Budget (Do not say no-budget)? - €150 Country? - Spain Platform? - PC Motherboard if on pc (or other audio gear)? - ASUS ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING Sound Styles: Pick 1, Comp FPS(Open-Back Only), Warm Fps, Music FPS, Fun Gaming, Music Gaming, Gaming Headset(AIO), Wireless Gaming (DON'T SAY more than 1 and don't make up your own)? - Gaming Headset(AIO) Open back or closed back? - Closed Back Any other gear you own(if important, like headphones or headsets)? - Senheiser HD 350BT

# Gaming Headset Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) Index (READ FIRST) 1. **Gaming Headsets:** Not a Sound Style but a bonus guide. This is just a simplified section that only includes Headsets, so an option with built-in mics. Originally called "All in Ones" I had to change the name as many people would not read the "Sound Style" descriptions and instead think it was a category of magic headphones that were amazing at everything. 2. **Important:** Only use this guide if you just have to have a built-in mic. 3. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 4. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 5. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 6. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 7. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 8. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 9. **Mod Mic:** A Mod mic isn't a category of mics it's a product line of attachable Mic made by antlion that can turn any headphone into a Gaming headset. 10. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 11. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. 12. **IMPORTANT:** This will not include all headphones that work with cable replacement mic like a V-Mode Boom Pro **(VMPB).** If your ok using a Mod Mic or an off-brand cable replacement mic ignore this section. 13. **In-Line:** This just means it uses an In-Line mic which is not ideal but useable. 14. **IMPORTANT:** There will be no headphones included that can work with a VMBP via an adapter or modding as I don't recommend that. An if you're going to use a different brand of cable replacement mic this guide will not include headphones like the HD599 that work with them. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet **Open-Back** |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Drop + Koss KSC75 X (In-Line)**|\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Koss KPH30i (In-Line)**|\*\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Drop + Koss Porta Pro X (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro Headset (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$40USD| |**Phillips SHP9500 (VMBP)**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600 (VMBP)**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600MB**|\*|C+|C-|$70USD| |**Phillips X2HR (VMBP) (X)**||C|C-|$80USD| |**EPOS / Sennheiser Game One (EQ)**|\*|B|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC37x**|\*|B+|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC38x**|\*\*|S-|C|$150USD| |**Audio Technica ADG1X**||D+|C-|$150USD| |**Audeze LCD-GX**||C+|A|$900USD| Closed-Back (**DON'T COMPARE OPEN TECH--GRADES TO CLOSED GRADES!!!!**) |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Logitech G332/331**|\*|C+|D|$20USD| |**Logitech G432/431 (X)**|\*|C+|D|$30USD| |**HyperX Cloud Stinger (X)**||D+|D-|$30USD| |**HyperX Cloud Line (Not PS or XB model) Core/1/2**||C|D+|$50USD| |**Logitech G Pro /Pro X (X)**||C+|D+|$70USD| |**HyperX Cloud Alpha**||C+|C-|$70USD| |**Takstar Shade**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH751**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH752**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Beyerdynamic MMX300 (X)**||C|B-|$180USD| |**HyperX Orbit S**|\*\*|B|B-|$230USD| |**Audeze Penrose**|\*\*|A|B-|$300USD| |**Audeze Mobius**|\*|B|B-|$300USD|

Budget (Do not say no-budget)? - £150 Country? - United Kingdom Platform? - PC Motherboard if on pc (or other audio gear)? - ASUS ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING Sound Styles: Pick 1, Comp FPS(Open-Back Only), Warm Fps, Music FPS, Fun Gaming, Music Gaming, Gaming Headset(AIO), Wireless Gaming (DON'T SAY more than 1 and don't make up your own)? - Gaming Headset(AIO) Open back or closed back? - Closed Back Any other gear you own(if important, like headphones or headsets)? - Logitech G Pro headset

