Open-back headphones for my everyday usage

[Kenoxabe]

Hi guys. 
 

So for quite some time, I've been using my Superlux HD 600 as my main headphones for Movies, gaming and music. But I already gave this headphone to my nephew.

 

I don't have a dac or an amp. Truth be told, I think I don't need them since I'm somewhat fine with my PC's audio (No static, no funny interference or anything. Sound levels are high for me at 100% while using my Superlux HD600. Even used a Kingston HyperX Cloud II and am still satisfied with the audio level. I have an MSI B150M Mortar Arctic Motherboard with RealTek ACL892 Codec).

 

I'm currently looking for a new headphone which I will use as my daily driver.

 

Here are my specifics into looking one :

1. Budget is around $100-$300 MAX

2. If possible, I'd like to have no additional gadgets to drive them (say, an amp or dac)

3. Open Back 

4. I mostly listen to these bands / artist

• Coheed and Cambria
• Lamb of God
• Jamiroquiai
• Alien Ant Farm
• Motion City Soundtrack
• John Mayer

OR ANY GROUP / ARTIST THAT SOUND LIKE THEM

 

5. Gonna use it for games and movies too.

 

I was reading up on the AKG 612 Pros and the Sennheiser HD598 but am not sure if these cans will fit my needs. Any recommendations will surely be appreciated. Thanks!

[rattacko123]

Sennheiser HD598s are pretty good, really easy to drive via motherboard audio and super comfortable. I have HD558s and they are pretty damn comfortable so HD598 should be even more comfortable. Sennheisers are fairly neutral and sound good in most types of music anyways so I recommend any Sennheiser headphones except for the closed back ones.

[nicobombai]

From my experience, K612 has a large soundstage and quite neutral too. Picking apart the details in music and also gaming is super easy. Bass is ok. Requires slightly more power than HD598 iirc, but you will be fine with the current setup. Would go with the K612 pro

[Kenoxabe]

Thanks @rattacko123 and @nicobombai

 

By the way, is there any software that I should download (that compliments my current onboard sound) so that (if ever I buy either HD 598 or K612) they would compliment the headphone that I'll buy in the future?

Free please. Free is good. Lol

[nicobombai]

1 minute ago, ZakuII said:

Thanks @rattacko123 and @nicobombai

 

By the way, is there any software that I should download (that compliments my current onboard sound) so that (if ever I buy either HD 598 or K612) they would compliment the headphone that I'll buy in the future?

Free please. Free is good. Lol

I don't think any additional software is necessary as it can alter the sound of the headphone.. A good headphone can do wonders for you, in music, recording and even in games, you don't need that surround sound gimmick

[Kenoxabe]

Just now, nicobombai said:

I don't think any additional software is necessary as it can alter the sound of the headphone.. A good headphone can do wonders for you, in music, recording and even in games, you don't need that surround sound gimmick

Wasn't really after the surround sound. Was after the amplification of the volume. More than 100% I guess? LOL

 

THANKS MAN!

[rattacko123]

4 minutes ago, ZakuII said:

Thanks @rattacko123 and @nicobombai

 

By the way, is there any software that I should download (that compliments my current onboard sound) so that (if ever I buy either HD 598 or K612) they would compliment the headphone that I'll buy in the future?

Free please. Free is good. Lol

Razer Surround is a decent choice.
SOUND BLASTER X-FI MB3 is also another choice but it cost moneh and support is limited, it may or may not work with your audio

[Kenoxabe]

@rattacko123

 

Will look into both of 'em. 

 

 

Thanks!

[rattacko123]

10 minutes ago, ZakuII said:

Wasn't really after the surround sound. Was after the amplification of the volume. More than 100% I guess? LOL

Sound amplification software is impossible to find, it can sound terrible (windows default loudness eq, or razer surround volume increase thing) or only be included in the most expensive products (sound blaster). In my case I use dolby HTV4 to amplify my sound, but it only comes with certain products like certain laptops or ASUS external sound cards.
The only software only option I can find that doesn't sound like trash is using VST effects and virtual audio cable, however this is CPU intensive and adds ridiculous amounts of latency, OK for watching videos and good for music, but not so good for gaming.

[nicobombai]

8 minutes ago, ZakuII said:

Wasn't really after the surround sound. Was after the amplification of the volume. More than 100% I guess? LOL

 

THANKS MAN!

Cmiiw, amplification usually is hardware stuff which is mostly external hardware, soo software amps might be a gimmick too..

Unless you have the hardware amps thingy on the mobo like the gigabytes one where you need to manually pick the switches for amplifying the audio although i never tried this..

[Kenoxabe]

6 minutes ago, rattacko123 said:

Sound amplification software is impossible to find, it can sound terrible (windows default loudness eq, or razer surround volume increase thing) or only be included in the most expensive products (sound blaster). In my case I use dolby HTV4 to amplify my sound, but it only comes with certain products like certain laptops or ASUS external sound cards.
The only software only option I can find that doesn't sound like trash is using VST effects and virtual audio cable, however this is CPU intensive and adds ridiculous amounts of latency, OK for watching videos and good for music, but not so good for gaming.

Hmmm... if that's the case, then I guess I just have to stick with my onboard audio then.

 

5 minutes ago, nicobombai said:

Cmiiw, amplification usually is hardware stuff which is mostly external hardware, soo software amps might be a gimmick too..

Unless you have the hardware amps thingy on the mobo like the gigabytes one where you need to manually pick the switches for amplifying the audio although i never tried this..

Gonna ignore software amps then. Also gonna ignore hardware amps. Got no money for such equipment. Lol.

[Dackzy]

Why not tag a person that has had the K612s for over two years now?

There are some things that I just want you to be sure on, the K612 doesn't have a lot of bass and is probably the most uncolored headphones around that price, but the sound stage is great and I mean GREAT, the detailing is also damn good for the price, but again I have found that a lot of people think that they lack bass.

 

I personally love them when I listen to Volbeat. (I often pick them over my HE560 when I listen to Volbeat)

 

I would personally get a schiit fulla 2 with them, since they have shown me that they scale quite well with good DACs and amps, but it will set you back 250'ish.

[Kenoxabe]

@Dackzy

 

I'm not much of a bass-head anyway. A moderate bass would be appreciated though but not so much.

 

And, if possible, I'd like not to spend on other stuff besides the headphones themselves.

 

That being said, thank you for the recommendation. 

[nicobombai]

5 hours ago, Dackzy said:

Why not tag a person that has had the K612s for over two years now?

Yeah i knew i was missing something posting yesterday.. Oh well, here we are