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hifi headphones for gaming

sypherian
Go to solution Solved by Acquire,

Given that I'm something of an audio noob, I'd appreciate if you could take the time to explain how this works.

 

Don't know the details specifically, but I have personal experience with high impedance beyerdynamic headphones. I have a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm, which I use for work.  Plugging them directly into my work laptop or my phone I get low volume out of them at the device's maximum volume.  With my FiiO E12 Mont Blanc on the no gain setting I also don't get enough volume.  I have to almost max out the volume on it to get it to listening levels.  On it's high gain setting it works fine.  I also briefly owned a pair of Beyerdynamic T1s, which have 600 Ohm impedance.  I could barely hear anything when plugged directly into my phone at max volume.  On the other side is my Audeze LCD-2.  They have an impedance of 50 Ohms, but plugging them directly into my phone I have to set the volume at max to get them to listening volume.  For the short time I had Hifiman HE-560s (also 50 Ohm), max volume on my phone wouldn't generate enough volume.  These two headphones are planar magnetic headphones and require a lot more current to get them sounding properly.  My Schiit Lyr was able to drive them everything just fine.

 

The gist is, higher impedance is going to require some kind of amp because at the very least you won't get enough volume out of them.  However, low impedance doesn't immediately mean it'll sound fine from any source if the headphones end up requiring a lot of current.

 

In case of the Beyerdynamic headphones it is true that the higher impedance modells are technically better. The only difference is that the lower impedance models use thicker wires in the voice coil, this makes the membrane heavier on the low impedance models. 

 

This is also true.  I have heard the DT 770 80 Ohm and they sound different.  They have a lot more bass for some reason.  I haven't heard the other ones, but if you google them there seems to be a consensus that they all do sound differently.

 

If you don't want to carry around an amp with you, you'll want the lower impedance ones.

I initially started to look at analog surround headsets but a work buddy of mine who is a bit of an audiophile convinced me to go for a pair of high end headphones instead so after doing a bit of research I've come up with two different pair of cans that is highly praised for gaming.

 

Audio-technica ATH-A900X and Beyerdynamics DT 990 edition (not the pro edition)

 

First of all I need some guidance as to which one to choose maybe if someone has experience with one of these if I'm lucky maybe even both.

 

secondly the DT 990 comes in a 32, 250 and 600 ohms impedance, from what I could gather it would be preferable to choose a higher impedance to get better sound but the ones above 32 ohm will require a headphone amplifier for me to be able to use them adequately.

 

I'm treading new waters here and I can see the cost being up there if I have to acquire a headphone amplifier and maybe even a DAC, so what ever help and information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

 

Sypherian 

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I would personally get the Sennheiser HD 558 (I prefer how Senns sound and how they fit for me), no additional amp cost as well.  A higher impedance does not mean anything to sound quality.

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Higher impedance doesn't make a headphone sound better. If you get the Beyerdynamic, get the 250 ohm Pro (not Premium Edition), since it is usually the cheapest.

 

As to the sound - the Beyerdynamic has more boosted bass and highs while the Audio Technica has less bass but larger soundstage. The AT are also very open which works well in gaming.

 

I wouldn't expect an amp to be needed.

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I would personally get the Sennheiser HD 558 (I prefer how Senns sound and how they fit for me), no additional amp cost as well.  A higher impedance does not mean anything to sound quality.

 

My buddy from work is also a sennheiser guy therefor he couldn't really help me out with these two picks. 

 

THX for the input much appreciated.

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Higher impedance doesn't make a headphone sound better. If you get the Beyerdynamic, get the 250 ohm Pro (not Premium Edition), since it is usually the cheapest.

 

As to the sound - the Beyerdynamic has more boosted bass and highs while the Audio Technica has less bass but larger soundstage. The AT are also very open which works well in gaming.

 

I wouldn't expect an amp to be needed.

 

 

THX a lot for the heads up on the pro edition I didn't notice that it was 250 ohm and as you pointed out cheaper than getting the other version.

