Upgrade/Sidegrade from Audiotechnica ATH-AD900X

[Ardaen]

Hey@All

 

one of my first posts here but I've been reading quite a bit.

 

So I just got my AT ATH-AD900x last week and while it's a definite upgrade from my crappy Steelseries Siberia (LoL), I have quite a few issues with them.

 

I am no audiophile, have never had a good pair of headphones and have resorted to using my JBL speakers and my Denon PMA-655R Amplifier for music listening. Nonetheless, I can discern good from poor audio (unfortuantely for my wallet I fear). Probably thats why I don't listen to music that often, since I have very few occasions I can use those speakers without getting shouted at for disturbing someone.

A good pair of headphones was my idea to change this.

 

I would say at the moment its 90% gaming, 10 % music listening. But I'd like to go to 80/20 or 70/30 so quality while listening to music IS important.

I mainly listen to classic/power/progressive metal/Rock. No hiphop/rap/dance/electro at all.

 

So back to the AD900x, plugged to my Mobo soundcard (Asus Maximus VI Hero) they are far too shallow, it definitely lacks bass/depth in my opinion. That problem goes away if I plug them to my amp, so I suspect, the sound card has something to do with it... Or it's just my Amp with the loudness button that does the trick for me. (Don't hit me if it's an audiophile sin of some sorts, be lenient with a noob )

It's not an ideal solution since I have to plug the AMP analogly and not digitally, but if it's acceptable and keeps me from having to spend another 100€ on an headphone DAC/AMP I would take it.

 

My biggest gripe with the AD900xes are these, to my ears, incredibly sharp highs. It pains me when "S"s are pronounced in vocals and also in game the treble is far to sharp and pointy... ouch.

 

So I'd like some raccomandations from you guys.

My limit (and the limit is only for something really, really worth it) is 300€.

Those AT where a steal, got them for 109 € used but in pristine condition. Think I can resell them for 180-200€ here in europe (since they cost 270€ everywhere else I looked)

 

My criteria for the new headset would be:

 

1) Same or similar soundstage and 3D projection as the AD900x (need that for CS:GO)

2) A bit more base wouldn't hurt, but it's not a must.

3) Far less sharp treble. Like I said the AD900X are not airy, they are painful to me.

 

Thought about the Bayerdinamic DT-990 pro, but I read that they have far more bass but also very sharp treble, so I fear they aren't the headphone for me either.

I don't think I would like something to analytical aka flat.

Perhaps some Sennheiser with their mitigated highs..?

 

Looking forward to your opinions and many thanks for the help!!

[squirtle4287]

ATH PDG1? HD 598? both open-ear and good.

[CaptainPebbleDash]

Currently using the dt 990 pro and I'm still on my shitty MB on-board sound.

These buggers are absolutely amazing for the middle vocals and bass/treble. Music is perfectly defined enough for my liking and the realtek drivers are more than enough to adjust some more bass and even more treble (I'm strange for liking both I guess )

I also manage to always hear people in any map/situation before anyone else, so I'm sure you'll be fine in CS.

With an AMP? Yeah just buy them already!!!

[KaminKevCrew]

My suggestion: get mrspeakers alpha pads, and an SMSL SD 793-II dac/amp combo (assuming you have optical, otherwise something like a fiio e10k is fine.) and you should be very happy with that. I have the a2000x and I found that the new pads helped a ton with keeping the 's' sound from being sharp, and I found that they helped with low end quantity and extention. Plus, the pads are super comfy and help a touch with keeping them on your head (note: you may need to bend the top band a touch to get it to fit well, but they are awesome!)

[Ardaen]

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions!

 

I've decided to spend another 200€ on an AMP/DAC (O2 and ODAC combo to be specific) before spending more on headphones and reselling the AD900X. Want to be sure the headphones are at fault and not my other audio components.

[SSL]

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions!

 

I've decided to spend another 200€ on an AMP/DAC (O2 and ODAC combo to be specific) before spending more on headphones and reselling the AD900X. Want to be sure the headphones are at fault and not my other audio components.

 

Well, let us know how that works out.

[Donk Quixote]

Before you get rid of them download Razer Surround, free version.  Set the Optimized For to "Razer Kraken" or "Razer Kraken" then watch some media content.  It gives you the 5.1 surround effect, and even with media encoded in only stereo it makes things sound more open.  

 

Whatever DSP voodoo magic they did with the Kraken setting made my AD500x sound way better when watching 5.1 movies and Crunchyroll anime.

[Pomfinator]

Before you get rid of them download Razer Surround, free version.  Set the Optimized For to "Razer Kraken" or "Razer Kraken" then watch some media content.  It gives you the 5.1 surround effect, and even with media encoded in only stereo it makes things sound more open.  

