Headphone Suggestions & Recommendations

DuckKnuckle

DuckKnuckle

New member
Howsit guys,

So I’ve decided to make this thread due to the popularity of ‘headphone suggestion’ threads that have recently been popping up.

I’ll be providing a list of headphones, headsets and earphones through the various price ranges to accommodate the various listeners and gamers out there.

This list is solely based on my experience and opinions. I have worked in a music store for 4 years and tested more headphones than I can think of. I also studied sound engineering through SAE (School of Audio Engineering) back in 2011 and was using different monitoring headphones and monitors.

These suggestions will cover two types of listeners or users – those who enjoy the conventional ‘smiley face’ EQ (boosted lows and highs) and those who enjoy a more neutral or flat EQ (your monitoring headphones). With regards to headphones, I would advise using the Zalman ZM-MIC1.

If you’re unhappy with my suggestions, feel free to list some suggestions of your own :)

I’m hoping to create a central thread where people looking to purchase new gaming audio can come to without having to ask the same questions and go through the same suggestion process.

R250 – R750
Headphones​

• Sennheiser HD 202 – R399
• Roland RH5 – R435.79
• Samson SR850 – R516. 86
• Samson CH700 – R626.18
• Shure SRH240 – R629.47
• AKG K99 – R677.89

Headsets​
• Steelseries 3H V2 – R483
• Genius Cavimanus – R699

R750 - R1 500
Headphones​

• Sennheiser HD 429 – R979
• Roland RH-200 – R1 033.05
• Sennheiser HD449 – R1 199
• Sennheiser HD 215 – R1 259
• Pioneer HDJ 500 - R1 295
• Roland RH-D20 – R1 402.26

Headsets​

• Steelseries Siberia V2 – R872
• Corsair Vengeance 1500 V2 – R942
• Razer Kraken Pro – R972
• Razer Tiamat 2.2 – R1 211
• CM Storm Sirus S – R1 253
• Corsair Vengeance 2100 – R1 413

R1 500 - R2 500
Headphones​

• Sennheiser HD380 – R1 513.16
• Sennheiser HD 518 – R1 799
• AKG K240 MK II – R1 906.58
• AKG K271 MK II – R2 027.63
• Pioneer HDJ 1500 - R2 195
• Technics RPDJ1200A - R2 295

Headsets​

• Razer Blackshark – R1 637
• Logitech G35 – R1 754
• Steelseries 9H – R1 875
• Razer Tiamat 7.1 – R2 277

I've had experience with most of the headphones and headsets here that I've mentioned. I have a friend who runs his own online computer store so I had the pleasure of spending a couple weekends testing the various products.

If anyone wants to purchase something outside of these ranges, feel free to ask here :) this list is for the general public and not for those audiophiles out there.

Cheers!
 
Last edited:
Awesome thread, I would however say that posting links to landmark isn't ideal because they are quite a bit more expensive than Rebeltech ;) Also used pretty much everything on the list and I would recommend them all.

I did notice though you didn't include these:

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_3&products_id=11167

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_3&products_id=11166

For the money they are utterly brilliant, tested both of them and have to say they are fantastic and really very comfortable.
 
The Joker said:
Awesome thread, I would however say that posting links to landmark isn't ideal because they are quite a bit more expensive than Rebeltech ;) Also used pretty much everything on the list and I would recommend them all.

I did notice though you didn't include these:

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_3&products_id=11167

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_3&products_id=11166

For the money they are utterly brilliant, tested both of them and have to say they are fantastic and really very comfortable.
Click to expand...

Thanks The Joker :)

Will get those added to my list now. And yeah I used Landmark as a sort of base for the prices. I find they're in the middle with regards to pricing but yeah, Rebeltech for the cheapest prices.
 
I've had decent luck with my Sennheiser HD419s...paid 650 and they are serving me well.

That being said...I got my sister a set of these - Looking back I can kick myself for not buying myself a set too (limited edition & wicked price 1.5k instead of ~3k). Should I have (lots of) cash to burn Beyerdynamics will def be first stop for me.
 
HavocXphere said:
I've had decent luck with my Sennheiser HD419s...paid 650 and they are serving me well.

That being said...I got my sister a set of these - Looking back I can kick myself for not buying myself a set too (limited edition & wicked price 1.5k instead of ~3k). Should I have (lots of) cash to burn Beyerdynamics will def be first stop for me.
Click to expand...

I was messing with a pair of the 250 ohm 770s and my god they are stunning.

I want a new pair of headphones and I'm struggling to decide between the 770 250 ohms or the 990s. I heard the 990s were a little too bright though.

You can take a look on Amazon as the Beyerdynamics are fairly cheap.
 
Hiro said:
Awesome thread. Keen to have a single definitive headset thread :)
Click to expand...

Yeah I figured this would make things a lot more central for other users :)

Now we can all give our experiences in different headphones/headsets and recommend others that I missed out on.

HavocXphere said:
Kinda...double what I paid for my sisters set & not 32 Ohm so would need an amp too. As I said *kicks self*.
Click to expand...

You could always order one from a Paul Bothners. I know they were special ordering them in for customers who requested them.

I could try and get a price for you tomorrow?
 
I ordered the Steelseries Siberia v2 Frost Blue headset yesterday (was on special at Takealot and I had store credit), so I'll give my impressions in this thread once they are delivered. Really excited because I've been using cheap/hand-me-down headphones for years so these will definitely be an improvement.
 