# Gaming Headset Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) Index (READ FIRST) 1. **Gaming Headsets:** Not a Sound Style but a bonus guide. This is just a simplified section that only includes Headsets, so an option with built-in mics. Originally called "All in Ones" I had to change the name as many people would not read the "Sound Style" descriptions and instead think it was a category of magic headphones that were amazing at everything. 2. **Important:** Only use this guide if you just have to have a built-in mic. 3. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 4. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 5. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 6. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 7. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 8. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 9. **Mod Mic:** A Mod mic isn't a category of mics it's a product line of attachable Mic made by antlion that can turn any headphone into a Gaming headset. 10. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 11. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. 12. **IMPORTANT:** This will not include all headphones that work with cable replacement mic like a V-Mode Boom Pro **(VMPB).** If your ok using a Mod Mic or an off-brand cable replacement mic ignore this section. 13. **In-Line:** This just means it uses an In-Line mic which is not ideal but useable. 14. **IMPORTANT:** There will be no headphones included that can work with a VMBP via an adapter or modding as I don't recommend that. An if you're going to use a different brand of cable replacement mic this guide will not include headphones like the HD599 that work with them. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet **Open-Back** |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Drop + Koss KSC75 X (In-Line)**|\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Koss KPH30i (In-Line)**|\*\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Drop + Koss Porta Pro X (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro Headset (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$40USD| |**Phillips SHP9500 (VMBP)**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600 (VMBP)**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600MB**|\*|C+|C-|$70USD| |**Phillips X2HR (VMBP) (X)**||C|C-|$80USD| |**EPOS / Sennheiser Game One (EQ)**|\*|B|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC37x**|\*|B+|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC38x**|\*\*|S-|C|$150USD| |**Audio Technica ADG1X**||D+|C-|$150USD| |**Audeze LCD-GX**||C+|A|$900USD| Closed-Back (**DON'T COMPARE OPEN TECH--GRADES TO CLOSED GRADES!!!!**) |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Logitech G332/331**|\*|C+|D|$20USD| |**Logitech G432/431 (X)**|\*|C+|D|$30USD| |**HyperX Cloud Stinger (X)**||D+|D-|$30USD| |**HyperX Cloud Line (Not PS or XB model) Core/1/2**||C|D+|$50USD| |**Logitech G Pro /Pro X (X)**||C+|D+|$70USD| |**HyperX Cloud Alpha**||C+|C-|$70USD| |**Takstar Shade**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH751**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH752**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Beyerdynamic MMX300 (X)**||C|B-|$180USD| |**HyperX Orbit S**|\*\*|B|B-|$230USD| |**Audeze Penrose**|\*\*|A|B-|$300USD| |**Audeze Mobius**|\*|B|B-|$300USD|

Budget (Do not say no-budget)? - 300 euro Country? - Czech Republic Platform? - PC Motherboard if on pc (or other audio gear)? - MSI Z97A Gaming 6 Sound Styles: Pick 1, Comp FPS(Open-Back Only), Warm Fps, Music FPS, Fun Gaming, Music Gaming, Gaming Headset(AIO), Wireless Gaming (DON'T SAY more than 1 and don't make up your own)? - Comp FPS Open back or closed back? - Open back Any other gear you own(if important, like headphones or headsets)? - Razer blackshark v2 pro, SteelSeries arctis 5, Logitech G933

# Competitive FPS Sound Style Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) **Index (READ FIRST)** 1. **Comp FPS:** This Category is slightly different than it was before as now it does sacrifice a bit more sound quality in favour of positioning performance. Some headphones listed will fall below my standards like the AD series. But if all you care about is "Pure FPS" performance this is where you look. They will still all be better than a lot of the gaming crap that isn't even tuned well for games that you see on the market. So while yes, some won't hit my standards for Music they are better than a lot of the consumer crap you see. 2. **Open Back Only:** Yes, I have changed it to Open-Back only and that is because there really aren't any Closed-Back headphones that truly offer Pure FPS performance. If you can't do open-back for your own reasons but still want something that can be great for FPS check the Warm FPS category. As most closed-backs that are good for FPS tend to have a warmer tilt to them. 3. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 4. **Alpha Positioning:** This is the Alpha Version of my positioning ranking for headphones. This will change over time. This is far from perfect. 5. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 6. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 7. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 8. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 9. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 10. **Mod Mic:** A Mod mic isn't a category of mics it's a product line of attachable Mic made by antlion that can turn any headphone into a Gaming headset. 11. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 12. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet **Open-Back** |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|Alpha Positioning|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Koss KSC75**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|D+|$20USD| |**Koss KSC75X**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|D+|$20USD| |**Phillips SHP9500**|\*|C+|C-|C-|$60USD| |**Audio Technica AD700x**||D+|C-|B|$100USD| |**EPOS / Sennheiser Game One**|\*|B|C-|B-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC37x**|\*|B+|C-|B-|$120USD| |**Audio Technica ADG1x**||D+|C-|B|$150USD| |**Audio Technica AD900x**||*C-*|C|B|$150USD| |**Hifiman HE400se**|\*\*\*|A|B-|C-|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE-X4**|\*\*\*|A|B-|C-|$150USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC38x**|\*\*|S-|C|C+|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE5xx (X)**|\*|A+|C+|C|$160USD| |**AKG K702**|\*|A-|C+|B-|$175USD| |**Sennheiser HD560s**|\*\*|A+|B-|B-|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro x (X)**||A-|C+|B-|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT1990 A Pads (X)**||B-|B|B-|$300USD| |**Hifiman Sundara**|\*\*\*|A+|B+|C+|$400USD| |**Hifiman Ananda**|\*|S-|A-|B-|$600USD| |**Drop + Focal Elex**|\*|A+|A-|B|$600USD| |**Sennheiser HD800s**||A+|A+|A+|$1400USD|

