Drop + EPOS / Sennheiser - PC38X

Article in progress Hifiman Edition XS> akg 712 pro* > R70x > PC38x = HD598 > HD 560S > HD 490 Pro >> HD650 (comparing soundstage only) The HD 490 Pro is said to have great 3D positional audio but a bit smaller soundstage than the 560S. Lots more neutral too. I find the pricing terrible, maybe its because its a very new headphone Ppl tend to pick the the 560s or the HD 650 and tweak with equalization. The Hifiman is a very high end headphones with a wideee soundstage and great 3D positioning. Different tech, also harder to drive, OP is gonna need some powerful Amp like the Fiio k5 Pro or the Topping DX1 on High Gain. I cant recommend it due to the terrible Hifiman QC. *The AKG has a very, very, very wide soundstage, but its not good in verticality. An helicopter might sound going inside your head instead of the top. The r70x is smaller but a very decent circle. Needs quite a powerful amp to drive too, but its a reliable unit, like the sennheisers. Personal note: I loved the soundstage of my 598se. But on the HD 650 voices become uncanny valley. Games like Resident Evil 7 and Dead Space Remake are downright traumatizing. In some games I started to notice the recording booth reverb and mic saturation. I can track individual demons between explosions instead of hearing a boomy mess. I can't go back now.

Have used pc38x, arya organic, dt1990. All open back. No mic feedback. I use a shure mic. You have to have a very sensitive mic or insanely loud sound for it to go through. If you have an nvidia card, use their sound cancelation. But, open back are the best, bar none, for fps gaming.

Should sound drastically better and be a better well rounded choice for media consumption. The microphone on the PC38x is also stupidly good and made me feel wasteful when I heard it for the first time because my expensive dynamic mic(Rode Procaster) with an interface(Focusrite) was really not that much better. I got it for my mom who breaks her headphones constantly and it’s lasted years now so it’s also pretty durable compared to brands like Logitech, razer, and hyperx. It also didn’t sound far off from my HD600 headphones I used to run as my main music obsession headphones. I’d assume the tuning is only different to be more catered to gaming, but really they sound great in all situations.

I have these, very good sound quality and the mic is especially good for being a headset mic

PC38X is one of the best at under $200

Sennheiser has a solid line of gaming headphones. Their collab with Drop, the PC38x, are pretty well-liked/reviewed. Sennheiser itself is a solid company when it comes to audio quality as well

I consider myself a bit of an audiophile. I have many thousand dollar pairs of headphones, but for gaming, I always go to my Sennheiser PC38x’s. They are extremely light, sound great, and have a good mic as well with a flip up mute. I don’t think they can be beat for the money

If your budget can handle there is no other better choice then Drop + EPOS PC38x

They are open back headphones with a great microphone and neutral sound with a very wide soundstage, some people complaint that the clamp force is to much for them, both for me this was not the case (I am big headed by the way). Sometimes you can get them for 130$ when they are on sale. I own a yellow pair and I am super happy with them without using any external DAC or a separate audio card

Buying a wireless headset is always a waste of money if you are after pure audio quality since wireless still has some ways to go to reach the audiophile grade quality both its getting there. If I remember these puppies (PC38x) are available in some European retailer for 170 euros. Me I am from the West Balkans so you are in a better position than me when it comes to shopping. The thing about PC38x is that they are open back and sound way better than closed black, hmmm look for these ones, the got good reviews too: [https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/gaming-headsets/ca-9011370-na/virtuoso-pro-open-back-streaming-gaming-headset-carbon-ca-9011370-na?srsltid=AfmBOoosmw\_vVZ7eSBQHteXNuuZAcZGbgs-BkH8WB124v10VPaXsMCTp](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/gaming-headsets/ca-9011370-na/virtuoso-pro-open-back-streaming-gaming-headset-carbon-ca-9011370-na?srsltid=AfmBOoosmw_vVZ7eSBQHteXNuuZAcZGbgs-BkH8WB124v10VPaXsMCTp)

Drop + EPOS PC38x is all you need for gaming\\music\\movie - TV

I switched from pc38x to the razer blackshark pro v2 not too long ago, they’re both good headsets imo so maybe try the pc38x like others are suggesting, I’d say they’re more comfortable than the blackshark v2 pro, but maybe it’s just my ears. I will say though, the mic on blackshark v2 pro is by far the best I’ve personally used on a headset. I’ve bought too many headsets throughout the years looking for one with a good mic and this was the one for me. PC38x’s mic is decent, but I felt like it was too quiet

PC38x are great. I personally find them better than the HD560s in some games

900 Pro X for sure. The PC38x I found was better than the HD560S for siege but the 560s was good for apex and cod

Pc38x. You need nothing else

Can confirm this is the only correct answer

You can get various pairs of sennheisers and get a fifine microphone. Combo will be around $200 and will be better than anything you can buy comparably. Pc38xs are on sale for 140 rn. If headset is what you want you can’t get anything close to them for that price.

I have a pair of pc38x that I was happy with, however since they are open they let in sound so when my setup was moved to a louder environment I longed for something more closed and also wireless. So I tried multiple different ones, the Steelseries Nova pro wireless had good sound after some tweaking but I found them on the smaller side and a bit uncomfortable. The Audeze maxwells were great sounding, however quite heavy and very big cups. Eventually I came across a very good deal on some of the new Astro A50s that I had previously dismissed because durrhurr astros bad. Pleasantly surprised by the comfort and for a non audiophile they sound good, not like the audezes of course but good. So if you want wired in a more quiet environment, the pc38xs are great, I did have to put mine clamped on the box to loosen them for about a week or two since the clamping force was very high. If you want wireless, best advice I can give is try some and return them if you dislike them. I recommend Astro A50s wholeheartedly tho EDIT: Forgot to say, mic is very good on the pc38x and Astro a50. The audezes ended up being quite good after some tweaking in a third party eq software. Tweaked the steelseries too and the mic sounded better after some tweaking. Havent tweaked the astros or pc38x at all, good out of the box for me

don’t get noise isolation headset like hyper x , ppl will say they’re good but they’ve never tried open back audiophile headsets like Sennheiser , basically when they’re noise isolated it makes the sound waves in your headset not be able to escape properly making them bounce back and forth meanwhile when they’re not they escape the headset uniformly. All those 7:1 Surround headsets are a rip off and once you try both you’ll notice a massive difference.

