The X1 isolates nothing at all, even worse than the CAL! when it comes to keeping ambient noise out.

Using the M50x, in comparison to the old M50, it's a slight bit less bright and a little more refined in the mids. The bass now has a little more impact and control but quantity/body remains about the same.
If the M50 sounded muffled to you due to its V-shaped signature, the M50x wouldn't sound a whole lot better.

Maybe take a look at the SoundMagic HP100. They're one of the best when it comes to passive noise cancelation, but again by no means it has an airy soundstage. However it is a fairly neutral (for its price) closed headphone, there's still the inherent distortion and recessed mids, but that's the weakness in closed headphones.

Other alternatives like the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro, DT770 AE, and DT770 Pro, they do have really good imaging. But once again, the mids are definitely recessed and they aren't much more forward than the M50x.

You can't have both, unless you're willing to pony up for the Alpha Dogs, TH600 or TH900. They are a special breed.

Fidelio X1, end of story.

Watch for Amazon deals coming up. The X1 was RM550 ($150) not too long ago.

Otherwise your best alternative is an AKG K612 (which I feel is more refined than the X1 with a slight decrease in overall bass kick). RM690, so if you can squeeze out that extra RM90 then I guarantee you won't regret. As with many AKGs, a little bit of amping will be benifitual.

With all due respect, I disagree.

A good headphone is a good headphone, no matter the usage. All this seperation of "music/audiophile" headphones not being suitable for "gaming" is the reason why people are still being bought over by the laughable marketing gaming companies are doing.

There's a reason why headphones like the AD700 or Q701 trounce over ANY gaming headsets in soundstage, seperation/imaging/accuracy. It's not even a contest.
Also, majority of gaming headsets DO NOT place emphasis on positional accuracy by elevating the mids and the low-treble range, instead they add bass that bleeds all over the mids even when there isn't a bomb exploding in the game.

The external devices are simply USB soundcards with Dolby DSPs (in this case, I'm talking about the G430) in place. If one doesn't like it, simply disable Dolby Headphone and audio will not be downmixed/upmixed into any other channels, just simply stereo.


7.1 audio for gaming WITH SPEAKERS is REALLY COOL and REALLY SICK. But, 7.1 audio gaming with headsets is utterly dumb and is garbage.
It's been explained many times, 7 little drivers in crammed into a headset is horrible in audio quality. You do get pretty decent positioning, but the trade off in audio quality is simply not worth it. This is especially since your usage are 40% with music, you don't play music in surround on a headset, period. You just don't.

Yes there are several external audio solutions that provides virtual surround.
A cheap Asus Xonar U3 (RM130) provides Dolby Headphone, a more expensive Creative Omni (RM260+ from Amazon) provides SBX. There are older offerings which are slightly harder to get in Malaysia, like the Creative Recon3D USB and X-Fi that provides THX Surround and CMSS-3D respectively.

1) Why is a simple lapel mic that IS uni directional so much of a hassle? Clip it to the headphone cable and forget it - http://www.dx.com/p/mini-clip-on-microphon...80#.U7B0GPmSyIs
2) Then buy one. The in-line amps that gaming headsets come with are quite poor in quality, as you know.
3) That's why the recommendation here is a HD681 Evo, the AD700 was just a far fetch comparison.

How are they not optimal? Because with that logic, all gamers should just stick with gaming headsets because they are best made for gaming and audiophile headphones are best JUST for music? Sorry no offense, but that's just a wrong stereotypical assumption.

Also, there exists numerous games that aren't horrible in audio quality or one dimensional recordings that are affixed to the typical FPS games. There are games which are immersive, with good musical tracks, good sound effects. You'd wanna waste them on a typical gaming headset because of some slight convenience advantage?

Yes and no?

You didn't even ask good enough for what. Also, good enough is entirely subjective and isn't a real question. I can tell you a HD800 isn't good enough for gaming and you'd call me crazy, but that's me.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Aug 15 2014, 11:28 PM