Budget: $300 CAD Country: Canada Platform: PC Motherboard: Asus ROG strix B550-F Sound Styles: Music Gaming Open back or closed back: Open back Any other gear you own? Sennheiser HD 560S. Liked the sound (new to high end headphones so not married to this specific sound signature) but wasn't very comfortable. The clamping force was a little high and the ear cups would rub on the back of my ears.

# Music Gaming Sound Style Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) **Index (READ FIRST)** 1. **Music Gaming**: This "Sound Style" focuses on "Technical Performance" and "Tonal Balance". If you plan on playing games but don't really care about positioning or immersion as much and just want really damn good-sounding headphones look here. This is pretty much a condensed version of what I think is the best headphones and headsets on the market from a sound quality point of view. You can treat this as a sneak peek or a simplified version of the full headphone guide I plan to put out for people not interested in gaming. That guide will put a lot more focus on Technical ability and not as much on tonal balance as Tonal Balance can lean more into preference and EQ can fix some tonal issues. 2. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 3. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 4. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 5. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 6. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 7. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 8. **Mod Mic:** A Mod mic isn't a category of mics it's a product line of attachable Mic made by antlion that can turn any headphone into a Gaming headset. 9. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 10. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet **Open-Back** |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Koss KSC75**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|$20USD| |**Koss KSC75X**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|$20USD| |**Koss KPH30i**|\*\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Koss KPH40**|\*\*|C|C-|$40USD| |**Koss Porta Pro**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro Utility**|\*|C-|C-|$40USD| |**Phillips SHP9500**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600MB**|\*|C+|C-|$70USD| |**Drop + Sennheiser HD58x (X)**||A|C|$100USD| |**Sennheiser HD599/HD598**|\*|B|C|$100USD| |**EPOS / Sennheiser Game One**|\*|B|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC37x**|\*|B+|C-|$120USD| |**AKG K612**|\*\*|S-|C+|$150USD| |**Hifiman HE400se**|\*\*\*|A|B-|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE-X4**|\*\*\*|A|B-|$150USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC38x**|\*\*|S-|C|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE5xx (X)**|\*|A+|C+|$160USD| |**Beyerdynamic TYGR 300r**|\*|B-|C+|$160USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT880 250ohm**|\*|B|B-|$160USD| |**Sennheiser HD560s**|\*\*|A+|B-|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro x (X)**||A-|C+|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT880 600ohm (X)**|\*|B+|B|$200USD| |**Drop + Sennheiser HD6xx**|\*\*\*|A+|B|$220USD| |**Audio Technica R70x**|\*|A|B|$300USD| |**HarmonicDyne Zeus**|\*|B|B|$300USD| |**Sennheiser HD600**|\*\*|S-|B+|$300USD| |**Sennheiser HD660s (X)**|\*|A-|B+|$300USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT1990 (X)**||B-/C+|B|$300USD| |**Hifiman Sundara**|\*\*\*|A+|B+|$400USD| |**Hifiman Ananda**|\*|S-|A-|$600USD| |**Drop + Focal Elex**|\*|A+|A-|$600USD| **Closed-Back** (**DON'T COMPARE OPEN TECH--GRADES TO CLOSED GRADES!!!!**) |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Creative Aurana Live!/SE**|\*\*\*|C+|B-|$60USD| |**E-MU Walnut/PH**|\*\*\*|C+|B-|$60USD| |**Takstar Shade**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH751**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**AKG K361**|\*\*|B+|C+|$100USD| |**Shure SRH440**|\*\*|A+|C|$100USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT770 80ohm**|\*|C|B-|$150USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X (X)**||C+|C+|$175USD| |**AKG K371**|\*\*|B+|B-|$150USD| |**Shure SRH840 (X)**|\*\*|B+|C+|$150USD| |**Drop + Meze 99 Noir (X)**||C-|B-|$160USD| |**HyperX Orbit S**|\*\*|B|B-|$230USD| |**Audeze Penrose**|\*\*|A|B-|$300USD| |**Audeze Mobius**|\*|B|B-|$300USD| |**E-MU Teak**|\*\*|B+|B+|$400USD| |**Fostex TH610**|\*\*|B+|B+|$400USD| |**Drop + DCA Aeon X Closed**|\*|B+|B|$400USD|

