Sennheiser headsets

Sneeky

Sneeky

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Hi
About to take the plunge, and did quite a bit of reading on here on numerous posts about the various different options.
I was initially looking at a dedicated gaming headset (currently own a steelseries diablo whotchamacallit) and was thinking of getting the PC350 or 360 sets from Sennheiser.

Learnt a lot.
Not that much into music from headsets at the pc but on occasion yes.
Main objective is gaming sound quality.

It would be ideal if I could use them with my Samsung Smart TV somehow. I have a sound bar for that so maybe plug in there, will have to check.

My eyes grew bigger than my wallet, and I might be able to get a pair of HD650's for a good price.
My only concern is what do I need to drive them with from a soundcard perspective (properly) and also need a mike setup of sorts.
Any suggestions or advice greatly appreciated.

Thx
 
Search for a good deal on this card. Also check Esquire solutions. Use USB mike preferred wireless but cable should be doable. Search specifically for noise canceling type. A mic could also be plugged in the sound card directly.

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=125_84&products_id=47440

Optimized for Immersive Gaming Action through Precision Audio

The Xonar DG sound card combines Dolby Headphone 5.1 high definition surround with ASUS’ own GX 2.5 gaming audio engine and an on-board headset amplifier. These result in accurate and deep audio that brings every nuance and sound across fully, making the new Xonar DG an ideal sound card for gamers who want to remain totally aware of their play environments.

Built-in Headphone AMP

Powers up every sound detail in gaming
3 headphone Amp gain modes for different usage scenarios
VOIP mode
Specialized for VOIP headsets. Providing clear communication and music enjoyment.
Pro-gaming mode
Adding extra dynamics in higher frequencies for enhanced audio positioning.
Exciter mode
Immerse in the game with more powerful bass punch and fuller sound field.
Dolby® Headphone for an immersive 5.1 surround imaging

GX2.5 for realistic 3D audio effects

Automatic jack-sensing front-panel output
Click to expand...
 
For gaming/sound quality, I'd say the PC360's are on the money, and that HD650's would be overkill. You would need at least a Xonar Essence ST/X to drive HD650's (300 Ohms). The DG would not do the HD650's any justice, but would be the perfect match for the PC360's at 50 Ohms. A much more cost effective combo.

PC360's are HD555's with a mic. The HD5xx range is legendary for their comfort. They are "bright" headphones with some emphasis on higher tones which is good for gaming. The HD650's are more neutral.

I owned the HD595's and upgraded to the HD650's, but really only for CD/lossless music. Use(d) the Essence STX for both. HD650's have a superior depth and sound stage, but the PC360's will be like something you've never heard, especially due to their open design.

I wouldn't go with the PC350's. Closed design with leather cups (opposed to valour), and at 150 Ohms, would also require something like the Essence ST/X to do it justice. Though the Asus Xense bundle (rebranded Essence STX + PC350's) is still good bang for buck if you can find one.
 
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What PostmanPot said. The HD650's are brilliant cans but will be a waste if you aren't that much into music listening. They're all about detail and technical listening. It's not that they're bad for gaming, it's that you won't use the capabilities 90% of the time. Like buying a Ferrari and only ever driving some kids to school and back.

Furthermore, the entry-level Xonar will drive them, as in you will hear some sound, but definitely not properly, it would be a very poor match. If you go for audiophile-grade headphones, you really owe it to yourself to get a decent source as well, like the Xonar Essence ST/STX and not a cheapie that's barely better than on-board.

The Xense bundle is great value if you can find it, it's not really a rebranded STX (the DAC's are different and the Xense has 7.1 analog outputs as well which the Essence doesn't), but they are very similar. For the price of what the PC350 alone would cost, you get them, plus a pretty damn decent sound card/headphone amp and the two are nicely matched to each other specifically for gaming.

The PC350 is an HD380 Pro with a (very, very good) mic on. The earcups are imitation leather as PMP pointed out, although they are interchangeable with the HD5xx series so you could always swap them if you want.
 
If you not listening to music, then the 650s will be a complete waste of money, especially since to get the best out of them you're looking at a 10 grand investment easy. Also if bright headphones are supposed to be good for gaming then I wouldn't get these anyway as I find them on the darker side of neutral.

I think the PC 360s will be a good fit for you, especially if it's possible to do the hd 555 foam mod on them http://www.head-fi.org/t/475511/hd555-foam-mod-video
 
Thanks guys, clear as mud now :D

Sometimes its nice to have a Ferrari, even if you only use it occasionally, but maybe I should pull my neck in and scale down.
Decisions decisions.


Just on AMP's/Sound Cards, whats the defining paramater you look at to decide whether or not the hardware would drive 300 ohms headsets? the db's output? but is there like a ratio or rule of thumb to this?
 
Sneeky:
Only soundcards with built-in amplifiers can drive more than 50Ohms headphones. The max resistance should be specified in the sound card specs if it has an amplifier built-in.

There aren't any other ways of deducting how much Ohms headphones it can drive.
 
