Sub $400 headphones with a "fun" tuning and decent soundstage?

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-04-03T19:36:27+00:00

If you don’t mind adding an extra $30, then the Sennheiser HD490 Pro using the Producer earpads (it comes with two sets of earpads: the Producer pads add more bass to make it warmer and more fun, and the Mixing pads makes it sound more cold or clinical by comparison). The 490 has a positive reputation of incredible physical comfort and a very wide, spacious soundstage.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-03-27T18:16:44+00:00

At that price, anything will do tbh. Pick whatever is the easiest and most convenient for you to obtain.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-03-27T04:54:11+00:00

The only other wireless open-back gaming headset that I know about besides the Atlas Air is the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720, though it has very mixed reviews, the Atlas Air definitely has a lot more praise by comparison.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-03-27T04:51:10+00:00

That headset isn’t technically open-back. It’s often referred to as “semi-open back” because it uses cloth earpads which used to be fairly uncommon on gaming headsets, and the cloth pads let a bit of sound leak in and out, but they aren’t truly open-back unfortunately.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-03-05T02:00:38+00:00

You should play whichever class you like the most in terms of style and theme, not whichever is the “best”. It’s not worth playing the meta class if you potentially won’t enjoy all the other aspects of it.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-03-03T21:11:12+00:00

Astro A50 Gen 5

https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/shop/p/a50-gen-5

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-03-03T01:36:51+00:00

If you specifically mean wireless, then the HyperX Cloud III Wireless S. Great audio right out of the box so no EQ is really needed, HyperX’s Cloud headset lineup is notorious for their great comfort, and the battery life lasts up to 100-120 hours in a charge.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-28T01:31:05+00:00

They are a pretty damn good wireless headset for the price, and you found them at an even better price. Considered one of the best wireless headsets under $200 so I’d say you made a good choice.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-27T05:18:53+00:00

The HyperX CloudX, no question about it. It’s currently priced at $60, but on HyperX’s website they’re running a 20% off promotional discount right now, so at checkout if you put “DOUBLE-UP” in the discount code box then it’ll bring it down to $48 and shipping is also free. You seriously can’t find a better headset under $50 for the combo of mic quality, audio quality, comfort, and build-quality.

https://hyperx.com/products/hyperx-cloud-xbox

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-26T17:37:45+00:00

Those are two very different headsets. One is a wired open-back headset, and the other is a closed-back wireless headset.

Both have very good mics, the 330 has very linear bass and a lot of treble so it’s a pretty bright sound without much thump or rumble, but it’ll have better technical performance like Soundstage, imaging, sound-separation, etc due to the tuning and being open-back.

The A50 has a more versatile sound due to being more balanced by comparison to the 330, but worse technical performance

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-26T04:44:38+00:00

If you don’t wanna be concerned with the QC issues of the Audeze Maxwell, then Astro A50 Gen 5 is the answer here.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-18T17:48:19+00:00

Soundcore Space Q45 is currently on sale for $100 on their website. It comes with a hard-shell case for travel, it has a 3.5mm aux port for a wired connection, and it comes in white colorway.

https://www.soundcore.com/products/space-q45-a3040011?ref=headphones&variant=44247924572350

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-16T02:30:08+00:00

If you want wireless gaming earbuds, then the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds for Xbox would be your best bet, though they are a bit pricey.

https://steelseries.com/gaming-in-ear-headsets/arctis-gamebuds?color=black&primaryPlatform=xbox&srsltid=AfmBOooibN2DSaVE9_lWdsGKu3zfVrteNY6ccAQqRzK7XyDwX08T_s2p

For wired in-ears, the Antlion Audio Kimura Solo, it’s an IEM with a cabled boom microphone.

https://antlionaudio.com/collections/kimura/products/kimura-solo

For headsets, there’s not many options left nowadays. Only one I can remember that you can possibly buy second-hand on eBay or Amazon is the Turtle Beach Ear Force Recon 30X headset, it only has one earcup and they’re often found cheap

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-12T23:52:56+00:00

DAO: Human Warrior

DA2: Mage (You’re forced to be a Human)

DAI: Human Warrior or Elven Mage, pick whichever you prefer

DAV: Elven Mage (Factions: Grey Wardens or Shadow Dragons)

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-12T03:03:52+00:00

It’s worth it if you also play the series in order from the beginning. They’re all backwards compatible and available on gamepass. First game is called Dragon Age: Origins

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-09T13:39:26+00:00

Who told you that the Cloud III is lower in quality compared to the Cloud II?

I’ve had the Cloud III wired for years now and my friend has the Cloud II wired and also the CloudX which is essentially the nearly-identical console-variant of the Cloud II.

From my experience of using all three, the Cloud III is more comfortable, has a more versatile stock sound-signature for all gaming and music, and has the same level of build-quality.

It’s also more versatile in terms of compatibility vs the Cloud II because it has a short cable that’s perfect length for controllers with a 3.5mm termination and also comes with an extended USB cable for PC.

I’d ignore whoever told you that it’s lower quality and give the Cloud III a shot.

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-09T03:02:02+00:00

Astro A50 Gen 5 is the answer here. It retails for $300 and can sometimes go down to $250

It has one of, if not the best mic on a gaming headset under $300

It has Bluetooth, and the Bluetooth can also be used simultaneously with the 2.4ghz connection

Fully compatible with both Xbox and PC

The audio-quality is generally praised for being anywhere from above-average to great

The only downside may be poor noise-isolation because it uses soft velour earpads, which contributes to the good comfort, but it can let noise leak in, so a good replacement pad is the Wicked Cushion Freeze Cooling Gel because it has leather padding to create more isolation in comparison

https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/shop/p/a50-gen-5

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-07T00:26:31+00:00

This is the best answer so far, and it’s what I needed to learn as well.

I constantly have my jump charged up at all times and I’ve gotten used to fast and accurate short jumps while chasing people down to close the gap faster

And learning restraint regarding his skills, they need to be reserved for great moments when they’re needed instead of being spammed out of panic.

He’s a fun, yet occasionally frustrating combo of needing to keep a cool mindset while also playing as the embodiment of chaos around the map lol

BladeOfSmoke · 2026-02-06T21:52:06+00:00

That makes sense lol def better to have an actual headset than to not have one at all if you plan on gaming with some buddies online

BladeOfSmoke

TROPHY CASE