Looking for good PC gaming headphones

August 24, 2011 9:57 AM

What are some good PC gaming headphones in the $50-75 range (and available in Canada)?

My old reliable Sennheisers are finally giving up the ghost, so I need to find a replacement pair. Looking to spend in the $50-75 range.

I don't need bass that will rattle my teeth to dust or silent-as-the-grave noise cancelling. I just a sturdy, reliable set of headphones that are comfortable to wear for an hour or two at a time. A mic would be great, but if an absolutely awesome set is without, I can make do with an external mic.

Ideally I can order them in Canada without paying absurd international shipping. I'm going to be in Seattle this weekend though, so if there's a US retail shop that has something awesome, I can likely swing by. Thanks!

posted by Nelsormensch to computers & internet (4 answers total)

Not sure about availability in Canada, but I like this Steelsound headset - they have a microphone.
posted by exogenous at 10:13 AM on August 24, 2011

Grado SR-60s sound incredible for the price (generally considered on par with many headphones costing $200+) and usually run just a little over your range at $80USD. No mic though.
posted by reptile at 10:16 AM on August 24, 2011

I second the Grado's, but keep in mind that they are not a closed-style headphone.
posted by mrrisotto at 10:20 AM on August 24, 2011

Honestly, if you can justify a little over $75, get another pair of Sennheisers. They're reliable, they're good quality. I'm currently wearing an HD280 set that I've had four years and they're only showing a minor bit of cosmetic damage. They're remarkably sturdy, reliable as anything, and they're quite comfortable but there is a bit of a break-in period with these.

Don't get a headset. Headsets nearly always result in worse quality than you'd get for headphones + external mic of the same price. Looks to be about $100 for the HD280. Amazon US has it for about $79, but shipping to Canada would probably run $10-15, so it really depends on whether you're okay with going above budget a bit for something you'll likely have for years.
posted by Saydur at 10:24 AM on August 24, 2011