Pulse Elite is no good if you want to hear outside world while gaming. Open back such as the PC38X or the H6Pro open back fit the bill. I can’t think of any wireless open back headsets though…

sennheiser hd560s if u can do without a built in mic, epos pc38x if u need one

While the Maxwell are the best option in their class overall, especially if audio quality is a criteria, specifically for competitive fos games you want dynamic open backs. I don’t how you would connect them to the ps5 (I’m sure they make dacs specifically for it) but check out both Sennheiser hd600 series ( which includes the hd38x, the hd490pro and several 600 variants - 600, 6xx, 650, 660, etc) and the 9 series Beyerdynamics ( dt900, 990, 1990 ). Source - me, have both Audeze and Sennheiser speakers and play a lot of fps. The Audeze are simply better for almost everything. Except footsteps in competitive fps games. Edit: just saw that you need a headset not just headphones - both Sennheiser (EPOS brand, PC and GSP series) and Beyerdynamic (MM, Tygr) have “gaming” options. You can also add audio-technica to the list too, they also have multiple options that will fit.

Mid end? PC38x easily

The pc38X is pretty much a 560s with a boom arm for significantly less. But yes a used hd800 would be the "best"

I own both pc38x and 560S and 560S is by far better . To be honest it's not even close, especially when you play competetive shooters. However they elevated at about 6k hz I EQed em but after a while my brain burned in and it didn't bother me. Pc38x are more expensive in central Europe and they have a problem with imaging steps too far to the sides than enemies actually are.

I can vouch for the pc 38x. I've tried a weird spread of headphones, and to me, diminishing return kinda hits at the pc 38x for fps gaming. It has really great imaging and audio cues.

>So my question is, what are the best headphones for guys with big heads? Any recommendations? We need a price-range. Also most "gaming" headsets are crap, that's why many of "us" switched to normal headphones + mic combos. My recommendations are *(heavy open-back bias for gaming)*: * SHP 9600 + V-moda Boom pro / ModMic 2 *(Budget)* * Aune AR5000 + Mod Mic wireless *(my favorite personal setup)* * Beyer MMX-200 *(good value)* * PC38X *(US* only [*Drop.com*](http://Drop.com) *+ all-time classic)* Earcup-size wise the SHP 9600 and Aune AR5000 are quite big and also fit most heads, with very good comfort. The SHP 9600 also have good after-market support for ear-cups/head-straps on Aliexpress. Than there are ofc the Hifiman Edition XS, with gigantic drivers and ear-cups, which i also really like, yet the headband design is very controversial, in either you hate it or are "ok" with it. While the Edition XS overall are excellent Headphones for Gaming/Music. Yet i personally like the Aune more for longer gaming sessions, while the Hifiman are for music or competitive gaming sessions.

Any good pair of open backs are good IMO. I use HD660s, sometimes PC38X, sometimes Focal Clears, sometimes cheap IEMs (Salnotes Zero 2 or Tangzu War'ner). Any high quality gear is good enough IMO. Some stuff has better imaging than others of course. Never used the HD 800S but they would be my endgame for gaming from what I have heard.

These guys don’t know what they’re missing out on. Senheiser’s PC38x blows all these out the water

P38x are fantastic

If you need a mic the pc38x. If not then tygr 300r, or the dt 900 pro x. I love my 900 pro x for apex, but also general use like YouTube and music.

I can recommend the pc37x/pc38x as well as shp9500 with vmoda boompro.

I’ll second this one. I’ve been using the pc38x for about two years now and aside from the plastic being a little creaky I have no complaints

I use Sennheiser PC38X and I’m happy with the sound. Soundstage isn’t HUGE by any stretch, but it’s spacious enough being open back. Plus the comfort is nice and sound quality is GREAT

If you need a headset with a microphone get the PC38x(Awesome Mic For A Headset). If ya don’t need a mic then get the HD 560s. My personal favorite and best value is easily the 490 Pro. Obviously 800s is the ultimate ones for most people.

Wireless: Audeze Maxwell Wired HeadSET: PC38x ~$200: 560s ~$400: 1.) Sennheiser HD 490 Pro 2.) HIFIMAN Ananda Nano ~$600: HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Those are the ones I would recommend based on what I have heard myself. IDK if I would value the Arya $200 over the Ananda Nano based on sound alone but once you factor in comfort I’d say for me personally it’s worth the extra money. The 490 Pro is by FAR the most comfortable to me out of any headphones I’ve used and still sounds GREAT! If you get the Ananda Nano or Arya Stealth I’d recommend some velour pads for them.

If going for sound quality AND continuing using separate mic, a pair of IEMs could go far. I have truthear hexa and I like them. Not the best, but very good still. If wired, the EPOS/Drop PC38x is good, with a good mic, while being relatively affordable. Not too familiar with wireless offerings.

Sennheiser PC38x are open back gaming headphones, that sound great for music too, and they have the fold down mic if you need it for gaming. I use those for gaming, and the HD650's for music. The open backs open up the atmosphere of the game. It's not all tight and pounding in your head. https://preview.redd.it/drv0wpjq0pje1.jpeg?width=802&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a58fb907f59addd61c15dd6899938f52235f176

No...no...no... please no. Instead, you should recommend the PC38X OR AUDEZE MAXWELL. Even the HD560s would be a better option.

Hey OP, as I'm sure you've seen at this point, a lot of people will have different opinions. The PC38X/PC37X is a great choice. But as someone in the audiophile community as well; everything sounds good until you hear something better. I've been recommending audio gear at a variety of price points for years and if you want to DM me I can ask a few more questions to get a setup that will be more tailored to your son's situation. If youd prefer a straight forward answer, the PC37X on drop.com is fantastic and works right out the box with no fuss.

I own the PC38X. It's fantastic.

wth can't even get those in my country

They don't fix it but they sure make it a lot better. settled for some sennheisers without a mic. last time I had to choose but for some reason the PC38X aren't available here.

This... The headsets last for decades, the same model you can buy today and still top.

the drop+EPOS/sennheiser pc38x & audiophile headphones in general is the go-to if you want to transform your listening experience completely it has superb audio quality since its practically studio headphones with a mic attached only thing is its open back which boosts the sound quality a ton, but leaks audio by design. excellent for FPS games though since you can pinpoint footsteps & other stuff much better

I have these, the sound is amazing. My only issue with these is sound bleed through to the mic. I got regular complaints from my friends until I switched my active mic from the headphones to my webcam.