 

Whatever DSP voodoo magic they did with the Kraken setting made my AD500x sound way better when watching 5.1 movies and Crunchyroll anime.

5.1 movies, it's plausible.  But anime, no, that's just placebo.  Anime, especially airing TV anime is always stereo, 5.1 is reserved for particularly rich studios and movies since they have the budget to record it.  Even then you would only find 5.1 audio streams on the Blu-Ray.  Essentially that software is making 5.1 out of 2.0.

[Donk Quixote]

5.1 movies, it's plausible.  But anime, no, that's just placebo.  Anime, especially airing TV anime is always stereo, 5.1 is reserved for particularly rich studios and movies since they have the budget to record it.  Even then you would only find 5.1 audio streams on the Blu-Ray.  Essentially that software is making 5.1 out of 2.0.

I wasn't saying it made a 2.0 source into 5.1, I'm saying it made the 2.0 source sound better.  It doesn't work for music.  I imagine it works for most TV shows, but I only have anime to compare it to (Case Closed, Fairy Tail, and Naruto usually).  Maybe shows have more things in and out of phase, maybe it's doing something with dialogue, I don't know.  DSP voodoo magic is the best way to describe it.

 

I've used Razer Surround with my Clouds and misc $20 IEMs.  You can get the surround effect and it makes 2.0 sources sound better, but when using the AD500x with the Kraken settings something magical happens.

[Fluffinator]

I wasn't saying it made a 2.0 source into 5.1, I'm saying it made the 2.0 source sound better.  It doesn't work for music.  I imagine it works for most TV shows, but I only have anime to compare it to (Case Closed, Fairy Tail, and Naruto usually).  Maybe shows have more things in and out of phase, maybe it's doing something with dialogue, I don't know.  DSP voodoo magic is the best way to describe it.

 

I've used Razer Surround with my Clouds and misc $20 IEMs.  You can get the surround effect and it makes 2.0 sources sound better, but when using the AD500x with the Kraken settings something magical happens.

Oh no don't do that it makes everything sound like complete garbage ha ha. Don't know what's wrong with your ears but using simulated surround software will not magically make it sound better. It sounds shallow and just plain bad to listen to.

[SSL]

Before you get rid of them download Razer Surround, free version.  Set the Optimized For to "Razer Kraken" or "Razer Kraken" then watch some media content.  It gives you the 5.1 surround effect, and even with media encoded in only stereo it makes things sound more open. 

 

lol, no. Fake DSP is not "more open". Please.

[Donk Quixote]

Oh no don't do that it makes everything sound like complete garbage ha ha. Don't know what's wrong with your ears but using simulated surround software will not magically make it sound better. It sounds shallow and just plain bad to listen to.

When you say everything do you also mean surround encoded movies?  If so, you're just plain wrong.  If a movie is encoded in 5 or 7 directional channels it's better to be able hear those channels in the direction they are supposed to be coming from.  You are missing out listening to it downmix to 2 channels.

 

Have you ever used Razer Surround?  What you are describing could be said about Dolby Headphone.  DH works but there's a reverb that's really annoying.  You don't get that with Razer's product.

[Donk Quixote]

lol, no. Fake DSP is not "more open". Please.

When I said more open I was talking about the sound stage.  It's wider with more separation.  When something rustles in the distances, it sounds a lot farther away than the dialogue.  The background music sounds farther away than the action does.  It's still a stereo soundstage, it's just more open with more definition in regards to distance.  

[SSL]

When I said more open I was talking about the sound stage.  It's wider with more separation.  When something rustles in the distances, it sounds a lot farther away than the dialogue.  The background music sounds farther away than the action does.  It's still a stereo soundstage, it's just more open with more definition in regards to distance.  

 

I'm sure you'd like to think so.

[LeeWonky]

Oh no don't do that it makes everything sound like complete garbage ha ha. Don't know what's wrong with your ears but using simulated surround software will not magically make it sound better. It sounds shallow and just plain bad to listen to.

Razer Surround made me feel like there's some aluminium foil inbetween my ears and the headphone drivers.

[Ardaen]

Well, let us know how that works out.

Objective2 + Odac combo from headnhifi.com came today.

 

This is so awesome. No sibilance, so clean...It was the DAC+Amp combo it seems. Pretty disappointed with this hyped ROG audio now. But who cares  :wub:

Can only raccommend this for anyone with a wish for good audio...

 

And for once we have a great site in europe too.

JDS Labs and mayflower electronics for americans

headnhifi for europeans 

(They all sell basically the same stuff since it's an open source design)

[SSL]

Objective2 + Odac combo from headnhifi.com came today.

 

This is so awesome. No sibilance, so clean...It was the DAC+Amp combo it seems. Pretty disappointed with this hyped ROG audio now. But who cares  :wub:

 

Not surprising ... another entry for the long list of negative comments about Asus onboard audio.