Headphones/Headset for an immersive gaming experience?

For computer use I'm forced to use Apple default earphones which by aren't bad but leave much to be desired especially in terms of how immersive my gaming experience is. They're also very open so sounds escape in. I don't want a speaker set-up (watching movies is with my home theather set up else where) so I was hoping that I could buy headphones/headset that block outside sounds and make me feel like I'm actually in the game. It seems that headsets simulate a better sound stage and directional sound ( or something along those lines) so I'm leaning towards those. This is for PC by the way but console capablity is a plus. I'd like it to be less than $100 but going a bit over is alright.I'm a bit more informed about headsets and it seems like the SteelSeries Siberia V2 USB(which includes a soundcard) and Razer Carcharias might be up my alley.

Don't purchase a headset or surround-sound headphones, get headphones + clip-on mic. I'd recommend not purchasing the ad700, seeing you care for immersion.

Yup, I do want isolation. As for being in the game, the atmospheric sensation and being able to pinpoint sound direction is what I'm looking for. I do not have a sound card but it seems like I could easily purchase the Xonar DG for about 30~ dollars (I'm in the USA) putting the budget around $70 for the actual headphones instead I guess.Leafboy102

I like my xonar DG, but i hate dolby headphone.

Razer carcharias is good though.

I haven't bought anything yet, but I saw Sennheiser HD 280 Pro which apparently goes for 150 dollars msrp but it on sale at Newegg for 60. How are the 280's compared to the HARX900s and M30s?

EDIT: Sold out, haha :P

A system doesn't have that much sound that one can enjoy each and every beat of song or can not even heard gaming sounds clearly..And as I suppose I can't enjoy games without its sounds..Sound has effect which motivates you..So I prefer headphones for immersive gaming experience..

Sorry for bringing back an old thread, but while looking at choices given in the thread. Customer feedback referenced that an open design would yield better quality. For $50-60 open headphones are there any that still provide the atmospheric sound I'm looking for, and would it be recommended I get that instead. I'm sure I can somehow make up for any outside noise.Leafboy102

Alright thank you for clarifying it up Boz :). Thank you everyone for all your input! The M30s' are on sale so it's the perfect time to jump :D.

EDIT: There was also the M40s for sale at the same price. Sorry for repeated questions, but should I get that instead? It appears to be the next in line in that series, at the same price, but not having much experience it's hard to determine if it's better.

You'll have to decide whats more important to you: isolation or the best possible soundstage. From my own experience, open back headphones are the way to go if you want the absolute best soundstage in games. Closed headphones can have a fantastic sound stage but they tend to get edged out by comparable open designs in this area.

If you plan on gaming in a setting with low ambient noise, I'd just stick with the open back designs. If you live in an annoying neighborhood, closed backs would be your best bet.

Definitively the best possible sound stage. I didn't know that they were on different sides of the see saw so I figured I could aim for both. A closed design would be only useful in certain situations as well, these aren't for a lot of public use and at home I'm far from the reaches of most sounds. So it looks like i'll be rebooting this thread: Headphones with a budget of $60 that a great sound stage, directional ques, atmosphere, and all that jazz I mentioned before.

(Choosing headphones is one heck of a buisness)