Your tracking and accuracy in shooting is insane. Peripherals are secondary especially when you are that good. I just got the PC38X and I could really say that the imaging and soundstage is really good for competitive gaming, mic quality is also on point!
hey Ali - you got me into Apex at the end of 2019 and I just want to say thank you for showcasing it so prominently on your channel. It *saved* me during those months of lockdown. And obviously great to see it STILL in loads of your recent videos.
It is really good that you specified that last bit about competitive advantage. As someone who spent the last two years really getting into the niche of high quality audio gear (HiFi, Audiophile, whatever you wanna call it) I see tons of people coming towards it and wanting some sort of wall hack from a better headphone. Admittedly that is how i started out as well, but after my first few headphones and IEMs on my shelf I came to the realisation that that is just absolutely irrelevant. You will get better audio quality. You probably get a more enjoyment out of your listening experience (depending on if you even care for it that much). But it wont make you a god in Apex or Valorant. With having multiple IEMs and headphones on my desk right now, I absoultely cannot justify spending anything above 250 for gaming audio. My Moondrop Arias get me 90% of the way to my DT1990s, and they are under a hundred bucks. In terms of gaming, IEMs just offer a better skillset and lower price compared to headphones. So if thats what youre after, the IE300s are the most money you should ever spend for gaming. These are just my two cents and its incredibly hard to put all my thoughts into one comment and it still making sense. If anyone has further questions feel free to reach out :)
As a musician who’s been recording for the last 20 years I can say gaming headsets have been a pain point. Thousands of dollars on speakers, reference monitors, and microphones (including the SM7B) and gaming headsets can’t compare. They don’t even make products in the same price category. The PC38X is damn impressive for the price and gets you all the audio queues you need for immersion. A huge consideration is room noise! If you have a noisy environment, girlfriend, get closed back as well. The closed back Epos HD6s are just as good.
Note: Gaming/streaming aside, the SM7B is a killer microphone. It’s used in the studio for singing, guitar cabinets, and used extensively for radio broadcast. Don’t write it off just because you’ve seen it everywhere.
@@HCGonzalezJr87 only probllem of the SM7B is its price. It is kinda steep when you have other mics on the market that does not have as good of a name but similar specs and lower price, it's just that people don't know them (not saying the SM7B is bad for the price though, this is a killer mic)
One of the bonuses of being a recording musician is never having to fuss about audio gear I guess 😂 even a basic recording/mixing setup is gonna be essay better than even that Sennheiser gaming headset
@@matthieuzglurg6015 Rode Podmic is a very good alternative to the SM7B for a fraction of the cost. Build like a tank and feels premium. I owned both for a couple months, and I wouldn't say my SM7B is really that much better overall, especially when the price is 3-4x.
Yes and no. Those IEMs are pretty good but for a desktop setup it really doesn't make much sense to choose that over an open back planar magnetic headphone.
There is an other option that falls in between those two, a good wired headphone that has a detachable cable + a vmoda boompro that is so much better than any mic you can found in gaming headset and cost ≈30$
Audio-technica m40x + Vmoda Boompro for 7+ years, still all sound better than any gaming headset and all still look new (changed pads to memory foam ones) , best investment i've made.
I have owned the Cloud 2s and am currently running the PC38x, the difference really is night and day. It is worth every penny and more. Although I think a good alternative to the three options presented is a decent pair of headphones (beyerdynamic, audiotechnicas etc) with a budget USB mic (blue snowball, siren mini). This will give you ultimate control of both aspects, not make you stuck with a poor mic with amazing drivers. Personally I use a blue snowball instead of the PC38Xs mic, although the difference isn't big, the breathing is an issue that my friends noticed on discord when I first got them. I would never go back to a more budget friendly gaming headset after using the PC38X, music is so much more enjoyable, movies and TV shows sound better and gaming feels way less taxing on my ears with no sharp highs or muddy and overdone bass. Would highly recommend!
How are they for background noise? Air conditions, fans, background voices, ect. I really want PC38x, but not if I can vividly hear my blaring ac in the background.
I've had Cloud IIs for 5~ years now, still think its one of the best budget headphones for its time. I am sure theres something that better fits that category but I'll be considering something far more luxurious for the next upgrade.
I just bought my partner a cloud ii for work meetings because in that price range I think it's still the best overall, and in mic quality, comfort etc. There are definitely better headphones and setups for more money, but you have to decide if you need it and if it's worth it.
I used Cloud IIs for years and recently switched to a new setup with separate mic/headphones. The experience is pretty night/day, I feel like the sounds are much richer and I can hear quite a bit more in game. You'll definitely notice the difference with an upgrade!
I'm loving your channel. I decided to pick up gaming as a hobby during quarantine. Only have a series s and Nintendo switch but the pc build is coming and your content is extremely informative useful and entertaining. Hats off to you mate!
I've had the HD6XX, HD58X, PC37X, Cloud 2 Wireless, Arctis Pro Wireless, Astro a50 Gen 1/2/4 and now the HD 560S. The HD 560S blows all of it out of the water in terms of imaging, emersion and clarity. Please try this headphone its a game changer! I will note I power my headphones with a Mayflower O2 DAC/AMP.
