*TPU's Gaming Headphone/Headset Thread*

[n-ster]

Is there a "best way" of burning in headphones? I listen mostly to R&B and a little Rap.

 

[Fourstaff]

Is there a "best way" of burning in headphones? I listen mostly to R&B and a little Rap.

Don't think so, but I normally advise people to play a music on loop overnight. Not at max volume, only slightly higher than their normal volume. Also, some headphones don't really benefit from burning in, and most of the time I just use my headphones and let it burn in slowly.

 

[BumbleBee]

Is there a "best way" of burning in headphones? I listen mostly to R&B and a little Rap.

pink noise, medium volume in the closet for x hours.

 

[-1nf1n1ty-]

(Back to talking about the akg701/2) Would I be fine if I were to get the amp later (maybe a month or so?)

 

[Ra97oR]

Just use it with pink noise at listening level. If possible leave a bit of silence every once in a while just to safe guard it won't overheat the voice-coil and the glue.

Ninja'd: Yes, you might not be able to listen to it's proper sound, but it is more than listenable.

 

[n-ster]

Thanks everyone I've heard SRH750DJ really shine after burn-in. What is sad is that I just sold my computer so no more sound card = me sad

Would the SRH750DJ benefit from an DAC/amp or anything like that? I won't have a desktop computer until end April/early May (Ivy or SB-E and 7XXX or NV's new cards ) and until then I have a 12" 2530p Elitebook. I'd like to buy something I'll be able to use on my desktop but if possible on my laptop as well. I also like to use a slight EQ. Don't worry I'm starting my research on head-fi as well

Hmmm, I've heard a sound card is useless compared to DAC + AMP for music. I'd be looking for a sub 200$ budget most probably for the combo. If there are obvious advantages/futureproofing for going over 200$ I'll consider it though. I'm pretty sure I want to purchase a DAC and amp as it would be useful for my desktop and I intend to listen to music a lot, as well as get new headphones every year or so

 

[ufgy20]

Well just got my new headphones today.. to bad the plastic is cracked D: (its on the headphone on the right

 

[BumbleBee]

sorry to hear.

 

[Ra97oR]

Thanks everyone I've heard SRH750DJ really shine after burn-in. What is sad is that I just sold my computer so no more sound card = me sad

Would the SRH750DJ benefit from an DAC/amp or anything like that? I won't have a desktop computer until end April/early May (Ivy or SB-E and 7XXX or NV's new cards ) and until then I have a 12" 2530p Elitebook. I'd like to buy something I'll be able to use on my desktop but if possible on my laptop as well. I also like to use a slight EQ. Don't worry I'm starting my research on head-fi as well

Hmmm, I've heard a sound card is useless compared to DAC + AMP for music. I'd be looking for a sub 200$ budget most probably for the combo. If there are obvious advantages/futureproofing for going over 200$ I'll consider it though. I'm pretty sure I want to purchase a DAC and amp as it would be useful for my desktop and I intend to listen to music a lot, as well as get new headphones every year or so

I have heard a lot of higher end DAC like the m903 and DAC1, while not on HD tracks. I found the sound is comparable to my Essence modded line-out. I think after a certain quailty level, the main constraints are the amps and headphones. Unless you are after a balanced setup, even a top tier sound card will sound like a good DAC. While a good DAC have more connectivity options and features, it is often a lot more expensive and rather understandable why it is.

Note that a noisy PSU might affect how a sound card work, I don't have any problem with my PSU which is one of the cleanest PSU you can get in the consumer market even now.

However I really cannot recommend a great DAC+Amp for 200USD, seeing just the Essence will nearly top the budget and a decent amp cost a lot more than the Essence.

 

[Kursah]

You might look into the Fiio E10, or e7/e9 too n-ster, I've heard some people have had really good results with both. I'm tempted to try the e9 to see how much more power it puts out in comparison to my Auzen Forte's built-in amp. Both amps support 16-600 ohms, the E9 does 1W @ 16Ohms and 80mW at 600Ohms, the Auzen says it can do up to 100mW/Channel, but doesn't state at what resistance. The Auzen powers my headphones pretty well but if the E9 at under $100 can do better, that'd be sweet.

I'm also gonna be giving my modded JVC HA-RX700's to my G/F as she loves em...now I gotta replace them because they are damn fun to listen to and I love how strong the bass impact can me. I'm debating between another pair of HARX700's, maybe trying the 900's (but I think that'll have bass too close to my D2000's which is extended and low but not nearly as hard hitting). That or getting some Sony MDR-XB500's when they ship again in April, looking at Ultrasone 580's, ATH A700's, I just want something with good punch without killing the rest of the sound while improving on the RX700's a bit. So far it's been an interesting challenge in research and reading others' suggestions all over the web.

