Best wired Headphones for Steam Deck?

[MrTherandomguy42]

I wanted to get some good ones for my Steam Deck that are preferably wired (I have a few rhythm games). Unfortunately articles that exist to recommend said headphones I haven’t had much luck on, so I figured I’d have a better time asking on the Steam forums?

[Broseph Joseph]

koss portapro

[Mahjik]

What is your budget?

[MrTherandomguy42]

Originally posted by Mahjik:

What is your budget?

While I am not in a rush to buy one, I am willing to spend anywhere from $150-$500.

[Mahjik]

One to to consider which will be on the lower side of your budget: Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH

It's an "open ear" headset with the mic being optional (i.e. you don't have to plug it in you can simply not have it on the headphones). What's good about open ear is that when nothing is playing through the headset, you can hear around you. Comfortable.

I personally don't think the Deck is going to be strong enough to drive and take advantage of anything over $300. Not that they won't sound good, but I doubt they'll sound as good as something that could drive them well.

https://audio46.com/collections/best-headphones-under-500

[Affronter]

I see OP already selected the "best answer" after only 4 replies, 2 real suggestions. But I'm going to chime in anyway.

Meze Audio 99 Classics w/ optional Mic add-on to use a headset.

If audio is important consider these. While Audio-Technica make good cans too, there's a plethora of decent headphones out there. The Meze are pricier but better-built.

[Drak3]

There's no *best* set of headphones. It's up to preference for the most part.

If you're in public or a loud environment, I'd avoid any open back headphones (such as what Mahjik suggested) because everyone will hear your game very well and you'll hear everything going on around you. If you're just using them at home, and it's decently quiet, it's generally not an issue.
Also, open backs tend to not have the greatest bass, if that's what you care about. They tend to do mids and top ends really well, and are pretty consistently good with sound stage (how 3D stereo audio sounds).
I'll throw an open back recommendation in as well: Grado SR80X. They've got a really good top end, and it's an awesome set of cans for it. They're around $125.
If you want a mic with your open backs, I also think the Corrsair Virtuoso Pro headset is pretty good.

As far as closed backs go, Meze 99s and V-Moda M-100s are pretty good, with a decently strong bass that doesn't drown out the rest of the music. The Mezes are definitely more comfortable if you're wearing them for a long time, but the V-Modas fold into a smaller package if you want portability.

Now, my personal recommendation: IEMs. Specfically KZ ZSN Pros or ZS10 pros. They're $25 and $50 respectively, they sound good, you can get them with or without mics, and the cables are replaceable.
I'm going to give an honorable mention to FiiO's FD3 Pros, they don't come with a mic, but the cable is replaceable. They're $150, and they sound pretty awesome.

[Hellcules]

I have the white deck and the white wires Apple headphones work and match great. Lots of bass and they’re cheap. I personally can’t stand in ear buds.

[N]

Im a sennheiser man and always will be. the game one headset is superb with my deck!