Late comment I know, but I had the exact same experience. I bought the Nova pro wireless, and just wasn't that impressed with the sound. Bought the 560s and was floored. Does the dac/amp significantly help? I've just been using them powered from an xbox remote, phone dongle, or laptop jack
I just realized that Optimum has the velour pads on the cloud II's - they definitely reduce the bass and increase the treble. The pleather pads definitely help, but the PC38x is a huge upgrade.
This is eye-opening. This is the exact type of content I needed! I have the Sennies PC363D and they're quite analogous to the PC38X, I love 'em. Their only fault is that the rotary dial is currently dying.
I'd like to thank you a lot, in your previous video you suggested the moondrop aria, I got them last week and they are really good for the price, I'll probably upgrade to the sennheiser later on but thank you so so much and I look forward for more IEMs reviews on your channel 😃
Have you heard of the Beyerdynamic MMX300? It's basically the DT770 audiophile headphones with a mic strapped on to it. I really like them and I think the audio quality would be better than the Sennheiser.
I bought my akg k712 pro 3 or 4 years ago and I never looked back, coming from Sennheiser game one was night and day, specially when I don't like heavy bass headphones. In terms of sound stage the k712 are one of the most wide sound stage I have heard since I tried the hd800, and for me personally it give me the feeling of distance which is really important in shooters.
I got AKG K702 and the same can be said about the little brother. The only thing i found negative is the plastic feel so other than that very comfortable and killer sound for 150$.
Ended up getting the IE 300 to replace my wireless (around the house headphones) per your endorsement and oh my... these are amazing. Haven't used them for gaming too much yet but they don't require any eq adjustment for my needs. Thanks for pointing me toward them albeit for a different use case.
this guy does not miss. the xl2546k is the best monitor i’ve ever tried, the ie300’s are the best headphones i’ve ever used, the superlight is the best mouse i’ve had the pleasure of clicking heads with
I really like my Sennheiser PC38X's. I have had Sennheiser HD 598's and Phillips SP9500, the 38X are my favorites for sure. Glad you also enjoyed them.
for anyone who is curious about open and close back headphones: closed back: more bass than open back, audio sounds like its coming from a smaller area and thus not as "wide", most likely noise cancelling, nobody outside can hear your audio, open back: less bass because of the backing not being solid, "wider" and generally higher quality sound, people outside can feintly hear your audio, not noise cancelling but you can hear the outside world much better, can shine flashlight through the ear cups wide sound oversimplified: listen to a song and imagine they are playing on stage, "wide" sounding headphones let you hear the more subtle parts of the instruments since there's more room for the audio to move around in, the audio itself sounds farther away but that allows for more depth. if you are an avid music enjoyer i would implore you to get a nice pair of open back headphones although that usually requires an amp/DAC because they require more ohms to drive (a whole other can of worms). more ohms = more power needed to drive sound out of the headphones. i currently run the hd58x with a fiio e10k and it works fine; audio stuff is expensive if you dive really deep into that rabbit hole.
Currently rocking the sennheiser hd 560s with an FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier. And for the microphone currently using the rode Podmic with a mixer that I found in the basement which surprisingly is good enough for the microphone. I'm satisfied on the quality that I get off from the microphone and especially from the headphones.
I have similar setup (HD599 + e10k + modmic) , but somehow i have a feeling that i could do better with better amp/dac than fiio e10k. Does anyone have recommendation for good amp/dac under 150€?
I have been running the PC38X for almost a year now and they are amazing. I can really pinpoint the location where sounds are coming from. It gives me a huge advantage in games. The breathing noise is an issue though, I'm currently looking for a slide-over pop filter.
A few things to note as an audiophile. With IEMs, They likely sound very impactful as the ie300 use a single dynamic driver, which almost feels like a subwoofer. Technically IEMs like the blessing 2s are a better, having a hybrid of a dynamic for bass and 4 Balanced armatures for mids and highs. While a single dynamic can achieve the same result, at the $250-$350 IEM pricepoint, hybrids are typically better. I think there is one headphone that actually give a competitive advantage in game, which is the hd800s. It gives the largest soundstage by far and allows you to hear enemy distance, location(including up or down), and makes it easy to detect every sound in the enviornment. Sometimes I feel I can just play the game with no monitor due to how accurate the sound is. It also still gives that punchy bass with a massive 50mm dynamic driver, although the bass is sharper and more detailed, rather than loose. The problem is the hd800s costs $1100 to $1800, although it sounds 10x as good as something like an hd600, and doesn't really feel like a waste of money.
I really don’t think people understand what good audio actually sounds like. The beat of the beat consumer headphones are still just good at best when it comes to the quality and clarity of the sound. Not the features or comfort, just the sound. I recently went from using big overear Sony headphones to using a pair of budget iems, and now a pair of Sennheiser HD6XX/HD650 with a Schiit Magni for amplification. Makes a world of a difference, it’s like going from only have experienced 1080p to realizing how crystal clear 4k is. I never understood how much headphone companies try to use software to compensate for bad speakers.
