CSGO Sticky thread

[Soul Assassin]

Upgraded to the Arena X.

I just bought an Arena X, as far as I know it's just a bigger Arena?

Do you like it?

 

[Fulcrum29]

I just bought an Arena X, as far as I know it's just a bigger Arena?

Do you like it?

The Arena's biggest drawback was its width and that is solved with the Arena X. It is exactly the same pad and the best-priced pad in its class in my opinion. Pads come down to what you like in any case. For me personally it is better than the Steelseries QcK pads everyone loves to have.

For a desk pad, I rate the Cougar Arena pad in the top 5. They are durable, easily washable (in a machine), and the glide is more or less what I want. It depends on the user, some people really love their slippery glide and others like it more restrictive, the Arena is an in-between and I think Cougar got this one right and not too many people buy Cougar gear. The Arena allows me with more than enough precision, even when I am asleep.

Like mice, there aren't terrible pads (unless it is schitty materials used to make it), it all comes down to the user.

Currently, I have some Cooler Master pad that I haven't used in yonks. I got a Razer pad I haven't used in yonks and a Bloody pad that I actually liked, but they are really textured. I have recently tried out a Nacon pad, because hey they own the RIG's which is widely used in e-sports, so I got the MM-500 (I wanted the MM-400) which was the only one available at the time,

MM-500ES Mouse Mat

An extra-large, 5mm thick gaming mouse mat designed to accommodate a keyboard, mouse and screen. Its non-slip base supports the quickest movements with all mouse sensor types.

www.nacongaming.com

it is quick, but that monitor cutout destroys its purpose and is more in the way than anything else. I would say as a starter pad, the MM-400 will do any newbie to gaming wonders because it is cheap and punches way above its price point.

Today, mouse pads are expensive due to 2 reasons, RGB and brand. Everyone will be happy with a Cougar Arena X, it isn't expensive and will last you a very long time. Once you are used to a pad, especially one which is optimised, then it is like any other 'optimised' pad.

HyperX Fury S pads which are all overpriced, those are the same as the Cougar Arena more or less, and people rave over these.

I really like the Roccat pads, but they don't have desk pad.

You also don't need an expensive mechanical keyboard any more. Gamdias have closed that gap, considerably.

 

[Soul Assassin]

The Arena's biggest drawback was its width and that is solved with the Arena X. It is exactly the same pad and the best-priced pad in its class in my opinion. Pads come down to what you like in any case. For me personally it is better than the Steelseries QcK pads everyone loves to have.

For a desk pad, I rate the Cougar Arena pad in the top 5. They are durable, easily washable (in a machine), and the glide is more or less what I want. It depends on the user, some people really love their slippery glide and others like it more restrictive, the Arena is an in-between and I think Cougar got this one right and not too many people buy Cougar gear. The Arena allows me with more than enough precision, even when I am asleep.

Like mice, there aren't terrible pads (unless it is schitty materials used to make it), it all comes down to the user.

Currently, I have some Cooler Master pad that I haven't used in yonks. I got a Razer pad I haven't used in yonks and a Bloody pad that I actually liked, but they are really textured. I have recently tried out a Nacon pad, because hey they own the RIG's which is widely used in e-sports, so I got the MM-500 (I wanted the MM-400) which was the only one available at the time,

MM-500ES Mouse Mat

An extra-large, 5mm thick gaming mouse mat designed to accommodate a keyboard, mouse and screen. Its non-slip base supports the quickest movements with all mouse sensor types.

www.nacongaming.com

it is quick, but that monitor cutout destroys its purpose and is more in the way than anything else. I would say as a starter pad, the MM-400 will do any newbie to gaming wonders because it is cheap and punches way above its price point.

Today, mouse pads are expensive due to 2 reasons, RGB and brand. Everyone will be happy with a Cougar Arena X, it isn't expensive and will last you a very long time. Once you are used to a pad, especially one which is optimised, then it is like any other 'optimised' pad.

HyperX Fury S pads which are all overpriced, those are the same as the Cougar Arena more or less, and people rave over these.

I really like the Roccat pads, but they don't have desk pad.

You also don't need an expensive mechanical keyboard any more. Gamdias have closed that gap, considerably.

I've been should I shouldn't I on a new pad for years now. I have the Asus Strix Speed and I think I've had it so long I might have bought it from Kalahari.

I should've bought one when I bough the Model O but I'm sure I will be very happy with the Arena X, Zy back in the day did say he would use the Arena as his main pad if it was bigger and not bright orange which is pretty much what the Arena X is.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I've been should I shouldn't I on a new pad for years now. I have the Asus Strix Speed and I think I've had it so long I might have bought it from Kalahari.

