as ATH-ADX5000, WP900, HD800S.
Needed this one
I've been using the same pair of 700Xs since waly back in 2015 or 2016 and they still sound fantastic and have held up very well. Highly recommended.
Once I bought my Sennheiser HD58X's from my SteelSeries Arctis 7's I finally understood what great audio sounded like. Epiphany moment.
I recently got Steelseries Nova wireless. It works well with my PS5 & even has a second bluetooth channel that I use to connect my Mac. Great surround sound, audio quality 🤘
I love my Superlux HD 681 EVO. They are pretty neutral and good for music production too. 30 EUR option!
How did I miss this video?
I’ve been using your headphone and sound setup recommendations for over 10 years
I love the razer headsets with the haptic feedback...it is more emersive, but helps me a lot cause I'm pretty much deaf in one ear, and they help me determine which direction sounds are coming from!
This is the absolute best video I've seen on gaming headphones!!!!! Thank you so very much!!!!
Pretty good advice overall although I have a few alternative wireless recommendations.
Firstly, console gamers can't use any old Bluetooth headphones or earbuds because Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft lock their machines down to only use thier proprietary wireless connections. So you can't use airpods with your PS5.
There are heaps of wireless headsets to choose from and while it's true that they rarely match a wired pair of headphones in terms of imaging and soundstage, I doubt the average gamer could tell the difference. The only outlier here is the Audeze Maxwell which sounds better than most similar priced wireless headphones.
A decent wireless headset will set you back between $200 - $300 so they aren't the cheapest option but they can be much more convenient than wired headphone, separate amp and separate mic setup. You can plug most wired headphones into your xbox or PS controller but the amount of compression this adds isn't worth it if you ask me.
My top picks for wireless headsets are:
SteelSeries Nova 7
EPOS H3PRO Hyrbrid
Audeze Maxwell
To be honest I've been using a lot of different headsets, the last good one I had was RIG 800LX ( which lasted me about 3 or 4 years).
They sounded extremely good and was pretty good about picking up walking sounds, as of now.
Best headphone I have is the Sony WX1000 or whenever the name for the top one is ( is the original price was almost $400 and I got it for like 240 or so).
I can vouch for the Rig 800 series. They were made by a company called “Plantronics” who seemed to specialize in business communication (mics/headsets).
My pair came with a code for the Dolby Access app on the windows/xbox store. I still use the app with my Sennheiser HD650s today. It’s sick.
I still use Audio Technica from your video many years ago
Love my Beyerdynamic DT770's, was night and day compared to my old HyperX Cloud headset, no comparison. I highly recommend the 80ohm version not the 32ohm one, they have a slightly different sound signature. Pretty large soundstage for closed backs too.
The 80ohm one I have too, but even my iFi Zen DAC finds it hard to power it in a few games. Is the 32ohm noticably poorer?
@@zerotactix5739 Hmm, my Soundblaster Z powers them no issues but even my onboard audio on my ASUS Z790-E motherboard has no issues. Surprised to hear you are having issues powering them.
I've had the Beyerdynamic DT 990s and imo they are perfect. Super comfortable, great sound and built to last. Mine are going strong on almost 10 years.
Do i need to buy a separate mic for it?
I got them due to recommendations for the PS5. I should never listen to these people, it was waste of my time.
Only listening to music is fine but i needed a gaming headset. Totally trash in terms of comfort and sounding in fps games. Also tested my first hyperx headset cloud 3 wireless and it was better than my pulse3D in every case. Best stability and comfort on a headset i‘ve ever tested/owned. On top you get a damn good mic and everything works out of the box.
Maybe i need a pc and external soundcard for better sound with EQ but i can‘t change the fit, comfort, wired connection and that it has no mic!
The Audeze Mazwell's are the best WIreless headphones in my opinion, especially if you also like listening to music. They aren't budget friendly however
Duude - Audeze Maxwells are the bomb right now - they have it all and I'm really happy that I picked them up :)
Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R are some of the best value gaming headphones out there, a more fun, bassier equivalent to the Senheisser HD560s, insane imaging!
