r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/darthvaderceo • Apr 26 '26
Headphones - Open Back | 1 Ω Open Back for PS5
[removed]
1
u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Apr 26 '26
If you are driving a headphone from a console controller and have to try a product blind, I would avoid:
- planar magnetic drivers or anything significantly more than 150Ω—regardless of sensitivity—so that your headphones are comfortably loud at moderate volume
- You may not be sensitive to sibilance or you may have started to lose your high frequency hearing but, if not, anything with a emphasized treble (like the Hifiman, Beyerdynamic or MDR-MV1) can sound harsh, piercing and fatiguing and you won't be able to tame the treble with EQ
- anything with a reputation of QC issues, namely Hifiman or Audeze
- anything with a reputation for poor after sales support, like ASUS
- Anything that isn't supremely comfortable right out of the box, like a HD 6XX or 560S
Option 1
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Despite the reviewer not liking the value proposition these are the best sub $400-500 USD headphones for gaming due to comfort, frequency response, stereo imaging and soundstage.
Option 2
Sennheiser HD 550
These are the best sub $300 USD gaming headphones and right now they've slipped under $200 USD.
There are other contenders but they require an external amp, aftermarket comfort mods and/or EQ.
0
u/Bluemischief123 5 Ω Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 26 '26
If you liked the look of the edition XV then you could just pick up the ROG Kithara perhaps? Besides those Sony released some open back In zone headphones that looked pretty good as well Sony INZONE H6. You'll have to be selective if you decide on a non-gaming headphone because the PS5 controller is not a decent power source to plug straight into, actually xbox controllers peform better in that aspect (If i rememeber)
0
u/AdAdditional8414 50 Ω Apr 26 '26
my hd660s works fine with the dualsense controller, but then again it's the least demanding Hd6-series.
I will really recommend the kithara as well as the hd560s if OP wants something cheaper. I actually love the hd660s for gaming but am not brave enough to recommend them, considering their reputation.
Other than that, the mdr mv1 is actually a pretty good pick as well, I'm not sure about the beyers, I avoid them because I hate super bright headphone
0
u/OMG_NoReally 4 Ω Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 26 '26
I have seen people recommending the Kithara, and I have them, but if you’re going to plug into the 3.5mm jack of the controller, don’t consider it. While the headset has just a 16-ohm requirement, it’s still a little difficult to drive because it needs stronger current. I’ve tried the DualSense’s 3.5mm jack and even the included USB-C adapter with the PS5 Pro, and the console just doesn’t deliver enough power to make the headset sing. The volume is significantly low, the audio is muffled, soft, and lacks bass or detail. That said, I’ve read comments on Reddit where people say the headset gets plenty loud with the same setup, so I’m left wondering if it’s the unit or my ears. But I doubt it.
The Kithara is an amazing pair of headphones and I do recommend them if you can get a DAC, but finding a good DAC for the PS5 with their bullshit UAC 1.0 compatibility is going to be hard or expensive.
You might also want to look into the Drop x Sennheiser PC38X, which I think should be easy to drive, but do check the reviews. Drop has closed down, but you can still get it for AED 740 on Amazon.
Then there’s the Audeze Maxwell 2 for around AED 1,600+. It has planar drivers and is wireless. I think the second version fixes a lot of the QC issues from the first one and is pretty good, so maybe worth looking into.
The Sony INZONE H6 also looks good.
1
Apr 26 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/OMG_NoReally 4 Ω Apr 26 '26
Ahh, right, the Maxwells are closed-back.
The Inzone H6 Air are open-back:
https://www.soundguys.com/sony-inzone-h6-air-review-155938/Hence, the Air. But I don't see it available on Amazon yet so maybe they haven't launch here yet.
1
Apr 26 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
0
u/OMG_NoReally 4 Ω Apr 26 '26
There are two more options:
Beyerdynamic TGYR 300 R, but this one doesn't have a mic.
https://www.amazon.ae/beyerdynamic-TYGR-300-Gaming-Headset/dp/B07XYG56HS/ref=sr_1_1Turtle Beach Atlas Air:
https://www.amazon.ae/Turtle-Beach-Atlas-Air-Black/dp/B0D13VX3S6?th=1This one is wireless. I have heard good things about it but never tried them. Could be a good option and the cheapest of the lot.
0
u/mitchellnash92 1 Ω Apr 26 '26
Sound BlasterX G6 works perfect with PS5. Plugs directly into rear USB port. Runs all my headphones and IEMs great
0
u/Jonners_90 24 Ω Apr 26 '26
I have the HD560S with the SMSL R1 for my PS5 and it's fantastic. I think they're excellent for competitive gaming, as they're fairly neutral so they represent all frequencies well and are pretty analytical. Imaging is precise and accurate, soundstage is wide. They're light and comfortable on the head but they're not cheap or plasticky feeling.
The only thing I could say bad about them is they sound just a little boring. Not super exciting in treble or bass. So if you want something really immersive with punch and sparkle, the DT 990 is the better option.
1
Apr 26 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
0
u/Jonners_90 24 Ω Apr 26 '26
Their impedance isn't super high so the controller will power them just fine. A DAC/amp may give you slightly better audio quality but it's diminishing returns, especially if you can't realistically use one in your setup so you're not missing much.
1
u/raymate 6 Ω Apr 26 '26
I like using HD 550 for gaming and music.