I should've bought one when I bough the Model O but I'm sure I will be very happy with the Arena X, Zy back in the day did say he would use the Arena as his main pad if it was bigger and not bright orange which is pretty much what the Arena X is.

I have the Arena in black and orange. I still use them both at separate PCs, and because the pads are thick (5mm) it accommodates wrist resting very well. The Arena X looks lexactly like my Arena in black, but the imaging is in white (and scaled). It looks pretty good, you will be happy with your purchase.

Like I said, it is like the Hyper X pads,

and people think this is the schit now. Just sad that Cougar has beaten them to it a long time ago,

the only thing which placed HyperX on the map was their Takstar PRO 80s (Cloud II).

I am not biased with the Cougar pads, nothing beats it at its price point. The only alternative in my books is the Cooler Master MP510 pads.

Zy also reviewed them,

they are smooth but also textured. I am considering getting one, but, again, it is like the Cougar Arena. Cougar has beaten them all by 2-3 years, but they didn't have a halo product to push its popularity, and they resolved the size issue with the Arena X.

From my view, the Fury S, MP510 and Arena are all in the same class. Just buy which is available, and note that the HyperX tend to be price gouged.

 

[Soul Assassin]

I was looking at the MP510 because of how clean it looks, just a tiny logo in the corner but I didn't want to gamble me maybe not liking the surface, it maybe adding wear to the G-Skates and I read about having to wear it in over a couple of days before it gets to what it really is.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I was looking at the MP510 because of how clean it looks, just a tiny logo in the corner but I didn't want to gamble me maybe not liking the surface, it maybe adding wear to the G-Skates and I read about having to wear it in over a couple of days before it gets to what it really is.

That is the problem with the textured pads. The same argument Zy have with the starting and stopping power needed is basically the same as with the Arena, and the Arena is smooth. You will see when you get it.

The MP750 is an R700-R1000 pad, pending where you get it, and it is only due to the RGB strip which is sad, to be honest, but that pad is 95% like the Arena and the Fury X Pro, so...

To come to think about it, those textured pads may work out some mice, eventually.

In my case, once I went desk pad it is close to impossible to go back. Even when I have to carry my laptop around, wherever I am I miss my desk pad. As I said, I do have a textured pad which I like, but it isn't a desk pad.

I will say this, my Arena is now what ~4 years old, and once washed it is like new again. These things are excitingly durable.

Oh, and another thing with textured pads, should you be in a dusty room and you are sweaty it tends to clog up the pad in time which requires a hand wash.

Zy should review the new Arena X, I believe it is the MP510/750 in dimension, like the 750, but a lot cheaper.

 

[Fulcrum29]

The Arena is a big pad, see how much better the X is only in size comparison.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Here is the Nacon pad. It is awesome, but see how they went wrong with it. I believe it will work well on PC desks though.

In time I will get the 2 Cooler Master pads, but I think the MP750 is going to be like the Arena.

I have used a Fury X Pro, and I rather didn't give my opinion considering that it is twice the price the Arena X is going at... Don't want to start a dick measuring contest. It is the same pad... but the HyperX has a bit more width IRRC which you don't need. 400mm is more than enough, unless you are vertically inclined.

 

[Soul Assassin]

Now I need a 60% keyboard to use all that space.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Now I need a 60% keyboard to use all that space.

The Arena X makes my G910 looks minuscule Tenkeyless peeps will love the available space.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I wanted to write a review about the X2HR’s I have acquired, but… it isn’t a viable upgrade path. I don’t think anything beats the SHP9500 at its price point. In summary, a competitive gamer doesn’t need any better stereo headphone than the SHP9500, the sound stage in regard to accuracy (and tracking) is already phenomenal. What the SHP9500 does very well is attacking, okay, and though it is its strong point, there is a gap in the degrees it is covering, and I believe it is unbalanced between 135 and 45 degrees, but in competitive gaming that is your visual attack and you as a human tend to bridge that shortcoming by your own analysis.

I think this guy said it best, somewhere in his vid he highlights it. Had a look, he quickly touches on the topic here,

Where is the X2HR better as a gaming headphone, in immersion. So… I think the X2HR does very well in battle royale games, and any other game, but it isn’t better than the SPH9500 in CSGO.

In general, the X2HR is in a whole other class than the SHP9500. Z did a review on the X2HR,

And I agree with him, applying my own experiences. Watch his video, no need to do another review on them.

Is it a better headphone than the DT990, no. Is it better than the DT770, no. BTW, the DT770 which is closed has a sound stage only BD knows how they implemented it into a closed-back. I am currently considering to also acquire a DT880 PRO because I think it may be the better headphone between the 3. I use these to work within my own space.