Thank you for posting. Great info. I really only use Audioengine A5+ speakers. They sound great. My mic is a Samson Meteor, works fine. If I use headphones, I use Sennheiser HD 700's. Thank you again. Have a great new year.
The other thing to consider in this review is your motherboard audio card quality. It’s a reason I still buy the overkill asus cards, because you get a better built in audio card. The test is still valid since uses the same USB interface for each headphone, but your PC38x will not sound exactly like his PC38x unless you have the same audio interface. Dont overspend for a mobo’s audio though. A PCIE card or a USB audio interface will give more per $. Some brands work better with gaming latency, others struggle (my focusrite 2i4 does not play nice for example).
What is the best motherboard for audio that you know ? For onboard audio quality and latency. Stuff like asus rog extreme, the most expensive z690 motherboards ?
@@hamzashaikh9310 I think if you Google on audio-focused forums you will see some results. Some brands are better than others. I don’t have any knowledge off the top of my head, it’s more when looking at similar tier motherboards I will look at the audio hardware as a basis for comparison. But if the mobo you need is $100 cheaper than a mobo with overkill features, get the cheaper mobo and save up for better headphones or a USB audio interface.
For me personally, I use the HD6xx and a Modmic for my gaming needs, the mod sounds better than most gaming headsets and the headphones are perfect for music and gaming
I still use the Drop/Sennheiser 37X version which are the previous version and can be anywhere from $30 to $70 cheaper now, and they've been great. If they ever stop working I'll gladly buy the 38X version. I love that they're almost identical to the Sennheiser 598SR in terms of comfort and fit. My favorite feature is the mic cut when you flip it up.
As someone that has a sennheiser headphone and have noticed that microphone catching your breathing... I bought a small memory foam tip that you can put on the microphone and it fixed it for me.
I don't care too much about the mic, so the question is; is there any better audio quality, wired headset since am planning to use an outer mic than the mic that comes with the headset itself? For gaming n music n everything u can listen to, better than the 38x ?
Almost got that headset fr drop as was on sale during black Friday. But got Sennheiser hd560s as listen to to lot music too an will listen to music on low while playing
I read up on forums for those sennheisers and bought 2 little pop filters for the mic. It improves the breathing so much more but is quite expensive for what you're buying.
If your gaming a nice advantage to headsets is they don't block your screen. Most microphone mounts are huge and make it difficult to place the microphone close enough to your mouth. Especially if your in a loud room with an AC or other background noise, the best way to reduce that is to get closer to your mic
you can get the PC38x now for $130. if any of you are in the market for a new one check out the sennheiser 560s, it has the same soundstage as the 38x but imaging is a lot better. and yes the cloud 2 is only good for it's price point other than that it cannot compete to the more premium sennheisers.
I have had the hyperX cloud IIs for the past 3ish years and they've been dropped off my desk many times but still work perfectly. Super comfortable too - I'm able to wear these all day everyday and I've never had any discomfort. I do use a separate mic though because obviously the quality isn't the best but its still absolutely usable to give calls in competitive games
I've been loving my HD 650s so I'm very surprised that an in-ear alternative can really be that much better. Definitely not a purchase I'm making any time soon, but would love to try them some day. I'm running Senn HD 650s with Audio Technica AT2020 with the Audient Evo 4. I also have some Presonus Eris studio monitors + sub I run via the Evo 4, and the audio quality of those and my 650s is comparable. I've been very happy with this combo.
I have the 650s as well, and what surprised me the most is that all of those virtual 7.1 algorithms now sound accurate, especially the DTS Headphone:X. In CS:GO I'm able to prefire enemies just by the sound of those headphones. For the mic I'm using Antlion Modmic USB, but I'm considering using a standalone microphone as the Modmic picks up breathing noises like crazy.
Just got my final a4000 iems for Apex, and holy shit they are insane. They cost 171 with tax but so worth it. Good soundstage and imaging is great. I def recommend a good iem with whatever USB mic over a gaming headset. Great vid man!
I personaly like your setup with multiple items because it makes it possible to piece meal it. Which is so much better for people with normal income. And I think it makes it easyer to just get the best product for the job and get more for your money. IMO
I'm just dipping my toes in to the Audiophile world (just picked up a new Schiit Dac and Amp stack with a pair of Sundara's) so this video is really up my alley (you should do a review on the Schiit Hel or Fulla), but dang I was more wowed by the accuracy and damage you were getting with the R99 while you were beaming from distance. I didn't think those distances were within range for you to kill with that gun🔥
@@zahitemremetin606 single player experiences in aaa games have been pretty good, but there are definitely more dynamic headsets out there if that's your thing. Only drawback I've found so far is when playing games like cod and apex I find the sound staging makes it a little hard to pin point foot steps accurately because off how open they are (for me personally anyway). I am super happy with them though, media consumption and music is just *chefs kiss*
Gaming on open back headphones is another universe! The accuracy of where the sound is coming from is amazing! And it's incredibly detailed and realistic as well. I game on my Sennheiser HD 6XX and I absolutely love it. For example, shooting inside a building in CoD:WW2 sounds so real and spacial, it's mind-blowing! And you can even hear empty shells falling on the floor. LOL Another good thing about open back headphones is, if you've got very sharp and loud noises like the "you got headshot" in CS:GO, it partially escapes from the back and it doesn't fatigue your ears so much. And your ears can "breath" which prevents bacteria from building up in your ears, according to a study. Can totally recommend open back headphones!
