If you've read the last few pages, I think you should already know to stay the hell away from 5.1/7.1 headsets, period.
I'd go out on a dime to admit they're acceptable in terms of positional accuracy, but the audio quality of 5.1/7.1 headsets is just horrendous. It's like putting mud mixed with urine in your ears. No offense intended but that's how it is.

And the Kave? It'll be one of the most uncomfortable headset you'll ever put on your head, ever. It has got this ridiculous clamping pressure, a stupid headband, and the ridiculous weight which doesn't even out on your head at all. I've got a pretty small head and I had headaches after 20 minutes, go figure if you've got a medium-sized head or larger.

If you absolutely just want positional accuracy and nothing else (no sub-bass, no kicks in the mid-bass, non-focused mids) then the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 is your best choice under RM500.
The soundstage is sooooo wide that with a proper HRTF (dolby headphones work well with the AD700), it'll perform as good if not better than a 5.1 headset without sounding like absolute horse ****.

I'll stress it again, you've got 2 ears not 5 or 7 ears. You're human, not a mutant.
Headphones/headsets are close up hearing experience. You do not compare it with a 5.1/7.1 actual speakers setup where everything else is a different story.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Jun 17 2013, 07:04 PM

I TOTALLY AGREE ON THIS!

Leave all the shitty scam gimmicks on "gaming" headsets. Get a proper pair of cans, amp/soundcard, dedicated mic = Everything you could ever have for gaming.

I am so jealous. Almost ordered the 900x when my friend went to Japan. Please share your thoughts on it in terms of gaming and compare it with any other headphones you currently have. Thanks.

Here goes my short review on the Audio Technica ATH-A900X:

Have been burning in the cans for bout 20-25 hrs. So far so good. I have to say, maybe others might have their own opinion but for me, the A900X has one of the widest sound stage ive heard so far for a closed back pair of cans.

Before burn in the drivers produce a more "Boomy" bass as compared to a fully burnt in M50. But after several hours or so, it becomes more pronounced. But for me, the M50 still produces a more punchier bass than the A900X.

The sound produced?
Lets start with the words, Bright and Accurate.
The lows, bass response is great, as these are closed back cans. Dont expect head banging bass, as these cans are not for bass-heads and they dont have that extra PUNCH, can go for BeyerDynamic! Because of this, the mids are more pronounced.
The mids are crystal clear, articulate and warm. Its not fatiguing/tiring to ones ears. One word : Awesome!
The highs are smooth and doesn't hurt your ears.


Tracks used, there are various, but these were some of the prominent ones:
The Four Seasons - Vivaldi @ 610kbps FLAC
Cloud Atlas Sextet - 795kbps FLAC
Swan Lake - Tchaikovsky @ 585kbps FLAC
Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven @ 525kbps FLAC
(the list goes on...)

Games tested:
Battlefield 3
Medal Of Honor Warfighter
Crysis 3
Planetside 2
Metro : Last Light

Tested games with Dolby Headphone Surround 5.1 / 7.1 software via my Asus Xonar Essence STX.

How does the A900X perform in games?
For those who never used proper headphones before this would only be saying WOW!
Really great sound stage, its F-ing WIDE. You can hear every detail. Especially in Battlefield 3, when grenades or tank shells explode right next to you, for me, I can even hear the grain of debris/sand as they fly and and hit the ground back. Played through the "Going Hunting" SP mission, I could actually hear the radio chatter of the pilots in action!

Positional Audio?
To put it simply by saying, you can hear everything. It all depends the skill of the player on what to do next.


Comfort wise, its the A900X. But this model will nt really appeal to those whom have smaller heads. Cuz the headband might slip off. But all in all, After I put them on, I forget that its there. While the M50 has a more tighter fit/grip to a person's head.

Drawbacks?
Since these are closed cans, it gets hot after a prolonged session.
Not for the travelling user, the cans are bulky and the cable is like super long
Take note that these cans are also HUGE but lightweight due to its bare bone headband design.

"Gaming" headsets Ive used/tested before?
Roccat Kave 5.1
Razer Tiamat 7.1
Razer Electra
Corsair Vengeance 1300
Various Armageddon "forgot the model"
(Numerous others...)

Conclusion: None of those listed above can stand nor be compared to the A900X in terms of sheer audio performance and value. In other words, if you think you have money for a Tiamat or I would say "Kiamat", you`d be better off with an M50 or A900X. If someone plays an MP3 track, lets say with 320kbps quality, they will notice instantly how bad MP3s are.
The A900X is a really great ALL-ROUNDER and BALANCED pair of headphones or entry level audiophile cans as they say.

Though my review might be biased, as my setup also uses a Asus Xonar Essence STX, but my stand is still firmly the same as bro @SSJBen, to NEVER go for 5.1/7.1 "gaming/actual" surround unless that person is a mutant or alien.

Cheers & Peace out!

Thanks bro. Sounds like a pair I would like to upgrade from my A700.

Very nice review man.

How well does the A900x take EQing? I know there are some particular AT models which doesn't like any significant EQing before it starts clipping or having distortions.

Looking for a gaming headset with the budget around RM200.
Any recommendations?

For semi-open headphones:
Superlux HD681, 681b, 681f, or 668b.
Alternatively, Samson SR850.

If you want a cheap Beyerdynamics DT770Pro experience, the Superlux HD660 is as close as it gets. Obviously, bass extension is no where near the DT770 but everything else is almost on par with it.

Use the remainder for a mic.

