[Tech] Choosing new Headphones

[Haven]

This is becoming a bit of a bugbear for me. I need a new set of headphones and have done for around six months now. The problem is that despite a lot of research I've yet to find anything that really seems solid and built for an audiophile. Here's hoping you lot can help me choose.

What I'm after:

* Full over the ear cups.
* Solid construction (weight is not an issue for me)
* Great audio quality, these will be used for music listening as well as gaming

What I'm not after:

* Flimsy overly long wiring - if it comes with 5m of cabling I'm just not interested. Likesise cable breaks have been the only reason past headphones have broken - good cabling is a HUGE must have for me.
* USB
* Fluff software/drivers/in-line amps.

Prepared to spend up to £100 for something that will last a few years.

What I've used previously:

Sennheisser PC350's
Sennheisser PC150's

What I've looked at and considered:
* Creative HS 980 - put off by the flimsy microphone though
* Speedlink Medusa 5.1 - not convinced they are audiophile enough and not sold on 5.1 generally.

Thoughts/Suggestions welcome as I've looked hard and not found anything that really caught my attention.

 

[Birdy]

Have you considerd Wireless?

They are fantastic... depending on if you are the person wearing them or the person trying to speak to them as you cant hear nothing past my Creative HS 12000.

Only down side is, after just under 2 years, the charge does not last so great so I have to plug them back in after 4 hours.... mind you... I might not be treating them very well!!!

Oh...and another note. The mic is good but the sensor that turns it on or off when you put the mic up and down is nakerd after some throwing about and now it has to be in the slightly off position to be on!

But I would consider them again!

I might bubble wrap my next pair though to help them last!

 

[Ronin Storm]

I have the Medusa headset. It's good for gaming but, as you say, I'm not entirely sure it's sufficiently audiophile for you; they're no Sennheisser. Mine are still working well after 18 months, maybe two years. 5.1 is more than a gimick but less than a real 5.1 surround system; again, good for gaming, not quite up to DVDs or music when measured against a high quality bar.

Admittedly more costly, but would it be worth splitting the requirements? One headset for gaming, one set for music?

 

[Haven]

Admittedly more costly, but would it be worth splitting the requirements? One headset for gaming, one set for music?

I am considering getting a seperate headset and microphone rather than two headsets but wanted to test the water before I go that route. There are some lovely audio headsets without boom mic's out there. Its possible thats the way to go.

 

[Panda with issues...]

Sennheisers all the way. I purchased a pair of HD 650's over 3 years ago for £160 when they were then range toppers. I can only assume with internet prices you can find them the same price or lower. At around this price you are getting a decadal piece of kit. (RRP £330) After a 1 minute look online there are new pairs on amazon marketplace for £230, preowned at ~£170. An in depth trawl of the internet will surely yield even lower prices. Don't be too worried about buying a second hand pair. The only people who buy kit like this look after it more carefully than they would their children. The only reason to be selling these off is to upgrade, and since sennheiser have only just brought out new range toppers, there is probably a glut in the 650 market at the moment.

Obviously slightly above your price range at the moment, but if you can find a set at around 160, you WILL NOT regret the extra £60.

 

[Haven]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks, finally found and ordered my replacements.

Went for the SteelSeries 7H. Should be able to replace the cable and its short enough that I wont be rolling over it in my chair all the time.

 

[thatbloke]

I have the Steelseries Siberia myself, which I love - nice choice

 

[waterproofbob]

I have the second edition 5Hs which I found a bit meh. Be interesting to hear your thoughts on the new ones.

 

[Haven]

Remind me in a couple of weeks and I will give impressions.

 

[Haven]

Okay its taken a while but finally sorted. Got Sennheiser PC360's - the price is high but the sound quality is incredible. The open cup design really opens up the sound compared to my old 350's. Very impressed so far.