My hyperx clouds just stopped working after about a year so I have decided to go higher end now and get a nice pair of headphones and a mod mic or desktop mic. So my question what is a good audiophile grade headset for around $180 or less. Thanks!
EDIT:
I found a great pair of used Sennheiser HD598 for $110CAD which I purchased, but now I am searching for good microphone and this is something I know less than little about I was going to buy the AT2020 but the usb version is so much more than the xlr so will the xlr work with out a preamp or a adapter? If I am forced to go usb would you guys recommend the Blue Yeti or the ATR2500 or others.
Thanks for all the comments and help so far!
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I think this is what you're looking for. Literally any of these are excellent compared to most gaming headsets; just add a mod mic or desktop mic as you're planning.
One mic alternative you might want to look at is this: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ECMCS3-Omnidirectional-Stereo-Microphone/dp/B0058MJX4O/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452223146&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=sony+lavelier I hear it's excellent for the price and has a nice warm sound compared to the mod mic that lacks warmth and can be a bit harsh at times.
If you're comfortable with it, buy used and get something better than what's in the video. For example, I got the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pros for around $130 "used" when they usually run $190 new (I swear the ones I got just had a dented box and were returned new...). Granted I don't have a mic, but I also don't need one for anything.
Also, once you've been exposed to higher end audio, you may fall into the lure of getting better equipment. I recently got a Schiit stack and regret nothing, but that added another $240 shipped to my audio setup...
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Im currently using Audio Technica ATH-m50x's and in AUD they're 190. the m50xs are basically the 1 year older brothers of the M40x's, another great headphone. In US the m40s are probably around 100$. If I was to compare them I would have to do this; On a scale of 1 - 10, ten being really good and 1 terrible the m40x would be a 7/10 and the m50xs a 8or9/10
These headphones are great if you already have a mic and are just looking for the audio.
Nice!
I did the same thing... got a mod-mic on some Denon ahd2000's with a Fiio e10k. It works amazingly for gaming and music.
No such thing unless you are extremely lucky on the used market. I love my DT990 Pro's but they are not audiophile grade by a long shot. They are very popular with recording studios because they are good and fairly trustworthy.
Before you invest money in something new, have you tried contacting Kingston about this? I don't know how long the warranty lasts in your country, but still, ~one year doesn't seem much and the HyperX Cloud doesn't really have that bad of a reputation. Even if you want something new anyway, you can try and get Kingston to fix/replace it and then sell it.
As for the M40x: I own a pair, they are great for music, have a nice bass and seal you off against any noise around you (I take them with me to work all the time to cancel out the clickity-click of dozens of old rubberdome keyboards around me). But I wouldn't recommend them for gaming, especially for longer sessions. They are not bad for gaming, but they're closed-back headphones so the soundstage is not as good as with open headphones. The comfort could also be better (2h are okay, 3h+ and I get uncomfortable/they start to hurt). Plus, the earpads are made of (faux) leather which can cause you to sweat (especially during the warmer times of the year).
I just got some used beyerdynamic DT 880s from beyerdynamic eBay for $160 and sometimes they go cheaper. It's the most accurate headset I've ever used though I've ever only used 1 other headset of this calibre so take it for what it's worth. Anyways, audiophile type headsets don't really start until the $250 retail range so keep that in mind.
FTFY. The thing is, audiophilia is its own brand of nerdism. When you mixed the record in the studio, you had problems with the bassplayers cable and did what you could to filter out the hizz and humm from the broken ass cable and your monitors tell you that its if not gone, then at least drowned out. Audiophiles get gear that gives them the buzzing from the broken cable the bassplayer used back into the music. If that works for them and makes their experience more real, good for them. But it comes at a cost because it is such a narrow market segment and the stuff used in production is usually rotten expensive to begin with. Do you need that? Do you want to pay for it? Or is "good" really good enough. And for most people (even pro's) the answer is a loud and clear "YES, yes it is".
Philips SHP9500s + Vmoda Boom Pro (my personal recommendation)
Senheiser Game One
Anything $50 under your budget and a mod mic
One thing to note about the ATH-AD900X is that if you have a smaller head they don't sit on your head right. I ended up sending mine back and it broke my heart because that paired with my mayflower dac sounded so good.
Yes, ATH-AD900x + ODAC + O2 = <3 But even the rubber band mod didn't work for you?
I tried it but for anything longer than 45 minutes or so it created a pressure point on top of my head. So after returning them and realizing how good they were I decided to try out something a little more expensive and ordered a set of HIFIMAN HE400S.