Yeti + HD 558's

[madman1876]

Considering getting this pair instead of a $200 headset. Anyone have either item and care to share your experiences with em.

[Swegly]

HD598s. They are sexy.

[EmoRarity]

558's are fine, don't bother with the 598 as it is nothing more then a color swap for $30 more.
Do you really need a Yeti? Are you recording/streaming, because if you are only doing VoIP save your cash and buy a Snowflake as no VoIP client will use a mic better then a Snowflake. 

[madman1876]

HD598s. They are sexy.

think i prefer the 558's lol

[EmoRarity]

think i prefer the 558's lol

Good, they use the same driver and sound identical. Yet one cost more then the other. 

[madman1876]

558's are fine, don't bother with the 598 as it is nothing more then a color swap for $30 more.

Do you really need a Yeti? Are you recording/streaming, because if you are only doing VoIP save your cash and buy a Snowflake as no VoIP client will use a mic better then a Snowflake. 

My sister's a really good singer and i like to play around with things like fl studio so it might come in handy

[EmoRarity]

My sister's a really good singer and i like to play around with things like fl studio so it might come in handy

Then might I suggest you take a middle ground with the Snowball or AT2500?

[madman1876]

Then might I suggest you take a middle ground with the Snowball or AT2500?

Really appreciate the concern man but i don't upgrade very often so i don't mind splashing out the $30 premium

[EmoRarity]

Really appreciate the concern man but i don't upgrade very often so i don't mind splashing out the $30 premium

By all means, though any money not spent on the mic can be spent on better headphones. 

[madman1876]

By all means, though any money not spent on the mic can be spent on better headphones. 

Good argument, do you think you could recommend a better headset for $150

[EmoRarity]

Good argument, do you think you could recommend a better headset for $150

Depending on your motherboard, you may find the DT880 or DT900 better options. 

[madman1876]

Depending on your motherboard, you may find the DT880 or DT900 better options. 

ga z77 up5th

[ShearMe]

Good argument, do you think you could recommend a better headset for $150

Sennheiser PC 360 is a 558. With a mic slapped on.

[EmoRarity]

ga z77 up5th

Technically should be able to power the DT's to reasonable levels, depends on your listening levels. 

[madman1876]

Wow!! (250 OHMs). the low impedance was a selling point for me since i dont have a soundcard

[EmoRarity]

Wow!! (250 OHMs). the low impedance was a selling point for me since i dont have a soundcard

Modern motherboards may or may not be able to power them fully. In my opinion I would take a shot, and if they don't there are $75ish options to make them run. If you are interested.  

[madman1876]

Well i do like to live dangerously but am not sure hmm...

[EmoRarity]

Well i do like to live dangerously but am not sure hmm...

Let me clarify a bit, they will run, its just how loud they will run at that will be effected. 

[EmoRarity]

(ShearMe is online, as far as I can tell, he will be your guide from here on out if he feels up to it, because I have to make like a tree and grow.) 

[ShearMe]

There's also a $30 FiiO E6 if you just need a little more volume, but like Mr. Rarity suggested, is best to try them out with what you have already first.

[madman1876]

There's also a $30 FiiO E6 if you just need a little more volume, but like Mr. Rarity suggested, is best to try them out with what you have already first.

how much better are those than a $30 soundcard?

[ShearMe]

how much better are those than a $30 soundcard?

Well they're entirely different products. I guess most regular people would say a $30 soundcard is better IF you need it.

[madman1876]

Well they're entirely different products. I guess most regular people would say a $30 soundcard is better IF you need it.

If it's not too much to ask, could you explain or refer me to someone who can?

[ShearMe]

If it's not too much to ask, could you explain or refer me to someone who can?

The E6 is just an amp. A small amp. A cheap amp. It's got relatively great performance for the size and cost, and is portable, but it's still just one amp.

A soundcard is a much more sophisticated piece of electronics - it has a DAC and potentially multie amps, along with multiple inputs and outputs. The amps they use, however, aren't very friendly to lower impedance headphones (wont effect high impedance Beyerdynamic headphones, but worthy go note if you ever decide to try/buy other headphones in the future). The worst thing about soundcards is their terrible drivers which MIGHT work with your computer. Their noise floor is measured at max volume which, because of those amps, is pretty freaking loud. At regular listening volumes, a soundcard's SPL isn't any better than an onboard solution, and potentially worse.

I imagine most people will choose the features they'll never use in a soundcard over a simple little amp, and that's fine.

[madman1876]

So since I like my ears and don't plan to put dt-990's on blast. you think i should just go with on-board audio and get the $30 amp if necessary?