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Upgrading my Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Headphones

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First of all, thank you all very much for your time and help! I much appreciate it.

 

While I'm looking for a "next step" upgrade, based on most of your replies, the DT 990 seems to be the best choice.

 

Now I must decide which version of theses headphones and if or not I must buy an AMP and/or DAC.

 

I'm thinking about the DT 990 PRO 250 ohm, because is the cheapest version, however I'm not sure if I will be able to drive it with my Asus Xonar DX. What do you think?

 

Here are the versions based on what I've read:

 

1) DT 990 PRO (250 ohm) - EUR 150,00

Pros: less expensive of all 3 versions.

Cons: Coiled cable. Maybe it needs an amp (250 ohm). It has a lesser built quality compared to the EDITIONS versions (plastic frame x steel frame and has a tighter fit which makes it less comfortable)

 

2) DT 990 EDITON (250 ohm) - EUR 210,00

Pros: Premium built (Steel frame and more comfortable fit). Straight cable. Carry case.

Cons: 60 euros more expensive. Maybe it needs an amp, which makes it even more expensive.

 

3) DT 990 EDITION (32 ohm) - EUR 240,00

Pros: Doesn't need an amp! Premium built (Steel frame and more comfortable fit). Straight cable. Carry case.

Cons: 90 euros more expensive.

First off, you will not need an amp. They will sound just fine. If you don't mind the higher clamp and plastic frame, get the pro. If you want the steel frame, and higher build quality (important if your'e not going to take very careful care of them) then get the premium 250 ohm. At this point, there really isn't a reason to get the 32 ohm 990.

Hey guys!

 

I own a pair of the Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Headphones and I want an upgrade.

 

I'm looking for better sound, more comfortable and more durable ones. The synthetic material that covers the foam of my Sennheiser is tearing apart and also the headphone gets uncomfortable after 3~4 hours of use (it hasn't memory foam, by the way).

 

The use scenario is gaming and listening to music. I don't have an amp or a DAC. I use my Asus Xonar DX soundcard.

 

Do you have any recommendations? I'm thinking about the Beyerdinamic DT 990 Edition 32ohm (EUR 241), but, man, they are expensive.

 

Thanks for your help.

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I recommend the m40x (rather than the m50x)

you can hear the differences in the m series here

I personally have tired both the m40x and m50x at a store and i would go with m40x anyday due to how light it is and how inexpensive it is compared to m50x

:P

And also to add the m40x allows you to truly hear what the artist wants you to listen to (it's curve is very minimal so there isnt alot of equalizer action going on)

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I've been rocking HD 598s since black Friday.

 

Fuckin' amazing.

 

Base is a little weak, since they're open back (which is slightly saddening since I listen to rap.), but games (especially realism based games -ArmA/DayZ with JSRS = splooge-) sound amazing. It's like you're not even wearing headphones, both physically and audibly. I recommend them 100%

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I love my hd 558s they are amazing.

 

Don't get the m40x or the m50x they are two of the most over rated sets of cans out there in my opinion. 

 

Personally I would rather get a higher impedance set now.

 

As far as open or closed back go don't get closed if you value sound quality.

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I would be concerned about most of these suggestions being side-grades. The Beyer DT is most likely to sound different in a good way,.

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I'd say anything under the normal headphone trinity (Sennheiser HD600/650, Beyerdynamic DT880, AKG K702/712) would just be a sidegrade

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Hey guys!

 

I own a pair of the Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Headphones and I want an upgrade.

 

I'm looking for better sound, more comfortable and more durable ones. The synthetic material that covers the foam of my Sennheiser is tearing apart and also the headphone gets uncomfortable after 3~4 hours of use (it hasn't memory foam, by the way).

 

The use scenario is gaming and listening to music. I don't have an amp or a DAC. I use my Asus Xonar DX soundcard.

 

Do you have any recommendations? I'm thinking about the Beyerdinamic DT 990 Edition 32ohm (EUR 241), but, man, they are expensive.

 

Thanks for your help.

DT 990's are my favorite headset I got, so comfortbale. I have the M50x's and the DT 990's I would recommend getting the DT 990's.. over the ATH-M50x anyday. The sound would be different then the HD 380's and others suggested in a goodway as SSL stated above. The material is very durabile, and plush and I think I would have to stomp on this to break it. Also it doesn't clamp on your head which I like, only thing is there open which I prefer anyway.. Bass feels very natural in a good way aswell.

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I'm loving a pair of HD 598's here, the sound is amazing though the bass is lacking.

But the comfortability of these headphones blew me away, never thought I'd be able to wear a headphone 24/7 without feeling the need to take them off because of pressure or pain starting to rise.

