Jump to content

Looking for headphone recommendations

Jaayymie
By Jaayymie
in Audio
 Share
Posted

Background

Please bare with me, I am not knowledgable in the area of audio.

My Philips X2HR headphones have decided to give up, therefore I am looking for headphones that meet the following criteria.

 

Requirements

  • Price: £100-£200
  • Open-back
  • Over ear
  • Good for gaming and music listening
  • No microphone
  • Detachable audio cable
  • Preferably, but no limited to one of the following brands: Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica

Research

While i've been searching, i've come up with the following list of headphones, but being a layman in this field I have no idea what I should be realisticly looking for.

https://hifiman.com/products/detail/305

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/headphones/type/wired/ath-ad700x

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/headphones/type/wired/ath-ad500x

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/headphones-high-end-stereo-hd-599

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/audio-headphones-around-ear-stereo-hd-579

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/hd-560-s-audiophile-headphone-high-end-over-ear

 

Additional info

I previously used a mixer for my X2HR, its quite old and I don't know enough about audio to understand the specifications, I've linked the mixer below, as well as an extract from the specifications that I believe may be important.

https://m-audio.com/products/view/m-track-mkii

 

Specification extract

Preamp EIN:
  • -133 dBu (max gain, 40 Ω source, A-weighted)
  • -126 dBu (max gain, 150 Ω source, unweighted)
Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/1397724-looking-for-headphone-recommendations/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
15 minutes ago, Jaayymie said:

Background

Please bare with me, I am not knowledgable in the area of audio.

My Philips X2HR headphones have decided to give up, therefore I am looking for headphones that meet the following criteria.

 

Requirements

  • Price: £100-£200
  • Open-back
  • Over ear
  • Good for gaming and music listening
  • No microphone
  • Detachable audio cable
  • Preferably, but no limited to one of the following brands: Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica

Research

While i've been searching, i've come up with the following list of headphones, but being a layman in this field I have no idea what I should be realisticly looking for.

https://hifiman.com/products/detail/305

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/headphones/type/wired/ath-ad700x

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/headphones/type/wired/ath-ad500x

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/headphones-high-end-stereo-hd-599

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/audio-headphones-around-ear-stereo-hd-579

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/hd-560-s-audiophile-headphone-high-end-over-ear

 

Additional info

I previously used a mixer for my X2HR, its quite old and I don't know enough about audio to understand the specifications, I've linked the mixer below, as well as an extract from the specifications that I believe may be important.

https://m-audio.com/products/view/m-track-mkii

 

Specification extract

Preamp EIN:
  • -133 dBu (max gain, 40 Ω source, A-weighted)
  • -126 dBu (max gain, 150 Ω source, unweighted)

Hifiman HE400i 2020 from hifiman's own store, that is if you're open for planar magnetic headhones.

PM/DM me if you have any questions about audio.

▼My PC specs & audio gear▼

CPU > Intel core i7 14700K, GPU > RTX 4070 ProArt, RAM > Corsair Vengeance DDR5 2x16gb 5600mhz, Motherboard > Asus ROG Strix B760-F, Storage > 1TB M.2  & 500GB M.2 Kingston, Cooling > H150i Elite, PSU > MSI A850GL

🎧▼Current Audio Setup▼🎧

HifiMan Ananda Nano, HE400se, X2HR

Soundblaster AE-9 Soundcard

AKG P420 Mic

▼Other peripherals▼

Monitor > Samsung Odyssey OLED G9

Keyboard > Keychron Q3 HE TKL

Mouse > Logitech G Pro 2 Lightspeed

Mousepad > X-Gamer XG++ XXL mousepad

Read this post if you want a "gaming" headset ;)

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Re-buy X2HR or Tygr 300R. 

DAC/AMPs:

Klipsch Heritage Headphone Amplifier

Headphones: Klipsch Heritage HP-3 Walnut, Meze 109 Pro, Beyerdynamic Amiron Home, Amiron Wireless Copper, Tygr 300R, DT880 600ohm Manufaktur, T90, Fidelio X2HR

CPU: Intel 4770, GPU: Asus RTX3080 TUF Gaming OC, Mobo: MSI Z87-G45, RAM: DDR3 16GB G.Skill, PC Case: Fractal Design R4 Black non-iglass, Monitor: BenQ GW2280

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
22 hours ago, Jaayymie said:

 

  • Preferably, but no limited to one of the following brands: Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica

Research

While i've been searching, i've come up with the following list of headphones, but being a layman in this field I have no idea what I should be realisticly looking for.

https://hifiman.com/products/detail/305

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/headphones/type/wired/ath-ad700x

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/headphones/type/wired/ath-ad500x

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/headphones-high-end-stereo-hd-599

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/audio-headphones-around-ear-stereo-hd-579

https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/hd-560-s-audiophile-headphone-high-end-over-ear

Audio-Technica is overhyped, Sennheiser is nice but largely misunderstood by the uninitiated, same goes for Beyerdynamic, and HiFiMan has actually been quite good in recent years.