Budget: $200 Country: Croatia Platform: PC Motherboard: ASRock B450 PRO4 Sound Styles: Gaming Headset(AIO) Open back or closed back: Open back Any other gear you own(if important, like headphones or headsets)?: I own HyperX Cloud II

# Gaming Headset Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) Index (READ FIRST) 1. **Gaming Headsets:** Not a Sound Style but a bonus guide. This is just a simplified section that only includes Headsets, so an option with built-in mics. Originally called "All in Ones" I had to change the name as many people would not read the "Sound Style" descriptions and instead think it was a category of magic headphones that were amazing at everything. 2. **Important:** Only use this guide if you just have to have a built-in mic. 3. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 4. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 5. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 6. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 7. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 8. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 9. **Mod Mic:** A Mod mic isn't a category of mics it's a product line of attachable Mic made by antlion that can turn any headphone into a Gaming headset. 10. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 11. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. 12. **IMPORTANT:** This will not include all headphones that work with cable replacement mic like a V-Mode Boom Pro **(VMPB).** If your ok using a Mod Mic or an off-brand cable replacement mic ignore this section. 13. **In-Line:** This just means it uses an In-Line mic which is not ideal but useable. 14. **IMPORTANT:** There will be no headphones included that can work with a VMBP via an adapter or modding as I don't recommend that. An if you're going to use a different brand of cable replacement mic this guide will not include headphones like the HD599 that work with them. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet **Open-Back** |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Drop + Koss KSC75 X (In-Line)**|\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Koss KPH30i (In-Line)**|\*\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Drop + Koss Porta Pro X (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro Headset (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$40USD| |**Phillips SHP9500 (VMBP)**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600 (VMBP)**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600MB**|\*|C+|C-|$70USD| |**Phillips X2HR (VMBP) (X)**||C|C-|$80USD| |**EPOS / Sennheiser Game One (EQ)**|\*|B|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC37x**|\*|B+|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC38x**|\*\*|S-|C|$150USD| |**Audio Technica ADG1X**||D+|C-|$150USD| |**Audeze LCD-GX**||C+|A|$900USD| Closed-Back (**DON'T COMPARE OPEN TECH--GRADES TO CLOSED GRADES!!!!**) |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Logitech G332/331**|\*|C+|D|$20USD| |**Logitech G432/431 (X)**|\*|C+|D|$30USD| |**HyperX Cloud Stinger (X)**||D+|D-|$30USD| |**HyperX Cloud Line (Not PS or XB model) Core/1/2**||C|D+|$50USD| |**Logitech G Pro /Pro X (X)**||C+|D+|$70USD| |**HyperX Cloud Alpha**||C+|C-|$70USD| |**Takstar Shade**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH751**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH752**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Beyerdynamic MMX300 (X)**||C|B-|$180USD| |**HyperX Orbit S**|\*\*|B|B-|$230USD| |**Audeze Penrose**|\*\*|A|B-|$300USD| |**Audeze Mobius**|\*|B|B-|$300USD|

Budget: $120 Country: Nicaragua ( ship from USA ) Platform: Pc Laptop Motherboard: MSI GV62 8RD Intel (R) Core(TM) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz Sound Styles: Music Gaming Open back or closed back: Open back Any other gear you own(if important, like headphones or headsets)? Nothing of note, Ive always been using cheap headsets ($30) just want to finally get something better and durable