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I mean, I have a pair of HD650's that I like pretty well. I agree with the sentiment stated twice before about these mainly being side-grades, rather than upgrades. The 598, and M40s especially. The Beyers would probably be good, although I must confess that I have not listened to pair before. If you want to stick with Senns, the HD600 series is really quite good. If you want bass, the 650's certainly aren't lacking in it, at all. The thing that the 6XX do is that they make just about everything sound good. Maybe not perfect, but definitely up there with just about anything in their price range.

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For your specified usage and budget, you pretty much nailed it by having the DT990 in mind. Not only will it outperform any alternatives suggested in the thread when it comes to gaming (very immersive audio due to signature and accurate positional cues) but also handle a wide range of music genres (which by the way you didn't specify further).

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So, is there actually a difference between the 990 pro and 990 premium, or is that just the looks? the pro is significantly cheaper. (sorry, I've never owned a pair of beyers :( )

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So, is there actually a difference between the 990 pro and 990 premium, or is that just the looks? the pro is significantly cheaper. (sorry, I've never owned a pair of beyers :( )

From what I understand the premium mostly just means premium build quality.  It's just higher end materials than the pro.  There were a pair of DT 990 Premiums on Massdrop recently I believe, you may check it out.

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First of all, thank you all very much for your time and help! I much appreciate it.

 

While I'm looking for a "next step" upgrade, based on most of your replies, the DT 990 seems to be the best choice.

 

Now I must decide which version of theses headphones and if or not I must buy an AMP and/or DAC.

 

I'm thinking about the DT 990 PRO 250 ohm, because is the cheapest version, however I'm not sure if I will be able to drive it with my Asus Xonar DX. What do you think?

 

Here are the versions based on what I've read:
 

1) DT 990 PRO (250 ohm) - EUR 150,00

Pros: less expensive of all 3 versions.

Cons: Coiled cable. Maybe it needs an amp (250 ohm). It has a lesser built quality compared to the EDITIONS versions (plastic frame x steel frame and has a tighter fit which makes it less comfortable)

 

2) DT 990 EDITON (250 ohm) - EUR 210,00

Pros: Premium built (Steel frame and more comfortable fit). Straight cable. Carry case.

Cons: 60 euros more expensive. Maybe it needs an amp, which makes it even more expensive.

 

3) DT 990 EDITION (32 ohm) - EUR 240,00

Pros: Doesn't need an amp! Premium built (Steel frame and more comfortable fit). Straight cable. Carry case.

Cons: 90 euros more expensive.

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First of all, thank you all very much for your time and help! I much appreciate it.

 

While I'm looking for a "next step" upgrade, based on most of your replies, the DT 990 seems to be the best choice.

 

Now I must decide which version of theses headphones and if or not I must buy an AMP and/or DAC.

 

I'm thinking about the DT 990 PRO 250 ohm, because is the cheapest version, however I'm not sure if I will be able to drive it with my Asus Xonar DX. What do you think?

 

Here are the versions based on what I've read:

 

1) DT 990 PRO (250 ohm) - EUR 150,00

Pros: less expensive of all 3 versions.

Cons: Coiled cable. Maybe it needs an amp (250 ohm). It has a lesser built quality compared to the EDITIONS versions (plastic frame x steel frame and has a tighter fit which makes it less comfortable)

 

2) DT 990 EDITON (250 ohm) - EUR 210,00

Pros: Premium built (Steel frame and more comfortable fit). Straight cable. Carry case.

Cons: 60 euros more expensive. Maybe it needs an amp, which makes it even more expensive.

 

3) DT 990 EDITION (32 ohm) - EUR 240,00

Pros: Doesn't need an amp! Premium built (Steel frame and more comfortable fit). Straight cable. Carry case.

Cons: 90 euros more expensive.

First off, you will not need an amp. They will sound just fine. If you don't mind the higher clamp and plastic frame, get the pro. If you want the steel frame, and higher build quality (important if your'e not going to take very careful care of them) then get the premium 250 ohm. At this point, there really isn't a reason to get the 32 ohm 990.

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Idk about dt990 sound but i'd probably recommend dt880 over dt990

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First of all, thank you all very much for your time and help! I much appreciate it.

 

While I'm looking for a "next step" upgrade, based on most of your replies, the DT 990 seems to be the best choice.

 

Now I must decide which version of theses headphones and if or not I must buy an AMP and/or DAC.

 

I'm thinking about the DT 990 PRO 250 ohm, because is the cheapest version, however I'm not sure if I will be able to drive it with my Asus Xonar DX. What do you think?

