DS Daily: Headphones

by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 4th 2009 at 10:30AM }

While there's a lot to love about the DS (obviously, or we wouldn't be here), the pitiful little speakers aren't exactly the system's most shining aspect. A lot of cases have room, or even special slots, for headphones, and earbuds are certainly very portable ... but do you use them? Do you use them often? Maybe even with every game, at least, whenever you can? Or do you only pull out the 'phones when necessary?

Tags: headphones, music, speaker

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Bowser Rogozhin @ Jan 4th 2009 10:41AM

Music in video games isn't of a sufficient standard to warrant headphone usage, Silent Hill 2 being the exception, of course.

Listening to screechy midi isn't my idea of fun.

Bowser Rogozhin @ Jan 4th 2009 10:42AM

DS midi that is.

chispito @ Jan 4th 2009 3:41PM

I think, on the contrary, it has great audio quality. But then I like video game and synthesized music, including "chip tunes." The DS hardware, as Nitrotracker and the DS-10 have shown, is capable of astonishingly good audio quality, especially given that 95% of the people who own one would never know (such as yourself).

lasersanchez @ Jan 4th 2009 4:31PM

Silent Hill 2 for DS? What?

Plenty of games have awesome soundtracks, and many are of high fidelity. For example, games with the words Final Fantasy or Castlevania in the title.

Dopple Boppler @ Jan 5th 2009 12:38AM

Chrono Trigger respectfully disagrees.

GalileoAce @ Jan 4th 2009 11:00AM

Some games have fairly decent audio that is badly distorted by the DS' speakers. I use headphones for such games.

JonEthan @ Jan 4th 2009 11:21AM

I use a set of headphones for my ipod and DS, tend to keep them around my neck when I'm not using them. Not earbuds though, I can't stand those things. I use a Philips SHS5200, they're around $10-15 and sound so much better than even Apple's $30 in-ear buds that everyone seems to love so much. Not to mention the behind-neck design lends itself well to just hanging around my neck when not in use.

Puddles @ Jan 5th 2009 12:19AM

The Sennheiser PX100s do the job perfectly for me.

Shin @ Jan 5th 2009 9:59AM

Same with me! I use a pair of Skullcandy headphones though!

Mert @ Jan 4th 2009 11:23AM

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headphones_audiophile-headphone-hd555-surround-sound?Open&path=private_headphones_audiophile-headphones
Yarr. FFTA2 sounds awesome with headphones.

rikki @ Jan 4th 2009 11:55AM

You, sir, are a man of wealth and taste. Sennheiser FTW.

Anthony @ Jan 4th 2009 12:29PM

yes, everybody loves the headphones that are massive compared to your ds.

Jacksons @ Jan 4th 2009 3:27PM

The portable, folding Sennheiser PX100 seems well beyond capable of reproducing any audio the DS puts out.

chispito @ Jan 4th 2009 3:34PM

I have used HD5555s before with my DS. The problem is of course that they are huge, open (that is, they do not seal against ouside noise), and have a ten-foot cord that terminates in a 1/4" plug.

Tim @ Jan 4th 2009 10:54PM

Mert, thanks for introducing me to the Sennheiser brand. Heck, before Senneheiser, I even contemplated getting a pair of Bose QuietComfort headphones.

Oh yes, headphones give game bgm's justice. Luminous Arc 2 is a testament that I can personally admit to.

Ashe @ Jan 4th 2009 11:39AM

I use earbuds all of the time with my DS. The sound is so much better and I believe that the music/sound effects are an important part of the games. I prefer earbuds because they are easy to keep in my pocket, especially since I have the retractable kind.

JonEthan @ Jan 4th 2009 11:51AM

No doubt. I really wanted to get into the earbuds because they are so easy to take everywhere, but they always give me migraines, so I was forced to look for an alternative.

Anthony @ Jan 4th 2009 12:30PM

I just like using my iPod headphones...

They have excellent sound.

The build-quality could be a tad better, but they are nice.

Jacob @ Jan 4th 2009 2:29PM

iPod headphones? Isn't it better to cut your ears off than to use those things? ;)

I only use headphones if:

a) I'm playing a game that truly deserves them (ff4).

b) I'm in a crowded place where it would be rude to have volume on.

Barry @ Jan 4th 2009 12:30PM

I don't use headphones or earbuds when playing my DS. Turns out Wild World doesn't have good enough audio warrant such accessories. And I don't play Guitar Hero On Tour because it looks stupid. I think World Tour might be the last GH game I get because of how many music games (GH and RB in particular) are coming out in such a short time.

Nadril @ Jan 4th 2009 12:32PM

I use some pair of like $15 bud headphones that are actually pretty nice. Of course, I only use it when needed -- such as if I am on a plane or something.

rikki @ Jan 4th 2009 12:38PM

I tend to use these since I take my DS and PSP all over the place:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11039654

Widely-available cheapies, so when the current pair breaks I can get a replacement within a half-hour regardless of where I am.