 

I think I'll give it a shot with the beyerdynamics without investing in a headphone amplifier, I'll find out soon enough if it is required or not.

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For gaming, go for the AT, but in my opinion, you would be just as good off with an A-700x, and you can save a bit of money.

By the way, your audiophile friend is totally correct, listen to him, he probably knows a few thing about audio useful for you to know.

As for the Beyer's, they are good, but not as good as the AT, and if you were to choose high impedance, you would have to get an amp too, which is more expensive.

 

For music, Beyerdynamic. It's much better in listening to audio, as it has a V-shaped response, which means it has strong bass and nice detailed treble. This makes it one of the most fun Headphone to listen to :)

 

Keep in mind that they are both open, so you probably don't want to use them in public because of leakage.

 

Hope i helped :)

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For gaming, go for the AT, but in my opinion, you would be just as good off with an A-700x, and you can save a bit of money.

By the way, your audiophile friend is totally correct, listen to him, he probably knows a few thing about audio useful for you to know.

As for the Beyer's, they are good, but not as good as the AT, and if you were to choose high impedance, you would have to get an amp too, which is more expensive.

 

For music, Beyerdynamic. It's much better in listening to audio, as it has a V-shaped response, which means it has strong bass and nice detailed treble. This makes it one of the most fun Headphone to listen to :)

 

Keep in mind that they are both open, so you probably don't want to use them in public because of leakage.

 

Hope i helped :)

 

You most certainly did, the problem is that the headphones my friend use is wee bit more expensive than what I'm willing to use. I'm sure you can get a good pair sennheiser in this price range but the reason for AT and Beyer choice is that the forum articles I've found they were the most mentioned brands so I guessed that if something is popular it must be good.

 

My friend just sent me a couple of links on some other AT and beyer cans that might be a good choice so I'll have to take a look around and find what would suit my needs.

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As i said in my post, take a look at the AT ath ad-700x and 500x.

Many consider those the best gaming Headphones. :)

 

I'll do that.

 

I'm watching a review of the ATH-M50X and looking at Beyers MMX-300 which is a headset designed for gaming by them but they are quite expensive and not worth it unless sound quality is on par with the previously mentioned headsets.

 

I'll look up the 500 and 700x right away.

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WOW this is a lot tougher then I initially thought it would be, especially because a lot of terms and words that defines the different type of sound these different cans produce. As far as I'm able to understand the Beyer 990 are really bright in their sound too such a extent that I don't think they'll suit my purpose, not only because of the gaming but also because of my music taste (Hup Hop, RnB, electronic, dubstep) But where I think they would excel tremendously is in the Jazz and Blues department which I also enjoy listening too.

 

The 880 are less brighter in their sound but slightly weaker bass as far as what I've read, they are also semi open which I guess means that they have weaker sound stage but less leakage of sound to the outside if I'm not mistaken.

 

The 770 Beyers are from what i understand the darker set of headphones but without making it fatiguing to listen to they are however closed headphones so for the soundstage I guess it would be the runt of the litter. 

 

Hope I'm not stepping on any toes with these assumptions as I earlier stated I'm a noob when it comes to high end sound and simply just trying to analyze the experiences from what people write about each of the cans.

 

Thing is I don't think there will be a sure fire way to know without trying the different set of cans and since I live in Denmark the chances of testing any of these is very small.

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As i said in my post, take a look at the AT ath ad-700x and 500x.

Many consider those the best gaming Headphones. :)

 

I've read up on the 700 and 500 as far as sound it seems they in some peoples opinion lack something but compared to the equipment I'm using atm I'm sure I wouldn't even know what that means. The most concerning notion though is the build quality, a lot of people has been unlucky or simply not careful enough with the cans so they've broken within a very short time again this could just be people no being careful enough. 

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Higher impedance doesn't make a headphone sound better. If you get the Beyerdynamic, get the 250 ohm Pro (not Premium Edition), since it is usually the cheapest.

