Top 5: Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming under $200

Written by Branton

Last updated Jun 14, 2021

best headphones for gaming under 200

Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming under $200 2020

Audiophile headphones are the best things you could have for gaming-in-general, PC gaming especially. As far as sound quality goes, the best studio headphones for gaming like the Takstar Pro 80s blow most high-end gaming headsets out of the water – Except the HyperX Cloud II.

AT A GLANCE: Our Top 5 Picks for Audiophile Headphones for Gaming under $200
  1. Overall Best: Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X
  2. Best for the Money: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80
  3. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
  4. Sennheiser HD 579
  5. Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro

What’s the difference between a gaming headset, and audiophile headphones? Simple, a gaming headset will always have an attached / built-in mic, will usually have some sort of flashy lights, and will more than likely claim “7.1 surround sound”.

On the other hand, A good pair of audiophile headphones won’t have an attached mic, probably won’t have any unnecessary LEDs, and will most likely have amazing sound quality, especially when compared to a “high-quality gaming headset“.

Not all gaming headsets are *bad* though, not if you get the right ones. A pair like the HyperX Cloud IIs are actually just re-purposed Takstar Pro80s, but you’re usually paying less for the Cloud IIs than if you were to buy a mic + Takstar Pro80 combo. The Cloud IIs detachable mic is actually about the same quality as the Antlion Mod Mic 5.

If you’ve got the money to spend, then audiophile headphones and a dedicated microphone are almost always the way to go. You’re able to get the best of both worlds this way, and you don’t have to sacrifice an ounce of quality anywhere. It might seem like a useless waste of money, but trust me when I say that it’s really not.

The Mod Mic 5 that I just mentioned is a great dedicated mic that can attach to basically any headset, any on this list for sure. It’s a good choice if you’re looking to turn your audiophile headphones into a high-quality gaming headset.

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Let’s stop procrastinating and take a look at the top 5 best headphones for gaming while taking into account things like overall sound quality(ranges, sensitivity etc), comfort, design, and durability.

Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Audiophile Headphones for Gaming under $200

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
Overall Bestpcgh-table__imageAudio-Technica ATH-AD700X
  • Open Back
  • 53mm Speaker Drivers
  • 38 Ω Impedance
VIEW ON AMAZON →
Best for the Moneypcgh-table__imageBeyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80
  • Closed Back
  • 45mm Drivers
  • 32/80/250Ω Impedance
VIEW ON AMAZON →
pcgh-table__imageAudio-Technica ATH-M50x
  • Closed Back
  • 45mm Speaker Drivers
  • 38 Ω Impedance
VIEW ON AMAZON →
pcgh-table__imageSennheiser HD 579
  • Open Back
  • 53mm Speaker Drivers
  • 50 Ω Impedance
VIEW ON AMAZON →
pcgh-table__imageBeyerdynamic Custom One Pro
  • Semi-Open
  • 50mm Speaker Drivers
  • 16 Ω Impedance
VIEW ON AMAZON →

Editor's Rating: 4.9/5

Specs
  • Open Back
  • 53mm Speaker Drivers
  • 38 Ω Impedance
  • 5Hz – 30kHz Frequency Response
  • 9.3 ounces
  • 3.5mm gold-plated plug

Our number one spot goes to the AudioTechnica AD700x because it boasts the best price vs performance and they look and feel great to wear.

The mids come out absolutely perfectly, which is what you need for a high-quality experience when you’re gaming. Having boosted bass or treble can be good, but at the end of the day, you want strong mids for gaming.

The AD in AD700x stands for “Aerodynamic” and they dubbed them this due to the really interesting headband system. It doesn’t span across your head like normal headphones, but instead has 2 “pads” that rest on your head. It is a pretty comfortable system but doesn’t feel the most secure.

Just look around anywhere, and you will see that AD700x headphones are among the best for gaming, and easily the best for under $200.

Pros

  • Great Sound Quality
  • Massive Sound Stage
  • Super Comfortable
  • Open-Air Design
  • Lightweight
  • Best Price vs Performance

Cons

  • Not very “secure” feeling depending on your head size

Editor's Rating: 4.8/5

Specs
  • Closed Back
  • 45mm Drivers
  • 32/80/250Ω Impedance
  • 5Hz-35kHz Frequency Response
  • 1.6-3m cable
  • Weighs 14 ounces
  • 3.5mm + 6.3mm plugs

Beyerdynamic’s DT 770 Pro are an incredible closed-back pair of cans for just shy of $200.