But if I'm near my computer, I'm probably using these: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=005179

Zero @ Jan 5th 2009 6:33AM

I own the exact same headphones and really enjoy them. Extremely comfortable and the sound quality is above average. Not great for noisy environments (pretty much worthless on an airplane) but in most situations they are perfect.

The plug fits a first gen iPhone too!

Phil @ Jan 5th 2009 12:37AM

I absolutely agree with you about those Sony headphones. Good sound quality hour after hour with no aches or ear funk. When you aren't using them you can just hook them together behind your neck.

miruki @ Jan 4th 2009 12:49PM

I am using my headphones whenever I'm playing a game with sound on (mostly those games that have voice acting) - I'm in fact using them so often that it's already my third pair of headphones since I got my DS lite. I've always used in-ear ones before but my ears start hurting after a while, especially when I play before going to bed, laying on one ear on my pillow - so this time I bought the 10� clip-on thingers from Nintendo - which are pretty nice for the cheap price! :D

Roto13 @ Jan 4th 2009 1:07PM

I hate earbud 'phones with a passion. >_>

I plugged in my massive clunker headphones for the first time in forever yesterday (for The World Ends With You) and one side was broken. :(

FantomRedux @ Jan 4th 2009 1:30PM

I tend to use my iPod ones, since I always have my iPod and my DS on me. When the iPod ones inevitably break, I'll probably get a pair of round the neck headphones.

BobaWang @ Jan 4th 2009 1:32PM

I am huge fan of skullcandy gear just because its cheap, comfy, and sounds better than normal. I am not one to spluge on headphones anyway, Don't take care of them as well as i should.

I would like to try some Hats with built in headphones. Burton offers a line of beanies with built in headphones that are of snowboarding. But gaming should look just as good. I love listening to my TWEWY soundtrack anywhere.

Actually if anyone is reading this can anyone suggest and good gamer gear and gamer clothing websites? I been looking for the splitreason.com linked shirt in medium but its sold out everywhere. I like rocking the gamer fashion.

Jeesh @ Jan 4th 2009 3:04PM

I was just thinking why havnt nintendo launched a market for head phones for the ds. i would buy them. maybe like noise blockers some thing decent.
I use head phones every game for handheld stuff but on the consoles it has to be surround sound :D

rodjoh @ Jan 4th 2009 1:34PM

I actually couldnt stand the pathetic DS lite speakers... so I bought one of those speakers that u mount under the DS that double as a grip. It obviously doubles the size of it all... but its now ubber loud. AND it does improve holdin the damn thing.

RootiePatootie @ Jan 5th 2009 9:04AM

OK.. so I never saw this speaker that fits under the DS and I'm curious about it. Will it fit the Lite? Your comment caught my attention because you said it made holding the thing easier and that's my interest. Not the sound but something to make the Lite a bit easier to hold. My old DS Phat is easy on my hands but I love the brighter screen on the Lite but holding it can be downright PAINFUL at times for me, especially during a long session. So, can you or anyone tell me where to find out more about this add on??? please??? Thanks! :)

aj @ Jan 4th 2009 2:00PM

I can't stand ear buds. They're really awkward and painful.

I had a pair of headphones I used to use with my DS, but then I realised that 90% of video game sound design is really, really bad. So I just play my DS on mute and either listen to whatever sounds happen to be happening near me.

Lycoris @ Jan 4th 2009 2:01PM

I use them all the time, partly because it sounds better with the headphones I use (don't ask what kind, my brother just handed them to me and declared that they were mine) and partly because I learnt very quickly that no one wants to listen to the music coming from my DS. Particularly TWEWY because of the J-Pop style.

NetOperator Wibby @ Jan 4th 2009 2:10PM

I highly despise earbuds, they aren't comfortable and I don't like the idea of sticking things close to my eardrums. Big headphones all the way for me! Here's what I'm currently using: [ http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/HPM1000.aspx ]

Anthony @ Jan 4th 2009 2:20PM

yeah, because having centimeter small speakers next to your ears is worse than having three inch wide speakers next to your ears.

Josh @ Jan 4th 2009 2:41PM

The DS Lite has much worse speakers than the DS, btw.

Anyway, I don't use headphones, because I just connect my DS to my PC speakers. Sounds much better.

Jacob @ Jan 4th 2009 7:27PM

I'm going to have to disagree there. The DS lites aren't much better, but to me, they seem to have better bass and are a little less tinny.