Xonar STX + Sennheiser = epic awesomeness. It is hard to describe but everything sounds more complete.
 
Sneeky said:
Thanks guys, clear as mud now :D

Sometimes its nice to have a Ferrari, even if you only use it occasionally, but maybe I should pull my neck in and scale down.
Decisions decisions.


Just on AMP's/Sound Cards, whats the defining paramater you look at to decide whether or not the hardware would drive 300 ohms headsets? the db's output? but is there like a ratio or rule of thumb to this?
Click to expand...

As Pada said (well almost, we're talking impedance, not resistance), the sound card or external amp will specify the max rating. The value in dB is probably the SNR, signal-to-noise ratio. That is important in determining how much background noise you will hear, in other words how clear the sound will be. The lower the SNR, the more interference there will be, usually a hissing sound. As an example, if you use good headphones or speakers in the motherboard's onboard sound output, you will hear a hiss when turning the volume up when no sounds are supposed to be played. When you do the same with a Xonar Essence/Xense, you will hear complete silence, as it should be.
 
Curse you Sneeky, curse you! :p
I was half looking at headsets, and then managed to convince myself I dont need it and I'll buy something else, but then you come along with this, and everyone says only good things about the exact pair I was looking at :mad:

Decisions decisions...
 
I am using an Asus ST/Essence to drive HD 580's which works well, works better tho, when I use a dedicated Headphone amp, will be the same for HD 650's ...

For gaming the 360's are a better choice
 
TJ99 said:
As Pada said (well almost, we're talking impedance, not resistance), the sound card or external amp will specify the max rating. The value in dB is probably the SNR, signal-to-noise ratio. That is important in determining how much background noise you will hear, in other words how clear the sound will be. The lower the SNR, the more interference there will be, usually a hissing sound. As an example, if you use good headphones or speakers in the motherboard's onboard sound output, you will hear a hiss when turning the volume up when no sounds are supposed to be played. When you do the same with a Xonar Essence/Xense, you will hear complete silence, as it should be.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, learning a lot here.

Archer said:
Curse you Sneeky, curse you! :p
I was half looking at headsets, and then managed to convince myself I dont need it and I'll buy something else, but then you come along with this, and everyone says only good things about the exact pair I was looking at :mad:

Decisions decisions...
Click to expand...
Upgradealitis, its a horrible disease hehehe :D
 
Those of you that use these dedicated headsets, what mike options do you use if you use them for gaming as well.
Are their wireless clipon options around
 
I'm perfectly happy with my Xonar Xense bundled with the PC350's. The closed cup is not over bearing and does not make me sweat (I live in humidity - so trust me its fine) They are light on the scalp, extremely comfy and can play for hours with them no probs. Being a closed cup, you battle to hear anyone who tries to interrupt your gaming!! lol - not a bad thing! So I am all for Xense + 350 bundle...
 
Sneeky said:
Those of you that use these dedicated headsets, what mike options do you use if you use them for gaming as well.
Are their wireless clipon options around
Click to expand...

I use Logitech G330's around my neck.

Cheapest option is the Zalman ZM-MIC1 clip-on mic at R60ish.
 
SirFooK'nG said:
I'm perfectly happy with my Xonar Xense bundled with the PC350's. The closed cup is not over bearing and does not make me sweat (I live in humidity - so trust me its fine) They are light on the scalp, extremely comfy and can play for hours with them no probs. Being a closed cup, you battle to hear anyone who tries to interrupt your gaming!! lol - not a bad thing! So I am all for Xense + 350 bundle...
Click to expand...

Yup best thing ever!!!!!!! i love the closed off designs, no outside noise and great for gaming. Mic is quality as well. Not some g330 mic or some clip on rubbish.
 
PostmanPot said:
Lol, G330 is a behind the head design headset.
Click to expand...

Yup but you use it for the mic don't you? So i was saying the quality of the mic on xonar xense is amazing compared to the g330 or that clip on rubbish.

So i would imagine it goes around your neck and not your head thus for you it isn't a behind the head design, it is used for the mic and nothing more.
 
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killadoob said:
Yup but you use it for the mic don't you? So i was saying the quality of the mic on xonar xense is amazing compared to the g330 or that clip on rubbish.

So i would imagine it goes around your neck and not your head thus for you it isn't a behind the design, it is used for the mic and nothing more.
Click to expand...

The point is that most mics these days meet and exceed the requirements for most gamers. Certainly on my G330's, I cannot fault them, can't comment on the Zalman as I have no experience with it, but it's very popular. I see no need for anything better, unless gaming in an unfavourable environment where a superior mic would result in clearer voice with less background noise?

So list some of the benefits you get from the superior mic.

Due to most mics meeting or exceeding the requirements for most gamers, sound quality is more important. An open design gives better sound quality, and importantly, positional accuracy. Unless closed design is specifically needed, the open PC 360's will be better.

Besides, the Xense bundle isn't even available anymore. And the PC 350's have been succeeded by the PC 360's.
 
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