I’m looking for a closed back headphone under 200 that has good build quality and good sound. I listen to a lot of rap, both UK and US, as well as Jamaican dancehall. Those genres have a lot of punchy beats and dancehall has beats with a lot of high notes, so I would like something with good bass but not overwhelming and a lot of detail. I also play a few games like Apex Legends and other indie games.
I don’t have any high-end equipment like amps/dacs, so I won’t be using it “balanced” or anything like that. One with a detachable 3.5mm cable is best.
If the cable doesn’t include a mic then do you know of any decent third party cables that include one?
I saw Zeos review of the Thieaudio ghost so I was considering it since it’s within my budget but then I realized it was an open back.
Good build quality is a must for me too, I’m tired of buying cheap headphones and having the plastic near the cups break lol
I’d say maybe look at the Rode NTH-100 or the AKG 361/371 (i personally perfer the 361 but some like the 371 better)
But i’d also recommend looking at IEMs, at 200$ you can get some pretty stellar sets, with 200$ headphones the selection is a lot more narrow (particularly closed back)
AKG K371. Lots of plastic in the build, but that’s the case with nearly every can under $200.
If build quality REALLY matters, take a look at the Meze 99 Noir or Neo. Both around $200, but both have a VERY bassy sound signature. May work well with your preferred genres.
I would avoid the Rode NTH-100. Numerous failures reported with the plastic clamp mechanism that fixes the headband extension in place.
I love the 99s , musically they are a very fun headphone but i wouldnt recommend them for gaming, too much bass and hardly any soundstage they are a fun headphone but they arent suitable for gaming
Its a nice headphone but it was not my cup of tea (had it and sold it), i’d look at several reviews the 21 (aka Robin) was pretty polarizing with audio reviews some liked it some really hated it - also its not really for gaming, again no soundstage and too much bass
I see. Not really a fan of the AKG and then there’s the issue with the Rode clamp mechanism.
How bad are open backs for gaming? More specifically, how open is the Thieaudio Ghost?
In general most open backs are better than close back in most things. Of course im making a very board and very general statement (and you need to look case by case), but open back design allow for better sound stage, better imaging, better clarity, etc etc… the major downside is that you you hear thing around you and they hear what you hear.
point is there is a reason a lot of hi-fi headphones a fairly large majority are open back, of course there are some stellar closed back.
As far as the Ghost (link to the OG thread) they are not the most open ive had but there is substantial “sound leaking” (hearing the things around you and people hearing your audio). One big note about the ghost is if you want really get the most out of them, you need to pad swap them (not a big deal, takes 2 min), it bumps up the comfort and the sound substantially and its only 25$.
Now there are other open back/semi open back options
The Harmonicdyne Athena which is also a solid headphone, i might suggest them over in terms your musical taste but the Ghost has a better balance and its suitable for gaming.
Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R - currently the “queen” of competitive gaming headphones (really good imaging) and a solid all rounder when it comes to music but i think it will be a bit lacking in the bass for your taste
Harmonicdyne Athena gets my vote. 50mm driver, better build, easier to drive and higher sensitivity. the Honest Audiophile mentions, at the conclusion of the first video, the superiority of the Athena over the Ghost.
Also I’m not a hardcore gamer or anything, I only play apex casually. I don’t really need to hear footsteps from a mile away lol. So if the soundstage (assuming that’s what determines things like “distance” or “direction” in games) is not that wide it’s fine with me.
I’m satisfied as long as I have decent bass and good clarity.
But I might not go with the Ghost since it has substantial sound leakage. The Athena’s seem more promising
They all have plastic mate, the Athena feels more premium built the ghost is more “sturdy”, since the yoke (the part that hold the ear cups) is made of metal unlike the Athena which has more plastic.
If you decided i do highly recommend putting on a sticker or something on the Athena’s cups otherwise you are getting fingerprints all over that thing
If you’re really not a gamer, you can’t go wrong with the suggested Meze 99 Noir at $199, wood and metal build that meets your original closed back, well built and bass headphone. In addition easy to drive, no amp or dac needed. In line mic too. It has everything you’re looking for. Soundstage and placement is good too for your occasional gaming.
Beyerdynamic MMX300 closed back headset. Well within budget on eBay and you don’t need an amplifier for them (gaming sound card helps, maybe down the road). They have a great microphone too and very comfortable. The Hyperx Cloud Orbit headset is another good one, Audeze planar drivers and the mic made by Shure. Doesn’t matter if it’s the S model or not, since the head tracking is effectively a useless when gaming.