I've got both and they are great. Still haven't totally decided which one I like more (leaning towards the TYGR). But I might try the HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite.
@@fbanget both under 200 usd. I also prefer tge TYGR 300R, I mean for gaming anything more expensive is just not worth it, massive diminishing returns. These sound 90% as good as DT1990 Pro or HD800s that cost 600 to 1k USD. Not worth paying so much for that 10% better sound.
FXSound is also another free EQ that is very user friendly
I do own a pair of HD800s (non S) and its simply the best pair of headphones Ive heard period especially for gaming and Ive been to canjam and heard tons of high end headphones ranging far past the price of the HD800s. Sounstage and imaging is unlike anything Ive ever heard besides electrostatic headphones like STAX. I also have sennheiser ie900s iems and those are for more personal listening and theyve been great filling out the other parts that my HD800 lacks like a fun thumpy but clean subbass reaponse. This is a great guide for getting into good gaming audio since so many youtubers simply dont understand what qualifies as good audio nowadays.
Have you tried the ATH-ADX5000 though? It's just the HD800S but doesn't have the anaemic bass and a tad better imaging.
@@paul2609 I had only 1 day to spend in NYC at canjam this year and it was quite packed at the time so I never had a chance. But yeah I've heard similar things like that. I wish had the chance to hear it.
I went from the original Razer Kraken 7.1 headset which I purchased in 2016 and thought was amazing...., to the PC37x and boy can I tell a difference! The open back is super nice and the depth of sound is just amazing compared to the Razer headset. Totally worth the upgrade, Thx LevelCapGaming
For wireless, go EPOS H3PRO Hybrid or Audeze Maxwell. I have the H3PRO Hybrid's and they're brilliant. Extremely comfortable too. The mic isn't great, but it's detachable and has a cover plate for where it fits.
One thing to not sleep on are Chinese IEMs. I use a pair of KZ ZSN Terminators and they're really good, great soundstage and positional audio comes through really well. £28 for a pair with a functional, not terrible, microphone in the cable is pretty great value.
Appreciate the video and timestamps. Definitely learned a thing or two.
I'm using EPOS H6Pro, Im super happy with them, comfort is superior thanks to ear-shaped pads, flip up to mute mic is really convinient, and audio is really good. I needed closed headset cuz I live near a road, and I don't want separate mic, don't really have space for it.
Ive spent a fortune on headphones in the past year. ( to be exact) I cant notably say £200 headphones are worth it as I am using £50 In Ear and the mic apparently sounds better than all the other speakers according to my mates. The best thing I got for sound and FPS gaming was "sound lock". Thats and tuning in footsteps with a equaliser, even a basic one in windows does a better job than throwing money at more costly earphones. If you not playing games, and you realy love to listen to music then any gaming headphone isnt for you and my cheap in ears will do a far better job as lonmg as they have a decent bass driver.
Nah Levelcap you Should use Eq Apo with Peace eq and it will make any headphone even wireless headphones way better. Literal day and night.
Just got into Audi, this helps
Glad the gamer space in general regardless has agreed on using proven 10-30 year old headphones that have stood the test of time and just provide no gimmick amazing sound quality versus whatever new gamer headphones have been doing with like RGB and whatever software bandaid solution they're trying to conjure up.
With the bluetooth Senheiser 450BT, it has a low latency codec. So if you buy an APTX Low Latency adapter, you can use 0 latency bluetooth. Hve been using this setup for years!
Rocking a Philips Fidelio X2HR with Dolby Atmos, they sound amazing especially for story-driven games and movies. However, sometimes they can sound a bit bright but Dolby Atmos help alot to reduce that.
Sennheiser PC38X here, I used the Hyper X cloud 2 before this one and it feels like I'm cheating rn. The audio is just so good
I use the audeze Maxwell headset and it sounds phenomenal
Great overview. Sennheiser 37s are very good
I can’t believe you just skipped past using a Beyerdynamic mmx-300 in combination with a sennheiser gsx 1000. Not only does it give you great audio without the need for additional software the surround sound function in the gsx 1000 gives a great level of immersion.
