The Audiophile Thread

[Candyman5]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

OK after years of using really bad quality headphones and such I need to get a good pair.

Here's the problem, I want to use them on my PS4, Xbone and PC and having a Mike on them would be pretty nice. I'm gaming 99% of the time with them so that's the type of headphones I'm aiming for.

Also I go from my living room Xbone to my bedroom Xbone multiple times so not sure if you can find quality wireless ones or not. The TV in the living room is a decent bit away from the couch and was wary of not having enough chord length.

I know there are a specific set of wants but I'm totally lost with headphones and such.

[Phobia]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

If you're looking at the Beyers you're going to want a dedicated headphone amplifier for them. You're probably going to want a DAC as well to deal with any potential noise from your computer's sound card.

Yea Razr, I'm planning to get the Schiit or a Fiio E17.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

What exactly does an amp help do when it comes to headphones? Make it louder, or just make reasonable listening levels more clear?

[authentic]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

What exactly does an amp help do when it comes to headphones? Make it louder, or just make reasonable listening levels more clear?

If it's anything like HT amps, it "can" create a warmer sound, crisper sound at higher volume, and increased volume of your speaker can handle it.


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[BigD]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Well after exhausted research, I've decided to change which headphones I'm going to save up for.

The Sennheiser 598s have the tremendous soundstage which is critical for pin pointing footsteps and such in FPS, the issue is the lack of bass. While I'm not a huge bass head, I could see where this would be a draw back in a game like Battlefield where explosions draw you in the immersion. If that bass is really lacking I could see myself being upset. I'm not a super competitive gamer and more gaming for fun so I looked more into that side.

These all made the cut.

First Choice: Beyerdynamic DT880 *A open-air design, but also packing good bit more bass than the Senn 598, decent competitive positioning, and clear highs.*

Second Choice: Beyerdynamic DT770 *Only closed design I might go with. Much more bass than any in this bunch. Much more "fun" style head phone with killer immersion in games like DeadSpace. Big sound stage for a closed headphone, but the bass can drown out tiny sounds making it not the best for competitive gaming.*

Third Choice: Beyerdynamic DT990 *Open-air design like I want and better than both the above choices. Problem is the price is out my current price range. These are the ones I REALLY want but I have to factor in cost also. If I can score these in the same range as the 880 or 770's then I'm grabbing the 990s QUICK!!!*

Final Choice: Philips Fidelio X1 *Open-air like I'm after but almost way out my price range in the $250 range. I'll do some searching but the best of this whole list.*

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Hey phobia, I've owned the X1's briefly and am currently rocking the DT's 770 80ohms. We are all different in terms of sound, but if you're looking for immersion with killer sub lows the DT 770's are flat out amazing. The X1's have a vast sound stage, an amazing open airy sound stage. The DT 770's give a big low sub bass that I love. I want to feel the explosions in BF4 and other games and the DT's give that. The X1's, again are so open and airy and vast. I'm not an audiophile by any means so I lack the proper terminology but The DT 770's are just amazing if you like sub low bass. Man, I'm listening to them now on my FiiO mont blanc and am in love! Highly recommend them if low sub bass is your thing. Definitely way more bass than the X1's, X1's for sure for more of a foot step focus and more of a competitive nature.

[Phobia]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

BigD, are you using the mont blanc on the ps4 or only pc?

How is the sound stage on the DT770s? Do far off gun fire sound distant and have space? My HD280s are so claustrophobic thats what pushed me for a open-air design.


Sent from da lil phone.

[Zer0xray]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Might be a dumb question-but if i'm not using speakers with my onkyo receiver, is there a point of using the receiver other than a hdmi switcher? i bought a astro mixamp and a pair of vmodas so i've been using that. the receiver seems unneeded right?

[BigD]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

BigD, are you using the mont blanc on the ps4 or only pc?

How is the sound stage on the DT770s? Do far off gun fire sound distant and have space? My HD280s are so claustrophobic thats what pushed me for a open-air design.


Sent from da lil phone.

I use the Astro mix amp on the ps4 and sometimes connected up the Mont Blanc if I want some added wallup. Surprisingly, the added amp isn't necessarily needed on the PS4 as the mix amp does a decent job of driving the 80ohms. I primarily only use the Mont Blanc when listening to tunes on the PC or the phone.

As for them being a closed set of cans I will say the sound stage does feel open. Gun fire and explosions sound distant for sure but no where near the X1's. The x1's were my first set of open cans and my first impressions of those sounded like I wasn't even wearing head phones; they were that open and airy, again, they sounded phenomenal, just lacked a bit of low end. Anyway I never once thought the 770s sounded claustrophobic. I had the A40s briefly as well and those sounded like I was in a cave. Not sure if you've ever used those or not for comparison. And again, I don't use the 770s for competitive play but I'm sure through tweaking or presets if your going to use them for that you could. The fun factor though is where the 770s shine.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Might be a dumb question-but if i'm not using speakers with my onkyo receiver, is there a point of using the receiver other than a hdmi switcher? i bought a astro mixamp and a pair of vmodas so i've been using that. the receiver seems unneeded right?

I don't see a reason unless you have too many HDMI cables for your TV.