A lot of people are loving the Maxwell. I don’t have it, but apparently it’s a super super high quality, comfortable, Bluetooth planar. Has a swoosh mic too. I’m thinking of getting a pair soon myself. If u really want a wired experience, hd6xx have been treating me really well. I have that, the sundara, and the PC38X and love them all.

PC38X or HD560S are probably the best options here. I've heard the maxwell is great but it's also very heavy and not suitable for long sessions. Another option you can consider is the hifiman sundara or ananda stealth, both of which are amazing for gaming due to their soundstage and imaging performance. I'd recommend a moondrop dawn pro for a dac/amp, but a dongle like the fiio JA11 should be fine as it's mainly to get a clean signal instead of plugging straight into your noisy PC motherboard. As for mic, a cheap $10 lav mic will be just fine. If you're looking for cheap USB mics, check out the samson meteor or something from Fifine.

I wish there were more open-back gaming options. I love my PC38X but outside of the Sennheiser ones there isn't much else.

audeze at first being a near audiophile quality headset. hd560s which are studio level neutral audiophile headphones at 4. followed by dt770's and drop epos. this list isn't nearly as bad as you put it.

PC38x have great soundstage for the price but they are built like dogshit pudding. I’ve went through 3 sets that all ended up with the same static issue and volume control knob problem. If you google it there is a lot of people who complained about this. Surprised it was recommended so much. I picked up some DT 1990 pros after saving up and my god, best set of headphones I’ve ever used by far. I play mainly FPS titles though.

Be careful, I went through 2 different sets of these that had a known issue with the volume knob and static becoming chronic. I eventually got a refund and bit the bullet and purchased a set of DT1990 Pros. They are amazing but I play FPS games a lot and they are mainly for that. It depends on what kind of games he likes really. If he needs a mic honestly, I would probably spend a little more and get the HD560s instead of the PC38x and get a cheap add on mic. They’re built way better and I’ve seen them on sale before cheaper than the PC38x. Edit: If they’re a Christmas gift definitely shop around Black Friday and cyber Monday, you’ll likely find a good deal for them.

I’ve had two and both had terrible instances where volume knob messed up around the 3-4 month mark and static and inconsistencies would be constant. If you google PC38X static issue you will get a pretty good amount of hits of complaints. Seems like the knobs fail and it’s a gamble of if and when. Other than that they were solid, but I went ahead and spent the money to upgrade to DT1990 pros and couldn’t be happier.

I assuming that you are not looking for an high end headphone. You can't go wrong with the HyperX Cloud Alpha as you mentioned. It's been overall known for its price and good sound. If he don't mind open back headphone, I would go for the Sennheiser PC38X (on drop.com), it got an attached mic on it. If he want into entry audiophile level + gaming then I would go for Sennheiser HD560s. For closed back headphone I would go for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless or the HyperX as you mentioned and lastly on higher price bracket you have the Audeze Maxwell.

It depends if you want something for competitive titles: A+ HD 490 Pro A+ HE1000SE A- Sennheiser HD 800s B+ 900 Pro X B+ DT 1990 B+ Sennheiser HD 560s B+ HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite The PC38X is a good option if you want something with a mic. I have seen it being recommended and i would say its between that and the HD 560s if your looking in that price range. If you're buying a headset without a mic and want one you can get a modmic. I would stay away from hyperX unless your buying the kingston model and are trying to stick to a budget. To get more info on any of the headsets i mentioned you can look up fresh reviews on YouTube the tier list is from his description and i have watched all the reviews on them and even tried some of these headsets. I can vouch for him since i have bought a couple of recommendations from him and i have been super happy.

If those are your only option I'd take either the Cloud Alpha or G Pro X, probably the Alpha as it is really comfortable. As other's have said though, none of these are particularly good. Unlike what others have said, there are good gamer brand headsets out there like the LucidSound LS50x, Logitech G Pro X 2, Astro A50, a few EPOS models. They're just generally overpriced. Like the G Pro X 2 is a really good $100 headphone with a $20 mic selling for $250. The LucidSounds are a bit pricy new but very cheap on the used market. The LS50x or the little brother LS35x can be found used for under $60 and $40 respectively and will beat anything on your list. Sennheiser Game One's can be found for under $60 and are another step higher, they're the headset version of the HD 598. In general, you can almost always buy a new headphone of equal or better quality + a desktop mic for a lot less money than a new headset. The main exception is the Audeze Maxwell which is frankly way better than standalone wireless headphones at its price. The PC38x is also competitively priced on sale, it's right between the HD 599 and HD 560S in quality.

*If you need a mic attached and want open-back: Drop + EPOS PC38X *If you need a mic attached and want wired closed-back: Beyerdynamic MMX300 Gen 2 *If you need a mic attached and want wireless: Audeze Maxwell (PlayStation version) *If you don’t need a mic attached and want open-back: Sennheiser HD560s *If you don’t need a mic attached and want closed-back: Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X All of these options are at or under $300USD MSRP

Currently wearing them. Did a lot of research, and these consistently came up as the best headphone with mic set. The mic is also super crisp.

I have and use both the Drop x EPOS PC38X & the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless, and love both of them. The PC38X has an amazing soundstage, great sounding microphone and is super comfortable. They are open back, just something to keep in mind. The HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless are amazing too. I often find myself using these over the PC38X's because of the convenience of wireless. I wear glasses and the clamping force on these near my ears are perfect, I'm able to wear these for hours without issue. The mic is great, and they last ages too. I love both but if I had to choose one, I think I'd go for the Cloud 3's.

PC38x does it all for me. Immersion, FPS, music, etc. Open back and good mic quality. great return on investment

DROP + EPOS PC38X. Massdrop x Sennheiser headset. It’s $140. The mic is great for a headset mic, it can be folded up and the headphones part are great sounding sennheiser headphones. For a headset it’s one of the best you can buy. It’s on the massdrop website. You can get the sennheiser version on Amazon too. They are called the Sennheiser Game One. The PC38X is a better headset overall though so it’s worth the little bit extra for that one. Before upgrading to stand alone headphones and a mic on an arm I used my PC37X(the older version) for about 5 years with no issues.

