Speakers or Headphones for Gaming?

Ikaruga11 · Post by **Ikaruga11** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 3:51 am

Do you guys think speakers or headphones are better at delivering a higher quality sound?

CobraKing · Post by **CobraKing** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 4:44 am

Honestly depends on your setup and what systems you're gaming on. Retro consoles aren't exactly 'audiophile' level so a good set of speakers would go a long way.

Guspaz · Post by **Guspaz** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 8:40 am

Better quality? Headphones are a way better bang for your buck, but even though my headphones are much better than my speakers, they're not always convenient to have on.

gray117 · Post by **gray117** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 8:43 am

Headphones for isolation/precision. Choice becomes very personal - bias/fit/component materials. Open backed will be most precise, but closed back will offer greater isolation for yourself and others around. If voice chat is needed, then obviously there's a practical advantage to headphones.

But honestly, in general, I get a better experience from speakers most of the time - even for stereo as opposed to surround. It is the only practical way to have it shareable/social in real life.

...why choose? If you have space, have both

For flexibility I'd settle for a reasonable set of 2 rather than a high end choice of 1 personally.

Stevens · Post by **Stevens** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:10 am

Disclaimer - Not an audiophile.

Have a pair of $50 Logitech speakers in the living room, they get used with the DC (all the time) and the 360 (sometimes). They sound good if they're just on, but with a decent pair of ear buds hooked up (especially with a game like RDR) you hear a great deal more.

Headphones for me.

atheistgod1999 · Post by **atheistgod1999** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:54 am

Headphones, because I always play alone.

Shoryukev · Post by **Shoryukev** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 12:51 pm

My gaming area isn't isolated from the rest of the house, so I use headphones most of the time if the wife/kids are watching TV in the living room.

Nothing major, just a set of Sony MDR-7502 cans plugged into my old 5.1 yamaha receiver I've retired from the home theater rig.

vol.2 · Post by **vol.2** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:13 pm

To me, headphones are still not as good as speakers. There is a physical size limitation that cannot be overcome currently. Mostly with lows and low mids. You can't feel a bass rumble from headphones.
I'm not saying that I don't ever use them, I have to fly sometimes, or watch YouTube on the train, but I dont prefer, and they become uncomfortable after a short time of playing games. I suppose if I was fps online, then I'd want to chat with friends, but only for convenience.

evil_ash_xero · Post by **evil_ash_xero** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:59 pm

Speakers.

I'm not actually much a fan of lots of "video game sounds". Especially the old bleeps and whatnot when you'd jump or whatever. So, I don't really like them going directly into my eardrum.

atheistgod1999 · Post by **atheistgod1999** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 12:13 am

Another reason I use headphones is so I don't hear other noises, such as planes flying overhead, ambulances, my parents doing stuff in the kitchen, etc. while playing.

bobrocks95 · Post by **bobrocks95** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 1:15 am

For sound positioning I'd say a discrete 5.1+ system beats headphones any day, but stereo headphones come pretty close considering the size difference.

i.e. if you have the space, speakers, but a good pair of headphones are great for what they are.

jandrogo · Post by **jandrogo** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 1:35 pm

Headphones for me, the sound quality and detail couldn't be achievable at same price.. I also don't have to bother the neighbours or people arround.
Akg or Audio-Technica ones with a cheap and capable amp FTW

That setup for modern gaming, I can't speak the same for old or retro gaming based in "beeps and boops"

Thomago · Post by **Thomago** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 2:07 pm

Headphones: Better sound quality
Speakers: Better surround sound capabilities

FinalBaton · Post by **FinalBaton** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 4:44 pm

Speakers.

Headphones cannot push as much bass (move as much air) as bigger speakers, with physics and all that.

nissling · Post by **nissling** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:23 am

As a concept I've never really liked headphones. The entire acoustics takes place only centimeters from your eardrums and since the two discreet (for stereo, which I'm using) channels are separated to each ear you lose so much of the experience. A good pair of speakers in a decent room won't just make it sound like you've got sound coming from left or right, you'll experience coming from anywhere between them.

With that said I am using headphones at my computers, a lot. And don't have any major issues with them. But whenever I'm playing or watching a film there's no way I'd stick with them rather than my Ino piP.

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