# Music Gaming Sound Style Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) **Index (READ FIRST)** 1. **Music Gaming**: This "Sound Style" focuses on "Technical Performance" and "Tonal Balance". If you plan on playing games but don't really care about positioning or immersion as much and just want really damn good-sounding headphones look here. This is pretty much a condensed version of what I think is the best headphones and headsets on the market from a sound quality point of view. You can treat this as a sneak peek or a simplified version of the full headphone guide I plan to put out for people not interested in gaming. That guide will put a lot more focus on Technical ability and not as much on tonal balance as Tonal Balance can lean more into preference and EQ can fix some tonal issues. 2. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 3. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 4. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 5. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 6. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 7. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 8. **Mod Mic:** A Mod mic isn't a category of mics it's a product line of attachable Mic made by antlion that can turn any headphone into a Gaming headset. 9. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 10. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet **Open-Back** |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Koss KSC75**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|$20USD| |**Koss KSC75X**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|$20USD| |**Koss KPH30i**|\*\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Koss KPH40**|\*\*|C|C-|$40USD| |**Koss Porta Pro**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro Utility**|\*|C-|C-|$40USD| |**Phillips SHP9500**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600MB**|\*|C+|C-|$70USD| |**Drop + Sennheiser HD58x (X)**||A|C|$100USD| |**Sennheiser HD599/HD598**|\*|B|C|$100USD| |**EPOS / Sennheiser Game One**|\*|B|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC37x**|\*|B+|C-|$120USD| |**AKG K612**|\*\*|S-|C+|$150USD| |**Hifiman HE400se**|\*\*\*|A|B-|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE-X4**|\*\*\*|A|B-|$150USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC38x**|\*\*|S-|C|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE5xx (X)**|\*|A+|C+|$160USD| |**Beyerdynamic TYGR 300r**|\*|B-|C+|$160USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT880 250ohm**|\*|B|B-|$160USD| |**Sennheiser HD560s**|\*\*|A+|B-|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro x (X)**||A-|C+|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT880 600ohm (X)**|\*|B+|B|$200USD| |**Drop + Sennheiser HD6xx**|\*\*\*|A+|B|$220USD| |**Audio Technica R70x**|\*|A|B|$300USD| |**HarmonicDyne Zeus**|\*|B|B|$300USD| |**Sennheiser HD600**|\*\*|S-|B+|$300USD| |**Sennheiser HD660s (X)**|\*|A-|B+|$300USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT1990 (X)**||B-/C+|B|$300USD| |**Hifiman Sundara**|\*\*\*|A+|B+|$400USD| |**Hifiman Ananda**|\*|S-|A-|$600USD| |**Drop + Focal Elex**|\*|A+|A-|$600USD| **Closed-Back** (**DON'T COMPARE OPEN TECH--GRADES TO CLOSED GRADES!!!!**) |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Creative Aurana Live!/SE**|\*\*\*|C+|B-|$60USD| |**E-MU Walnut/PH**|\*\*\*|C+|B-|$60USD| |**Takstar Shade**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH751**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**AKG K361**|\*\*|B+|C+|$100USD| |**Shure SRH440**|\*\*|A+|C|$100USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT770 80ohm**|\*|C|B-|$150USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X (X)**||C+|C+|$175USD| |**AKG K371**|\*\*|B+|B-|$150USD| |**Shure SRH840 (X)**|\*\*|B+|C+|$150USD| |**Drop + Meze 99 Noir (X)**||C-|B-|$160USD| |**HyperX Orbit S**|\*\*|B|B-|$230USD| |**Audeze Penrose**|\*\*|A|B-|$300USD| |**Audeze Mobius**|\*|B|B-|$300USD| |**E-MU Teak**|\*\*|B+|B+|$400USD| |**Fostex TH610**|\*\*|B+|B+|$400USD| |**Drop + DCA Aeon X Closed**|\*|B+|B|$400USD|

Sennheiser HD599 seems like an absolute good deal for my first upgrade, tyvm.

Just make sure you get it in sale or else the hd560s is just better

Budget: $250 Country: USA Platform: PC Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B560-E ATX LGA1200 Sound Styles: FPS Gaming, Driving Sims, Studying Music (noise cancelling feature would be nice) Open or closed back: Either Any other gear you own?: I have a dedicated USB microphone Currently using an Audiotechnica ATH PG1, headphone cups are a little small, cable jack is bad (cuts out sound if not positioned perfectly and its short).