the weird thing about hyperx headsets that i’ve experienced is that the mic quality sounds MUCH better when plugged into an xbox controller and then the PC. Don’t know why but it works
Its very important to note that a Shure SM7B won't sound too good if you don't have good clean amplification. Pairing an SM7B with a simple interface like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo won't produce very good results.
For anyone interested at the same price as the cloud 2s you can get the mh751/752 which have the best sound in that price range and a mic at the same quality as the pc38xs. Plus even more comfortable than the clouds.
I will never get a headset by a gaming company again after I got myself Beyerdynamic MMX300‘s this year. Sound is so much better compared to my logitech g933 which i had before.
Wow the Sennheiser mic is so much better.
It's actually really impressive for the price
I like your vids
i mean its the most popular mic... Any serious streamer is using the SM7B these days for a reason
@@kthekid10he's probably talking about the headset
@@radekocenas4101 oops yea my bad, read shure! but yea that drop one is highly reco'd for headsets too
Your tracking and accuracy in shooting is insane. Peripherals are secondary especially when you are that good. I just got the PC38X and I could really say that the imaging and soundstage is really good for competitive gaming, mic quality is also on point!
I love how you include some streaming and chat vibe, this just make the video in an other level
hey Ali - you got me into Apex at the end of 2019 and I just want to say thank you for showcasing it so prominently on your channel. It *saved* me during those months of lockdown. And obviously great to see it STILL in loads of your recent videos.
It is really good that you specified that last bit about competitive advantage. As someone who spent the last two years really getting into the niche of high quality audio gear (HiFi, Audiophile, whatever you wanna call it) I see tons of people coming towards it and wanting some sort of wall hack from a better headphone. Admittedly that is how i started out as well, but after my first few headphones and IEMs on my shelf I came to the realisation that that is just absolutely irrelevant. You will get better audio quality. You probably get a more enjoyment out of your listening experience (depending on if you even care for it that much). But it wont make you a god in Apex or Valorant. With having multiple IEMs and headphones on my desk right now, I absoultely cannot justify spending anything above 250 for gaming audio. My Moondrop Arias get me 90% of the way to my DT1990s, and they are under a hundred bucks. In terms of gaming, IEMs just offer a better skillset and lower price compared to headphones. So if thats what youre after, the IE300s are the most money you should ever spend for gaming.
These are just my two cents and its incredibly hard to put all my thoughts into one comment and it still making sense. If anyone has further questions feel free to reach out :)
Well said man. I have been eyeing on Arias for quite some time. Do you ever owned Moondrop SSR? How does it compare to Arias in terms of gaming?
@@shuangstudio Hey, sorry for the late response :/
Unfortunately I have not had the chance to try the SSR yet. Happy new year!
@@goodguyfabi No worries! Happy New year and wish you in good health and wealth!
As a musician who’s been recording for the last 20 years I can say gaming headsets have been a pain point. Thousands of dollars on speakers, reference monitors, and microphones (including the SM7B) and gaming headsets can’t compare. They don’t even make products in the same price category.
The PC38X is damn impressive for the price and gets you all the audio queues you need for immersion. A huge consideration is room noise! If you have a noisy environment, girlfriend, get closed back as well. The closed back Epos HD6s are just as good.
Note: Gaming/streaming aside, the SM7B is a killer microphone. It’s used in the studio for singing, guitar cabinets, and used extensively for radio broadcast. Don’t write it off just because you’ve seen it everywhere.
@@HCGonzalezJr87 only probllem of the SM7B is its price. It is kinda steep when you have other mics on the market that does not have as good of a name but similar specs and lower price, it's just that people don't know them (not saying the SM7B is bad for the price though, this is a killer mic)
Girlfriend omg 🤣.
Still good advice to see. Can't wait to upgrade it sooner or later.
One of the bonuses of being a recording musician is never having to fuss about audio gear I guess 😂 even a basic recording/mixing setup is gonna be essay better than even that Sennheiser gaming headset
@@matthieuzglurg6015 Rode Podmic is a very good alternative to the SM7B for a fraction of the cost. Build like a tank and feels premium. I owned both for a couple months, and I wouldn't say my SM7B is really that much better overall, especially when the price is 3-4x.
Love watching a tech reviewer who actually knows how to (and obviously loves) GAMING! Keep up the great work!
Yes and no. Those IEMs are pretty good but for a desktop setup it really doesn't make much sense to choose that over an open back planar magnetic headphone.