Performance is off the charts in terms of mid-range audiophile headphones; these cans produce some of the cleanest, crispest sound I’ve experienced outside much more expensive options. Not to mention a very wide sound stage (for closed back) which is essential for FPS games. The lows are great, the mids are solid, but the highs are a little lacking here and there. If I had to describe the sound, it would be transparent and very spacious.

The 770s come with 3 different cables to be used for different ohm levels. Most people will be using the 32 and 80 ohm cables, but for those hardcore enthuthiasts out there it’s also coming with a cable meant for 250 ohm. Obviously, you’re going to need a pretty good sound card or DAC to push 250 ohm.

You’re also getting a nice fabric carrying case, a 6.35mm stereo jack adapter and most importantly the warranty booklet which ensures your 2-year warranty is maintained.

All-in-all, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro are easily one of the best pairs of headphones you can buy for gaming while spending under $200. If you’re looking for a solid closed back pair of cans, these are them!

Pros

  • Great sound stage (for closed back cans)
  • Spacious and transparent sound
  • 35/80/250 ohm options
  • Very comfortable over extended use

Cons

  • Highs can be lacking

Editor's Rating: 4.8/5

Specs
  • Closed Back
  • 45mm Speaker Drivers
  • 38 Ω Impedance
  • 15Hz – 28kHz Freqeuncy Response
  • 10 ounces
  • 3.5 + 6.3mm plugs

The AudioTechnica ATH M50x are an extremely popular set of closed back headphones which put out an extremely crisp, bass heavy sound. But nothing bad like Beats.

The overall sound is rich and vivid, which makes the M50x ideal for gaming. Even though they’re closed back, you still get to experience a very wide sound stage which allows you to pinpoint footsteps and gunfire.

The cable is detachable, and they come with your pick of 3 cables in the box, 1 that is 3m long and straight, a coiled 3m cable, and finally a shorter 2m cable which is straight.

They’re a very comfortable, very lightweight set of headphones which are easy to wear for extended periods of time, and won’t wear out your ears. As an added bonus, they also come in your choice of 4 color schemes, black, white, blue, and dark green.

When compared to the aforementioned Sennheiser HD 598, the only major differences are that one is open back, the other is closed back, one has slightly boosted treble, the other has slightly boosted bass. Take your pick!

Pros

  • Super Popular
  • Comfortable
  • Multiple colors to choose from
  • Balanced Sound Quality
  • Good Sound Stage
  • Solid Bass
  • Removeable Cable
  • Folds Away Nicely

Cons

  • Bass response can be somewhat muddy

Editor's Rating: 4.7/5

Specs
  • Open Back
  • 53mm Speaker Drivers
  • 50 Ω Impedance
  • 15Hz – 28kHz Frequency Response
  • 9.6 ounces
  • 3.5mm + 6.3mm plugs

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The Sennheiser HD 597s are incredible open backed headphones with an extremely wide sound stage, allowing you to pinpoint gunshots and footsteps with ease.

With any open-back headphones, if you’re in a noisy setting they might not be great, and you might be better off with closed back headphones. Not only for you but those around you.

The sound is very neutral, but they have a slight boost to treble, which makes vocals and talking sound a lot more “alive”. The treble isn’t too boosted, though, and it really adds to the overall sound quality.

With an impedance of only 50 ohms, you definitely won’t need the best DAC or amp to drive these headphones, and you’re going to get phenomenal sound.

The build quality is great, although they’re built entirely from plastic they still feel very durable while being super light at only 8 ounces.

All-in-all, the HD 597s have a very bright and alive sound with a super wide stage.

Pros

  • Balanced, Clean and “Alive” Sounding
  • Extremely Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Velour Ear Cups
  • Removable Cable

Cons

  • Not much bass

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Editor's Rating: 4.6/5

Specs
  • Semi-Open
  • 50mm Speaker Drivers
  • 16 Ω Impedance
  • 5 Hz – 35kHz Frequency Response
  • 10.2 ounces

The Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro headphones are absolutely amazing. Not just because they pump out some of the cleanest and nicest sound for under $200, but they’re almost 100% customizable.

Not just that, but they also feature bass ports on the bottom of both ear cups which you can toggle to make them either open, semi-open, or closed back headphones. This is an awesome feature if you go from noisy to quiet environments often. This simple feature also puts the Custom One Pros ahead of the M50x.

The build quality is extremely durable, and almost every element about the headset can be customized, from the headband to the side inserts, and even an in-line mic. Check out the options here.