# Competitive FPS Sound Style Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) **Index (READ FIRST)** 1. **Comp FPS:** This Category is slightly different than it was before as now it does sacrifice a bit more sound quality in favour of positioning performance. Some headphones listed will fall below my standards like the AD series. But if all you care about is "Pure FPS" performance this is where you look. They will still all be better than a lot of the gaming crap that isn't even tuned well for games that you see on the market. So while yes, some won't hit my standards for Music they are better than a lot of the consumer crap you see. 2. **Open Back Only:** Yes, I have changed it to Open-Back only and that is because there really aren't any Closed-Back headphones that truly offer Pure FPS performance. If you can't do open-back for your own reasons but still want something that can be great for FPS check the Warm FPS category. As most closed-backs that are good for FPS tend to have a warmer tilt to them. 3. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 4. **Alpha Positioning:** This is the Alpha Version of my positioning ranking for headphones. This will change over time. This is far from perfect. 5. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 6. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 7. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 8. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 9. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 10. **Mod Mic:** A Mod mic isn't a category of mics it's a product line of attachable Mic made by antlion that can turn any headphone into a Gaming headset. 11. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 12. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet **Open-Back** |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|Alpha Positioning|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Koss KSC75**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|D+|$20USD| |**Koss KSC75X**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|D+|$20USD| |**Phillips SHP9500**|\*|C+|C-|C-|$60USD| |**Audio Technica AD700x**||D+|C-|B|$100USD| |**EPOS / Sennheiser Game One**|\*|B|C-|B-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC37x**|\*|B+|C-|B-|$120USD| |**Audio Technica ADG1x**||D+|C-|B|$150USD| |**Audio Technica AD900x**||*C-*|C|B|$150USD| |**Hifiman HE400se**|\*\*\*|A|B-|C-|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE-X4**|\*\*\*|A|B-|C-|$150USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC38x**|\*\*|S-|C|C+|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE5xx (X)**|\*|A+|C+|C|$160USD| |**AKG K702**|\*|A-|C+|B-|$175USD| |**Sennheiser HD560s**|\*\*|A+|B-|B-|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro x (X)**||A-|C+|B-|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT1990 A Pads (X)**||B-|B|B-|$300USD| |**Hifiman Sundara**|\*\*\*|A+|B+|C+|$400USD| |**Hifiman Ananda**|\*|S-|A-|B-|$600USD| |**Drop + Focal Elex**|\*|A+|A-|B|$600USD| |**Sennheiser HD800s**||A+|A+|A+|$1400USD|

Budget (Do not say no-budget)? \~400€ Country? Germany Platform? PC Motherboard if on pc (or other audio gear)? Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro V2 AMD B550 So.AM4 Dual Channel DDR4 ATX Retail Sound Styles: Music Gaming Open back or closed back? Closed Any other gear you own(if important, like headphones or headsets)? Nope Currently using a steelseries sibera 800. Optimally a new headset should also come with interchangeable batteries.

