Best High-End recommendations (help)

[Riziko]

For a very long time I have been on the lookout for a new pair of headphones, I've used a bunch of different types, from studio, dj to gaming headsets. Right now I'm using the GSP 600 from Sennheiser and I really like this brand, but I've also seen a lot of people use Beyerdynamic headphones so this is why I'm asking here for recommendations. I can't go for something like the HD800s, I'm looking for something for around 500$ plus an AMP. I listen a lot to music, play a lot of games and watch movies, so basically everything.

 

What I'm currently looking at:

-Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro

-Sennheiser HD700

-Anything else worth looking into?

 

For the AMP I have no clue what to look for, I don't understand them at all, I see people recommending 100$ amps left and right and than others pointing at 300$+ amps.

 

Just one more thing, I do like Bass, it doesn't have to be too much, but I don't want a completely flat sound, I've heard tube amps are good for that, but again no clue.

 

The AMP that I'm refering to is this one Loxjiee p20 and I got that from this video review 

 

[CTR640]

The amps can be a bit confusing but the best when to get it is if the sound of the headphone is too quiet. The Sennheiser HD700 has impedance of 150 ohm and the DT1990 Pro 250 ohm. If you wanna use them with your onboard audio of your motherboard, there is a good chance you'll need an amp. For this one @rice guru can recommend you a good one. Probably the Fiio K5 Pro. And for your needs, the 1990 Pro.

 

My amp is a very simple one of €67 which is the Fiio 10K Olympus2. It's surprisingly as good as my onboard audio lol. But this amp can drive high impedance headphones.

[rice guru]

For gaming the 1990 and HD 800 are one of the best under a $1000 . But might not be the best for music if you need a music can. The HD 700 can just burn In in a fiery pit for all I care fuck that treble murder sibilance monster. Others are a ton of other headphones to look into just depends on what type of sound you are looking for. Amps depend on what type of sound you are looking for but also what headphones you want to use. $100 amps these days are great like the schiit heresy I use one myself like the liquid spark but there are amps and dac setups like the geshelli labs stack or the rnhp while on paper doesn't have as much power but super clean sounding. Or if you want a all in one unit that sounds awesome and is just very powerful the schiit jotenheim exists. 

Other headphones to look into are the focal clear, focal elex 

Zmf stuff

Mr. Speaker stuff

Audeze stuff. 

 

[rice guru]

Just noticed your budget. Yeah you can stick around a $100 for an amp in this case . And I would still largely ignore the 700 and instead consider the focal elex or the  1990 for gaming other options the come to mind are the hifiman sundara

[HumdrumPenguin]

14 hours ago, Riziko said:

For a very long time I have been on the lookout for a new pair of headphones, I've used a bunch of different types, from studio, dj to gaming headsets. Right now I'm using the GSP 600 from Sennheiser and I really like this brand, but I've also seen a lot of people use Beyerdynamic headphones so this is why I'm asking here for recommendations. I can't go for something like the HD800s, I'm looking for something for around 500$ plus an AMP. I listen a lot to music, play a lot of games and watch movies, so basically everything.

 

What I'm currently looking at:

-Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro

-Sennheiser HD700

-Anything else worth looking into?

 

For the AMP I have no clue what to look for, I don't understand them at all, I see people recommending 100$ amps left and right and than others pointing at 300$+ amps.

 

Just one more thing, I do like Bass, it doesn't have to be too much, but I don't want a completely flat sound, I've heard tube amps are good for that, but again no clue.

 

The AMP that I'm refering to is this one Loxjiee p20 and I got that from this video review 

 

I'm thinking the Focal Elex might be a good option for you at that price point. I sold today my HD700 that I had since Dec 2014, but it wasn't being used at all for a long time. Once equalized well, it will be decent in my opinion, but still not the sound I like. The Hifiman Sundara won't have the bass you want, so I'd skip that. For amp, consider JDS Atom, Schiit Heresy, Schiit Asgard 3, Geshelli Archel 2.5 Pro. They are between USD100-200. For any solid state amp above this I'd consider the Drop 789 or Schiit Jotunheim.