 

[n-ster]

The SRH750DJ and apparently the M50 have killer bass. I've head about the E10/17, but I'm worried it won't be enough. I don't need portability at all (well some, it has to fit in my backpack).

Maybe the maverick tube magic D1 ? hmmm

 

[BumbleBee]

Audinst HUD-MX1 is another option.

 

[-1nf1n1ty-]

hey guys coming closer and closer to making my purchase, as I was looking at some FiiO amps I came across this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P9EQH8/?tag=tec06d-20

please tell me this would be fine for the akg701

 

[Ra97oR]

Sorry, but no. That is no where nearly enough for the K701's complex load or any large full size headphones. It is not even good sounding on easy to drive IEMs either.

 

[-1nf1n1ty-]

Sorry, but no. That is no where nearly enough for the K701's complex load or any large full size headphones. It is not even good sounding on easy to drive IEMs either.

This is getting annoying I dont want to spend so freaking much on an amp for something they should have fixed when making the damn headphones, so as much and as bad as I really wanted these headphones(the ONLY thing I wanted for christmas) Im just going to skip them or figure something out because I want them pretty bad. If this was the case I would have just considered buying a pair of Astro Gaming headphones would be cheaper and would come with an amp for the price of the AKG701's themselves (almost). Anyone recommend headphones that dont require an amp that are better than the AD700's that I have?

Edit: just something I could look at if I just decide to not grab the 701's

 

[BumbleBee]

sounds like your not willing to spend the money.

Sennheiser HD558 is a nice improvement over the Audio Technica AD700.

 

[n-ster]

I have the E5 and I have to say it DOES improve sound, but barely. I mostly used it to be able to use an LOD from my iPod. Some people say it makes the sound worse, I haven't found that to be the case

 

[Ra97oR]

It is not a fault of the headphones, nor it is the fault of sources. Going pass entry level you are just expected to spend more cash. Amps are just so hard to cheap out on, comparing to DAC which can work very well with a lower price tag. DAC+amp combo is again a different beast all together.

That Astro gaming headphone does come with an amp, just like all USB headsets but if the amp is better than the lowly FiiO E5 is another matter. My Audio Technica sounds a lot better with my HA5000 than without, even though people say it does not need an amp (highly doubt any of them even hear this variant). Most headphones will scale with a better amp, be it outright SQ improvement or tonal changes.

sounds like your not willing to spend the money.

Sennheiser HD558 is a nice improvement over the Audio Technica AD700.

I did listen to the HD598 right next to the AD700 before. With my portable setup, iPod custom LOD + iBass D12. The HD598 is more balance and have far more weight in the bass department, but it never had that airy sound the AD700 or HD600 have, nor the massive soundstage.

One strange thing to note, I never found the K701 more airy than the AD700. While the soundstage is even more massive, it never strike me with the sense of "air" like other wide open headphones have. A2000X was more airy IMO. Personal opinion, don't take it as fact please.

 

[BumbleBee]

HD558 are not as bright, better bass, more comfortable. not everybody likes a bright headphone.

 

[-1nf1n1ty-]

It is not a fault of the headphones, nor it is the fault of sources. Going pass entry level you are just expected to spend more cash. Amps are just so hard to cheap out on, comparing to DAC which can work very well with a lower price tag. DAC+amp combo is again a different beast all together.

That Astro gaming headphone does come with an amp, just like all USB headsets but if the amp is better than the lowly FiiO E5 is another matter. My Audio Technica sounds a lot better with my HA5000 than without, even though people say it does not need an amp (highly doubt any of them even hear this variant). Most headphones will scale with a better amp, be it outright SQ improvement or tonal changes.



I did listen to the HD598 right next to the AD700 before. With my portable setup, iPod custom LOD + iBass D12. The HD598 is more balance and have far more weight in the bass department, but it never had that airy sound the AD700 or HD600 have, nor the massive soundstage.

One strange thing to note, I never found the K701 more airy than the AD700. While the soundstage is even more massive, it never strike me with the sense of "air" like other wide open headphones have. A2000X was more airy IMO. Personal opinion, don't take it as fact please.

I really appreciate your help, I think it would just be best to get an AMP for my AD700's and keep saving for the 701's do you recommend any I could look at?

 

[n-ster]

Any opinion on the digiZoid ZO2.3 ? I don't really know what it is though

 

[Ra97oR]

HD558 are not as bright, better bass, more comfortable. not everybody likes a bright headphone.