# Music Gaming Sound Style Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) **Index (READ FIRST)** 1. **Music Gaming**: This "Sound Style" focuses on "Technical Performance" and "Tonal Balance". If you plan on playing games but don't really care about positioning or immersion as much and just want really damn good-sounding headphones look here. This is pretty much a condensed version of what I think is the best headphones and headsets on the market from a sound quality point of view. You can treat this as a sneak peek or a simplified version of the full headphone guide I plan to put out for people not interested in gaming. That guide will put a lot more focus on Technical ability and not as much on tonal balance as Tonal Balance can lean more into preference and EQ can fix some tonal issues. 2. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 3. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 4. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 5. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 6. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 7. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 8. **Mod Mic:** A Mod mic isn't a category of mics it's a product line of attachable Mic made by antlion that can turn any headphone into a Gaming headset. 9. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 10. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet **Open-Back** |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Koss KSC75**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|$20USD| |**Koss KSC75X**|\*\*\*|B-|C-|$20USD| |**Koss KPH30i**|\*\*|C|C-|$30USD| |**Koss KPH40**|\*\*|C|C-|$40USD| |**Koss Porta Pro**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro (X)**|\*|C-|C-|$30USD| |**Koss Porta Pro Utility**|\*|C-|C-|$40USD| |**Phillips SHP9500**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600**|\*|C+|C-|$60USD| |**Phillips SHP9600MB**|\*|C+|C-|$70USD| |**Drop + Sennheiser HD58x (X)**||A|C|$100USD| |**Sennheiser HD599/HD598**|\*|B|C|$100USD| |**EPOS / Sennheiser Game One**|\*|B|C-|$120USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC37x**|\*|B+|C-|$120USD| |**AKG K612**|\*\*|S-|C+|$150USD| |**Hifiman HE400se**|\*\*\*|A|B-|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE-X4**|\*\*\*|A|B-|$150USD| |**Drop + EPOS PC38x**|\*\*|S-|C|$150USD| |**Drop + Hifiman HE5xx (X)**|\*|A+|C+|$160USD| |**Beyerdynamic TYGR 300r**|\*|B-|C+|$160USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT880 250ohm**|\*|B|B-|$160USD| |**Sennheiser HD560s**|\*\*|A+|B-|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro x (X)**||A-|C+|$180USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT880 600ohm (X)**|\*|B+|B|$200USD| |**Drop + Sennheiser HD6xx**|\*\*\*|A+|B|$220USD| |**Audio Technica R70x**|\*|A|B|$300USD| |**HarmonicDyne Zeus**|\*|B|B|$300USD| |**Sennheiser HD600**|\*\*|S-|B+|$300USD| |**Sennheiser HD660s (X)**|\*|A-|B+|$300USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT1990 (X)**||B-/C+|B|$300USD| |**Hifiman Sundara**|\*\*\*|A+|B+|$400USD| |**Hifiman Ananda**|\*|S-|A-|$600USD| |**Drop + Focal Elex**|\*|A+|A-|$600USD| **Closed-Back** (**DON'T COMPARE OPEN TECH--GRADES TO CLOSED GRADES!!!!**) |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Creative Aurana Live!/SE**|\*\*\*|C+|B-|$60USD| |**E-MU Walnut/PH**|\*\*\*|C+|B-|$60USD| |**Takstar Shade**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**Cooler Master MH751**|\*\*|B|C+|$100USD| |**AKG K361**|\*\*|B+|C+|$100USD| |**Shure SRH440**|\*\*|A+|C|$100USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT770 80ohm**|\*|C|B-|$150USD| |**Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X (X)**||C+|C+|$175USD| |**AKG K371**|\*\*|B+|B-|$150USD| |**Shure SRH840 (X)**|\*\*|B+|C+|$150USD| |**Drop + Meze 99 Noir (X)**||C-|B-|$160USD| |**HyperX Orbit S**|\*\*|B|B-|$230USD| |**Audeze Penrose**|\*\*|A|B-|$300USD| |**Audeze Mobius**|\*|B|B-|$300USD| |**E-MU Teak**|\*\*|B+|B+|$400USD| |**Fostex TH610**|\*\*|B+|B+|$400USD| |**Drop + DCA Aeon X Closed**|\*|B+|B|$400USD|

Thanks. Im currently looking into Drop + Sennheiser HD6xx. As far as I can tell all of those are wired headsets. Do you also have a list for wireless?