@@FEARmeifyiems are js more comfortable
@@nooptiui idk im using iems right now and im trying to get used to them but they are paniful
Can we just appreciate the perfect posture OT has when gaming. I need to get on his lvl
There is an other option that falls in between those two, a good wired headphone that has a detachable cable + a vmoda boompro that is so much better than any mic you can found in gaming headset and cost ≈30$
Yeah, there's that too!
kph30i + antlion mic
@@ydid687 i really like the kph30i but the modmic is quite expensive, doesn't sound better and is less practical
Audio-technica m40x + Vmoda Boompro for 7+ years, still all sound better than any gaming headset and all still look new (changed pads to memory foam ones) , best investment i've made.
The vmoda is great. Too bad it locks you out of undetachable headphones, like a good number of Beyerdynamics models
have had the pc38x for like 6 months they are amazing. Dont think ill change my audio set up for a very very long time.
I have had the Sennheiser PC38X head phones for some time now and can confirm they are a great gaming headset.
I have owned the Cloud 2s and am currently running the PC38x, the difference really is night and day. It is worth every penny and more. Although I think a good alternative to the three options presented is a decent pair of headphones (beyerdynamic, audiotechnicas etc) with a budget USB mic (blue snowball, siren mini). This will give you ultimate control of both aspects, not make you stuck with a poor mic with amazing drivers. Personally I use a blue snowball instead of the PC38Xs mic, although the difference isn't big, the breathing is an issue that my friends noticed on discord when I first got them. I would never go back to a more budget friendly gaming headset after using the PC38X, music is so much more enjoyable, movies and TV shows sound better and gaming feels way less taxing on my ears with no sharp highs or muddy and overdone bass. Would highly recommend!
have you tried to use PC38X's mic all the way down, like below chin level? that should help with the breathing noise.
How are they for background noise? Air conditions, fans, background voices, ect. I really want PC38x, but not if I can vividly hear my blaring ac in the background.
mpm1000 + hd600
I got the 37x a few years ago (2018).
They are pretty good IMO. Still going good.
I've had Cloud IIs for 5~ years now, still think its one of the best budget headphones for its time. I am sure theres something that better fits that category but I'll be considering something far more luxurious for the next upgrade.
I just bought my partner a cloud ii for work meetings because in that price range I think it's still the best overall, and in mic quality, comfort etc. There are definitely better headphones and setups for more money, but you have to decide if you need it and if it's worth it.
I used Cloud IIs for years and recently switched to a new setup with separate mic/headphones. The experience is pretty night/day, I feel like the sounds are much richer and I can hear quite a bit more in game. You'll definitely notice the difference with an upgrade!
Not really if you boought it 5 years ago. Was probably $120 at the time.
I have them I love them
They are trash OMEGALUL
for in ears, i highly suggest looking for the moondrop aria, much less of a price point (around 80 dollar) and sound is just insane
Your videos are insanely detailed and precise. Thank you !
absolutely in love with the quality of your vids
I'm loving your channel. I decided to pick up gaming as a hobby during quarantine. Only have a series s and Nintendo switch but the pc build is coming and your content is extremely informative useful and entertaining. Hats off to you mate!
I just got a pair of PC38x for Christmas. What a coincidence
You have insane aim in apex and the wall jumps damn.
damn man your gaming posture is so good
love this kind of full explained long videos !!! keep up man !
I've had the HD6XX, HD58X, PC37X, Cloud 2 Wireless, Arctis Pro Wireless, Astro a50 Gen 1/2/4 and now the HD 560S. The HD 560S blows all of it out of the water in terms of imaging, emersion and clarity. Please try this headphone its a game changer! I will note I power my headphones with a Mayflower O2 DAC/AMP.
“emersion?”
Late comment I know, but I had the exact same experience. I bought the Nova pro wireless, and just wasn't that impressed with the sound. Bought the 560s and was floored. Does the dac/amp significantly help? I've just been using them powered from an xbox remote, phone dongle, or laptop jack
Optimum: With these iems you can really hear when the bullets connect
Me with my cloud fires: wait there is sound when the bullet connects
My PC38x just arrived today, and watching your video with them on, just so iconic
I just realized that Optimum has the velour pads on the cloud II's - they definitely reduce the bass and increase the treble. The pleather pads definitely help, but the PC38x is a huge upgrade.
This is eye-opening. This is the exact type of content I needed!
I have the Sennies PC363D and they're quite analogous to the PC38X, I love 'em. Their only fault is that the rotary dial is currently dying.
I'd like to thank you a lot, in your previous video you suggested the moondrop aria, I got them last week and they are really good for the price, I'll probably upgrade to the sennheiser later on but thank you so so much and I look forward for more IEMs reviews on your channel 😃
try the Sennheiser HD560s, i can almost guarantee you'll appreciate these more for competitive than anything else
can we take a second to mention how well this man plays apex?
Mans actual cracked at apex tho💯
Have you heard of the Beyerdynamic MMX300? It's basically the DT770 audiophile headphones with a mic strapped on to it. I really like them and I think the audio quality would be better than the Sennheiser.
exactly.
gameplay like you did in this video in a monitor or a mouse review would actually be fire
Finally a review about audio! Thank you very much!
