Open-back headphone help?

[Septerius]

Hello, all! I've been looking at headphones for a little while and I was wondering what kind of open-back headphones that you guys and gals would recommend.

I've not looked at many, but the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X's caught my eye.

I'm not going to use than for much other than gaming, but I do want a pair of good quality headphones. Can you recommend any others for around the same price or cheaper?

[SSL]

Hello, all! I've been looking at headphones for a little while and I was wondering what kind of open-back headphones that you guys and gals would recommend.

I've not looked at many, but the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X's caught my eye.

I'm not going to use than for much other than gaming, but I do want a pair of good quality headphones. Can you recommend any others for around the same price or cheaper?

 

AD-700x would be a better val U. Ether is fine for gaming.

[Pomfinator]

500X and 700X are cheaper and sound very similar.  I say go for the 700X instead, @ShearMe would tell you to get the 500X since he can't tell the difference.

 

You could also look at the Sennheiser 558, the K7XX's which are still on Massdrop, DT990, etc.  It would also help if you could tell us what kind of sound signature you're looking for.

[Septerius]

500X and 700X are cheaper and sound very similar.  I say go for the 700X instead, @ShearMe would tell you to get the 500X since he can't tell the difference.

 

You could also look at the Sennheiser 558, the K7XX's which are still on Massdrop, DT990, etc.  It would also help if you could tell us what kind of sound signature you're looking for.

Aaaaaannnndd, that's the thing.

A sound signature? I dunno really. I'm not realy familiar with uh... Audio jargon.

[SSL]

Aaaaaannnndd, that's the thing.

A sound signature? I dunno really. I'm not realy familiar with uh... Audio jargon.

 

Do you like lots of bass crushing your face, etc.

[Pomfinator]

Aaaaaannnndd, that's the thing.

A sound signature? I dunno really. I'm not realy familiar with uh... Audio jargon.

What kind of music do you like to listen to? Usually we can figure out preferences with that.

[Septerius]

Do you like lots of bass crushing your face, etc.

What kind of music do you like to listen to? Usually we can figure out preferences with that.

Uh, I'm using this mostly for gaming, so a lot of RPG's like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. FPS games aren't amiss though, just about anything really.

The type of music I listen to? Some techno and Dubstep, but mostly metal or orchestraic music like 'Carmina Burana'.

EDIT: Just a wide variety really: Metal, orchestraic, rock, indie, but not country really.

[SSL]

Uh, I'm using this mostly for gaming, so a lot of RPG's like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. FPS games aren't amiss though, just about anything really.

The type of music I listen to? Some techno and Dubstep, but mostly metal or orchestraic music like 'Carmina Burana'.

EDIT: Just a wide variety really: Metal, orchestraic, rock, indie, but not country really.

 

Audio Technica AD whateverX should be fine for that. Dubstep won't have real boomy bass with them, though.

[ShearMe]

500X and 700X are cheaper and sound very similar.  I say go for the 700X instead, @ShearMe would tell you to get the 500X since he can't tell the difference.

 

I vote for the 500X over the 700X, yes, but I've no idea how the 900X compares.

[Septerius]

I vote for the 500X over the 700X, yes, but I've no idea how the 900X compares.

500X and 700X are cheaper and sound very similar. I say go for the 700X instead, @ShearMe would tell you to get the 500X since he can't tell the difference.

You could also look at the Sennheiser 558, the K7XX's which are still on Massdrop, DT990, etc. It would also help if you could tell us what kind of sound signature you're looking for.

I've looked at the the Sennheiser 558s and the 500X/700X. Which ones would you guys recommend over the other? And for what reason?

A question I also forgot to ask! I was planning to mod-mic it, how much would that interfere?

EDIT: Nothing important.

[ShearMe]

I've looked at the the Sennheiser 558s and the 500X/700X. Which ones would you guys recommend over the other? And for what reason?

A question I also forgot to ask! I was planning to mod-mic it, how much would that interfere?

EDIT: Nothing important.

 

If you've got a big head, the Sennheisers wouldn't be as comfortable. They have a less flexible clamp design, so they don't clamp if your head is as small as intended, but clamp pretty bad if your head is on the larger side. For most people, the AT's need a rubber band or elastic hairband put between the wings to hold them up properly, otherwise they might feel like they are sliding too far down your jaw. Outside of that, they're both regarded as pretty freaking comfy. Sound-wise they're all good, just different. 500 series is more mellow and relaxing. AD series is more airy and pretty. ModMic will attach to both. Some people have mentioned the grip being a bit more loose on AT's as the mesh has bigger holes, but I still don't think it's a real issue. Biggest thing I can think of from personal experience, is that the cable on the AT's is a bit more bothersome than that on the 500 series, and is non-removable. Still perfectly serviceable, and probably a bit more robust than Sennheiser's cables, but removable = replaceable in the long term.

 

I have been wanting to own another AT for orchestral stuff lately, despite my love for my HD650's. I've been reminded how pretty they are for strings by a cheapo pair of earbuds from them.

[Septerius]

If you've got a big head, the Sennheisers wouldn't be as comfortable. They have a less flexible clamp design, so they don't clamp if your head is as small as intended, but clamp pretty bad if your head is on the larger side. For most people, the AT's need a rubber band or elastic hairband put between the wings to hold them up properly, otherwise they might feel like they are sliding too far down your jaw. Outside of that, they're both regarded as pretty freaking comfy. Sound-wise they're all good, just different. 500 series is more mellow and relaxing. AD series is more airy and pretty. ModMic will attach to both. Some people have mentioned the grip being a bit more loose on AT's as the mesh has bigger holes, but I still don't think it's a real issue. Biggest thing I can think of from personal experience, is that the cable on the AT's is a bit more bothersome than that on the 500 series, and is non-removable. Still perfectly serviceable, and probably a bit more robust than Sennheiser's cables, but removable = replaceable in the long term.

I have been wanting to own another AT for orchestral stuff lately, despite my love for my HD650's. I've been reminded how pretty they are for strings by a cheapo pair of earbuds from them.

I'd say I have a smaller head. So I think I'll go with whatever is on sale between the Sennhaiser and the Audio Technica lines!