[Riziko]

9 minutes ago, HumdrumPenguin said:

I'm thinking the Focal Elex might be a good option for you at that price point. I sold today my HD700 that I had since Dec 2014, but it wasn't being used at all for a long time. Once equalized well, it will be decent in my opinion, but still not the sound I like. The Hifiman Sundara won't have the bass you want, so I'd skip that. For amp, consider JDS Atom, Schiit Heresy, Schiit Asgard 3, Geshelli Archel 2.5 Pro. They are between USD100-200. For any solid state amp above this I'd consider the Drop 789 or Schiit Jotunheim.

This may sound stupidy you seem to know a lot more here, but what are the differences between those amps that you just recommended? Or do they all do the same thing?

[rice guru]

Ignore this made a mistake

[HumdrumPenguin]

7 minutes ago, Riziko said:

This may sound stupidy you seem to know a lot more here, but what are the differences between those amps that you just recommended? Or do they all do the same thing?

Some will give you more body to the sound, some will be more analytical than others, some may distort more the sound (especially tubes, but on a pleasant way), some will have built in dacs (none of the ones I mentioned though). The two more expensive amps will be balanced as well (only the Jotunheim is fully balanced, though the 789 has THX technology, which brings the noise floor to nothing you can audibly perceive anyway. All the amps I've mentioned will drive absolutely any headphones you throw at them. 

 

PS.: Aside from the Focal Elex, you may wanna take a look at the Sennheiser HD600S. I'd go for a dedicated dac only once you've settled on headphones and amp.

[rice guru]

23 minutes ago, HumdrumPenguin said:

Some will give you more body to the sound, some will be more analytical than others, some may distort more the sound (especially tubes, but on a pleasant way), some will have built in dacs (none of the ones I mentioned though). The two more expensive amps will be balanced as well (only the Jotunheim is fully balanced, though the 789 has THX technology, which brings the noise floor to nothing you can audibly perceive anyway. All the amps I've mentioned will drive absolutely any headphones you throw at them. 

 

PS.: Aside from the Focal Elex, you may wanna take a look at the Sennheiser HD600S. I'd go for a dedicated dac only once you've settled on headphones and amp.

There are some headphones I can think of that will not be driven by any of those amps but. Any I don't think most People would want

[HumdrumPenguin]

14 minutes ago, rice guru said:

There are some headphones I can think of that will not be driven by any of those amps but. Any I don't think most People would want

Aside of the Atom pumping 1w out at 32ohm, I'd say the rest can handle even the HE6. What cans are you thinking of exactly?

[rice guru]

11 minutes ago, HumdrumPenguin said:

Aside of the Atom pumping 1w out at 32ohm, I'd say the rest can handle even the HE6. What cans are you thinking of exactly?

 he 6 and a sextett. Ive tried the sextett  on the heresy thought at least the heresy can handle the sextett. not quite yet they need more power . the he6 my buddy has and says you need much more power. 

[HumdrumPenguin]

10 minutes ago, rice guru said:

 he 6 and a sextett. Ive tried the sextett  on the heresy thought at least the heresy can handle the sextett. not quite yet they need more power . the he6 my buddy has and says you need much more power. 

Ha, good to know. For the 99% of the headphones out there, my statement is likely correct.

[Riziko]

10 minutes ago, HumdrumPenguin said:

Ha, good to know. For the 99% of the headphones out there, my statement is likely correct.

Is there one amp that you would recommend over the others, to add a bit bass to the beyerdynamics?

is it justifiable to spend 500$ on an amp if the ones you recommended for 100 to 200$ are gonna do just fine 

 

+I was looking at this amp but I have no idea if this is good https://jdslabs.com/shop/?category=featured   HardwareCanucs did a video on them

[CTR640]

8 minutes ago, Riziko said:

Is there one amp that you would recommend over the others, to add a bit bass to the beyerdynamics?

is it justifiable to spend 500$ on an amp if the ones you recommended for 100 to 200$ are gonna do just fine 

 

+I was looking at this amp but I have no idea if this is good https://jdslabs.com/shop/?category=featured   HardwareCanucs did a video on them

You'd be wasting a lot of money to spend 500$ on an amp and for what exactly?

[Riziko]

1 minute ago, CTR640 said:

You'd be wasting a lot of money to spend 500$ on an amp and for what exactly?