Out our curiously, would you sacrifice some audio quality for wireless? Just a question.
Can we just stop and appreciate the fact that a tech RUclipsr has better aim than like 90% of gaming youtubers/streamers out there!!
My bro out here still using teamspeak, what a legend.
Teamspeak ftw
I bought my akg k712 pro 3 or 4 years ago and I never looked back, coming from Sennheiser game one was night and day, specially when I don't like heavy bass headphones.
In terms of sound stage the k712 are one of the most wide sound stage I have heard since I tried the hd800, and for me personally it give me the feeling of distance which is really important in shooters.
I got AKG K702 and the same can be said about the little brother. The only thing i found negative is the plastic feel so other than that very comfortable and killer sound for 150$.
Ended up getting the IE 300 to replace my wireless (around the house headphones) per your endorsement and oh my... these are amazing. Haven't used them for gaming too much yet but they don't require any eq adjustment for my needs. Thanks for pointing me toward them albeit for a different use case.
You should check out the IE 600
this guy does not miss. the xl2546k is the best monitor i’ve ever tried, the ie300’s are the best headphones i’ve ever used, the superlight is the best mouse i’ve had the pleasure of clicking heads with
I really like my Sennheiser PC38X's. I have had Sennheiser HD 598's and Phillips SP9500, the 38X are my favorites for sure. Glad you also enjoyed them.
Your posture is impeccable when you're clutching
for anyone who is curious about open and close back headphones:
closed back: more bass than open back, audio sounds like its coming from a smaller area and thus not as "wide", most likely noise cancelling, nobody outside can hear your audio,
open back: less bass because of the backing not being solid, "wider" and generally higher quality sound, people outside can feintly hear your audio, not noise cancelling but you can hear the outside world much better, can shine flashlight through the ear cups
wide sound oversimplified: listen to a song and imagine they are playing on stage, "wide" sounding headphones let you hear the more subtle parts of the instruments since there's more room for the audio to move around in, the audio itself sounds farther away but that allows for more depth.
if you are an avid music enjoyer i would implore you to get a nice pair of open back headphones although that usually requires an amp/DAC because they require more ohms to drive (a whole other can of worms). more ohms = more power needed to drive sound out of the headphones. i currently run the hd58x with a fiio e10k and it works fine; audio stuff is expensive if you dive really deep into that rabbit hole.
Currently rocking the sennheiser hd 560s with an FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier. And for the microphone currently using the rode Podmic with a mixer that I found in the basement which surprisingly is good enough for the microphone. I'm satisfied on the quality that I get off from the microphone and especially from the headphones.
I have similar setup (HD599 + e10k + modmic) , but somehow i have a feeling that i could do better with better amp/dac than fiio e10k. Does anyone have recommendation for good amp/dac under 150€?
@@vido989 maybe Schiit Fulla E? I don't know how it compares to E10K though
@@zahitemremetin606 way too expensive, not in stock, import is ridiculous in EU. Will buy K5 pro
I have been running the PC38X for almost a year now and they are amazing. I can really pinpoint the location where sounds are coming from. It gives me a huge advantage in games. The breathing noise is an issue though, I'm currently looking for a slide-over pop filter.
Have you tried to use the mic all the way down, like below your chin? That should help with the breathing noise.
Try using AI software options like Nvidia Broadcast
It should come with a pop filter, pretty big oversight it doesn't. But you're right, correct microphone position is important.
A few things to note as an audiophile. With IEMs, They likely sound very impactful as the ie300 use a single dynamic driver, which almost feels like a subwoofer. Technically IEMs like the blessing 2s are a better, having a hybrid of a dynamic for bass and 4 Balanced armatures for mids and highs. While a single dynamic can achieve the same result, at the $250-$350 IEM pricepoint, hybrids are typically better. I think there is one headphone that actually give a competitive advantage in game, which is the hd800s. It gives the largest soundstage by far and allows you to hear enemy distance, location(including up or down), and makes it easy to detect every sound in the enviornment. Sometimes I feel I can just play the game with no monitor due to how accurate the sound is. It also still gives that punchy bass with a massive 50mm dynamic driver, although the bass is sharper and more detailed, rather than loose. The problem is the hd800s costs $1100 to $1800, although it sounds 10x as good as something like an hd600, and doesn't really feel like a waste of money.
Great video mate!
wow the mic quality is insane
You’re the best content creator in terms of reviewing computer accessories ❤❤
I really don’t think people understand what good audio actually sounds like. The beat of the beat consumer headphones are still just good at best when it comes to the quality and clarity of the sound. Not the features or comfort, just the sound.
I recently went from using big overear Sony headphones to using a pair of budget iems, and now a pair of Sennheiser HD6XX/HD650 with a Schiit Magni for amplification.
Makes a world of a difference, it’s like going from only have experienced 1080p to realizing how crystal clear 4k is. I never understood how much headphone companies try to use software to compensate for bad speakers.
