Beginner set of open backs?

SignatureSigner · January 27, 2023

I currently live out of a pair of AirPods Pros and wondered how much of a difference it would be to go to a decent pair of open backs? (For everyone who has used a decent pair of open backs)

(My budget is around 200$ for both the headphones and the amp)

I am looking at a pair of DT990 pros in the 130$ range which would leave room for a decent amp to run them (I would get the 250ohms version?) are these decent compared to other things at this price point?

I also heard about the sound being a little sharp for certain peoples ears? Can anyone whos bought these vouch or give some input on this?)

Can anyone recommend an amp to drive them?

Tigerleon · January 27, 2023

34 minutes ago, SignatureSigner said:

I currently live out of a pair of AirPods Pros and wondered how much of a difference it would be to go to a decent pair of open backs? (For everyone who has used a decent pair of open backs)

(My budget is around 200$ for both the headphones and the amp)

I am looking at a pair of DT990 pros in the 130$ range which would leave room for a decent amp to run them (I would get the 250ohms version?) are these decent compared to other things at this price point?

I also heard about the sound being a little sharp for certain peoples ears? Can anyone whos bought these vouch or give some input on this?)

Can anyone recommend an amp to drive them?

I would recommend the X2HR from Philips. Also the DT 990 pros aren't sharp at all in their treble without proper amplification. But the X2HR's are easier to drive and has a bigger soundstage. Although tracking certain sound cues in game is a bit harder with the frequency response of the X2HR. If you play fps games that is.

johnt · January 27, 2023

I agree with @Tigerleon, the Philips X2hr are the purchase to get. The X3 is also good if you want the latest and "greatest." But the X2hr is very much in production. The X3 doesn't seem to be a direct replacement. The X2hr drops to $100 during major sales on Amazon... not sure how much of a rush you're in.

However, the argument of tracking certain sounds seems like a textbook theory. It might come into play if you're an intense e-sports gamer, but I don't think it's going to matter for 99% of users.

I would consider the Beyerdynamic DT770pro if you want a great closed back headphones, but I would look elsewhere for open back.

Psittac · January 28, 2023

I can third the X2HR, I have the X3 which is essentially the same headphone with some build quality upgrades and some slight auditory improvements. They are easy to drive as mentioned and have an excellent soundstage. You could pair them with a Schiit Fulla if you're in the states and get a good dac/amp upgrade.

If you have the desire to go with closed backs, my input for those would be the Rode NTH-100 or from Amazon Rode NTH-100

I haven't used in-ears for literal decades so I can't give a real opinion of how headphones will compare.

Stan2292 · January 28, 2023

dt990 has very ver v-shaped tuning. it makes the mids (where human vocal and some other instruments live) quite recessed. if you are just going into audiophile gear, i recommend akg k612 pro. it has almost dead harman-neutral tuning. so every frequency range, every instrument sounds present. people say neutral tuning is boring tuning. but you need that neutral baseline to begine with. then you'll know what kind of sound you like and what kind of headphone with what kind of sound signature to upgrade with in the future. it's usually around $200 as well. an amp is definitely recommended for its 120ohm impedence and 101db/mw sensitivity but some phones/laptops/desktops may be able to drive it. here's a list from a guy who kinda knows a little bit about IEMs and headphones. https://crinacle.com/rankings/headphones/