PC38X has good imaging for footsteps etc if you don’t mind open back. In any case i’d look at RedditRecs it aggregates reviews from reddit so it’ll give you some good options to consider and you can see what people have been saying

Main thing is that you’ll hear more of the surrounding sound (which shouldn’t be an issue because you said your surrounding is no noisy, but some people prefer to isolated sound feel). And if there’s someone next to you they might hear your audio. Yeah sound imaging meaning location of sound.

It’s crazy how this has been the best gaming headset for the last 8-10 years (different models obviously but the same sennheiser drivers just improved upon). And you can get it for sub $200, even down to $140.

Closed back is typically junk, as is wireless but if I was forced to buy in the category, the Maxwell is the only one I’d buy. Actually quite a good headset and even for music also. The PC38x is the best gaming headset as far as sound quality as the other person above recommended but if one wire is a deal breaker 🤷🏻‍♂️.

Sennheiser PC38X or Sennheiser HD560S with a separate microphone I have both and HD560S feels like cheating (CS2, Valo, Overwatch) Edit: I could only compare these to what I have/had: - Razer Blackshark V2 X - Koss KSC75 - Koss KPH40i - Moondrop Chu 2 (earphones) - Philips SHP9500 - Philips SHP9600 - Philips Fidelio X2HR - Logitech G535 Honestly, the Chu2 ($20) and KSC75 ($21) are enough in terms of sound quality as a baseline going forward. I personally wouldn’t drop more than $150 or more if I’m very unsure about how it may go.

Depends on what style of game. FPS, especially competitive, will have different needs than something like an adventure game, etc where theatrics and music quality is more important than pin point directional accuracy. For me, I have GSP 600 but want to grab the Epos 38x since I do a lot of Rainbow 6 Siege.

PC38X was the best headset I used until I discovered standalone headphones and a mic. The difference is huge. Price will most likely go up because some headphones need more power to drive them and you'll need a DAC/AMP for that. My Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro's are amazing. The ModMic is a good, cheap standalone mic. I started with that and ended up getting an Elgato mic some years later. Never looked back since.

Just seen your previous reply asking for recommendations outside of BD. The PC38X is the best “gaming headset” I’ve tried so you could look at that as well.

Similar in sound quality. Build quality is better on the BD. After using EQ to increase the bass levels on my PC38X, one of the cups permanently produced crackling. It was at this point that I ditched gaming headsets and went to headphones. If you’re not bothered about having good bass, the PC38X are a great choice.

I have them and yes , the microphone is fantastic, I WFH, and a few of my colleagues praised the sound quality of my microphone. They are not cheap but pretty much unique in the market.

Do you own them ? If yes, are you happy with them ? I wanted to buy these for my wife, as she keep borrowing my PC38X.

This is a the answer. I bought two, One for each of ny kids. Useable on their PCS and their gaming consoles. My daughter also uses hers for remote work from home zoom conferences!

Please ignore everyone else in this thread and go with the PC38X. Steelseries, Logitech, etc. are all garbage in comparison Great audio quality for the price, durable, open-back so if you yell for him he can't pretend not to hear you, and the Mic is solid as well. "Gaming" headsets are awful. Imo, best bet is to pick up a PC38X or DT990 Pro and use a separate mic if you wanted to spend more.

Drop Sennheiser PC38X, $139 on sale rn

Concur, gaming headphones and gaming chairs are all a gimmick. I got a DAC for my PC38X but it was fine with onboard sound as well. Beat headset I’ve ever owned (for a PC)

My fault, $139* on the Drop website

My fault, $139* on the Drop website

My fault, $139* on the Drop website

My fault, $139* on the Drop website

[Nope](https://drop.com/buy/drop-epos-pc38x-yellow-gaming-headset?mode=shop_open&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20546672818&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_keyword=&utm_placement=&utm_network=x:m::&utm_device=&mode=shop_open&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAtsa9BhAKEiwAUZAszfwHUpyzjvDHoUAYxc_LDZQnkD5J33RuW7uFAeTtI4nJX_tc6zYrJBoCHTcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)! It’s $139 though my b. They’re wired so they have no battery life, totally recommend a wired headset imo

Yeah that’s my b, it’s $139*

Sounds like you have a defective headset fam, that hasn’t happened with mine or my buddies

I have this, it's great. Falls into the rare niche of having legitimately good audio and a microphone that's good enough that no-one will ever complain that you're using it, without having to screw around with buying separate headphones/microphones. Note that it's an open-back headset, which is very unusual, and means you're still completely exposed to the background noise of the room when wearing it. It's a very different experience to closed-back headphones. I think the Tygr 300 from Beyerdynamic is the only equivalent option, and I don't really know anything about that.

The Sennheiser PC38X is $139 and runs circles around any HyperX headset. You can get the Sennheiser HD 560S for $130 right now and a cheap USB microphone that will outperform anything on this list. I have a Shure MV7, which is a USB studio microphone. No audio interface needed.

Iv had my pc38x forever. Its OK. Dont love it don’t hate it

Iv ha for a pretty long time, they are alright. To todays standard the sound is pretty meh. But acceptable and i don’t feel like a tool when i wear them

Definitely makes more sense to me if it's higher up though. Surprisingly good set of cans+mic for the price.

Yeah, mine does that for specific points of the volume knob. Since I don't use that to adjust volume though, it's not big deal for me.

Do not get the pc38x! the durability is shit, there's a huge problem with the knob that ruins the headphones within a year usually. not a good buy

Drop x EPOS PC38X. Phenomenal headset.

It's probably received the highest praise as far as gaming headsets go. If you ask an audiophile for a recommendation for a gaming headset, chances are they'll say the PC38X.

I had dt 990 and picked up pc38x off an auction for 40 bucks. They're both good but the dt 990's were just more comfortable for me.

Sennheiser PC38x have the best headset mic I've heard in tests. I use it myself and so do my siblings. Audeze Maxwell are praised as well and are wireless. IEMs are nice for the price but I don't personally love having things jammed in my ears for too long

Sennheiser PC38X are better for gaming, microphone + same neutral sound but bit a more focused due to less harsh fatiguing treble aka being able to pin point single audio cues better, the 560s sounds more flat & open which is harder to distinguish multiple sound sources

Yup go for this. Fantastic headset for the price.