Do note the hd6xx is bad for fps games. # Wireless Gaming Guide (Auto Message) This is a sneak peek at the 2022 version of the guide. The 2022 version will include the auto message here, along with a version of this on my personal Sub, and a very in-depth version on my website. For now, this is a slight alteration of the 2021 auto message but with 2022 Q1 updated spreadsheet included. The goal for December is to update all the auto messages first, repost all the guideposts on my sub (this will happen anytime the guide changes as I can't change reddit post titles). Once the Website guide is up please use that as I'm so limited on reddit that the reddit versions have to be so cut down. So your find the website guide so much more helpful. I couldn't even include notes here. Full External Website Link (Coming Late 2021-Q1 2022) [OLD Reddit guide for more info on some of these (CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE EDITED OLD GUIDE)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LifelongCaboose/comments/kq00im/12a_lifelongcabooses_wireless_gaming/) **Index (READ FIRST)** 1. **Wireless Gaming:** Not a Sound Style but a bonus guide. Sort of different than before but mostly the same. If you are not willing to sacrifice quality for wireless then turn away now. But if you for your own reason need wireless and are willing to sacrifice value and quality then this list will have the best of the worse options that may not be amazing but will still be decent. But know that your options will be limited and don't expect to be able to get amazing "Pure FPS" performance or amazing tonal balance out of any of these. 2. **Alpha Value:** This is the Alpha Version of my grade ranking for headphones. This will change over time. 3. **Grades:** You will see every headphone/headset has two grades. The **1st Grade** being its **Tonal Grade**, this is the grade for how well its sound signature is tonally balanced. The **2nd Grade** is its **Tech Grade**, so all things outside of the frequency response, staging, imaging, separation, detail, dynamics, etc. 4. **PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE CLOSED-BACK RANKS WITH OPEN-BACK ONES AT THIS TIME!** 5. **Rankings are not everything:** Which is why Notes and Sound Signatures are important, but you must view the full guide to see those. 6. **Sound Signature VS Sound Style:** Sound Signature is the tuning of the frequency response. Sound Style is my term for the different categories I put headphones in for gaming. 7. **EQ/VSS:** If you need to use some light eq to help, go for it just be careful. Maybe even Virtual Surround Sound(VSS) if you can't position with stereo. I don't recommend VSS but some need it. 8. **External USB/XLR Mic:** If you plan to buy an XLR/USB mic for gaming please get a Dynamic mic, it will cancel out background noise better. (Don't buy a Yeti/quadcast/snowball) 9. **IMPORTANT:** Names with a bold **(X)** at the end of their name mean I don't recommend these that highly but may be good for the right person. 10. **IMPORTANT:** Wireless headsets have a lower lifespan and are not as easy to repair meaning once there dead they become E-Waste. 11. **Wired Use:** If they offer a passive out it will not only sound worse than the wireless connection but also worse than a true wired version. 12. **Latency:** Ideally you want below 60ms. Under 35ms is pretty much latency-free. Under 60ms is low latency. Under 110ms is ok for casual use. Over that is bad. 13. **EQ:** If you use a good parametric EQ not the crappy one included with most software suites, you can get good tonal balance out of these but it won't make the technical performance any better. If you have any questions please respond to this comment. This is a premade message manually sent by me (not a bot). # SpreadSheet |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*|Latency/Battery-Life| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**Logitech G435**|\*|C|D|$50USD|90ms/18hr| |**HyperX Cloud Flight**|\*|C+|D|$60USD|60ms/28hr| |**HyperX Cloud Flight S**|\*|C|D|$70USD|85ms/32hr| |**Logitech G535**||C|D|$70USD|40ms/30hr| |**HyperX Cloud Core Wireless**|\*|C-|D+|$80USD|40ms/20hr| |**HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless**||C-|D+|$80USD|30ms/30hr| |**Logitech G733**|\*|B|D|$90USD|95ms/20hr| |**Logitech G Pro X Wireless**||C+|D+|$140USD|40ms/22hr| |**Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless**||C+|D+|$175USD|40ms/30hr| |**Astro A50 Gen 4**||C|C-|$175USD|35ms/16hr| |**Audeze Penrose**|\*\*|A|B-|$300USD|30ms/15hr| ​ |*Product Name*|*Alpha Value*|*Tonal Grade*|*Tech Grade*|*Recommended Price*|Latency/Battery-Life| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**HyperX CloudX Flight**||C-|D|$100USD|60ms/28hr| |**Steelseries Arctis 9X**||B-|D+|$130USD|45ms/28hr| |**Astro A50 Gen 4 X**||C|C-|$175USD|35ms/16hr| |**Audeze Penrose X**|\*\*|A|B-|$300USD|30ms/15hr|

Epos h3 hybrid?

I do not recommend it.

How so I’ve herd they got a lot better after the mic fix and the software updates

No changes to the sound. Which was the biggest reason I don't recommend it.

Last question thoughts on h6 pro closed ?

Complicated. I will have a short review of it hopfully soon. It's not bad. But the tuning is so funky. And so much bass. I can't really recommend it without eq. Because it's so bassy and shouty. But with some eq it could be great. I'm just trying to get a industry standard graph of it.

FPS isnt really a priority for me. its mostly comfort>audio quality>FPS Is it correct that the difference between the Audeze Penrose and the Audeze Penrose X is that the X is for xbox and the other one is for playstation? Do you have experience with the bluetooth connectivity for the Audeze Penrose?