You don't want to ruin the mixing that is done by the sound engineer of a game studio by enabling third-party surround in a headphone when HRTF in games is the common practice now.
@@paul2609 Really depends on the game, even with some AAA games I've found the positioning a sound with the dac surround sound on far better than what the game "naturally" offered. I'd chalk that one to personal preference
i have a fairly simple audio setup rn. currently running the sennheiser ie300s plugged into a schiit fulla 3. previously was running a hifiman he-x4 but with summer approaching at the time and having a noisy environment and also optimum techs quick review on it, i had to go for it. and ive really been enjoying it for music as well. the bass is so clean and punchy.
mic im currently running a rode nt usb
Very helpful video. Thanks lvlcap.
For closed back gaming: DT 770 80Ohm (amazing for the price, nothing comes close really, unless you’re willing to spend a lot of money) Skip the 32ohm cause it sounds meh, and 250ohm is sibilant and is less dynamic.
Open back:
Dt990 250 or 600ohm
Tygr 300r
HD600 (don’t listen to narrow soundstage nerds)
HD660/660s2
DT1990 (if you can afford it)
HD700 (mini HD800) and if you can find used, probably the best pair for gaming under 350 bucks
HD560s best bang for buck openback I’d say.
Ad700/900 is also great but a bit outdated I’d say, including the r70x.
Overall for open backs, the best ones are a used pair of HD700 for the money, you’re basically getting 97% of the HD800s. They get a lot of hate from the audiophile community, because of their frequency response, but for gaming they are fantastic. They are discontinued, so you can only get them second hand.
Tell me dt 770 pro or dt 990 pro with 250 ohm and they now same price in my country and i want to know how to use 250 ohm with pc
@@RzK1ll3r do you need open back or closed ? I’d go with dt 770 80ohm
@@SugaFree2387 closed better need for fps
@@RzK1ll3r then 770 80 ohm
@@SugaFree2387 do you i need amp/dac for use then?
Personally using the Soundblaster G6 Dac/amp with BeyerDynamics TYGR 300 with a Dolby Atmos for Headphone license. I find that it’s the best virtual surround software out there. Good positional audio while remaining natural sounding (ie not metallic sounding like other VSS options)
about the """"gaming"""" headset thing: it does seem that a lot of gaming peripheral brands go for RGB lighting and fancy outer architecture to look "gamer" when the quality remains standard
Awesome video.
IEMs > headphones for gaming. I'll never go back.
Crinnacle zeros are a great start for 40 bucks
I bought the AT 500's a while back and the fit is something I can never get with. Had to return them...
Dude awesome video ! Thank you
Rocking an R70x coupled with a Schiit Hel, and a mod mic. Headphones will always destroy any high end headset out there. And also beware calling gaming headsets "headphones". Them ravenous audiophiles will be on the attack.
You should go into setting up a mixer for streaming so you can have all the channels on your board
I use the SennHeiser 560s and the Truthear Crinacle IEM’s for when I need isolation. Highly recommend them both!
I have been using a Turtle Beach Stealth headset for awhile now and absolutely love it. The mic is fantastic and the audio is on point.
Ok sure
This was an awesome guide.
Nice one. Thank you!!
I also got an ATH-AD500x. One thing to note is to always discharge your finger or toe on some metal before removing it, so you don't risk breaking it. My last one lasted a few years, but I kept shocking myself when taking it off, making one side lose audio.
Seems like a warranty issue
RE mics, I use a generic beige stick mic from the 90s and it sounds perfectly fine, especially when ran through nvidia broadcast to remove fan noise. Another low budget option i recommend is a zalman zm-mic1. It clips to your headphone's cable (or glasses, i used to do that) and is certainly better than nothing for $6 or so.
HONESTLY SURPRISED YOU DIDNT TALK ABOUT DOLBLY ATMOS!!!! AND THE HEADSETS THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR IT. Holly molly what a game changer!
Thank you !!