DarthMol said:
I ordered the Steelseries Siberia v2 Frost Blue headset yesterday (was on special at Takealot and I had store credit), so I'll give my impressions in this thread once they are delivered. Really excited because I've been using cheap/hand-me-down headphones for years so these will definitely be an improvement.
Click to expand...
Awesome man hope you enjoy them
 
DuckKnuckle said:
Howsit guys,

So I’ve decided to make this thread due to the popularity of ‘headphone suggestion’ threads that have recently been popping up.

I’ll be providing a list of headphones, headsets and earphones through the various price ranges to accommodate the various listeners and gamers out there.

This list is solely based on my experience and opinions. I have worked in a music store for 4 years and tested more headphones than I can think of. I also studied sound engineering through SAE (School of Audio Engineering) back in 2011 and was using different monitoring headphones and monitors.

These suggestions will cover two types of listeners or users – those who enjoy the conventional ‘smiley face’ EQ (boosted lows and highs) and those who enjoy a more neutral or flat EQ (your monitoring headphones). With regards to headphones, I would advise using the Zalman ZM-MIC1.

If you’re unhappy with my suggestions, feel free to list some suggestions of your own :)

I’m hoping to create a central thread where people looking to purchase new gaming audio can come to without having to ask the same questions and go through the same suggestion process.

R250 – R750
Headphones​

• Sennheiser HD 202 – R399
• Roland RH5 – R435.79
• Samson SR850 – R516. 86
• Samson CH700 – R626.18
• Shure SRH240 – R629.47
• AKG K99 – R677.89

Headsets​
• Steelseries 3H V2 – R483
• Genius Cavimanus – R699

R750 - R1 500
Headphones​

• Sennheiser HD 429 – R979
• Roland RH-200 – R1 033.05
• Sennheiser HD449 – R1 199
• Sennheiser HD 215 – R1 259
• Roland RH-D20 – R1 402.26

Headsets​

• Steelseries Siberia V2 – R872
• Corsair Vengeance 1500 V2 – R942
• Razer Kraken Pro – R972
• Razer Tiamat 2.2 – R1 211
• CM Storm Sirius S – R1 253
• Corsair Vengeance 2100 – R1 413

R1 500 - R2 500
Headphones​

• Sennheiser HD380 – R1 513.16
• Sennheiser HD 518 – R1 799
• AKG K240 MK II – R1 906.58
• AKG K271 MK II – R2 027.63

Headsets​

• Razer Blackshark – R1 637
• Logitech G35 – R1 754
• Steelseries 9H – R1 875
• Razer Tiamat 7.1 – R2 277

I've had experience with most of the headphones and headsets here that I've mentioned. I have a friend who runs his own online computer store so I had the pleasure of spending a couple weekends testing the various products.

If anyone wants to purchase something outside of these ranges, feel free to ask here :) this list is for the general public and not for those audiophiles out there.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Hey dude
Please amend with pro headphones.

These gaming headphones above R 2 000 are not worth their price when you compare to Studio Audio equipment.

(http://www.rtstore.co.za/)

http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-categories?page=shop.browse&category_id=23

Technics

Technics RPDJ1200A Headphones - R2 295.00 (http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-ca...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=497&category_id=23)

Technics RPDJ 1200 - R2 695.00 (http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-ca...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=160&category_id=23)

Technics RPDH 1200 - R2 695.00 (http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-ca...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=194&category_id=23)


Sennheiser


Sennheiser HD25 SP2 - R2 050.00 (http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-ca...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=194&category_id=23)

Sennheiser HD25-13 MKII - R3 795.00 (http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-ca...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=149&category_id=36)

Pioneer

Pioneer HDJ 1500 - R2 195.00 (http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-ca...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=343&category_id=38)

Pioneer HDJ 2000 (SPECIAL ORDER) - R3 600.00 (http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-ca...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=144&category_id=38)

Pioneer HDJ 500 BLACK - R1 295.00 (http://www.rtstore.co.za/product-ca...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=145&category_id=38)

You can also use https://www.noise.co.za/.
 
ArchieChoke said:
Hey dude
Please amend with pro headphones.

These gaming headphones above R 2 000 are not worth their price when you compare to Studio Audio equipment.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm aware that the gaming headsets are quite pricey but some guys prefer buying headsets over a pair of studio headphones and adding a mic.

Most of the headphones you listed are outside of the price ranges I specified :o I'll add the <R2 500 headphones to the list though.

Thanks for the recommendations!
 
DuckKnuckle said:
Yeah I'm aware that the gaming headsets are quite pricey but some guys prefer buying headsets over a pair of studio headphones and adding a mic.

Most of the headphones you listed are outside of the price ranges I specified :o I'll add the <R2 500 headphones to the list though.

Thanks for the recommendations!
Click to expand...

Cool no problem dude.exchange rate f*cked those. Headset I bought for 2200 now 3200.
 
I'm curious. Does 7.1 actually work, or is it all just a gimmick? Surely you can't distinguish the directional source of sounds, given that speakers are so close to your ears??
 
Hiro said:
I'm curious. Does 7.1 actually work, or is it all just a gimmick? Surely you can't distinguish the directional source of sounds, given that speakers are so close to your ears??
Click to expand...

It really does. I used to use Razer Surround to give me directional audio. It changes the frequency and intensity of the audio to give it a surround feel and it really does work.

If you have a pair of stereo headphones, head on over HERE and check it out.
 
DuckKnuckle said:
It really does. I used to use Razer Surround to give me directional audio. It changes the frequency and intensity of the audio to give it a surround feel and it really does work.

If you have a pair of stereo headphones, head on over HERE and check it out.
Click to expand...

Didn't you have a set of those 7.1 Sonic headsets? Did those simulate surround sound effects properly?
 
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