Every year since I've been able to work, I've always chosen one slightly expensive thing that I would treat myself to after working hard in school, and at the job I had all summer. I'm very careful with my money so after I buy this one thing, it is usually the only major purchase I have for the rest of the year (the odd game purchase, notwithstanding). After thinking forever on what I would buy this year, I finally decided and just purchased it via Ebay since nobody ships to Canada these days.

A brand spankin' new pair of Sennheiser HD-485 headphones! Now, I don't consider myself to be an audiophile by any means, but I do love my music and have a great appreciation for a good quality audio device. I wanted something that sounded good for gaming and music which is apparently kind of hard to come by (you get one or the other, rarely both). After many hours of research I narrowed it down to the HD-485 or the HD-555. As soon as I read that the 485s had better bass and mid range, I was sold. It also helped that they apparently sound really good with dvds and games.

My only concern is that their impedence, although significantly lower than the 555s, is 32ohms. I love the onboard sound my 750i FTW mobo gives me, but I'm a bit sketchy as to how it will handle these suckers. My only comfort is that, upon the review date, CNET said these were the standard for Ipod listening. If an Ipod can make them sound good, I'll be damned if my Mobo hacks it. Worse case scenario is that I purchase a cheap amp to make up for it, but I'll cross my fingers that it isn't necessary.

I'm excited to see how these things perform. They have stellar reviews and many gamers swear by them (many of them CS players, and if you can please those crazies then...). I needed something for nightime play, or when I just needed to be extra quiet for everyone else in the house. These will also allow me to more freely use my 2.1 speakers for my xbox and tv, although I'll be interested in how these headphones sound on them as well. Luckily, my 2.1 speakers came with a splitter for the audio inputs, so I can just plug the phones right in to that. Shweeeet.

In any case, from here on out it's strictly game purchases. I've been thinking about what I'll be for sure spending money on, and I can say for certain that the big three will be Forza 3, Mass Effect 2, and Modern Warfare 2. Those games will keep me occupied for a VERY long time, which is good because Blizzard will probably delay SC2 another five times before it's actually released.

That's it for now guys and gals, have a good one!

Cool.

Sennheiser is always a good choice. They are without a doubt some of the best headphones you can get. Playing through a game like Dead Space with a good set of headphones can instantly improve the quality of the entire experience.

 I love Sennheiser I have 3 pairs of headphones from them, a wise choice. 

"  I love Sennheiser I have 3 pairs of headphones from them, a wise choice.  "

" Sennheiser is always a good choice. They are without a doubt some of the best headphones you can get. Playing through a game like Dead Space with a good set of headphones can instantly improve the quality of the entire experience. "

I have a 750i FTW with a pair of HD555s, great combo. Considered buying a dedicated sound card but i'd rather not deal with the driver issues creative cards have.
 
However i purchase my yearly gifts too often...
 
Enjoy the headphones.

Cool, how much did you pay for them?

You should have considered a pair of Grado. I got a set of SR-80 and they are brilliant, clean treble with just enough bass so heavier songs don't get bogged down.

" I have a 750i FTW with a pair of HD555s, great combo. Considered buying a dedicated sound card but i'd rather not deal with the driver issues creative cards have.  However i purchase my yearly gifts too often...  Enjoy the headphones. "

" Cool, how much did you pay for them? "

" You should have considered a pair of Grado. I got a set of SR-80 and they are brilliant, clean treble with just enough bass so heavier songs don't get bogged down. "

Those things look pretty awesome, I'm not a big headphone efficienatto though. I still use the ones that came with my iPod, haha. 

" Those things look pretty awesome, I'm not a big headphone efficienatto though. I still use the ones that came with my iPod, haha.  "

" You should have considered a pair of Grado. I got a set of SR-80 and they are brilliant, clean treble with just enough bass so heavier songs don't get bogged down. "

I need some closed headphones, because I prefer not to have the intense sound leakage of open-backed Sennheiser Audiophile headphones. I've been considering these:  http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD448-Around-Ear-Headphones/dp/B002DGTGO0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251744942&sr=1-1 
 
Anyone know if that's a good choice, or whether theres a better choice from sennheiser or elesewhere? I don't need high-end Audiophile ones, looking to keep it around $120-$180. 
 
Oh and good choice, I love their phones, they just aren't my fav for public usage (use 550s at home all the time)

" I need some closed headphones, because I prefer not to have the intense sound leakage of open-backed Sennheiser Audiophile headphones. I've been considering these:  http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD448-Around-Ear-Headphones/dp/B002DGTGO0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251744942&sr=1-1  Anyone know if that's a good choice, or whether theres a better choice from sennheiser or elesewhere? I don't need high-end Audiophile ones, looking to keep it around $120-$180.  Oh and good choice, I love their phones, they just aren't my fav for public usage (use 550s at home all the time) "

Looks pretty cool. Nice.