Can u, please tell, what would you choose for gaming: Crinacle ZERO: RED or 560? Or other iems, don't know what we have on the market now
I've had the Sennheiser PC360 G4ME for almost a decade now, which is the predecessor to all these Sennheiser gaming headsets. Still works flawlessly.
I have had the cloud II's for 2 years, and just got the PC38X, I now see what you mean in all those differences. The sound is just so natural.
Thank you for posting. Great info. I really only use Audioengine A5+ speakers. They sound great. My mic is a Samson Meteor, works fine. If I use headphones, I use Sennheiser HD 700's. Thank you again. Have a great new year.
The other thing to consider in this review is your motherboard audio card quality. It’s a reason I still buy the overkill asus cards, because you get a better built in audio card.
The test is still valid since uses the same USB interface for each headphone, but your PC38x will not sound exactly like his PC38x unless you have the same audio interface.
Dont overspend for a mobo’s audio though. A PCIE card or a USB audio interface will give more per $. Some brands work better with gaming latency, others struggle (my focusrite 2i4 does not play nice for example).
What is the best motherboard for audio that you know ? For onboard audio quality and latency. Stuff like asus rog extreme, the most expensive z690 motherboards ?
@@hamzashaikh9310 I think if you Google on audio-focused forums you will see some results. Some brands are better than others. I don’t have any knowledge off the top of my head, it’s more when looking at similar tier motherboards I will look at the audio hardware as a basis for comparison.
But if the mobo you need is $100 cheaper than a mobo with overkill features, get the cheaper mobo and save up for better headphones or a USB audio interface.
I caught the yellow accent PC38X on sale not too long ago on sale for $139 U.S.D.
I think for that price they are an absolute steal.
Man I love your vids :)
Plz review creative blasterX G6 for gaming the accuracy and footstep sounds
Do more of these comparisons! Keyboards, mice, mouse pads would be interesting
Totally agree!
For me personally, I use the HD6xx and a Modmic for my gaming needs, the mod sounds better than most gaming headsets and the headphones are perfect for music and gaming
Towards the end a clip of audio from each set up right after each other would be nice to have like you do with fan comparisons.
Very informational video. Thanks. Do you connect your senheisser iems to pc motherboard or dedicated dac or something ?
I still use the Drop/Sennheiser 37X version which are the previous version and can be anywhere from $30 to $70 cheaper now, and they've been great. If they ever stop working I'll gladly buy the 38X version. I love that they're almost identical to the Sennheiser 598SR in terms of comfort and fit. My favorite feature is the mic cut when you flip it up.
a tech youtuber whose actually good at games nice
I was really thinking about getting the PC38X until you said open back, rip
Love my Audeze headphones (MX4's) - hear all the footsteps and audio ques in game.
As someone that has a sennheiser headphone and have noticed that microphone catching your breathing...
I bought a small memory foam tip that you can put on the microphone and it fixed it for me.
Where did you get it from? I just bought this headset and would like to know, thank you!
I would suggest the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 2nd gen , the soundstage is great for music and gaming , and the mic is not too bad.
I don't care too much about the mic, so the question is; is there any better audio quality, wired headset since am planning to use an outer mic than the mic that comes with the headset itself?
For gaming n music n everything u can listen to, better than the 38x ?
Almost got that headset fr drop as was on sale during black Friday.
But got Sennheiser hd560s as listen to to lot music too an will listen to music on low while playing
I read up on forums for those sennheisers and bought 2 little pop filters for the mic. It improves the breathing so much more but is quite expensive for what you're buying.
If your gaming a nice advantage to headsets is they don't block your screen. Most microphone mounts are huge and make it difficult to place the microphone close enough to your mouth. Especially if your in a loud room with an AC or other background noise, the best way to reduce that is to get closer to your mic
you can get the PC38x now for $130. if any of you are in the market for a new one check out the sennheiser 560s, it has the same soundstage as the 38x but imaging is a lot better. and yes the cloud 2 is only good for it's price point other than that it cannot compete to the more premium sennheisers.
I have had the hyperX cloud IIs for the past 3ish years and they've been dropped off my desk many times but still work perfectly. Super comfortable too - I'm able to wear these all day everyday and I've never had any discomfort. I do use a separate mic though because obviously the quality isn't the best but its still absolutely usable to give calls in competitive games
Very usable but man the audio and mic is so bad. Dont get why its so popular.
@@nameless.0190 Neh, its just like most gaming headset. But yes the price is why its popular.
What would be your opinion on the EPOS H6PRO?
I really like the audio from the cloud II because it is kind of intimidating. Merry Xmas
I've been loving my HD 650s so I'm very surprised that an in-ear alternative can really be that much better. Definitely not a purchase I'm making any time soon, but would love to try them some day.
I'm running Senn HD 650s with Audio Technica AT2020 with the Audient Evo 4. I also have some Presonus Eris studio monitors + sub I run via the Evo 4, and the audio quality of those and my 650s is comparable. I've been very happy with this combo.
Ear buds give me a sore ear within a couple minutes of use and after an hour my ear is in agony.
Id never use ear buds.