Does he need a microphone? If not, get him a pair of Philips SHP9500, they’re $60-$90 depending on sales. If he does, the Drop+Epos H3X are fantastic for under $100. If you want to spend more, get him the PC38x off of Drop.com as they’re cheaper than off Amazon.

Px38X is $139 USD if you get the black one. I've had mine 3 years now and it's still perfect. 

Pc38x is what you’re looking for.

I bought these from this post... while they are nice, the sound is nice with more bass, but basically on par with my Cloud 1's. I didn't realize my Clouds were more open vs closed back... and would have gone with the PC38x instead which are open vs these as closed.

I just bought the hyperX cloud 2 from Walmart for $39, going to grab these and compare the two. I have PC37X’s for my PC and really liked them. If they have a warmer tone like Sennheiser then most likely I’ll keep these and return the cloud 2.

Have you considered headphones + ModMic if you don't want to give up the convenience of a headset mic? If so, your choices open up massively. as for just headsets the PC38x is probably still the best

And when the pc38x is amplified they’re amazing

open backs, decent bass, good for gaming = drop pc38x they're only $200 but they're the best open backs with good bass i've ever heard. ticks all of your boxes for half the price.

Best all in one gotta be pc38x, it’s just good to go, not the best at any one thing but just great as a whole. The best imaging/accurate headphones I own are the shure 1840. Super underrated gaming headphone. I don’t competitive game that much but everything is exactly where you think it should be at all times. It’s actually amazing. I switch between them and edition xs for games and use the 38x when chatting online. The Hifiman has way more detail, but midrange is a bit recessed compared to shure so if a game has a lot of air or ambiance I’ll use the xs but if it’s more competitive or requires precision I’ll use the shures. The pc38x doesn’t sound quite as good as either of them but still does a great job and is closer in performance than not.

PC38X with a Fosi Audio K5 Pro

Sennheiser PC38X

Yep, mine are EPOS, they're incredible with my Fosi Audio K5 DAC/AMP.

Just reiterating that the best "gaming" headphones are just "good" headphones. In the $200 range you have a LOT of options. In all honesty I can't recommend [Thieaudio Ghosts](https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Thieaudio-Ghost-Headphones-Detachable/dp/B0BRZTPWJN?&linkCode=ll1&tag=zazaphone-20&linkId=a5308167b39e011d28adaac6bc58e558&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) enough at their price point of $130. Swap pads to [Dekoni pads](https://www.amazon.com/Dekoni-Audio-Replacement-Fenestrated-Sheepskin/dp/B0D2BHBX8Y?crid=1VWV85JHFE6RL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cJhIJBKwO5vglrWhN6IjtP_ynnaWp1wKQnezH6JWd_kBt_qqEPTCpyJZx8UyIwis7Xy3Yt7OXj1gkgQBq6WfQ9wfE34lb3kouWAPGiCKFhbDqfPEZPCHxENnxdxunQ8zf2KmbEzBIISuoTql7TQ8OIaNtq69BgbYruHuVbROAk3n7lJsnWUok1be-pTLyXauT50FC1Y8GRht5AaxV99kGkRzNrRTICJAXdmAjeIO0lHWdaKVlSKLjDYbOQ-TXI1cnWLANDLOzD8l8o41Xxs1IINTRrFQDQkSU7k6xIhkpdU.-O5ohW06klpOW_3-zIGf4Tp_Pc1sTzZYQEf58lUYl8Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=dekoni%2Bpads%2Bmeze&qid=1730387619&s=electronics&sprefix=dekoni%2Bpads%2Bmeze%2B%2Celectronics%2C71&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=zazaphone-20&linkId=9838e140e341ebf67e53910203b82bff&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) and you have a $200 pair of headphones that sound as good as $500+ headphones. The only "gaming" headset that is worth purchasing (IMO) are the [PC38Xs](https://www.amazon.com/PC38X-Noise-Cancelling-Microphone-Compatible-Black/dp/B09Q7SZHKG?crid=1JFFAM3JY1SV6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pGeYIXWwoVvamtGmLJsuS8yEeyJPoLVUTq5mG5Wirh5GU-oKt0PuUTDvwdn-FnwMcNYui_6Rh-beAJUJ959qYxCW4JHyga0tK-Cj3XqqqIt3z6nYEY0b28XEOKV3WBI_3V6005E1JctG-WQBvg9hHl943I0a24FNJZFxGzkNz266AdGDkoqQdGb3eNZ1rIxTnyUk90V2VkAgk7s64rZCtV1lWjWBpfoB2qq0zzdrvTtEgtIqVTGClIWTquQ7VDB_RZDC99d9yhNSSuMWjv19X0CmmXi-LuQyvzwgWL1AZJM.pHwh4M-XAw3EPIUdxZBuPpNJnWWD7xjoiMSuutcw6-E&dib_tag=se&keywords=sennheiser%2Bgaming%2Bheadphones&qid=1730387678&s=electronics&sprefix=sennheiser%2Bgaming%2Bheadphones%2Celectronics%2C91&sr=1-1&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=zazaphone-20&linkId=acd935ac060097c689bc84380c34ef90&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) which are essentially Sennheiser HD5xx/6xx headphones with a decent mic attached to it. Something else to consider is a decent DAC/Amp setup to drive good headphones which can run you another $100-$150.

Beyerdynamic MMX 300's are incredible and use drivers from studio grade headphones. Build quality is tank-like. For open back I'd use Sennheiser 38X's.

I got the PC38X and I love them

I got a pretty big head too. I love my drop sennheiser pc38x (yellow). They’re super lightweight, flexible, and comfortable. Great sound quality for mic and hearing as well

Check out the PC38X. It's my go to and works on every platform. Open backs are great for fps games.

I can hear them perfectly fine. Everyone's hearing is different.

If you're thinking of the 599, you might as well get the PC38x. Since it's a headset (and a good mic too) you can save yourself buying a Modmic.