I've used Logitech G933s for years now, not sure that I could go back to a non-surround sound headset after these, being able to pick out the exact direction of footsteps is a game changer, and as someone who was always unreasonably annoyed when snagging the wire of previous headsets, wireless is definitely the one for me.
The headset has its issues though, like sometimes feeling a bit fragile (though Logitech were pretty fast with replacements when the mic on my first pair died - and let me keep both pairs!) and the software (I use LGS not GHUB) sometimes being a bit weird, but mostly only when first turning them on, they are faultless for many hours on end once they're going (though my usual fix of using a paper clip to reset the USB dongle or headphone alongside restarting the software usually fixes any troubles).
I would still recommend them even with the caveat, I think the 933's have been succeeded by the 935's now, so that would be my go-to now if I ever need replacements (but both of my 933's (apart from the 1 mic) still work great since buying the originals in 2016 :D)
if you want to use a good separate mic, an usb audio interface like the focusrite scarlet or behringer u-phoria can be great options. most of them offer great mic and headphone amps with really low latency in one unit.
Just get a standalone mic like the AT2020-XP+ which has a built-in toggle hardware noise suppression so you don't have to install any drivers or software.
Great video! I didn't know about the mod mic! I want to try gaming with my Sony XM3 headphones just need a good mic I believe.
I use the Sennheiser PC37X from Drop and very happy with them. I triee using my sony WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones for comparison and they were horrible. Headphones for music just dont cut it for gaming.
I have the 38X and man these headphones are sooo freaking comfortable. I can wear them for hours and forget that I'm wearing them. I also am very hot natured and close backs cause my ears to sweat pretty hard. But with these not a drop of sweat or any heat buildup
Headphones for music can very well be used for gaming. The wf-1000xm3's are just.. well.. not that good headphones in general.
I would start with getting soundblaster z for $100, pretty sure this is all 95% of PC owners need to experience different level of gaming sound.
I use Fulla Schiit 2 DAC/AMP, Sennheiser/drop HD58X, and Antlion modmic wireless ❤
Awesome!!!!
Could you do a video with the best gaming headphones that have nothing to do with footsteps? Just the best audio quality period. For any game other than first person shooters.
My recommendation for great audio is the DT 900 pro x running into the ifi zen dac V2 hasn't let me down yet just saying
I've been using Vmoda m100 with the boom mic for the past 10 years. Highly recommend! My first pair lasted 7 years of everyday use, and I was using them while grinding metal. I've struggled to find a pair that sounds as good and will last as long.
They're really customizable and look sexy too if you care about that :p
Great video! I'm still rocking my Audio Technica ATH AD-700x that you recommended several years ago in your previous sound guides. As you said, audio can be such a rabbit hole. I'm still also attached to my old Soundblaster Zx audio card (yes I'm a boomer), but its software had the best surround at the time for me. Next computer I'll ditch the card though and go with a DAC or whatever. I still find it confusing which settings to pick in game as there's too many options. I can turn surround on or off with the card, or pick that in game. I never know what combo is best, and of course it varies per game, so I usually pick whatever subjectively sounds the best.
If you're used to the surround, it will take you a while to get used to normal stereo audio. You do need good headphones to help you convert to stereo. Otherwise, you're going to miss your surround sound.
Yeah my headphones will definitely need upgrading by then as well. But I'll probably just go with a pure, good quality stereo setup instead of software surround.
The 7.1 drivers that come with certain headsets are "gimmicks?"
I would love for you to explain that to me.
Audeze mobuis has a really good audio and 3d audio experience
So nothing about non mobo sound cards?
Or you replacing that functionality with off board DACs?
love the hyperbeast flex :p
To use Windows Sonic you need to select 5.1 or 7.1 inside the faame btw
Superlux had 681f (flat) 681b (bass) and sybasonic desktop amp you have a professional quality stereo setup for less than 50 UK pounds. Samtian mic best desktop mic for the price.
I use Skullcandy Crushers with bass about 3/4 the way up, sounds like real life lol
what’s the best wired gaming headset with amazing sound quality with a decent-solid mic
ngl low key miss the airsoft vids brother🙏🏼