No competitive gamer needs more than an SHP9500, period.

 

[Soul Assassin]

The SHP9600 is releasing next month and can already be bought on Ali Express.

It's just a more modern facelift of the SHP9500.

 

[Fulcrum29]

The SHP9600 is releasing next month and can already be bought on Ali Express.

It's just a more modern facelift of the SHP9500.

The new X3's are also releasing, but I see the price is upped on the new releases. It will come down in a year or two.

I am not dissing the X2HR's, but it won't give you a competitive advantage over the SHP9500, but use it in a game like Death Stranding and you will play that game until you pass out. The immersion is extremely captivating.

The same applies to battle royale games, BUT, here is the thing, the X2HR's it is close to 100% accurate, okay, when you hear a gun battle you know exactly where it is and you can time engagements accordingly, but then you put on the DT990's and you go into a complete pause drooling over the gun battle, you know, since when is digitised gun noises sexy??? It is an odd experience because I have to compare it to what I have.

I tested the X2HR's by watching the Bourne movies, and it exceeds here. I haven't had a better movie experience, especially when you run it through a DAC with an appropriate AMP. As monitors, it is nowhere close as to the league the BT's are in.

 

[Fulcrum29]

In summary, anyone wants proper gaming headphones, get a Philips SHP9500 (or SHP9600), and should you as a gamer don't believe in open-back headphones, as most 'gaming' YouTubers recommend closed-back, or you live in a noisy environment get the Audio Technica M40x which is closed but is sound stage capable. I know, I have watched many reviews and these are the recommended at its price points, you won't get any better by throwing money away. You really need to appreciate audio to pay more, but then it is an investment and not an expenditure.

You want 5.1/7.1. Enable Windows Sonic, you want improved surround sound, buy Dolby ATMOS. You want hardware accelerated surround sound, throw money at something like the Sennheiser (sorry, EPOS) GSX 1000 or Creative G5 and the like. Yes, all DACs have an AMP, and yes, you can appropriately enhance it with a dedicated AMP (or DAC/AMP) and then loop or stack it. You want to automatically boost or equalise your audio get something like Boom 3D (it is really good at what it does, but don't use the surround as both Dolby and DTS are better) or FxSound.

Don't have the money, I posted an open-source solution somewhere some posts above.

My last recommendation is to throw your headphone mic away and get a USB mic. They aren't that expensive. I personally recommend the Samson PRO (C01UPRO) because you won't need anything more when you only do voice recording. The only other USB mic recommendations are the new Elgato mics, AT2020, Blue Yeti (or even the Snowball) or you can go all out and get the Samson G-Track Pro, all which are expensive. I have a Takstar GX6 I use with my laptop, and I am incredibly happy with it at its price point, considering that the HyperX Quadcast may be a copy with smaller capsules and lights up red which makes it more expensive (but it does come with its own shock mount which is a plus, to be honest). There are many good USB mics, but you need to do your homework, and to appropriately set it up otherwise you will sound like you are in a tin container. Why, not all USB mics support 24 bit and high sample rates and many are only mono though you can still enable 2 channels, and this is why most people return their USB mics because they don't read the manual.

You want to go XLR, do even more homework. Buy a Behringer starter kit and upgrade years later. No, a Rode kit won't make your room a studio, and won't make you sound like Morgan Freeman.

My 2c on competitive audio gear.

EDITED

 

[Fulcrum29]

@Neoprod @Cav5034

Are we playing tonight?

 

[Fulcrum29]

@Soul Assassin

Have you received your pad?

 

[Soul Assassin]

@Soul Assassin

Have you received your pad?

It's great, fast but I still have control and my desk is more pad than desk now.

If I could buy this exact material and wrap my entire desk top with it I would.

 

[Fulcrum29]

It's great, fast but I still have control and my desk is more pad than desk now.

If I could buy this exact material and wrap my entire desk top with it I would.

I told you it is the best pad for its price. As I said, the only reason it is underrated is that the brand doesn't sell well compared to its competition. The evidence is in the number of reviews at any global retailer.

They actually make nice mice as well. The Revenger is one of the best mice out there at the moment, at a steal, but it is a bit on the large side.

I am telling you, the HyperX pad is no different from the Arena. No need to pay double the price for 20mm more in width. These type of pads are quickly becoming the norm and standard now.

Enjoy.

 

[Cav5034]

@Neoprod @Cav5034

Are we playing tonight?

Yah I can do.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Yah I can do.

I wonder what has happened to @Neoprod? Did he take up Valorant? Is he playing CoD? Fortnite???