So, to distill, you want: Replaceable cable Modular repairability in general Seems you want a microphone? Not price elitist (but your upper bound seems to indicate you aren’t so cheap that you’ll keep buying crap). Factor to consider: If you don’t throw headsets around, spill things on them, take them off your head with one hand, drop or bang them on a table, wear them while lying on a pillow, bend the cable at a steep angle to get around things, remove/reinsert the cables often, etc… then the headsets mechanically should last over 20 years with only occasional earpad replacements. It definitely is nice to have a headphone where you can replace pads, cables, and other parts though, because inevitably we all do tug on the cable sometimes, or strands of hair might get into the driver housing. With that in mind, I do like how Sennheiser (who had a joint-venture with Demant group to make the EPOS gaming headsets) has designed many modular parts that can be replaced in the long term, not the least of which being the pads and the (single side) cable. Like others here, I’ve settled on the PC38X, and I only have one caveat of caution for you. It’s comfy without slipping around, it’s quality but light weight, it has the HD 560S drivers but a more fun/less clinical studio tuning, good sense of soundstage depth, and it hits your criteria of a replaceable cable and mic. The cable is a little bit scratchy, but I really like that it’s one-sided so you don’t have that Y that you can snag on something, and of course it’s replaceable (it comes with two!). It has a boom mic, but you can flip it up out of the way (which also disconnects it for a fast mute… fast enough to beat a sneeze). Pads are just a pressure fit, and Sennheiser and Dekoni sell replacements. My one caveat about the PC38X: I had the preceding PC37X since launch, and after about 5 years of DAILY use, the volume dial got a little wobbly and started messing with the Right/Left signals a little bit. I still use my PC37X sometimes today, it works normally as long as I wobble the volume dial a bit until the stereo sound comes back. I’ve also had the PC38X since IT was launched, and no problems at all so far because I set the volume dial to 100% and I NEVER TOUCH IT. I briefly tested the newer GSP 500 (open back) and GSP 600 (closed back) headsets, and it does seem like they made a more durable volume dial design, but wider heads may struggle with fit. The newest H6 Pro (open or closed model) seem like they MIGHT be the best of all worlds with a new headband (also, the mic is detachable, and the green/gold colorway looks SIIIIICK!), but I have no personal experience with it. Audeze Maxwell: it has various DSP/EQ presets, and unfortunately they chose a really weird one when Audeze brought it to demo at CanJam NYC this year. I have the older Audeze Mobius, so I know they can tune them well, so it’s probably fine with the right EQ… it is chunkier and heavier than the PC38X, and personally I get sweaty and uncomfortable with most pleather/leather pads – exceptions to the Sennheiser Momentum 2 and Dekoni “Premium” Pleather, the latter which is actually a “protein leather” made from eggshell membranes and actually feels softer to me than sheepskin. People seem to like the AKG K371bt too. Like other Bluetooth headphones, it has a mic built in, though you can also use it while hardwired. Harmon Curve, woo who. I bought one to test it out, but unfortunately it was broken on arrival, the drivers free from their mount and rattling around inside the earcup.

Pc37x or for just a little more the pc38x

I love my PC38X but my friends always complain about echo. Have you ever experienced that?

The Drop EPOS PC38X is still arguably one of the best gaming headsets you can buy. I also like the EPOS H6Pro series.

Sennheiser hd560s with fiio k11 dac amp little over budget but great combo, or Sennheiser pc38x

PC38X, HD560s, and DT 990. Check greentoe if you want Beyerdynamic headphones. You can get them for MUCH cheaper at around 120. They have a decent amount of other brands too. For a mic I would personally get some $30 fifine or maono mic. Or for $50 a fifine am8 if you wanted a mic that sounds better than any headset that's not too expensive.

This is the only correct answer

i used hs 80 max and Blackshark V2 pro 2023, they both sound terrible out of the box. I think my only headset that doesn't require EQ is the PC38X.

check for a sale on the Drop + Epos PC38x. its basically a sennheiser hd560s with a built in mic

Pc38x

No battery to worry about either

Pc38x is like a hd 569.

koss 30ikph for music, drop PC38x for gaming and most of the time for office work razer blackshark wired for the comfort and excellent microphone

sennheiser game one, drop pc38x, both are open-back so he will still be able to hear his real-life surroundings

Heads down best headset with microphone is Sennheiser PC38X, nothing comes close.

Pc38x honestly clears. But that's wired I have no clue about wireless

Alot of our customers loved our PC38X (or 37) for gaming. It is less expensive and designed for that use case. It is recommended so you might check it out. Alternatively, any of the suggestions listed here will work but you will need a separate mic with those. The HD 560S is popular too but doesn't come with a microphone either. A dedicated headset is best.

Or get the PC38X. Again not wireless but wireless headphones will suck until 300+$

The 3 big name gaming headsets that always come up are the Audeze Maxwells (wireless) , the Logitech g pro X2 (wireless) and the Sennheiser PC38x (wired) priced at ~ $300, $250, and $180 respectively, and I'd say they are all perfectly adequate for tarkov. A pricier option is the Audeze LCD-GX at $900, though you'd almost certainly need an amp/dac combo. If you want a separate mic and headphones for a similar price I'm quite pleased with my Sennheiser 560S and skylight 512 running through a Scarlett 2i2. There are plenty of other options though so happy shopping.

For me the HD560s are the best for competitive fps, they have very good soundstage and unlike most gaming headsets they also boost the treble range where footsteps happen so its easier to hear them, but watch out becasue for that same reason they can be fatiguing to listen to if you are treble sensitive. Personally they were great for competitive FPS but too fatiguing for Singleplayer games, Music, movies, etc and it wasn't something I could fix no matter how much EQ I did for this reason I returned them and bought the PC38x wich has flatter treble. So if you buy them just be aware of this.

The model below, the PC37X are usually around $100 and are also pretty damn good value in my opinion. It has a mic that's plenty for discord calls, pretty good sound stage, quality is most of the way there, especially for gaming. The GameOne or something like that is the closed back version and probably pretty good too. Those would be my $100 picks, $200 is pennies when it comes to audiophile stuff, but for your average gamer with a 3060/1660 PC (not $1000+), that's a lot of money to ask someone to spend on headphones.

