These are really good headphones. No, they're not just really good gaming headphones. They're good headphones. With a microphone attached.
Pros:
Great audio quality. "Gaming" headsets are often bass-heavy with no high or mids, but these are the most balanced headphones I've ever used that say "Gaming" on the box. Compared to the ATH-M50s that I have beside them (plugged into an external USB interface) they're obviously not as balanced, and just plugged into my motherboard the quality isn't as superb, but considering that, they sound pretty good.
Isolation. The pads haven't gone bad yet, and I'm not sure they're even starting to. My replacement M50 pads are still a little stiff and I can feel my heartbeat through my temples while wearing them, which is kind of annoying, but these isolate that really well. I can wear them for hours without discomfort, even when wearing glasses. They isolate well and seal well, covering the whole ear. Some headphones say they do that, but they're made for people with baby ears or something. If you're a human with normal sized ears, these will work for you.
Microphone. I've recorded myself a bunch, and the microphone sounds really damned good. My friend on Discord uses a cheaper Logitech headset, and he is consistently overdriving the microphone on it, and he's not that loud. It wasn't until he heard how good my mic sounded that he realized he needed a new headset. It's very adjustable too and stays in place, and you can take it out if you want (it comes unattached).
Cord is more than long enough with the extension that comes with it. Build quality is beyond solid. Part that goes on your head is comfortable.
Cons:
Heavy. I thought my M50s were heavy, but these are another degree higher. It's mostly aluminum and heavy plastic, so don't expect light headphones. The cups don't swivel, which is sometimes a nice feature to have, but it's not that big of a deal to me.
Being a headset, and even though the microphone is good quality, you will hear yourself breathing onto it despite the foam quasi-windscreen filter it has. If your mouth is too close, hard consonants will pop regardless of the filter. Don't expect it to be like a professional sports commentator's wind filter. It's light.
Great headphones.
Update: Not that it matters because you can't buy them anymore, but the microphone stopped working about a year after this review. I took the microphone off and use the headphones as an Xbox headset (they can plug straight into the controller). Better than bad TV speakers.
| Brand | Kingston |
|---|---|
| Series | KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY CORP. |
| Item model number | KHX-HSCC-BK |
| Hardware Platform | Gaming Console, PC |
| Item Weight | 12.5 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 9.3 x 8.5 x 4.5 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9.3 x 8.5 x 4.5 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Manufacturer | Kingston Technology Company, Inc. |
| ASIN | B0153XL4V2 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | September 22, 2015 |