 

Audio-Technica - Not recommended

Sennheiser - HD560S

Beyerdynamic - TYGR 300R, DT990/Pro (same headphones)

HiFiMan - HE400SE (replaces the HE400I)

 

All will lack soundstage, and none have perfect tuning (560S is closest). Beyers are V-shaped and warm with averaging technicalities, HE400SE inherits HiFiMan's typical late rise into the eargain region, and the HD560S is a bit bright for some.

[Main Desktop]

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X  GPU: EVGA RTX 3070 Ti (FTW3 Ultra)  MOBO: MSI Gaming Pro Carbon (X470)  RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws V DDR4-3600 CL16 (2x8GB)

COOLER: Arctic LiquidFreezer II 280 STORAGE: G.SKILL Phoenix FTL 240GB SSD, Crucial MX500 1TB SSD, Toshiba 2TB HDD, Seagate 4TB HDD

PSU: EVGA GQ-1000W 80+ Gold  CASE: The MESHMOD v1.0 (Custom Deepcool Matrexx 70 chassis)  MONITOR: AOC 24G2 144Hz (IPS) 

MOUSE: Logitech G502 HERO (wired)  KEYBOARD: Rosewill K81 RGB (Kailh Brown)  HEADPHONES: HiFiMan Ananda, Drop x Sennheiser HD6XX

IEMS: 7Hz Timeless, Tin Audio T2, Blon BL-03, Samsung/AKG Galaxy Buds Pro  STUDIO MONITORS: Mackie MR524, Mackie MRS10  MIC: NEAT Worker Bee  

INTERFACE: Focusrite Scarlett Solo  AMPLIFIER: SMSL SP200 THX AAA-888, XDUOO XD-05 Basic  DAC: SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII (upgraded AK4493 Version)

WHEEL: Logitech G29 + Logitech G Shifter

 

[Stream Encoder]

CPU: AMD FX-9590  GPU: Sapphire R9 390X (Tri-X OC)  MOBO: ASUS Sabertooth R2.0 (AM3+)  RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3-1866 (2x8GB)

COOLER: EVGA CLC 280 PSU: MSI A750GF 80+ Gold CASE: Phanteks P400A Digital

 

[Garage]

CAR: 2003 Honda Civic Coupe LX (EM2)  ENGINE: D17A1, planned K20A2 swap  INTAKE: DIY Solutions Short RAM  HEADERS: Motor1 4-2-1 with Cat-Delete

EXHAUST: Yonaka 2.5" Cat-Back with 3.5" tip (YMCB-CIV0105)  COILOVERS: MaXpeedingrods adjustable  RIMS: Core Racing Concept Seven Alloys (15x6.5)

RECEIVER: Kenwood DPX304MBT  SOUND DEADENING: Damplifier Pro Deadening Mats  SOUND DAMPENING: Custom solution, layers of thick insulation

DOOR SPEAKERS: Kenwood KFC-P710PS 6.5" Components  WINDOW LEDGE SPEAKERS: Kenwood KFC-6996PS 6x9" 5-Ways

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
1 hour ago, rice guru said:
Quote

Beyerdynamic - TYGR 300R, DT990/Pro (same headphones)

But very different tuning 

🤔 a minor variance in response for sure, although 'vary' is different from 'very'.

 

TYGR-300-R.thumb.jpg.1c55b10328d1545b31f5f3d761e87308.jpg

1500072979_DT990-Pro-250.thumb.jpg.3c203fc9970faaab9ecdd97c9347ed42.jpg

1623355240_Screenshot2021-12-22102416.thumb.png.b5805de17af4400aeb4d0e6f0d737e4d.png

[Main Desktop]

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X  GPU: EVGA RTX 3070 Ti (FTW3 Ultra)  MOBO: MSI Gaming Pro Carbon (X470)  RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws V DDR4-3600 CL16 (2x8GB)

COOLER: Arctic LiquidFreezer II 280 STORAGE: G.SKILL Phoenix FTL 240GB SSD, Crucial MX500 1TB SSD, Toshiba 2TB HDD, Seagate 4TB HDD