Not quite agreeing on the comfort, but yes the Senns are more balanced and less bright while still have decent speed and control. If HD558 is anything like the HD598, I will recommend it. An improvement from the AD700 is the AD900, which I think is the sweet spot on the AD line without being too expensive. It is far less bright and sounds very airy.

I really appreciate your help, I think it would just be best to get an AMP for my AD700's and keep saving for the 701's do you recommend any I could look at?

From my experience with my X-Fi Xtreme Music, changing to my Xonar Essence with modded opamp was a massive improvement. Shame that the internal amp on the Essence is not great with Audio Technica, the DAC section is very clean. Clean enough that I can just go on and upgrade my amps without worrying too much on the source lagging behind.

I can't really recommend other headphones unless I know what you think is lacking from the AD700.

 

[Ra97oR]

Any opinion on the digiZoid ZO2.3 ? I don't really know what it is though

http://www.head-fi.org/t/593356/

That review from someone I do trust on Head-Fi seems like it is more of an portable EQ + amp instead of being a good amp for full size headphones. If anything that bass EQ looks very extreme and over the top.

 

[Kursah]

I must announce an excellent combo for up-and-coming headphone buyers!

I still think that the JVC HA-RX700 is budget KING when you can find it for a decent price in the $30-40 range. Hell maybe even more. Seeing as I just gave my 3yo modded set to my GF and was gonna buy a new set as a backup...the price hiked up and availability went nil.

But back to the story, I couldn't stand her onboard audio though it's actually much better than expected pushing the HX700's it was still disappointing to even just my Auzen Forte's front speaker output...and the HP output was lightyears better.

Well I got her an Asus Xonar DG for $30-ish shipped...it shoed up, I installed it, I naturally hooked up the HX700 to the Front Speaker/HP Amped output directly on the card and was BLOWN AWAY. Between the power of the HP output (set the channels to 2, set the output to Headphone, then choose between 3 gain settings, I chose exciter >64Ohms...even tho the 700's are rated for 48ohms..) and the very capable eq...these two items were meant to be. If you go to head-fi.org and you read about mixing headphones and amps to get the right synergy...if I've ever heard good synergy, I'd say the JVC HA-RX700 + Asus Xonar DG 5.1 have it nailed. And when caught at the right time, you can have both at your front door for $70 shipped or so. You'd have to spend SOOOOOOO much more in order to defeat what these two items are capable of it wouldn't be worth most peoples times or budgets.

I currently just purchased the FiiO E9 Desktop HP Amp to see how it compared with my Auzen Forte's integrated HP amp...with my Denon D2000's I was actually dissapointed...it was a tad louder, but didn't feel like it was driving any harder though in theory it was supposed to have up to 10X the output power at certain resistance levels...depending on what spec sheet your read. Well I decided for shits and giggles to hook up my JVC HA-DX3's which I paid too much for years ago, gave them a couple months to blossom, was never really impressed as I'm too much of a bass head...I respect their treble and accuracy, but the bass was just extending low, but you could never feel it. The E9...woke them up big time...to the point they come close to competing with the D2000's. Though the D2000's are more universal bassy and the DX3's are more certain frequency range bassy...they have the extension but to even feel them punching bass is truly amazing. The E9 may not master the D2000's if you have a card like the Forte already...but if you don't, it may be very well worth your time if it can be found for around $90.

Just a couple things I figured I would report. I am debating picking up a set of Sony MDR-XB500's in April when they ship again to see just how big the bass is...but I MUST find a spare pair of JVC HA-RX700's first...

Word of advice to gamers, new headphone buyers...ditch the gaming headsets...get the Asus Xonar DG sound card while it's cheap...wait for the RX700's to come back down or get something else recommended in the price-range and be happy. It'll cost way too much to get even a little better and yet that combo is amazing compared to every gaming headset I've ever tried...mic's are cheap too...zalman clip-on and go.

Another note on the Xonar DG...I wanted to hook her speakers up...well I thought the DG was like the forte where only the output on the card itself was amplified...not the case...the DG amplifies the front hp output and is literally just as good to my ears. Put your speakers on the back, do your output settings, then plug your HP into the front..do your settings, gain, etc...it'll switch automatically w/o any issues thus far. I can't recommend any other sound card in that price range or even double that price.

 

[n-ster]

I've had the Xonar DS and it was an awesome sound card. Used it for my SRH440 though. For bang/buck the low end ASUS cards do seem quite good. I also got the Zalman clip-on for like 3.XX$ by taking advantage of a price match policy, and it isn't bad