Yeah I own the PC37X, the ear cups could be a bit better, but I think you're able to swap them, as my one minor gripe with them

I'll answer this on both as an audiophile and a PC enthusiast/builder/gamer myself, also as a bonus, a weeb like you. >Why is it when I search for the best headphones I get brands like audio-Technica and Phillips but when I specify “gaming“ headphones I get stuff like steel series and hyperX. This is pretty simple. It is mostly marketing. Audio brands don't market specifically towards the gamer audience, that's why you get default recommendations when you search online. >While I am doing some gaming on my PC I was also planning to use it to watch anime and listen to music so I’m wondering if getting good “gaming“ audio means sacrificing audio for other use cases. Or does it not really make any difference? When you look at human hearing, you'll see we have a frequency range that ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz. Without going into much detail about it, most "properly engineered" audiophile headphones are more tonally accurate, as to say, try to replicate what humans hear naturally in real life. This includes musical instruments like percussions, strings, wind, etc. However, when I say "properly engineered" that means the headphones can be as accurate as they can be because a lot of times, that is not the case. In some cases, some headphones are specifically tuned to have higher treble to have a better sense of accuracy and detail. The Sennheiser HD800 is the most famous example for this, as it has an elevated treble with dipped mids, that gives a sense of large soundstage and accurate imaging(where sounds are coming from) and detail, however due to that increased treble, it also can be fatiguing to people who are sensitive to treble. There's a lot of nuance to this, and I won't get much depth into it, just know that all humans have different pinnae, and it's one reason why headphones are notorious for tuning properly and why it can sound different to some people and why not all EQ can be the same for some people. It's why a lot of people contest Harman's studies, and it's also one reason why speakers are usually better in regards to actual accuracy, tuning and detail. It's another discussion, so we'll leave it at that. For gaming audio, for it to be really be a competitive gaming headphone, really in most cases, those headphones will just have elevated treble to have a finer sense of accuracy and imaging. In the case of you thinking if buying a "good gaming" audio sacrifices others for you...well it depends really. Just like how even in the audiophile community, not all "audiophile headphones are good", in gaming audio, "not all gaming audio is bad". I can tell you there's a lot of bad audiophile headphones out there that aren't tonally accurate, usually because some of them just try to add more flavor to the tuning to get a more defined sound that separates it from the rest, be it as a gimmick, or establishing themselves as a product. From tuning variations like elevated bass, dipped treble, etc. to engineering choices like angled drivers, use of wooden cups, damping materials, etc. So when people say "gaming audio" really it just generalizes that most gaming audio, are just badly tuned. So in that regard, there are actually good gaming audio that exists, one of them, surprisingly as far as I can remember, is Razer's own Opus, but it's badly priced so I wouldn't recommend it. There are cheaper ones like Cooler Master's MH752, to some premium ones like Sennheiser's own PC38x. These are all solidly tuned, and for most people it's enough. Now I want to go back to this point again >**...it depends really.** Depending on the kind and amount of audio you consume, going out of your way to get proper audiophile headphones can be an investment. And for most people that do venture on it, it an investment worth spending on. For daily consumption of media, you don't need one, but usually for music and to some extent gaming, it can really be worthwhile. The only difference between "gaming" and "audiophile" headphones really is, depends on what headphone, but usually it's just the level of quality, and usually this is noticeable even for newbies getting into audio. In my own experience, I came from having a HyperX Cloud 2 back in 2019, I bought an HD6XX as a recommendation from LTT back then just to start with something more "gear-focued" stuff at the time I was veering away from "gamer-marketing" trends. I bought an amp, a dac, and all three were just under $500 as I bought them all used. And I'll be honest, the first time I heard the HD6XX, I was just blown away, the music just sounded more crisp, the voices just sounded more detailed, and the timbre just sounded better, wayyy better than the Cloud 2. From a gaming perspective, honestly this has been something that's been discussed even in our community for a long time. And for most audiophiles, thinking about a headphone for gaming usually is just a dumb question because usually any would work. Most headphones that would benefit from gaming usually is for FPS or immersion, and those headphones usually would have higher treble elevation to have a more sense of accuracy and detail. This is why the HD800 is usually regarded as the premium headphone for gaming if you're an audiophile. And while there were discussions about some company, I forgot the name, that were making headphones for esports that actually have tuning profiles for certain maps in esports games to have better sense of accuracy, in most cases...it just doesn't matter for gaming. The only time it did matter to me was in the sense of immersion, like if playing an RPG, listening to the background music, the leaves rustling in the distance, the sounds of animals and people from across the map, those were the times that mattered to me. **TL;DR:** good gaming audio exists in audiophile headphones, and vice-versa with gaming headphones. It all depends on the engineering. So you look the model not the brand/marketing. Good gaming-oriented headphones do have higher treble for sense better detail, but that also exists with the audiophile headphones. So you can literally use audiophile headphones for gaming, like I do. Gaming headphones are usually catered to the general audience with AAC usually mixed in nowadays, audiophile headphones to the enthusiasts, but either one can be used for gaming/music, just more of one to the other due to their intended use. So if you're someone who's planning to at least listen to 320kbps MP3 music, flac, lossless, 256AAC or whatever, then audiophile headphones might be for you. Go to your local audiophile-centric store and demo their headphones first to get a good feel on it first if you do want it or not. You don't need to spend $1000 for a good set of headphones, amp/dacs, especially since more competent dongles exist now, you can get away without an amp. Just don't go delving too far down the rabbit hole like I did, as I went from $200 headphones to full-blown $5000 ones like the Focal Utopia.

If you buy Sennheiser you also have to buy a separate microphone for gaming. Not many options unless you're ok using a boom mic. The PC38X is the best option esp. when it goes on sale. Another one is the HD 599SE but no microphone same as the 560s.

I can't speak for the Audeze Maxwell, but I own both the HD560S and the PC38X, and the 1990s are much better just from an imaging and directional clarity standpoint. 

Paired with an Amp, it's the best money wise headset for every task out there, especially gaming ..

Have this headset and love it. But I hate the little volume knob that is included. I try not to mess with it but if it gets bumped out of position a little bit the audio can cut out from one speaker. Has anyone found a fix? I’ve thought about just trying to tape it in position.

Had my pair of pc37x for probably 6 years, dropped countless times. Other than the padding on the ears wearing down they’re as good as the day i bought them.

An HD560S with external mic is great. If you must get a headset then the pc38x is there

I have the DROP EPOS PC38X and honestly think they'd be higher if more well known, best mic quality of any headset I have ever heard and the sound is fantastic

I'd say build quality is a bit flimsy and the value is not the best due to relatively high price tag. Pc38x is definitely a better pick at significantly lower price.

Drop + Sennheiser PC38X open back headset ftw paired with a Roland Bridgecast (merges audio of MacBook + Gaming PC to one TRRS headset).

