Audiophiles in here

[jackrock]

What headphones/set do you use and what do you use them for? Any recommendations for gaming and music? Brands to avoid? I've had my eyes on these (http://www.astrogaming.com/products/detail/3/A40_Audio_System/), but I'm sure there's something cheaper and better for music out there. Steer me in the right direction please.

[Audio.]

Bose. End of story.

[Dharma]

^agreed.

I use a Bose headset on my Ipod, and I have Bose surround sound in my house.

[TurdBerglar]

headphones are nothing unless you have something good to plug them into

[ET]

I re-read your post and realized you were referring to gaming headsets. Oops. I don't do any VoiP or Vent stuff but I think Logitech is reasonable in price and quality. Of course, you can't plug your iPod directly into them (which is fuckin' badassssss) but it's quality consumer grade stuff. Except I hear that the Premium Gaming (http://www.techgadgets.in/images/logitech-headset.jpg) headset is too tight. Like headache inducing tight. Maybe my friends have huge heads...

I am thoroughly impressed with Sennheiser now though. It feels like they are the new Bose, except with them you get what you paid for. ;) I own their shitty PMX 70's (http://www.123market.gr/images/prod/l_00000017.jpg) and they sound as amazing as they are ugly considering how big they are. It's what I prefer to use with da Zune.

I use Sony MDR-V150 (http://www.digitgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/sonymdr-v150.jpg) while on the computer. Even after I had a similar set who's left speaker gave out like the headphones of my old Sony cd walkman and the headphones of my old Sony cassette deck. They're not as good as pro level stuff, which I can never justify $400 headphones, but they do the job for the money. Could have better bass response but they're light as hell and I can wear them for hours.

[mikizee]

Bose is shithouse.

99% marketing, 1% quality.

Honestly, if you do your research, you will find that Bose are completely overpriced and completely inferior as far as componetry/quality are concerned. Not worth the glossy brochures they are printed on.

You are seriously wasting your money on Bose. You will find far better quality systems for the money if you research a bit. Bose are for the box mover don't-wanna-think-about-it crowd. Little do they know they are shooting themselves in the foot. I'm no idiot either, I'm a sound engineer by trade.

The main thing is, get your source right. That means CD player, hard drive, preamp, etc. No point having great headphones if the quality of sound you are pumping to them is crap.

Then, headphone amp.

Then, headphones. I use Grados, cos they are good. Plenty more good brands out there though. Research, research, research.

[Documad]

I am thoroughly impressed with Sennheiser now though. It feels like they are the new Bose, except with them you get what you paid for. ;) I own their shitty PMX 70's (http://www.123market.gr/images/prod/l_00000017.jpg) and they sound as amazing as they are ugly considering how big they are. It's what I prefer to use with da Zune.

I use Sony MDR-V150 (http://www.digitgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/sonymdr-v150.jpg) while on the computer. Even after I had a similar set who's left speaker gave out like the headphones of my old Sony cd walkman and the headphones of my old Sony cassette deck. They're not as good as pro level stuff, which I can never justify $400 headphones, but they do the job for the money. Could have better bass response but they're light as hell and I can wear them for hours.
I've had good luck with Sennheiser and Sony for home stereo use, but I don't know the model numbers. I go with the cheapest ones that feel good on my head.

In general, I'd agree that Bose is a huge waste of money. The only Bose product I like is the noise-canceling headphones and that's only because I fly a lot and they're easy to travel with because of the carrying case, and they do cancel out airplane noise. If I wasn't going to get on an airplane (or train) I wouldn't waste money on Bose. And if you're getting Bose and don't get the noise-canceling ones, I don't know why you would do that.

What's most important to me with headphones is comfort. I don't like things inside my ear because my bones inside my ear hurt. I don't like ones that are too big around my ear because they get sweaty. I like headphones that are light and comfortable. Most headphones have decent sound quality and I'm not looking for professional equipment so I'd buy whatever felt the most comfortable on my head.

For walking down the street with my ipod, I like the Sony clips that hang on the outside of my ear. There is a lot of sound leakage but I think that's probably safer when I'm walking down the street.

Be careful not to wear headphones too long and don't turn the volume up too loud.

[Drederick Tatum]

Sennheiser eh350. cheap. good. (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-eH350-Open-Aire-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00067OEPO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)

[Matt]

Be careful not to wear headphones too long and don't turn the volume up too loud.

Whatever, grandma.