An impedance of only 16 ohms means that your integrated sound card isn’t going to have a lot of troubles driving these cans, and you shouldn’t need an auxiliary DAC of any kind.

After everything is said and done, the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro headphones are an extremely versatile set which is never going to let you down. But, it definitely can’t beat our number 1 pick for price vs performance.

Pros

  • Bass Port Allows for fine-tuning
  • Great Unamplified Sound Quality
  • Super Customizable
  • Low Impedance
  • Wide Range
  • Good Sound Stage

Cons

  • Somewhat recessed mids (hardly noticeable 99% of the time)

Conclusion

When it comes to gaming, experiencing the audio is almost as important as the visuals, so it makes sense to want a high-quality pair of headphones to make your experience that much better.

This list covered the 5 best audiophile headphones for under $200, it’s just a matter of picking the ones that are right for you.

Honorable Mentions:

Before actually buying a pair of headphones, really consider what kind of headphones you need before you buy, though, do you need open back, or closed back?

Open back headphones are going to give you a significantly wider sound stage, but there’s going to be some sound leak. These are good for solo gaming sessions in quieter areas, and for those times when you need to hear everything going on around you.

Closed back headphones are going to produce a lot more bass, will sometimes deliver a decent sound stage, and should keep the vast majority of sound from leaking, as well as keep you from hearing things going on around you. These are what you want for LAN parties, and generally noise-polluted areas.

Don’t forget that if you need a mic, take a look at the Mod Mic 5!

So, which headphones do you need? I bet you’ve already decided, and now it’s time to pull the trigger. You won’t regret it when you’re able to hear enemies before they’ve even considered you might be there.

Click to get the absolute best audiophile headphones for under $200 here, the Audio-Tecehnica AD700x.

Did I overlook a potentially great set of cans that should have made the list? Let me know in the comment section! 


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Rahul Behera
Rahul Behera
May 31, 2023 1:43 am

Hi Branton! That was such an informative and clarifying post for me to discover and choose the best one to enhance my gaming experience. Thanks to you to give me better idea over to write blogs better and clear on my very own blog manleethings.com

Anonymous
Anonymous
August 12, 2020 9:21 pm

Will I need an amplifier to use any of these headphones ?

Anonymous
Anonymous
August 12, 2020 9:23 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

I apologize but I should of specified that I am a PC gamer.

Monie
Monie
September 10, 2020 5:37 am
Reply to  Anonymous

I also wish that he would of specified if an amplifier is needed or not. It’s pretty important…

Angsat
Angsat
June 12, 2020 2:58 am

Hi branton
I played alot Moba games while playing music
Which headset would you like to recommend to me?

Francisco Silva
Francisco Silva
May 21, 2020 12:20 pm

Ok now i see i did something wrong a few hours ago when i tried to post my comment lol.
After a lot of research, i am aware that open back are far better than closed back for FPS games. I want to buy a good headphones and get rid off my headset. I´m in “love” for a long time with AD700x but i have a dilemma….Mainly i play CS GO at home, but i go regularly play tournaments at Lan Houses where sometimes has 4 teams playing at the same time in the same room. Can AD700x handle well in this circustances? Or it´s better idea going for a good closed back like 770 Pro? Another question: I have an external sound card, creative blaster G1 that cand handle up to 300 ohms. Wether i buy AD700x or 770 Pro should i use this sound card with them? I mean, if i use it, the sound would be even better? In creative sound card software of course i have stereo and EQ disabled.
Thank you and keep going with this good content!

Jonathan Mark Leonard
Jonathan Mark Leonard
February 25, 2020 12:15 am

Hi Branton! In this list, i want something that is of audiophile quality, where i’d also feel the immersion in games and a rumbling bass for explosions, which would you recommend?

Michael Macias
Michael Macias
February 13, 2020 10:15 am

Hey Branton, I have the audio technica headset plus mod mic combo. I’ve had this headset combo for about 2 years now. I’m getting sick of the wires constantly being tangled. Im looking for a wireless headset that’s top tier. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you

mm
admin
February 14, 2020 3:55 pm
Reply to  Michael Macias

Hey Michael,

In terms of true top-tier, you’re looking at the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless. They’re way up there on the $$$ scale, but more than worth it. I’ve only used them briefly myself, but I’ll be picking up a pair as my daily drivers as soon as I can afford them.

Joe
Joe
September 22, 2019 9:27 pm

Hey branton, are these still all of your picks today? Any changes to the list? Im looking to upgrade my extremely budget logitech g430. Great guide btw, so helpful!

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