Ive got the epos pc38x's. My favorite headset ive ever had. Sound quality is fantastic and the microphone sounds better than any other headset ive ever used. As far as my 2 years with them have gone they literally look the same as the day i unboxed them and i have thrown them around and abused them plenty.

I have a pair that's 3 years old, and the volume knob causes the audio to cut out frequently. Looks to be a pretty common issue. Looks brand new, though, treated well.

The pc38x sounds pretty close to my hd 600 own both. +1 for the pc38x lightweight can get it for $110 for certain deals. Comes with two pads cables and no amp required! Mic is good enough as well

Sennheiser PC37X / PC38X. The equivalents from Sennheiser are good too but too expensive. There are alternatives like the Cloud 2, but nothing beats Sennheiser as quality, durability and mostly comfort.

I got a pair recently and the sound range is great. I have to double take during shows because some sounds are so distant and quiet but I can hear them perfectly in the mix. Makes it sound like it’s a real sound.

pc37x or pc38x depending on if you want/can use open back. dt990 dt900 steel series arctis 9 any of these will work well, all have their pros and cons. have you considered IEMs? you can get premium iems in your budget that will blow all of these over ears away.

pc37x or pc38x depending on if you want/can use open back. dt990 dt900 steel series arctis 9 any of these will work well, all have their pros and cons. have you considered IEMs? you can get premium iems in your budget that will blow all of these over ears away.

Pc38x sennheiser (might have spelt wrong) , hd6XX if you also have a dac/amp

Sennheiser PC38X if you want something plug and play. Sennheiser HD560s/Phillips SHP9500 + V-moda Boom mic are a solid budget option if you don't mind open back headphones ATH m40x/m50x + V-moda Boom mic if you want closed back in a budget. The HyperX cloud line of headsets are also not bad. They are based on the Takstar Pro 80 which is a pretty decent closed back. The mic is terrible though.

Drop-Sennheiser PC38X are about the best gaming headset for $200. Check out Joshua Vallour doing a review on yt https://youtu.be/hM1Z_8ZqeNQ?feature=shared My wife loves the pc38x

This might be a better fit for your budget https://youtu.be/zL2Be0bGY8U?feature=shared

That's the advantage of an open back that some people are suggesting, like the PC38x. I can still hear things around me well, and my ears don't get too hot anymore, unlike with closed back headphones

pc38x you can find em for $120. absolutely phenomenal upgrade over hyperx cloud 2s in audio/mic quality and these are barely even mid tier audiophile headphones. also, get them equalized properly, makes a big difference.

r/oratory1990 look for the pc38x preset and use one of the suggested programs to apply it, just read a little and follow the steps and it's easy.

I hated mine. They were heavy as shit and super uncomfortable. The sound is great, until they stop working. They were having huge QC issues, not sure if that's still the case. When mine broke I went back to my old EPOS PC38X sennheiser drop collab and they were so much more comfortable I struggle to even put my Maxwells back on. They did repair them, but made me pay shipping.

I haven't had any issues with them and I've had them for years now.

the drop - p38x are universally considered the best. they're super lightweight, open back so they have a great soundstage and tuned to perfection. you can find the yellow ones on sale pretty regularly on the drop website. the clamping force is a little tight at first, but i just wrap them around the box they come in until they break in. you won't be disappointed.

My pair of Game Ones just started to go out (lost audio in the left ear) after 9 years of use. Replacing it with a pair of PC38x to give that one a go since it looks like a better version, and I loved my Game Ones and expect to love the PC38x just the same.

Yeah the Sennheiser headsets are amazing, particularly the PC38X. Easily the best ones out there, especially considering the price. Audeze could be argued but they’re a bit chunky and FAR more expensive.

No one just looking for a headset cares to fiddle with separate mics, let alone deal with a fucking gigantic stand mic. Pc38x; H6pro open; or if you want old classics a pc360/g4me one, or break your bank for professional hardware.

>DT990 Pro and use a separate mic if you wanted to spend more. This is the best answer. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 560S open back headphones and a standalone mic. There's no comparison. PC38X is alright but I didn't love the mic.

Second this. I hate Bluetooth also. Cords always work and these are very comfortable. Open is so much more comfortable on the ears.

you got the pc38x and Audeze Maxwell very good mic quality from both of em

Totally agree with this. Just a bit of microphone gain tweak might be needed on Windows settings. (which is a very simple task.) No buggy software, no gimmicks, just quality Sennheiser audio tech (EPOS is Sennheiser gaming basically). It goes on sale as low as 119$, which I personally consider a steal. (Typical price is 169$) Lightweight and comes even with velour pads. A huge W.

It‘s also one of the few gaming headsets that is open-back, which gives a more airy and immersive experience. I’m using it both for PC and PS5.

Open back Sennheisser (Epos H6 pro or Drop PC38x) shit all over anything. I’ve had Astro A50s, plus top end of the following : Audio Technica, Turtle Beach, Hyperx, Audeze Penrose, Steelseries, Corsair, plus Beyerdynamic MMX 300. The Epos H6 and PC38X have the most natural tuning and best soundstage for direction audio perception. There’s a bunch of online reviews backing them.

You ask the best gaming headphone, and than you want Logitech, that is like asking to find you the best food in the word and than it has to be McDonald If you are willing to not use Logitech Sennheiser PX38x is the best at your budget

The DT770 Pro is a closed back, and to a lot of people it have a little too much bass, but even worst spikes in the treble. So for overall better, more pleasant and more consistent experience the PC38x (typo in my original post), I would choose it over the DT770pro

We have never been able to get an answer to this question from drop sadly. I would assume that once the drop + EPOS line sells out, there wouldn't be a restock, but also I've seen them restock the yellow PC38x twice now in the last few months so I just have no clue and your guess is as soon as mine.

They make the HyperX Cloud sound like dollar store headphones. Not even close imo. I own these and the PC38X, while the PC38X is better (and 100$ more), these are like 98% as good.

I got paranoid and ordered another yellow pc38x and 2 pairs of these H3X lol.

The mic is definitely not removable on the H3X. It does have the flip up to mute function tho or as I call it, the job saver. lol. I've used the PC38x, PC37x and H3X for work as well as play.

h6 pros are nice, with eq can be considered on par if not better than pc38x, while being much more comfortable (closed version stock pads, or open version with jerzee pads)