To be honest, I don't really think the DSes speakers are that bad. They do a decent job with the virtual surround thing, and the volume is plenty loud for most scenarios. Only when you're in a loud place do you need the extra volume, and generally in those situations its more polite to just go ahead and use earphones anyway.

darksamus @ Jan 7th 2009 12:41AM

I use headphones all the time with my DSphat.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/internet_headsets_phones/devices/2986&cl=us,en

Picked them up for $28 at Best Buy. Not only an awesome headset for Quake4 and Lost Planet: Colonies on PC, but also a well designed pair of headphones for some rounds of Castlevania on my DSphat. Normally I would much prefer my awesome Creative earbuds, but they died and the headset was a gift from a relative.

@Jacob
Since I came to own both a DSphat and a DSLite, I have found that the DSLite's built-in speakers actually are very very very slightly lower quality than DSphat and that the DSphat's speakers (and headphone jack, surprisingly) have better bass than the DSLite. While I did pick up on this in games, I mostly discovered it through homebrew-based music playback.

NetOperator Wibby @ Jan 4th 2009 2:56PM

@ Anthony:

There's an obvious difference dumbass. One's *inside* your ears, the other is *outside*.

chispito @ Jan 4th 2009 3:52PM

Regardless of wear the drivers are, the main factor you want to pay attention to is how loud the music is. In-ear headphones benefit from sealing out a lot of ambient noise, which allows you to hear the quieter parts of your music without having to turn it up as loud. Noise cancelling over-the-ear phones, while not usually that good in sound quality, provide the same benefit.

bdog @ Jan 4th 2009 3:07PM

I use headphones almost every time i play my DS, with exceptions to games with meh sound. Game's music and sound is very important to me, and headphones make it 10 times better.

chispito @ Jan 4th 2009 4:12PM

Being a headphones afficionado, allow me to consolidate some advice from my own experiene (I've owned all of these, with the exception of the Koss clip-ons, which I borrowed for quite awhile).

These clip-ons have great sound quality for the price, and provide you with over-the-ear comfort without messing up the 'do you just spent 30 minutes on. http://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231102789&sr=8-2

These other Koss headphones are my workhorse, go-to travel phones. They look ugly as sin, but are very comfortable and you might like the retro appeal of the asthetics. http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231103025&sr=1-1

For airline travel, or when you want something lower profile, these Sonys are good for the money, with great bass. The only problem is the cord seems to disintigrate on some people after awhile. It didn't happen on me--I lose one of the rubber fittings first. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-EX51LP-Fontopia-Headphones/dp/B000095SB6/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231103155&sr=1-24

These Sennheiser in-ear phones are essentially the same as the ones that come with Zunes. While not really any better sound-wise than most of the Sony in-ear phones, they won't have that cord issue. http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-CX300-B-Earbuds-Black/dp/B000E6G9RI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231103301&sr=1-1

And, finally, if you want to spend some more money, use a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter, and manage a really long cord and giant headphones that don't block out any external noise at all, I love my HD-555s (note they are cheaper from Amazon, though not currently in stock) http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD555-HD-555-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B0001FTVDQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231103408&sr=1-1

Nightwish @ Jan 4th 2009 7:36PM

The CX-300 are definitely nice, mate. They showed me it is worth it to spend a bit on head-phones. If I cared more for music I'd buy more expensive ones, but those sure show a lot more depth in what I listen to.

Sia @ Jan 4th 2009 4:25PM

I play on mute or if I'm at home I just put my itunes on.

I hate it when I'm in a very public place and some little kid is playing their ds with the volume on as loud as possible and all I can hear is "do-do-do-doooo-do-do-do-doooo" or something of that effect.

Yeah, I'm a grouchy old gamer.

RootiePatootie @ Jan 5th 2009 9:13AM

From one grouchy old gamer to another, I agree. Nothing worse than some kid playing with their handheld gaming device in public, especially somewhere like a waiting room where you're stuck for awhile with this, and hearing the same noises over and over and over. ARRGH!

Me, I a pair of good ear buds I purchased for my use with personal music devices, my iPod, Rio, shortwave & FM radio, etc. I use them when in public or at night/early morning when I'm doing the insomnia thing, which I do often, and don't want to get up but want to play with my DS. This way it doesn't wake up the hubby and I can still hear the music. Although some games I find it fine to just play with the sound off. If I'm out in public with my DS I use the ear buds, which I usually have with me because I usually have the iPod or Rio with me, or I just shut the sound off.

I don't think the sound on my DS, especially my Lite, isn't that bad with most games. But it is what it is, game music on a portable device.

When I need to keep the sound down on my PC, where I mainly game, I use an older but extremely good pair of over the ear headphones (aka cans) that I've lovingly had for some years. The only time that changes is when I need a headset and then I have a Rocketfish headset that is awesome. Rocketfish is Best Buy's own brand and this headset is incredible. If I don't need to keep the sound private I rock my world with a fabulous 5.1 system I splurged for on my computer a few years back.