 

As to the sound - the Beyerdynamic has more boosted bass and highs while the Audio Technica has less bass but larger soundstage. The AT are also very open which works well in gaming.

 

I wouldn't expect an amp to be needed.

In case of the Beyerdynamic headphones it is true that the higher impedance modells are technically better. The only difference is that the lower impedance models use thicker wires in the voice coil, this makes the membrane heavier on the low impedance models. 

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In case of the Beyerdynamic headphones it is true that the higher impedance modells are technically better. The only difference is that the lower impedance models use thicker wires in the voice coil, this makes the membrane heavier on the low impedance models. 

 

I doubt it.

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I doubt it.

Feel free to doubt it but the info comes directly from Beyerdynamics FAQ and they probably know what they are doing.

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Feel free to doubt it but the info comes directly from Beyerdynamics FAQ and they probably know what they are doing.

 

Marketing department.

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I've read up on the 700 and 500 as far as sound it seems they in some peoples opinion lack something but compared to the equipment I'm using atm I'm sure I wouldn't even know what that means. The most concerning notion though is the build quality, a lot of people has been unlucky or simply not careful enough with the cans so they've broken within a very short time again this could just be people no being careful enough. 

 

I've owned both the 500X and 700X and they sounded pretty much the same. I didn't have them side by side, however.

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The higher impedance headphones are going to be harder to drive.  If you get the 250 ohm beyerdynamic you may have trouble getting good volume out of it in some devices without some kind of ability to manipulate output gain.

Thrive on change. Embrace volatility.

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The higher impedance headphones are going to be harder to drive.

 

Given that I'm something of an audio noob, I'd appreciate if you could take the time to explain how this works.

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Magnets, how do they work?

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Given that I'm something of an audio noob, I'd appreciate if you could take the time to explain how this works.

 

Don't know the details specifically, but I have personal experience with high impedance beyerdynamic headphones. I have a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm, which I use for work.  Plugging them directly into my work laptop or my phone I get low volume out of them at the device's maximum volume.  With my FiiO E12 Mont Blanc on the no gain setting I also don't get enough volume.  I have to almost max out the volume on it to get it to listening levels.  On it's high gain setting it works fine.  I also briefly owned a pair of Beyerdynamic T1s, which have 600 Ohm impedance.  I could barely hear anything when plugged directly into my phone at max volume.  On the other side is my Audeze LCD-2.  They have an impedance of 50 Ohms, but plugging them directly into my phone I have to set the volume at max to get them to listening volume.  For the short time I had Hifiman HE-560s (also 50 Ohm), max volume on my phone wouldn't generate enough volume.  These two headphones are planar magnetic headphones and require a lot more current to get them sounding properly.  My Schiit Lyr was able to drive them everything just fine.

 

The gist is, higher impedance is going to require some kind of amp because at the very least you won't get enough volume out of them.  However, low impedance doesn't immediately mean it'll sound fine from any source if the headphones end up requiring a lot of current.

 

In case of the Beyerdynamic headphones it is true that the higher impedance modells are technically better. The only difference is that the lower impedance models use thicker wires in the voice coil, this makes the membrane heavier on the low impedance models. 

 

This is also true.  I have heard the DT 770 80 Ohm and they sound different.  They have a lot more bass for some reason.  I haven't heard the other ones, but if you google them there seems to be a consensus that they all do sound differently.

 

If you don't want to carry around an amp with you, you'll want the lower impedance ones.

Thrive on change. Embrace volatility.

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My dt990 the 250 ohm ones I use of my stock motherboard amp get ear bleeding loud if I cranked the volume up

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My dt990 the 250 ohm ones I use of my stock motherboard amp get ear bleeding loud if I cranked the volume up

 

To be fair, it's more of a case per case. Gaming mobos' onboards are aimed a bit towards headphones, thus they usually include a fairly powerful built-in amps. My cheap mobo's onboard is good sounding, but kinda weak in the amp dept.

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My Asus Rampage v extreme has a build in amplifier for headphones but I have no idea if it can run a 250 ohm headset 

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