PKBeam Posted August 17, 2020 Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) Hey all, pretty new to the audiophile scene. Currently using a pair of $90 Mixcder E10s and I'm exploring upgrade options. The headphones will mainly be used to listen to music at home. If they're also good for gaming that's a plus, but it's less important. I think I would prefer a nice balanced sound with lots of detail and good separation between instruments. (My E10s sound a bit cramped and the bass is slightly overpowering.) I'm not particularly fussed about comfort or build quality and I'm okay with making sacrifices there if it gets me better audio. I have about $250-300 (very flexible) to spend on the headphones and I'm willing to also buy a budget DAC/Amp if it gives a significant improvement over my sound card (Sound Blaster Audigy FX). Some of the models I've seen and are considering include DT 990 Pro (250Ω), HE35X, HE400i, HE4XX, HD58X (although availability seems low) and AD700X. Does anyone have recommendations on what I should get? Thanks. Edited August 17, 2020 by PKBeam
Decky Posted August 17, 2020 Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) I would suggest normal DT990s (not the Pro version) but the downside is that the stock cable is shiite and it is not easily replaceable. If you can change it, they are great headphones but they also need a bit of quality running-in time. https://www.amazon.com.au/Beyerdynamic-990-600-HiFi-headphones/dp/B0024NK34O/ref=pd_lpo_267_img_2/358-9274685-6884515?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0024NK34O&pd_rd_r=65b85efb-a645-47f3-9dad-cfa12720e789&pd_rd_w=zCnv5&pd_rd_wg=74BgD&pf_rd_p=ad2d1e6e-bc60-4795-b4c0-2dbd35f6678d&pf_rd_r=ETX5S45ZFWYDMNEGS8K5&psc=1&refRID=ETX5S45ZFWYDMNEGS8K5 Edited August 17, 2020 by Decky
PKBeam Posted August 17, 2020 Author Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, Decky said: I would suggest normal DT990s (not the Pro version) but the downside is that the stock cable is shiite and it is not easily replaceable. If you can change it, they are great headphones but they also need a bit of quality running-in time. https://www.amazon.com.au/Beyerdynamic-990-600-HiFi-headphones/dp/B0024NK34O/ref=pd_lpo_267_img_2/358-9274685-6884515?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0024NK34O&pd_rd_r=65b85efb-a645-47f3-9dad-cfa12720e789&pd_rd_w=zCnv5&pd_rd_wg=74BgD&pf_rd_p=ad2d1e6e-bc60-4795-b4c0-2dbd35f6678d&pf_rd_r=ETX5S45ZFWYDMNEGS8K5&psc=1&refRID=ETX5S45ZFWYDMNEGS8K5 Thanks for the suggestion. But why are the normal DT 990s better? The Pro version on Amazon costs significantly less than the one you linked. Now that I look I also see DT 880s (600Ω) for a reasonable price - would those be a good choice? Edited August 17, 2020 by PKBeam
blybo Posted August 17, 2020 Posted August 17, 2020 Been very happy with my Sennheiser HD599's. Comfortable, light weight, low clamping force and well balanced sound. Good value too. 1
betty boop Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 sennheiser, focal also check in with Grado. they all make great open backs and should be something in your price point ...being in nsw should be able to demo as well I would think which is worth doing . these have all their sound character...
silencer13 Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 If you're ok with a used pair, you can get a Senn 6xx for around $200~ish. One of the great hifi bargains out there. 1
Cope Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 15 hours ago, PKBeam said: that I look I also see DT 880s (600Ω) for a reasonable price - would those be a good choice? While I don't own these, every review I've seen says that not only is a headphone amp a necessity for the 600 ohm variant, it needs to be an incredibly powerful headphone amp.
zippi Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) 22 hours ago, PKBeam said: HE400i, HE4XX, HD58X Good, good and good [can't go wrong with either of those really - my pick of the 3 would be HE4xx]. 3 hours ago, silencer13 said: Senn 6xx An excellent option - HD6xx as are HD599 suggested by @blybo. Similarly HD598, HD558, HD660..... Edited August 18, 2020 by zippi
spammoj Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 vote for the HE4XX. Prefer them over the HD650 for what I perceived was better clarity and top end. 1
the_driver Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) 22 hours ago, PKBeam said: Does anyone have recommendations on what I should get? I'm in the same boat. Looking for a pair of my first real headpones, coming from a ROCCAT gaming 7.1 channel headset. Also considering DAC/amp setup too. I'll be following this thread. 4 hours ago, silencer13 said: If you're ok with a used pair, you can get a Senn 6xx for around $200~ish. One of the great hifi bargains out there. Yeah, these still seem to be right up there on the bargain buy list. DMS recently did his 2020 heaphone yier list and the Senheisser HD 6xx were one of only a few that made the top grade... And by far the cheapeast. I was also considering the Hifiman Sundara, or AKG K702 (currently Au$190 https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B001RCD2DW). I realise they're different price brackets. PS. Not trying to hijack thread, just following and contributing. Edited August 18, 2020 by the_driver
petng Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 stretch to $450 and get the Grado RS2e that is in the classifieds.
Decky Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 18 hours ago, PKBeam said: Thanks for the suggestion. But why are the normal DT 990s better? The Pro version on Amazon costs significantly less than the one you linked. Now that I look I also see DT 880s (600Ω) for a reasonable price - would those be a good choice? 880s and 770s are all great but quite different in character, being semi-open and closed cans, respectively. I do not like coiled cable on pro versions. That cable has its function but it is not necessary in home environments. Internal construction should be the same. I re-cabled my 990s out of boredom but it surprised me how much more balanced and less edgy they sounded afterwards. You can go for a Pro version if you can change the cable.
PKBeam Posted August 18, 2020 Author Posted August 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Batty said: I have the HE4XX, very good on a few amps. Do you need a good amp to drive it, or would it still be good on some budget ones like FX-Audio DAC X6? I'm definitely taking a closer look at the HE4XX, but I'm unsure if its worthwhile if the amp I need to buy for it is more than half the price of the headphones.
Batty Posted August 18, 2020 Posted August 18, 2020 I built my amps, they are overkill and will drive most headphones, but I do have a Cmoy amp too and that was about $40 and works great with them.
blakey72 Posted August 19, 2020 Posted August 19, 2020 I'd spend $150 on these which will probably blow you away with their sound quality and will be able to run on anything easily, even a phone. If you like the sound go higher up the chain, if not resale value is good so you won't lose.
PKBeam Posted August 19, 2020 Author Posted August 19, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, blakey72 said: I'd spend $150 on these which will probably blow you away with their sound quality and will be able to run on anything easily, even a phone. If you like the sound go higher up the chain, if not resale value is good so you won't lose. Sorry, what headphones are you talking about? Still kinda new to these forums - there seems to be a hyperlink in your sentence but I can't click on it? Edited August 19, 2020 by PKBeam
blakey72 Posted August 19, 2020 Posted August 19, 2020 (edited) 25 minutes ago, PKBeam said: Sorry, what headphones are you talking about? Still kinda new to these forums - there seems to be a hyperlink in your sentence but I can't click on it? https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/grado-sr80e-prestige-series-headphones?_pos=33&_sid=006886fe3&_ss=r Edited August 19, 2020 by blakey72
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