[Phobia]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I use the Astro mix amp on the ps4 and sometimes connected up the Mont Blanc if I want some added wallup. Surprisingly, the added amp isn't necessarily needed on the PS4 as the mix amp does a decent job of driving the 80ohms. I primarily only use the Mont Blanc when listening to tunes on the PC or the phone.

As for them being a closed set of cans I will say the sound stage does feel open. Gun fire and explosions sound distant for sure but no where near the X1's. The x1's were my first set of open cans and my first impressions of those sounded like I wasn't even wearing head phones; they were that open and airy, again, they sounded phenomenal, just lacked a bit of low end. Anyway I never once thought the 770s sounded claustrophobic. I had the A40s briefly as well and those sounded like I was in a cave. Not sure if you've ever used those or not for comparison. And again, I don't use the 770s for competitive play but I'm sure through tweaking or presets if your going to use them for that you could. The fun factor though is where the 770s shine.

Thanks for the insight Big, I'm pretty sure I decided what I'm going to do.

I'm going to grab a pair of 598s AND 770s. Use the 770s on atmospheric games such as Deadspace or up coming Until Dawn. Then use the 598s for my competitive shooters like ARMA, Insurgency, COD, BF, etc.

The 598s are 60 ohm and if I can score the 80 ohm 770s then I can just rock one amp/dac that can push both easily.

My current debate is do I go with virtual surround like the Astro Mix Amp, or go with a good stereo amp like the FiiO E17? I'm leaning the E17 because I've used plenty of VS on the PC and it normally degrades sound, while not providing much different than good stereo sound for positioning. The last several years I've moved away from virtual surround processing.

The FiiO E09k + FiiO E17 docked + Senn 598/DT770 would be my perfect setup.

[BigD]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

That entire setup sounds awesome Phobia. I'm glad your giving the 770's a shot, they kick some serious tail. Let me know how you like them.

[authentic]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Thanks for the insight Big, I'm pretty sure I decided what I'm going to do.

I'm going to grab a pair of 598s AND 770s. Use the 770s on atmospheric games such as Deadspace or up coming Until Dawn. Then use the 598s for my competitive shooters like ARMA, Insurgency, COD, BF, etc.

The 598s are 60 ohm and if I can score the 80 ohm 770s then I can just rock one amp/dac that can push both easily.

My current debate is do I go with virtual surround like the Astro Mix Amp, or go with a good stereo amp like the FiiO E17? I'm leaning the E17 because I've used plenty of VS on the PC and it normally degrades sound, while not providing much different than good stereo sound for positioning. The last several years I've moved away from virtual surround processing.

The FiiO E09k + FiiO E17 docked + Senn 598/DT770 would be my perfect setup.

Go with the stereo amp. The clarity will surpass the depth of an amp like the mix amp. With headphones, clarity tops all and a good quality amp is important. The mix amp might provide more sound depth, but it will be average sound.


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[Phobia]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Go with the stereo amp. The clarity will surpass the depth of an amp like the mix amp. With headphones, clarity tops all and a good quality amp is important. The mix amp might provide more sound depth, but it will be average sound.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yup, I decided the same.

I'm a new owner of a AKG K612. I decided it over the HD598. It features much of the same balanced sound sig but much better bass. Only down side is 120 ohm, so I'm forced to amp them.

So what I'm thinking is this setup for both PC/PS4. Sub sound card for PS4 optical out.

Magni Amp
Modi Dac

[Phobia]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

So my AKG K612s should be showing up today.

I also went a slightly different route for amping. I chose to buy a Sound Blaster Z, it powers up to a 600 ohm headphone plus has a optical IN. So I can run my optical cable from the PS4 to the Optical IN on the card. Then plug my headphones into the headphone jack on card. This will allow me to use both my PC and PS4 without unplugging anything.

[Phobia]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

My AKG K612s arrived yesterday!! I was able to test them out on a couple different games. First impressions, I'm really impressed with the open-air nature. I never knew a headphone could really sound like a real surround sound speaker system. I found myself looking over my shoulder a couple times thinking a sound was coming from another room but was instead in the depth of the sound stage.......really neat!

The highs are really crisp and I was sonic creeping on people. I could hear peoples footsteps plain as day through walls that I never heard before. I felt like I was cheating at times hahaha.

The bass was tight and featured plenty of low rumble for my liking. They are far from a bass heavy phone but still provided plenty of bass in my opinion. Interested to see how the Z card can help in this area with a little equalizer.

The mids I felt were set back and I was not happy with it at first. They were being covered up by the highs and bass, but it was not till I cranked them up that everything seem to balance out more. The mids are still my least impressed area of the phone, but I'm hoping some burn in and amping will correct this.

Now the big factor......comfort..........WOW. No joke, these are the most comfortable pair of cans I've owned/wore and now see why people complain about Sennheiser clamp force. I came from the HD 280 Pros to these, its like going from a pleather vice, to two gentle pillows pressing on the sides of my head. While they are super light, I did get a slight discomfort after couple hours from the leather headband. I'm thinking a wool wrap like they sell for the Beyerdynamics would help give it just a touch of padding.

Overall in my short time (6pm to midnight) I feel like I made the right decision to go with the AKG 612s. They appear to be everything I was after. Now just to wait on my Sound Blaster Z to come in!