I have the 650s as well, and what surprised me the most is that all of those virtual 7.1 algorithms now sound accurate, especially the DTS Headphone:X. In CS:GO I'm able to prefire enemies just by the sound of those headphones. For the mic I'm using Antlion Modmic USB, but I'm considering using a standalone microphone as the Modmic picks up breathing noises like crazy.
Dt 880 so much better the hd 560s. I owned the 560. Not bad but Dt 880 have much better sound when gaming.
@@AVINIDE You don't need DT Headphon X for csgo. The VSS in the game is solid and will only add unnecessary latency.
@@kadozack I know, I was referring to their built in HRTF solution
Just got my final a4000 iems for Apex, and holy shit they are insane. They cost 171 with tax but so worth it. Good soundstage and imaging is great. I def recommend a good iem with whatever USB mic over a gaming headset. Great vid man!
I personaly like your setup with multiple items because it makes it possible to piece meal it. Which is so much better for people with normal income.
And I think it makes it easyer to just get the best product for the job and get more for your money. IMO
I'm just dipping my toes in to the Audiophile world (just picked up a new Schiit Dac and Amp stack with a pair of Sundara's) so this video is really up my alley (you should do a review on the Schiit Hel or Fulla), but dang I was more wowed by the accuracy and damage you were getting with the R99 while you were beaming from distance. I didn't think those distances were within range for you to kill with that gun🔥
how's the imaging on Sundara when playing games?
@@zahitemremetin606 single player experiences in aaa games have been pretty good, but there are definitely more dynamic headsets out there if that's your thing. Only drawback I've found so far is when playing games like cod and apex I find the sound staging makes it a little hard to pin point foot steps accurately because off how open they are (for me personally anyway). I am super happy with them though, media consumption and music is just *chefs kiss*
i can recommend the Corsair HS80, extremely comfortable and you probably know a gamer who owns one, mic is very quality too and sounds good
@Optimum Tech I was waiting for 2 cordless/wireless headsets (budget/non budget) to complement your high end mic set up that you have.
Gaming on open back headphones is another universe!
The accuracy of where the sound is coming from is amazing! And it's incredibly detailed and realistic as well. I game on my Sennheiser HD 6XX and I absolutely love it.
For example, shooting inside a building in CoD:WW2 sounds so real and spacial, it's mind-blowing! And you can even hear empty shells falling on the floor. LOL
Another good thing about open back headphones is, if you've got very sharp and loud noises like the "you got headshot" in CS:GO, it partially escapes from the back and it doesn't fatigue your ears so much. And your ears can "breath" which prevents bacteria from building up in your ears, according to a study.
Can totally recommend open back headphones!
Talking IEMs, I just got the 7hz Timeless for Christmas and they are breathtakingly great
You could switch out the shure for a $30 Dynamic mic and the se-dm1 for a cheaper booster to have a more than competent entry level setup!
also should be said that there's not much quality missed between the SM7B and SM57 for gaming purposes, yet there is a $260 price difference
Pc38x is 129$ on drop right now
absolute steal holy
@@optimumtech dayum
Optimum i highly recomend a desky monitor arm very clean and stable. good upgrade for your current arm.
Came here for the comparison, stayed for the mental gameplay.
Got these for 140$ brand new today! Can’t wait to try these
could you do a budget version of your last setup i would like to see a cheaper option that can allows for more creativity with the setup
I'd wonder about the BeyerDynamic MMX 300, awesome brand for audio in general, and very affordable.
yeah if you want the real ‚made in germany‘ then forget about sennheiser, beyerdynamics is the way to go.
the weird thing about hyperx headsets that i’ve experienced is that the mic quality sounds MUCH better when plugged into an xbox controller and then the PC. Don’t know why but it works
bought the Audeze mobius on black friday and I'm really happy with the do it all headphones :P
Thank you so much optimum tech for this video.
Can you review the new zowie's c lineup for a future video?
The Beyerdynamic MMX-300s are outstanding gaming headsets. Highly recommended
I run a schitt Modi 3 daq, monolith Liquid Spark, ModMic wireless on some DT990 pros. I LOVE the range of this setup.
Its very important to note that a Shure SM7B won't sound too good if you don't have good clean amplification. Pairing an SM7B with a simple interface like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo won't produce very good results.
How? The focusrite is highly rated.
For anyone interested at the same price as the cloud 2s you can get the mh751/752 which have the best sound in that price range and a mic at the same quality as the pc38xs. Plus even more comfortable than the clouds.
I have tried to tell friend and ppl online that the cloud headsets are bad. Finally a video that really show how bad they are.
I will never get a headset by a gaming company again after I got myself Beyerdynamic MMX300‘s this year. Sound is so much better compared to my logitech g933 which i had before.
What WOULD be interesting is a complete audio setup for under or at the price of the sennheiser headset!
the sennheiser pc38x is on sale at drop for $130.
@@ACE112ACE112 damm 😰
Philips shp9500 and vmoda boompro total ≈80-90$, way better mic quality but will pick up more noise in your environment
Should have tried the DIY combo of the 9500s and the vmooda boom pro/modmic