PSU: EVGA GQ-1000W 80+ Gold  CASE: The MESHMOD v1.0 (Custom Deepcool Matrexx 70 chassis)  MONITOR: AOC 24G2 144Hz (IPS) 

MOUSE: Logitech G502 HERO (wired)  KEYBOARD: Rosewill K81 RGB (Kailh Brown)  HEADPHONES: HiFiMan Ananda, Drop x Sennheiser HD6XX

IEMS: 7Hz Timeless, Tin Audio T2, Blon BL-03, Samsung/AKG Galaxy Buds Pro  STUDIO MONITORS: Mackie MR524, Mackie MRS10  MIC: NEAT Worker Bee  

INTERFACE: Focusrite Scarlett Solo  AMPLIFIER: SMSL SP200 THX AAA-888, XDUOO XD-05 Basic  DAC: SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII (upgraded AK4493 Version)

WHEEL: Logitech G29 + Logitech G Shifter

 

[Stream Encoder]

CPU: AMD FX-9590  GPU: Sapphire R9 390X (Tri-X OC)  MOBO: ASUS Sabertooth R2.0 (AM3+)  RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3-1866 (2x8GB)

COOLER: EVGA CLC 280 PSU: MSI A750GF 80+ Gold CASE: Phanteks P400A Digital

 

[Garage]

CAR: 2003 Honda Civic Coupe LX (EM2)  ENGINE: D17A1, planned K20A2 swap  INTAKE: DIY Solutions Short RAM  HEADERS: Motor1 4-2-1 with Cat-Delete

EXHAUST: Yonaka 2.5" Cat-Back with 3.5" tip (YMCB-CIV0105)  COILOVERS: MaXpeedingrods adjustable  RIMS: Core Racing Concept Seven Alloys (15x6.5)

RECEIVER: Kenwood DPX304MBT  SOUND DEADENING: Damplifier Pro Deadening Mats  SOUND DAMPENING: Custom solution, layers of thick insulation

DOOR SPEAKERS: Kenwood KFC-P710PS 6.5" Components  WINDOW LEDGE SPEAKERS: Kenwood KFC-6996PS 6x9" 5-Ways

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
1 hour ago, OfficialTechSpace said:

🤔 a minor variance in response for sure, although 'vary' is different from 'very'.

 

TYGR-300-R.thumb.jpg.1c55b10328d1545b31f5f3d761e87308.jpg

1500072979_DT990-Pro-250.thumb.jpg.3c203fc9970faaab9ecdd97c9347ed42.jpg

1623355240_Screenshot2021-12-22102416.thumb.png.b5805de17af4400aeb4d0e6f0d737e4d.png

Ddamn guess my ears were not very accurate thanks for checking me with measurements. When I compared both I found the tygrs were significantly more smoothly an the 990. And had audibly better mids. Technicalities wise it really shouldn't be too different cause it's literally a 32 ohm variant with different chassis, pads , and tuning foams. At least what I heard around the midbass seems to be validated. 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
6 hours ago, OfficialTechSpace said:

Audio-Technica is overhyped, Sennheiser is nice but largely misunderstood by the uninitiated, same goes for Beyerdynamic, and HiFiMan has actually been quite good in recent years.

 

Audio-Technica - Not recommended

Sennheiser - HD560S

Beyerdynamic - TYGR 300R, DT990/Pro (same headphones)

HiFiMan - HE400SE (replaces the HE400I)

 

All will lack soundstage, and none have perfect tuning (560S is closest). Beyers are V-shaped and warm with averaging technicalities, HE400SE inherits HiFiMan's typical late rise into the eargain region, and the HD560S is a bit bright for some.

Firstly thank you all for your suggestions.

 

In regard to the DT990 Pro, do you think the audio mixer mentioned in the original post will be sufficient to drive these headphones? as I believe the headphones are 250 OHM.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Beyerdynamics has pretty limited headphones with detachable audio cable and if they are, they aren't cheap.

DAC/AMPs:

Klipsch Heritage Headphone Amplifier

Headphones: Klipsch Heritage HP-3 Walnut, Meze 109 Pro, Beyerdynamic Amiron Home, Amiron Wireless Copper, Tygr 300R, DT880 600ohm Manufaktur, T90, Fidelio X2HR

CPU: Intel 4770, GPU: Asus RTX3080 TUF Gaming OC, Mobo: MSI Z87-G45, RAM: DDR3 16GB G.Skill, PC Case: Fractal Design R4 Black non-iglass, Monitor: BenQ GW2280

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Audio

×