Yeah that's exactly why I'm asking here hahaha, because I don't know how much you gain from that amp compare to the 200$ amp

[rice guru]

20 minutes ago, Riziko said:

Is there one amp that you would recommend over the others, to add a bit bass to the beyerdynamics?

is it justifiable to spend 500$ on an amp if the ones you recommended for 100 to 200$ are gonna do just fine 

 

+I was looking at this amp but I have no idea if this is good https://jdslabs.com/shop/?category=featured   HardwareCanucs did a video on them

For a hundred the monoprice liquid spark. Also calms the treble a bit. And maybe the magni 3+, and the Asgard 3. The rest especially the thx amps go for a more analytical sound. If it's justifiable to spend a ton on an amp is up to the individual and the headphones they use I know people that won't even buy an amp and k ow a guy that spends  thousands. 

[rice guru]

33 minutes ago, HumdrumPenguin said:

Ha, good to know. For the 99% of the headphones out there, my statement is likely correct.

Yeah pretty much. 

[Riziko]

1 minute ago, rice guru said:

For a hundred the monoprice liquid spark. Also calms the treble a bit. And maybe the magni 3+, and the Asgard 3. The rest especially the thx amps go for a more analytical sound. If it's justifiable to spend a ton on an amp is up to the individual and the headphones they use I know people that won't even buy an amp and k ow a guy that spends  thousands. 

Yeah I don't really want that flat sound, but just one more thing. Is the difference really that big between something like the beyerdynamics which are 500$ and a gaming open back headset the GSP 600?

[CTR640]

3 minutes ago, rice guru said:

For a hundred the monoprice liquid spark. Also calms the treble a bit. And maybe the magni 3+, and the Asgard 3. The rest especially the thx amps go for a more analytical sound. If it's justifiable to spend a ton on an amp is up to the individual and the headphones they use I know people that won't even buy an amp and k ow a guy that spends  thousands. 

Are you talking about me? I do have the E10K as amp tho but my headphones... But I can tell I'm very happy with them and glad to have finished my search.

 

2 minutes ago, Riziko said:

Yeah I don't really want that flat sound, but just one more thing. Is the difference really that big between something like the beyerdynamics which are 500$ and a gaming open back headset the GSP 600?

  Which Beyerdynamics?

[Riziko]

1 minute ago, CTR640 said:

Are you talking about me? I do have the E10K as amp tho but my headphones... But I can tell I'm very happy with them and glad to have finished my search.

 

  Which Beyerdynamics?

DT1990 Pro

[CTR640]

3 minutes ago, Riziko said:

DT1990 Pro

The DT1990 Pro comes with extra earpads that you can change. One for the analytical sound and the other for adding bass I believe.

[rice guru]

8 minutes ago, Riziko said:

Yeah I don't really want that flat sound, but just one more thing. Is the difference really that big between something like the beyerdynamics which are 500$ and a gaming open back headset the GSP 600?

That's up to your ears. To me there is a big difference but my applications go to music as well as gaming.like any hobby diminishing returns as a things and as you go higher and higher your returns get lower price to performance takes a dive. But knowing this I still want headphones like the focal utopias and clears or audeze LCD 2

[Riziko]

So you guys would say that the DT1990 Pro paired with Schiit Asgard 3 would be a perfect combo?

[CTR640]

3 minutes ago, rice guru said:

That's up to your ears. To me there is a big difference but my applications go to music as well as gaming.like any hobby diminishing returns as a things and as you go higher and higher your returns get lower price to performance takes a dive. But knowing this I still want headphones like the focal utopias and clears or audeze LCD 2

Yeah, I want the Focal Elegia and Elear but according to the owners, they have sibilance. But these have bad reviews too.

 

3 minutes ago, Riziko said:

So you guys would say that the DT1990 Pro paired with Schiit Asgard 3 would be a perfect combo?

How much is the Shit Arsegard 3?

[Riziko]

Just now, CTR640 said:

Yeah, I want the Focal Elegia and Elear but according to the owners, they have sibilance. But these have bad reviews too.

 

How much is the Shit Arsegard 3?

200$ if I can find one, I'm in EU, so the only way is to get them I think through them directly