If you absolutely need a headset, the only headset I can recommend is a Steelseries Siberia V2 which is out of your budget.

It was for me. Now its my primary desktop/home use headphone. Using my M50 when im travelling cuz they are built like a tank.

It handles most of the audio ranges appropriately. No distortions at high volumes and etc. Needs proper burn in at first though.

As Ive said, a well BALANCED headphone indeed.

I was interest in Sennheiser PC350 Special Edition currently. Currently using PC330 which is can feel uncomfortable in short run. The head phone just hugging my ear/head so tightly. Would like to know any opinion here, any owner of PC350?

Seems like most prefer headphone without mic and prefer to get separate mic? Was seeing somewhere on Beyerdynamic MMX300 as well... maybe a little over budget, is the thing really that good? Sweat. Appreciate everyone's opinion. Thanks!

PS: Was using PC330 and Asus Xonar DX currently, and DX dont have headphone amp... may consider upgrade to Asus Essence STX. The amp really do much difference on headphone?

This post has been edited by ongweiping: Jun 20 2013, 08:38 AM

What is the difference between 681, 681b and 681f?

Quoting myself from an earlier post on this thread -



This post has been edited by SSJBen: Jun 20 2013, 01:30 PM

Hi

I'm looking for headset that can be used for both PC and PS3 with attached mic. budget ~RM400. Can anyone convince me to buy one from the list below? or perhaps recommend some other product? Thanks!

Skullcandy SLYR - I really want this but unfortunately not selling here in Msia. Costs 80USD. However shipping it to here will total up to ~ RM4++ not really worth IMO
Turtle Beach P11 ~ RM200. heavy arm seems out of stock.
Ozone Onda 3HX ~ RM270 - looks decent might get this.
Sennheiser U320 - RM ? - don't know how much. but probably cost a bomb
Sony Official Wireless 7.1 Surround ~ RM300 - most unlikely to buy this

This post has been edited by Blackened: Jun 21 2013, 10:05 AM

Might want to take a look at the Turtle Beach PX22.
I don't generally recommend headsets but there are some exceptions when you need them to be cross-compatible with other devices and on a budget.

Hi guys pls recommend me a headset for ps3(gaming) and pc(music) my budget around 400.. I'm thinking to get the sony pulse elite edition.. Anything else?

for ps3 and pc i think pulse is a good thing, they said the music quality is decent. the best part is it is wireless. especially u don need to have long cable to route from ur ps3 to ur couch, unless u are playing on the desk same level with pc then u might can get some decent audiophile grade headphone like ath ad700. but better u go and try out before u buy, pulse some ppl say not quite comfy, some say good enuf, depends on ur head size i believe.

Sony Pulse Elite is a decent choice. I've previously tested it for quite a while and IMO, the price you pay for it it is pretty impressive.

The Pulse is rather warm, but bass isn't something that is really that emphasized given that this is a closed headset. It's in fact very rolled off and it's surprising because I expected some extension in the mid-bass, but it is shy in this department. Don't be mistaken by its bass impact technology, which is pretty gimmicky and actually does more hurt to the audio quality than help it.
Keeping it at a subtle 3rd or 4th notch is the most I'd recommend anyone should have on it, otherwise... keep it off.

Also, the Pulse is a pretty weird headset on its own. As in on the PS3, without a DAC the Pulse has trouble driving itself wirelessly. I think it is Sony's design to keep volume levels at a minimum because the battery in the Pulse is downright piss-poor. I only managed to squeeze out 4 hours 20 minutes of use from it at max volume (it's needed, because anything lower than 80% volume and details on the mids suffer like hell) and bass impact disabled.

Speaking of the battery, there are numerous reports of it just dying and refusing to charge. It happened to me in fact. Just a note.

So why am I still saying the Pulse is a decent choice then? Well, the saving grace is that it can be wired using a standard 3.5mm cable. Connecting it to a TB DSS/Astro Mixamp for the PS3 and using it wired pretty much changed the ENTIRE Pulse from a poor headset into something that is actually very enjoyable.
A low-end DAC/amp like a TB DSS managed to give the Pulse more than enough volume for one, it brought out some life in the bass and the mids actually has details that was missing when using it wirelessly.

This goes hand in hand when using it on a PC, connecting the Pulse in wired mode directly to my soundcard was a waaaaay better experience than using it wirelessly. I can tell you, it's like 2 different headsets when the Pulse is compared wired or wirelessly.

Comfort wise, I don't have much issue with the pleather earpads. It's not memory foam though, so it will take a while to conform to your head.
What I don't like is the stupid 2-piece design on the headband, too little padding and it will irk anyone who is bald or have short hair. The weight of the Pulse is surprisingly light however (289g), much lighter than many wired headsets/headphones in fact.


AD700s are bad for almost any type of music IMO. Waaaaaay too bass shy.

Nice one thank you very much guys!

ok so it is not a good headphone if using it wirelessly? i plan to use it wirelessly cos u know running cable whil playing ps3 on couch is very messy to begin with. then what are the better choice if going for wireless option?

Not to say it isn't good (after all, it's only RM400) but its potential is locked away when being used wirelessly.
I don't see the problem running a cable from the PS3 to the couch, I do that actually. Just get a 10 foot (or however long it is your PS3 is from the couch) and go from there. Get a tangle free cable if you're annoyed with tangling.

Honestly, at RM400.. there's really no headset being able to beat the Sony Pulse, wirelessly that is.