 

Here are the versions based on what I've read:

 

1) DT 990 PRO (250 ohm) - EUR 150,00

Pros: less expensive of all 3 versions.

Cons: Coiled cable. Maybe it needs an amp (250 ohm). It has a lesser built quality compared to the EDITIONS versions (plastic frame x steel frame and has a tighter fit which makes it less comfortable)

 

2) DT 990 EDITON (250 ohm) - EUR 210,00

Pros: Premium built (Steel frame and more comfortable fit). Straight cable. Carry case.

Cons: 60 euros more expensive. Maybe it needs an amp, which makes it even more expensive.

 

3) DT 990 EDITION (32 ohm) - EUR 240,00

Pros: Doesn't need an amp! Premium built (Steel frame and more comfortable fit). Straight cable. Carry case.

Cons: 90 euros more expensive.

 

They differ in more than just build materials and quality, signature and overall characteristics do change, with the Premium having a wider soundstage, more pronounced treble and slightly tamed bass. Thinking in simple terms, go with the DT990 PRO if you want more bass, smoother treble and a slightly narrow soundstage or go with the Premium if you want a more disperse and slightly less impactful bass, with more detailed treble and a wider soundstage. I would use the Premium for competitive gaming and the PRO for immersive gaming myself but ymmv.

 

Regarding amping, your Xonar DX doesn't come with a dedicated headphone amp, so I do suggest you get an external amp (rather than replacing the soundcard, which is perfectly fine btw) such as a PA2V2 or a Fiio E11. Both those amps will deliver enough power to drive the DT990 250Ohm adequately. And yes, you do want to feed enough power to the headphones as it's not a matter of having a higher volume ceiling but actually letting the headphone drivers perform adequately.

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Regarding amping, your Xonar DX doesn't come with a dedicated headphone amp, so I do suggest you get an external amp (rather than replacing the soundcard, which is perfectly fine btw) such as a PA2V2 or a Fiio E11. Both those amps will deliver enough power to drive the DT990 250Ohm adequately. And yes, you do want to feed enough power to the headphones as it's not a matter of having a higher volume ceiling but actually letting the headphone drivers perform adequately.

He would be fine without an amp. And yes, the DX does have an amp. If it didn't, you wouldn't be able to adjust the volume. No need for an amp, making this an even more expensive proposition, especially since amps don't alter sound, just make it louder.

@OP, you should get the headphones first, and see how you like them. If you're not happy with how loud they are, go ahead and get one, otherwise you'd be fine without it!

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He would be fine without an amp. And yes, the DX does have an amp. If it didn't, you wouldn't be able to adjust the volume. No need for an amp, making this an even more expensive proposition...

@OP, you should get the headphones first, and see how you like them. If you're not happy with how loud they are, go ahead and get one, otherwise you'd be fine without it!

 

Go back and read exactly what I wrote. Every single audio device has an amp, what I'm talking about is a dedicated headphone amp that gives considerably more power to the drivers, something the Xonar DX lacks and therefore won't drive the DT990 250Ohm adequately.

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Go back and read exactly what I wrote. Every single audio device has an amp, what I'm talking about is a dedicated headphone amp that gives considerably more power to the drivers, something the Xonar DX lacks and therefore won't drive the DT990 250Ohm adequately.

I have a pair of DT 990 Pro 250 Olms and my smartphone can drive them don't know what your talking about. The DX should be way more then enough.

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I have a pair of DT 990 Pro 250 Olms and my smartphone can drive them don't know what your talking about.

 

Of course sound will come out of the headphones, and that definitely doesn't mean they're performing as they should.

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Go back and read exactly what I wrote. Every single audio device has an amp, what I'm talking about is a dedicated headphone amp that gives considerably more power to the drivers, something the Xonar DX lacks and therefore won't drive the DT990 250Ohm adequately.

I read what you wrote about four times. You were very unclear about the part where the Xonar may or may not have an amp, since, you know, you didn't say that it had one. The DX will drive them just fine. 

 

Of course sound will come out of the headphones, and that definitely doesn't mean they're performing as they should.

This is wrong. This is something that people talk a lot about over at head-fi, but here at LTT, we know (through science) that a good, reference style amp and dac will not change the sound, regardless of price. It's all about volume. If you want to know more about that, I would ask creatip123, SSL or ShearMe, or really, anyone else around here that spends a lot of time on this forum.

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Then plug a set of Sennheiser HD800 to a phone and to a desktop amp and tell me there is no difference.

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Then plug a set of Sennheiser HD800 to a phone and to a desktop amp and tell me there is no difference.

But, those aren't even the cans we are talking about? And I bet there wouldn't be a real one!

God damnit not again.

Thank god you're here...

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